Jun

30

Hall Of Fame Or Not? - You Decide

Filed Under Chicago Bears, Dallas Cowboys, Denver Broncos, Green Bay Packers, Indianapolis Colts, NFL, Philadelphia Eagles, San Diego Chargers, San Francisco 49ers, Seattle Seahawks, St. Louis Rams, Tampa Bay Bucs | Leave a Comment

Here we are about one month before the NFL Hall of Fame in Canton, which is more or less the unofficial kickoff to the upcoming NFL season.  As a way to pass the time (and hopefylly give you something to ponder), I submit to you some current active NFL players who may have a shot at being inducted.  I graded on the following system:  A Lock, Good Chance, Too Early To Tell, and Don’t Think So.

As always, the views here are not necessarily those of NFL GRIDIRON GAB.  Here they are:

1- Shaun Alexander, RB, Seattle

    Grade - Good Chance

Right now, he is 25th alltime in rushing yardage.  Now if he can revert to 2005 standards and stay healthy (his foot), then he can possibly get in.

2- Larry Allen, OG, San Francisco

   Grade - A Lock

He was, during his tenure at Dallas, probably the best guard in the game.  Canton awaits him.

Champ in the Hall? YES!3- Champ Bailey, CB, Denver

   Grade - A Lock

We know already what he can do.  He will be a 10 year player in a couple of years, so assuming he puts up his usual numbers (and you know he will), he will be enshrined.

4- Ronde Barber, CB, Tampa Bay

   Grade - Don’t Think So

Don’t get me wrong, Ronde’s a very serviceable corner.  The problem is - he is a beneficiary of the Cover-2 defense that the Bucs employ.  So the numbers can be deceiving.  Ronde has lotsa work to do.

5- Tom Brady, QB, New England

   Grade - A Lock

As you all know already, I am a Colts fan.  And our pastime and passion is dissing Tom Brady (you watch - the Manning/Brady feud will start again this season).  But I’m not here to do that actually.  Just look at his overall body of work (3 Super Bowl rings, above-average stats).  That in and of itself should pave the way for Brady to get enshrined.

6- Isaac Bruce, WR, St. Louis

   Grade - A Lock

Bruce has the numbers that should get him in (7th in career receptions and receiving yards).  If he has a good season, he should be in the TOP 5.

7- Brian Dawkins, S, Philadelphia

   Grade - Too Early To Tell

Simply put, he’s one of the top safeties out there.  The thing is, safeties rarely get inducted.  But anything’s possible.  A couple more seasons of his usual should enhance his chances.

8- Warrick Dunn, RB, Atlanta FalconsToo Well Dunn for the Hall?

   Grade - Don’t Think So

I like Dunn; I really do.  But the thing is is that his numbers probably will not be enough to merit an induction notice.  Granted he plays for a run-heavy team, but that’s not always enough.

9- Brett Favre, QB, Green Bay

   Grade - A Lock

Brett’s done it all - SB ring, big numbers.  A no-brainer.

10- Tony Gonzalez

     Grade - A Lock

One of the most productive tight ends ever.  Imagine how bad the Chiefs would be without him in the lineup.

11- Marvin Harrison, WR, Indianapolis

     Grade - A Lock

The model of consistency.  He’s 4th all-time in receptions and he already has the numbers to get in.  All that’s ahead for him are Jerry Rice’s stats.  See you at Canton, Marvin.

12- Torry Holt, WR, St. Louis

     Grade - Too Early To Tell

He’s still relatively young.  However, he still needs to produce.  And he flies under the radar which may or may not help him get inducted.  I can get a better gauge on him in 2-3 years.

13- Walter Jones, OT, Seattle

     Grade - A Lock

Jones is currently the best OT in the league right now, in my opinion.  Just a matter of time before Canton comes a’callin’.

Manning enough for Canton?14- Peyton Manning, QB, Indianapolis

   Grade- A Lock

This one’s as obvious as a Raiders loss.  He can retire right now and get in.  I wonder if there’s an Endorsement Hall of Fame?

15- Donovan McNabb, QB, Philadelphia

     Grade - Too Early To Tell

McNabb is one of those QB’s who is difficult to figure.  When he’s good, he’s scary-good.  But injuries are his speed-bump, and his relationship with the media doesn’t exactly endear people to him.  Ask me again in 2 years (if he isn’t traded by then).

16- Randy Moss, WR, New England

     Grade - Too Early To Tell

I don’t know about Moss.  He has good numbers, but it seems that there’s a combination of issues that may stop him from getting inducted.  Such as: The Raider episodes, his work ethic (or lack thereof?).  With Minnesota, he was as good as they got.  But since leaving there, he has regressed, statistically.  Maybe the change of scenery will do him good.

17- Orlando Pace, OT, St. Louis

     Grade - Good Chance

There’s a good reason why Marshall Faulk and Marc Bulger succeeded (Bulger’s still there)in St. Louis.  That reason is Orlando Pace.  Faulk didn’t get to where he is by talent alone, and Jones always had Bulger’s back.  Not the best OT obviously but good enough to go to Canton.

18- Michael Strahan, DE, New York Giants

     Grade - A Lock

Let’s get one thing clear - Strahan isn’t Reggie White.  But he has two things going for him - he’s the all-time sack leader and the media loves him.  A shoo-in.

19- LaDanian Tomlinson, RB, San Diego

     Grade - A Lock

Simply put, another LT-type year will ensure his induction.  And he’s still young.  Nothing but upside, induction-wise for Tomlinson.

20- Brian Urlacher, LB, Chicago

     Grade - A Lock

Here’s the thing:  Urlacher’s young, and we all know the Bears’ LB pedigree.  Assuming he produces at his usual rate, he’s bound for Canton.

Jun

30

Daunte’s Hearing Postponed; Set for Tuesday

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Culpepper and co.

Blame Mother Nature on Dolphins QB Daunte Culpepper’s hearing getting postponed on Friday.  Bad weather was the reason the case hearing was called, as the arbitrator that had been assigned to the case could not make it.  Now Daunte must wait till Tuesday for his case to be held, as he is set to make his points as to why the Dolphins should be made to release him.  There was some talk about having the meeting today in Miami, but that could not happen becuase Dolphins GM Randy Mueller and some Miami coaches were not able to be there.

The case will be heard in Los Angeles on Tuesday, but a time and location have not been set.  Culpepper is going to try and show why the Dolphins should be forced to release him, as his case is that he is no longer the starter or backup, and he should be allowed to continue his career elsewhere.  He also will show how the Dolphins did not allow him to be involved in the recent teams minicamp, even though he was on the field.

Culpepper will try and win a case he feels is similar to that of former Titans and now Ravens QB Steve McNair.  The big difference in the cases is that McNair was barred from the Titans facilities, while Culpepper has been allowed to be at the Dolphins headquarters to work out and rehab his knee.  The outcome could be that the Dolphins will have 2-3 weeks to trade Daunte, and if they don’t then they may have to grant him his release if a deal can’t be worked out.

Jun

30

Barnett Case to be Overseen by Special Prosecutor

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Nick Barnett (left)In the latest twist to the Nick Barnett bar-fight case, the husband of Outagamie County District Attorney Carrie Schneider could be a potential witness, the Green Bay Press-Gazette has learned.  Because of that, Schneider said Friday she would appoint a special prosecutor to handle a possible battery case against Barnett, a linebacker for the Green Bay Packers.

Schneider said Friday that her husband, Kory, works for an area dealership that has sold cars to Barnett.  In addition, her husband played with Barnett in a June 18 charity softball game at Fox Cities Stadium.  “And at that game, my husband overheard Mr. Barnett on a phone making a comment about the case, and depending on what his defense in the case is going to be, that could be an issue,” said Schneider.

Because of her husband lurking as a potential witness and with his past dealings at the dealership, Schneider said the potential conflicts make it necessary to seek a special prosecutor.  Schneider said she hopes to know who that will be by Monday.  According to police, Barnett was involved in an altercation at Wet, 344 W. College Ave., around 2 a.m. Barnett allegedly pushed a woman to the floor; she was not injured.

An argument then ensued outside the Division Street side of the establishment between Barnett and a woman identified as one of the co-owners of the club.  That incident drew the attention of local police, who then learned of the incident inside the club and made the arrest.  The club’s co-owner, Kathy Peotter, told The Post-Crescent on June 20 that the incident has been “blown out of proportion.”  She said she was not arguing with Barnett outside of the club, and that a woman threw a drink at Barnett prior to the alleged shoving incident.

Jun

29

Williams Won’t be Around Long in Miami if Reinstated

Filed Under Miami Dolphins | 1 Comment

Ricky is as good as history

It’s been rather quiet lately on the Ricky Williams front, but a report today says that if Williams gets reinstated in September, don’t look for him to be a Dolphin for very long.  John Clayton of ESPN wrote today in his blog that Williams will either get released or the team will try to trade him if he is able to come back to the team.  Ricky was scheduled to apply for reinstatement in May from his drug suspension, but had another positive test for marijuana.

The thought is if the Dolphins were willing to say good-bye to Fred Evans right after his arrest, then Williams is not going to be held in much more high regard.  The bottom line is that Williams has gotten chance after chance, but he has failed each time.  The Dolpins are ready to move on, and it looks as if new coach Cam Cameron is going to make it happen when and if Williams is allowed to come back.  The team will look to trade Ricky, but unless there is a team willing to take a huge chance, it looks like Miami is going to have to just release him.

Jun

29

NFL Decides NFL Europa is Done

Filed Under NFL, Off The Field News | Leave a Comment

The NFL folded its development league in Europe, calling the decision a sound business move that will allow for a stronger international focus on regular-season games outside the United States, NFL.com reports.  The announcement came less than a week after the Hamburg Sea Devils beat the Frankfurt Galaxy 37-28 in the World Bowl title game in Frankfurt.  Five of the NFL Europa’s six teams are based in Germany, with the other in Amsterdam, Netherlands.  “We thank our fans for the great support in the past years,” NFL commissioner Roger Goodell was quoted as saying.

Goodell said it was time to develop a new international strategy, terming the move to fold NFL Europa as the “best business decision.”  The league reportedly was losing about $30 million a season.  The league began in 1991 as the World League of American Football, with 10 teams from the United States and Europe.

After closing for two seasons in 1993 and 1994, the league returned with six European teams and retained the same format until the end.  NFL Europa managing director Uwe Bergheim said the league had succeeded in establishing a fan base for football in important European markets.  “Despite the great support of fans, business partners and the cities where we were active, we decided that it was time to change the strategy,” Bergheim said.

Jun

29

Colts Need to Pony up Freeney Soon

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Dwight Freeney

Dwight Freeney will become the highest-paid defensive player in the NFL if and when he and the Indianapolis Colts settle on a new contract.  In the obvious best interests of both, it should be sooner rather than later.  Freeney is the team’s best defensive performer, and the Colts aren’t interested in losing him.  That’s why they made him their franchise player, a designation that will pay $9.43 million this season and $11.3 million, or 120 percent of this year’s salary, in 2008.

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www.coltsgab.com

Jun

29

Should Kendall be Player Rep for the Jets?

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With all that is surrounding the Jets and Pete Kendall is it possible that he can fairly represent the players and their best interest at this time? He would most likely say he is still going to be fair to the players and the organization. If you were in his situation and could stick it to the team that will not give you a new deal and will probably cut you before the start of the season you would be very tempted to.

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www.jetsgab.com 

Jun

29

Does Moss Have What it Takes to Read Coverages?

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Moss in NE 

One of the biggest questions this year about the loaded Pats is how Randy Moss will mesh with his new team.  According to a pro scout who has seen Moss quite a bit throughout his career, one of his best attributes also ranks among his worst - his ability to read defenses.  “It’s kind of interesting, because I hear people say he doesn’t know how to run routes and all this other stuff,” said the scout, who spoke to The Boston Herald on condition of anonymity. 

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www.patriotsgab.com

Jun

29

Reports Say Three Teams Have Interest in Former Bear Johnson

Filed Under Buffalo Bills, Chicago Bears, Dallas Cowboys, New Orleans Saints | 2 Comments

 

While the Bears have given up on defensive tackle Tank Johnson, look for a few teams out there to give him a serious look. Number one on that list may be the Dallas Cowboys, who could use a player like Johnson on their D-line. Reports state that one member of the Cowboys organization says that Johnson would be a “perfect fit” in new coach Wade Phillips’ 3-4 defense. No contact has been made as of yet between the Cowboys and Johnson, but it may be coming shortly.

Another team that may have interest according to ESPN’s John Clayton is the Buffalo Bills. The Bills have a young defense, and they could use a player like Johnson on a team that appears right now to have an offense that is much better than its defense. Again, no contact made as of yet between the Bills and Johnson. Finally, Clayton says the Saints may be a team that will take a look at Tank. New Orleans would be able to get the linemen cheap, as Clayton reports that Johnson was only scheduled to make $510,000 this season, which means that the team that picks him up should be able to snag him for about $240,000.

The bottom line on Johnson is risk. He has already had more than one chance with a solid organization with the Bears, and he blew that. It will be interesting to see what team wants to take the risk of picking up a player that has had numerous charges go against him, and even when told that he only has one more chance, goes out and screws it up like Johnson did last weekend in Phoenix. My bet is a team like Dallas, that is known for taking troubled players, gives him the hardest look.

Jun

29

Culpepper Hearing Against Dolphins Set for Today

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Today is the day that Dolphins quarterback Daunte Culpepper has been waiting for. Today he goes in front of arbitrator John Feerick and states his case on why he feels the Miami Dolphins should release him. Culpepper, who is his own agent, will be represented as well by NFL Players Association general counsel Richard Berthelsen. As of right now it is not known who will represent the Dolphins in the case. Culpepper would like the Dolphins to release him, so he is free to find work with another team. The Dolphins have been trying to trade Culpepper, but have found no takers.

Culpepper was told by Miami after the trade to get Trent Green that he no longer fits in their plans. The QB had declared before being told about the Fins plans that he was excited and was looking forward to going at it in camp with Green to find out who the QB of the Dolphins would be. Culpepper attended a mini-camp after his knee was declared good to go by a doctor, but walked off the field when he was not getting any reps in team drills.

Culpepper also stated to the Dolphins that he would not restructure his contract with any team that wanted to trade for him. It was believed that the Jags were the main team interested in Daunte, but since then they have backed off. Most likely they will wait to see the outcome of the hearing if Culpepper will get his way, and if he does, then maybe they will take another look at bringing him in to backup Bryon Leftwich.

The 30-year-old came to the Dolphins just last offseason after 7 years with the Vikings. He was expected to lead a Dolphins team the was looking to challenge for the AFC East title last season. After doing all the drills and practice reps in camps and training camp, Culpepper came out flat, and from the opener vs the Steelers one could tell he was not 100 percent. He was shown the bench after just four games, and didn’t play the remainder of the season as his knee simply never allowed him to get back on the field.

Look for Daunte to put on a strong case today to try and get his release. Overall, it’s going to be a tough sell though, as unlike the Steve McNair case last year with the Titans where he was not allowed to use the teams facility, Culpepper has not been barred from anywhere. This one could turn interesting if the ruling comes down that the Fins did nothing wrong. If so, Culpepper could be a lame duck QB sitting on the pine in Miami this season.

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