Devin Hester highsteppin’ his way into history

The Train Daddy is back, and the pain train is ready as always to bring you sports knowledge and life lessons in that unique style. I hate to start this way, but the Titans suck, and they have disappointed greatly! I stated my concerns prior to the season and Coach Whisenhunt has proved me correct. I would dig deeper than anyone to shed some positive light on the Titans; sorry, there is no more digging I can do.

So, besides the disappointment that is the Titans, what else do I have for you? How about Jameis Winston, coming off a season where you win the Heisman award and you lead your team to a national championship: quit acting a moron, son! That’s later also, but on to something a little more positive.

On Thursday Night Football, Atlanta Falcons speedster Devin Hester scored a 62-yard punt return, giving him a record-breaking 20th return touchdown for his career. Hester broke the record of 19, currently held by Primetime Deion Sanders, who was on hand at the Georgia Dome. After the game, Hester joined Deion for the post-game show and they cried it out, they hugged, cried some more. Hell, I think I cried. Sanders told Devin “I love you as a man, a father, as a husband, I’m so proud of you.” OK, for real, not making fun of it, it was actually touching seeing a real sports moment that was historic and real. It is so refreshing to see those kinds of things rather than all this crap on domestic abuse and child abuse and the abuse the referees have been giving their little yellow flags—that’s the real abuse.

These games that are getting close to 30 penalties a game are crazy. I won’t go deep into that, but please let them play. I feel so sorry for these defensive players in the league. They are playing flag football. It’s been about offense for a long time now, but it’s out of control. Good defenders are naturally aggressive people. Now they are told to think and back off. Forcing them to play soft goes against every instinct they have, everything they have been taught since pee-wee football. Games will get lengthier, fans will complain, players will complain . . . unless you’re Peyton Manning . . . and we will all keep watching, because we love football. I understand the emphasis on concussions and attempting to keep defenseless players safe, but I am concerned that we are taking away the little bit of brutality left in the game, a game founded on brutality, to a point.

So, from an apparent rape case to stealing crab legs and, now, standing on a table in the middle of campus screaming an obscene phrase to anyone within earshot . . . really? Jameis Winston is a great player, maybe the best in college football, but he is a moron—a true moron without a doubt, I don’t care how good he is. I imagine all 32 owners in the NFL will have him marked as a moron come draft day. So, how do you define a moron? Webster’s Dictionary defines it as a very foolish or stupid person who gets caught stealing crab legs! After rape accusations, you figure a person would calm down, grow up, focus on their craft. After all, he is a major talent. There are also the little incidents that hurt his credibility in 2012: there was an incident where police had to speak to him about windows being shot out by a BB gun; then there was a Burger King manager who accused Winston of stealing soda, and stated that ahe kept refilling his cup after being asked to stop. Then, the New York Times reported that another FSU student sought counseling, but didn’t pursue charges after a sexual experience with Winston. Jameis Winston made this comment to the media: “If I get Manziel disease, I want every one of you all to get your mics and start slapping me on the head.” Sure, Johnny Manziel was in a bar fight once, complained about a parking ticket once and was even suspended for autographing a picture. Still, Manziel never faced any serious allegations. I don’t know if Winston will attempt to enter the NFL draft next season. I hope not, and experts agree. The kid needs to shut up, needs to study, needs to stay indoors, needs to take a note from quarterbacks like Peyton, Brees and Rodgers, quarterbacks whose character has never been questioned. Former running back Clinton Portis had three bits of advice for Winston: own who you are, be aware of your surroundings, and stop talking. With any luck, Winston will return to school next season, play good football, stay out of trouble and raise his stock. I highly doubt it, but I reckon even the dumbest of people have a shot at becoming partially intelligent with some help.

After a very impressive 26–10 victory over the Chiefs in the opening game of the season, the Me-Ma and all Titans fans were pumped up and excited for what they thought was a very improved Titans team. Well, that was short-lived, and since Week 1, the Titans have been manhandled by the Cowboys, the Bengals and the Colts, losing each of those games by 16 points or more. The Titans have lost 10 of the last 11 meetings vs. the Colts, their last victory coming in 2011, a year in which the Colts only won two games. Like I said earlier in the article, Coach Whisenhunt proved me correct in saying he was leaving the Titans vulnerable for a disaster. We all know Jake Locker is injury prone, so it seems to me as a head coach you would go out of your way for the best backup quarterback you could get your hands on. So who does Coach Whisenhunt bring in? Charlie Whitehurst, better known as Clipboard Jesus. Before being signed on by the Titans, Clipboard Jesus hadn’t thrown a pass in an actual game since 2011, and it showed in the ugly Week 4 loss to the Colts. Only 13 career appearances and four starts in his nine-year career. The only reason he was signed was because he won over Coach Whisenhunt in San Diego as a backup to Phillip Rivers. I hope I am wrong, but if Jake gets seriously injured and we’re stuck with Clipboard Jesus, all fingers have to point at Coach Wisenhunt when things go from bad to really bad. Obviously, I believe Charlie Whitehurst is a joke, and has no business being a backup, and it will be on the coach and staff for not finding a suitable backup if Jake goes down for good. You got to be prepared. Jake’s right-wrist injury doesn’t look too serious, but after three ugly games in a row and another injury, my hopes have dwindled. All I want is wins and for Locker to be successful; I want to see him play like Brett Favre did, slinging the ball and using his legs, and he has the potential. Oh well, it looks like it might be a rough season for the Titans, I hope at the end, though, we have at least a couple of positive things to look forward to in the future.

So that’s it, time to wrap this thing up. This one kind of hurt to write; I’ll bet I have written at least 100 pieces praising the Titans. I would even convince myself of things that I knew weren’t true, but I have written very few articles in which I degrade the Titans, and this one speaks truth. An injury-prone starter, coach brings in garbage backup . . . well, let that thought simmer, and I am sure it’s easy to see what the outcome will be for the Titans.

Train’s out the station. Choo-choo!