Sean Taylor 1983-2007

 

” This is such a tragic, horrible unnecessary death–another example of the incessant violence in this city and this country”  -Attorney  Richard Sharpstein

Redskins Saftey Sean Taylor died early Tuesday morning, a day after he was shot by an intruder in his home. Taylor was 24.

Contrary to previous reportes, Taylor was shot in the groin and suffered massive blood from a severed femoral artery. There was hope when it was reported that Taylor squeezed a nurse’s hand. As more details emerge, now we know that

-There was a break in eight days prior to this incident, and Taylor asked for premisson from Coach Joe Gibbs to stay in the area to handle the situation.

-Late Sunday night, Taylor and his girlfriend were startled by noises in his Palmetto Bay home. Taylor then grabbed a machette from underneath his bed and went to investigate the noises.  An armed intruder fired two shots one of them fatally pierced Taylor’s groin.

-Taylor’s baby daughter was also in the bedroom and she slepted through the shooting.

-It is being reported that the phone lines were cut and Taylor’s girlfriend called 911 on her cell phone.

At this point, it is unkonwn if this incident was related in any way to the 2005 incident in which he was arrested on felony charges of waving a gun at people he belive had stolen his ATV. Taylor ended up pleaing no contest to misdamenor assault  and battery. After the plea, one of the men that Taylor accuesed sued him for lost wages and medical bills.

Taylor was trying to steer clear of bad company for the sake of his daughter. Taylor’s cousin and FSU safety Anthony Leon said “Sean wasn’t a bad guy at all. He got his personality on the football field and off of it, All he was trying to do was protect his family. And they shot him”

The Red Zone sends its condolences to the Taylor family and the Redskins Family.

Taylor Targeted?

According to the Miami Herald, Sean Taylor’s Palmetto Bay home was broken into 8 days before the shooting.

The story said that suspects broke into the house, went through Taylor’s things and left a kitchen knife on the bed. Miami-Dade reports also stated that someone broke into Taylor’s house on Nov. 17 and Nov. 18, by prying open a front window. The bugulars went through several rooms and they were looking through drawers and a safe.

According to the All Pro’s Attorney, Richard Sharpstein,  there are quite a few people jealous of Taylor’s success.  Right now, that is the understatement of the day.

Taylor’s surgery ended around 12:30 p.m. However due to the ammount of blood lost, his brain is at risk of injury. Currently, Taylor is in ICU and doctors gave his family permisson to visit.

Redskins’ Taylor Shot In Miami

 Washington Redskins Safety Sean Taylor was shot and wounded at his Palmetto Bay home early Monday morning. At this point,  details are still vague but this is what we know thus far-

Miami-Dade Police were sent to Taylor’s home around 1:45 a.m. after Taylors’ live in girlfriend called 911 and said he was shot. Taylor was then airlifted to Jackson Memorial Hospital where he is in critical condition. Redskins officials are now saying that Taylor is in a coma. It is unkonwn if it was medically induced.

Currently, Miami-Dade Police are investigating the possiblity of a robbery or a buglary at the home.

Keep Taylor, his family and the Redskins in your prayers.

Red Zone Picks: Week 12

And We’re back! I’m sorry for falling off on the picks but I was burned out on making them. Now that I am refreshed, I’ll make my picks for the rest of this week.

Saints vs Panthers- Carolina’s instablility at quarterback is really killing this team. I expect the Saints to score early and often. New Orleans win.

Bills vs Jaguars- New England thrashed Buffalo last week. Expect Jacksonvill to run away with the win.

Redskins vs Bucs- This game is going to be close. Washington wins this one on the ground.

Seahawks vs Rams- LOL @ This matchup. Seattle wins this in a route.

Vikings vs Giants- I’m not really liking  Minny’s chances today. Rookie Juggernuat Adrian Peterson is still feeling the effects of his injury. The Giants is playing decent football now espically the defense. Giants win.

Raiders vs Chiefs- Another classic AFC West matchup and another chapter in the storied rivalry between these two teams. In this chapter, the Raiders will not get the pen at all. Kansas City wins!

Titans vs Bengals- Cincy should win this one.

Texans vs Browns- Cleveland should win this one. It wont be easy though.

49ers vs Cardinals- Arizona Wins! one step closer to a early first round pick for San Francisco and one step closer to the unemployment line for Mike Nolan.

Ravens vs Chargers- If I have to pick a winner in this hot mess of a game, I would pick Baltimore because they are still salty over that freak field goal last week. I would also pick Baltimore because at least Brian Billick act like he know what he is doing unlike a indecisive and frazzled Norv Turner. Ravens win!

Broncos vs Bears-Denver wins a close one.

Eagles vs Patriots- Philadelphia is better off not showing up.

Steelers vs Dolphins-Miami, see above!

FIRE NORV TURNER II: The Quitting Begins

Photo from NFL.com

Today, I read an intersting article by Michael Silver on yahoo regarding the San Diego Chargers .(http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/news?slug=ms-morningrush111207&prov=yhoo&type=lgns) After reading this piece, it is safe to say that the Chargers, just like the 2003 Raiders and the Redskins of 1994-2000 quit on this guy!  

Despite beating the Colts, the Chargers are not satisfied nor motivated and it is all because of Turner. The article said and I quote. ” The player’s dont respond to his leadership or motivational tactics, if you can call them that. They view his sideline demenor as frazzled and indecisive. And, perhaps worst of all, they are not embracing the strategic vision put forth on offense (by Turner, regarded as one of the NFL’s best play callers) or Defense (by Ted Cotrell)”

Wait, there’s more ! “We have the best running back in football, and yet we don’t sense a comittment to the running game.” One veteran said Sunday Night .  The veteran continued to say that the Chargers are running out of obligation and to establish balance with the passing game.

Indecisive? Frazzled? these two things a NFL coach should not be whatsoever! You can be calm and confident (Dungy), stoic (Nolan), manulpative (Bellichick), firery (ex Coach Cowher), a damn fool (Coughlin) or even cocky but braindead (Billick), but you cannot be indecisive and you cannot be frazzled because you will lose all crediblility with your players. I mean, act like you know something!

These two exerpts from the article says to me that Norv Turner is a fraud. He is not the same man that help spearhead Dallas’ Super Bowls in the 90’s. How in the hell can you have the best running back in the league and not commit to the run, especially when thats all you have!  Is he serious? Is he sick? At this point, I don’t believe that Turner deserve the credit for the Cowboys’ dynasty. Emmitt Smith, Troy Aikman, Michael Irvin, and Head Coach Jimmy Johnson deserve the credit, not Turner.

Turner instead is the blame for running an AFC champion into the damn ditch and turning the Chargers from sugar to shit in less than a year! Many sports reporters credit Norv for developing Alex Smith. Well, look at him now! Alex Smith can’t throw a tantrum!

So, in closing,  AJ Smith should wake up and fire this clown as soon as the season is over, and hire wisely!

Patriots, Shut the F**K UP!

After Sunday’s thrilling victory over the Colts, The Patriots have the nerve to say Indianapolis cheated by putting artificial noise in the loud ass RCA Dome.

This is a punk ass move by New England because they A) won the game and B) was caught cheating in week one.  Calling out Indy is hypocritical and bitchmade! Patriot officials only did this because they know that the Colts imploded at the end. If the score was 44-20, New England, nothing would have been said about the noise.

Insinuating that Indy need the RCA dome to win is about as abusurd as NE spying on the weak, tired ass Jets and the Packers a few years back. For Indy, we have  Manning, Harrison (when healthy), Adai on offense.  Their Cover 2 defense is among the best in the league. The fans in Indianapolis are crazy about that team; why do they need artificial noise?

Granted, the Patriots are one hell of a football team thanks to Randy Moss,  Donte Stallworth, Adalieus Thomas and now Rodney Harrison. However, the antics of the front office and the coaches negates the talent and hard work of these guys. Now, they all look like nitpicking attention hoes!

Take the win that Indianapolis gave you all, shut your traps and enjoy your bye week!

Red Zone Picks: Week 9

Saying that we have a lot of interesting and marquee matchups this week is a gross understatement. Of course the Patriots/Colts game is considered to be the game of the season and AFC Championship preview. Finally, New England is up against some real competetion.

Chargers vs Vikings

I like the way the San Diego Chargers are playing now. I’m glad that they have woken up from that disasterous start. With that said, I believe the Chargers will extend their winning streak today because Minny’s D will not be able to stop L.T.  Adrian is turing out to be a good back for the Vikings but he is the entire offense. Not a good look.

49ers vs Falcons

To me, it seems as if  this is the worst matchup of week 9. We all know about Atlanta’s struggles and San Francisco’s offense is mediocre at best. If the Niners lose this game, then they better hit up area high schools and get some offense. Look for Coach Nolan to call Menlo School tomorrow. Falcons win!

Bengals vs Bills

Cincinatti wins this one because of their offense. The Bengals’ defense is terrible but I believe that the offense will pick up the tab.

Lions vs Broncos

Denver wins this one easily. There is no way Detroit can win this one. Lions are pretty good this year but not good enough to be on of the AFC’s best.

Packers vs Chiefs

This is another game that is evenly matched. Green Bay wins this one and wins this one ugly because Kansas City’s defense is shot.

Jaguars vs Saints

Jacksonville will run New Orleans into submission. The only way that the Saints will win is if they get an early lead.

Redskins vs Jets

The Skins will handle a weak New York team.

Panthers vs Titans

Having Steve Smith on your team doesn’t mean jack if you can’t throw him the ball. Who’s under center for Carolina this week? Vinny “Nine Lives” Testaverde or David Carr (wreck)?  If Carolina wants to win, they better start Testaverde.

Cardinals vs Bucs

Look for Kurt Warner to light up Tampa’s week secondary. Arizona wins.

Seahawks vs Browns

Seattle wins but it won’t be easy. Cleveland is actually dangerous this year.

Raiders vs Texans

Two Words: Houston Wins!

Cowboys vs Eagles

TO returns to Philly in the Sunday Night game. Although the Eagles have been struggling somewhat this year, this game will be pretty close. Close will not help Philly. Cowboys win.

Ravens vs Steelers

Look for a rejuvinated Ravens’ D to come out fighting in this classic AFC North matchup. The defense will show but the offense won’t. Pittsburgh wins.

Colts vs Patriots

My head says that New England will probably win and these sportscasters will talk about them running the table. However, my heart says that Indianapolis will win and the 72 Dolphins will not have to worry about NE breaking thier record.  I rarely use my heart in decisions but I will use it today. The Colts win, damnit!

The NFL’s Plan For World Domination

Photos from NFL.com

Sunday, the NFL played their first regular season game outside of America. Prior to the Giants/Dolphins game in London, the NFL had the American Bowl.  The American Bowl was a series  of  international preseason exhibition games to help promote American Football to the rest of the world.

With all of the hype that surrounded the game in London, it seems as if the NFL is turning up the efforts in increasing global appeal to get some of that global money.  Rumor has it that the league may play a Super Bowl overseas in the future.

In my opinion, the NFL should stick to the rivers and lakes that they are use to because I dont believe that they will catch the international waterfall or windfall.  Think about it, if other countries were warming up to American Football, we would still have NFL Europa. The fact of the matter is this: that league closed because they were loosing money. They were loosing money because the attendance dwindled.

Honestly, I do not see the rest of the world going crazy over the NFL. Europe and Africa have soccer. Asia have basketball. If the league is so adimant about international exposure, they should start with Canada. The league should see how the Buffalo Bills project goes. If it is successful, the NFL should form a working relationship with the CFL. Otherwise, the NFL should just enjoy being the most popular sport in the United States.