Concussions Keep Players Sidelined

One thing I’ve noticed happening a lot lately is players that keep getting concussions. Every game, it seems as though at least one player is carted off the field with a head injury, and out for the rest of the season. The NFL is creating new guidelines with regards to concussions, including taking players off the field that receive head injuries.

If a player is unconscious at any point in the game, they are forced to be removed and are not allowed to return. However, the new guidelines state that if a player shows any signs of head trauma, memory loss, dizzinesss, etc., they are to be removed from the game as well. There are other guidelines to be included, but they have not been voted on yet so they are not official.

Recent players who have received concussions and are prohibited from playing include Brian Westbrook, Clinton Portis, Kurt Warner and Ben Roethlisberger.

Redskins Fall to the Eagles

It was like Christmas morning waking up and turning on the Redskins game. It was about 1:07pm, and the Skins were up 7-3 against the Eagles in Philly. They scored on the opening drive, and it seemed too good to be true. Obviously, it was.

The Redskins’ performance was particularly impressive due to the fact that Albert Haynesworth, DeAngelo Hall, Clinton Portis and Chris Cooley were out with injuries.

The Skins led the Eagles 24-16 in the third quarter, successfully converting 8 out of 13 third downs. But for some reason, they also seem to fall apart in the fourth quarter.

The Eagles were then able to score 11 points, including a touchdown, then a two point conversion. They won the game with a field goal, beating the Skins 27-24.

The Skins will play the undefeated Saints next week at 1 pm.

NFL Lets One Slip

One of the problems with sports today is that it’s live, which leaves very little room for error. No editing, no redos, no anything. Fans tend to get a little excited and shout things that can be heard on camera. For example, during an O’s game, Luke Scott was up at bat and a fan yelled “Luuuuke, I am your father!” I got a good chuckle out of it, but it clearly isn’t something that was meant to be aired.

On Thanksgiving, the Broncos played the Giants, and Broncos coach Josh McDaniels was heard shouting something explicit and it was broadcasted. McDaniels issued an apology, but I can’t say I blame him. I know this wasn’t on purpose, and it was not his intention to have this broadcast, and the network did not notice it in time to bleep it out.

Hopefully he can keep his cool in the future to avoid this from happening again. The Broncos won 26-6.

Tiger Woods Hits a Tree (How Ironic)

By now most people have heard of Tiger Woods’ late night excursion at 2:30am, resulting in a car accident with not only a fire hydrant, but a tree as well. Lucky for Woods, this all took place outside his house. His wife, who also managed to be awake as this ungodly hour frantically ran out of the house and smash his window with, of course, a golf club.

Officials say there was no alcohol involved, so what the heck actually happened? My only guess could be that he and his wife got into an argument, he fled the house, and forgot that the hydrant was hanging out on the sidewalk.

Instead of just make up a lie, like he wanted to go Black Friday shopping, or that he was going on a beer run, Woods decided to draw even more attention to himself by telling everyone that it was all his fault and he’s only human. Oh Tiger, I completely agree, so please don’t disappoint us.

D.C. Mourns the Loss of Abe Pollin

Abe Pollin, owner of the Wizards and previously the Washington Capitals (whom he sold to Ted Leonsis), died on November 24th from a neurological disease. Pollin is attributed with transforming sports in the D.C. area to what we know it today. He spent over $220 million to create what is now known as the Verizon Center, and brought professional hockey and basketball players to the area.

Not only did he accomplish all this, he also built housing developments and was extremely charitable throughout his lifetime. Pollin’s death truly is a loss not only to the D.C. area, but to sports teams nation wide.

Albert Pujols NL MVP

Albert Pujols received his third MVP award, and his second consecutive. He won unanimously, by all 32 voters. Pujols plays first base for the St. Louis Cardinals, and had a batting average of .334. He also led the NL with the most home runs, 47.

He was also the leader in runs scored (124), slugging percentage (.658), intentional walks (44) and had an on base percentage was .443. Pujols had surgery in October to remove a bone spur and bone chips from his right elbow. There was a chance he would require ligament replacement surgey, which would’ve kept him out for half of the season, but it no longer looks necessary.

Along with winning this award, he will receive a $200,000 bonus, $16 million for next season, and a possibility for 2011.

Dan Snyder (Still) Sucks

With every expressing their dislike and disappointment for Redskins own Dan Snyder for the past couple of months, you’d think he would’ve gotten the hint by now. But no, of course not. The only changes he’s made recently were to remove head coach Jim Zorn’s play calling responsibility. Which seems pretty silly if you ask me; all Zorn does now is stand on the sideline and call timeouts.

However, now Snyder is making remarks regarding the Redskins, about how disappointed he is, but he has yet to make any changes. And chances are we won’t see any anytime soon. The Redskins will continue to lose, and fans will continue to be disappointed.