A Little BANKS: A Big Return

Dear Santa, all I want for Christmas is a Brandon Banks jersey.

If you have to ask who is Brandon Banks, you are getting coal in your stocking.

While most fans have been too absorbed in the inconsistency of McNabb or Albert Haynseworth’s salary, I have kept my eyes on the undrafted wide receiver from Kansas State. A 5’7, 150 pound (his hair could account for 10 lbs) speedster rookie; Brandon Banks! There’s just something about him that is electrifying and brings a hope to the Washington Redskins and to the NFL. Every time he comes on to the field I feel his energy, I see his passion and I want him to win!

I can’t help but jump out of my seat and yell for him. At Sunday’s game I was yelling “COME ON LIL MAN” and the Vikings fan that sat in front of me told me I like Banks because he is little- like me (I’m only 5’0 and like Banks I’ve never felt as short as people say I am). I responded that I like Banks because he is The Man! He continued to cover his ears every time Banks was on the filed.

When Banks had a 77-yard punt return for a touchdown during the fourth quarter that was called back for an illegal block in the back from rookie linebacker Perry Riley, my heart broke. Not just because it could have been the game winning TD, but because this was the second time in the past four games a touchdown has been taken away from Banks.

In the NFL there is about a 1 in 165 odds of converting a punt return into a touchdown and a 1 and 269 odds that a kickoff return will result into a touchdown. The average NFL player is over six feet tall and averages 248 pounds. Brandon Banks’ size may not have attracted a lot of NFL scouts, but he is certainly getting a double take from special team’s coordinators as they prepare for the Redskins.

Among the NFL’s punt return yards leaders, Banks ranks 4th and he ranks 9th in returning yards. Against the Lions, Banks set a franchise record by earning 271 return yards. But in the fourth quarter his 96-yard kickoff return was his first career touchdown and the first for the Redskins in last seventy games.

Brandon Banks is definitely a weapon for the Redskins. If he has the ball and sees an opening, put your money on Banks- he is fearless and his speed gives a little Brandon Banks the Washington Redskin’s the best chance for a big return.

It’s Always Chilly in Minnesota

There isn’t a meteorologist who could have predicted this cold front in Minnesota.

The 2009 season for the Minnesota Vikings ended with a Favre interception and an NFC Championship loss to the New Orleans Saints. The Vikings season was over and we all knew Favre wasn’t going to end his career on pick. Despite the rumors that Favre would not return to the Vikings for the 2010 season, we just had to wait until after training camp to see Favre in the huddle and return to the second highest scoring offense in the NFL.


With Jared Allen- who lead the NFL in sacks and Pat and Kevin Williams all back on defense; the Vikings roster looked more like a heat wave in Minnesota.
The 2010 regular season started with Favre in the pocket and a 14-9 loss to the New Orleans Saints and then a loss to the Miami Dolphins in week two. The first win didn’t come until week three. But a 24-20 win over the Detroit Lions was a cold win that questioned the temperature of team that was forecasted to win the AFC Championship.

In October, the arrival of star wide receiver- Randy Moss in an exchange for a third-round draft pick in 2011, gave Vikings fans the hope of seeing a meteor shower in week five against the Jets. However, this turned into a media shower as allegations of Brett Favre and sexting with a former Jets employee and a 29-20 loss. The season high came after a 24-21 win over the Dallas Cowboys but after a 28-24 loss to the Green Bay Packers the temperature in Minnesota dropped to a season low.

The media shower continued after a 28-18 loss to the New England Patriots followed by the Randy Moss post game interview that ended with a salute to his former head coach- Bill Belichick. The following Monday, Childress announced that Moss was no longer with them. Teammates, Vikings owner-Zygi Wilf and Vikings fans were all frozen and wanted answers from Childress. Childress remained silent. This was the calm before the storm…

The Chicago Sun Times asked Vikings players what they thought of Childress. While the comments were made anonymously, players didn’t hide their feelings for their coach.

“We know that Childress doesn’t have our backs, so why should we have his?”

“We’re playing for us, and we’re winning despite him.”

“He has absolutely no people skills” referring to the way Childress bashes players publically.

One player even said “As much as I hate Childress, I will keep playing.”

In week nine, the Vikings played the Arizona Cardinals at home and won 27-24 in overtime. Childress still tried to make Favre jokes. It was a chilly move for a head coach with a future Hall of Fame QB who just threw for a career high 446 yards.

Then on Friday, Childress again proved he has ice water in his veins as he attacked the NFL’s rising star wide receiver- Percy Harvin. It was reported the argument started from Childress questioning Harvin's effort during practice after recovering from anther migraine attack.

Will someone please give Brad Childress a hug or fill the Gatorade cooler with hot water and pour it on him- Vikings fans, get your snuggies ready… as long as Brad Childress is the head coach in Minnesota, it’s going be a chilly season.