Big MB on NFL Injuries, the Incredible Colts, the MLB Playoff Races, and the Lions Finally Winning
In this week’s edition of I’ll Tell You This, we feature a new segment at the end of the article. Check it out and give me your feedback! Here we go….
1 – NFL Injuries
Three weeks are now in the books in this young NFL season, and injuries have already began to raise its ugly head.
First of all, and likely worst of all, The Miami Dolphins received news today that Chad Pennington’s shoulder injury, which occurred during Miami’s loss to San Diego, is likely to end Pennington’s season. Pennington tore a capsule in his throwing shoulder, and will likely be replaced for the season by back up QB Chad Henne.
The upstart 49ers took what could be a devastating hit to their offense as Frank Gore went down on his first rushing attempt. X-rays were negative as to any broken bones, although Gore underwent an MRI late on Monday evening. The 49ers are claiming that this injury is not related in any way to Gore’s ankle sprain last week in his 207 destruction of the Seattle Seahawks.
In the third quarter of the Colts’ handling of the Arizona Cardinals, pro-bowl DE Dwight Freeney was taken to the locker room with what was said to be a quad injury. Freeney said when he was held by a member of the Cardinal’s OL, he felt a pop in his quad. Freeney was also scheduled to have an MRI on Monday night.
On Bill Polian’s radio show, Polian gave little information, but did go on record saying:
“The docs will report to us later this evening, so we’ll know something then, but I don’t think there will be anything definitive for quite a while… The positive side is that he basically said, ‘I can walk, I can play.’ The good news is I don’t have any bad news.”
I’ll Tell You This: All three of these injuries are devastating to their respective teams.
Miami is 0-3 and cannot afford to lose another game. Unfortunately for them, their star QB is now gone for the season. Chad Henne is unproven, and things could go from bad to worse for the Phins.
I don’t think the Frank Gore’s injury is really worth worrying about. With no broken bones, at worst, Gore may be out a couple of weeks. In a weak division, San Fran already has a 2-1 record.
The Colts have got to be worried about losing Freeney. Who knows when Bob Sanders will come back, and the last thing that this defense wants to see is their leader, and best player, on the sidelines for any large amount of time.
2 – The Colts
Speaking of the Indianapolis Colts, they displayed quite an impressive game in a blowout win of Arizona.
The game started stale for both teams, and the Cardinals struck blood first with a field goal. But the Colts would outscore the Cards 31-7 throughout the remained of the game.
Impressive outings from Pierre Garcon, Reggie Wayne, and the entire defense locked up possibly the best showing by the Indianapolis Colts in a very long time, which included a whopping 505 yards of total offense.
I’ll Tell You This: Wow.
As a die-hard Colts fan, this may have been the most impressive game I have seen in a long time.
First of all, major props to Colts’ defense coordinator, Larry Coyer. Everyone said, “They’ll be tired from the Miami Game, a short week, and traveling all the way to Arizona? There is no way they’ll win.” Well, the defense came out stout and pressured Kurt Warner all night, forcing him into bad passes and turnovers.
The Colts looked good on all sides of the ball, even special teams. If this is a sign of things to come, watch out.
The only bad news from the night was the injury to Dwight Freeney.
Freeney’s status is uncertain at this point, but the Colts will face the 1-2 Seahawks, and the 0-3 Titans, followed by a bye week. Hopefully Freeney (and Sanders) will be back by then.
3 – The Clinchers (MLB)
The Yankees have clinched home field throughout the playoffs after winning their 100th game.
Other division clinchers include: the St. Louis Cardinals and the L.A. Dodgers. Boston’s magic number to clinch the AL Wild Card is at two..
I’ll Tell You This: I preface this by saying, I love baseball, and I don’t say this just because my Cubs suck but…..
Who Cares?
The division races, outside of Detroit-Minnesota, were essentially decided over 6 weeks ago, and the wild card races have been boring and benign.
That, combined with the excitement of the NFL this year, reflects that baseball’s postseason may be in trouble.
I hate the Yankees, and I hate the Cardinals even more, but that will be your World Series. Spoiler alert: Yankees win it all this year.
Again, who cares?
4 – Detroit’s Big Day
The Streak is finally over!
For the first time since December of 2007, the Detroit Lions have notched a game in the win column.
Rookie Matthew Stafford was 21-36 for 241 yards, and RB Kevin Smith would put up 101 yards on 16 carries.
I’ll Tell You This: Congrats to the Lions and their fans.
It’s good to see them win, because I wouldn’t wish the past year and a half of any fan (except for maybe the Patriots).
However, don’t knight them yet. This team has definitely improved, but their win was over a very bad Redskins team.
They will be better, but let’s not talk about the playoffs just yet; let’s see them get win number two first.
Watch out Tampa, you’re next. Better win one.
5 – The New Segment of I’ll Tell You This:
This is the debut of a new segment that will be featured in each week’s “I’ll Tell You This”
In this segment I will pose a question to all of you, and I want to hear your response through comments on this page.
You Tell Me This:
Below I have listed the six teams in the NFL that are 0-3.
Tampa Bay Bucs, St. Louis Rams, Miami Dolphins, Cleveland Browns, Tennessee Titans, Kansas City Chiefs
Who is the biggest surprise at 0-3?
Which team will be the last to win a game?
Will a team go 0-16 this year too?
Let me know what you think!
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Stay tuned for the next edition of the MSF Podcast, available on iTunes and posted to every Monday Night Football preview, where JRod and Big MB host their “Monday Night Argument” as well as divulge their NFL Locks against the spread. Don’t miss it!
Until next week kids!
* – Matt Stafford photo credit: AP Photo/Paul Sancya via ESPN.com
Tags: chad pennington, detroit lions, Dwight Freeney, frank gore, I'll Tell You This, Indianapolis Colts, miami dolphins, MLB, new york yankees, NFL, nfl injuries, san francisco 49ers, St. Louis Cardinals
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