Michael Crabtree – Fansmanship

Richard Sherman and his awesome antics

Matt Levine — Fri, 24 Jan 2014 00:04:37 +0000

Richard Sherman. Over the last few days, Sherman’s name has been all over the headlines in the sports world and for good reason after the Seahawks ousted the defending NFC champion San Francisco 49ers to advance to their first Super Bowl since 2005.

On the last play of the game, 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick decided to test Sherman, the best cornerback in the NFL, by throwing a pass towards the end zone trying to find Michael Crabtree for what would have been the go ahead touchdown with under 30 seconds left. It was the first time all game that Kaepernick decided to throw towards the all pro cornerback and I bet Colin is regretting it now.

Richard Sherman is stirring up the headlines after the NFC Championship game. By Jeffrey Beall (Own work), via Wikimedia Commons

The ball was tipped away from Crabtree by Sherman and was intercepted by Malcom Smith, ultimately sealing the NFC crown for Seattle. Following the play, Sherman, who is known for his extensive trash-talking, patted Crabtree on his rear and it looked as he held his hand out to say “good game.” Crabtree shoved Sherman in the face, causing a pointless penalty since the game was mathematically over. Everyone knows that the Seahawks and 49ers don’t like each other, but in the seconds following the game, the hated rivalry became even more heated.

Everybody knows that Sherman is a fiery competitor but nobody expected that kind of a post game interview. In the days following the game, people have had mixed feelings towards Sherman’s interview. Some have called him a thug and some have praised him for him emotion and love of the game. Sherman even wrote about it himself.

After I watched the interview live, my initial reaction was strictly wow. I couldn’t believe what I had heard, I couldn’t believe that he called Crabtree a “sorry receiver,” yet I loved every minute of it. I rewound the interview many times to make sure I heard it all correctly and never for a second did I not enjoy it. I’ve had a few days to think it all over and my thoughts are the same as they were when everything happened live. Good for Sherman. Too many times in sports nowadays players get scrutinized for simply being passionate and showing emotion. What is so wrong with a player showing emotion after a huge play or win as long as it doesn’t physically hurt someone or isn’t so inappropriate that it offends people everywhere? We forget that the players we all love to watch and admire are still human and they are just like us just with gifted athletic abilities.

I love everything about what Sherman did and said and for the people who have a problem with it then those are the ones who shouldn’t be watching sports. Sports leagues, especially the NFL, need more players like Sherman who aren’t afraid to speak their minds and show emotion. The rivalry between the Seahawks and 49ers has become the most heated in the NFL and after the NFC Championship game, it looks as if it will stay that way for a long time.

Now, let’s wait and see if Sherman calls Peyton Manning a “sorry quarterback” after the Super Bowl. That, I think, would be a little bigger story.

Ray Lewis Part Deux: What is Deer-Antler Velvet Extract?

Luke Johnson — Wed, 30 Jan 2013 17:00:36 +0000

By Keith Allison (originally posted to Flickr as Ray Lewis) [CC-BY-SA-2.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0)], via Wikimedia Commons

I can handle over-sensationalized sob shows on national television. Kind of. But deer-antler velvet extract? I don’t know. It sounds like a weird Furry fetish or an odd cologne brand.

What does a man do with deer-antler velvet extract? Rub his body in it, run naked in a forest and frolic candidly amongst the doe’?

It’s so outrageous, that as I’m writing this, I can’t stop imagining Ray Lewis naked, and that’s just wrong. Ray Lewis should never be naked nor should he remind me of cottontail creatures in beautiful, bird-chirping forests. He has, for most of his career, been a freak of nature, more super-hero than chagrining saint, more mean than prim with niceties.

If Ray Lewis took deer-antler velvet extract like this article says he did, than I’m more concerned with PETA than I am with a Colin Kaepernick-led 49ers offense, so diverse and intricate in their play calling, they make memorization of the mathematical pi symbol elementary.

PETA aside, the Ravens could have a real problem on their hands –

On Sunday a defense that allows 415.0 yards per game in the postseason, and big plays to opposing receivers iwth high YAC-averages to emphatically emphasize that skill, lines up against the record breaking legs of Kapernick, a rejuvenated Frank Gore, slant middle possession player in Michael Crabtree and of course, the explosive Vernon Davis.

You can almost hear the creaky old Ravens defense doing a whole lot of YACing on the sideline. A defense that ranked 17th all season is not the kind of thing I feel totally comfortable about. And nor should any of you bandwagon believers.

It might take more than a lively prayer or antler spray to salvage Ray this time. If not, than good riddance. I’m tired of the shenanigans.

I would love to hear your most creative descriptions of deer-antler velvet extract. Post below.

Another One Bites the Dust

Luke Johnson — Sat, 08 Jan 2011 18:57:41 +0000

Yesterday the 49ers inked Jim Harbaugh to a five-year, twenty-five million dollar contract. At first glance, the signing seems honorable. Harbaugh has rebuilt a storied college football program at Stanford, and has a dignified approach toward both the media and most importantly his players. But reality would say, he’s just 29-21 in a four span at Stanford. Until this season, a gloried year in the Cardinal red, was a 6-6 mark. Now after a 12-1 season, with a lone loss to Oregon, and a 40-12 route of Virginia Tech in the Orange bowl, Harbaugh has put his face on the map as a plausible super coach or one-hit wonder. I’m sure Mike Singletary agrees with the latter.

The 49ers are like a rusted old 1956 Chevy pickup with no tires, windows, or steering wheel. Yes they have the best linebacker in football in P-Will, a blossoming superstar receiver in Mike Crabtree, a top three tight end in Vernon Davis, and when healthy, which don’t put your money on, dude would get hurt walking in the grocery store, top three running back in Frank Gore. BUT THEY DON’T HAVE A QUARTERBACK! And unless they can resurrect Trent Dilfer, the only non-quarterback recently to win one, then it sure as hell is not happening with Alex Smith, David Carr, or Troy Smith. All three have compiled a career record of 38-78 at the starting quarter back position. Which makes me wonder…how much of a difference will Jim Harbaugh make in comparison to the hard-nosed Singletary?

To be fair, Singletary did not do that bad of a job. Honestly he was the man who took Vernon Davis from dud to stud, and brought back an attitude of hard-nosed play the 49ers have not seen since the mid-90’s. His 18-22 mark is an over-achievement for an organization with about as much direction as Latrell Sprewell’s spastic dribbling. A team that has been through more offensive coordinators than my wife has haircuts in the last ten years. He did this with no quarterback, and an inconsistent defense that lacks mainly at the corner position. A serious position, considering most yards accrue through the air.

It is fair to say, when going to an organization like the 49ers, the majority of coaches will fail. It doesn’t matter your intent nor your expertise, because the reality is that unless you have the components to work the car, then the car isn’t going to start. Frank Gore’s health? Starting Quarterback? Mike Crabtree’s drive? Cornerback? And the list continues to mount within a depressive off-season for a team that finished 6-10. As the great Freddie Mercury so elegantly put, “another one bites the dust.” Give it two, maybe three, years and reality would say Harbaugh will be filing for unemployment.

-Luke Johnson