The Armchair Quarterback’s Take Of The Week The Armchair Quarterback’s Take Of The Week
Fansided

The Armchair Quarterback’s Guide To The NFL: Week 11

By Lyle Graversen

November 25, 2012; Kansas City, MO, USA; Denver Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning (18) motions at the line of scrimmage in the first half of the game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports
November 25, 2012; Kansas City, MO, USA; Denver Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning (18) motions at the line of scrimmage in the first half of the game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
3 of 3
Next

The Armchair Quarterback’s Odds And Ends Of The Week

Fantasy Football Player To Start This Week:

Alex Smith – QB – Kansas City

Smith hasn’t exactly filled up the stat book this season in Kansas City. If you looked up “game manager” in the dictionary, I’m pretty sure you would find a description of Smith’s 2013 season. That having been said, there are three reasons to plug Smith into your starting lineup this week if you are in need of a QB. First, the Broncos pass defense is rated 30th in passing yards allowed and 20th in passing TDs allowed so Smith should be able to find some open receivers, especially if the Denver defense makes stopping Jamaal Charles their top priority. Second, the Chiefs haven’t had to play from behind much at all thus far, so Smith has been able to be very cautious with the football. Assuming that Peyton Manning and the Denver offense put up some points, Smith will have to be more aggressive with his throws which should lead to increased yardage. Finally, Smith has quietly put up enough rushing yards to pad his fantasy line a little. He is averaging almost 30 yards rushing a game. While he’s no RGIII, those extra 3 points can make or break a close weekly match up.

Beer Review Of The Week:

New Belgium Brewing’s Abbey Belgian Style Ale

I decided after back to back stout reviews I better change the style up this week. New Belgium is one of my favorite American breweries that are readily available nationwide. New Belgium’s best known beer is their Fat Tire Amber Ale (which is good), but this week I’m reviewing the lesser known (but, in my opinion, superior) Abbey Ale. Here is the description from New Belgium’s website:

"Winner of four World Beer Cup medals and eight medals at the Great American Beer Fest, Abbey Belgian Ale is the Michael Phelps of New Belgium’s lineup – but it didn’t start out that way. When Jeff and Kim first sampled the beer at the Lyons Folks Fest, reviews were mixed at best. One of founder Jeff’s first two Belgian style homebrews (along with Fat Tire), Abbey is a Belgian dubbel (or double) brewed with six different malts and an authentic Belgian yeast strain. Abbey is bottle-conditioned, weighs in at 7.0% alcohol by volume, and pairs well with chocolate (or boldly served by itself) for dessert."

I like this beer for a couple of reasons. First, it has a really nice taste. It’s almost like drinking a warm slice of fresh banana bread (if that were possible). There is a really nice malt flavor (but not the strong roasted malt taste you would get from a stout). Instead it’s a more yeasty malt flavor. There is a mix of banana, clove, and maybe even a hint of brown sugar. There is a little bit of hop bitterness there, but it’s not strong. I think it goes down very smooth. The second reason I like it is because it holds up to Belgium imports of the same style but at a cheaper price. If I can support an American beer that is every bit as good as the imports it was inspired by and save a couple bucks in the process that is a win/win.

My Rating (1-10): 9

Random Thought Of The Week That Has Nothing To Do With Anything:

Is anyone else worried about how addicted we are becoming to technology? Seriously, I’m 36 years old and I didn’t have my own cell phone until I was in my 20’s. However, I have now gotten to the point that if I’m backing out of the driveway on the way to the grocery store to get some milk and I realize I don’t have it on me I’ll pull back up to the house and run in to get it. Who’s calling/texting/tweeting me in those 10 minutes that I can’t live without it? I’d like to say that it’s so that my wife could reach me if she thinks of something else we need why I’m there, but that’s not it. It’s because I feel disconnected from the world without it. How sad is that? There are other breathing human beings at the store. Some of which are probably neighbors, but I won’t notice because I’m checking my twitter feed between grabbing the milk and hitting the check out. The scary part is that I didn’t grow up with this kind of technology and I’m already this addicted. I have high school students who you almost have to surgically remove their phone from their hand to get them to focus on the world around them. What are they going to be like when they’re 36? I’ll tell you what, I’m going to make sure my children learn how to properly communicate face to face because it’s going to be a very rare trait in about 10 years (if it isn’t already). I love my phone. I love my laptop. I’m just not sure I love the society they’re creating.

Well, that’s it for this week’s Armchair Quarterback. As usual, if you read something you loved, hated, or you think is just plain wrong, let me hear about it in the comments below.

So until next week, find yourself a comfortable chair and enjoy some football.

Follow me on Twitter: @LyleGraversen

Home/Arizona Cardinals