Monthly Archives: July 2009
NFL All Decade Team: Offense
Who is the quarterback of the decade, Brady or Manning?
Training camps have opened and the final NFL season of the decade is stet to begin. It has been quite the decade in football with countless superstars that broke tons of records. The single season passing and rushing touchdown records were broken along with the single season reception record just to name a few.
With only one season left in the decade I feel there is sufficient evidence to put together an all decade team.
QB: Tom Brady
This is a two-man battle between Manning and Brady and Brady emerges victorious like he has so many times against Manning.
Manning has the slight edge in statistics and accolades earning five more Pro Bowl selections, two more All Pro selections, and two more MVP’s. But where Brady has the advantage is winning and that’s all that counts in the NFL.
Brady is a three time Super Bowl champion compared to Manning’s one and was MVP twice. Not too shabby for a sixth round pick.
Runner Up: Peyton Manning
RB: LaDainian Tomlinson
Tomlinson runs away with the honors. He has been absolutely dominant this decade and will go down as one of the best ever.
He has proven to be durable, missing only one game in his career, which is one of the hardest things to find in a running back.
In addition, L.T. scored 28 touchdowns in 2006 setting and NFL single season record. L.T. started to slow down a bit last year but there’s no doubting he’s this decades best back.
Runner Ups: Shaun Alexander, Clinton Portis, Tiki Barber, Priest Holmes, Marshall Faulk
Brett Favre to stay Retired, What it means for the Vikings
It looks like we'll never get to see Brett in purple.
If for some reason you haven’t heard already Brett Favre is re retiring and will not play for the Vikings this year… we think. Well, we hope.
After all the media hype Brett pulled the plug at the last minute when everyone thought it was a slam dunk he was coming back.
Well at least we won’t have to listen to and read about what Brett Favre ate for breakfast anymore on ESPN.
On a football related note I don’t think it has much of an affect on the Vikings. Sure Brett Favre at quarterback sounds a lot better that Sage Rosenfels or Tavaris Jackson but as we witnessed last year Favre has lost a step. He doesn’t have the same zip he used have on ball and can’t make all the throws he used to and combined with his still intact gunslinger mentality it didn’t make for a good match.
The Vikings are built to run the ball and control the clock and Favre isn’t built for that. His predilection to force the ball and take unnecessary chances is not what the Vikings offense needed.
Either Rosenfels or Jackson is better suited for the role. This team did win a division title with Jackson as it’s quarterback last year so it’s not like they can’t do it again.
Michael Vick Conditionally Reinstated, UFL Next?
Roger Goodell conditionally reinstated Michael Vick on Monday after months of speculation. The press release read as follows.
Under the conditions of the reinstatement, Vick may participate without delay in preseason practices, workouts, meetings, and may play in his club’s final two preseason games. Once the regular season begins, Vick may participate in all team activities other than games, subject to specific guidelines developed by the NFL Player Personnel Department that will be communicated to Vick and all clubs. Vick is currently an unrestricted free agent eligible to sign with any NFL club. Vick is eligible to be paid based on terms negotiated with a club.
Is the UFL in the stars for Vick? Only time will tell.
So basically Vick can sign with any team now but not play in any regular season games until Goodell makes a final decision which will happen no later than week six.
Now that his suspension is finally concrete the questions now becomes which team will sign the quarterback.
As of now Vick doesn’t appear to have many suitors with many teams stating they have no interest in him but it only takes one team to say yes.
As I ponder Vick’s uncertain NFL future one thing keeps coming back to me. The UFL.
It makes perfect sense for him. He can be the face of the league, in a league that wants him, in its inaugural season. And he wouldn’t be the first quarterback to turn down NFL offers to play in the UFL following J.P. Losman.
Training Camp Battles
Who will it be for the Jets? Sanchez or Clemens?
With some NFL training camps already beginning we’re that much closer to the NFL season. Before we get there training camp has to play out and in these long summer days players will be battling to see the field come the regular season. Here are some of the most intriguing battles with predicted opening day starters.
Jets Quarterback: Mark Sanchez vs. Kellen Clemens
Sanchez is clearly the future for the Jets but is he the present? The two enter training camp on equal footing but Clemens will have to severely outplay Sanchez to get the job. Coach Rex Ryan wants Sanchez to play but the fours years in the system will certainly help Clemens. Expect preseason game perfomance to be key in this battle.
Opening Day Starter: Sanchez- The Jets want to play smash mouth football and won’t make Sanchez do a lot in his rookie year.
Giants Receivers: Domenik Hixon vs. Steve Smith vs. Hakeem Nicks vs. Sinorce Moss
The Gimats offense floundered late last season without Plaxico Burress and replacing him wont be easy. That being said the Giants have a number of candidates for the job. Smith is a solid possession receiver who lead the Giants in catches last year but doesn’t have the talent to be a go to guy. Nicks is a talented rookie whose time will come but it’s tough for rookie wide receivers to produce right away. Moss has great speed and would be best utilized in the slot but he can’t manage to stay on the field. Hixon filled in for Burress last season and did an admirable job but struggled with consistency.
NFL Put Up or Shut Up
Ocho Cinco could be headed out of Cincinnati if he doesn't pick up his game.
The NFL season is fast approaching as players are starting to report to their respective teams training camp. Some of these players come into the season with a chip on their shoulder. Either they are coming off a bad year, were a high pick who hasn’t lived up to the hype, or is trying to prove their worth of a recent contract. Either way this might be their last chance before their team cuts ties with them. With all that said let’s take a look at this years candidates.
Chad Ocho Cinco
Chad is talking a big game this off-season and after last years embarrassment he better produce this year. Chad had his worst season since his rookie year last year but a healthy Carson Palmer should help. Hopefully Chad is as committed to regaining his old form as he is to tweeting. If Chad’s game doesn’t match his mouth this year it may be the end of Ocho Cinco in Cincinnati.
Reggie Bush
Bush, after a promising rookie year has gone downhill since. Bush hasn’t shown the ability to run in between the tackles and still like to dance in the backfield. He wants to score every play instead of taking a three yard gain. Now Bush is behind Pierre Thomas in the backfield pecking order. Unless he drastically changes his running style Bush may be nothing more that a third down back in the league.
Vernon Davis
NFL Coaches on the Hot Seat
Whose jobs will these guys be taking in 2010?
Life as an NFL coach is very tenuous. This past off season saw 11 new head coaches be hired, the most changes over one season.
Owners are in a win now mode and if they’re not pleased with the results on the field they’ve proven they’re not afraid to make a change.
Three coaches that finished with an 8-8 record or better were fired last season (Mike Shanahan, Eric Mangini, and John Gruden).
Also there are many high profile head coaches who are looking to get back in the game after this season including Bil Cowher, Mike Holmgren, and Mike Shanahan, all of who have won Super Bowls.
So let’s take a look at who may be getting the axe after the upcoming season.
Brad Childress- Minnesota Vikings
Childress is entering his fourth season as Vikings head coach after serving as the Eagles offensive coordinator. Childress has been underwhelming with a 24-24 record and only one playoff appearance which resulted in a loss. With the impending addition of Brett Favre expectations will be sky high this year and if the Vikings flame out early in the playoffs expect Childress to get the axe.
Marvin Lewis- Cincinnati Bengals
Lewis has been in Cincinnati for six seasons but only once has the team finished above .500. That added to the off the field troubles his players have gotten into does not bode well for Lewis. Lewis has also had back-to-back losing seasons and another one could spell doom for the coach.
NFL Draft in Primetime
The NFL Draft is is headed to primetime
Two years after tinkering with the draft format Roger Goodell is at it again. Goodell notified teams that the draft will be spread out over three days instead of two.
The first round will be held on Thursday in primetime at 7:30 p.m. The second on tthird rounds will follow on Friday on Friday night starting at 6:30p.m. The draft will conclude on Saturday with rounds four through seven which is slated to start at 10:00 a.m.
The draft had been on Saturday and Sunday since 1995.
Recently the draft has become bigger and bigger and last year 39 million people watched. The draft has now become the marquee event on the NFL off-season.
Also the internet has blown up with draft talk. There are now tons of websites dedicated solely to the NFL Draft and update all year round. Everyone is trying to become the next Mel Kiper who ESPN has turned into a star.
