Oct

31

NCAAGridironGab.com’s Campus Scoop – October 31, 2007

Filed Under College Football, Podcasts | Leave a Comment

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Inside the show they call “Campus Scoop”, you can listen to Site Editor Russ Loede and Brandon Stella discuss Heisman Hopefuls, Top QB’s, and a segment of “Trick or Treat” burning questions. Inside a new edition you will have the Top 5 revealed to you, the closest and most meaningful games and rivalries of this weekend covered, and some shocking upsets that will have this Saturday turned upside down once again. This episode will feature a debate of why College Football is better than the NFL, which conference is the best (Pac-10 or SEC), and some talk about the big-time controversial subject of the “Georgia Celebration” (The Fans are on the Field), along with, not to forget – the 15-lateral play to win the game of Trinity’s miracle finish, in a dramatic ending. The triumphant, jam-packed everlasting show filled with lots of insight, will spark and capture all the top headlines, key questions to showdowns in Week 10, and it will be done in all-out format, truly completed with pure heart, commitment, and love for the best sport in the nation – College Football! Get ready and prepare yourself for the absolute #1 show that has the NCAA front and center, magnified and definied with brilliance, taking this show to another level and to an “Elite” place of greatness. Enjoy and delight yourself to an extra dose of knowledge and second helpings, as you make sure to reward the “fan” inside you, with the “Campus Scoop”, a masterpiece that offers you all that you deserve as a College Football fanatic!

Oct

31

Gridiron Tailgating – October 31, 2007

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In this week’s edition of Gridiron Tailgating you can listen to the trio of Brandon Stella, Jetsgab.com Writer Blake Kelley, and Bearsgab and NCAAGridirongab.com Editor Russ Loede talk about the “Super Bowl in November”, a ”Trick or Treat” segment filled with intriguing questions, and players with the most pressure to succeed in Week 9.  You can get your quick fix with an insightful preview of the best games, interesting debates on the contenders and pretenders in the NFL, along with bold statements and predictions.  In this episode you will find out who will win the battle between the Patriots-Colts and why they will be victorious, your top fantasy performers to keep an eye on, and the best and worst around the league of professional tackle football. 

Oct

31

Jaguars’ Stroud Facing Suspension?

Filed Under Jacksonville Jaguars, NFL, Off The Field News | 1 Comment

Jacksonville Jaguars defensive tackle Marcus StroudMost people in the know naturally assumed that the reason the Jacksonville Jaguars had signed former Atlanta Falcons defensive tackle Grady Jackson was because of an injury to either DT John Henderson or DT Marcus Stroud. It appears, according to Mike Florio of ProFootballTalk.com, that Stroud is unavailable – but not because of an injury. It looks like Stroud will eventually get suspended by the NFL for violation of policy pertaining to anabolic steroids and related substances.

Also, as confirmed by a radio station in Jacksonville, FL, their report states that the initial (”A”) sample came up positive while the “B” sample is still being tested. Of course, Stroud will have the right to an appeal hearing before the suspension takes place. It is speculative at this point to say whether either in the short or long-term this will hurt the Jaguars’ defensive line. But assuming the allegations and test results are true, this will obviously hurt Stroud (any appeals he files for will be futile, in my opinion). I have probably said it before and I’ll say it again – if you’re making all of that money playing what is in essence a kid’s game, what incentive is there for you to jeopardize your career with a substance which is obviously illegal and not good for your health?

Oct

31

Former QB George Back to Begging for Another Shot with Minnesota

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George 50 years ago with the Vikings
Can someone please tell former QB bust Jeff George that his pleas to make it back on a roster in the National Football League are no longer needed.  After all, George was not even all that good when he was in his “prime” and a starter in the league.  Why would anyone now want a cry-baby and a headache like George, who basically played himself right out of the league a few years back with his play and bad attitude?

The story goes that the now 39-year-old George contacted Vikings play-by-play man Paul Allen the other day after watching the Vikings lackluster loss to the Eagles and asked him to gauge the team’s interest in him.  True the Vikings passing attack is like watching paint dry, but to get desperate enough to sign George?!   ‘After all,’ ” George told Allen, ” ‘we are both Illinois guys. That has to mean something.’ ”

This is not the first time, nor likely will it be the last, that the whiny George tries to latch on to a roster.  It was just last season that the Raiders actually took a flier on George, and then he was never heard from again after his release.  That is until he made it on the NFL Network on their news show “Total Access” and threw passes in a parking lot in an effort to show he still had enough arm strength to play in the league.

“I would love it,” George said. With a running back like Adrian Peterson, I would be licking my chops. With that running back, you need someone who can throw that deep ball, and I know I still can. I don’t care about the talent at receiver.”  Maybe he should, as it has not helped QB’s Tavaris Jackson or Kelly Holcomb much this season.  Maybe George should have seen the writing on the wall when Carolina signed Vinny Testaverde and didn’t even give him a call.

The funniest line from George came the other day when he said he would have no problem being the 3rd QB.  “I’d be OK playing third string,” he said. “I think I can be a positive on the team.”   Yeah, just like you were in Indy, Oakland, Minnesota (the first time), Washington and Seattle.  George should focus more on a 2nd career, after all, his NFL career wasn’t all that great to begin with.  

Oct

31

Raiders Lose DE Kelly; Release WR Williams

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Kelly 

The Raiders struggles continued Tuesday off the field as they learned they had lost  starting right defensive end Tommy Kelly for the rest of the 2007 season.  Kelly is gone with a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee.  The injury took place  Sunday early in the third quarter while making a tackle in the loss to the Titans.

He missed the rest of the game and was on crutches postagme. He is scheduled to undergo surgery today and is expected to be out of action until about March, but should be 100 percent for training camp when it rolls around in 2008.  Kelly came to the Raiders as an undrafted free agent in 2004, and has played in 49 career games with 166 total tackles, 13 sacks and 7 forced fumbles.

With the Raiders struggling now at 2-5 and losers of three in a row, this is just another blow to their season.  Kelly was expected to have a breakout season on the D-line, but it just was not happening, and now for sure won’t this year.  Right now the plan for the Raiders, who also made a move in releasing WR Mike Williams Tuesday, is to fill Kelly’s roster spot with rookie back Michael Bush.  Williams’ roster spot will be filled by free agent WR Tim Dwight, who signed a one-year deal Tuesday.         

Oct

31

More Trying Times for Reid as Oldest Son Taken into Custody

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Reid 

It has been a trying year for Eagles coach Andy Reid on and off the field, and things got even worse on Tuesday when his eldest son was taken into custody after failing a drug test. Garrett Reid was handcuffed and taken to the Montgomery County Prison after he surrendered to a probation officer. The 24-year-old didn’t show up for a test that was to take place on October 15th according to prosecutors.

The son has stated that he used heroin when he ran a red light and hit another vehicle in January. “His sentencing is Thursday, and we hope that the judge will listen to our arguments and will come up with sentence that will include a plan of treatment that will lead to rehabilitation,” defense lawyer Ross Weiss said. “We do have a plan that we will present to the court.”

Let’s not forget that his younger brother and Andy’s other son – Britt, is already in jail after violating his bail conditions. He was charged in August with driving under the influence and drug violations. When he was pulled over by police they found painkillers, amphetamines and antidepressants when they checked out his car.

Like him as a coach or not, you have to feel for Andy Reid and the dealings he has had to go through over the last year with his sons. While he must try and focus on getting his football club ready for the Cowboys on Sunday night, this has to be a distraction. Mark it down, Reid will walk away from the Eagles after the 2007 no matter what, as family will overrule his desire to win a championship in the city of brotherly love.

Oct

31

That Time of the Year to Start Thinking About Canton?

Filed Under NFL | 3 Comments

That time of the year to start thinking about Canton?

Yes NFLGridiron gab fans the league has issued it’s preliminary list of 124 nominees for possible induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame as the class of 2008. This list will be eventually scaled down to a list of 25 semifinalist which will be announced later next month. From those 25 modern-era players 15 will be selected by a vote of contributors from around the league.

There will also be senior nominees who were previously announced. Those two are Marshall Goldberg and Emmitt Thomas. Goldberg, a multi-purpose back was a two-way star with the Chicago Cardinals from 1939-1943 and following World War II from 1946 to 1948. Thomas, an all-league cornerback, starred for 13 seasons (1966-1978) for the Kansas City Chiefs.

First year nominees include wide receivers Cris Carter and Herman Moore and cornerback Darrell Green.

The Class of 2008 will be selected from the list of 17 finalists (15 modern-era and two senior nominees). The actual voting will be conducted at the Hall of Fame Selection Committee’s annual meeting, which will be held on Saturday, February 2, 2008, in Phoenix, Arizona, the day before Super Bowl XLII. While there is no set number for any class of enshrinees, the ground rules provide that between four and seven new members will be selected.

To be considered for Hall of Fame election, a nominated player or coach must have been retired at least five years. A contributor, who is a nominee who has made outstanding career contributions to pro football in capacities other than playing or coaching, may still be active in his pro football career. This is the first year that coaches are affected by the mandatory five-year waiting period

Here are the list of nominees with our choice of 15 in bold:

Nominees in First Year of Eligibility
WIDE RECEIVERS – Cris Carter, Herman Moore
RUNNING BACK – Eric Metcalf (also WR/KR/PR)
OFFENSIVE LINEMEN:
TACKLES – Tony Boselli, Lomas Brown, Richmond Webb
LINEBACKERS – Levon Kirkland, Hardy Nickerson
DEFENSIVE BACK – Darrell Green (CB)
Additional Nominees for the Class of 2008

QUARTERBACKS – Ken Anderson, Randall Cunningham, Boomer Esiason, Jim Plunkett, Phil Simms, Ken Stabler, Joe Theismann, Danny White, Doug Williams

RUNNING BACKS – Ottis Anderson, Roger Craig, Terrell Davis, Herschel Walker, Ricky Watters

WIDE RECEIVERS – Cliff Branch, Harold Carmichael, Dwight Clark, Gary Clark, Isaac Curtis, Henry Ellard, Roy Green, *Art Monk, Drew Pearson, *Andre Reed

TIGHT ENDS – Mark Bavaro, Todd Christensen, Ben Coates, Russ Francis, Brent Jones, Jay Novacek

OFFENSIVE LINEMEN – Jim Covert (T), Dermontti Dawson (C), *Russ Grimm (G), Jay Hilgenberg (C), Kent Hill (G/T), Chris Hinton (G/T), Kent Hull (C), Joe Jacoby (T), Mike Kenn (T), *Bob Kuechenberg (G), Jim Lachey (T), Mark May (T/G/C), Randall McDaniel (G), Jeff Van Note (C), Steve Wisniewski (G), *Gary Zimmerman (T)

DEFENSIVE LINEMEN – Ray Childress (DT/DE), *Fred Dean (DE), *Richard Dent (DE), Chris Doleman (DE/LB), Jacob Green (DE), Charles Haley (DE/LB), Jim Jeffcoat (DE), Ed “Too Tall” Jones (DE), Cortez Kennedy (DT), Joe Klecko (DE/DT/NT), Fred Smerlas (NT)

LINEBACKERS – Cornelius Bennett, Matt Blair, Robert Brazile, Randy Gradishar, Kevin Greene (LB/DE), Ken Harvey, Rickey Jackson, Wilber Marshall, Clay Matthews, Karl Mecklenburg, Sam Mills, Pat Swilling, Darryl Talley, *Derrick Thomas, *Andre Tippett

DEFENSIVE BACKS – Eric Allen (CB), Steve Atwater (S), Joey Browner (S), LeRoy Butler (S), Raymond Clayborn (CB), Nolan Cromwell (S), Kenny Easley (S), Lester Hayes (CB), Albert Lewis (CB), Ken Riley (CB), Donnie Shell (S), Louis Wright (CB)

KICKER/PUNTERS – *Ray Guy (P), Nick Lowery (K), Reggie Roby (P)

SPECIAL TEAMS – Elbert Shelley (S), Steve Tasker (WR)
COACHES – Don Coryell, Tom Flores, Jimmy Johnson, Chuck Knox, Buddy Parker, Clark Shaughnessy, Ernie Zampese

CONTRIBUTORS – K. S. “Bud” Adams, Jr., Gil Brandt, C. O. Brocato, Leo Carlin, Ed DeBartolo, Jr., Pat Haggerty, Bob Harlan, Jerry Jones, Bucko Kilroy, Art McNally, Art Modell, Art Rooney, Jr., Ed Sabol, Steve Sabol, *Paul Tagliabue, Jim Tunney, Ralph Wilson, Jr., Ron Wolf, George Young

*On 2007 17 finalists list

Let’s see how my list of 15 compares. Until next time sports fans.

Oct

31

Gridiron Gab’s First Half Grades – AFC

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Larry Johnson has the Chiefs at 4-3 

Roughly half of the 2007 National Football League season is in the books, and with it comes time to give out some grades. We’ll start with the American Football Conference, which braces for the biggest game of the season Sunday between the Pats and Colts in Indy.

AFC East

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New England A+ : I really don’t know what the Pats can do better. They have a QB that has thrown for 30 TD’s already, lead the league in every major offensive category, and on defense have only allowed 127 points, and have blown out every team they have played. Can they get any better?

Buffalo Bills C : The Bills started the season at 0-3, and in those games only scored 24 total points. Since then they have gone 3-1, and should have beaten the Cowboys on Monday night back in week four. Trent Edwards looks like he may be the answer at QB, and this team has quietly turned its season around in a year where .500 would be considered a moral victory.

New York Jets F : The magic of Eric Mangini is gone, and after going 10-6 last year this team is already at 1-7. A QB change had to be made, and Mangini did it this week coming up with Kellen Clemens ready to take the ball under center. The defense has under performed, and the O-line has not done enough for free agent RB Thomas Jones. Five wins may be a stretch here.

Miami F : Another team that has hit rock bottom, and now with their best offensive playmaker, Ronnie Brown, gone for the year, points will be hard to come by. The defense has been brutal, and someone needs to tell Joey Porter to not open his mouth anymore. One thing to watch in the second half is some playing time for rookie QB John Beck, and the increased play of first-round pick Ted Ginn Jr.

AFC North

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Pittsburgh A- : The Steelers, after a year off, are back. New coach Mike Tomlin has installed a new vision in his team, and they have responded. The offense is showing a solid balance in run and pass, and the defense very well may be the best in the league. They lead the division by a game, but with games vs Baltimore and Cleveland next at home, they could wrap the division up early.

Cleveland B : How bout them Brownies?! After an opening day loss 34-7 to the Steelers, the Browns have turned their season around. They gave the ball to QB Derek Anderson, and he has responded with an outstanding season. They have playmakers on offense, and can score with just about anyone. The problem – the defense. This unit is going to be the reason they miss the playoffs in 2007, as they can’t stop anyone right now.

Baltimore C+ : Coming off a 13-win season, the Ravens are 4-3 and need to start winning again. They have lost to three teams that they are talent wise better than – the Bengals, Browns and Bills. The offense has shown lapses, and the defense has not been as disruptive as in years past. Their Monday night game in Pittsburgh this week will tell us a lot.

Cincinnati D- : The Bengals are a mess, and for the first time in a LONG time, they are the worst team in the state. They have no defense, and the offense can’t keep up and tends to bicker to much among themselves and the officials. At 2-5 the wheels are already coming off, and may just for the rest of the 2007 season.

AFC South

—————–

Indianapolis A+ : Indy, much like the Pats, are a machine, and there does not seem to be any signs of them slowing down. They are better than last season when they won the Super Bowl, and the defense with Bob Sanders seems to be one of the most improved units in the game in 2007. Peyton Manning is playing at a high level, and the running game seems solid. Can they hang with the Pats? We’ll find out Sunday.

Tennessee B : The Titans defense has been off the charts in 2007, and their run defense has been one of the surprises of the league. Vince Young is clearly not 100 percent, and they have struggled their last two home games in wins over the Falcons and Raiders. Nevertheless, this team is playing well enough to be thinking about playing past week 17.

Jacksonville B: Jack Del Rio made headlines when he sent Byron Leftwich packing a week before the season started, but its paid off with David Garrard. Now another test comes with Garrard hurt and them having to play Quinn Gray. So far so good with a win in Tampa. The running game needs to continue to lead the offense, and the defense at 15th in the league can get better.

Houston C : This is an exciting, young team that looked like they could have had a bright 2007, but then they were hit hard with injuries, and they can’t seem to hold on to the football. Another downer is that they have gotten next to nothing from free agent RB Ahman Green, and that has not helped the offense much. Look for some more growing pains but a bright outlook for 08.

AFC West

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Kansas City B- : The way things started for the Chiefs, it’s kind of hard to believe they are 4-3 and first in the division tied with SD. They started 0-2, and didn’t exactly shine in their home opener in week three vs the Vikings. Then came the game in San Diego, where they found some offense and shocked the Chargers. Since then, they have played better as Larry Johnson is getting his legs and the defense is playing better than many thought.

San Diego C+ : It has not been the best of starts for new coach Norv Turner, but at least it looks as if the Chargers are starting to find their stride. They have played well in their last three wins since starting 1-3, and could be one of those dangerous teams you have to prepare for in the second half of the year. This team has too much talent not to win 11-12 games.

Denver C- : After starting 2-0, the Broncos have lost 4 of 5, and both sides of the ball has been to blame in the streak. Their defense has been gashed in each of the losses for big plays (see Monday night vs Green Bay), and the offense has had moments of falling asleep at the wheel. The running game is a big problem with Travis Henry having on and off the field issues, and Jay Cutler needs to keep developing.

Oakland D : Yes, the Raiders are better than last year, but no, they are not even close to being one of the better teams in the conference. After starting 2-2, the Raiders have gone back to being well, the Raiders. Daunte Culpepper is not the answer at QB, and the running game, which carried them to a 2-2 record, is now not getting the job done either. How about 14 penalties on Sunday in a winnable game in Tennessee? Look for some snaps for #1 pick JaMarcus Russell in the second half of 2007.

Oct

30

Gridiron Gabbin w/ WGFX 104.5 Nashville Sports Talk Show Host Darren McFarland

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Site Editor Matt Loede is back with Gridiron Gabbin, and on this edition we are joined by your good friend 104.5 WGFX The Zone Sports Talk Host Darren McFarland. Darren is one of the afternoon hosts on 104.5 the Zone in Nashville, as well he covers the Tennessee Titans for Sporting News Radio. Matt & Darren talk about the Titans latest win over the Raiders, and the issues with Vince Young and the passing game. They speak on this weeks huge game between the Pats and Colts, and who they think will come out on top and if the Fins should be worried about a team going undefeated in 2007. Click below to hear Matt and Darren’s edition of Gridiron Gabbin.

Oct

30

Jaguars Poised to Grab Jackson to Beef Up D-Line

Filed Under Atlanta Falcons, Jacksonville Jaguars | 1 Comment

It appears that free agent Grady Jackson will become a member of the JacksonvilleJackson Jaguars sometime today.  The 11-year vet who was released shockingly by the Falcons last week, arrived in Jacksonville on Monday night and it’s being reported that he’s expected to sign with the Jags today.  The nose tackle had started 22 of 23 games with the Falcons after signing with the team back in 2006.

The Jags would be stacked if they can grab Jackson.  Their D-line already features standouts Marcus Stroud and John Henderson.  While the team has yet to play up to the potential they normally do (ranked 15th in the league in total defense), with the addition of Jackson they might just be able to start taking the next step to being the defense they are accustomed to go along with their solid running game with Maurice Jones-Drew and Fred Taylor.

Jackson, 35, was under contract through 2009, at base salaries of $1 million each year, and with roster bonuses of $2 million in the spring of 2008 and 2009.  When the Falcons, who are 1-6, let him go last week they claimed it was a “football move,” but it upset the locker room a ton and now is being regarded as a move that was to send a message to the vets that were not playing as hard as coach Bobby Petrino wanted them to.

In 146 career games, Jackson has 440 tackles, 33½ sacks, eight forced fumbles, six fumble recoveries and 26 pass deflections.  He has played with four NFL teams to date, the Raiders (1997-2001), Saints (2002-2003), Packers (2004-2005) and Falcons (2006-07).

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