Browns Sign Delhomme, trade Brady Quinn to Broncos for Fullback Hills and two draft picks.
By Bill Chachkes for Football Reporters Online
The Brady Quinn experiment in Cleveland is dead.
QB Brady Quinn's career in Cleveland Ohio is no officially over. Quinn was traded Sunday to the Denver Broncos, who now have 4 QB's on their roster.
This is a great trade for both teams. The Browns get a veteran QB who needs a fresh start, plus a skill player who can add depth in Peyton Hillis, plus two draft picks, A 6th rounder in 2011(assuming there is a draft in 2011), and a conditional 2012 pick. The Broncos get another QB to add to the Mix in Brady Quinn, who never attained the status he and Browns fans, and team management expected. Even after Quinn won the starting job last year, it wasn't enough, he was benched just 10 quarters into his assignment for Derek Anderson. At least Brady will finally get a fair shot to be an NFL QB now. Cleveland also released Derek Anderson and brought Seneca Wallace over from Seattle, and signed veteran tight end Ben Watson early this week.
Can you see Quinn as the starter in Denver? I can, as soon as Kyle Orton starts Looking like the bad version of Brett Farve Jr. again. They also have Chris Simms and Tom Brandstater on the roster, so expect one of those two will be gone and the other to be the third stringer. Quinn will have to earn the starting job over Orton.
Tra
Sunday, March 14, 2010
The L.T. Hype Machine is coming at ya Jets Fans
The L.T. Hype Machine is coming at ya Jets Fans-by Dr. Bill Chachkes-Managing Partner-Football Reporters Online
Here is a news flash: the Jets will have at least two running backs next season. Yup. One of them will be La Dainian Tomlinson. Even if his agent Tom Condon said he is "negotiating" with both the Jets and The Vikings, the word on the street is "if you have to leave the warmth of San Diego to keep making money, whose money would you rather take? Ziggy Wilf's or Woody Johnson's?"
Odds are "L.T." will be in Green and White shortly, and not Purple and Gold. Lets put yourself in L.T.'s shoes for a moment. 2009 was the least productive season in your pro career, You gained only 730 yards rushing, and in fact, it was the first year you ever gained less then 1100 yards. Your now thirty years old, and you know you are not a "lead" back any more, but a complimentary back at best. Why go to a team with a lot of other aging veterans when you could stay in your conference and be in the media capital of the planet instead of the city of the ice age?
Lets break it down further: Go to a team with a hot "young" coaching staff and a second year QB on the rise? Or a team with a QB who is getting ready to collect social security? The team with young running backs to play with? Or the team whose only other star plays the same position as you and spends 1/3rd of his game check on new sneakers each week?
We know the NY Jets need to constantly grab the headlines because it makes them feel relevant in the sports section each week. this is the signing, like last week's addition of DB antonio Cromartie, that keeps them in the news, which is where they need to stay. They also need to capitalize on their fantastic season, and the fact that no one expected them to play the Colts in the conference title game, In fact, many people still feel the Jets should have been playing in the Super Bowl.
Condon is just saying "we're talking with both teams" to "manage the Media Hype" and keep the spin within his control. He's a smart agent and that what any smart agent would do. L.T. won't win games for the Jets by himself, but they can pay him a short term deal now instead of Drafting a big name back who won't be there when they pick in the late first round anyway.
The Jets also need to sell the rest of their "luxury" personal shylock licenses in the new stadium and Tomlinson helps them do that. Sell tickets, expensive ones, and quickly.
Update: as of 8:30 Pm eastern, several outlets are reporting that Tomlinson has signed a 2 year deal with the Jets. The Daily News is reporting his deal is worth 5.2 million dollars for the two years, and can rise to 5.7 million with incentives. His agent Tom Condon told the AP "He wanted to go a team that he thought had a chance to compete for the championship," "He wanted to go somehwere where he had a chance to have a significant role, and so with the Jets he also was going to be very familiar with the offensive system."
Here is a news flash: the Jets will have at least two running backs next season. Yup. One of them will be La Dainian Tomlinson. Even if his agent Tom Condon said he is "negotiating" with both the Jets and The Vikings, the word on the street is "if you have to leave the warmth of San Diego to keep making money, whose money would you rather take? Ziggy Wilf's or Woody Johnson's?"
Odds are "L.T." will be in Green and White shortly, and not Purple and Gold. Lets put yourself in L.T.'s shoes for a moment. 2009 was the least productive season in your pro career, You gained only 730 yards rushing, and in fact, it was the first year you ever gained less then 1100 yards. Your now thirty years old, and you know you are not a "lead" back any more, but a complimentary back at best. Why go to a team with a lot of other aging veterans when you could stay in your conference and be in the media capital of the planet instead of the city of the ice age?
Lets break it down further: Go to a team with a hot "young" coaching staff and a second year QB on the rise? Or a team with a QB who is getting ready to collect social security? The team with young running backs to play with? Or the team whose only other star plays the same position as you and spends 1/3rd of his game check on new sneakers each week?
We know the NY Jets need to constantly grab the headlines because it makes them feel relevant in the sports section each week. this is the signing, like last week's addition of DB antonio Cromartie, that keeps them in the news, which is where they need to stay. They also need to capitalize on their fantastic season, and the fact that no one expected them to play the Colts in the conference title game, In fact, many people still feel the Jets should have been playing in the Super Bowl.
Condon is just saying "we're talking with both teams" to "manage the Media Hype" and keep the spin within his control. He's a smart agent and that what any smart agent would do. L.T. won't win games for the Jets by himself, but they can pay him a short term deal now instead of Drafting a big name back who won't be there when they pick in the late first round anyway.
The Jets also need to sell the rest of their "luxury" personal shylock licenses in the new stadium and Tomlinson helps them do that. Sell tickets, expensive ones, and quickly.
Update: as of 8:30 Pm eastern, several outlets are reporting that Tomlinson has signed a 2 year deal with the Jets. The Daily News is reporting his deal is worth 5.2 million dollars for the two years, and can rise to 5.7 million with incentives. His agent Tom Condon told the AP "He wanted to go a team that he thought had a chance to compete for the championship," "He wanted to go somehwere where he had a chance to have a significant role, and so with the Jets he also was going to be very familiar with the offensive system."
A Tale of Time, Place, Persona
A Tale of Time, Place, Persona
By J[The Gambler] Gamble for Football Reporters Online
Donte Stallworth drove drunk and killed a man. Plaxico Burress brought a loaded gun into a strip club and shot himself. They are both top notch receivers and even bigger idiots, so lets talk numbers.
Stallworth was suspended for 1 season, served 30-days of a potential 15-year sentence in a Miami jail, and upon return, was rewarded with a $900,000 contract by the Baltimore Ravens.
Burress rots in a New York prison, already once denied early release, enroute to completing a 2-year prison stint.
Is one crime dumber than the other ? No. Is one crime more egregious than the other. Yes. But in this tale of time, place and persona, the crimes don’t equate with the times. That’s what intrigues me about the two cases. There is nothing legally to suggest that the outcomes should have been that drastically different. Yes, NY gun laws are very strict, but the only celebrities who traditionally get jailed for possessing handguns in NYC, are rappers. You know how dangerous those suburban English majors can be.
On the surface, it appears that one guy got lucky and one guy got shafted. Sort of. But Plaxico never had a shot. [No pun intended] He got caught up in political chess with a billionaire Mayor, whose main platform is promoting an image of being a Pitbull on gun laws and crime.
Seizing the moment, Mayor Bloomberg went on TV and assured the viewing public that Plax would be convicted to the fullest extent of the law and wouldn’t get treated any different because he was a Super Bowl hero and celebrity. [Well if that aint a reason to show some leniency, then I don’t know what the hell happened to the New York I was raised in] With those irreversible words, Bloomberg violated every ethical standard in existence and single-handedly put a nail in Plax’s football coffin. His lawyer wife couldn’t help him. His money couldn’t help him. The Giants couldn’t help him. The mayor wouldn’t.
I can’t help but to think that despite Burress’ fame with the Giants, his reputation as an arrogant player who broke team rules, and felt he was only held accountable on Sundays, helped fuel the backlash of his foolish actions. Bloomberg knew he had Burress dead to rights. Plax became the perfect tool for The Mayor – who was still under fire for extending term limits for himself without a public vote –to use to divert attention and strengthen his vow to rid NYC of illegal concealed weapons carriers.
As soon as Bloomberg spoke out, he sullied any chance Plax had for a fair trial. No late game heroics in this massacre. It is rare that a mayor will offer totally subjective opinion on an open case. He doesn’t even practice this newfound zest with the most hardened mob figures. So it was very odd that he chose to single out an NFL player – who admitted he carried the gun out of fear. It takes a lot for a man to admit that.
But now these players – so similar – sit on opposite ends of the opportunity spectrum. Stallworth has already started rebuilding his career and image with the Ravens. Plaxico is still clad in prison greens, getting locked down to the sound of steel doors clanging and clicking, instead of catching clutch passes for an NFL contender. He is a faceless, nameless number at this point, with no influence and no chance to proactively rebuild his image, talk to kids, his family or mend broken business relationships.
It’s funny, one unnamed Giant, who I spoke with following the Plaxico incident said, “They are treating him like he killed somebody.” No, Stallworth killed somebody. But he is the one back in the league, just a short year later. And truth be told, it was probably much easier to give Stallworth, generally known as a good character “team” guy, a break. Plaxico, in all of his brashness and defiance of team rules, messed around in the wrong town. Partisan politics are hot right now. If you are a celebrity athlete in NYC, especially a minority, and you are caught in a high-profile situation that can be damaging to the city’s rep or used by high-ranking officials for personal political gain, then don’t expect to be treated with kit gloves because you caught a TD in the Super Bowl.
Plaxico’s crime wasn’t egregious. It lacked intelligence. It Borderlined on buffoonery. When he shot himself trying to grab the gun from slipping down the leg inside of his oversized pants, that was classic stupid. It was embarrassing as hell. But it sure as hell wasn’t DUI vehicular manslaughter. It was however an illegal action, committed in the wrong climate. History is strange like that. It’s results often dictated by time, place and persona. It can be forgiving, as it seems to have been to Stallworth. For Plax it will show the tragic fall of a legend.
Time, place and persona means a lot. Not just in the NFL, but in life. This is a classic example. Stallworth murdered a person. Plax murdered the destiny of a Giants dynasty. Never mess with a New Yorkers' football.
By J[The Gambler] Gamble for Football Reporters Online
Donte Stallworth drove drunk and killed a man. Plaxico Burress brought a loaded gun into a strip club and shot himself. They are both top notch receivers and even bigger idiots, so lets talk numbers.
Stallworth was suspended for 1 season, served 30-days of a potential 15-year sentence in a Miami jail, and upon return, was rewarded with a $900,000 contract by the Baltimore Ravens.
Burress rots in a New York prison, already once denied early release, enroute to completing a 2-year prison stint.
Is one crime dumber than the other ? No. Is one crime more egregious than the other. Yes. But in this tale of time, place and persona, the crimes don’t equate with the times. That’s what intrigues me about the two cases. There is nothing legally to suggest that the outcomes should have been that drastically different. Yes, NY gun laws are very strict, but the only celebrities who traditionally get jailed for possessing handguns in NYC, are rappers. You know how dangerous those suburban English majors can be.
On the surface, it appears that one guy got lucky and one guy got shafted. Sort of. But Plaxico never had a shot. [No pun intended] He got caught up in political chess with a billionaire Mayor, whose main platform is promoting an image of being a Pitbull on gun laws and crime.
Seizing the moment, Mayor Bloomberg went on TV and assured the viewing public that Plax would be convicted to the fullest extent of the law and wouldn’t get treated any different because he was a Super Bowl hero and celebrity. [Well if that aint a reason to show some leniency, then I don’t know what the hell happened to the New York I was raised in] With those irreversible words, Bloomberg violated every ethical standard in existence and single-handedly put a nail in Plax’s football coffin. His lawyer wife couldn’t help him. His money couldn’t help him. The Giants couldn’t help him. The mayor wouldn’t.
I can’t help but to think that despite Burress’ fame with the Giants, his reputation as an arrogant player who broke team rules, and felt he was only held accountable on Sundays, helped fuel the backlash of his foolish actions. Bloomberg knew he had Burress dead to rights. Plax became the perfect tool for The Mayor – who was still under fire for extending term limits for himself without a public vote –to use to divert attention and strengthen his vow to rid NYC of illegal concealed weapons carriers.
As soon as Bloomberg spoke out, he sullied any chance Plax had for a fair trial. No late game heroics in this massacre. It is rare that a mayor will offer totally subjective opinion on an open case. He doesn’t even practice this newfound zest with the most hardened mob figures. So it was very odd that he chose to single out an NFL player – who admitted he carried the gun out of fear. It takes a lot for a man to admit that.
But now these players – so similar – sit on opposite ends of the opportunity spectrum. Stallworth has already started rebuilding his career and image with the Ravens. Plaxico is still clad in prison greens, getting locked down to the sound of steel doors clanging and clicking, instead of catching clutch passes for an NFL contender. He is a faceless, nameless number at this point, with no influence and no chance to proactively rebuild his image, talk to kids, his family or mend broken business relationships.
It’s funny, one unnamed Giant, who I spoke with following the Plaxico incident said, “They are treating him like he killed somebody.” No, Stallworth killed somebody. But he is the one back in the league, just a short year later. And truth be told, it was probably much easier to give Stallworth, generally known as a good character “team” guy, a break. Plaxico, in all of his brashness and defiance of team rules, messed around in the wrong town. Partisan politics are hot right now. If you are a celebrity athlete in NYC, especially a minority, and you are caught in a high-profile situation that can be damaging to the city’s rep or used by high-ranking officials for personal political gain, then don’t expect to be treated with kit gloves because you caught a TD in the Super Bowl.
Plaxico’s crime wasn’t egregious. It lacked intelligence. It Borderlined on buffoonery. When he shot himself trying to grab the gun from slipping down the leg inside of his oversized pants, that was classic stupid. It was embarrassing as hell. But it sure as hell wasn’t DUI vehicular manslaughter. It was however an illegal action, committed in the wrong climate. History is strange like that. It’s results often dictated by time, place and persona. It can be forgiving, as it seems to have been to Stallworth. For Plax it will show the tragic fall of a legend.
Time, place and persona means a lot. Not just in the NFL, but in life. This is a classic example. Stallworth murdered a person. Plax murdered the destiny of a Giants dynasty. Never mess with a New Yorkers' football.
Time Ticking On Big Ben
Time Ticking On Big Ben
By J [The Gambler] Gamble for Football Reporters Online
Since Eli Manning, Phillip Rivers and Ben Roethlisberger were all taken in the first-round of the 2004 NFL draft -- and then made auspicious splashes as young QB's in the league -- naturally the ongoing debate has been about which team picked the best QB. Three guys were just vehemently arguing the point in the pizza shop by my crib about a month ago.
They mentioned how every year one QB seems to nudge ahead, only to be outdone by the other the following season. All three quarterbacks have been All Pro’s and are considered Franchise pigskin slingers.
Big Ben has two chips. He came out of the shoot with a big-body and big arm, and an awesome defensive-minded , veteran team behind him. He managed the Pittsburgh offense to a Super Bowl [the youngest to do so at age 23]. Then he followed that up later with another championship and a more refined passing game. Manning has one, playing on the biggest stage in the football world, under the intense media pressure and bright lights of New York. He completed one of the most improbable passes in NFL Super Bowl history in defeating the previously undefeated and heavily -favored Patriots. Peyton’s little brother has carved quite a niche for himself as a clutch QB, known for dramatic 4th-quarter drives.
Rivers became a starter in 2006 and has come very close to achieving greatness himself. He seemed as if he was on his way to his first Super Bowl this past season, before being rocked by an over-achieving Jets squad hungry for playoff blood. Despite being traded away by the Giants for Manning, Rivers is considered by many to be the most talented of the three. But his lack of chips leaves him at No. 3 in most people’s debates.
All the guys at Vinnie’s pizza shop had valid points, and it used to be one of the most frequent and provocative arguments in sports... Notice I say used to. As of a few days ago, Eli Manning has ascended to the top of that QB class without throwing a pass or even suiting up. Roethlisberger was implicated in his second sexual assault accusation in two years. The first one was in July 2009 in Nevada, in his hotel, during a celebrity golf tournament. Kobe Style. The second was on March 5 in a Georgia nightclub. Pac Man Jones style.
A civil suit is pending in the first case. This time he needed to retain a hot-shot lawyer -- Ed Garland, of T.I. arsenal and Ray Lewis murder-trial fame – hinting that these charges of sexually assaulting a 20-year-old girl, may become criminal, and he won’t be able to breeze through by making it rain ones. Pac Man Jones style.
While Big Ben has been a superstar force on the field for the Steelers, he has fizzled as a role model and the face of the NFL’s most distinguished franchise. Regardless of guilt, the mere accusations and patterns of aggressive sexual behavior sheds a negative light on The Steelers franchise and brings uneccessary negative publicity to a legendary and classy Rooney family.
With the blink of an eye, the smoke began to clear on which team made the best long-term choice for QB. While Big Ben has managed to nearly kill himself , mutilating his bike and his brain by crashing without a helmet , which obviously led to his brain freeze in these two sex suits against him, Eli has been the Pilar of the community. He is happily married and does not indulge in juvenile, risky and borderline illegal behavior. He is a good character guy and someone your kids can pattern their lifestyle after.
So the people who argued Manning and Big Ben were running neck and neck, should have Eli sitting comfortably atop that QB class now. At least until Rivers wins a chip or this too passes for Ben “Teflon” Roethlisberger.
This latest fiasco has got to sicken the city of Pittsburgh. You pay Big Ben the mega bucks to be a leader and represent your team with class and dignity on and off the field. Many of us have to learn that the hard way. Being guilty isn’t always about whether or not you did it. Sometimes you can get caught up in bull because your pattern of behavior was just abrasive, stupid and immature.
And as Michael Vick sadly learned, being a franchise QB requires on and off the field discipline. As a player you trade the ability to do things normal people do for the opportunity to pop pads and make millions.
Eli Manning doesn’t have the arm or fortunate Sunday weather conditions that Rivers enjoys. He doesn’t have as many Super Bowls or TD passes as Big Ben. He’s not even the best QB in his family. But he is the epitome of a complete “Franchise Quarterback”. And that’s not up for debate.
By J [The Gambler] Gamble for Football Reporters Online
Since Eli Manning, Phillip Rivers and Ben Roethlisberger were all taken in the first-round of the 2004 NFL draft -- and then made auspicious splashes as young QB's in the league -- naturally the ongoing debate has been about which team picked the best QB. Three guys were just vehemently arguing the point in the pizza shop by my crib about a month ago.
They mentioned how every year one QB seems to nudge ahead, only to be outdone by the other the following season. All three quarterbacks have been All Pro’s and are considered Franchise pigskin slingers.
Big Ben has two chips. He came out of the shoot with a big-body and big arm, and an awesome defensive-minded , veteran team behind him. He managed the Pittsburgh offense to a Super Bowl [the youngest to do so at age 23]. Then he followed that up later with another championship and a more refined passing game. Manning has one, playing on the biggest stage in the football world, under the intense media pressure and bright lights of New York. He completed one of the most improbable passes in NFL Super Bowl history in defeating the previously undefeated and heavily -favored Patriots. Peyton’s little brother has carved quite a niche for himself as a clutch QB, known for dramatic 4th-quarter drives.
Rivers became a starter in 2006 and has come very close to achieving greatness himself. He seemed as if he was on his way to his first Super Bowl this past season, before being rocked by an over-achieving Jets squad hungry for playoff blood. Despite being traded away by the Giants for Manning, Rivers is considered by many to be the most talented of the three. But his lack of chips leaves him at No. 3 in most people’s debates.
All the guys at Vinnie’s pizza shop had valid points, and it used to be one of the most frequent and provocative arguments in sports... Notice I say used to. As of a few days ago, Eli Manning has ascended to the top of that QB class without throwing a pass or even suiting up. Roethlisberger was implicated in his second sexual assault accusation in two years. The first one was in July 2009 in Nevada, in his hotel, during a celebrity golf tournament. Kobe Style. The second was on March 5 in a Georgia nightclub. Pac Man Jones style.
A civil suit is pending in the first case. This time he needed to retain a hot-shot lawyer -- Ed Garland, of T.I. arsenal and Ray Lewis murder-trial fame – hinting that these charges of sexually assaulting a 20-year-old girl, may become criminal, and he won’t be able to breeze through by making it rain ones. Pac Man Jones style.
While Big Ben has been a superstar force on the field for the Steelers, he has fizzled as a role model and the face of the NFL’s most distinguished franchise. Regardless of guilt, the mere accusations and patterns of aggressive sexual behavior sheds a negative light on The Steelers franchise and brings uneccessary negative publicity to a legendary and classy Rooney family.
With the blink of an eye, the smoke began to clear on which team made the best long-term choice for QB. While Big Ben has managed to nearly kill himself , mutilating his bike and his brain by crashing without a helmet , which obviously led to his brain freeze in these two sex suits against him, Eli has been the Pilar of the community. He is happily married and does not indulge in juvenile, risky and borderline illegal behavior. He is a good character guy and someone your kids can pattern their lifestyle after.
So the people who argued Manning and Big Ben were running neck and neck, should have Eli sitting comfortably atop that QB class now. At least until Rivers wins a chip or this too passes for Ben “Teflon” Roethlisberger.
This latest fiasco has got to sicken the city of Pittsburgh. You pay Big Ben the mega bucks to be a leader and represent your team with class and dignity on and off the field. Many of us have to learn that the hard way. Being guilty isn’t always about whether or not you did it. Sometimes you can get caught up in bull because your pattern of behavior was just abrasive, stupid and immature.
And as Michael Vick sadly learned, being a franchise QB requires on and off the field discipline. As a player you trade the ability to do things normal people do for the opportunity to pop pads and make millions.
Eli Manning doesn’t have the arm or fortunate Sunday weather conditions that Rivers enjoys. He doesn’t have as many Super Bowls or TD passes as Big Ben. He’s not even the best QB in his family. But he is the epitome of a complete “Franchise Quarterback”. And that’s not up for debate.
Jets get Cromartie and Ship Rhodes to Arizona as the RB Saga Heats Up
Jets get Cromartie and Ship Rhodes to Arizona as the RB Saga Heats Up
by TJ Rosenthal for Football Reporters Online
The New York Jets bolstered their secondary on the outside while leaving room for perhaps a hard hitting missile on the back end. On Thursday at 11pm, one hour before the start of free agency, they acquired Antonio Cromartie for a 3rd round pick in 2011 that could become a 2nd rounder.. Days later the Jets then dealt Kerry Rhodes to the Cardinals for a fourth rounder in 2010 and a seventh rounder in 2011.. Cromartie comes from San Diego where his ten interceptions in 2007 gave way to a drop in production and anger from Bolt fans regarding his drop in numbers and run stopping ability. Cromartie's fall out West will be symbolized by his purpoted lack of effort in tackling Shonn Greene during the Jet rookie's 53 yard gallop to paydirt that sealed the Jets 17-14 AFC divsional round win in January.
The deal is for one year at 1.7 million, with 500,000 of it coming in the form of a signing bonus. This to pay off child support for the seven children Cromartie has fathered with six different women in five states. Busy guy. Hopefully a fresh start and a return to a more aggressive in your face press coverage style will help Cromartie once again become one of the top defensive playmakers in the NFL. Cromartie failed to enjoy current defensive coordinator Ron Rivera's sit back and wait system, a system that risked less as the Bolts high powered offense averaged 28 points a game in 2009.
Gone is Jet free safety Kerry Rhodes. Only days prior, GM Mike Tannenbaum proclaimed that Rhodes would return to the Jets, barring any major turn of events. I guess a middle and a late round pick were enough to change Tanny's mind. The truth is, Rhodes was probably the guy Rex Ryan referred to at season's end when he said he wanted nobody that "stuck out like a sore thumb" to return. Rhodes, a former 4th round pick of the Jets four years back, was once compared to Ed Redd by Ryan but struggled in 2009. Rhodes did help out with some big plays down the stretch after being benched late in the season. The Jets may be looking to acquire a free safety more in the way of a hard hitting type.
How about University of Tennessee safety Eric Berry? He was arguably the top safety (Berry's highlight reel http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E-PG04d4-sI) in college, and is slated to go in the top five of this years NFL draft in April. Don't put it past Tannenbaum to make his way up the draft board as he did with the selection of QB Mark Sanchez last year. Other draft options appear to include USC's Taylor Mays, slated to go late in the first round. Some question Mays' footwork as a potential issue to be wary of. The Jets currently have the 29th pick. Jet CB Donald Strickland's name has been thrown around as a potential replacement as well.
Thomas Jones who rushed for 1402 yards and 14 TDs for the number one rushing Jets is now a Chief. Unwilling to pay Jones his 3.3 million bonus due for 2010, the Jets released Jones on Friday. He signed a two year 5 million dollar deal with KC today that will pay him three mil in 2010 while including a 500,000 dollar incentives package. Expect Jones to split carries with Jamaal Charles, the speedy back who tore it up for the Chiefs late in the season. Jones was slated to become the ten carry short yardage hammer behind Shonn Greene and the Jets didn't want to pay 5.8 million for Jones in 2010 for the limited role. Potential replacements include unrestricted free agent Larry Johnson, Mike Bell, "play me or trade me" bruiser Tennessee's Lendale White, Quinton Ganther and perhaps Ladanian Tomlinson, who appears headed to the Vikings as Chester Taylors replacement. Taylor is now in Chicago.
Leon Washington has spoken to former Jets running backs coach and current 49ers offensive coordinator Jimmy Raye about the situation out West. No contact has been made yet with their fornt office according to ESPN's Adam Schefter. Rumors also have the Pats as interested in Washington. It would hard on Jet fans to lose both Jones and Washington especially if the Pats are involved. Hopefully the Jets will match an offer for Leon, especially if one comes from Foxboro.
Another player worth watching now is former Carolina QB Jake Delhomme. The one time face of the Panthers was released to make way for QB Matt Moore. Delhomme fell out of favor the past two seasons and in his final 12 games with the club, threw 23 interceptions. The hard nosed gritty Delhomme has developed an ever growing carelessness with the ball reminiscent of Vinny Testaverde prior to the 1998 season when Bill Parcells got a hold of him. Testaverde then enjoyed his best year in the NFL throwing 29 TDs with only 7 ints.
Discipline can be taught to some. Heart and passion can't. With the backup QB market shrinking, the Jets might want to look at a guy who has been to the Super Bowl, and needs simply to put a halt to the growing number of exorbinant mistakes he's made recently. Many of those picks albeit while playing for a team often trailing late in games, with only one true weapon in WR Steve Smith. The backup QB position, currently held by the shaky Kellen Clemens, has to be upgraded by Tannenbaum. Otherwise the Jets will run the risk of a major drop in altitude should Sanchez miss any extensive time in 2010 due to injury.
For a team that sees itself on the brink of something Super, they can ill afford to overlook this potential danger zone. A scenario that bit the Super bowl contending Jets in 1999 when Testaverde went down for the season in week one before former Notre Dame star Rick Mirer then failed to pick up the slack. It was a season lost and an opportunity that the Parcells Jets never obtained again. Hopefully a lesson learned for the Rex Ryan Jets as they head into their own Super Bowl contending future. Futures built out of windows that close fast for teams that aren't careful in the department of small details.
follow TJ Rosenthal on twitter@ thejetreport
* Here's the link to the controversial Shonn Greene TD vs SD. Cromartie wears 31 for the Chargers: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=edUCQAQ_mB0
by TJ Rosenthal for Football Reporters Online
The New York Jets bolstered their secondary on the outside while leaving room for perhaps a hard hitting missile on the back end. On Thursday at 11pm, one hour before the start of free agency, they acquired Antonio Cromartie for a 3rd round pick in 2011 that could become a 2nd rounder.. Days later the Jets then dealt Kerry Rhodes to the Cardinals for a fourth rounder in 2010 and a seventh rounder in 2011.. Cromartie comes from San Diego where his ten interceptions in 2007 gave way to a drop in production and anger from Bolt fans regarding his drop in numbers and run stopping ability. Cromartie's fall out West will be symbolized by his purpoted lack of effort in tackling Shonn Greene during the Jet rookie's 53 yard gallop to paydirt that sealed the Jets 17-14 AFC divsional round win in January.
The deal is for one year at 1.7 million, with 500,000 of it coming in the form of a signing bonus. This to pay off child support for the seven children Cromartie has fathered with six different women in five states. Busy guy. Hopefully a fresh start and a return to a more aggressive in your face press coverage style will help Cromartie once again become one of the top defensive playmakers in the NFL. Cromartie failed to enjoy current defensive coordinator Ron Rivera's sit back and wait system, a system that risked less as the Bolts high powered offense averaged 28 points a game in 2009.
Gone is Jet free safety Kerry Rhodes. Only days prior, GM Mike Tannenbaum proclaimed that Rhodes would return to the Jets, barring any major turn of events. I guess a middle and a late round pick were enough to change Tanny's mind. The truth is, Rhodes was probably the guy Rex Ryan referred to at season's end when he said he wanted nobody that "stuck out like a sore thumb" to return. Rhodes, a former 4th round pick of the Jets four years back, was once compared to Ed Redd by Ryan but struggled in 2009. Rhodes did help out with some big plays down the stretch after being benched late in the season. The Jets may be looking to acquire a free safety more in the way of a hard hitting type.
How about University of Tennessee safety Eric Berry? He was arguably the top safety (Berry's highlight reel http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E-PG04d4-sI) in college, and is slated to go in the top five of this years NFL draft in April. Don't put it past Tannenbaum to make his way up the draft board as he did with the selection of QB Mark Sanchez last year. Other draft options appear to include USC's Taylor Mays, slated to go late in the first round. Some question Mays' footwork as a potential issue to be wary of. The Jets currently have the 29th pick. Jet CB Donald Strickland's name has been thrown around as a potential replacement as well.
Thomas Jones who rushed for 1402 yards and 14 TDs for the number one rushing Jets is now a Chief. Unwilling to pay Jones his 3.3 million bonus due for 2010, the Jets released Jones on Friday. He signed a two year 5 million dollar deal with KC today that will pay him three mil in 2010 while including a 500,000 dollar incentives package. Expect Jones to split carries with Jamaal Charles, the speedy back who tore it up for the Chiefs late in the season. Jones was slated to become the ten carry short yardage hammer behind Shonn Greene and the Jets didn't want to pay 5.8 million for Jones in 2010 for the limited role. Potential replacements include unrestricted free agent Larry Johnson, Mike Bell, "play me or trade me" bruiser Tennessee's Lendale White, Quinton Ganther and perhaps Ladanian Tomlinson, who appears headed to the Vikings as Chester Taylors replacement. Taylor is now in Chicago.
Leon Washington has spoken to former Jets running backs coach and current 49ers offensive coordinator Jimmy Raye about the situation out West. No contact has been made yet with their fornt office according to ESPN's Adam Schefter. Rumors also have the Pats as interested in Washington. It would hard on Jet fans to lose both Jones and Washington especially if the Pats are involved. Hopefully the Jets will match an offer for Leon, especially if one comes from Foxboro.
Another player worth watching now is former Carolina QB Jake Delhomme. The one time face of the Panthers was released to make way for QB Matt Moore. Delhomme fell out of favor the past two seasons and in his final 12 games with the club, threw 23 interceptions. The hard nosed gritty Delhomme has developed an ever growing carelessness with the ball reminiscent of Vinny Testaverde prior to the 1998 season when Bill Parcells got a hold of him. Testaverde then enjoyed his best year in the NFL throwing 29 TDs with only 7 ints.
Discipline can be taught to some. Heart and passion can't. With the backup QB market shrinking, the Jets might want to look at a guy who has been to the Super Bowl, and needs simply to put a halt to the growing number of exorbinant mistakes he's made recently. Many of those picks albeit while playing for a team often trailing late in games, with only one true weapon in WR Steve Smith. The backup QB position, currently held by the shaky Kellen Clemens, has to be upgraded by Tannenbaum. Otherwise the Jets will run the risk of a major drop in altitude should Sanchez miss any extensive time in 2010 due to injury.
For a team that sees itself on the brink of something Super, they can ill afford to overlook this potential danger zone. A scenario that bit the Super bowl contending Jets in 1999 when Testaverde went down for the season in week one before former Notre Dame star Rick Mirer then failed to pick up the slack. It was a season lost and an opportunity that the Parcells Jets never obtained again. Hopefully a lesson learned for the Rex Ryan Jets as they head into their own Super Bowl contending future. Futures built out of windows that close fast for teams that aren't careful in the department of small details.
follow TJ Rosenthal on twitter@ thejetreport
* Here's the link to the controversial Shonn Greene TD vs SD. Cromartie wears 31 for the Chargers: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=edUCQAQ_mB0
Friday, March 05, 2010
Chad Ochocinco Johnson runs naked in public
Also: cincinnati bengals free agents, nfl football news, dacing with the stars 2010, chad in dancing, chad runs in the buff
Chad Ochocinco Johnson runs naked in public in a park.
As pointed out in the video, drivers were honking their horns at him, which means they could see him in full view and he wasn't far from a roadway.
The question is why did he do it? Chad's an amazingly intelligent person and certainly a great athlete. But why this? Over at Twitter, Chad Ochocinco appologized to Nicole Richie:
@nikrichie i apologize for running through the woods naked, i did not expect people to be up at 6 am.
about 2 hours ago via web
Before that, Chad Ochocinco tweeted that someone took his clothes:
@BIGBDABULLY somebody robbed me for my clothes thats why i was runnin naked in the woods
about 7 hours ago via web in reply to BIGBDABULLY
Of course, it's all just plain good publicity for his first appearance on Dancing with The Stars this year. On Twitter, Chad encourages his followers to follow his dancing partner, Cheryl Burke:
Everybody please follow my awesome dance partner the wonderful @cherylburke1,
about 8 hours ago via Swift
Saturday, February 13, 2010
Oakland Raiders Stadium study: competitive bid and minority involvement missing?
The Oakland Tribune article on the possibility of a shared football stadium between the Oakland Raiders and the San Francisco 49ers is certainly exciting news, but lost in the hope that the Raiders get a new stadium - 49ers or not - is any attention to the process behind getting to that point.
In this case, on Friday February 19th the Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum Authority is considering a proposal from CSL International, an event planning and stadium development consulting firm to write a feasibility study of a stadium for the Oakland Raiders.
Great, but where's the competitive bid for the consultant? And what about minority involvement in the study's development? Now that the Oakland Raiders have finally succeeded in getting the City of Oakland to see that it needs a new stadium, its important to make sure the Oakland Coliseum Authority doesn't screw it up.
Where public monies are used, sole-source consultant contracts are frowned on and have been for decades. The reasons are simple: such contracts are looked at as political gifts or favors to a friend unless there's solid evidence that that company, and only that firm, can do the job required.
In the case of a feasibility study for a stadium for the Oakland Raiders that may include the San Francisco 49ers, there's no evidence or source that can confirm that the Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum Authority conducted a competitive bid process, out of which CSL International emerged.
The contract is reportedly for $125,000, not below $5,000, which is the California legal level at which a contract must be below if it is "sole-sourced" or without a competitive bid process. And as Oakland is a charter city, this process goes against the City of Oakland's own process and it's "hire Oakland first" mandate for the use of Oakland's public funds for contracts.
As one who's done feasibility study work, this blogger can assert that what the Oakland Coliseum is looking for does not take a rocket scientist to do. (And this blogger has no interest in being considered for any City of Oakland contract.)
These questions must be answered by the Coliseum Authority:
1) which firms out there in Oakland and in the San Francisco Bay Area can do this work?
2) Where they contacted in writing by the Coliseum Authority's Executive Director?
3) What was their written response?
4) Why was CSL International selected out of the competitive bid process?
5) Does CSL International have people of color on its staff?
If all of these questions can be answered, then CSL International was selected fairly. But if not and it appears that CSL International was chosen out of an informal and process controlled by the current Coliseum executive director, their proposal should be rejected. The Coliseum executive director should be made to start the process over, the right way.
The Oakland Raiders deserve a new stadium. But there's no hurry; the process toward a new facility should be done in an inclusive, not secretive, way.
In this case, on Friday February 19th the Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum Authority is considering a proposal from CSL International, an event planning and stadium development consulting firm to write a feasibility study of a stadium for the Oakland Raiders.
Great, but where's the competitive bid for the consultant? And what about minority involvement in the study's development? Now that the Oakland Raiders have finally succeeded in getting the City of Oakland to see that it needs a new stadium, its important to make sure the Oakland Coliseum Authority doesn't screw it up.
Where public monies are used, sole-source consultant contracts are frowned on and have been for decades. The reasons are simple: such contracts are looked at as political gifts or favors to a friend unless there's solid evidence that that company, and only that firm, can do the job required.
In the case of a feasibility study for a stadium for the Oakland Raiders that may include the San Francisco 49ers, there's no evidence or source that can confirm that the Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum Authority conducted a competitive bid process, out of which CSL International emerged.
The contract is reportedly for $125,000, not below $5,000, which is the California legal level at which a contract must be below if it is "sole-sourced" or without a competitive bid process. And as Oakland is a charter city, this process goes against the City of Oakland's own process and it's "hire Oakland first" mandate for the use of Oakland's public funds for contracts.
As one who's done feasibility study work, this blogger can assert that what the Oakland Coliseum is looking for does not take a rocket scientist to do. (And this blogger has no interest in being considered for any City of Oakland contract.)
These questions must be answered by the Coliseum Authority:
1) which firms out there in Oakland and in the San Francisco Bay Area can do this work?
2) Where they contacted in writing by the Coliseum Authority's Executive Director?
3) What was their written response?
4) Why was CSL International selected out of the competitive bid process?
5) Does CSL International have people of color on its staff?
If all of these questions can be answered, then CSL International was selected fairly. But if not and it appears that CSL International was chosen out of an informal and process controlled by the current Coliseum executive director, their proposal should be rejected. The Coliseum executive director should be made to start the process over, the right way.
The Oakland Raiders deserve a new stadium. But there's no hurry; the process toward a new facility should be done in an inclusive, not secretive, way.
Sunday, February 07, 2010
Saints v. Colts - Super Bowl XLIV will be won by Colts
Super Bowl XLIV pitting the NFC Champion New Orleans Saints v. The AFC Champion Indianapolis Colts will be a game filled with passes and trick plays. It will be one of the most exciting Super Bowls ever.
The Super Bow game features the NFL's 9th best offense (2nd in the NFL in passing for the season) in the Colts against the league's 25th-ranked Saints defense. That's the key matchup. Sports observers can write about imagined challenges between specific Colts receivers certain Saints defensive backs, but the reality is one-on-one pairings are rare because of the variety of coverages used; the Saints will try to keep everything in front of them with a zone coverage system and work to prevent the Colts from hitting the home run ball.
But the Colts will mix short passes and runs; the Saints will move away from the zone, crowd the line-of-scrimage, and blitz. And that's where the Colts big play will come from, absent a blown coverage, which the Saints haven't done much this year.
The Saints NFL number one-ranked offense will be a variety show featuring shifts, man-in-motion, and a lot of play action. Look for not just one, but two flea flickers; what will stop them is the Colts defensive speed (which was augmented by more blitzing in the postseason, making it better than its 18th-ranking during 2009). The Saints will call a number of "wheel route" passes trying to match the fleet Reggie Bush against the Colts' linebackers. But the Colts will blitz more often this game, and add to their already hard-charging pass-rush. That effort will be led by Dwight Freeney, who's played a week-long game of media possum, but is ready to turn his effort up to a super human level.
The other difference will be on special teams. This is where the Saints have a slight speed edge and the Colts will have to play carefully to stop the long kick return.
With all of this, the Colts offense will be too much for the Saints. The Colts win Super Bowl XLIV, 34 to 20.
Colts v. Saints on SFGate.com | Colts v. Saints on Twitter | Colts v. Saints on NFL Business Blog
The Super Bow game features the NFL's 9th best offense (2nd in the NFL in passing for the season) in the Colts against the league's 25th-ranked Saints defense. That's the key matchup. Sports observers can write about imagined challenges between specific Colts receivers certain Saints defensive backs, but the reality is one-on-one pairings are rare because of the variety of coverages used; the Saints will try to keep everything in front of them with a zone coverage system and work to prevent the Colts from hitting the home run ball.
But the Colts will mix short passes and runs; the Saints will move away from the zone, crowd the line-of-scrimage, and blitz. And that's where the Colts big play will come from, absent a blown coverage, which the Saints haven't done much this year.
The Saints NFL number one-ranked offense will be a variety show featuring shifts, man-in-motion, and a lot of play action. Look for not just one, but two flea flickers; what will stop them is the Colts defensive speed (which was augmented by more blitzing in the postseason, making it better than its 18th-ranking during 2009). The Saints will call a number of "wheel route" passes trying to match the fleet Reggie Bush against the Colts' linebackers. But the Colts will blitz more often this game, and add to their already hard-charging pass-rush. That effort will be led by Dwight Freeney, who's played a week-long game of media possum, but is ready to turn his effort up to a super human level.
The other difference will be on special teams. This is where the Saints have a slight speed edge and the Colts will have to play carefully to stop the long kick return.
With all of this, the Colts offense will be too much for the Saints. The Colts win Super Bowl XLIV, 34 to 20.
Colts v. Saints on SFGate.com | Colts v. Saints on Twitter | Colts v. Saints on NFL Business Blog
Live Super Bowl Preview show beginning at 3:30 Eastern time
Live Super Bowl Preview show beginning at 3:30 Eastern time
Don’t forget about our 2 and a half hour live show today at 3:30!!! Great Football Talk for your Super Bowl and Prizes for trivia.
Listen at www.blogtalkradio.com/Football-Reporters
Don’t forget about our 2 and a half hour live show today at 3:30!!! Great Football Talk for your Super Bowl and Prizes for trivia.
Listen at www.blogtalkradio.com/Football-Reporters
Saturday, February 06, 2010
Super Bowl time: Warren Sapp arrested; hot high car spotted
Miami, South Beach, Florida - Super Bowl time: Warren Sapp arrested; hot high car spotted (video above).
It's Super Bowl time! This Super Bowl update is a mix of good and bad news. Former Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Oakland Raiders defensive star and NFL Network Analyst Warren Sapp was arrested after allegedly committing some form of domestic violence against his girl friend Saturday morning in Miami.
According to TMZ.com, Warren Sapp's explanation doesn't read any better than what his girlfriend told Miami Beach Police:
According to the Miami Beach Police Department, Sapp is accused of attacking his girlfriend of two years at around 5:00 AM Saturday at the Shore Club Hotel.
According to the arrest report, the alleged victim had "a swollen right knee and bruises on the back of her neck."
She claims Sapp allowed her to sleep in his hotel room -- then came into the room early in the morning and pulled her out of bed. The alleged victim says they began arguing about guys she was hanging out with earlier Friday night.
Sapp's girlfriend told cops that during the argument Sapp "grabbed her and began to choke her." He eventually threw her out of the room, she claims.
When cops spoke to Sapp, he told them he had allowed the woman to stay in his room -- but later on decided he wanted her to leave because "he was expecting company." He told police he was trying to help her and she fell.
Sapp "..decided he wanted her to leave because "he was expecting company." is a doozy. This blogger's a big fan of Warren Sapp as an NFL Legend, an NFL Network Analyst, and a TV star (he's a spokesperson for National Rent-A-Car), but Sapp should realize he's got a higher profile now and should not even be in a situation like that, regardless of the truth. Moreover, Sapp must measure his words. What Sapp said, if its true, implies that he had another woman coming over and wanted to get rid of her.
Geez.
On a much happier note, the Super Bowl in Miami draws all kinds of interesting sights and sounds, including interesting cars, like the one in the video above. It's a converted Chevy Impala with oversized wheels and a whole new drive train and suspension system. It was cruising down Collins Avenue in South Beach at about 10 PM and stopped traffic on the opposite side of the street. The driver was by himself and enjoying the Mardi Gras-like street party. When asked who he was rooting for, Saints or Colts, he said "I'll go with Who-Dat".
Stay tuned. And follow me on Twitter!
A Different Kind Of Super Bowl Preview
A Different Kind Of Super Bowl Preview-Colts vs. Saints-By Dr. Bill Chachkes-Managing Partner-Football Reporters Online
I have been listening for two weeks how the Colts have this one wrapped up by about 25 points. Even though I’m picking Indy to win, not so fast on the blow out people. This is going to be closer then any one imagines, at least for the first three quarters.
Both teams are powerhouse offenses, but they arrive there by different measures.
The Saints offense does it’s very best to pass you to death, and run when they have to. Lots of pundits who think they need glorification see the New Orleans squad as the remake of the 2007 Giants or the 1999 Rams. I say they are neither, although they carry elements of both squads. Look deeper. Their offense does move the ball through the air like “the greatest show on turf”, but the Rams had almost no weaknesses of offense except for Kurt Warner’s own health. The Saints have a few more “holes” then that. Dew Brees was surely rattled in the NFC title game in more then one instance. Any NFC team with a strong front seven group of pass rushers would have found a way to “Stunt Blitz” the Saints Offensive line. As good as they are, they can’t protect Brees forever. They will have to run the ball for at least 130-150 total “in game” yards to be successful and have a shot at the win.
By “in game” I mean meaningful yards. I mean Bush/Thomas between the tackles, we are going to clear out the Colts front defensive line yards. Can they really do that? Will they be able to take advantage of Freeney’s injured ankle and possible limited mobility? Or will Freeney pull himself if he feels he will hinder the team’s ability to stop the New Orleans offense. I spoke with one reporter I know well this week who has covered the Saints in the past and I asked him if what I thought were three keys to the game for the Saints were accurate.
A) Will Jon Vilma and Darren Sharper get Manning and company off the field quickly enough to make a difference? He felt that was the main key for the Saints defense, to be able to contain if not stop the Colts numerous offensive weapons.
B) Could Shockey be dependable enough to be an escape valve for Drew Brees if the receivers are constantly jammed at the line? He felt that “J-Shock” could be as tough as a “G-Shock” watch if it comes to it, but the Saints have to worry about him getting jammed at the line as much as the wide outs.
C) Finally, Do the Saints really believe enough in who they are that they belong there playing against Peyton Manning. “That’s the 64K question” he said.
For Indy, it’s much more simple. Manning has to be Manning. He must lead the Colts on 5 to 7 minute drives each possession, keeping Drew Brees off the field. He must spread the ball to all his options, especially Dallas Clark, who moves better in space then any other player on either team with the ball or without.
If Manning gets Clark the ball at least 6 times, the Saints can pack it in and get ready for Mardi Gras and Jazz Fest. But, if they limit Manning’s ability to pass, and force Addai and Brown to shoulder the load on offense, then you have a different game, a game that comes down to the last offensive possession.
Of course, everyone forgets the guys in the trenches, the Offensive linemen. It’s also going to come down to which front five outplays the other’s defensive unit, who will pass protect better, who will run block better.
My prediction: Colts 34-Saints 24, but it’s going to be close until the 4th quarter.
Don't Forget our live Super Bowl Preview Broadcast on Blogtalk Radio at 3:30 Pm Super Sunday at: www.blogtalkradio.com/Football-Reporters
I have been listening for two weeks how the Colts have this one wrapped up by about 25 points. Even though I’m picking Indy to win, not so fast on the blow out people. This is going to be closer then any one imagines, at least for the first three quarters.
Both teams are powerhouse offenses, but they arrive there by different measures.
The Saints offense does it’s very best to pass you to death, and run when they have to. Lots of pundits who think they need glorification see the New Orleans squad as the remake of the 2007 Giants or the 1999 Rams. I say they are neither, although they carry elements of both squads. Look deeper. Their offense does move the ball through the air like “the greatest show on turf”, but the Rams had almost no weaknesses of offense except for Kurt Warner’s own health. The Saints have a few more “holes” then that. Dew Brees was surely rattled in the NFC title game in more then one instance. Any NFC team with a strong front seven group of pass rushers would have found a way to “Stunt Blitz” the Saints Offensive line. As good as they are, they can’t protect Brees forever. They will have to run the ball for at least 130-150 total “in game” yards to be successful and have a shot at the win.
By “in game” I mean meaningful yards. I mean Bush/Thomas between the tackles, we are going to clear out the Colts front defensive line yards. Can they really do that? Will they be able to take advantage of Freeney’s injured ankle and possible limited mobility? Or will Freeney pull himself if he feels he will hinder the team’s ability to stop the New Orleans offense. I spoke with one reporter I know well this week who has covered the Saints in the past and I asked him if what I thought were three keys to the game for the Saints were accurate.
A) Will Jon Vilma and Darren Sharper get Manning and company off the field quickly enough to make a difference? He felt that was the main key for the Saints defense, to be able to contain if not stop the Colts numerous offensive weapons.
B) Could Shockey be dependable enough to be an escape valve for Drew Brees if the receivers are constantly jammed at the line? He felt that “J-Shock” could be as tough as a “G-Shock” watch if it comes to it, but the Saints have to worry about him getting jammed at the line as much as the wide outs.
C) Finally, Do the Saints really believe enough in who they are that they belong there playing against Peyton Manning. “That’s the 64K question” he said.
For Indy, it’s much more simple. Manning has to be Manning. He must lead the Colts on 5 to 7 minute drives each possession, keeping Drew Brees off the field. He must spread the ball to all his options, especially Dallas Clark, who moves better in space then any other player on either team with the ball or without.
If Manning gets Clark the ball at least 6 times, the Saints can pack it in and get ready for Mardi Gras and Jazz Fest. But, if they limit Manning’s ability to pass, and force Addai and Brown to shoulder the load on offense, then you have a different game, a game that comes down to the last offensive possession.
Of course, everyone forgets the guys in the trenches, the Offensive linemen. It’s also going to come down to which front five outplays the other’s defensive unit, who will pass protect better, who will run block better.
My prediction: Colts 34-Saints 24, but it’s going to be close until the 4th quarter.
Don't Forget our live Super Bowl Preview Broadcast on Blogtalk Radio at 3:30 Pm Super Sunday at: www.blogtalkradio.com/Football-Reporters
CANADIANS IN THE NATIONAL FOOTBALL LEAGUE
CANADIANS IN THE NATIONAL FOOTBALL LEAGUE
By Sam MacBeath of MacBeath Sports Media-for Football Reporters Online
This past week the good people at Football Reporters Online asked me if I would like to write an article on Canadians eligible for The NFL draft for this year. I thought about the assignment for all of about 10 seconds and said I would love to do it. So I went about the research for the article. I went first to NFL.com and found the list of players and found that there were no Canadians on the list. Next I went to Scout.com and I looked from #1 Ndamukong Suh (DT Nebraska) all the way to #477 P Alonso Rojas of Kansas and confirmed my fears. NO CANADIANS available this year.
Now I know there have been Canadians in The NFL in the past as I have met a couple through my job as a reporter such as Jesse Palmer (New York Giants and also The Bachelor), Steve Christie (Buffalo Bills), Chris Schultz (Dallas) and Mike Vanderjagt, who is one of the most accurate kickers in NFL history so I knew that I could come up with something. I sat at my computer and tried to think of a new angle for my article and finally it came to me. I would write about Canadians already in the league.
So to start things off I am going to take a quick look at San Diego Charger Defensive End Vaughn Martin. Martin is a very special Canadian in the league as he is the first Canadian ever to be drafted as an underclassman (4th rd 113th overall) out of Western University in London Ontario. Martin played in 10 games for The Chargers and looks to be a real find for the team.
Next we travel to St louis for a look at Rams Saftey O. J. Otogwe of Windsor Ontario. Atogwe, selected in the third round of the 2005 draft (66th overall) started in 12 games and compiled a total of 74 tackles (58 solo), 1 sack, 2 ints and 3 forced fumbles and has played 274 out of 317 games and has a reputation as a steady saftey with good footwork and great ball skills and quickness.
Next we travel to Seattle Washington and look at Canadian Receiver Nate Burelson. Burelson from Calgary Alberta was originally drafted in the third round (71st overall) by the Minnesota Vikings and is known as a duo threat as he is not only a good receiver but also a threat as a return man as he has 4 returns for touchdowns. But an interesting stat that goes with the Touchdowns is that all four were for more than 90 yards each. Now as a receiver he has compiled some very steady stats which include 27 Touchdowns and and average of 12 yards a reception.
Finally I would be remiss if I didn't mention Indianapolis Colt Dan Federkeil of Medicine Hat Alberta. Federkeil was signed by The Colts as a free agent in 2006 and has played 22 games with the Colts over his first 3 seasons. Federkeil has one Super Bowl ring and hopes to become the first canadian ever to win two rings in NFL history if his Colts can defeat Drew Brees and The New Orleans Saints.
All these players plus Jon Ryan, Brad Romberg, Jamaal Westerman, Rob Meier, L.P. Ladouceur, Israel Idonjie and Nick Kaczur are steady plyers for their respective teams and is one of the reasons that The NFL has about 100,000 fans attending games live and over 700,000 fans who watch games on a weekly basis(in Canada). That plus the fact that NFL merchandise is tops among the sports merchandise has caused The NFL to open a Canadian office and teams like The Buffalo Bills play a regular season game in Canada each season. So keep an eye on the 2010 draft for your favorite college player and see where he goes in the draft. But also keep an eye on the talent that comes from Canada either because they were born here or played ball here in The Canadian Football League.
Before I go I want to remind you to order your copy of The 2010 Gridiron Draft Guide for only $10 from gridirondraftguide.com This is guide is an extensive look at the upcoming NFL Draft and a whole lot more. Order your copy now so you can get it sent to you hot off the press around the beginning of April. Thank you for taking the time to read this and I look forward to speaking to you all again real soon. But until then please follow your dreams.
By Sam MacBeath of MacBeath Sports Media-for Football Reporters Online
This past week the good people at Football Reporters Online asked me if I would like to write an article on Canadians eligible for The NFL draft for this year. I thought about the assignment for all of about 10 seconds and said I would love to do it. So I went about the research for the article. I went first to NFL.com and found the list of players and found that there were no Canadians on the list. Next I went to Scout.com and I looked from #1 Ndamukong Suh (DT Nebraska) all the way to #477 P Alonso Rojas of Kansas and confirmed my fears. NO CANADIANS available this year.
Now I know there have been Canadians in The NFL in the past as I have met a couple through my job as a reporter such as Jesse Palmer (New York Giants and also The Bachelor), Steve Christie (Buffalo Bills), Chris Schultz (Dallas) and Mike Vanderjagt, who is one of the most accurate kickers in NFL history so I knew that I could come up with something. I sat at my computer and tried to think of a new angle for my article and finally it came to me. I would write about Canadians already in the league.
So to start things off I am going to take a quick look at San Diego Charger Defensive End Vaughn Martin. Martin is a very special Canadian in the league as he is the first Canadian ever to be drafted as an underclassman (4th rd 113th overall) out of Western University in London Ontario. Martin played in 10 games for The Chargers and looks to be a real find for the team.
Next we travel to St louis for a look at Rams Saftey O. J. Otogwe of Windsor Ontario. Atogwe, selected in the third round of the 2005 draft (66th overall) started in 12 games and compiled a total of 74 tackles (58 solo), 1 sack, 2 ints and 3 forced fumbles and has played 274 out of 317 games and has a reputation as a steady saftey with good footwork and great ball skills and quickness.
Next we travel to Seattle Washington and look at Canadian Receiver Nate Burelson. Burelson from Calgary Alberta was originally drafted in the third round (71st overall) by the Minnesota Vikings and is known as a duo threat as he is not only a good receiver but also a threat as a return man as he has 4 returns for touchdowns. But an interesting stat that goes with the Touchdowns is that all four were for more than 90 yards each. Now as a receiver he has compiled some very steady stats which include 27 Touchdowns and and average of 12 yards a reception.
Finally I would be remiss if I didn't mention Indianapolis Colt Dan Federkeil of Medicine Hat Alberta. Federkeil was signed by The Colts as a free agent in 2006 and has played 22 games with the Colts over his first 3 seasons. Federkeil has one Super Bowl ring and hopes to become the first canadian ever to win two rings in NFL history if his Colts can defeat Drew Brees and The New Orleans Saints.
All these players plus Jon Ryan, Brad Romberg, Jamaal Westerman, Rob Meier, L.P. Ladouceur, Israel Idonjie and Nick Kaczur are steady plyers for their respective teams and is one of the reasons that The NFL has about 100,000 fans attending games live and over 700,000 fans who watch games on a weekly basis(in Canada). That plus the fact that NFL merchandise is tops among the sports merchandise has caused The NFL to open a Canadian office and teams like The Buffalo Bills play a regular season game in Canada each season. So keep an eye on the 2010 draft for your favorite college player and see where he goes in the draft. But also keep an eye on the talent that comes from Canada either because they were born here or played ball here in The Canadian Football League.
Before I go I want to remind you to order your copy of The 2010 Gridiron Draft Guide for only $10 from gridirondraftguide.com This is guide is an extensive look at the upcoming NFL Draft and a whole lot more. Order your copy now so you can get it sent to you hot off the press around the beginning of April. Thank you for taking the time to read this and I look forward to speaking to you all again real soon. But until then please follow your dreams.
