Aug

31

Gridiron Tailgating – August 31, 2007

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The controversial 1-2 punch of Jetsgab.com Blake Kelley and Bearsgab.com Russ Loede are back with another eye-opening show.  In this eighth epsiode of Gridiron Tailgating, you will more than likely jump and get up out of your seat; wanting more, as this half hour plus of quality talk will have you completely ready for some real, live NFL action.  The special show will feature a list of the Top 5 Big Hitters, Top 5 Worst Teams that will compete for the right to have their team on the clock first for the ‘08 NFL Draft, and the 5 best Offensive and Defensive lines in the game.  Along with talking about the teams who have the premiere up-front units that win the battle in the trenches, the duo will also update you with the Jets and Bears, as they make sure you are prepared for Week 1, with insighful and detailed reports.  Blake and Russ will also discuss the colleges that produce the best players year in and year out into the NFL, giving you toss-up debates between the top programs and schools in the Nation, with more take your pick questions.  To finalize and conclude the excitement that has everyone buzzing around the world, the combo will dish out the Top 5 Fantasy Football Kickers, as they follow that up with some fresh headlining news around the league.  Mentioned from your crew of expertise will be:  Ed Reed, Bob Sanders, Sean Taylor, John Lynch, Roy Williams, Donovin Darius, Brian Dawkins, Adam Vinatieri, Robbie Gould, and many of your favorite teams, ranging from cellar dwellers to elite franchises, with the Houston Texans to the Indianapolis Colts, from the Detroit Lions all the way to the Chicago Bears.

Aug

31

Strahan Ends Holdout, Rejoins Giants in Time for Opener

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StrahanThe Michael Strahan saga in New York is over, as he Pro Bowl defensive end has decided to end his holdout, and will report to his team just in time to play in next weeks season opener.  It has been report after report stating that Strahan was seriously thinking about ending his career and retiring.  Instead, he will come back to the Giants and play his whopping fine that saw him pay $14,288 per day that he missed.  He missed a total of 36 days of camp.  “He’s coming back because he wants to keep playing,” his agent, Tony Agnone, told the New York Daily News.

Strahan kept the lines of communication open with the Giants and his teammates while he was holding out.  He spoke with ownership of the team more than once about his options, and while it seemed like last week he might actually step away,  many felt this was exactly the way it would go – he would hold out till the end of the preseason and then be ready to go for opening day.  Strahan is set to make $4 mil this season, and part of the reason for the holdout it was though was the desire to get a new deal.  Instead, now he will pay his fine and show up, ready to help a Giants team that is very beat up and sorely needs him.

The 35-year-old Strahan owns the NFL record for sacks in a single season with 22 1/2 in 2001, and he also led the league in sacks in 2003, when he compiled 18 1/2. He registered 11 1/2 sacks in 2005, but was limited to only three sacks in nine games in 2006, when a sprain to his foot cut his season short.  Newsday reports that he is flying from California today to rejoin the team.  “He made up his mind last night. I told him to sleep on it, make sure he feels right about it, and he woke up this morning and called [Giants general manager] Jerry [Reese] and said he’s coming back,” Agnone said.

Aug

31

Del Rio Makes Stunning Decision in Making Garrard Starting QB

Filed Under Jacksonville Jaguars | 1 Comment

With a new season comes new changes, and possibly the most stunning took place on Friday, as the Jacksonville JaguarsGarrard held a press conference announcing that they have a new quarterback – David Garrard, and that former starter Byron Leftwich would either be traded or released before Saturday night’s 6pm deadline to make roster cuts.  “He’s proven to be a playmaker for us : a threat throwing it and running with it and I think he’s earned the opportunity,” Del Rio said of Garrard at a Friday presser. “He’s a player with a quick release. He’s been totally unselfish. He’s continued to work at his trade and not get discouraged when I’ve gone back to Byron. I feel a real sense of conviction about this decision.”

The move has sent shock waves around the Jaguars organization as well as around the entire league in general.  It was just back in late February that Del Rio stated that Leftwich was the teams starter, and while people were surprised at that, the shock was even greater when Friday’s news was announced.  “Byron was given every opportunity to lead this football team. In Feb. I named him the returning starter because we felt he gave us the best chance to win football games. It became apparent David gave us the best chance,” Del Rio said.  Leftwich was set to make $5 million this season, and many felt that he would get the shot to play this year, which was the last of his deal with the Jags, and then the team would see how he performed and make a decision about his future after the season.

Del Rio told Leftwich about his decision about 3:15 Friday afternoon.  He didn’t say how Leftwich reacted, but you’d have to think that he would be upset, considering that he felt all along that he was going to be the starter in 2007.  “Our team has really shown signs of embracing my message,” Del Rio said. “They have thrown their full support behind David because he’s our guy. The team is going to embrace the message I give them and the direction I provide.”  This decision will be the make or break of Del Rio’s coaching career.  If Garrard comes through and play well, then he likely will save his job and get an extension.  If Garrard fails, Del Rio will be looking for work in 2008.  For now, he stands by his decision.  “We selected him for a reason and we gave him four seasons and a fifth offseason,” Del Rio said of Leftwich. “We’ve seen enough.”

Aug

31

Browns Give Starting Nod to Frye

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Frye

The Cleveland Browns have finally gotten themselves set for opening day, as the QB spot has been cemented.  For now.  Sources say that head coach Romeo Crennel told the team that Charlie Frye, the starter from opening day last season, will get the ball under center on opening day at home vs the Steelers on September 9th.  “Charlie is our quarterback,” veteran wideout Joe Jurevicius said in today’s Canton Repository.  Frye played two series on Thursday night vs the Bears, and while he didn’t do anything spectacular, he had shown the coaching staff enough in training camp as well as the other three preseason games to earn the job.  Rookie Brady Quinn, who the fans want to start, will likely start the season as the 2nd or 3rd string.  The big question now will be what the team does with Derek Anderson, and if he goes on the trading block and if the team already might have a trading partner in mind with the Falcons.

“I thought as the preseason went on, I got more comfortable with the new offense,” Frye said. “I thought my poise was pretty good. When we stopped moving the ball, it wasn’t the defense stopping us. It was us stopping us.”  In three preseason game, Frye was 12-for-22 for 129 yards and one interception and no touchdowns.  Last year with the Browns he played in and started in 13 games, throwing for 2454 yards with 10 touchdowns and 17 interceptions.  The season before he started five games, throwing for 4 TD’s and five picks.  Many think that Quinn is the starter in waiting, and that if Frye gets off to a slow start they will make the shift to the rookie quarterback.

Aug

31

Rice’s Addition to Help make Rams a Contender

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According to sources, as soon as today, the Rams will announce the signing of former Cardinal and Buccaneer Simeon Rice.  The All-Pro DE will be expected to start along with, opposite the side of Pro-Bowl sack artist Leonard Little, on a defensive line that picked up Nebraska’s Adam Carriker (13th overall) in the draft, as it will finally address a defense that needs lots of help (secondary issues still arise).  Rice, the former Fighting Illini alum, will be counted on to help a defense that struggles are still apparent and consistent, and with an awful defensive backfield, the Rams will need all the pass rush and pressure from the d-line that they can get.  In a continuing effort to bolster a team that forgets defense matters, look for the Rams to strike it rich and this move will be as good as gold.  So, in essence, the explosive, though old, Rice, could be a small, piece to a defensive puzzle, which still is missing a lot of pieces.  The puzzle is yet to be finished and will not be completed anytime soon, but this move may be a small step for a team that can make some noise in the NFC West.  In order to win this division, St. Louis may need Rice to stay healthy and re-discover his old-self and put up what he is capable of still doing:  Double-Digit sacks.

Aug

31

Bears TE Olsen Sprains Knee, Likely to Miss Opener

Filed Under Chicago Bears | 1 Comment

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Update/Impact: The Bears nearly came out of the preseason injury- free, but in the second quarter of their preseason finale against the Browns, first round draft pick Greg Olsen came up limping after being tackled by Browns LB Clifton Smith. Olsen, a former member from the “U” (Miami Hurricanes), made nine catches for 75 yards in four games this preseason. The 6-foot 6, 252 pound TE, with a blazing 40 time of 4.5, is expected to give the Bears some much-needed explosiveness, to add to the passing game, as well as an added safety valve for QB Rex Grossman.

Prognosis/Effect: The injury was initially called a bruise and is now being called a sprain by Bears staff. Olsen is scheduled to undergo an MRI today. If it is a sprain, and nothing more serious, the loss could be 1-3 weeks.
I am always skeptical when I hear “sprain” because that is just a “nice” sounding term for Tear. Let’s hope it is nothing more than a “tweak” and that we will see Olsen as early as Week 1, in San Diego September 9th, for the showdown that may be destined for a spot on ESPN Classics, giving us a taste for a possible Super Bowl Preview.

Aug

31

Eagles QB Feeley Breaks Hand in Eagles’ Loss

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Feeley

The Philadelphia Eagles just cannot seem to catch a break (no pun intended) these days.  In last night’s loss to the New York Jets, backup quarterback suffered what is described as a broken third metacarpal on his non-throwing hand.  He suffered the injury while being sacked by Jets reserve nose tackle C.J. Mosley, more than likely while holding onto the ball too long.

Feeley is scheduled to see a hand specialist today.  Eagles head coach Andy Reid told David Aldridge of the Philadelphia Inquirer, “It shouldn’t be IR.  I’d be surprised if it was.”  Contingent on the results from the hand specialist, Kevin Kolb would automatically become the #2 QB.  Kolb has had an impressive preseason thus far, but it is imperative that Donovan McNabb, the team’s #1 QB, stay healthy for preferably the entire season as Kolb isn’t quite ready to step in.

According to Feeley, he said that he had no difficulty taking snaps or holding onto the ball and would not miss any time, adding, “I’m ready.  I played the whole series with it. It’s not my throwing hand. That’s just the way it goes in football . . . it was fine, actually.  Just draw on adrenaline a little bit.  You just think it’s a nick or a pain here.  It wasn’t until I came to the sideline when I was like, ‘You guys might want to look at this a little bit.  It’s hurting a little bit more than it should.’ ”

That’s all fine and good A.J., but the hand specialist will probably know better than anyone what the severity of the injury is.  But this will be a tough call for Reid and the Eagles’ medical staff; if the team decides to put Feeley on IR, it could possibly be a long season for the Eagles.  McNabb, for the sake of repeating myself, needs to simply stay healthy.  Another thing to consider – will the Eagles stick with just two QB’s on account of the Feeley injury?  Former Eagles QB Kelly Holcomb was just recently signed by the Vikings, so the team has a major decision to make very soon regarding their QB status.

Aug

31

Breaking Down the AFC South

Filed Under Houston Texans, Indianapolis Colts, Jacksonville Jaguars, Tennessee Titans | 2 Comments

Marvin HarrisonMuch like the AFC East, the AFC South really is a division with one powerhouse team, one decent team, and two teams that have potential, but appear to be far behind the division leader. The talent at the top of the Indianapolis Colts is far and above the other three teams, and really the question will be what week do the Colts win the division? The other question about Indy is will they lose a bit of their desire after winning the Super Bowl last season? As far as teams 2 through 4, it’s going to be hoping to simply contend for a wild card.

Indianapolis 2007 Prediction: 11-5 – While they are the champs and will neeed to be knocked off their throne before anyone can overtake them, there is no doubt the Colts do have some questions entering the 2007 season. The biggest question is about a defense that came alive and played lights out during the 2006 playoffs. They lost CB Nick Harper, LB Cato June, DE Monte Reagor, DB Mike Doss, CB Jason David, and LB Gilbert Gardner. Losing Harper and June will hurt, and the team didn’t pickup a CB in free agency and didn’t draft a corner till the 3rd round. The offense will be counted on to help out the “D” during their transition. The other big question will be if the Colts have the focus to do it again. The Steelers came off their Super Bowl and started the 06 season 2-6. While I don’t think the Colts will do that, it will be interesting to see how they come out of the gate in 2007.

Jacksonville 2007 Prediction: 8-8 – Two years ago the Jags won 12 games, but the problem was the Colts won 14. Last year they took a step back, losing 4 of their last 6 and their last 3 to miss the playoffs at 8-8. They have a great backfield, with Maurice Jones-Drew and Fred Taylor, but questions remain about Bryon Leftwich and if he can get it done and stay healthy. The WR core is another question, as who will step up and start with Reggie Williams? The defense was very hot and cold last season, pitching shutouts at home vs the Steelers and Jets, but failing badly on the road, allowing over 23 points per game. This looks to be another mediocre year in Jacksonville.

Tennessee 2007 Prediction: 7-9 – Last year the Titans overwhelmed everyone after starting out 0-5 they went on a tear, going 6-1 in their last 7 games, mostly due to the awesome play of rookie QB Vince Young. 07 will be a lot tougher on Young and the Titans offense, as they lost RB Travis Henry to the Broncos, and have a serious hole at wide out, where as we speak they march out Brandon Jones and Justin Gage. Young can’t do it alone, but it appears he may have to in order to get the job done. The defense should be better, as the addition of Nick Harper adds nicely to the secondary, but like it or not, they will miss Adam “Pacman” Jones. I just don’t know where the Titans will find points this year.

Houston 2007 Prediction: 7-9 – Realizing that David Carr is not and is not ever going to be the answer, the Texans made a bold move in trading for Falcons backup Matt Schaub in hoping to put up more offense in 2007. The team also grabbed aging RB Ahman Green, and if he can give them anything on the ground, it will be a plus from last year. They are weak at wide out, as after stud Andre Johnson they have no depth. The defense is solid on the D-line, and the secondary is also good with Dunta Robinson, Demarcus Faggins, Glenn Earl and C.C. Brown. This could be a team on the upswing, they may just need some time.

Aug

31

NFLGridironGab Fantasy Spotlight 8/31

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Alexnder

Site Editor Matt Loede and Bearsgab.com Editor Russ Loede kick off our first edition of NFLGridironGab Fantasy Spotlight.  The boys talk about all the latest in fantasy football, and discuss the hot topics on various players around the league that will make an impact in 2007.  Coltsgab.com editor Stephen Rhodes checks in with his breakout players of 07, and columnist Jenn Sterger gives her insights on the upcoming fantasy players with some of her breakout players for this season.  It’s a wild ride though fantasy football you won’t want to miss.  If you’d like a question answered on the show by our panel, please feel free to email us at fantasyshow@nflgridirongab.com

Aug

31

Breaking Down the AFC East

Filed Under Buffalo Bills, Miami Dolphins, New England Patriots, New York Jets, Picks | Leave a Comment

Brady and Bill  

Many experts around the country have handed the AFC East over to the New England Patriots, this well before training camp even gets underway. It’s hard to argue with them, as New England jumped into the free-agent pond this last offseason and landed some pretty sizeable fish to an already talented roster. Baltimore sacker Adalius Thomas will make the Pats D even stronger, and Randy Moss catching passes from Tom Brady could give teams nightmares in 2007. But even with that, there are three other teams that would love to tip over the Pats apple cart and land a big upset in taking the division crown from them. Below we take a quick glance at how the AFC East will stack up this 2007 season.

New England 2007 Prediction: 12-4 – 50 regular season wins in the past four years, two Super Bowl titles, and a trip to the AFC Title game have made New England the class of the league. As if things for the Pats couldn’t get better, they snagged no less than 9 players in the offseason, losing just three. The big names to come aboard this already solid group include Thomas, Moss, wide out Donte’ Stallworth, and corner Tory James. How this team will be worse than last year is beyond me, and unless they totally get slammed by injuries and read too much into their own headlines, this team will be once again the class of the AFC East.

New York 2007 Prediction: 9-7 – The Jets rose from the dead last year in a season in which they stunned many by winning 10 games. Over the last five seasons, the Jets have always followed up good seasons with bad ones (9 wins in 02, 6 in 03, 10 wins in 04, 4 in 05), so this means this season they should be in the 5-6 range if history is right. I don’t buy it. While they are still a few players away from beating the Pats, this group got better with the trade for RB Thomas Jones and getting free agent Andre Wadsworth at defensive end. Chad Pennington should be solid again, and with Jones and starting wide outs Laveranues Coles and Jerricho Cotchery, the Jets should contend for a wild card.

Buffalo 2007 Prediction: 8-8 – Buffalo had a tough offseason, including the head scratching move to trade solid back Willis McGahee to the Ravens. They only picked up four players, but moved Darwin Walker to Chicago after he wouldn’t show up. Gone are McGahee, CB Nate Clements, LB Takeo Spikes, and OT Mike Gandy. Dick Jauron does have some talent on offense though, as J.P. Losman really looks like a QB that could have a breakout season. Lee Evans is coming off 8 yards shy of 1300 yards, and 1st round pick RB Marshawn Lynch from Cal can make plays. The defense is going to struggle though, but overall this team should at least be fun to watch week in and week out.

Miami 2007 Prediction 6-10 – Sorry Fin fans, struggles are going to continue for this team that many had picked to overtake the Pats last year in the AFC East. Miami lost a whopping 16 players to other teams this offseason, and picked up 8, and none of them are what you would consider in their prime players. Trent Green will try and play a full season at QB for Miami, and Joey Porter, who was voted as the most overrated player earlier this offseason by CBS Sportsline, comes aboard as well. The teams defense, even with Defensive Player of the Year Jason Taylor is aging, and the offense is going to need a huge season from Ronnie Brown to compete in this division. I just don’t see it. On the other hand, Ted Ginn Jr. could be ROY.

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