The NFL fraternity was busy keeping up with their favorite college football teams on Saturday, and Texas A&M's 29-24 upset over defending Bowl Championship Series champion Alabama was a major talking point on Twitter among current and former players.
Several NFL players were impressed with the performance of Texas A&M quarterback Johnny Manziel, who torched the Crimson Tide for 253 yards passing and two touchdowns. Among the admirers was Pittsburgh Steelers running back Jonathan Dwyer, who might know a little something about emerging talent:
That guy manziel is legit..
— Jonathan Dwyer (@JDwyer27) November 11, 2012
Manziel also has a fan in former NFL running back Jamal Anderson, but he's not about to call the Aggies' quarterback the best player in the college ranks:
Manziel's Heisman hype is getting solar powered now. However, Marquis Lee is the best football player in the nation.
— Jamal Anderson (@jamthedirtybird) November 11, 2012
Anderson also said Texas A&M coach Kevin Sumlin deserves credit for the upset:
Saban dominates the press for obvious reasons. But, Kevin Sumlin, you're a hell of a football coach, too...
— Jamal Anderson (@jamthedirtybird) November 10, 2012
Green Bay Packers wide receiver Randall Cobb tried to make sense of the big sports stories on Saturday:
Bama falls to Johnny Football. Phil Jackson back to the Lakers. What's next...
— Randall Cobb (@rcobb18) November 11, 2012
Oakland Raiders running back Mike Goodson was in a trash-talking mood after Alabama's loss:
Alright Bama fans I'm done wit y'all for now.... Just make sure to get all the sharp objects outta Nicks office !
— Mike Goodson (@GoodNplenty33) November 11, 2012
Baltimore Ravens safety Christian Thompson was among the players pleased to see Alabama lose:
"@334upshaw41: “@c_33_t: Look like the Crimson Tide about to STOP rolling @334upshaw41” that was a good game hands down we good tho" tru!
— Christian Thompson (@C_33_T) November 11, 2012
Packers guard T.J. Lang wasn't upset about the Crimson Tide rolling over:
“@jsitton71: Roll tide” roll right on down to the river and drown your hopes
— TJ Lang (@TJLang70) November 11, 2012
Hall of Fame quarterback Joe Namath took a more sportsmanlike stance on the game:
No excuses for or from Bama. Tide made mistakes and lost a tight gm. to an Aggie team that earned the victory with effort & good execution.
— Joe Namath (@RealJoeNamath) November 11, 2012
Not everyone was tweeting about Texas A&M's big win. New York Giants safety Stevie Brown (and former Wolverine) predictably was thrilled Michigan beat Northwestern 38-31 in overtime, but he didn't tune in until he heard about quarterback Devin Gardner's 53-yard bomb to Roy Roundtree in the closing seconds of regulation:
great to hear, love my boys in blue, now time to find it on TV
— Stevie Brown (@scbr3) November 10, 2012
Despite only watching overtime, Brown was clearly thrilled with the result.
KENNY wit the hit!!!! only got to c OT but great win #goblue #Michigan
— Stevie Brown (@scbr3) November 10, 2012
Former Michigan standout Desmond Howard was also happy with Michigan's win:
What a resilient and gutsy performance by those young Wolverines! #GoBlue #AMAIZING
— Desmond Howard (@DesmondHoward) November 10, 2012
In other Big Ten games, Houston Texans linebacker J.J. Watt complemented Wisconsin quarterback Curt Phillips in a 62-14 thrashing of Indiana:
Very happy for @curtphillips10. Big win in his debut as a starter for the Badgers. Great guy who deserves it. #Perseverance
— JJ Watt (@JJWatt) November 10, 2012
New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees was pleased to see Purdue hold off Iowa, 27-24:
Great win for Purdue @boilerfootball today over Iowa. Happy for Coach Hope and the boys. Win out and we go Bowling!!!
— Drew Brees (@drewbrees) November 10, 2012
Cleveland Browns wide receiver Josh Cribbs tweeted some support to his alma mater Kent State during its 48-32 victory over Miami (Ohio):
Kent State is dominating Miami of Ohio right now 35-7... Go Flashes!!!
— Josh Cribbs (@JoshCribbs16) November 10, 2012
Miami Dolphins wide receiver Brian Hartline chimed in on Florida scoring the winning touchdown on a spectacular blocked punt in a 27-20 win over Lafayette (La.):
.13 to go in the game and your punting from your own 35... FYI coaches, ya the team your playing may try to block the punt....? Smh
— Brian Hartline (@brianhartline) November 10, 2012
Atlanta Falcons linebacker Sean Weatherspoon couldn't hold back his enthusiasm for Missouri's 51-48 victory over Tennessee:
Big win for my Tigers!!!! #MIZ
— Sean Weatherspoon (@SeanWSpoon56) November 10, 2012
Jacksonville Jaguars cornerback Kevin Rutland was also pleased to see the Tigers win:
There is absolutely nothing better than #mizzou crunch time win!! Proud of the boys!
— Kevin Rutland (@K_Rutland22) November 10, 2012
Chicago Bears defensive tackle DeMario Pressley was cheering on North Carolina State from a special place:
In the man cave, (my basement) watching the #wolfpack #gopack #ncstate DO WORK! (( this is a perfect pic. Lo instagr.am/p/R3U-a1C3zk/
— DeMario Pressley (@dmpressley) November 10, 2012