Four Downs- A look back at week 6

The Seattle Seahawks continue to shock the world and one of the bests in Ray Lewis may call it a career.

First Down: “The Series of Unfortunate Dallas Cowboy Events” Taken from the title one of my favourite books written by Lemony Snicket. The series tells a story of three orphans and all the unfortunate events they endure. The last few years the Dallas Cowboys couldn’t have a more unfortunate tale to tell. From Tony Romo’s season ending injury against the NY Giants, to losing against them in the final game of the season last year. There are so many moments that you could pick from that the Cowboys should have won but didn’t and last week’s 31-29 loss was the latest wound. They outplayed the Ravens in every facet of the game including 227-yards on the ground but still found themselves down eight, with just over 4 minutes to play. Romo orchestrated an 18 play, 4-minute drive that resulted in a Dez Bryant touchdown. However, Bryant had the two point convert go through his hands resulting thus giving the game to the Ravens right; wrong. The Cowboys recovered the onside kick and a pass-interference call later, they were in Dan Bailey’s range. Bailey was a perfect 8-8 in field goal attempts this year but missed the 51-yard kick just left and the Cowboys were sent home losers. They have a tough remaining schedule and at (2-3) they are in in a grind.

Second Down: “Pete Carrol’s Seattle Seahawks” There is no argument that Pete Carroll was a successful coach at his time at USC but many questioned if he could be the same coach in the NFL. He had two tenures in the NFL as HC with the New York Jets and New England Patriots. Since coming to Seattle in 2010, Carroll has drafted well and brought in the right personnel in order to be competitive. People remember the Marshawn Lynch magical run in the playoffs against the Saints but this year there has been even more magic. From Golden Tate’s game-winning TD to this past weekend where QB Russell Wilson came down from 13 points against Tom Brady and the Pats. The defense picked off Brady twice and did not let him score in the 4th. The Seahawks loss to the 49ers 13-6 on Thursday and are now (4-3)


Third Down: “Bleeding Blue” The NY Giants are like a box of chocolate, you never know what you will get. Forrest Gump’s infamous line is very fitting for this team because the fact of the matter you don’t know what your going to get. They get showed up on banner night against the Dallas Cowboys and looked awful going down 14+ points against Tampa Bay and Cleveland at home. On Sunday when many like this writer though that the San Francisco 49ers would own the stage, it was quite the opposite. The Giants went on the road, shut down a rushing game that put up 300-yards a week before and forced QB Alex Smith into 3 interceptions. It also helps when Ahmad Bradshaw had over 100-yards rushing for the second straight week. Any team could use a good rushing game but the Giants have mastered the play action and when they have Hakeem Nicks or Victor Cruz in man on man you usually know where Eli Manning is going to go. This week they face another test in Robert Griffin III and the Washington Redskins.

Fourth Down: “Ray Lewis” If it’s an end of an era I’m glad to say that I was around to see most of Ray Lewis’s career. He came into the league in 1996 when I was a wee little tad. In 2000 (Super Bowl XXXV) Lewis led his Ravens to a Superbowl and took home the MVP honors. I was not around for the Dick Butkus’s of the league but Lewis has always been the best linebacker to play in my mind. He has 50 career turnovers but what is more impressive is how he carries himself off the field. After watching Ray Lewis’s “A Football Life” (which I highly recommend) I truly got to appreciate how much he loves the game and the passion that he brings. If this is his last his legacy will go down as someone who laid everything out on the line each game, each play and for his amazing entrances.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R43adFL8RLk
His great motivational speeches before games.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YUra9wrjCfU
And his relentless play.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JrnDLXxVoFE

Lewis might still play this season and could still choose to play next year, but if it is the last we see of Ray then I want to thank him for inspiring, motivating and playing football the right way.

Enjoy week 7 with many big games on the slate.

Link for Ray Lewis "A Football Life" : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M62iU4hWV_g