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Despite being a charming and thoughtful young man, it became quite clear that towards the end of his NFL career quarterback Tim Tebow had become the butt of many an NFL punch line.
However, with the great man deciding to sit out the 2013/14 season in order to reinvigorate his spiritual energies (because, y’know, no one will sign him), the league kicked off the year without anyone to really laugh at.
Thankfully however, a brave few from the footballing fraternity have decided to step into the breach and give the fans something to chuckle about in among all the big plays, audibles and unnecessary roughness.
So, ladies and gentlemen, get your laughing gear ready as I present to you the NFL clowns of 2013
Eli Manning
Life in the Manning household was always going to be tough for Eli Manning, as while many of us have to put up with older brothers hogging the limelight, few have to do so with a sibling who is a cross between Neil Armstrong and John Wayne in the US sporting consciousness.
Despite this however Eli has for the most part managed to carve out a successful NFL career, with some even arguing that his two Super Bowl rings to Peyton’s one have earned him the title of the superior Manning.
Well until 2013 anyway.
While Peyton at the 11-3 Broncos is eyeing off six individual quarterback league records over the final rounds, Eli Manning and his 5-8 Giants have also been hitting targets.
These targets mostly being opposition players, as he continues to feed rivals interceptions like an overexcited kid at the petting zoo meeting his first baby lamb.
Fortunately for Eli he’s in the same div as…
Mike Shanahan
The ever prickly Mike Shanahan has a long and decorated coaching career. And, one that is most likely over by the time you finish reading this article.
Shanahan’s Washington Redskins side have gone from the league’s excitement machines last year to virtually unwatchable this year, as is evidenced by their last home game against the Chiefs where the only people left in the Stadium after three quarter time were some bottle tan cheerleaders battling frostbite.
His recent decision to rest star quarterback Robert Griffin the Third for the remainder of the season is likely to be the final straw for a fan-base who was just starting to get their brag on again, and one can only ask whether Shanahan has a deal with the NY Jets lined up ala George Costanza and is trying his hardest to escape Washington before the colder months.
Trent Richardson
When the rising Indianapolis Colts acquired star Running Back Trent Richardson from the hapless Cleveland Browns earlier in the season, it reminded most NFL fans of the Simpsons episode where Homer cruelly buys a cash strapped Ned Flanders’ brand new BBQ for the princely sum of $20.
Many saw it as a sign that the Browns, only a couple of weeks into their 2013 campaign, had already decided to throw the season.
The joke’s been on the blue and whites however as Richardson, he of the Madden cover fame, has to date displayed a rushing game that would make most kickers blush.
Granted, he has been catching a few more passes lately, but Richardson is defiantly numero duo at the Colts and may find himself further on the outer when Vic Ballard returns next season.
The Houston Texans
You may not mess with Texas…but the Texans are a right ol’ mess.
Having taken out the AFC South last year and considered unlucky by many not to go further, the men from Houston have sunk to depths this year that should see them striking oil soon.
No coach, no quarterback and not likely to win another game this year, the Texans are odds on to come last in their div.
Which I guess could mean some good draft picks, and maybe if they’re luck the kind people of Jacksonville can invite them to their street parade for the all-conquering third place Jags?
Mike Tomlin
NFL coaches, with their egos, fashion statements and proximity to the sideline, give pound for pound the most spectator value for any sporting managers.
Strangely enough though it was the usually mild mannered Pittsburgh coach Mike Tomlin who managed to pull this year’s Rex Ryan perpetual trophy for coaching brain snap of the season, with his interference on a Baltimore kick returner earning him a $100,000 fine from the NFL.
Note: there is not an extra zero in that figure. We’re talking one hundred large.
Was it on purpose? Or just an accident?
We may never know, but with the Steelers again looking like missing the play-offs…it sure was stupid.
Anyone else deserve a mention?
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