#1: Let's start with the running backs.
Clinton saw specialists in Pittsburgh earlier in the week for the concussion he suffered nearly a month ago in the Falcons game. What'd they say? Exactly what you'd expect a Steelers doctor to say (hey, they cleared Roethlisberger a week earlier). So he's done for the year, his worst year as a professional. Now, whispers of CP's career in DC being over are beginning to circulate.
Here's my story: I'm not one to gamble with head injuries. Been there, done that. But Portis's story goes deeper. In no way am I calling him soft. Far from it. He's arguably one of the most punishing pass blockers at the RB position. Just ask Mathias Kiwanuka (MUTE FOR LANGUAGE):
The dude can bring it... on game day. But during the week, he rarely practices. Likewise, his work habits in the offseason are reportedly no different. Phillip Daniels, in comparison, came back stronger than ever after his leg injury and now he's merely playing for pride with torn biceps. Would I be sad to see CP go? Sure, he's still our best back and can still contribute in the running game... as long as it's by committee.
Since he went out, Betts stepped in nicely then stepped out swiftly after tearing major knee ligaments in Dallas. Now Rock, preseason all-star Marcus Mason, and 'dat dude' named Ganther are picking up the slack. But that's it, they're just picking up the slack, not significantly impacting games and the Post is now reporting the possibility of drafting RB in the first round.
My opinion? If Portis wants back, then OK, but if he can't play anymore or wants to play elsewhere, let him go. Start Betts and rotate Rock and Ganther because drafting any player besides an offensive lineman would put this franchise back another year. The house's foundation has to go down before you can start talking plasma screen TVs.
#2: Suisham? Dish 'em.
Only 3 misses on the year? Not bad. But each one having a direct effect on the outcome of 2 back to back games? Good riddance. He's a 72% career FG kicker. How'd this guy beat out the others in preseason? As always, Vinny was focused on the big names. Now, instead of 5-7, they're 3-9. Sure Campbell threw a late pick. Sure Sellers fumbled in OT. But it would have never come to that had Suisham put it out of reach earlier on.
His replacement? Graham Gano and his story is kinda promising. As a senior at Florida State last year, he won the Lou Groza awarded to the nation's best kicker. He was a first team All-American and won the Champ Sports Bowl MVP trophy in FSU's win over Wisconsin. After college, he was undrafted then beat out in Ravens camp by some dude named Hauschka (since been cut).
He signed with the UFL's Las Vegas Locomotives who currently employ former NFLers J.P. Losman, Teddy Lehman, and Tony Parrish. Vegas recently won the UFL championship in October and guess who kicked the game-winner? Sounds like the dude's simply a winner.
#3: Lastly, someone finally got it right...
London Fletcher, football's most underrated and under-appreciated player, was finally recognized for his play. Earlier this week, the decade's leading tackler was named to Sports Illustrated writer Peter King's All-Decade Team and USA Football's All-Fundamentals Team.
It's about damn time.
Fletch played college ball at D-III John Carroll University. No surprise, he set the school record for tackles his senior season (202) and was named D-III national linebacker of the year. After college, he was undrafted but immediately joined the St. Louis Rams. Since then, he's never missed a game, he's led his team in tackles every year he's played, and owns the season records in tackles for every team he's played for. Yet, he's never been named to the Pro Bowl.
Pro Bowl ballot: http://www.nfl.com/probowl/ballot?icampaign=PB_topheader. If you haven't yet, do it. If you have, do it again. Keeping Fletch out of the Pro Bowl is like keeping Hef out of The Mansion.
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