May

31

Rams For Sale

Filed Under St. Louis Rams | Leave a Comment

rams
Well, all that gossip was true.

The St. Louis Rams are for sale.

Chip sure made a good move by turning this team in a good (so we will see…) direction. By putting Spags’ and crew in charge, he let the team be run by football people, and now that the team is officially for sale, it makes sense. Nobody wants a bad product, after all (OK, nobody wants a 3-13 team run by Jay Zygmunt and Scott Linehan, except, maybe, Detroit).

929 Million Dollars is the going price, according to Forbes, which would definitely help Chip Rosenbloom make some nice films in California. But should St. Louisians be concerned? Definitely a huge yes on that one. Why? There are no pre-conditions.

That means that should an owner who wants to move the team (I live in Seattle, so I’ll put up the Seattle Supersonics/Oklahoma Thunder as an example) buy the team, well, you can kiss them goodbye. Throw in the sketchy lease at the EJD (Edward Jones Dome) and you may be wondering why the Rams don’t seem to be in a rush to patch it up.

Apparently, according to Bernie Miklasz, Rosenbloom has been so discouraged by the lack of local interest that he opened it up to anyone, anywhere.

Rosenbloom had been, “waiting for more than a year for a St. Louis-area bidder to step forward, to no avail.” That means people in L.A., too.

Don’t expect Kroenke to bail the team out either, as to do that, he must sell his commanding stake in both the Denver Nuggets and Colorado Avalanche, which I don’t see him doing in the near future. He says he wants to hold on to his 40% share, so only 60% is for sale (which is owned by Rosenbloom and Rodriguez).

So…does anyone have 558 million dollars they’d like to spare?

May

31

Rating the Top “Triplets” in the AFC

Filed Under Picks, San Diego Chargers | Leave a Comment

rivers-tomlinson
The term “triplets” is not exactly a household term when it comes to the NFL – but you may know the dealings behind the word. “Triplets” is basically the buzz word for a teams top QB, RB, and WR. You may have heard it during the 90’s glory days of the Cowboys, when their “triplets” were QB Troy Akiman, RB Emmitt Smith, and WR Michael Irvin.

Those three (along with some other great players on those rosters) took the Cowboys to three Super Bowl wins. The Colts “triplets” in their runs was QB Peyton Manning, RB Edgerrin James, and WR Marvin Harrison. Of course they only got one Super Bowl, and James was already gone when they won it, but he was a big part of helping that team be very good for a long time.

Today we’re gonna take a look at today’s AFC version of “triplets” and see what teams are the best when it comes to the QB-RB-WR combo.

AFC East

Buffalo – QB Troy Edwards, RB Marshawn Lynch, WR Terrell Owens
NY Jets – QB Mark Sanchez, RB Thomas Jones, WR Jerricho Cotchery
New England – QB Tom Brady, RB Sammy Morris, WR Randy Moss
Miami – QB Chad Pennington, RB Ronnie Brown, WR Ted Ginn Jr.

AFC North

Cincinnati – QB Carson Palmer, RB Cedric Benson, WR Chad Ocho-Cinco
Baltimore – QB Joe Flacco, RB Willis McGahee, WR Derrick Mason
Pittsbugh – QB Ben Roethlisberger, RB Willie Parker, WR Santonio Holmes
Cleveland – QB Brady Quinn, RB Jamal Lewis, WR Braylon Edwards

AFC South

Tennessee – QB Kerry Collins, RB Chris Johnson, WR Justin Gage
Houston – QB Matt Schaub, RB Steve Slaton, WR Andre Johnson
Indianapolis – QB Peyton Manning, RB Joseph Addai, WR Reggie Wayne
Jacksonville – QB David Garrard, RB Maurice Jones-Drew, WR Torry Holt

AFC West

Oakland – QB JaMarcus Russell, RB Darren McFadden, WR Darius Hayward-Bey
Kansas City – QB Matt Cassel, RB Larry Johnson, WR Dwayne Bowe
Denver – QB Chris Simms, RB Knowshon Moreno, WR Brandon Marshall
San Diego – QB Philip Rivers, RB LaDainian Tomlinson, WR Vincent Jackson

Here’s our list of the top to bottom “triplet” threesome in the AFC

1. San Diego – Rivers is becoming a top-notch QB, L.T. has something to prove and is a former MVP, and Jackson is coming off his best season with over 1,000 yards receiving. This is the best team in the AFC West top to bottom, and they could be a sleeper in the AFC in 2009.

2. Indianapolis – A lot of this rides on Addai, and if he can stay healthy and come back with another big year like two seasons ago. Wayne is a Pro Bowl WR, and Manning is one of the top three QB’s in the game today. Will be interesting to see how the offense changes with Tom Moore gone.

3. Houston – Go ahead and laugh, but if Steve Slaton can follow up his 1282 yard rookie season with 9 TD’s on the ground with another big year, the Texans can challenge in the AFC South. Schaub threw 15 TD’s and could have a big 2009, and Johnson may be the most underrated player in the AFC.

4. New England – Despite not having a big name at running back, Sammy Morris is good enough, and Brady will look to come off his major injury and try to go right back to the record breaking season he and WR Moss had in 2008. Odds have them as the favorite to win the AFC and Super Bowl this year.

5. Pittsburgh - Ben Roethlisberger has two Super Bowls in five years, and Willie Parker can have big games if given enough carries. Holmes is coming off a Super Bowl MVP award, and could be ready to be the #1 wide out for Hines Ward.

6. Buffalo - The addition of Terrell Owens has the Bills thinking playoffs in 2009. Edwards was lights out till a concussion in week five vs the Cardinals, and Lynch will have to miss the first three game after being suspended. This trio has the making of being very good.

7. Miami - Pennington was the “Comeback Player of the Year” in 08, and proved he’s got gas left in the tank. Ronnie Brown adds another element in the “wildcat” formation and running game, and coming into this third season, Ginn Jr. looks like he can flourish as the teams #1 wide out.

8. Baltimore - This ranking will depend a lot on Flacco, who has to have a good second season as the teams starter. McGahee wasn’t even the leading rusher last year, but early thoughts are he’ll carry the ball more. Mason is a solid vet, and can still make the tough catches.

9. Cincinnati - Carson Palmer is trying to comeback off his injury which forced him to miss most of the 08 season. Cedric Benson is going to get the chance to be the feature back after ending the 08 season string, and if Ocho-Cinco can be focused and get back to being the top WR, this can be an interesting trio.

10. Tennessee – Chris Johnson says he wants to be the leagues MVP, and he showed in 2008 he’s got that talent. Collins is a vet that can make some plays, and Gage is tryng to come back after ending the year less than 100 percent.

11. Kansas City – Can Cassel be the same QB he was in New England? He’ll have every chance to be a star with the Chiefs, and with the help of Johnson running the ball, he can develop into a top AFC thrower. Bowe is looking to follow up on his 1000+ yard season in 08, and he’ll be counted on more with Tony Gonzalez gone.

12. Jacksonville - Jones-Drew will be the main ball carrier with Fred Taylor in New England, and David Garrard is looking to rebound after a sub-par 2008. Holt is out to prove he’s got gas left in the tank, and he’ll have every shot to be the #1 WR on the squad.

13. Cleveland – Two years ago the Browns offense was lethal with Derek Anderson throwing to Edwards and TE Kellen Winslow, but last season they were not too good, and Quinn took over and should be the starter in 09. Lewis is going to have his 1,000 yards, but the biggest question is Quinn, and what to expect from Edwards.

14. Oakland - Seems that the Raiders are trying to build this threesome with a piece each year. First it was Russell, then McFadden, and now this year it’s Heyward-Bey. These three have a ways to go to be good, and right now a good year from McFadden can take some pressure off of Russell, who continues to seem to struggle.

15. New York Jets – It appears despite Kellen Clemens having more snaps as a starter, the team is going to give Sanchez every shot to start. Jones has issues with his contract, but should be there when it counts and was the leading rusher in the AFC last year. Cotchery really came on, and looks like a good young WR.

16. Denver – Looks as if the Broncos are in full rebuild mode, and with the QB spot unsettled, the RB spot up in the air, and Marshall wanting a new deal, it really looks like this could be a 6-7 win season at best for new coach McDaniels and the horses.

May

30

Fran Tarkenton – A HOF Legend – and a Disappointment

Filed Under Green Bay Packers, Minnesota Vikings | Leave a Comment

tarketon
If you missed it, Fran Tarkenton, former Minnesota Vikings quarterback, decided to share his opinion about Brett Favre this week. Using wonderfully, the catchphrases of Rush Limbaugh and Daffy Duck. “I kind of hope it happens so he can fail” and “despicable.”

Tarkenton then tried to clarify his statement by saying, “No. The way I really said that is that I do hope he goes and I hope it works out,” Tarkenton said. “Because I think that will burn every bridge he has in Green Bay, and it should. Why would they want to be loyal in the memory of Brett Favre through his great career after he’s put them through this?

Maybe I can help Mr. Tarkenton understand. Most Packer fans know that Favre’s issue is not with “the Packers” or Packer fans. It is with Ted Thompson and Mike McCarthy. Even if they won’t admit it now, most Packer fans will still be Brett Favre fans once time has past and this is all history.

Like most Viking fans are still fans of Fran Tarkenton after he went from the Vikings to the Giants, then back to the Vikings and then lost three Super Bowls.

On Tarkenton’s blog, his argument emphasizes on the “TEAM” and not one player. However, it sounds to me like Tarkenton is the one who is focused on one player. He said that “[Brett] blew the game against the Giants.” He only noticed Favre’s overtime interception in the NFC Championship game? I guess he missed the 11 receptions and 154 yards by Plaxico Burress, the Packers 28 total rushing yards and the Giants missed field goal that would have won the game in regulation.

Tarkenton also mentioned that Favre “bombed” in New York. Maybe he didn’t see the Jets once dominant defense, fall apart at the seams down the stretch. And just for reference, the Jets still won more games than the Packers.

Also on his blog, Tarkenton argues that what he said doesn’t make him a grumpy old man, as someone suggested. And I agree.

I think it just made him sound like a jerk.

Packer fans may agree that Favre will put a dent in his legacy if he plays for the Vikings. There are also many that will never let anything take away what he did as a Packer.

May

30

RealScouts Names the Top 15 Interior Linemen

Filed Under Picks | 1 Comment

Redskins Camp Football
A recent Sporting News article, written by the independent analytical group “RealScouts” listed their annual top 20 Defensive Tackle rankings for 2009.

The article lists Albert Haynesworth of the Redskins as the number one tackle in the NFL. RealScouts said the following about Haynesworth: “The biggest prize of the free-agent season, Haynesworth will be a dominant run defender on a defense that already did a very good job against the run. What will help his new team is his quickness and pass-rush ability from the interior“.

Kevin Williams of the Vikings was rated as the second best overall tackle. “Williams uses quickness and a good initial burst off the ball to create penetration and disrupt plays in the backfield. Already a Pro Bowler, he thrived last season with the addition of RE Jared Allen to the Vikings’ defensive front“.

The Vikings other defensive tacle, Pat Williams was ranked number 14 overall and RealScouts had this to say about him: “Williams is an elite run-stuffer who has surprising quickness and power for a man his age (36) and size. As long as he stays healthy and has Kevin Williams and Allen lined up with him, he will continue to be an effective force“.

The Chargers were the only other team in the NFL that had two of their interior linemen listed in the top 15.

The list went as follows:

1. Haynesworth- Redskins
2. Keven Williams- Vikings
3. Vince Wilfork, Patriots
4. Haloti Ngata, Ravens
5. Chris Canty, Giants
6. Shaun Rogers, Browns
7. Casey Hampton, Steelers
8. Marcus Stroud, Bills
9. Luis Castillo, Chargers
10. Tommie Harris, Bears
11. Darnell Dockett, Cardinals
12. Jamal Williams, Chargers
13. John Henderson, Jaguars
14. Pat Williams, Vikings
15. Jay Ratliff, Cowboys

May

30

Tampa Bay QB Battle Seems to be Between Luke McCown and Byron Leftwich

Filed Under Tampa Bay Bucs | Leave a Comment

Buccaneers Camp Football
There’s been plenty of talk about who is going to be under center for the Bucs in 2009, and if your thinking it’s going to be rookie Josh Freeman, your likely going to end up wrong. PewterReport.com is stating that it’s looking more and more like the QB battle will come down to Luke McCown and Byron Leftwich.

Here’s what they had to say about it:

Buccaneers offensive coordinator Jeff Jagodzinski said the team’s quarterback competition is primarily between QBs Luke McCown and Byron Leftwich. “Their (Leftwich and McCown) recall is really good. [Quarterbacks coach Greg Olson] is doing a fantastic job with both those quarterbacks and I expect a great competition. That is good. Having good competition brings out the best. They are both making plays out here and they both running the offense efficiently. I’m real pleased about that,” Jagodzinski said.

May

30

Detroit Set to Sign Former Redskins OT Jon Jansen

Filed Under Detroit Lions, Washington Redskins | 1 Comment

jansen
The Washington Times is reporting that the Detroit Lions have agreed on a one-year deal for the veteran minimum with offensive tackle Jon Jansen, pending a physical.

Jansen was cut by the Washington Redskins earlier today and was snapped up by the Lions hours later. He played the past 9 seasons with Washington.

Coach Jim Zorn and a group of offensive assistants — led by offensive coordinator Sherman Smith and offensive line coach Joe Bugel — reached the decision about Jansen after evaluating performances during the team’s minicamp and other workouts earlier this spring.

That process culminated in a meeting yesterday morning at Redskins Park, for which Snyder dispatched his private plane to pick up Jansen, who makes his offseason home in Michigan.

Jansen was born in Clawson, Michigan and played his college career at U-M.

“I’m besides myself with excitement,” Jansen told the Times about returning to his home state with the Lions.

May

29

NFL Power Rankings Breakdown

Filed Under Media, Power Rankings | Leave a Comment


Suzy Kolber, Darren Woodson and Tim Hasselbeck breakdown the ESPN.com Power Rankings and tell you their Top 3 teams and who is the most improved and who is on the decline

May

29

Bears Sign Former Rams LB Pisa Tinoisamoa to One-Year Deal

Filed Under 2009 Free Agency, Chicago Bears, St. Louis Rams | Leave a Comment

pisa
The Bears added another solid player on defense Friday, as the Chicago Sun-Times reports that the team has come to terms on a one-year deal with former Rams LB Pisa Tinoisamoa. He led the Rams in tackles a season ago, and was let go by the team a few weeks back. Here’s the Sun-Times take on the signing:

Lovie Smith has a lot of faith in the play caller for his defense this season and the unit just added another part as linebacker Pisa Tinoisamoa agreed to terms with the Bears on a one-year deal. Tinoisamoa, who the Rams tried unsuccessfully to trade, is just the latest addition in what has been a busy offseason for general manager Jerry Angelo, who has proven the Bears are more versatile when it comes to constructing the roster, dispelling the notion it is a draft-driven franchise.

It’s a solid move for the Bears, as they add another veteran who can come in and make plays, or even come off the bench and add some depth to a defense that has added and subtracted some players after a down 2008 season.

May

29

Packers WR Driver Looking to Rework His Contract

Filed Under Green Bay Packers | Leave a Comment

NFL/

The Packers number two pass catcher wants a new deal.  Receiver Donald Driver is not happy with his current contract and wants a reworked deal, according to the Wisconsin State Journal of Madison.  He was not at the teams voluntary practice on Thursday.

The current contract for the three-time Pro Bowler will pay him $3.9 million this season and $4 million in 2010, and he’s looking for more.  “I don’t know what he’s doing,” an NFL source told the State Journal. “It makes no sense.”

Reworked deals for Driver is nothing new, as he’s reworked deals before the 2006 and 2007 seasons.  Contacted by the newspaper via e-mail, Driver’s agent, Jordan Woy, said Driver “is training in Texas and the Packers know this. It is not a mandatory camp.”

Driver is 34, and he might see the writing on the wall that the current deal he’s under could be his last as a top notch NFL player.  He’ll become more expendable as Greg Jennings continues as the Packers’ No. 1 option in the passing game.

“They knew I was going to be here,” Jennings said at the OTAs, according to the State Journal. “If something were to come up, it wouldn’t be because of my contract situation, it would be because of my family.”

May

29

A New Cowboys Offense for the the New Cowboys Stadium

Filed Under Dallas Cowboys | Leave a Comment

Cowboys Stadium Football
This time last year, 13 returning Pro-Bowlers and the closing of Texas Stadium had the Dallas Cowboy Nation chanting “Super Bowl or Bust.” But 16 games, 12 unheralded rookies, three conspiracy theorists, two released receivers and one stadium later, offensive coordinator Jason Garrett will have a new offense to usher in the new stadium.

Terrell Owens left “America’s team for North America’s team,” which makes Roy Williams the number one receiver, Felix Jones’ toe injury allowed Tashard Choice to show the coaches that he is a viable back and the drafting of the Texas A&M quarterback, Stephen McGee, brings the possibility of the chic Wildcat offense to the Cowboys.

The most auspicious change to the Dallas playbook is the lack of the deep threat that Owens brings. Williams is a tried and true receiver that brings stability to the offense, but with nine other wide outs on the depth chart that most Cowboys fans might not be able to name, opposing defenses will be able to focus on the former Lion.

No longer will Romo have Owens to be his safety net (and scapegoat). Tight end Jason Witten is now the most productive receiver in Big D and will have to line up on the opposite side of Williams if Garrett plans on spreading out defenses.

In order to avoid giving defenses a pre-snap tell, the playbook will have to feature more double-tight end sets, putting the unproven second year tight end Martellus Bennett on the field a lot more than last season. This move will force defensive coordinators to respect more than just Williams and Witten.

The wide receivers should face a lot of one-on-one situations because defenses stacking eight or nine men in the box to defend against the three running backs that have emerged in Dallas. Marion Barber III, Jones and Choice each proved last season that than are capable to offering major contributions to the offense. This means that Jason Garrett will, literally, be able to run the gamut.

Barber and fullback Deon Anderson will dominate between the tackles, Jones can run and catch passes on the outside while the shifty Choice acts as the wild card in the running game. There is no part of the ground game that is off limits for the 2009-10 Cowboys, not even the Wildcat offense.

It is no secret that the owner and Arkansas alum Jerry Jones has been leaning toward adopting this offense. So much, in fact, that there were whispers of the organization’s interest in a returning Michael Vick. After ousting one media madman, drafting Stephen McGee makes a little more sense.

He ran an option-based offense with the Aggies. His 4.66 speed and a former Razorback, Jones, in the backfield make the perfect setting to run the popular college style game in Dallas.

Changes in key personnel open up many possibilities for the new-look Dallas Cowboys. A team that was once flashy and filled with highlights will become an old style team that runs the ball to set up the passing game. This works to the advantage of Garrett that played on a Cowboys team that utilized weapons like Emmitt Smith and Michael Irvin in the same way that Barber and Williams will compliment each other.

The only unanswered question is if this team can leave the past in Texas Stadium and turn over a new leaf in the opening year of Cowboys Stadium.

Next Page →