Kahne, NFL, Peyton, Cowboys, College Football
Oct
20
Written by:
10/20/2010 11:37 PM
Kasey Kahne has been released from driving the #9 Budweiser Ford for Richard Petty Motorsports effective immediately. Aric Almirola is scheduled to drive the #9 this weekend in Martinsville, with drivers for the rest of the season to be determined. Considering that Almirola was scheduled to drive the #83 Red Bull Toyota at Martinsville, this should clear that ride for Kahne to join Red Bull racing for the remainder of the 2010 season. Kahne’s unhappiness at RPM has become more evident in recent weeks, with the blowup after his second brake failure in two weeks reaching a breaking point for all parties. Kahne refused to get back into the car after repairs were made to his car, citing illness, resulting in J.J. Yeley finishing the race in his car. Kahne felt well enough Sunday morning to run in the 5K his foundation was sponsoring in downtown Charlotte. This is most likely a win-win situation for all parties. Word coming out of RPM was that an employee at RPM had told Kahne he needed to start doing his part. Well, he has now done his part and is no longer with the organization. As a NASCAR fan, it is sad to see what has happened to RPM Motorsports, but as with all sports, you have to change with the times and the feeling is RPM has been stuck in the past. Who is going to carry the banner for RPM if they are around in 2011? A team without a great driver is…….? We may find out at Daytona.
Another weekend of NFL action is complete. The biggest news to come out of the weekend was some disastrous hits placed on some players that have resulted in some immediate rule changes/enforcement. The NFL sent a memo on October 20th from Commissioner Roger Goodell saying that illegal shots to the head and neck region will result in steeper fines and potential suspensions for first time offenders. On top of players facing increased penalties, the coaches and organizations may face penalties for not teaching players how to do things the right way. Three players received large fines this week after their actions this past weekend, resulting in the aforementioned memo from the League offices. There are several different reactions from this new emphasis, with the defensive players being the most outspoken. Obviously, these are the guys that are most likely to be affected by this and they are the most vocal in opposition. These are the guys that make their living out of hitting people and now the NFL is telling them to make sure they do it correctly and legally or else. I do not endorse the shots dished out this past weekend by James Harrison, Dunta Robinson, and Brandon Meriweather, but the NFL is making this change mid-season. Will the NFL enforce this no helmet to helmet policy on offensive players running into a hole and lowering their helmets? What about offensive players running down the sidelines that pull up and try and get those last couple of yards before stepping out of bounds? What about creating a rule like they use for QB’s sliding for the sidelines? I know I am all over the place here, but as many defenders have said, the NFL is creating even more of an advantage for the offenses because we all know coaches will find ways to benefit from this new emphasis on safety. Defenders have been able to use their reputations as big hitters to their advantage in the past. Some receivers get, “alligator arms,” when running across the middle, but with these new rules, will guys run across the middle with less fear?
Several former players think this new rule may be a part of the NFL wanting to expand to an 18-game schedule in the future. They feel as if the players concern of extra games shortening careers can be off-set, in the NFL’s eyes, by creating a less damaging game and enforcing these new rules.
Peyton Manning may be without two of his favorite and best weapons for an extended period of time. Tight End Dallas Clark has a hand/wrist injury that may keep him out for the remainder of the season. Clark is supposedly getting second and possibly a third opinion on the matter to best determine how to proceed. Having had some injuries and surgeries in the past, I have never gone out and gotten a second or third opinion unless the prognosis on the injury was not what I wanted from the previous physician. Clark has been Manning’s safety blanket and go to guy in clutch situations.
Adding to the Clark injury is word that Joseph Addai is going to be out for a couple of weeks with a shoulder injury. Backup Donald Brown has not played since week three, so the Colt’s backfield is in a bit of disarray. Addai is uncertain how long he may be out, so any prolonged absence, coupled with Clark’s situation, could greatly diminish the Colt’s chances of a deep playoff run in a very deep AFC.
Finally, I have one word that my Dallas Cowboys need to learn something about: accountability. Another week of dumbass penalties and mistakes at critical times resulting in a 1-4 record. The only bright spot is that they play in the NFC East, and are only two games out of first and have only played one divisional game. This team has as much talent as anyone on paper, but something seems to be lost on them come gameday. Is it coaching? Is it laziness? Is it players not holding each other accountable for their actions? My answer is an emphatic yes to all of the above. Wade Phillips is not Bill Parcells, but I don’t remember these issues under Bill’s reign in Dallas. Mike Jenkins, why were you pulling down a receivers arm on a critical 3rd down late in the game against the Vikings? Get in the right position! Tony Romo has to be smarter with the ball and not turn the ball over in critical situations. Each player has to be accountable for their actions and preparations daily and if they see someone slacking off, call them out. The so called leaders of the team need to step up and set the example for all others to follow. I am interested in seeing what happens this coming Monday night versus the Giants. 2-4 is something to build on now, 1-5 (0-2 in the division) would be goodnight to the 2010 season and potentially this coaching staff.
#1 Alabama lost at South Carolina two weeks ago. New #1 Ohio State lost on the road at Wisconsin this past Saturday night. New BCS #1 Oklahoma travels to #11 Missouri this Saturday evening while AP # 1 Oregon hosts UCLA Thursday evening. Will either #1 team follow the trend of recent weeks? My guess is no for either this week.