The REAL. BIG. Blog

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By John Fontana

With a 3-0 start at his back, Denver Broncos quarterback, Jay Cutler, looks good as an early front-runner for league MVP.  (If you don’t agree, who is your pick?  And don’t forget to show your work – defend your player!)  Here’s my case for Cutler:

Sure, critics can argue that the Broncos have been gifted their last two wins. But Cutler is the engineer of an offense that leads the league in point production (114 or a 38 per game average) and is ranked second in total offense behind Dallas.

Cutler’s passing success has also opened the door for the young backs carrying Denver’s running game. The team is averaging 4.8 yards per carry, just slightly under coach Mike Shanahan’s hope for 5 yards per when the season started.

Cutler, in his third year, leads an offense that looks too good to stop. And Shanahan still has pages in his playbook Cutler has not touched. Not since the days of John Elway has a Denver QB scored such high marks on Shanahan’s confidence index.

Cutler’s other numbers speak volumes: second in passing yards (914) behind New Orleans’s QB Drew Brees (980), who benefitted by playing Sunday against the Broncos defense (ranked last in pass defense at a whopping 315.7 yards allowed per game); second in completions; second in yards per game at 304.7; second in TD tosses (8) against only two interceptions and 12 completions of 20 yards or better, which ranks third in the league.  The young quarterback stands third in passer rating at 110.6 and third in passes attempted and passing percentage.

As Cutler embraces the enormity of being the starting quarterback in Denver, I suspect he will continue to flourish – and his numbers to rise higher still.

While still early in the season – with plenty of hot dogs still to cook on those tailgate grills – Denver fans sense there’s something different about their quarterback.  If Cutler can fashion any measure of consistency to his production, he’ll be the one roasting all the others in the race for NFL MVP.

Who do you think is worthy to challenge him?

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Detroit Lions fans finally have a reason to celebrate.  After ten years under the thumb of CEO and President Matt Millen, the team has removed the controversial executive from his post.   Fox Sports, WDFN and The Detroit Free Press are reporting that Millen was informed of the move in a high-level meeting late last night and that “he had large packing boxes in his office this morning.”

As a native of Detroit and long-suffering Lions fan, I think I can safely say that this is the happiest moment in recent memory for the team and fans alike.  The chant, “fire Millen” is a popular one at Ford Field - and has been for years.  Mortified by the team’s performance and the lack of direction from the man at the helm, fans have actually taken to wearing paper bags over their heads at home games!

If you listed all the mistakes Millen has made over his tenure on paper, the volume would make “War and Peace” look like light reading.  Some of the talented players he’s passed up over the years include Brian Westbrook,  Shawne Merrimen, Andre Johnson, Clinton Portis and Bob Sanders.  Then there are those he couldn’t resist.  Two words: Joey Harrington. ‘Nuff said.

At 0-3 this season against their “easiest” opponents, there is little hope for the team to claw their way up to a winning record this year.  It’s time for the Lions to turn their back on the past and look boldly into the future.  Who knows what the post-Millen era will hold for our boys in Honolulu Blue?  For now, at least, fans can dream of a rosier future for the Detroit Lions.

Think Millen’s a scapegoat?  Tell us why.  Care to share a Millen moment from the past decade? (Like when he said last Sunday that “the Lions are on track” after their defeat by San Francisco…)  Feel free to leave a comment or epitath.

Disclaimer: Fathead, LLC in no way endorses the opinion of this writer or any bloggers who respond to this post.

By: Ignaco Salazar
Coming off an unexpected bye week because of Hurricane Ike, Matt Schaub and the

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Houston Texans Helmet Fathead wall graphic

Houston Texans offense came out flat in a 31-12 loss at LP Field in Nashville against the Tennessee Titans.

Schaub, who continues to struggle on the road, was a dismal 17-for-37 with 188 passing yards and no touchdowns with three interceptions. The Texans offense had its chances, but they couldn’t capitalize as they could only muster one touchdown in six appearances in the Titan’s red zone.

The loss can’t be solely blamed on Schaub. Head coach Gary Kubiak and Andre Johnson had their moments too. Kubiak went for a failed fourth down attempt in prime field goal territory for kicker Kris Brown early in the second quarter. Kubiak also had an opportunity to challenge a controversial play in which Titans quarterback Kerry Collins connected with wide receiver Justin McCareins to the one-yard goal line - who was clearly out of bounds when he made the catch. Collins, who knew the play was suspect, rushed his team up the line of scrimage and the Titans scored on the very next play.

Former Pro Bowl wide receiver Andre Johnson contributed to the sloppiness as he dropped two sure touchdowns that would of kept the Texans in the game. Johnson finished with two receptions for 29 yards.

The Texans running game was it’s lone bright spot. Rookie Steve Slaton finished the day with 18 carries for 116 yards and one touchdown. Slaton could be the answer the Texans have been searching for to carry the running back load. The job is now Slaton’s to lose and I don’t see him giving it up anytime soon.

The road gets tougher for the Texans next Sunday as they travel to face the Jacksonville Jaguars. Here’s to hoping for better days to come.

By John Fontana

“Old-timer” use to describe a single day event reserved to honor storied athletes of season’s past.  Now, it could just as easily define tonight’s pitching duel or next year’s Tour de France champion.  Why the change?

In professional sports, retirement is a four-letter word. It’s the end of a rewarding relationship with the game, teammates and fans.  When a once-in-a-generation athlete hangs up his cleats (or high tops, skates, racing shoes, etc), the moment is necessarily cathartic – the fall comes when an athlete must admit that they’re no longer the powerhouse of past seasons, but a mere human whose talent has been eroded by the grindstone of time.

When it was time to hang up lucky No. 7 after 16 years in the pocket, John Elway broke into tears.  In stark contrast, former Green Bay Packers QB Brett Favre (who turns 39 in October) didn’t think football looked very good from the couch.  Everyone knows what happened there. Seven-time Tour de France champion Lance Armstrong (now 37), retired three years ago to Austin, Texas, but is now living and training in the high country and plotting his return to the big French race next summer.

Clearly the competitive beast that dwells within these “old-timers” doesn’t retire when they hang up their jerseys. Others aren’t even bothering to do the retirement flip-flop.

Major League Baseball pitchers – some well past their best fastballs and change-ups – routinely stay on the mound past their prime. Jamie Moyer (45), Mike Mussina (40), and Trevor Hoffman (40) – for example.

Fans, the reason for any of these athletes existence in the spotlight, love watching these transcendents. Parents highlight faded but performing athletes as links to their own childhood and pass along that passion to their sons and daughters. The players of their youth are now old-timers.  Love ‘em or hate ‘em, history is still fun to watch.

Modern medicine may be responsible for keeping an athlete functioning at a professional level. But these athletes posses a fire deep within that fuels their drive to compete. Of course, the hoopla, fans, competition, camaraderie and pageantry are nearly impossible to pass up. Who will cross over next?

Michael Strahan has turned down the New York Giants once, but as the season progresses and his old teammates make another run at glory, he could get itchy feet. Daunte Culpepper seems a lock to strap on his helmet again.  One wonders if Shaq will rescind his 735-day retirement countdown just to prove he’s the baddest old-timer of them all?

Who do you think will be the next “old-timer” to return from retirement for another season or two?

Last week, Fathead saluted Sean Shearon for his REAL.BIG. philanthropic effort - The Victory Walk - during which he walked 18 marathons across Michigan in 18 days to raise money for cancer research.  You know what they say about great minds?  Shortly after I wrote about him, Sean informed me that his video about The Victory Walk (and the charity itself) had made it to the top ten of Lance Armstrong’s “Dare To Challenge” competition.  To see the video and vote for Sean, follow this link:

http://www.livestrong.com/video/5024-dare-challenge-finalist-sshearon/

Perhaps even more impressive, Sean is also being honored by the Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute (the recipient of all Victory Walk proceeds) with an award recognizing his inspiring walk.  On October 23rd, Sean will be hailed as a “Hero of Breast Cancer Philanthropy.”

When I penned my first post about Sean, it was clear he had a REAL.BIG. heart…let’s hope that all this recognition doesn’t give him a REAL.BIG. head too!  Just kidding.   Once again, hats off to Sean Shearon for having the passion to inspire us all.  Please take a moment to check out his “Dare to Challenge” video at

http://www.livestrong.com/video/5024-dare-challenge-finalist-sshearon/

Don’t forget to vote!

By Apryl DeLancey

LaDainian Tomlinson Fathead wall graphic

What is going on? Is this backwards day (again) for the second Sunday of the regular NFL season? LaDainian Tomlinson was the first pick in almost everyone’s Fantasy draft this year. His athletic ability is amazing and his demeanor admirable. No trash talk – just a hard-working guy that lets his game do the talking. So what’s the story? Why the low output so far? Is football boring him? He hasn’t delivered his usual multiple TD performance yet – and he certainly doesn’t look very LT-like. What happened to his “better” being better than everyone else’s?

Do you remember the Charger’s last game of the ‘07 season? Tomlinson was reportedly injured and sat on the bench – hiding with the helmet on. It was as if he wanted to disappear from his own existence. Everyone wondered what was going on with him. Why was he just sitting there? It looked like he could still play….

Fantasy Owners and Chargers’ fans are now left wondering: what will happen for the rest of the season? These first two weeks of the NFL has the Chargers losing by the slimmest of margins. One loss was to a very lucky Carolina Panthers team and the next to an equally fortunate Denver Broncos team. If Tomlinson had been “on” and performing up to expectations, these games may have taken a very different turn. Seriously, had LT racked up a few touchdowns, then the pass on the last play from Jake Delhomme would have been for ego and not the win. Had LT turned in a “normal” LT day, it wouldn’t have mattered that Ed Hochuli blew the call at the end of the game that led to the Broncos win.

Come back, LaDainian! We miss your breakout performances! We long for those games where you rush, catch, and throw for a touchdown. Where are those games where you rack up unheard of numbers? Please, come back very soon. I won’t be able to bear it if I see you on the free agent wire in my Fantasy League….

Fathead Disclaimer: While Apryl’s opinions are in no way endorsed by Fathead, we can legally concur with several points: 1) LT does have amazing athletic ability and an admirable demeanor. 2) The Carolina Panthers are a lucky team: they have two of the leagues top 20 runners this season and Steve Smith is back on the roster too. 3) The Broncos are fortunate: not only did they have John Elway for years, they now have the Cutler/Royal dynamic duo! Okay, this wasn’t much of a disclaimer…we just wanted to get our two cents in!

By Drew Bufalini

Don’t let the title deceive you. This story isn’t about Lance Armstrong…but about the good his courage and passion has inspired in so many people, including a Detroit teacher named Sean Shearon.

This summer, Sean walked eighteen marathons in eighteen days in an effort to raise $10 million for cancer research.  More than mere mileage, this was a highly personal journey for Sean.  When he was nine, his mother developed cancer. Three years later, he too was diagnosed. While Sean survived, his mom did not.

Life has taught Sean some harsh lessons, but neither his face nor his spirit bear evidence of his agonies.  He transformed what could have been a devastating experience into something life-affirming.  What’s more, for every step he took on his journey across the state of Michigan, he not only raised money and awareness for cancer research - he inspired others to follow in his footsteps.

As I monitored Sean’s progress on his blog (www.thevictorywalk.org), I began to question myself in ways I never had before.  What can I do to inspire others to do good with their lives?  How can I help assuage humanity’s suffering?  What will it take of my passion to plant a seed capable of bearing similar fruit in my fellow man?  If you read Sean’s story, you’ll see what I mean – for the Victory Walk isn’t simply about overcoming cancer.  It’s about the viral nature of passion and our own ability to do good and inspire it in others.

So what does Sean’s Victory Walk have to do with Fathead?  Absolutely everything.  If you’ve ever read our web site or scanned our blog or watched our commercials, you know Fathead is a company built on, by and for “fan passion.”  But what does that mean – really?  For some, it’s the rush of endorphins that comes with success - like Aaron Rodgers first Lambeau Leap (Or any of Bretts’ Leaps, for that matter).  For others, it’s the thrill of a hard-fought victory over an indomitable opponent – like the Red Wings in any of their 11 Stanley Cup Playoffs, for example.  Still others find that passion is belonging to something larger than themselves: being a member of the armed services or first responders; or being member or fan of a legendary team like the Cowboys, Yankees or Lakers; or even spending a moment in the shadow of someone willing to sacrifice so that you may find your own inspiration. That sense of being part of a team, the inertia that drives us beyond what we believe ourselves capable of toward an impossible goal – that is fan passion.

And that’s what Sean Shearon carried with him from the Detroit side of the Ambassador Bridge to Charlevoix to Royal Oak, Michigan. Mile after mile.  Through shin-splints, debilitating cramps and excruciating infection.  In the driving rain and scorching summer sun.  That’s what people saw when they lauded his sacrifice, shook his hand and patted him on the back. But what they took home with them was something bigger: they discovered Sean’s passion was contagious.

The sacrifice of his body and time, he says, was a small price to pay when compared to the gratitude of strangers, support and cash for the Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute of Detroit. “We need to do something about cancer as a society. We can’t just keep waiting for other people to do it. We are all in this together.”

All of the money raised from The Victory Walk will be donated to the Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute in downtown Detroit. “We just couldn’t keep doing what we do without people like Sean,” said Patricia Ellis, spokeswoman for the Karmanos Institute. “He is definitely not sitting back. He is taking it upon himself to raise awareness, and he has done just that.”

To talk to Sean, read his blog or watch his video for Livestrong.com (http://www.youtube.com/video_response_view_all?v=9S9vlgtt264) is to go toe-to-toe with courage and hopefully walk away with enough to both carry yourself forward…and bring someone else with you.

Fathead salutes Sean Shearon and those rare people out there like him with the courage to live their passion.  Visit www.thevictorywalk.com to blog with Sean, learn more about his journey or make a donation.

By Ignacio Salazar

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A 38-17 beat down by the Pittsburgh Steelers wasn’t the way the Texans planned to start the season. The further the clock ticked away from the coin toss, the more the Texans troubles seemed to mount.
On the opening drive, Coach Gary Kubiak elected to go for a fourth and one in Steelers territory. After an official review, the Texans came up short.  The team – and their game – never bounced back.

Steelers quarterback, Ben Roethlisberger, and his offense had a field day with the Texans defense, who seemed to mimic a scout team defense. Roethlisberger nearly had a perfect day going 13-for-14 with 137 yards and two touchdowns. On the ground, the Steelers had their way and then some as Willie Parker rushed 25 times for 138 yards and three touchdowns - more than he had ALL of last year.

The Texan’s offense appeared woeful as well. Matt Schaub,  1-7 on the road as a starter, had two interceptions.  His offense didn’t score until the fourth quarter when the game was well out of reach.
Starting running back Ahman Green had five rushes for 28 yards and rookie Steve Slaton had 13 rushes for 43 yards.  Still, the Texans are desperately seeking relief for their running game.

The only bright spot for the Texans was Mario Williams, who had two sacks and a forced fumble.
Next Sunday, the Texans return home to face the Baltimore Ravens, a big game believe it or not.  An 0-2 start isn’t going to sit pretty with the Houston crowd, especially since every fan is well aware of the team’s opponents for the next three games -  the Titans, Colts and Jaguars.  All playoff teams from last year.

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By John Fontana

For a Denver Broncos fan, there is only one thing better than beating the Oakland Raiders –  crushing the Raiders. On Monday night. In Oakland. Before a national television audience and those costumed Raider faithful. Is that four? Who’s counting?!  But before Broncos fans start celebrating too hard, they must understand that the breadth of the 16-game NFL season will expose Oakland as a woeful football team.  That’s not to say the Broncos victory is hollow…just that they were able to make it look a little too easy.

The two key players in Oakland’s backfield are untested; pseudo rookie JaMarcus Russell (QB) and true rookie Darren McFadden (RB). The offensive and defensive lines are weak. The team racked up nearly 100 yards in penalties against the Broncos Monday night. Of course, Broncos fans will never let them forget…the Raiders were 25th in team offense and 22nd in team defense. Chances are, it will take more than one season to overcome that stigma.

Yet, none of this should diminish what the Broncos did Monday night. Third-year quarterback, Jay Cutler, appeared confident and was clearly in control of the offense. He passed long and short while running out of the pocket. But most importantly, he was dead-on accurate and finished with a passer rating of 137.3.  By comparison, New England’s Tom Brady finished last season as the NFL’s top passer with a rating of 117.3.

In the midst of all this Bronco’s showmanship, a new star emerged…a player for which there was no warning, no fanfare or media heads-up whatsoever.  Eddie Royal. Shanahan was CIA-covert about Royal and kept him out of the media spotlight during training camp. Royal went to bed Sunday night with only him and his mother thinking he could be a star in the NFL, but now the sky could be the limit after he burned nine catches into the psyche of Oakl

and’s two touted cornerbacks, Nnamdi Asomugha and DeAngelo Hall. After Monday night, Eddie Royal emerged as the leading receiver in the NFL for Week 1. It wasn’t just his 146 yards of receiving; it was running out of the backfield (2 attempts for 9 yards) and an attempted pass, which he calmly threw out of bounds when the play broke down. He also returned punts. Despite being tight-lipped about Royal, it was obvious Shanahan built his offense around his new rookie.  To any lifelong Broncos fans watching, Royal harkened back to the days when Rick Upchurch ran wild on the field like Peter Rabbit dodging an angry Mr. McGregor.

The only downside for the Broncos was that their platoon running game with Andre Hall and Selvin Young averaged only 4.2 yards per carry, nearly a yard short of Shanahan’s expectation. Fullback Michael Pittman looked like he was struggling and averaged under 2 yards per carry.

On the defensive side, Oakland put up 150 yards rushing on a 4.8 yard average exposing the fact that the defense is still shaking off last year when it was 19th in the league in rushing yards allowed.  Special teams, especially the coverage teams, appeared to be going at it with only 10 men.

Every Broncos/Raiders game has the potential to become a classic – such is the team’s deep-seated rivalry.  For Bronco’s fans, this first game of the season did not disappoint.  As for Cutler and Royal?  There’s no better way to kick off the season than with a blowout of the Raiders.

NOTE: The opinions reflected in this blog are not those of Fathead.  Although we do really dig watching the Broncos and Raiders spar.  Should you take offense at this article – and Raider’s fans probably will – we encourage an intelligent discourse carried out sans poddy language right here on the Fathead blog.  Otherwise, all hits should remain on the field.

By John Fontana

There was a rumbling in the Rockies on Sept.2. It was caused by fans roaring at the news Colorado Avalanche center Joe Sakic is returning for another season.  He said during his press conference to announce his decision that he is coming back simply because he loves the game. The 39-year-old will be entering his 20th season, which is an eternity in a sport that is both graceful and brutal.

Sakic is the quintessential good guy, never turning the spotlight on himself, never spouting bravado, instead garnering attention by the way he plays.  He has two Stanley Cups, an Olympic gold medal, seven international World Cup and World Junior Cup appearances, three stints on the Canadian Olympic team and 12 All-Star Games. He has 623 goals and 1,629 points in his NHL career, which started when he was selected in the first round (No. 15) by the Quebec Nordiques in the 1987 NHL Entry Draft.  Sakic moved with the Nordiques to Denver in 1995-1996 so he has been with the same organization his entire career.

The Avs aren’t what they were in the glory days, but the fan base in Denver is not deterred. In fact, Sakic has filled them with optimism for the coming season.  Last year wasn’t so bright for Sakic, who endured arguably his most difficult season on skates. He missed 38 games after surgery for a sports hernia before returning to help the Avs reach the playoffs. Instead of a storybook ending, Sakic and the Avs ended up as mere asphalt under the steamroller driven by eventual champions the Detroit Red Wings

Joe Sakic Fathead: Mr Clutch

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But that was last year, Sakic said in his recent  “I’m back” press conference that he is happy with new roster additions that include Per Ledin, Andrew Raycroft, Daniel Tjarnqvist, Darcy Tucker and Brian Willsie.
“I like what we have here, but the biggest decision for me was whether I was willing to do what it took to play,” Sakic said. “And once I started training and got the excitement, I realized I wanted to come back.”
As fans wait for the puck to drop, what do you think Sakic means to the Avs chance at the playoffs – and dare I say a Stanley Cup run?