NFL on TV, freedom of speech and Ohio Sky… While We’re Waiting
January 23, 2015Everything you need to know about the NBA All-Star game, Kyrie Irving’s contract, and the future
January 23, 2015While the Cleveland Browns were yet again left out of the NFL’s end-of-season tournament for all the marbles, they’re showing yet again that they have premium talent at non-quarterback positions.
In what could be viewed as a concession that the Pro Bowl is a farce, the NFL stopped dividing the Pro Bowl teams into AFC and NFC rosters, instead letting prominent players coach and draft the teams for the NFL’s All-Star Exhibition game on Sunday. This year’s coaches are former NFL greats Michael Irvin and Cris Carter, and the Browns Pro Bowlers were prized possessions for Sunday’s game.
Irvin selected Joe Thomas as the second offensive lineman in the draft and the 18th overall selection. Cris Carter drafted Donte Whitner as the second safety off the board, probably in reliance on their common Ohio State ties. Joe Haden helped Irvin make his selections, and also has the distinction of serving as captain for Irvin’s squad.
All three Browns are expected to start in Sunday’s Pro Bowl, hinting that the Browns are the cusp of relevance—maybe but a quarterback or a savvy offensive coordinator away from the playoffs. My heart goes out to Thomas, Whitner, and Haden, who all missed out on a trip to Hawaii since the Pro Bowl has moved from its once tropical location. They instead had to settle for Arizona, which isn’t nearly as exotic or exciting. But there should be plenty of chain restaurants to choose from in the sterile expanse of the Phoenix-Glendale area. I think Joe Thomas could house some racks of ribs at Chili’s. Granted, the Pro Bowl is mostly a joke at this point. But who are we kidding? It’s one of the few remaining opportunities to watch something resembling football until August, so we’ll all probably tune in.
2 Comments
Bring back the QB challenge! Dalton is QB for one of the teams SMH
Ouch. Why the pot-shot at Arizona? Tempe is a fun college town, there are tons of hole-in-the-wall Mexican restuarants, and a great selection of steak houses (though Pinnacle Peak Patio moved from the mountains, which is sad).
I hated the searing heat of the summers, but absolutely loved the winters. Go to Serrano’s have their bean&queso dip, a couple margharitas, listen to the mariachi band and relax, man.