NFL Reaction Week 16: Cam Newton, Seattle Seahawks and More

It’s late in the NFL season and this is a college site, I understand that. However I think I am going to get an “NFL Reaction” piece started from here, every week till the end of the season, then maybe an occasional blast off during the off-season with the Draft and such. I originally tried to do a weekly Seahawks piece, but found myself tied up between college and NFL articles and couldn’t always get my piece in on time. With “NFL Reaction”, it can be later in the week and I can get some good stuff throughout the week.

I love the NFL and it’s been growing on me every year as we get more and more access to things such as sound bytes and game film and the NFL Network and just basically everything that has to do with the game. Then of course there’s the fact that with only 16 regular season games and 4 weeks of playoffs, it’s a fast moving season and it’s very easy to keep track of, unlike the NBA and MLB in their own regards.

Dec 22, 2012; Charlotte, NC, USA; Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton (1) is sacked by Oakland Raiders defensive tackle Tommy Kelly (93) in the second quarter at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports

But anyways on to the main course. Cam Newton. Or “Caaaaam, Oh Caaaaaam” as Deion Sanders affectionately sings during basically all Panther highlights during NFL Network’s GameDay Highlights. I had a serious SMH moment when I watched this reel of him going Ape-bonkers on an Oakland defender and kicking him (somehow DRAWING a penalty on that player instead of himself and being ejected in the process), then getting up after another take down by an Oakland blitzer and bumping the Referee and quite nearly head-butting him. He did draw a flag on that one, obviously, but it was just one of those moments that you can’t believe how stupid some of the athletes today are. For his moments he received some heavy fines from the NFL this week, well warranted.

I think the most disappointing moment for me was then watching the “Mic’d up” portion for him (same link as above), as he was posing and being a terrific role model before the game with the kids. How do you follow that up with your actions Mr. Newton? Shame on you. To Cam’s credit, he later personally and then publicly apologized to Mr. Official after the game, but sheesh.

Dec 23, 2012; Seattle, WA, USA; Seattle Seahawks cornerback Richard Sherman (25) during the game against the San Francisco 49ers at CenturyLink Field. Seattle defeated San Francisco 42-13. Mandatory Credit: Steven Bisig-USA TODAY Sports

Moving on, Seattle sure stuck it to San Fran last week and is on a run of historic proportions right now. Midway through the season I said “Playoffs, eliminated 1st round” because I had absolutely no faith in their road warrior-ness. But man has my tune changed! With “DangerRuss” playing at his ridiculously stupid level, the news that Richard Sherman won his appeal on performance enhancing drugs, and with Brandon Browner coming back Wild Card Weekend, in my mind Seattle just became NFC favorites in these 2012 playoffs, regardless of where the games are played.

With that they will not be playing a Buffalo on the road, but I think right now they can beat anyone, anywhere. I would love to see Matt Flynn win a toss in Green Bay and give us Seahawk fans a chance at redemption with some sort of prophetic statement on how we wanted the ball and were going to win. Ok, just kidding, but I can’t help but think of that incident from years back from another “Matt” and then the “Fail Mary” earlier in the season and then think of going to Green Bay and just sticking to them with the regular officials on the field. Even better if San Fran and GB somehow failed to close this week and it ended up in Seattle. MUST WATCH TELEVISION!

Dec. 16, 2012; Glendale, AZ, USA; Arizona Cardinals cornerback Patrick Peterson (21) retuns a punt during the second half against the Detroit Lions at University of Phoenix Stadium. The Cardinals beat the Lions 38-10. Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports

And lastly, speaking of not closing, as if I need a reason to hate the 49ers any more than I do, I am a monster Arizona Cardinals fan this weekend. I’ll also be pulling for Minnesota because a 2 seed puts Seattle in the Super Bowl if you ask me, but first and foremost the 9ers must go down. After the physical beatdown they took at the hands of Seattle, it could happen that Arizona goes in and outplays them, though it’s not exactly likely. I think Patrick Peterson needs to return in the special teams game and run one back this week to give Seattle the division.

And oh yeah, by the way, Seattle go ahead and beat down the Rams for us tomorrow would ya?! No messing around with those fools this week like you did back in week 4 or whatever it was. It’s a foregone conclusion that you’ll have STL this week, but in all actuality, it’s not.

All for this week. We’ll talk again before Playoffs (and during the New Year, if you can imagine that) getting ready for somebody to get hit in the face by this train that keeps coming down the tracks in Blue, Green and Wolf Gray.