May

31

Can You Imagine? 8 Matchups We’d Like to See in Super Bowl XLIII

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Super Bowl 43

Time to have a little fun as we pass the time and get set for more mini-camps and finally training camp to start up again. It’s time to throw out some options for Super Bowl 43, to be played in Tampa Bay in early February. Yes, not one team has taken a snap in the regular season yet, but what a better time than now to start throwing out possible matchups for the big game? Yes, we’re reaching a bit, but welcome to the snooze button of coming up with hard core news for NFL fans in early June.

1. The Rematch – New England vs New York Giants – What a better way to start this off than with the game that ended the 2007 season (no, we don’t count the Pro Bowl). The Giants and Pats waged a classic battle in Glendale that actually lived up to the hype. You know the Pats will do whatever it takes to get there again in 2008, while the Giants want to prove they were not a one year wonder and they can duplicate the upset from a year ago.

2. High Powered Shootout – San Diego vs Dallas – You can’t tell me that this wouldn’t be a fun Super Bowl to watch – at least it looks like it on paper. The Chargers and Cowboys both have weapons all over the field, and while all the attention would be on Tony Romo and Terrell Owens, the Chargers would be able to be the team that no one talks about – likely just the way they would like it entering Raymond James Stadium.

3. Archie’s Dream – Indianapolis vs New York Giants – Gee, no Manning hype here. Yes, maybe the worst nightmare of a Super Bowl if you get tired easily of Peyton or Eli Manning. This matchup would be dubbed “The Manning Bowl,” but on the field it would be a fun game to watch, as the brothers try and match each other pass for pass. Of course it also would highlight the last two Super Bowl MVP’s as well.

4. Southern Super Bowl – Jacksonville vs Tampa Bay – Two Florida teams playing in the Bucs home stadium sure would make for an interesting atmosphere. The Jags are one of the NFL’s up and coming teams, and they seem ready to take a step to the next level. As for Tampa Bay, they did make the playoffs last season, and while just about no one will pick them to make it to the dance, did anyone have the Eli and the Giants going last season?

5. A Battle of the First-Timers – Cleveland vs New Orleans – The Browns and Saints are two of the NFL’s more “sexy” teams, and two that will have a lot of hype entering the season. Cleveland has no less than 5 prime time games (more than the Pats), and the Saints are expected to come back after a lackluster 2007 and challenge in the somewhat weak NFC South. If the Browns can continue to develop their defense, and the Saints can stay injury-free, this is not that far-fetched as you may think.

6. Loyal Fan Bases Clash – Pittsburgh vs Green Bay – Aaron Rodgers not only comes out of Brett Favre’s shadow, but takes the Pack to the promise land for the first time in 11 years. The Steelers continue to build off of last seasons divison title and playoff birth and land in the big game under second-year head coach Mike Tomlin. With the way these two fan bases travel, it would make for a fun and interesting matchup in Tampa Bay.

7. GQ vs Jessica’s Boy Toy – New England vs Dallas – All the hype on this one would surround Tom Brady and his stoic career as a future Hall of Famer vs Tony Romo and his rise to the top of the league in just a few seasons. Again, who would not want to see this game with stars all over the field? This was a game that many thought we’d see going into the playoffs last season, so maybe it’s just a year late. Nevertheless, I can see this being a good one that comes down to the fourth quarter.

8. In the NFL, Never Say Never – Miami vs St.Louis – Two teams with the top two draft picks entering the April 2008 draft make the biggest one-year turnarounds in NFL history. John Beck comes from nowhere to be a solid, superstar NFL QB, Ronnie Brown leads the NFL in rushing, and the Fins make a monster reversal from 1-15 to a Super Bowl birth. The Rams stay injury-free, Marc Bulger gets time to throw, Steven Jackson tears up the NFC, and the Rams re-become the “Greatest Show on Turf.” Then again, maybe not.

May

31

New WR Berrian Likes What He Sees from QB Jackson

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Jackson

No doubt the pressure is on QB Tarvaris Jackson in 2008 to perform.  One player that has just come aboard with the Vikings that seems impressed with what he’s seen from the young QB is wide out Bernard Berrian.  Coming from the Bears in the offseason in a huge deal, Berrian says that he was not aware of just how good Jackson was.

“He’s definitely a better player than I thought,” he said. “I didn’t really know too much about him coming in here, but just from seeing what I’ve seen, he can make all the throws an NFL quarterback needs to make. He’s got a strong arm, and from what I can tell right now he’s getting a lot smarter within the offense. He’s definitely progressing.”

Last season in 12 games as the starter with the Vikings, Jackson had a QB rating of 70.8, and threw for 1911 yards, 9 touchdowns and 12 interceptions.  He ran for 260 yards and three scores.  No doubt this is a big year for Jackson, as many think if he fails, the team will move forward to giving someone else the ball.

May

31

Raiders and McFadden to Come to Terms in June?

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McFadden

Coming off the heels of last season when their first-round pick wasn’t around till two days after the season started, this year the Raiders want to get a jump on things and sign first-round pick RB Darren McFadden before training camp even starts.  The San Francisco Chronicle is reporting that the team and McFadden could very well have a deal done sometime this month.  “They said probably by June they should know what’s going on,” said Mini Muhammad, McFadden’s mother, from her home in Little Rock, Ark. “I know they’re working on it.”

A team official even said of the deal: “I would think we’ll see something in June.”  That is very good news for the team, as last season they flirted with disaster as QB JaMarcus Russell didn’t show up till after the season began, and his numbers were okay at best – four games, 373 yards passing, two TD’s and four interceptions.  They want McFadden in the fold early, and this is for sure a big step in the right direction.

May

31

Five Teams Interested in Grabbing Taylor’s Services

Filed Under Dallas Cowboys, Miami Dolphins, New Orleans Saints, Philadelphia Eagles, San Diego Chargers, Tampa Bay Bucs | 3 Comments

Taylor

It looks as if there are still a number of teams that have an interest in Dolphins unhappy DE Jason Taylor.  The drama between Taylor and the Dolphins is out of control, and a meeting between he and the team was scrapped, basically just admitting that there is no repairing the damage that has already been done between the new Dolphin brass and the former Defensive Player of the Year.

NFL.com’s Adam Schefter is reporting that no less than five teams appear to be in the running to try and acquire Taylor’s services.  They are: New Orleans, Philadelphia, Tampa Bay, Dallas and San Diego.  The Chargers rumor has been out there for awhile, and they have denied that report.  Miami, with Bill Parcells doing the talking, and his old team the Cowboys, have already made a deal this offseason right before the draft.

As far as Philly, Tampa Bay and New Orleans go, it likely would be what team would be willing to give up the most.  Is Taylor worth a first round draft pick at this point in his career?  Probably not, and no team is going to give Miami that knowing the situation between Taylor and the team.  If Miami can convince a team to give up a 2nd or 3rd round pick, they would come out winners in this saga.

May

30

Titans QB Young Says He Was Never Going to Quit

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Young

It looks as if there was some non-truth going on when it comes to Vince Young saying he was going to walk away from football after his rookie season.  A recent report on NFL.com had Young saying that he was going to walk away after his first year in the NFL, this despite winning the offensive rookie of the year award.  Young reportedly said it took some encouragement from teammates to get him to return.

Not so fast.

Young is coming out now and saying the story was blown way out of proportion.  “I was never going to quit football,” Young said Thursday. “Football, that is my pride and joy, it is my dream. I am playing my dream. And I don’t plan on giving that up any time soon.”  Young did go on to say that he’s in a different place heading into his third season, and that he’s ready to go this season.  “Oh my God. Oh my God. I ain’t never said I was going to quit football,” Young said. “There was a lot of stuff going on in my life, but football is not hard to me. Football is easy. All you have to do is be coach-able and use your God-given talent. If it was a thought at all it was just a passing thought for a second.”

Sounds now like just fishing for a story where there was not one.  Why would a player walk away after having as much success as Young did in 2006?  Sure, last season he maybe did not have numbers like he would like to have, but he still was able to lead the Titans to a playoff birth.  Let’s let 08 really decide just how good Vince Young really is.

May

30

Bucs Start Weeding Out QB’s w/ Release of Gradkowski

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Gradkowski

The Buccaneers have begun the process of streamlining their QB spot, as today they cut Bruce Gradkowski, the former 6th-round pick from Toledo.  Gradkowski was one of many QB’s on the roster, and this could clear the way for one of the others to make it on the team.  Last season he played in four games, throwing for 130 yards, no TD’s and one pick.

Two years ago the team threw him in the starting role due to injuries, and he played in 13 games, putting up a QB rating of 65.9.  He threw for 1661 yards, 9 TD’s and 9 picks.  The move leaves five quarterbacks on the roster—Jeff Garcia, Brian Griese, Luke McCown, Chris Simms and rookie Josh Johnson. A sixth, Jake Plummer, is under contract but has said he is retired.

May

30

Gonzalez Ready for Croyle to take Leader Role

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Gonzalez makes a catch

The Kansas City Star reported that Chiefs and TE Tony Gonzalez are ready for QB Brodie Croyle to “have a good year.” Croyle has been participating in offseason workouts to gain chemistry with the team, especially the 12 year veteran, Gonzalez. “This is our third year together,” Croyle said about playing with Tony Gonzalez, “We still have to keep working on chemistry. That’s critical. That’s why I’m here.”

So far its paid off, “I think he’s looking great,” Gonzalez said on Croyle. “And I think he will have a good year. It’s his time.” The record breaking Gonzalez wants Croyle to take a leader role for the offense, starting in the huddle. “Absolutely, he has to be in command of the huddle,” Gonzalez said. “It’s his huddle. For a quarterback to be effective it has to be his huddle.”

Gonzalez isn’t the only receiving option with hope in Croyle. “Brodie’s looking good, man,” WR Dwayne Bowe said. “He threw a go route, back shoulder, against the wind. It was on the money. I was like, ‘Dude, you’re ready. It’s on.’”

The Chiefs have two capable starting quarterbacks in Damon Huard and Brodie Croyle. Right now the it seems to be Croyle’s job to loose. Last season, Croyle was the top passer in two of his last six losses in 2007: Game 15 against the Titans (217 yards, two touchdowns, two interceptions, and a 58.1 completion percentage.) and Game 17 against the Jets (195 yards, one touchdown, three sacks and a 46.5 completion percentage). Reportedly, Croyle’s quickly picked up the new offense, and the offensive coordinator Chan Gailey’s stystem is working with Croyle. Now Croyle must prove to the Chiefs he can win games after a poor 2007. “He’s up, and it’s his turn to show that he can be a starting quarterback in the National Football League, and not only that but to win games,” coach Herman Edwards said. “I think he knows that he’s been waiting for his opportunity.”

May

30

49′ers Facing Critical Decision at the QB Spot in 2008

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Shaun Hill

Alex Smith or Shaun Hill? That’s the biggest question facing the 49′ers this season when it comes to who will be the starting QB come September. It’s also a question that head coach Mike Nolan hopes to have settled early before the team gets into the heat of summer and training camp. The coach, who himself is on the hot seat in 2008, recently spoke about the position and his desire to get it solved early.

“At this point I’m hopeful, but I won’t hold myself to it” Nolan told the Sacramento Bee. The coach did admit that the decision on who to start could easily go back and forth, and from the sounds of it he won’t likely have that decision made as early as he’d like. Smith is trying to get his career back on track as the teams first pick a few years ago. A lot has been made of the strained relationship between he and Nolan, but the coach contends that the issues are behind them.

As for Hill, he came on late last season and steered the Niners to two late season wins. He has a lot of upside, and the team was convinced enough in him to sign him to a deal this past offseason. If the team does decide to go with Hill over Smith, it may be the sign that the former first pick in the draft may be out the door. The prediction here is that Smith gets the first go-around in new offensive coordinator Mike Martz’s offense, but that the leash on him will be short with Hill peeking over his shoulder.

Bottom line is it could be a decision that makes or breaks the head coaching tenure of Nolan. If he makes the right choice and the team turns around, it could be like last years decision in Jacksonville where Jack Del Rio dumped Byron Leftwich in a surprise decision at the end of training camp for David Garrard. The wrong decision? Nolan could be on the unemployment line before the end of the season if the team stumbles.

May

30

Offseason Overviews: Breaking Down the AFC West

Filed Under Denver Broncos, Kansas City Chiefs, Oakland Raiders, Offseason Overview, San Diego Chargers | Leave a Comment

Jay Cutler

NFL Gridiron Gab has spent the past few weeks breaking down the divisions with our “Offseason Overviews.”  We went through all 32 teams, and today we highlight the AFC West.  Click below to read the Offseason Overview of your AFC West team:

Oakland Raiders: Russell and Raiders Should Be Better in 08

Kansas City Chiefs: Chiefs Building From the Ground Up

San Diego Chargers: Health a Key for a Big Chargers Season

Denver Broncos: Broncos Look to Regain Playoff Form

May

30

NFL Insiders: News And Notes

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