Honestly, we did not get to watch a single NFL game during the day on Sunday -- between basketball tryouts, bike riding and soccer practice, there just wasn't time! So once again we're going to return to a somewhat generalist format when putting questions to our resident 10-year-old football analyst.
1. The Raiders beat up on the Broncos! I love it! How do you feel when your favorite team vanquishes the Rat-Coach?
Surprised. I had already written off this season. The Raiders had a ton of injuries, an up-and-down quarterback and an interim coach.
2. Why, after a streak of very good weeks of picking NFL games (including three pool wins), did I suddenly fall off the edge of the world this week, correctly picking only six games?
Well, you need to realize that not all games are going to be decided by less than a touchdown. Even when a team is highly favored, you don't need to pick the underdogs.
3. Will the Seahawks ever recover? How many seasons will it take before they're once again competitive?
Actually, not too long. Maybe Jim Mora taking over next year is just what they need. Also, there are many premier free agents that they could sign in the offseason.
4. Phenoms like Reggie Bush, Vince Young and Devin Hester seem to be struggling this year. What's the problem?
Several different reasons. Bush has been injured, Young has been demoralized and benched and Hester has had to play wide receiver.
5. Do you think any NFL rules need to be changed? Why?
I think that the NFL needs to expand what coaches can challenge so referees can be criticized less.
6. Going for it on 4th down -- for or against? And don't just say it depends on the game situation.
I'm for it, when it's needed. Punting isn't always the answer.
7. What do you enjoy watching more, a grind-it-out defensive struggle or a high-scoring aerial shootout?
A high-scoring aerial shootout. Why would you even want to see a grind-it-out defensive struggle?
8. What's your favorite football weather?
Snow. It changes the game in many ways. Think of the Tuck Rule or Snow Plow games, or Dolphins-Patriots a couple years ago.
9. You were fairly young when you visited the Pro Football Hall of Fame a few years ago. If you were to go back, what would you be most interested in seeing?
I would be interested in seeing some of the famous memorabilia they've collected, like Tom Dempsey's kicking shoe. I'm a fan of that sort of thing.
10. What's your favorite football movie? How about football DVD?
My favorite football movie is "Rudy". It was very engrossing and heartwarming. As for a DVD, I have one called "Football Follies" that I like.
11. And now the traditional spot wherein Henry gets to type whatever he wants.
Ed Reed's 108-yard interception return touchdown puts him in a three-way tie for second place on the list of longest NFL plays.
Monday, November 24, 2008
Monday, November 17, 2008
NFL Week 11 Interview - Compact Edition
Just a quick one this week, 'cause it's late on a Monday evening and we're all a bit behind. This time: Ten random questions for our resident football analyst.
1. Who deserves credit for the Dolphins' turnaround? Sparano? Parcells? Pennington? Porter? Someone else?
The whole team deserves credit. The coaching staff led by Sparano, the offense led by Pennington and Ronnie Brown, the defense led by Porter, the front office led by Parcells...
2. Name five sports clichés you'd like to see banished from the earth forever.
"left to right on your radio!" "they're a great football team on both sides of the football!" "Pursuit of Perfection"...that's only three.
3. Which aging player really needs to pack it in and retire?
In a little while, Marvin Harrison. He just isn't looking too good anymore. He did score a touchdown yesterday, but isn't really a playmaker anymore.
4. Which coach really needs to pack it in and give someone else a chance?
Jeff Fisher. He's doing a good job, but has had the Titans job for a very long time. Sal Paolantonio also lists him as an overrated coach.
5. If the NFL draft were held today, which college player would be the #1 pick and why?
Honestly, I don't know. Many draft analysts think the first round picks are going to somehow be mostly all offensive linemen, and many players in the backfield are up-and-down.
6. Which is the best way to kill an afternoon: a) attending an NFL game, b) watching a game on TV, c) listening to a game on the radio during a picnic, or d) playing Madden and NFL Street? Explain the reason for your choice.
All of the above. "a" is very exciting, "b" is good because we have NFL Sunday Ticket, "c" is a great experience, and "d" is very fun.
7. Describe the content of your school Reflections project for your blog-readers around the globe. What was the assignment, and how did you execute it?
The Reflections product was a project in which I had to cover a topic related to the topic "Wow!". I chose a play from 2003 called the River City Relay.
8. Which Manning brother is playing better right now -- Peyton or Eli? If you answer Cooper, you'd better have a good explanation.
Eli. The Giants are currently one of the best teams in the NFC.
9. If you were to assemble a fantasy backfield (including tight end and wide receiver) from all NFL players past and present, what would it be?
Johnny Unitas, Walter Payton, Bronko Nagurski, Jerry Rice, Deion Sanders and Ozzie Newsome.
10. The final spot will be left open for Henry's traditional "write whatever you want" post.
The Lions need to learn how to win games. Perhaps they should attend the "Remedial Scoring Points" class at the "Football School".
1. Who deserves credit for the Dolphins' turnaround? Sparano? Parcells? Pennington? Porter? Someone else?
The whole team deserves credit. The coaching staff led by Sparano, the offense led by Pennington and Ronnie Brown, the defense led by Porter, the front office led by Parcells...
2. Name five sports clichés you'd like to see banished from the earth forever.
"left to right on your radio!" "they're a great football team on both sides of the football!" "Pursuit of Perfection"...that's only three.
3. Which aging player really needs to pack it in and retire?
In a little while, Marvin Harrison. He just isn't looking too good anymore. He did score a touchdown yesterday, but isn't really a playmaker anymore.
4. Which coach really needs to pack it in and give someone else a chance?
Jeff Fisher. He's doing a good job, but has had the Titans job for a very long time. Sal Paolantonio also lists him as an overrated coach.
5. If the NFL draft were held today, which college player would be the #1 pick and why?
Honestly, I don't know. Many draft analysts think the first round picks are going to somehow be mostly all offensive linemen, and many players in the backfield are up-and-down.
6. Which is the best way to kill an afternoon: a) attending an NFL game, b) watching a game on TV, c) listening to a game on the radio during a picnic, or d) playing Madden and NFL Street? Explain the reason for your choice.
All of the above. "a" is very exciting, "b" is good because we have NFL Sunday Ticket, "c" is a great experience, and "d" is very fun.
7. Describe the content of your school Reflections project for your blog-readers around the globe. What was the assignment, and how did you execute it?
The Reflections product was a project in which I had to cover a topic related to the topic "Wow!". I chose a play from 2003 called the River City Relay.
8. Which Manning brother is playing better right now -- Peyton or Eli? If you answer Cooper, you'd better have a good explanation.
Eli. The Giants are currently one of the best teams in the NFC.
9. If you were to assemble a fantasy backfield (including tight end and wide receiver) from all NFL players past and present, what would it be?
Johnny Unitas, Walter Payton, Bronko Nagurski, Jerry Rice, Deion Sanders and Ozzie Newsome.
10. The final spot will be left open for Henry's traditional "write whatever you want" post.
The Lions need to learn how to win games. Perhaps they should attend the "Remedial Scoring Points" class at the "Football School".
Sunday, November 09, 2008
NFL Week 10 Interview - Special Edition
Welcome back to our weekly rundown of all the NFL action. Our resident 10-year-old sports analyst is bored with the conventional recaps which have dominated our first nine weeks, so I've decided to change it up with an entirely new and fresh set of interview questions. Buckle your chinstrap, 'cause here we go!
Q. Who's the biggest rookie bust this season, and why?
Honestly, there really aren't any busts. This year is one of the few years where nearly all of the first-round picks have played well.
Q. What's the most exciting team to watch right now? Describe a favorite play which is typical of this team.
The Dolphins. The Wildcat formation is very fun to watch, but so is the defense and Chad Pennington leading the passing attack.
Q. What current NFL coach would you like to sit down and have a veggie burger with? In other words, which coach seems like a guy who'd be fun to hang out with?
Mike Singletary.
(no, just being sarcastic).
Jeff Fisher would be nice to talk to. It would be interesting to see how he's preventing his players from getting overconfident.
Q. If you were suddenly summoned to join the coaching staff of an NFL team, 1) which team would you like it to be, and 2) what role on the coaching staff would you like to fill?
I would join the Raiders as a quarterbacks coach. They need a lot of help at that position.
Q. If you ran the Pro Football Hall of Fame, who would you throw out? And who among contemporary players is the most deserving of admission? Name as many as you like.
I would throw out...well, it's hard to say. Everyone in the Hall as at least one flaw. As for contemporary players, Brett Favre, Peyton Manning, Tom Brady, Marvin Harrison...the usual suspects, would most likely be in the Hall of Fame.
Q. Is it important to you, when selecting a college to attend, that they have a decent football program? Why or why not?
It would be somewhat important, because despite the fact that you go to college to learn, it would be annoying if I went to a school where the team never wins.
Q. Which network's coverage (play-by-play, recap shows, etc.) do you enjoy the most?
ESPN and NBC are both great. The broadcasting teams are good as well as ESPN's SportsCenter and NBC's Football Night in America.
Q. How about the least? Whose coverage is the most irritating?
Any radio announcer who talks about plays going "left to right on my radio". Am I supposed to see the play on my radio?
Q. What's your favorite computer or video football game and why?
Madden or NFL Street. Madden because of the good graphics and realness, and NFL Street because of all the crazyness. It's a stark contrast.
Q. Favorite book about football? What's good about it?
The Paolantonio Report by Sal Paolantonio, an ESPN reporter. It's one of those books that you can just read over and over again without getting bored.
Q. What team's uniform and/or logo is in need of a total redesign? Any ideas for fixing it?
The Raiders. Maybe they need to move to Los Angeles again and change their name to the Los Angeles Cowards or something, changing their uniform in the process.
Q. Finally: In the course of these ten weeks, what question have you yet to be asked that you would really like me to ask you?
"How does the rest of the undefeated Titans' schedule look?"
Q. Now comes the part where Hen gets to type whatever he wants.
Daunte Culpepper only completed five passes in his much-ballyhooed first start for the Lions.
Q. Who's the biggest rookie bust this season, and why?
Honestly, there really aren't any busts. This year is one of the few years where nearly all of the first-round picks have played well.
Q. What's the most exciting team to watch right now? Describe a favorite play which is typical of this team.
The Dolphins. The Wildcat formation is very fun to watch, but so is the defense and Chad Pennington leading the passing attack.
Q. What current NFL coach would you like to sit down and have a veggie burger with? In other words, which coach seems like a guy who'd be fun to hang out with?
Mike Singletary.
(no, just being sarcastic).
Jeff Fisher would be nice to talk to. It would be interesting to see how he's preventing his players from getting overconfident.
Q. If you were suddenly summoned to join the coaching staff of an NFL team, 1) which team would you like it to be, and 2) what role on the coaching staff would you like to fill?
I would join the Raiders as a quarterbacks coach. They need a lot of help at that position.
Q. If you ran the Pro Football Hall of Fame, who would you throw out? And who among contemporary players is the most deserving of admission? Name as many as you like.
I would throw out...well, it's hard to say. Everyone in the Hall as at least one flaw. As for contemporary players, Brett Favre, Peyton Manning, Tom Brady, Marvin Harrison...the usual suspects, would most likely be in the Hall of Fame.
Q. Is it important to you, when selecting a college to attend, that they have a decent football program? Why or why not?
It would be somewhat important, because despite the fact that you go to college to learn, it would be annoying if I went to a school where the team never wins.
Q. Which network's coverage (play-by-play, recap shows, etc.) do you enjoy the most?
ESPN and NBC are both great. The broadcasting teams are good as well as ESPN's SportsCenter and NBC's Football Night in America.
Q. How about the least? Whose coverage is the most irritating?
Any radio announcer who talks about plays going "left to right on my radio". Am I supposed to see the play on my radio?
Q. What's your favorite computer or video football game and why?
Madden or NFL Street. Madden because of the good graphics and realness, and NFL Street because of all the crazyness. It's a stark contrast.
Q. Favorite book about football? What's good about it?
The Paolantonio Report by Sal Paolantonio, an ESPN reporter. It's one of those books that you can just read over and over again without getting bored.
Q. What team's uniform and/or logo is in need of a total redesign? Any ideas for fixing it?
The Raiders. Maybe they need to move to Los Angeles again and change their name to the Los Angeles Cowards or something, changing their uniform in the process.
Q. Finally: In the course of these ten weeks, what question have you yet to be asked that you would really like me to ask you?
"How does the rest of the undefeated Titans' schedule look?"
Q. Now comes the part where Hen gets to type whatever he wants.
Daunte Culpepper only completed five passes in his much-ballyhooed first start for the Lions.
Sunday, November 02, 2008
NFL Week 9 Interview
Well, it's Anniversary Weekend and Pre-Election Eve, so this week we're bringing you an abbreviated version of Henry's weekly rundown of all the NFL action.
Q. Instant prediction time! The Colts and Patriots are in the 4th quarter. I have the Colts + 1 point in my football pool. Am I going to get this game?
If the Colts can hold on, yes. They have some momentum now after Vinatieri made a 52-yard field goal. It's 18-15 Colts.
Q. Titans -- still unbeaten. This is a team that really seems to sneak up on people. Are they as good as their record indicates?
Well, now I can say they are. They barely escaped with a win against the Packers, but it was still a win. And they held the explosive Packers to one touchdown and three field goals.
Q. Rex Grossman returned to the helm of the Chicago Bears, a team he once guided to the Super Bowl. Do you think he can hang onto the starting job?
Only as long as Kyle Orton is injured. He's not very consistent and it's probably going to be hard for the Bears to keep him at the helm of their offense.
Q. The Bengals got off the schneid by beating a very strong J'ville team today. How'd they pull it off?
Well, Ryan Fitzpatrick threw for two touchdowns and Cedric Benson rushed for 104 yards. They had a pretty nice performance. They almost let the Jaguars make a comeback, though.
Q. Stop that CLE! And that's exactly what the Ravens did with their victory over the Browns today. I have a feeling this Ravens team is going to get stronger as the season wears on. Do you agree?
Perhaps, but it won't matter much, because they have to play the entire NFC East and Pittsburgh eventually.
Q. Tampa Bay outmuscled the Chiefs in overtime. This KC team always seems to come up just a little short. Is this team on its way up, or down?
Well, they're definitely on their way up. But they should have won. They were way ahead and somehow fell behind.
Q. The Vikings snapped the Texans' winning streak today. What was the key to their victory?
Well, Gus Frerotte had a nice game. He threw for three touchdowns and one interception. He was taking advantage of Houston's doing a nice job stopping the run.
Q. I am happy for me, yet sorry for you, that my Falcons beat up on your Raiders today. Is the Raiders' season a writeoff?
It appears so, unless Tom Cable can make some some sort of magical turnaround. The offense was terrible, as usual.
Q. Speaking of beatdowns, the Seahawks came in for a nasty one today at the hands of the Eagles. What's behind Seattle's discouraging slide -- is it just injuries?
Well, they've mostly recovered from those injuries. But some receivers plus Matt Hasselbeck are still out. Also, they can't seem to maintain leads, as they allowed 26 unanswered points.
Q. Miami/Denver was a very confusing game. How did the Dolphins manage to get by a very good Bronco team?
Well, they're just simply better than they were last season. They held on to their lead for nearly the entire game.
Q. Finally, the staggering Cowboys collapse just gets worse and worse. Brooks Bollinger got his shot today. Can he help this team, or are they just beyond hope?
Personally, I think Bollinger is overrated. Much like Tony Romo, his first pass as a Cowboy was intercepted. He really isn't much better than Brad Johnson.
Q. Finally, we come to the spot where Henry gets to type whatever he wants. Go to it, Hen!
What's unusual is that 24-0 scores are really uncommon.
Q. Instant prediction time! The Colts and Patriots are in the 4th quarter. I have the Colts + 1 point in my football pool. Am I going to get this game?
If the Colts can hold on, yes. They have some momentum now after Vinatieri made a 52-yard field goal. It's 18-15 Colts.
Q. Titans -- still unbeaten. This is a team that really seems to sneak up on people. Are they as good as their record indicates?
Well, now I can say they are. They barely escaped with a win against the Packers, but it was still a win. And they held the explosive Packers to one touchdown and three field goals.
Q. Rex Grossman returned to the helm of the Chicago Bears, a team he once guided to the Super Bowl. Do you think he can hang onto the starting job?
Only as long as Kyle Orton is injured. He's not very consistent and it's probably going to be hard for the Bears to keep him at the helm of their offense.
Q. The Bengals got off the schneid by beating a very strong J'ville team today. How'd they pull it off?
Well, Ryan Fitzpatrick threw for two touchdowns and Cedric Benson rushed for 104 yards. They had a pretty nice performance. They almost let the Jaguars make a comeback, though.
Q. Stop that CLE! And that's exactly what the Ravens did with their victory over the Browns today. I have a feeling this Ravens team is going to get stronger as the season wears on. Do you agree?
Perhaps, but it won't matter much, because they have to play the entire NFC East and Pittsburgh eventually.
Q. Tampa Bay outmuscled the Chiefs in overtime. This KC team always seems to come up just a little short. Is this team on its way up, or down?
Well, they're definitely on their way up. But they should have won. They were way ahead and somehow fell behind.
Q. The Vikings snapped the Texans' winning streak today. What was the key to their victory?
Well, Gus Frerotte had a nice game. He threw for three touchdowns and one interception. He was taking advantage of Houston's doing a nice job stopping the run.
Q. I am happy for me, yet sorry for you, that my Falcons beat up on your Raiders today. Is the Raiders' season a writeoff?
It appears so, unless Tom Cable can make some some sort of magical turnaround. The offense was terrible, as usual.
Q. Speaking of beatdowns, the Seahawks came in for a nasty one today at the hands of the Eagles. What's behind Seattle's discouraging slide -- is it just injuries?
Well, they've mostly recovered from those injuries. But some receivers plus Matt Hasselbeck are still out. Also, they can't seem to maintain leads, as they allowed 26 unanswered points.
Q. Miami/Denver was a very confusing game. How did the Dolphins manage to get by a very good Bronco team?
Well, they're just simply better than they were last season. They held on to their lead for nearly the entire game.
Q. Finally, the staggering Cowboys collapse just gets worse and worse. Brooks Bollinger got his shot today. Can he help this team, or are they just beyond hope?
Personally, I think Bollinger is overrated. Much like Tony Romo, his first pass as a Cowboy was intercepted. He really isn't much better than Brad Johnson.
Q. Finally, we come to the spot where Henry gets to type whatever he wants. Go to it, Hen!
What's unusual is that 24-0 scores are really uncommon.
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