RGIII will play in week one, but he needs to be careful

By: Michael Tellier

I really can’t believe that anyone thought that QB Robert Griffin III wouldn’t be ready for week one of the regular season.

I talked about RGIII in a previous blog, and talked about how tough and resilient this guy really is.  I mean a knee injury isn’t an injury that anyone can take lightly, but I’m convinced that this guy is one of the toughest QB’s in the league and I never doubted for a second that he wouldn’t be ready for week one.

He still has to see the Redskins team doctor one final time before he is cleared to play for week one, but numerous reports have said that he will definitely be able to play.  Now, the only other thing I can say about the situation is that maybe the Redskins coaching staff should speak with the sophomore QB about taking fewer hits. 

Despite the fact that he’s a tough resilient guy, a knee injury needs to be taken seriously, and I don’t think he will be able to take the amount of hits that he took last season.  However, if RGIII is able to avoid big time collisions, I think he will have a great season.

What is with these ridiculous fines in the NFL?

By: Michael Tellier

In my very first blog I talked about how the NFL needs to rethink its fine policies; and after seeing that RGIII was fined $10,000 for wearing a shirt during warm-ups that read “Operation Patience,” I haven’t changed my mind on the topic.

First of all, it was warm-ups, and even though the slogan wasn’t approved by the NFL it was in no way offensive or inappropriate.  The slogan had to do with RGIII’s injury progress, and him returning to the lineup.  I can’t understand how the NFL can fine him that much for that, and even though $10,000 is probably nothing to RGIII, I still think it’s ridiculous.  In fact it’s probably as ridiculous as the NFL fining RB Frank Gore $10,500 for wearing his sock too low during a game.

These kinds of fines should be more geared toward players getting DWI’s and being arrested for drug use, or any other situation that actually calls for a fine.  I just feel as though there are so many other issues going in the NFL with players getting hit in helmet to helmet collisions that I don’t think the league should be so concerned with wearing an unapproved shirt that is not the least bit offensive or controversial.

Was D.J. Swearinger’s hit on Dustin Keller dirty?

By: Michael Tellier

After watching the footage of Huston Texans rookie safety D.J. Swearinger's low hit on Miami Dolphins TE Dustin Keller, during Saturday night’s preseason game, I can be added to the list of people who think it was a dirty hit.

Now I know I sound like I’m playing favorites because I am a Dolphins fan, but the hit was definitely way to low.   Swearinger has stated that he didn’t want to go high on Keller and receive a flag on the play for a helmet to helmet hit; however, after watching the play, Keller’s whole body was exposed during the hit, and there is plenty of space between the head and the knee cap to make a safe tackle. 

I’m not saying that Swearinger’s mission was to end Keller’s season, or to tare a bunch of ligaments in his knee.  But regardless, the hit was very low, and it should be dealt with accordingly.  Various players around the league agree that the hit was low, including Atlanta Falcons star TE Tony Gonzalez, who said that he thought the hit should be addressed and that Swearinger should be fined.

Bills rookie QB EJ Manuel looks solid

By: Michael Tellier

The Buffalo Bills looked impressive in their preseason opener against the Indianapolis Colts.  The defense looked solid and their offense moved the ball well.  However, the most impressive aspect of the Bills offense in my opinion was their new rookie QB EJ Manuel. 

Manuel threw for 107 yards on the day, and completed 16-21 passes including a TD to Dorin Dickerson with 14 seconds left in the first half.  The TD gave the Bills their first lead of the game.

Now, for the past few days I’ve heard a lot of people saying that they thought Manuel rushed a lot of throws and he didn’t throw enough long passes, but I was impressed with the way the rookie handled himself.  Sure he threw a lot of short passes, but did the guy move the ball effectively? Absolutely.

I mean obviously there is work to be done, but I think Manuel looked very impressive.  People can say what they want about how the rookie moved the ball, but the fact is he drove the ball 68 yards down the field for a TD with two minutes left in the first half.

I know it’s way too early to really make any sort of solid predictions for the Bills this season, but I’m starting to think that Manuel may be the guy that that the Bills count on this season.  I think he fits in nicely with the Bills new offensive scheme and his height allows him to see down the field.  Manuel could prove to be a valuable asset if he plays against New England because if he can continue to move the ball with short passes it will keep the Patriots star QB Tom Brady off the field; and that’s what the Bills need to do if they expect to have any chance this season against the Patriots.