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  • Backyard Banter Podcast
    • The Backyard Banter Podcast Episode 54: Kyle Crabbs - Build my own chair at the table
    • The Backyard Banter Podcast Episode 53: James Koh - Divorce the information from emotion
    • The Backyard Banter Podcast Episode 52: Will Brinson - That's how it'll have to be
    • The Backyard Banter Podcast Episode 51: Charles McDonald - Not an escape from reality
    • The Backyard Banter Podcast Episode 50: What you've learned - For you, by you
    • The Backyard Banter Podcast Episode 49: Jourdan Rodrigue - Let's see what you think then
    • The Backyard Banter Podcast Episode 48: Justin Twell - Long process to come back
    • The Backyard Banter Podcast Episode 47: Justin Lonero - It's time to relearn life
    • The Backyard Banter Podcast Episode 46: Scott Bischoff - Life presented the greatest challenge possible
    • The Backyard Banter Podcast Episode 45: Al Zeidenfeld - Little steps along the way
    • The Backyard Banter Podcast Episode 44: Jason Romano - Just a different dream
    • The Backyard Banter Podcast Episode 43: Matt Harmon - But here we are (Season 1 finale)
    • The Backyard Banter Podcast Episode 42: Gregg Rosenthal - I have to make it work or else
    • The Backyard Banter Podcast Episode 41: Jon Moore - Determiner of what I want
    • The Backyard Banter Podcast Episode 40: Uncle Chaps - Just have fun with it
    • The Backyard Banter Podcast Episode 39: Bob Harris - The best addiction I've ever had
    • The Backyard Banter Podcast Episode 38: Scott Fish - Everybody working together to make this big
    • The Backyard Banter Podcast Episode 37: Jene Bramel - Ask the questions you want answered
    • The Backyard Banter Podcast Episode 36: Mike Tagliere - Never going to leave this candy store
    • The Backyard Banter Podcast Episode 35: Ben Cummins - Starting at ground zero
    • The Backyard Banter Podcast Episode 34: Field Yates - It's the nature of what we do
    • The Backyard Banter Podcast Episode 33: Chris Heil - I gave it everything I had
    • The Backyard Banter Podcast Episode 32: Sal Stefanile - Just make them notice you
    • The Backyard Banter Podcast Episode 31: Adam Levitan - Accept an alternate lifestyle
    • The Backyard Banter Podcast Episode 30: Matthew Freedman - It's not built for everyone
    • The Backyard Banter Podcast Episode 29: George Kritikos - If your heart's not in it people notice
    • The Backyard Banter Podcast Episode 28: Marcas Grant - Certainly never expected this
    • The Backyard Banter Podcast Episode 27: Steve Palazzolo - I understand the questions that come
    • The Backyard Banter Podcast Episode 26: Matt Miller - To build bridges not burn them
    • The Backyard Banter Podcast Episode 25: Graham Barfield - A human game played by humans
    • The Backyard Banter Podcast Episode 24: Pat Daugherty - I just said yes to everything
    • The Backyard Banter Podcast Episode 23: Eric Galko - There's always work to be done
    • The Backyard Banter Podcast Episode 22: TJ Hernandez - In some roundabout way
    • The Backyard Banter Podcast Episode 21: Alex Gelhar - Homework for the rest of your life
    • The Backyard Banter Podcast Episode 20: The Fantasy Footballers - Because we were fans
    • The Backyard Banter Podcast Episode 19: Jessica Kleinschmidt - The scariest person you deal with is yourself
    • The Backyard Banter Podcast Episode 18: Evan Silva - A willingness to work hard
    • The Backyard Banter Podcast Episode 17: Jeff Risdon - It's hard to be in the middle
    • The Backyard Banter Podcast Episode 16: Cecil Lammey - Because I didn't ask for anything
    • The Backyard Banter Podcast Episode 15: Patrick Claybon - If you shine people will see you
    • The Backyard Banter Podcast Episode 14: Denny Carter - People want to know you
    • The Backyard Banter Podcast Episode 13: Adam Rank - Honestly just don't go away
    • The Backyard Banter Podcast Episode 12: Adam Pfeifer - Being happy is doing this
    • The Backyard Banter Podcast Episode 11: Mark Schofield - You get one drive in this life
    • The Backyard Banter Podcast Episode 10: Liz Loza - Ride the horse in the direction it's going
    • The Backyard Banter Podcast Episode 9: Matthew Berry - I've done it without being negative to anyone
    • The Backyard Banter Podcast Episode 8: Matt Franciscovich - Persistence is a huge deal
    • The Backyard Banter Podcast Episode 7: Matt Williamson - I got lucky, but I made my own luck
    • The Backyard Banter Podcast Episode 6: Eric Stoner - Passions are best left as hobbies
    • The Backyard Banter Podcast Episode 5: Josh Norris - You don't have to have an opinion on everything
    • The Backyard Banter Podcast Episode 4: Rumford Johnny - Elevate somebody or get out of their way
    • The Backyard Banter Podcast episode 3: JJ Zachariason - No one cares because you're not established
    • The Backyard Banter Podcast episode 2: Matt Waldman - Popular doesn't necessarily make it good
    • The Backyard Banter Podcast episode 1 - Sigmund Bloom
  • Fantasy Hipsters
    • Fantasy Hipsters Podcast - Episode 28: We''l see you in a bit.
    • Fantasy Hipsters Podcast - Episode 27: "Ehhh how about you people relax with that one"
    • Fantasy Hipsters Podcast - Episode 26: Mail Satchel - Davante Adams debate & "friends of the show"
    • Fantasy Hipsters Podcast - Episode 25: NFL Network's Top 100 Players This or That
    • Fantasy Hipsters Podcast - Episode 24: Mail Satchel - Surviving without Charlie and Tight Ends to Watch
    • Fantasy Hipsters Podcast - Episode 23: Jeremy Maclin reaction, news recap and did Harmon pull off that hat?
    • Fantasy Hipsters Podcast - Episode 22: Mail satchel - WE ARE THE PODCAST OF THE PEOPLE
    • Fantasy Hipsters Podcast - Episode 21: Reception Perception review of sleepers, breakouts and surprises
    • Fantasy Hipsters Podcast - Episode 20: Evan Silva destroys our MFL10 hopes and dreams
    • Fantasy Hipsters Podcast - Episode 19: Mail satchel - Will Brandon Marshall thrive with the Giants in 2017?
    • Fantasy Hipsters Podcast - Episode 18: We Are Pretty Mad
    • Fantasy Hipsters Podcast - Episode 17: Mail satchel - Rompers, clean eating and the 2007 NFL Draft class
    • Fantasy Hipsters Podcast - Episode 16: NFL depth chart breakdowns and being sick of bad Eddie Lacy jokes
    • Fantasy Hipsters Podcast - Episode 15: Mail satchel - Drafting too many rookies, breakouts and bell-cow RBs
    • Fantasy Hipsters Podcast - Episode 14: French press vs. pour over coffee & mock draft review with James Koh
    • Fantasy Hipsters Podcast - Episode 13: Mail satchel - Los Angeles Chargers the hipster's team of 2017?
    • Fantasy Hipsters Podcast - Episode 12: NFL Draft rookie fits and a cast iron running back with Matt Waldman
    • Fantasy Hipsters Podcast - Episode 11: NFL Draft preview and drumset vomit with Josh Norris of Rotoworld
    • Fantasy Hipsters Podcast Episode 10: Mail satchel - Dynasty debate, bad impressions and hipster bands
    • Fantasy Hipsters Podcast - Episode 9: Perfect Prospect Parings — identifying NFL fits for draft prospects
    • Fantasy Hipsters Podcast - Episode 8: Corey Davis, DeVante Parker and what to drink at your draft
    • Fantasy Hipsters Podcast - Episode 7: Carlos Hyde, Laquon Treadwell and NFL Draft rookie big board part 3
    • Fantasy Hipsters Podcast - Episode 6: Valuing Jordan Howard for 2017 and NFL Draft rookie big board part 2
    • Fantasy Hipsters Podcast - Episode 5: NFL Draft rookie top-12 big board and in-depth beer interview
    • Fantasy Hipsters Podcast - Episode 4: Kaepernick saga, Harmon shaves his beard and Franchise gets roasted
    • Fantasy Hipsters Podcast Episode 3: Eddie Lacy, Free Agency, music & beer and picking best QB roommate
    • Fantasy Hipsters Podcast - Episode 2: Early Free Agency Fallout, Combine Standouts & Mailbag
    • Fantasy Hipsters Podcast - Episode 1: NFL Scouting Combine preview and washed vets
    • Fantasy Hipsters Podcast: Teaser episode introduction
  • Reception Perception: 2017
    • Reception Perception: Investigating any correlation between the results and draft prospect age
  • The 2016 Reception Perception Project
    • Reception Perception: 11 flags planted for the 2016 season
    • Reception Perception: Nelson Agholor can bounce-back in Doug Pederson's offense
    • Reception Perception: Improved technician Donte Moncrief is set to explode in 2016
    • Reception Perception: Only one concern can hold Sammy Watkins back from his ceiling
    • Reception Perception: Bruce Ellington has a chance to flash this season with the 49ers
    • Reception Perception: Albert Wilson and the Diary of a Truther
    • Reception Perception: Willie Snead built an impressive resume we must not ignore
    • Reception Perception: Welcome the ascending Tyler Lockett to rarified status
    • Reception Perception: Kamar Aiken is the answer to the Ravens receiver riddle
    • Reception Perception: DeSean Jackson and Josh Doctson make the Washington wide receivers a strength
    • Reception Perception: Browns make a refreshing first pick in Corey Coleman
    • Reception Perception: The fruitless search for fatal flaws with Laquon Treadwell
    • Reception Perception: Why there will never be a cumulative or overall grade
    • Reception Perception: The changing variables for Torrey Smith point to a rebound
    • Reception Perception: 2016 media appearances
    • Reception Perception: Rashard Higgins - never tell me the odds
    • Reception Perception: Keyarris Garrett is a unicorn in this draft class
    • Reception Perception: Malcolm Mitchell is a top-10 receiver in the 2016 NFL Draft
    • Reception Perception: 2016 NFL draft prospects results
    • Reception Perception: Golden Tate won't be able to replace Calvin Johnson
    • Reception Perception: Jeff Janis, trump cards and sorting through the noise
    • Reception Perception: Top-four college receiver primer
  • The 2015 Reception Perception Project
    • Reception Perception Based Media Appearances
    • Reception Perception: Steve Johnson is the Surest Sleeper Around
    • Reception Perception: Target and Contested Catch Data for Sophomore WRs
    • Reception Perception: Success Rate vs. Coverage Scores for the Sophomore Wide Receivers
    • Reception Perception: Why we Must Consider the Entire Range of Outcomes for Sammy Watkins
    • Reception Perception: Data Results from Year 1
    • Reception Perception: Scanning Through the Dolphins Receiving Corps for Fantasy Answers
    • Reception Perception: Allen Robinson is Quietly on the Precipice of a Massive Breakout
    • Reception Perception: Michael Crabtree is Exactly What the Raiders’ Passing Game Needs
    • Reception Perception: Justin Hunter and Wisely Shopping the Clearance Bins
    • Reception Perception: How Kevin White Began His Ascension to the Top
    • Reception Perception: Sammie Coates Falls Along a Dangerous Archetype
    • Reception Perception: A Video Rundown of the Data
    • Reception Perception: New Browns Receiver Dwayne Bowe Bring Value to a Depleted Pass Game
    • Reception Perception: Expectations and an Odd Coupling Doomed Mike Wallace in Miami
    • Reception Perception: Andre Johnson Still has Plenty Left to Offer the Colts
    • Reception Perception: Randall Cobb Made the Right Call Sticking With the Packers
    • Reception Perception: Where Do We Go From Here, Percy Harvin?
    • Reception Perception: Devin Smith and The Value of a Trump Card (FBG)
    • Reception Perception: The Siren Song of Dorial Green-Beckham (FBG)
    • Reception Perception: Impending Free Agent Michael Crabtree
    • Reception Perception: Amari Cooper Under the Microscope (FBG)
    • Reception Perception: Sammy Watkins and Cordarrelle Patterson
  • Matt Harmon's in-season film review blog
  • Bio Page
  • Harmon's Fantasy Football Tiered Rankings
  • The Backyard Banter Quarterback Typology
  • Analyzing the Landing Spots for the First Round Wide Recievers
  • Reception Perception
    • Reception Perception: Cordarrelle Patterson and a Developing Story
    • Reception Perception: Jordy Nelson and Mastering the Little Things
  • Ramblings
    • Rebuilding a broken house: losing weight, changing my lifestyle and never looking back
    • Fighting through negativity bias and a wide receiver's drops
    • Saying Goodbye to Dixie
    • The #FreeAustinTice Campaign
    • My Reaction to Adrian Peterson and The Cycle of Abuse
    • Steve Smith: A Lesson in the Dangers of Emotional Football
    • The Arizona Cardinals Will Make the Playoffs
    • The Redskins Better Not Blow This Thing Up
    • The Commodification of NFL Players
    • Digging Deeper: Why Josh Freeman Failed with the Buccaneers
    • The Fall of Aaron Hernandez and the Patriot Way
    • Washington Redskins Injury Concerns
    • Carolina Panther's Draft Bungles
    • Stubbornness the Silent Coaching Killer
  • The Fantasy Gameplan Podcast
  • Draft Class Jersey Number Grades
  • The Eye in the Sky
    • The Eye in the Sky: The St. Louis Rams Should Commit to Sam Bradford for 2014
    • The Eye in the Sky: Why the Cardinals Struggle Against Tight Ends
    • The Eye in the Sky: Uncovering a Diamond in the Rough, Mike Brown
    • The Eye in the Sky: Uncovering a Diamond in the Rough, Brandon Bostick
    • The Eye in the Sky: E.J. Manuel's Improvement All-22 Breakdown
    • The Eye in the Sky: Why Defending the Colts Offense is too Easy All-22 Breakdown
    • The Eye in the Sky: Picking Apart the Jets Defense All-22 Breakdown
    • Eye in the Sky: Texans vs. Chiefs (Week Seven) All-22 Breakdown
    • The Eye in the Sky: Redskins vs. Cowboys (Week Six) All-22 Breakdown
    • The Eye in the Sky: Panthers vs. Cardinals (Week Five) All-22 Breakdown
    • The Eye in the Sky: Colts vs. Seahawks (Week Five)
  • 2014 Free Agent Profiles
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  • BYOB Forums (Bring Your Own Banter)
  • 2014 NFL Free Agency Position Breakdowns
    • 2014 Quarterback Free Agent Breakdown
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    • 2014 Wide Receiver Free Agent Breakdown
    • 2014 Tight End Free Agent Rankings
    • 2014 Offensive Tackle Free Agent Breakdown
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    • 2014 Offensive Center Free Agent Breakdown
    • 2014 Interior Defensive Lineman Free Agent Breakdown
    • 2014 Edge Player Free Agent Breakdown
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    • 2014 Specialist Free Agent Breakdown
  • 2014 NFL Draft Content
    • 2014 NFL Draft Tiered Prospect Big Board (Top 75)
    • 2014 Tiered Colored Position Board
    • 2014 NFL Draft Tiered Prospect Big Board (Top 32)
    • 2014 NFL Draft Top 10 Quarterback Ranking
    • 2014 NFL Draft Running Back Top 10 Ranking
    • 2014 NFL Mock Draft--Post Free Agency
    • 2014 NFL Mock Draft--Pre Free Agency
    • 2014 NFL Draft Wide Receiver Top 10 Ranking
  • Sunday Mornin' Comin' Down
    • April 27th Sunday Morning Coming Down
    • April 13th Sunday Morning Coming Down
    • April 6th Sunday Morning Coming Down
    • March 30th Sunday Morning Coming Down
  • 2013 NFL Power Rankings
    • Week Seventeen 2013 Power Rankings
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    • 2013 Season Preview Edition/Week One
  • 2013 Weekly NFL Previews
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    • Week Sixteen NFL Preview
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  • Week in Review 2013
    • Playoffs- Wildcard Round in Review
    • Week Seventeen in Review
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    • Week Fifteen in Review
    • Week Fourteen in Review
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    • Week Eleven in Review
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Wild Card Round in Review

Reviewing my picks

My record: 4-0

  • I have to pat myself on the back for a perfect showing this week! All joking aside, I did manage to get all the games correct and while that is impressive, what was interesting is how each game actually went down. There were many mitigating circumstances that none of us could have foreseen. So lets dive into it all shall we?

Here’s what impressed me

  • Seattle’s poise: No doubt Seattle was coming into a tough situation before the game even started, and it didn’t get easier after play actually began. Early in the game Seattle was getting dominated and was staring at a 14-0 deficit. While it was obvious that Robert Griffin was not right, Seattle never gave up and they never allowed the Redskins into the endzone again. The Seahawks stood strong against a raucous home crowd and rattled off twenty-four unanswered points on the back of Russell Wilson and Marshawn Lynch. The defense did not play to its full potential early, but they clamped down on the Redskins offense late. What Seattle showed us is that they do have the potential to be a Super Bowl contender. They do have a stiff test next week in Atlanta however. 

  • The Packers look like the favorite: I look across the NFC and it is clear that the Packers should be the favorite in this conference. For one they have what is clearly the best quarterback in the conference in Aaron Rodgers. The only one close is Matt Ryan, but we know the narrative on the Falcons in the postseason. With Rodgers they have an advantage over any other NFC team. The other element is the revival of the running game. This guy Dujuan Harris is not dynamic, they do not need him to be, he just churns out positive yards and lets the Packers open up their full playbook. Mike McCarthy is a master at manufacturing a running game with less than talented backs, but having a guy like Harris really helps out his play calling.

  • The Ravens and their professionalism: The Ravens were facing an upstart Colts team that also had a ton of emotion on its side. It would have been easy for the Ravens to get caught up in the Ray Lewis drama and get caught sleeping by a Colts team that has shown they are clutch. However, the Ravens came out with a lead and they never looked back. The Ravens looked like the best team pretty much all Sunday and even managed to give Ray a classic home send off. By the way, what’s all the fuss over Ray Lewis being a part of the kneel down team? This man is a legend who got to go out on his own terms in front of the city he has represented for years. Let the man enjoy it, not many players get that opportunity. I tell you, I loved every second of it, good luck next week Ray Lewis. 

  • Redskins Defense: This defense was much maligned all year, but they put another good game together in the playoffs. They were dominant the first few drives and had many timely blitzes and stops. All the while they got no help from an offense that couldn’t stay on the field and gave the Seahawks the ball in favorable spots more than a few times. This unit has a pretty great front seven and some pieces to build on for next year. If the Redskins can add a starting caliber corner and safety, and have some players return to form from injury, this may be an upper echelon unit.

And what I wasn’t so impressed with

  • What happened with the Vikings: It was a sad ending for my surprise team of the year. We learned late Sunday that Christian Ponder’s elbow injury had flared to the point where he could not throw properly. It could not have been worse timing as Ponder was coming off of his best game of the season by far. Backup Joe Webb had to pay and he just stood no chance. He misfired on a number of throws and did not look ready for the big moment he was thrust into. Also I am not pleased with how the coaching staff used Webb. He is an athletic quarterback, but the coaches barely used any read option or shotgun type throws. Instead, they put Webb under center and in a tradtitional “pocket passer” role. He did not sense pressure well and looked completely unable to read the defense. Bad showing by the offensive coaches. 

  • Andy Dalton: The Bengals have their issues. The clearly are not a mature team just yet and their running game is not very dynamic. However, their biggest issue, in my eyes, is their second year quarterback. Dalton is a major reason why I have not trusted the Bengals the past two seasons and he showed us all why yesterday. He is a limited quarterback who cannot survive when in adverse conditions. Dalton struggles when he has to make more than one read on a play and he is extremely physically limited. While he is a smart player and he also shows good leadership skills, he cannot take over a game with his physical abilities and probably cannot lead a team on his own. As I said when he was drafter, he has the traits of a career backup, not a starter. 

  • Shanahan and the Redskins’ handling of Robert Griffin: Deep breaths here. Let me start by saying that I am in no way a Redskins fan, even though I live in a Washington DC suburban town. That being said I am still extremely frustrated and angry over what transpired on Sunday evening. Anybody watching that game could see that Robert Griffin was hurting coming into the game, but soon after it was clear he was injured after missing a throw and falling to the ground; note the distinction I made there. He was slow to get up and was limping everywhere on the field. One analyst even said he was “walking around like he had just pooped his pants”. I do not need to explain how bad he looked on that knee as anyone watching could see that. And while it was clear he could not run around like we are used to seeing, what was worse is that the guy could not throw properly! As a quarterback, it is almost impossible to plant your foot and throw a good ball while being that injured. It’s tough to say it about a guy who has been so great this year, but he was a clear detriment to his team being out there. Yet the Shanahan’s continued to call plays that it was clear Griffin could not make and ignored Alfred Morris and the running game. They called deep passes that Griffin fluttered out and could not complete and this contributed to Griffin making some terrible decisions to hold onto the ball and risk his health. However, much more egregious than that was the decision by Mike Shanahan to let his rookie quarterback continue playing. I do not fault Griffin for wanting to be out there, that’s just what players do, have always done, and will always do. If he could stand Griffin would be out there because he is a great leader and a passionate man. That is why we have coaches. A head coach is supposed to be able to look at the player he gave up a boatload of premium picks for and realize “hey this guy is injured and he shouldn’t be out there right now”. All of this with a perfectly capable Kirk Cousins sitting on the bench. Letting Griffin’s desires, and not common sense or what the doctors say, dictate his decision was by far one of the most irresponsible coaching decisions I have ever seen. Shanahan played with far too much risk by letting Griffin stay in the game. He risked the team’s chances of victory as he kept a guy in there who could not make all the throws and hampered his team. But more importantly, he risked the long-term well being of his franchise and unquestionably its most important player. What if Griffin did in fact tear his ACL? If he did, then we have to question whether RG3 would even be able to start the beginning of next season and whether he could ever be the same player again. Lets remember Griffin has already tore an ACL dating back to his days at Baylor. Even worse, what if something catastrophic happened to Griffin on the play where he finally went down? What if permanent damage had been done to a player who should just be starting a special career? All of these factors made this decision by Shanahan a terribly irresponsible decision. This is not being said with hindsight either. I was screaming all of this at the television and over Twitter before RG3 crumbled and slipped on a poorly kept up field trying to recover a bad snap. Robert Griffin needs to be protected much better than what Shanahan did today. Not just from swarming Seahawk defenders chasing him down, but also from himself. Mike Shanahan is paid millions of dollars by the Redskins to always do what is in the best interest of this team, and Sunday he failed miserably at this job, in both the long and short-term perspectives. Despite a great coaching job this season, today Coach Shanahan deserves to be ashamed of himself. For risking the health of his great young player, and for bringing a dark cloud over the end of the first bright season this franchise has had in years. Get well Robert Griffin III, I hope to see you back next year healthy, better, and most of all, protected. 

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