I love good, hard-nosed football. I love players that wear their hearts on their sleeves and play with a passion that equals or surpasses their skills on the football field.  As a fan, I live for watching a player leave it all out on the field, making sure that they deliver the kind of performance that both their team and the fans deserve.

What I cannot stand is when a player allows that fire and that passion to overwhelm common sense, pushing them from the ranks of the hard-nosed to the bull-headed.

Before today’s action, I was willing to give Ndamukong Suh of the Detroit Lions the benefit of the doubt. I was ready to believe that Suh, like Pittsburgh’s James Harrison, was just a player who played the game all-out, in the old-school manor where hitting was meant to deliver a message. I was even willing to believe that Suh was being vilified by Commissioner Goodell’s mission to sugar coat the NFL with lollipops and roses.

After watching his antics on Thanksgiving versus the Packers, I am no longer help captive under that delusion.

As you likely also saw, Suh flipped a lid during the 3^rd Quarter against Green Bay. If you didn’t the video is linked above. After tussling Packer’s lineman Evan Dietrich-Smith, Suh not only forced Smith’s head to the ground three times, but then stomped on the lineman’s arm once he got to his feet, earning himself an immediate ejection and turning what would have resulted in a field goal opportunity into a touchdown two plays later. Ultimately, it was the turning point in the game, allowing the Packers to turn a 7-0 halftime lead into a 21-0 advantage before Detroit could get their head on straight again.

Suh’s decision to put his own maturity issues ahead of the success of the team was blatantly stupid. Goaded into the action or not, Suh needs to understand his place as a leader on a young team on the rise. The defense revolves around his ability to plug the line and put constant pressure on the opposing quarterback. None of that means a thing if he’s in the locker room stripping off his gear because his hot head got the best of him and earned him an early shower while he team was fighting in one of the most important games of their season. Now, as his team is entering the playoff push and looking to capture its first berth since 1999, the possibility of a Suh’s suspension looms over them and they have to hope that the Bears, Giants, or Falcons fall on their faces.

Furthermore, Suh’s actions come just weeks after meeting with Goodell about playing within the confines of the rules. Goodell is not going to look at Thursday’s actions as a sign that he’s learned anything. He’s going to see a player who has no respect for the safety of the other players on the field and thus deserves to sit a few games in order to figure it out some more. Goodell is not going to want to hear that Smith dragged him into it, or even that he is sorry and it won’t happen again. Goodell is going to want to teach Suh a lesson and from where I am sitting, it looks like it needs to be a harsh one.

This needs to be the turning point in Suh’s career. He needs to sit back and review what happened today and find a way to still carry that fire, without letting it smoke out his common sense.

Or if he prefers, he can continue to sit on the bench with an open wallet. It’s his choice.

Pat Tillman

Thankfulness...

Sacrifice...

The two are connected...

​They go hand in hand...

Think about it...

Who are you most thankful for???

Well...

Whoever it is...

That person has sacrificed for you in some way...

Whether it be your parents, a friend, or a loved one...

Your thankfulness is connected to some kind of sacrifice on their part...

Think of our troops...

Many of whom have paid the ultimate price...

The ultimate sacrifice...

In sports...

Sacrifice is as simple as a mundane bunt...

The batter gives up his turn at bat for the good of his teammates...

Yes, he occasionally makes it to first...

But that was not his original intent...

I hope you had a Happy Thanksgiving...

And I hope you took a moment to reflect on the sacrifice of others...

Their sacrifice...

So you could have a better life...

dvt

http://www.6magazineonline.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/pat-tillman1.jpg

(​I would like to thank my friend Kyle, missionary to Chile,

who preached a message about this concept, 

and gave me the inspiration for this blog... dvt)

I just woke up from my nap...

I was sleeping through the Packers-Lions game...

And I hadn't even eaten a bite of turkey...

So...

I wake up...

And within the first few minutes...

It's one of the SUH-pidest plays I had ever seen..

Buh-bye, Endo-minican...

Or whatever you first name is...

You can have a seat for the rest of the season...

You can flush the Lions post season hopes...

Flush them down the good ole drain...

Oh...

It probably won't happen...

But it should...

This guy needs to take off his diaper and grow up...

Yes, I know...

It's an emotional game...

But the mark of a true great...

Is one who can control his emotions when he has to...

This boy named Suh isn't there yet...

Will he ever get there???

The game turned on one SUH-pid play...

SUH-spend the guy...

Forever...

Or...

Make him play the rest of the season...

Without cleats...

Happy Thanksgiving, big guy...

Way to take your team from 0-7 to 0-24 in a matter of minutes...

Way to ruin my perfectly crafted blog about thanks and sacrifice...

Don't worry...

I will probably write it anyways...

Once my mind digests that turkey I just saw on television...

dvt

http://i.ebayimg.com/t/JOHNNY-CASH-BOY-NAMED-SUE-45-RECORD-Columbia-VG-/04/!CD7eF!wBGk~$(KGrHqZ,!lwEz+2CIlkiBNQL7jP,8Q~~_3.JPG

Thanksgiving and football…a time honored tradition that goes back to the beginnings of pro football. Detroit has hosted a Thanksgiving day game every year since 1944 and as far back as their first year having pro football in 1934. Dallas volunteered for a Thanksgiving game when the NFL wanted to add a second game in the 70s and have hosted the late afternoon game continually since. The NFL added a third game in primetime four years ago for its own network and to get other teams on. So basically its wall to wall football while you fight off the effects of the tryptophan from the turkey you gobble down…Odds are provided by by bodog.net and are for entertainment and comparison purposes only, so don’t come by my house looking for turkey and stuffing leftovers next week if you bet the lines and lose.

Packers (10-0) @ Lions (7-3)

Ford Field, Detroit 12:30 (FOX)

Favorite Packers by 7

Last Week Packers beat Bucs, Lions beat Panthers 49-35

Fast Fact This is the first time since 1962 that an unbeaten team has played on Thanksgiving, that team was the Packers…who lost to the Lions

This is a Thanksgiving game that involves the Lions that aint a turkey. The Pack come in full of swagger but as an unbeaten team that is hard not to admire. Aaron Rodgers is cutting defenses up with better than surgical precision, his 4 INT’s on the season have all come in the 4^th quarter and have been meaningless to the teams outcome. The Pack have been rolling over teams with a methodical style bordering on scary. But their defense has been a bit suspect at times but always having to defend big leads. Meanwhile the Lions 5-0 start has been followed by an uneven 2-3 stretch that saw them blowout the Broncos and Panthers but get housed by the Lions and lose tight games to Falcons and Niners. Matthew Stafford isn’t on the same level as Rodgers but can light it up with the best of them. The Packers are the smart money choice to go to Indy in February but they have been playing a bit ragged and the unbeaten talk has got a bit silly. This just seems like an upset waiting to happen. The Lions are due for a real signature win, like the Starr led Packers of ’62 who walked into a Motown Ambush the Rodgers led Pack will do the same thing.

Pick-Detroit (Upset of the Week…and maybe year)

Dolphins (3-7) @ Cowboys (6-4)

Cowboys Stadium; Arlington, TX 4:15 (CBS)

Favorite Cowboys by 7

Last Week Dolphins beat Bills 35-8, Cowboys beat Redskins 27-24 in ot

Fast Fact Dolphins have not allowed a TD in 12 quarters

What a difference 3 weeks makes, 3 weeks ago the Dolphins were dodging questions about the 76 Bucs and if they were as bad as the Colts and the Cowboys were a mediocre 3-4. Now the Pokes are in first and The Dolphins may have save Tony Sparano’s job by getting off the mat and winning three by double digits. They may have also played their way out of the Andrew Luck sweepstakes as well. The Pokes have ambled into first place by beating one tomato can team after another and developing swagger like they think they have anything in common with the Super Bowl winning teams of the 90s. Problem here is it’s foolish to pick against the Pokes anytime between now and their New Years day visit to New York. Colin Cowherd is going to make himself annoyingly giddy as the Pokes roll over on palooka after another. This should be no different

Pick-Dallas

49ers (9-1) @ Ravens (7-3)

M&T Bank Stadium, Baltimore 8:20 (NFLN)

Favorite Ravens by 3

Last Week 49ers beat Cardinals 27-3, Ravens beat Bengals 31-24

Fast Fact The first matchup of two coaching brothers in NFL history, happening 17 years after the first father-son coaching matchup. Ravens coach John Harbaugh is 15 months older than Niners Coach (and former NFL QB) Jim.

The so-called Har-Bowl pits two of the brightest young coaches in the game and two of its stoutest defenses. Both teams are mirror images, ballhawking, roughneck, big play defenses with efficient run oriented offenses that punish you with the big throw if you load up the box. It will be an interesting chess match. I think the Niners having had made one too many cross-country trips will not be able to make the transition on a short week turnaround. The veteran laden Ravens will slow the young Niners down for the time being. If these two teams meet back up in two months in Indy (Don’t laugh, it could happen) It could be a different story.

Pick-Baltimore

The Rest of the picks will be posted Sunday. From my neck of the Hoodwood to yours, have a Festive, Filling, Safe and Happy Thanksgiving!

Welcome to one and all Happy Thanksgiving to all. Enjoy the day with fine food and good friends and family but most of all plenty of football. As promised it’s the annual Turkey Awards.

Let’s get started with desert Life is uncertain always eat desert first.

Desert

The Mince Pie

This pie is dedicated to something that sounds really good but leaves a better taste in your mouth the award goes to Manny Ramirez so good but so dumb and left a shitty taste in our mouths.

The Pumpkin Pie

Just a pile of mush. The NFL and The NFLPA ok we didn’t miss a down. It was  abunch of mush and once the regular season started it turned into sweetness.

Side Dishes

The Peas

Jim Tressel and the Ohio State Buckeyes. These Turkeys  slipped their peas too the dog s under the table. Tressel lost his job and all the other guys well Pryor is a Raider do I need to say any more.

The Mash Potato

Goes to Miami Booster Nevin Shapiro what a tool this dude was. Paying players and all kinds of NCAA recruiting violations . Just lumpy and cold.

The Cranberry Sauce

The Montreal Police for bringing Bruins Defenseman Zedano Chara in for questioning after checking Canadien Left Winger Max Percioretty into a stantion at the Bell Centre.

It’s was sour just like a cranberry.

The Green Bean Casserole

The whole occupy movement  isn’t our goal as Americans to be part of the 1 % and achieve beyond the American Dream. Just thought I would through  that in.

The Stuffing

Goes to Divorced Dodger Owners Frank McCourt and his lovely Ex.Jaimie They ruined one of the classiest franchise in all of sports  kind of like bad stuffing ruining the entire meal.

Sausage Stuffing

Goes to Jerry Sandusky need I say more . This guy is a total scum bag.

Main Course

The Turkey

The NCAA for turning their backs and saying the whole penn State thing was an internal thing.

The Over Stuffed Bird.

The NBA , The NBAPA and David Stern ok you over stuffed morons stop telling us it’s not about the money. Of Course it is and you are all losing money and making the occupy your ass movement proud

The Churducken

Goes to those over stuffed birds the Boston Red Sox  blowing a 10 game lead and eating lots of Fried Chicken and Beer. Hey wait minute isn’t that some form of cannibalism.

The Complete Turkey Dinner with Extra pie

Goes to Jerry Sandusky and The Penn State Nittwitty Lions including Penn State Czar Joe PA. These guys stuffed as with a meal full of material so much so that only Cardinal Bernie Law would appreciate it more than we did

Those are this years Turkey Awards I Hope you enjoyed our little Feast

To All Happy Thanksgiving.