Behind The Scoreboard - Claude Vinson


Thursday, November 17, 2011
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Behind The Scoreboard
By Claude Vinson

NFL brawl

Losing is hard; brawl starting is easy. Team-of-choice Lions had another meltdown in start nine in week number 10 of the NFL. Quarterback Matthew Stafford of said Lions gave way to his frustrated emotions after tossing interception number four against the Chicago Bears.

Now, older fans will easily conjure up images of games of the past between “Papa Bear” George Halas’ Bears and the Detroit Lions. This contest was usually the game fare on Turkey Day. It was always a very physical struggle between two teams who prided themselves in being the best in the region. Somehow, that physicality seemed different than what it is today.

Sunday, the time was 13:20 left in the final quarter and the Bears were up 37-6 on the Lions’ turf. Stafford threw a pick to Chicago’s Tim Jennings. For reasons best explained by Matthew (Stafford), the QB attacked, viciously, (you have to see the picture), Chicago’s D.J. Moore. Moore immediately defended himself and a bench-cleared brawl ensued which was much harder to clear than the one between the coaches when Detroit played San Francisco in week seven and lost their first game. Moore was ejected. He later related that he had no regrets for defending himself.

The eventual 37-13 win by the Bears tied them with Detroit in the NFC North behind division-leading and undefeated Green Bay. The ’Pack were scheduled to play the Vikes on Monday night. For the Bears and Detroit, this standing has great implications for the wildcard race which will begin in a few weeks.

And speaking of such things, believe it or not, it is already that time of the season when all coaches and teams start thinking in that direction. While most teams in the NFC are beginning to wonder if the Green Bay Packers can be overtaken this season, some see their chances growing dim. However, Dallas, New Orleans and San Francisco have to be pleased with Sundays’ outcomes. America’s team had Jerry Jones all smiles in his elaborate “Jones Mahal” (as one commentator put it). Tony Romo and the Cowboys practically dismantled the Buffalo Bills, 44-7.

And what about the continued slide of the Philadelphia Eagles? Remember, at the beginning of the season many had stated that the Eagles had built a dream team with its super star acquisitions and the $100 million salary paid to their quarterback, Michael Vick. It is to his credit that he took sole responsibility for the loss to Arizona.

Has the “dream” died already? In the words of former superstar Deion Sanders, “You can stick the fork in, they are done!”

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