The Biggest Turkeys of the 2015 NFL Season, So Far
The National Football League has become as synonymous with Thanksgiving as the cranberry sauce, stuffing, and my family’s annual airing of grievances. The day doesn’t seem complete until you’ve plopped down on your sofa, turned on the game, and let your feast settle. In my case, I know I stuffed my face with delicious potatoes, vegetables, and a whole lot of turkey. This Thanksgiving, we’re also wishing you peace, prosperity, and good fortune. Especially if you picked against the Cowboys in the matchup against the Carolina Panthers. In terms of what we’re also grateful for–the Detriot Lions trouncing the Philadelphia Eagles, which clears the way for the New York Giants to win the NFC East. In the spirit of Thanksgiving, we’re taking a look at the biggest turkeys of the 2015 NFL season, so far.
Dez Bryant, Dallas Cowboys
Michael Florek of the Dallas Morning News spoke to Panthers’ cornerback Josh Norman after holding Dallas Cowboys superstar wide receiver Dez Bryant to two catches and 26 yards during the Thanksgiving Day game. Norman said, “Hey, they need to get Dez’s $70 million back…” That is some of the best post-game trash talk since Richard Sherman and Erin Andrews.
Johnny Manziel, Cleveland Browns
This year was supposed to be a step forward in the career of former Heisman-award winning quarterback Johnny Manziel. Browns Head coach Mike Pettine gave Manziel every opportunity to win the starting quarterback spot in training camp. So far, Manziel’s career in the NFL is off to a rocky start. He didn’t win the quarterback competition and has been relegated to third-string behind Josh McCown and Brian Hoyer.
The demotion came after a video surfaced of Manziel partying. Mike Pettine said in a statement, “It was something that we felt had violated the trust that we had put in him before the bye. It was a decision we made as a result of it.”
The Philadelphia Eagles
What a mess. This offseason, the Philadelphia Eagles dealt LeSean McCoy (the NFL’s leading rusher in 2013) to Buffalo. He’s currently leading the Bills in rushing. This offseason, the Eagles allowed wide receiver Jeremy Maclin to test free agency. He passed with flying colors, inking a deal with the Kansas City Chiefs. He currently leads the team in receiving and is one reason the club has won four games in a row.
Chip Kelly’s Eagles have lost two straight games for the second time this season. Since owning a 16-3 first-quarter lead over the Miami Dolphins in Week 10, the Eagles have been outscored a combined 62-20 in an eventual loss to Miami (20-19) as well as Sunday’s 45-17 setback to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers—both games at home.
Rob Ryan
Dennis Allen is the current defensive coordinator of the New Orleans Saints. Allen is now responsible for a unit that was in shambles under the guidance of the other Ryan brother. The Saints fired Rob Ryan following a miserable 47-14 loss to Washington. “They made my bye week turn into a bye-bye week,” said Ryan last weekend on NFL Network. But why is Ryan one of the biggest turkeys of the NFL season so far? One of his statements after losing his job. “Everything in New Orleans is being blamed on me including Katrina. I think it’s a little far-fetched,” added Ryan. “So the bottom line is this: I’ll hold my head high and walk out into the sunset, but believe me, I’m coming back with a vengeance.”
Don’t bring the memory of a deadly hurricane into your inability to effectively coach defense. Just walk away with your tail between your legs. But of course, that’s not the Ryan family style.
In Conclusion
What other players or coaches are the biggest turkeys of the NFL this season? Read Russell Baxter’s article on Bleacher Report.