Jul

31

T.O. Threw Rom-o Under The Bus-o!

Filed Under Dallas Cowboys, Off the Cuff | Leave a Comment

Owens and Romo

ESPN via NFL Live and NFL First Take, tells us that the relationship between Dallas Cowboy’s Wide-Out, T.O. and Quarterback, Tony Romo is “very special.” Then, they cut to T.O. and Romo who confirm their “very special” relationship. And when I see that, I can’t help but remember some awfully vivid images from the 2007 Divisional Playoff game in Dallas.

One image is Romo’s 4th Quarter meltdown: screaming at his offensive line, unintentionally grounding the ball, getting penalized, getting sacked because he held the ball too long and then throwing an errant pass to a wide open T.O. that could have won the game. Another image is Jerry Jones, on the sidelines in shocked skeletal, disbelief when the Cowboys come up short. But, by far, the most lasting image is of T.O. bursting into tears after the game — allegedly trying to protect his “very special” quarterback friend from the press. Is that what he was really doing? Protecting Romo?

Just re-watched the game and post game. There’s T.O. telling the press, “We lost the game as a team,” as tears stream down his cheeks. “If you blame the quarterback, it’s so unfair,” he says –intentionally or unintentionally — reminding the press about Romo’s terrible 4th quarter and his controversial vacation with Jessica Simpson. “He’s my quarterback,” T.O. says, his voice choked with emotion. But, guess what. This whole diatribe comes at a point when NOBODY ELSE HAS EVEN MENTIONED TONY ROMO’S NAME! Why do that?

If you recorded the game and post game, I urge you to watch it again. You’ll see and hear that NO ONE ASKED T.O. ABOUT TONY ROMO! No one even mentioned Romo’s name. Why suddenly inject it into the conversation unless he wanted to shift the glare of the spotlight off him and onto his “very special” quarterback friend? Isn’t that a really sneaky, underhanded way of throwing Romo under the bus? Is that the “very special” relationship ESPN is telling us about? Yeah, right! With “very special” relationships like that, who needs enemies?

Jul

31

Texans Add RB Depth with Pickup of Mike Bell

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Bell

The Texans continue to try and upgrade their running game, and today they made a move to do that, signing running back Mike Bell.  Bell was let go by the Broncos recently, and brings a resume to the Texans that includes rushing for 677 yards and eight TD’s in the 2006 season.  He also is a solid blocker in zone-blocking schemes, which is the system that the Texans are putting in place this season.

Houston needs to make sure they enter the season with some solid backs, as it’s been an area of struggle the past few seasons.  Bell could fill that role, as he is fresh after not seeing a lot of playing time in Denver last season.  The Broncos were trying to shift him to fullback, but it was not working out and they went ahead and let him go.  The Texans have been without another back, Chris Brown, an offseason pickup, who for the past few days has missed practice with back problems.

Jul

31

Top 15 Fantasy Players by Position

Filed Under Fantasy Football | Leave a Comment

Joseph Addai

Itʼs late July and that means fantasy football is getting ready to kick off.. Some players are going to come out of nowhere and flat out dominate. Some older players who used to be studs will fall off and some players will be affected by a coaching staff change or a quarterback that leaves town. It is all ways wise to do some research before walking into a draft.

The NFL is a copy cat league and there are some trends popping up fantasy owners should keep their eyes on. First running back by committee a lot have teams have made the switch. Darren McFadden or Justin Fargas would be fine backs to have but both players will split time at least early on and they will take carries away from each other. The only team that can pull that off is Jacksonville Fred Taylor and MJD are both worthy of consideration. When looking for a back stay away from Denver, Miami, Tampa Bay, Tennessee and Detroit.

The fullback is dead and has given birth to the slot receiver. Wes Welker redefined the position last year and put up crazy fantasy numbers. Expect more teams to follow the trend. If you have a receiver go down to injury or some of them end up on the same bye week you can find value on the waiver wire. The third wide out on a pass happy team wonʼt be a long term solution but can get you by in a stop gap situation.

Last but not least teams that have classified their quarterbacks as game managers are teams that donʼt have a fantasy worthy quarterback. Game Manager means 10 of 17 passing 123 yards and no touchdowns. When you think game manager think Damon Huard. Be aware of the unstable quarterback situations in Chicago, Kansas City, Minnesota, Baltimore and San Francisco.

Quarterback

1.Tom Brady- New England Patriots

2.Peyton Manning- Indianapolis Colts

3.Tony Romo- Dallas Cowboys

4.Carson Palmer- Cincinnati Bengals

5.Drew Brees- New Orleans Saints

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Jul

31

A Request for the Real Saints to Stand Up!

Filed Under New Orleans Saints | Leave a Comment

Meachem makes a catch

Let’s face it, 2007 was a fluke. The Saints were one win away from playing in their first Super Bowl ever in 2006. They were preseason favorites to take it all the way in 2007.

Then came the 0-4 start, and losing their prized running back Deuce McAllister did not help either. Then came the four-game winning streak, and everyone thought they were back from the dead. From that point on it was hit and miss. Missing the playoffs, and ending the season 7-9.

What happened?

First, it was the inconsistent play from Reggie Bush. Bush just could not give the Saints the edge in the running game, and Coach Payton was forced to go to the air.

Then you had the Saints defense not even showing up for games. You cannot expect to win football games by giving up (14) 20-plus-yard rushes and (54) 20-plus-yard completions.

This was clearly due to a defensive player being out of place, or just having the completely wrong defense called. I myself thought the defensive play calling was extremely bad last year.

As bad as the defense played last year, the Saints still had a chance to win. Drew Brees and the Saints offense still put up great numbers, Marques Colston had a pro bowl year, and had Bush not been hurt, the Saints may have made it to the playoffs. The season is over though, and the what if’s are said and done.

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Jul

31

Bucs QB Garica Injuries Calf in Morning Practice

Filed Under Injuries, Tampa Bay Bucs | 1 Comment

Garcia

With a rash of injuries across the league early in training camp, it appears that the bug has caught up with the QB spot in Tampa Bay.  It’s being reported that Bucs Pro Bowl QB Jeff Garcia was injured this morning in practice, and had to be carted off the field.  The St.Petersburg Times is reporting that Garcia was hurt in a non-contact drill when he was rolling out and throwing.  It’s being reported as a right calf injury.

Sources say that Garcia felt discomfort in his right leg, and then limped towards the sideline before being taken to the locker room.  While it’s not known if Garcia is going to try and go in the afternoon practice, Rick Stroud of the St.Pete Times reported on NFL Radio this morning that either Brian Griese or Luke McCown would likely run the number one team in the PM practice.

“I don’t believe it’s serious,” Jon Gruden said following the practice . “We’re going to get the information. He might not have much at all. Right now, until we evaluate it further, we really can’t say much else.”

Jul

31

Packers Talks Favre Trade w/ Vikings, Bears – Offer QB $20 Mil to Stay Retired

Filed Under Brett Favre, Chicago Bears, Green Bay Packers, Minnesota Vikings | 1 Comment

Favre

The Packers have discussed the possibility of trading Brett Favre to the Bears or the Vikings.  According to a report in today’s Milwaukee “Journal Sentinel”, such a trade is one of the options being considered by the Packers internally.  If Favre were traded to the Vikings, he would be playing against the Packers on opening night at Lambeau Field.  Favre and his agent met with Packers’ President Mark Murphy for several hours on Wednesday in Hattiesburg, Mississippi. 

Channel 4 (TMJ4) in Milwaukee is reporting that Murphy offered Favre 20-million-dollars over the next ten years to stay retired.  NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell has held off, so far, on approving Favre’s request for reinstatement.  However, that approval may come today.  Once it does, the Packers have 24 hours to release Favre, trade him, or put him on the active roster.

Jul

30

Jaguars Coach Del Rio Takes a Shot at Rookie Pay

Filed Under 2008 NFL Draft, Jacksonville Jaguars | Leave a Comment

Del Rio

With Jaguars first round pick Derrick Harvey still not signed, head coach Jack Del Rio issued his most emphatic review of the current state of rookie contracts, and he didn’t hold much back.

The Jaguars traded up in the draft in April to select Harvey with the 8th pick of the draft. What has made the process most difficult is the huge contract signed by the 6th pick, defensive end Vernon Gholston, a 5-year, $50 million contract with $21 million guaranteed.

“There have been some deals in front of us that are outrageous in my opinion and that makes it difficult to have him here,” said Del Rio. “We have a belief on where we’re going to go. His people have a belief on where they want to go and right now, we’re not in agreement so he’s out.”

“He’s falling behind, no question. It’s unfortunate that he’s not here,” Del Rio said. “At some point, you lose so much work that you don’t become as valuable. We’re not there yet, but it’s time to get him in camp. Hopefully he wants to be here bad enough that we work something out.”

The most recent signee, Sedrick Ellis, the 7th pick of the draft, signed a five year deal with a reported $19.5 million of the contract guaranteed.

And that’s the rub: the guaranteed money.

“What’s happened at the very top of the first round is ridiculous,” Del Rio said. “You’re paying guys who have never done anything more than star football players in this league that have played for years and established themselves at this level:it can be a little frustrating.”

Harvey has missed five days of camp so far.

Jul

30

Broncos to Release Safety Lynch; Chargers w/ Interest?

Filed Under Denver Broncos, San Diego Chargers | Leave a Comment

Lynch

While John Lynch is not happy about his playing time with the Broncos, it now appears that he may be able to find work elsewhere.  A report in the Rocky Mountain News now states that the Broncos have told Lynch that he is allowed to explore his options, both in and out of football.  Lynch left the team on Wednesday and reports say it is a difference of opinion about how much playing time he is getting in the nickle and dime defenses.

The published report says that the team is going to release Lynch on Thursday, and that he is going to be free to either sign with another team, or simply retire and start his career in television, which is what he has reportedly told people he wants to do when his playing career is over.

There appears to be one of two landing spots for Lynch, either he’ll go to a TV station and start his post-NFL career, or one team that reportedly has interest in Lynch is San Diego, the safeties hometown.  The Chargers had interest in the offseason for Lynch before he decided to go back to the Broncos.

Lynch signed a $2 million dollar deal with the Broncos in the offseason, but he’s played in just base defenses so far, and he claims he was told that when he resigned he would be able to compete in every situation.

Jul

30

Broncos Safety Lynch Leaves the Team in Reported Dispute Over Playing Time

Filed Under Denver Broncos | Leave a Comment

Lynch

It appears that long time safety John Lynch may have played his final down in the NFL, or at least for the Broncos.  The popular safety left the Denver Broncos earlier today, and is pondering his future and seems to be ready to move on to life after football.  Lynch will turn 37 in September, and told TV station KCNC today that he will consider his options both in and out of football.

The decision to leave Denver does not have everything to do with not wanting to play according to sources.  ESPN is reporting that Lynch is unhappy with his role with the team, and despite working with the first-team defense in camp so far, has not worked in nickel and dime packages.  Sources say he’s not happy with not playing as much.

It looked as if Lynch was ready to retire after last season, but Broncos owner Pat Bowlen talked him into coming back for the 2008 season.  The team has not spoken about his departure, and coach Mike Shanahan said that Lynch was excused for personal reasons.  It remains to be seen if Bowlen will try and get involved again, or if Lynch has made up his mind for good to walk away.

Jul

30

No Action on the Favre Reinstatement to be Taken Today

Filed Under Brett Favre, Green Bay Packers | Leave a Comment

Favre

It looks as if the Brett Favre saga with the Packers is going to continue.  Tomorrow.

Commissioner Roger Goodell, with reinstatement papers in hand for the future Hall of Fame QB, says that no action will be taken today in if he is going to grant the QB his freedom to play again or not.  Basically it’s just a stall tactic as Goodell still wants the Pack and Favre to settle their differences and play nice.  Doesn’t look as if it’s going to happen.

It was reported earlier today that Packers President Mark Murphy was to meet with Favre and his agent, Bus Cook, and again was going to try and talk Favre out of coming to Packers training camp and causing the biggest media circus outside the Super Bowl you’ll ever see.

The bottom line on the deal is the moment that Goodell reinstates Farve, and he is going to have to at some point, the Packers will basically have one of three decisions and 24 hours to follow through with it – they can cut him, trade him, or activate him.

The team does not want him there, and they have said that releasing him is not an option, which means the ball is in the court of only one thing – trade him.  With that goes though the fact that Favre will have to agree to show up for the team that makes a deal for him, and the Pack is going to have to find a trading partner.

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