That's just one of the reasons why Cam Newton's comments following the Panthers victory over the Saints are so important. After receiving what looked to be a late hit on a pass play early in the fourth quarter, the Carolina quarterback told the press that he complained to lead referee Ed Hochuli, who responded by telling Newton that he's "not old enough to get that call."Reputation calls are something that football, basketball, and hockey fans speculate and bellyache about constantly, with varying amounts of bitterness. Usually, speculating and bellyaching is all there is to do, because referees rarely lay it out as plainly as Big Ed allegedly did. Not only does it mean that fouls aren't being called equally, it suggests some amount of bias. While Cam Newton is still only 26 years old, he's in his fifth season in the NFL. He hardly counts as a young upstart.
"We've got our best guys on it." Seventeen dads in khakis stand around — Photo by Jeff Curry-USA TODAY Sports
Former NFL vice-president of officiating and current FOX Sports referee-talking guy Mike Pereira clearly has some sort of sponsorship deal set up with KFC for his quick videos about controversial calls in games. When it comes to discussing serious injuries in the future, he might want to consider dialing back the shilling, unless the Colonel's original recipe can do magical things for torn ligaments. Out of context, it makes it look like KFC is sponsoring the injuries themselves. I have to think we're still a few years away from #brands doing that.I think the hit that injured — Mike Pereira (@MikePereira)September 27, 2015
As the Patriots continue to pile up the wins, more and more comparisons arise to the 2007 Pats team that ran roughshod over the NFL before being stopped by the Giants in the Super Bowl. Rodney Harrison, a member of that squad, went so far as to make the link during Sunday Night Football.Among the most irritating things about that 18-1 team was the media and the public's tendency to attribute extra vengeful motivation to Tom Brady, who apparently doesn't play his best unless the league suspects his team of cheating. By the same narrative, every time Brady plays well, it's some sort of act of defiance as opposed to him just being really good at football. It's insufferable, and also very dumb.On Sunday, the Patriots laid waste to the Jaguars—just totally bodied them. Tom Brady threw for his 400th career touchdown. This happened because the Pats are good and the Jags are not. Or was it all revenge for some perceived slight? It definitely wasn't, but your alpha Massholes aren't hearing it.We all knew these dumb stories were coming. Pre-VENGEANCE Brady was 12-4 and won the Super Bowl last year.— Dan Hopper (@DanHopp)September 21, 2015
Rest assured, Tom Brady did not play any better against Jacksonville because Mark Brunell questioned Dreamboat's integrity on ESPN during the off-season. It's about as likely as his pregame kiss with Bob Kraft lifting his game. I would be amazed if Brady thought about Brunell at all in the week leading up the game. Why should he? Brunell hasn't played for Jacksonville in 12 years. No one is thinking about Mark Brunell except for creditors. Please stop this now, Boston.Anyone think Tom Brady was motivated by former Jags QB Mark Brunell's comments against his character this offseason?— Boston News™ (@bostonews1)September 28, 2015
Try to imagine a chilled-out, post-football version of this dude. — Photo by Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports
Miko Grimes Keeps Keepin' It Way Too RealThe Miami-area sports talk figure and wife of cornerback Brent Grimes was arrested at Sun Life Stadium on Sunday on charges of disorderly conduct and resisting arrest. If you're unfamiliar with Miko, she has some interesting reasons for her distrust of the authorities. Frankly, she needs to push for her husband to be traded to Seattle, so he can play for a coach more sympathetic to her worldview.I just interviewed Warren Buffett. Jokingly handed him a dollar for his time at the end of it. SOB put it in his pocket and walked away!
— Jeff Darlington (@JeffDarlington)September 27, 2015
Fan of the WeekI never claimed this to be an honorable award! I don't endorse anyone putting on redface, though this, um, Washington football fan is basically the best friend of anyone who wants the team name to be changed. If I were the sort of person who defended the name, I'd desperately swear this person was a plant secretly working for an organization trying to change the name. It's that bad. This is idiocy so profound and so clueless that crying "false flag" almost seems reasonable. Imagining the person who legitimately thought this was a good idea is hard, even within the ranks of NFL fandom. So cheers to you, sir, insofar as you're advancing the cause of people you probably dislike, simply by demonstrating what your side really thinks.Our own country crashed planes into the twin towers, but u want me to believe in our govt and the judicial system? HA! GTFOH!!
— Miko Grimes (@iHeartMiko)June 9, 2015