“Are you really going to make a big deal about this?”
In the Eagles’ 30-27 victory over the Dallas Cowboys last night, DeSean Jackson made a move after a ten-yard catch that resulted in a 91-yard receiving touchdown, the longest in the NFL this year. After trucking his way past and away from defenders he stopped at the goal line, turned his back to the end zone, and free fell in for six points.
Fall back, Cowboys! (Thanks to Crossing Broad for the screenshot)
There will be talks of unsportsmanlike conduct and the 15-yard penalty he drew in a hotly contested game. Even 33% of voters at CSNPhilly.com felt the stunt was “unsportsmanlike and unnecessary; he’s already cost himself one touchdown with a premature celebration”. I just don’t understand what the big deal is, and you really shouldn’t either.
In a rivalry as storied as this one is, you’re going to see things like this all the time. Whether it’s trash talk on or off the field, whether it’s a late hit or extra-curricular activity after the play, it’s going to happen when it’s the Birds and the ‘Boys. No one should be shocked, no one should be appalled or offended. This isn’t Albert Haynesworth stepping on Andre Gurode’s head, and it isn’t Michael Irvin being booed after suffering a career-ending injury. This is simply something that makes this rivalry that much sweeter. It adds to its personality, and it will be something to talk about when the teams meet again in Week 17.
And for the fans in Philly who weren’t happy with it, I bet you were happy with four catches and 210 yards, good for third all-time for Eagles receiving yards in a game. As for the unsportsmanlike conduct penalty for excessive celebration… isn’t that a penalty that a referee issues after a touchdown is scored? The rule is plain stupid, and the NFL needs to worry about officiating in areas other than the end zone. This season has featured some of the worst and most inconsistent officiating I have ever seen in a league.
Instead of worrying about this, maybe the NFL and its fans should focus on the blatant late hit from Anthony Spencer on Michael Vick in the second quarter of last night’s game. If not, maybe they should become concerned with the helmet-to-helmet hit from Spencer to Vick later in the game. If Spencer doesn’t see a fine for either act sometime this week, the league will have a lot of explaining to do in a year where they have been a living, breathing catch-22.
All I’m saying is there are more important things to focus on that the SportsCenter highlight from Jackson last night. Leave the “little bit of Hollywood left in him”.
Other observations from Sunday, in no particular order:
- The Patriots dominance over the Chicago Bears in a blizzard makes them 3-0 in as many games in the snow. What’s more glaring? The Pats have outscored their opponents 101-0 in the first half of those games.
- Jets strength and conditioning coach Sal Alosi should absolutely be fired. I’ve heard “disciplinary action” and “fine”, but there’s no room for that action in the NFL. This guy doesn’t even play on the field. It would be an outrage to see him anything but fired.
- The Sixers held the New Orleans Hornets to only 23 points in the first half of yesterday’s 88-70 victory. That’s the fewest points scored by a team in the first half since the 1954-1955 season. The Hornets only shot 30% for the game.
- I love watching the Sixers this year.
- If you haven’t seen the video of the Metrodome roof collapse in Minnesota, you need to. You can find that video here.
- Today could be the day that Cliff Lee makes a decision, and I’m thinking he’ll pick the Rangers. Stay tuned.
- As an alumni, it’s safe to say that the Temple faithful will miss Al Golden.
- Matt Cassel is the most important player on the Kansas City Chiefs roster.
- See also: Brodie Croyle is not an NFL player.
- Sean O’ Donnell should probably be suspended by the NHL for his hit on Adam McQuaid. Having said that, I do think the hit was unintentional and when it comes to the matter of how many games, the league should give him the benefit of the doubt.
- I’m much more interested in the NFL game not being shown nationally tonight than I am the one that will be on ESPN.
Enjoy your Monday, folks!
