let's celebrate while the hurricane throws salt and water into the room
Week 8!
There's been lots of buzz in the Vikings locker room over their new celebrations coordinator, NaJee Thompson.
He is the mastermind behind the operation, appointed directly by Brian Flores.
"He just came up and was like, 'We got to change this up,'" Thompson said. "He just appointed me for the job."
"There's a small margin for error in this league and there's so much time that's invested," Flores said. "Our guys work so hard that often times you forget to have fun. So, honestly, I think I can be the biggest culprit of that."
Thompson's duties are simple: devise a group celebration for the first half and another for the second half, perhaps a third in case it's a big game.
I can’t talk about NFL celebrations without bringing up Chad Ochocino, who reveals his favorite celebration was the one he never got to do:
Or T.O., who famously pulled out a Sharpie for a TD celebration and then presented the ball to his financial advisor, Greg Eastman. Eastman also represented Shawn Springs, whom Owens just beat on the play.
That autographed ball and sharpie, according the president of Guernsey's auction house, Arlan Ettinger, quotes the value to be worth as much as $2,000.
This got me wondering what NFL memorabilia is going for these days. A few item I found:
Most Expensive
$24,000: Trevor Lawrence Jacksonville Jaguars Autographed Game-Used #16 Teal Jersey vs. Kansas City Chiefs on September 17, 2023
Cheapest
$22.99: Jalen Reagor Philadelphia Eagles Autographed 8" x 10" Black Jersey photo
And some of the most random memorabilia I found:
$179: 1923 Charles Darwin autograph
$1,299: Al Pacino Signed Godfather Fedora
$70: Elizabeth Daily (a.k.a. Tommy Pickles) signed photo of Tommy Pickles
My personal favorite? The Randy Quaid “Shitter’s Full” signed poster for $129.29.
Numbers
62: Tyreek Hill can be first player in 62 years to hit 1,000 receiving yards by Week 8
0: The Minnesota Vikings have ZERO rushing TDs on the season.
80: Chris Lindstrom has 8 90+ PFF grade games since 2022, no other offensive lineman has more than 2.
14 [TRIVIA]: According to PFF, Josh Allen has had the most elite-graded games since the start of the 2020 season (including playoffs), with 14. No other QB has had more than 8. Which QB has 8?
Quotes
“Maybe.”
Dan Campbell, after a long pause to think, when asked if Brad Holmes has brought him any intriguing trade information.
“I told him, ‘You’re a winner now. Things are done different around here. But enjoy it and get up to speed.’ “He’s a great player. He won’t have no trouble to adapt.”
AJ Brown on his message to Kevin Byard
“People might not agree with his play-calling but you ain't got no choice. He's calling plays. He's the boss on offense. We've got to do what he says and we don’t have a choice. You don't have to like them, but you got to respect them. That's how I go.”
Diontae Johnson on Matt Canada
“Being hurt is like being pregnant. You either are or you aren’t.”
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Picks
Sunday, 10/29 @ 1pm
Vikings at Packers (U41)
The Under has 47% of the bets and 63% of the money: +16% differential
Eagles at Commanders (O43.5)
Browns (+4) at Seahawks
The Browns have 36% of the bets and 57% of the money: 21% differential
Saints at Colts (+2) (O43.5)
The Colts have 47% of the bets and 62% of the money: 15% differential
The Over has 85% of the bets and 94% of the money: +9% differential
Texans (-3.5) at Panthers
The Texans have 56% of the bets and 61% of the money: 5% differential
Falcons at Titans (O35)
Sunday, 10/29 @ 4:25pm
Chiefs at Broncos (O45)
Sunday, 10/29 @ 8:20pm
Bears (+8.5) at Chargers
The Bears have 37% of the bets and 71% of the money: 34% differential
Record
ATS: 19-22-1 (-2.73u)
O/U: 10-12 (-1.82u)
Highlights
Mauch basically handing Hainsey the crasher on this twist, then deftly picking up the looper. High level stuff from a rookie, especially coming from the college scheme he was in.
Chris Godwin unable to locate ball on Hail Mary attempt
Ball bounces off defender's helmet, into Mike Evans' hands for TD to make it a one-score game
Shaq Lawson tip to cause field goal miss.