Experience Zero Gravity

To continue my theme of extremely cool/artistic videos, here is another one that will blow your minds. Enjoy!

Skate Illustration: Artsy!

Sweet moves and sweet filming.

F*** It, He's Going Deep: Why Rex Grossman is a Pro Bowler

Failure is a fundamental part of human existence. 

Needless to say, it’s a painful experience.  It’s embarrassing.  It can destroy our confidence and cause us to lose faith in our talents.  In short, no one enjoys failure.

But many times it can motivate us to perform at a higher level.  To challenge ourselves.  To test the limits of our abilities.  Consider basketball legend Michael Jordan.  As a kid playing basketball, he was routinely beaten by his older brother Larry.  In high school, he was cut from his JV basketball team.  In the NBA, he was battered and beaten by the Detroit Pistons in the playoffs for years before finally winning a championship.

These failures could have crushed his resolve and ultimately made him weaker.  Instead, they inspired him to do better:

“I've missed more than 9,000 shots in my career. I've lost almost 300 games. 26 times, I've been trusted to take the game winning shot and missed. I've failed over and over and over again in my life. And that is why I succeed.”

Many times, failure is a necessary ingredient in the recipe for success.     

Now consider Redskins QB Rex Grossman.  Despite showing flashes of brilliance and the ability to operate a dynamic offense, Grossman has, for all intents and purposes, failed.  After failing to win the Super Bowl, he was essentially run out of town in Chicago.  He has been largely irrelevant ever since then.     

However, I do not think the book has been written on Rex Grossman.  In fact, I think Rex Grossman will play at a Pro Bowl caliber level for the Redskins this season. 

Ever year, someone in the NFL has a spectacular season that seemingly surprises everyone.  Last year, it was Michael Vick.  Before that, it was Brett Favre.  This year will be no different.  Rex Grossman will surprise us.

He will surprise the rabid detractors who have ridiculed him over the years.  He will win people over with his contagious moxie and gutsy demeanor.  He will lead a high-scoring offense with a veteran poise.  He will remind us why he won a Heisman Trophy.  Why he was a first round draft pick.  Why he led a non-descript Bears offense to the Super Bowl and put up a fight against the legendary Peyton Manning.    

And he will win games in the process.

It’s important to note how Rex’s time in Chicago has humbled him:

“Anytime something gets taken away from you and then you get it back, you have a different outlook, a different type of approach and respect to the position you're in,” said Grossman.  “To be the starting quarterback of the Washington Redskins is a huge thing, and I fully understand it. And it's my goal to take it and run with it.”

Rex has game.  

Rex’s confidence is undeniable (see above).  In May 2011, at a time in the offseason when it appeared the starting QB position was John Beck’s to lose, Rex continued to believe in himself.  He didn’t even have a contract yet, but in his mind, he was “definitely” the starter.

This is a man who has matured a great deal during his time in the league.  His story is so compelling because he has already failed and is now looking for a second chance.    

Many people rake him over the coals for his erratic play in Chicago.  In their view, he was the burden on that team.  But consider other quarterbacks who have played in Chicago under Ron Turner, like Kyle Orton, Brian Griese, and Jay Cutler.  Their play in Chicago under Turner’s watch was mediocre at best.  On other teams, they performed remarkably better.  Both Jay Cutler and Brian Griese made the Pro Bowl while playing under Mike Shanahan. 

Coincidentally enough, Grossman too now plays for Shanahan, a coach who has a knack for getting QB’s to play to at exceptional levels (see also: Jake Plummer, Steve Young, and John Elway).   

Remember, Rex has enormous talent.  In 2006, he had SEVEN games with a 100+ QB rating.  Consider this:

• The last Redskin QB to do this was Mark Rypien in 1991, who won the Super Bowl MVP that year.
• The last Redskin QB before that was Joe Theismann in 1983, who won the NFL MVP that year and took his team to the Super Bowl.
• The last Redskin QB before that was Sonny Jurgensen in 1970. 
• Donovan McNabb has done it only once in his career, back in 2004, when he went to the Super Bowl.
• Michael Vick has never done it.  Even in his dazzling 2010 season, he only had five games with a 100+ QB rating. 
• Peyton Manning has done it once.  It took him seven years, and it was his second MVP season.
• Oh, by the way, Rex Grossman did it in his first year as a starter. 

Redskin fans were able to see Grossman’s talent last season in the few games that he started.  The offense under Grossman looked noticeably sharper than it did under McNabb.  It wasn’t perfect, but you could tell Grossman knew what he was doing out there.  Against the Cowboys, Rex threw for 322 yards, 4 TDs, and two 2-point conversions.  He overcame a 20 point deficit and nearly brought his team back for the win.  This ability is something the Redskins have lacked for years.

“The game's slowed down a lot," the 31-year-old quarterback said. “As a younger quarterback you kind of see everything. And as a veteran, you see what you need to see.”

What’s more, Grossman’s surrounding talent is materially better than it was last year.  The offensive line is healthier.  Weak players like Casey Rabach have been released and improved with more consistent and reliable players.  The running back position is younger and more electric, thanks to the additions of Tim Hightower and Roy Helu.  The wide receiver position is incredibly deep.  Eight players deep, specifically.  This bodes well for Sexy Rexy.         

“I look around, this offense from top to bottom is better than that offense I had in Chicago [during the Super Bowl year],” Grossman said. “The defense is gonna make a ton of strides this year. I know they are. It’s gonna be fun. I know we’re gonna be a good team.”

This preseason, Rex continued his impressive play against the vaunted defenses of the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Baltimore Ravens.  This should come as no surprise to anyone who has analyzed Grossman’s play over the years.  Give the man time, and he can carve a defense up.  His quick decisions against the blitz make him a lethal scoring threat.  Sure, he has made his fair share of mistakes.  Some of that was immaturity.  Some of that was inexperience.  Some of that was a bad environment in Chicago under Ron Turner. 

However, many seem to forget how dangerous he can be.  Many doubt him. 

“You can doubt me if you want, but it has no bearing on how I’ll play,” says Mr. Grossman. 

He doesn’t care what you think.  This Sunday against the Giants, he’s going to unleash the dragon and say, “F*** it, I’m going deep” to Santana Moss or Armstrong.  As a Redskins fan, you won’t recognize this offense, because it will actually score points.

Buckle your seatbelts and hold on your hats, folks.  It’s going to be one hell of a ride with Rexy. 

What Comment Should I Leave?

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