Cam Ward’s Dad Does What Every Titans Fan Was Thinking
Life as a No. 1 overall pick is usually pretty rough as a rookie, and Cam Ward quickly learned that during the Tennessee Titans’ Week 1 loss to the Denver Broncos. The Titans were actually far more competitive than many thought they would be, losing 20-12, but Tennessee had far too many costly moments to win Sunday’s game.
While Ward had his fair share of mistakes, he had some very promising moments late in the game as the Titans tried to tie things up. Unfortunately, the rookie quarterback didn’t get much help from his pass catchers late in the game, as they didn’t live up to their name. Ward made multiple impressive throws late in the game that ultimately fell in complete.
After one of the dropped passes, Ward’s father was captured in the crowd feeling all the emotions of someone who wanted Tennessee to win the game. The typically reserved Calvin Ward was seen on the broadcast getting out of his seat, walking over and grabbing the bannister, and hanging his head.
Titans pass catchers are stressing fans out with drops
The drops were just one of many problems that led to Tennessee losing. Head coach Brian Callahan had some head-scratching moments throughout the game, Ward had some really bad sacks, like most rookies do, and the team as a whole just didn’t play a consistent game. In the end, the Titans looked like a team going through a rebuild.
In addition to the loss, it was a debut to forget for Ward, who completed just 12-of-28 passes for 112 yards. The rookie also lost a fumble, and was sacked six times for a loss of 50 total yards. There should be brighter days ahead for the Titans, but for now, all Titans fans are left feeling like Ward’s father.
Packers Star Xavier McKinney Unfazed by Controversial Taunting Flag Against Lions
Early in the second quarter of Sunday’s showdown with the Lions in Green Bay, Packers star safety Xavier McKinney did something so many players in the history of the league have done before him. He blocked an opponent to the ground, and subsequently stood over him.
The opponent was Kalif Raymond, and neither he nor McKinney was involved in the play, which saw Kiesean Nixon push lions running back Jahmyr Gibbs out of bounds. But as Raymond got up to engage in a minor confrontation with McKinney, something odd happened. A flag came in and McKinney was whistled for a 15-yard penalty on a pretty innocuous play.
The play was was unusual to say the least, and met with much disdain by fans on social media. but it is part of the new “respect for opponents” emphasis the league has enacted this season. It didn’t hurt the Packers in their 27-13 drubbing of the Lions, but it could have.
Xavier McKinney ‘Probably’ Did Taunt
McKinney admitted after the game that he did stand over Raymond, and did not seem too concerned about it. The Lions ended up with a field goal on the drive.
“I probably did,” McKinney said when asked about standing over Raymond. “But hey, it is what it is. I had to set the tone not just for our team but for our defense of how we want to play. I’ll take the flag, I’ll live with it, it’s all right.”
LaFleur was livid with the officiating crew when the play unfolded. After the game, he was being diplomatic but clearly disagreed with the call. When he was first asked what he saw on the play, he shot back at a reporter, “What did you see?”
But he went on: “Worst case scenario, they should’ve been offsetting (penalties). But they saw it differently.”
Packers Known They Must Keep Composure
Still, the league has made plain its attempts to clean up unsportsmanlike behavior on the field, and even sent a memo to each team to hammer home the point last month. LaFleur said his team is aware of the point of emphasis.
“We’ll definitely address that again. We can’t do that,” LaFleur said. ‘We’ve got to be better than that. Football is an emotional game, and I understand. I love these guys getting excited about playing. There’s a lot of stuff that goes on on the field, but you’ve got to keep your composure and your poise, especially when you’re playing a really good football team.”
McKinney added: “Going forward, I’m going to toe the line. If I get a flag, I’ll learn from it, but I’m going to toe that line. Obviously, I’m a smart player so I understand when I can and can’t do it, but this type of game, I had to set the tone and that’s just what it was. And we’ll live with it.”
