Wednesday, December 29, 2010
Monday, May 17, 2010
Saints’ expectation is to appear in Super Bowl
Winning the Super Bowl XLIV championship was something historical to the New Orleans Saints, a team won the title in their first appearance in Super Bowl. People suddenly realized that this is a great team with great potentials to beat another team with much better records. However, higher expectation is not necessarily good to the defending champion team of 2010 season.
According to recent reports and analysts, the Super Bowl XLIV winner still has great chance to have Super Bowl XLV patch stitched on the Saints jerseys, but would unlikely to hold the champion trophy again in early 2011. No matter what the strongest opponent team is to compete with team for the championship, problems existing before the 2009 season and happening after the Super Bowl win could still prevent the Saints from winning a second consecutive Super Bowl title.
The Saints have had a strong offense but lowly ranked defense since the beginning of 2009 season. With the weakness not removed all through the season, they still managed to reach the playoffs. But that was last season. For this new 2010 season, all other teams know better of the Saints’ scheme, and curiously, the defending champion has not made much improvement to their defense. If any other team manages to beat all the other teams to meet the Saints in the playoffs, it could meet the champion with long-time preparation to penetrate their relatively weak defense. The Super Bowl XLV is very likely to end with an unexpected winner and the Saints return home with regrets and determination to improve and get closer to the final win, but that would be another story in 2012.
According to recent reports and analysts, the Super Bowl XLIV winner still has great chance to have Super Bowl XLV patch stitched on the Saints jerseys, but would unlikely to hold the champion trophy again in early 2011. No matter what the strongest opponent team is to compete with team for the championship, problems existing before the 2009 season and happening after the Super Bowl win could still prevent the Saints from winning a second consecutive Super Bowl title.
The Saints have had a strong offense but lowly ranked defense since the beginning of 2009 season. With the weakness not removed all through the season, they still managed to reach the playoffs. But that was last season. For this new 2010 season, all other teams know better of the Saints’ scheme, and curiously, the defending champion has not made much improvement to their defense. If any other team manages to beat all the other teams to meet the Saints in the playoffs, it could meet the champion with long-time preparation to penetrate their relatively weak defense. The Super Bowl XLV is very likely to end with an unexpected winner and the Saints return home with regrets and determination to improve and get closer to the final win, but that would be another story in 2012.
Friday, May 14, 2010
Vikings receivers Rice and Harvin are candidates for receptions leader
The Minnesota Vikings witnessed young wide receivers rising up to be stars and leaders in pass catches. While third-year pro Sidney Rice led the team in receptions with 83 catches, rookie receiver Harvin was as impressive as the starter with 60 receptions. So, just as expected, both are qualified candidates for 2010 receptions leader.
The other candidates include receiver Bernard Berrian, running back Adrian Peterson and tight end Visanthe Shiancoe. All of them have great chances of becoming the leader, but Rice and Harvin obviously have more advantages.
With 60 catches in his first year of wearing Minnesota Vikings jersey, Harvin was named the 2009 AP Offensive Rookie of the Year. After showing his great hands and explosion during last season, he is on a solid ground to receive more playing time to narrow the gap between himself and Rice.
With excellent playing skills and flexible catch radius, Rice managed to become quarterback Brett Favre’s favorite target in 2009. So if Favre returns and Rice stays with the Vikings, the receiver is very likely to remain the receptions leader of the team. But if Rice was signed away by another team, the title will most likely to go to Harvin.
The other candidates include receiver Bernard Berrian, running back Adrian Peterson and tight end Visanthe Shiancoe. All of them have great chances of becoming the leader, but Rice and Harvin obviously have more advantages.
With 60 catches in his first year of wearing Minnesota Vikings jersey, Harvin was named the 2009 AP Offensive Rookie of the Year. After showing his great hands and explosion during last season, he is on a solid ground to receive more playing time to narrow the gap between himself and Rice.
With excellent playing skills and flexible catch radius, Rice managed to become quarterback Brett Favre’s favorite target in 2009. So if Favre returns and Rice stays with the Vikings, the receiver is very likely to remain the receptions leader of the team. But if Rice was signed away by another team, the title will most likely to go to Harvin.
Wednesday, May 12, 2010
Former basketball player Greg Paulus joined Saints as quarterback
The New Orleans Saints are actually in lack of an experienced veteran quarterback to be back up for Drew Brees, but at the moment they just add more rookie quarterbacks and it seems that they may get a quarterback from the green-hand group.
Two days after the rookie minicamp ended, the Saints signed another undrafted free agent, quarterback Greg Paulus, who used to play basketball in college but converted to football in senior year. Now the Saints have as many as three options in backup quarterback, including Chase Daniel and Sean Canfield.
"I think anybody that could be put in the same category as Drew Brees, that's something you want to be a part of,” Paulus told the New Orleans Times-Picayune. “He's just won a Super Bowl, he's had an unbelievable career in the NFL and just to be considered for something like that—trying to be a part of his team—that's something that I'd love to have."
By so far, the backup quarterback of last season, Mark Brunell, is still uncertain about whether to continue wearing Saints jersey. It’s been reported that the New York Jets hold interests in him, but the player himself seems still like staying with the Saints. If he returns, Daniel, Paulus and Canfield will be contenders for the No.3 quarterback.
Two days after the rookie minicamp ended, the Saints signed another undrafted free agent, quarterback Greg Paulus, who used to play basketball in college but converted to football in senior year. Now the Saints have as many as three options in backup quarterback, including Chase Daniel and Sean Canfield.
"I think anybody that could be put in the same category as Drew Brees, that's something you want to be a part of,” Paulus told the New Orleans Times-Picayune. “He's just won a Super Bowl, he's had an unbelievable career in the NFL and just to be considered for something like that—trying to be a part of his team—that's something that I'd love to have."
By so far, the backup quarterback of last season, Mark Brunell, is still uncertain about whether to continue wearing Saints jersey. It’s been reported that the New York Jets hold interests in him, but the player himself seems still like staying with the Saints. If he returns, Daniel, Paulus and Canfield will be contenders for the No.3 quarterback.
Tuesday, May 4, 2010
Addition of Charles Brown caused trade discussion on Jammal Brown
The New Orleans currently have two outside linebackers with surname of Brown: restricted free agent Jammal Brown, and rookie Charles Brown. At first it was considered to be a good thing to Saints defense, but later people began to worry whether the addition of young Brown could make elder Brown expendable to the Saints.
Basically, Jammal Brown has done a good job with the Saints as a left tackle. Being drafted by the Saints as a first-round pick in 2005, he started at left tackle from 2006 to 2008. However, he missed all of the 2009 season because of injuries and became a restricted free agent in March. As he has not signed a new contract offer of $3.6 million a year, there is simply good chance for him to take off Saints jersey and play with a new team. Missing all the team’s offseason program by so far, Jammal seems ready to leave the New Orleans. But reportedly, both sides still have the intention to retain the relationship, so what we are sure now is that Jammal is going to play for 2010 season, whichever team he is going to play with.
As for Charles, who was taken from the second round of 2010 NFL draft, he is totally a green hand but his performance during college football career was just amazing enough to make him a good fit in Saints defense. With the experience of starting at tight end and left tackle for the Trojans respectively in 2008 and 2009, the young Brown has been highly expected to improve Saints’ defense a lot, or at least offer the team with more freedom to rearrange the line.
Basically, Jammal Brown has done a good job with the Saints as a left tackle. Being drafted by the Saints as a first-round pick in 2005, he started at left tackle from 2006 to 2008. However, he missed all of the 2009 season because of injuries and became a restricted free agent in March. As he has not signed a new contract offer of $3.6 million a year, there is simply good chance for him to take off Saints jersey and play with a new team. Missing all the team’s offseason program by so far, Jammal seems ready to leave the New Orleans. But reportedly, both sides still have the intention to retain the relationship, so what we are sure now is that Jammal is going to play for 2010 season, whichever team he is going to play with.
As for Charles, who was taken from the second round of 2010 NFL draft, he is totally a green hand but his performance during college football career was just amazing enough to make him a good fit in Saints defense. With the experience of starting at tight end and left tackle for the Trojans respectively in 2008 and 2009, the young Brown has been highly expected to improve Saints’ defense a lot, or at least offer the team with more freedom to rearrange the line.
Friday, April 30, 2010
Saints defense will better with addition of CB Robinson
Many New Orleans Saints fans were disappointed when Drew Brees announced the team’s first choice in the 2010 NFL draft to be former Florida State corner back Patrick Robinson, as the previously expected the team to choose a outside linebacker that was actually urgently needed to improve the Saints defense. However, if we have a deeper consideration, we can see Saints had made the best choice they could make with the last picks of all rounds.
Firstly, we can have a view on how the Saints solved the problems with outside linebacker. When it was the Saints’ turn to make a choice in the first round, there was actually no good choice with outside linebackers. Besides, the Saints still have defensive players like Jonathan Casillas, Jo-Lonn Dunbar, Marvin Mitchell, Anthony Waters, Stanley Arnoux and veteran Troy Evans to play at outside linebacker in replacement of former starter Scott Fujita, who was signed away by the Cleveland Browns during free agency. Soon after the draft ended, the Saints took further action by inviting Jacksonville Jaguars free agent outside linebacker Clint Ingram to a tryout. Ingram has an experience of being starter for four years with the Jaguars and has had 159 tackles, 5.5 sacks, two interceptions, one defensive touchdown and one forced fumble during his career. If there is no other better choice, Ingram could just be the perfect replacement to Fujita.
Now that the outside linebacker is no longer an urgent need, we may have better understanding that the addition of a cornerback like Robinson is really a wise move. It’s not only because Robinson was the best player waiting for a call at the end of the first-round pick, but also because his arrival offers the team more freedom in moving cornerback Malcolm Jenkins to safety in case free agent Darren Sharper makes his decision to take off New Orleans Saints jersey for a new team. What’s more important, a fast and athletic cornerback like Robinson could offer great cover for receivers and allow defensive coordinator Gregg Williams to carry out his scheme in a perfect way.
Firstly, we can have a view on how the Saints solved the problems with outside linebacker. When it was the Saints’ turn to make a choice in the first round, there was actually no good choice with outside linebackers. Besides, the Saints still have defensive players like Jonathan Casillas, Jo-Lonn Dunbar, Marvin Mitchell, Anthony Waters, Stanley Arnoux and veteran Troy Evans to play at outside linebacker in replacement of former starter Scott Fujita, who was signed away by the Cleveland Browns during free agency. Soon after the draft ended, the Saints took further action by inviting Jacksonville Jaguars free agent outside linebacker Clint Ingram to a tryout. Ingram has an experience of being starter for four years with the Jaguars and has had 159 tackles, 5.5 sacks, two interceptions, one defensive touchdown and one forced fumble during his career. If there is no other better choice, Ingram could just be the perfect replacement to Fujita.
Now that the outside linebacker is no longer an urgent need, we may have better understanding that the addition of a cornerback like Robinson is really a wise move. It’s not only because Robinson was the best player waiting for a call at the end of the first-round pick, but also because his arrival offers the team more freedom in moving cornerback Malcolm Jenkins to safety in case free agent Darren Sharper makes his decision to take off New Orleans Saints jersey for a new team. What’s more important, a fast and athletic cornerback like Robinson could offer great cover for receivers and allow defensive coordinator Gregg Williams to carry out his scheme in a perfect way.
Wednesday, April 28, 2010
Chance for LB Thomas to join Saints is small
While the New Orleans Saints did not address much help to their defense after the three-day 2010 NFL draft, there is a good defensive lineman available now as the New England Patriots just released 11-year veteran Adalius Thomas. However, analysts pointed out that Thomas would not be a good solution to Saints’ defensive problems.
Solely looking at Thomas’ statistics could give us an impression that he could do well both at linebacker and defensive end, and his versatility could help the Saints a lot in improving the relatively weak defense line. Joining the Patriots in 2007 as a free agent, Thomas has had 146 tackles, 14 sacks, 14 pass deflections, 2 forced fumbles and 1 interception returned for a touchdown. During the first seven seasons he spent with the Baltimore Ravens, Thomas made two Pro Bowls respectively in 2003 and 2006. However, the main factor preventing him from putting on the Saints jersey could be the 3-4 schemes he has been used to play in.
Both the Ravens and Patriots hold 3-4 schemes and thus Thomas has been a 3-4 defensive player for his entire career and it would be hard for him to adjust to Saints’ 4-3 scheme. Although there are good examples of 3-4 linebacker making successful transition to 4-3 defensive end, it’s just unlikely to happen with Thomas. Even if the Saints are interested in signing him, Thomas himself may just hesitate to accept the offer. Instead, he could possibly choose the New York Jets, who are also interested and hold a 3-4 scheme.
Solely looking at Thomas’ statistics could give us an impression that he could do well both at linebacker and defensive end, and his versatility could help the Saints a lot in improving the relatively weak defense line. Joining the Patriots in 2007 as a free agent, Thomas has had 146 tackles, 14 sacks, 14 pass deflections, 2 forced fumbles and 1 interception returned for a touchdown. During the first seven seasons he spent with the Baltimore Ravens, Thomas made two Pro Bowls respectively in 2003 and 2006. However, the main factor preventing him from putting on the Saints jersey could be the 3-4 schemes he has been used to play in.
Both the Ravens and Patriots hold 3-4 schemes and thus Thomas has been a 3-4 defensive player for his entire career and it would be hard for him to adjust to Saints’ 4-3 scheme. Although there are good examples of 3-4 linebacker making successful transition to 4-3 defensive end, it’s just unlikely to happen with Thomas. Even if the Saints are interested in signing him, Thomas himself may just hesitate to accept the offer. Instead, he could possibly choose the New York Jets, who are also interested and hold a 3-4 scheme.
Monday, April 26, 2010
Saints still made some good choices with late picks
Winning the team’s first Super Bowl championship last season, the New Orleans Saints were given late picks in all rounds of this year’s NFL draft and really have few choices when it was their turn to pick. However, they still managed to make some good choices that are expected to improve some positions with the team.
First let’s have a look at Saints newly drafted players from all rounds. The team used the 32nd pick of the first round to draft Florida State cornerback Patrick Robinson, interestingly the same choice with the one they made in the first round of last season’s draft and with the first pick of the Vikings, who also made their first choice with a cornerback. Then the Saints selected a tackle from USC, Charles Brown and tight end Jimmy Graham from Miami-Florida. The last few choices in the final rounds included defensive tackle AI Woods from LSU, center Matt Tennant from Boston College and the last one was quarterback Sean Canfield from Oregon State.
Then we can have an analysis on what help these newly drafted players could offer to this season’s defending champion team. First of all, the addition of another cornerback is highly expected to bolster the team’s defense, which was a relatively weak point with the Super Bowl XLIV winner.
The selection of tackle Brown was not taken as necessary but it simply is not a choice. Tight end Graham could be a perfect backup for another former Hurricanes tight end, Jeremy Shockey, who is now wearing No. 88 Saints jersey. Woods has proven his talent in football and is expected to develop into a great defensive tackle if he sticks with the position and learns well.
There is no doubt that the Saints had a lucky pick with center Tennant, who was previously rated as one of the best two centers with Maurkice Pouncey from Florida. With Tennant’s arrival, the Saints could finally find the right answer to problems with this position.
Then it turns to the last pick quarterback Canfield, who is definitely not the worst quarterback in the draft. While it is for sure that Drew Brees will keep his starting job with the Saints, there is good chance for Canfield to be given the backup job in his first or second season.
First let’s have a look at Saints newly drafted players from all rounds. The team used the 32nd pick of the first round to draft Florida State cornerback Patrick Robinson, interestingly the same choice with the one they made in the first round of last season’s draft and with the first pick of the Vikings, who also made their first choice with a cornerback. Then the Saints selected a tackle from USC, Charles Brown and tight end Jimmy Graham from Miami-Florida. The last few choices in the final rounds included defensive tackle AI Woods from LSU, center Matt Tennant from Boston College and the last one was quarterback Sean Canfield from Oregon State.
Then we can have an analysis on what help these newly drafted players could offer to this season’s defending champion team. First of all, the addition of another cornerback is highly expected to bolster the team’s defense, which was a relatively weak point with the Super Bowl XLIV winner.
The selection of tackle Brown was not taken as necessary but it simply is not a choice. Tight end Graham could be a perfect backup for another former Hurricanes tight end, Jeremy Shockey, who is now wearing No. 88 Saints jersey. Woods has proven his talent in football and is expected to develop into a great defensive tackle if he sticks with the position and learns well.
There is no doubt that the Saints had a lucky pick with center Tennant, who was previously rated as one of the best two centers with Maurkice Pouncey from Florida. With Tennant’s arrival, the Saints could finally find the right answer to problems with this position.
Then it turns to the last pick quarterback Canfield, who is definitely not the worst quarterback in the draft. While it is for sure that Drew Brees will keep his starting job with the Saints, there is good chance for Canfield to be given the backup job in his first or second season.
Friday, April 23, 2010
New rumors about Vikings interested in signing DT Haynesworth
Among all the news about teams picking or trading drafts annually, the move of unsigned free agents mostly fall into rumors, and one of these rumors said that the Minnesota Vikings, who quite first-round draft by trading their 30th pick to the Detroit Lions, could be planning to sign defensive tackle Albert Haynesworth away from the Washington Redskins.
According to earlier reports, Haynesworth is having some unhappiness with Redskins new head coach Mike Shanahan, mainly because the coach plans to install a 3-4 defense and may move Haynesworth from his current position to a new spot that he is unwilling to play at. More than once the tackle spoke publicly about his hopes for being traded out of Washington. Now that the Vikings are rumored to be having discussion with the Redskins about the possible trade, Haynesworth could be happy to move from a losing team to a potential Super Bowl champion team.
The remaining question is whether it is possible for the Vikings to pick the trouble causer Haynesworth. The team has already had Pat Williams, Jared Allen and Kevin Williams in Vikings jerseys on the defensive line and there is hardly advantage in having them work with Haynesworth.
According to earlier reports, Haynesworth is having some unhappiness with Redskins new head coach Mike Shanahan, mainly because the coach plans to install a 3-4 defense and may move Haynesworth from his current position to a new spot that he is unwilling to play at. More than once the tackle spoke publicly about his hopes for being traded out of Washington. Now that the Vikings are rumored to be having discussion with the Redskins about the possible trade, Haynesworth could be happy to move from a losing team to a potential Super Bowl champion team.
The remaining question is whether it is possible for the Vikings to pick the trouble causer Haynesworth. The team has already had Pat Williams, Jared Allen and Kevin Williams in Vikings jerseys on the defensive line and there is hardly advantage in having them work with Haynesworth.
Wednesday, April 21, 2010
Saints will play their first Thanksgiving Day game
As the NFL announced the schedules of 2010 season, the 2009 Super Bowl champion team New Orleans Saints are set to play the first game of the brand new season, and the franchise’s first Thanksgiving Day game at Dallas. Another attractive thing with Saints’ new season is that their first game will be against the Minnesota Vikings.
As this season will be Saints’ first season to defend their championship and Vikings’ another season of making it closer to the championship competition, the season opener between the two teams on September 9 Thursday night will definitely attract enough fans to watch the game, which also means high audience rating. It can be also expected that both Saints jerseys and Vikings jerseys will be on hot sales. And everything will be even hotter, if Brett Favre finally decides to return with the Vikings. Whichever team wins the opener, there will be huge disappointed crowds on one side and as excited crowds on the other side.
According to the league schedules, the Saints have only three other night games beside the season opener. One of the games will be played on Sept. 20 Monday night against the San Francisco 49ers, the third night game is a home game on Oct. 31 Sunday night against the Pittsburgh Steelers, and the last night game is on Dec. 27 Monday night at Atlanta against the Falcons.
As this season will be Saints’ first season to defend their championship and Vikings’ another season of making it closer to the championship competition, the season opener between the two teams on September 9 Thursday night will definitely attract enough fans to watch the game, which also means high audience rating. It can be also expected that both Saints jerseys and Vikings jerseys will be on hot sales. And everything will be even hotter, if Brett Favre finally decides to return with the Vikings. Whichever team wins the opener, there will be huge disappointed crowds on one side and as excited crowds on the other side.
According to the league schedules, the Saints have only three other night games beside the season opener. One of the games will be played on Sept. 20 Monday night against the San Francisco 49ers, the third night game is a home game on Oct. 31 Sunday night against the Pittsburgh Steelers, and the last night game is on Dec. 27 Monday night at Atlanta against the Falcons.
Tuesday, April 13, 2010
Rams will receiver visits of draft quarterbacks
With the first overall draft pick in hand, the St. Louis Rams is getting prepared for the April 22nd draft picking. As a preliminary collection of the possible best rookies’ information, they are going to host two college quarterbacks this week. The two are the No. 1 overall pick Sam Bradford and No. 13 overall pick Colt McCoy.
According to reports from the NFL.com, Bradford from Oklahoma will best the first to make the visit. He is scheduled to arrive on Tuesday and stay until Wednesday, and the next day the Rams are scheduled to receiver visit of Texas’ McCoy, who will stay until Thursday. Each quarterback has his own advantages and disadvantages. Bradford has ideal height and good mobility and won the Heisman Trophy as a redshirt sophomore in 2008, but he is just coming off a shoulder injury on his throwing arm and in need of adding weight to withstand the pounding in professional games. By comparison, McCoy has less strength with his arm. He is accurate in short passing game but needs to improve the accuracy in long passes down the field and toward the sideline. However, McCoy is a natural leader with high character and can control the game with his intelligence.
As the Rams released veteran quarterback Marc Bulger earlier this month, they seem determined to get a best replacement from the draft, and by so far it seems that Bradford is more likely to have the chance of putting on Rams jersey as the No. 1 overall quarterback, but McCoy is also having big chance as he gave pretty good impression to the team during last week’s private workout with the Rams.
According to reports from the NFL.com, Bradford from Oklahoma will best the first to make the visit. He is scheduled to arrive on Tuesday and stay until Wednesday, and the next day the Rams are scheduled to receiver visit of Texas’ McCoy, who will stay until Thursday. Each quarterback has his own advantages and disadvantages. Bradford has ideal height and good mobility and won the Heisman Trophy as a redshirt sophomore in 2008, but he is just coming off a shoulder injury on his throwing arm and in need of adding weight to withstand the pounding in professional games. By comparison, McCoy has less strength with his arm. He is accurate in short passing game but needs to improve the accuracy in long passes down the field and toward the sideline. However, McCoy is a natural leader with high character and can control the game with his intelligence.
As the Rams released veteran quarterback Marc Bulger earlier this month, they seem determined to get a best replacement from the draft, and by so far it seems that Bradford is more likely to have the chance of putting on Rams jersey as the No. 1 overall quarterback, but McCoy is also having big chance as he gave pretty good impression to the team during last week’s private workout with the Rams.
Monday, April 12, 2010
WR Holmes may miss four games with suspension
According to reports, wide receiver Santonio Holmes may not be allowed to play four of the regular-season games in 2010 season as the league is likely to give him a four-game suspension for some kind of policy-violation. However, that did not prevent the New York Jets to make decision of trading him from the Pittsburgh Steelers.
A possible policy that Holmes violated is the NFL’s substance-abuse policy and it remains uncertain if he has tested positive for prohibited substance, so it could be another type of violation. He has history of receiving suspension for having public incidents involving drugs—the receiver was suspended by his then team, the Steelers for one game after being cited for marijuana possession in 2008. He is also currently involved in a case of attaching a woman in an Orlando night club and that could also cause suspension for violating behavior rules.
The former Super Bowl MVP’s off-field issues simply reduced his value on trade market and the Steelers only got a fifth-round draft pick from the trade with the Jets while Holmes was a first-round draft pick in 2006. However, finishing last season with 1248 receiving yards and five touchdowns, Holmes is still expected to play some important role in green and white Jets jersey just as he did while playing in black and gold Steelers jersey.
A possible policy that Holmes violated is the NFL’s substance-abuse policy and it remains uncertain if he has tested positive for prohibited substance, so it could be another type of violation. He has history of receiving suspension for having public incidents involving drugs—the receiver was suspended by his then team, the Steelers for one game after being cited for marijuana possession in 2008. He is also currently involved in a case of attaching a woman in an Orlando night club and that could also cause suspension for violating behavior rules.
The former Super Bowl MVP’s off-field issues simply reduced his value on trade market and the Steelers only got a fifth-round draft pick from the trade with the Jets while Holmes was a first-round draft pick in 2006. However, finishing last season with 1248 receiving yards and five touchdowns, Holmes is still expected to play some important role in green and white Jets jersey just as he did while playing in black and gold Steelers jersey.
Friday, March 26, 2010
RFA LB Johnson will stay with Chiefs
The Kansas City Chiefs succeeded in retaining restricted free agent linebacker Derrick Johnson, who has spent all of his first five seasons with the Chiefs since putting on NFL jersey as a first-round draft pick in 2005.
Johnson, 27, was the former leader of the Chiefs’ defense but fell out of favor last season, starting just three games and compiling a career-low 37 tackles. He did begin to see more time late in the year, though, and returned two interceptions for touchdowns in a Week 17 win over the Denver Broncos. By keeping him in the Chiefs jersey, the team expects Johnson to be in the running for a starting spot next to Demorrio Williams in the 2010 season.
Along with Johnson, offensive lineman Ikechuku Ndukwe also signed restricted free agent tender with the Chiefs. Since being acquired from the Miami Dolphins before the 2009 season, Ndukwe has been used by the Chiefs as a rotational player, playing in 12 games and starting three. He is expected to remain a versatile backup both at guard and tackle for the 2010 season.
Johnson, 27, was the former leader of the Chiefs’ defense but fell out of favor last season, starting just three games and compiling a career-low 37 tackles. He did begin to see more time late in the year, though, and returned two interceptions for touchdowns in a Week 17 win over the Denver Broncos. By keeping him in the Chiefs jersey, the team expects Johnson to be in the running for a starting spot next to Demorrio Williams in the 2010 season.
Along with Johnson, offensive lineman Ikechuku Ndukwe also signed restricted free agent tender with the Chiefs. Since being acquired from the Miami Dolphins before the 2009 season, Ndukwe has been used by the Chiefs as a rotational player, playing in 12 games and starting three. He is expected to remain a versatile backup both at guard and tackle for the 2010 season.
Thursday, March 25, 2010
Raiders will let QBs Russell and Gradkowski compete for starting job
The Oakland Raiders will let quarterbacks JaMarcus Russell and Bruce Gradkowski compete for the starting job, at least it is what the team’s head coach Tom Cable plans to do. It seems that the competition has already started.
The former first-round pick Russell actually failed to live up to expectation last season. He should just feel lucky that he still have another chance to compete for the starting job at quarterback as he is no longer the coach’s favorite. If he wants to be a starting quarterback again, he really needs to spend as much time as possible on studying his divisional opponents and self-scouting his own game in the film room.
As for Gradkowski, who is in his second year of wearing the Raiders jerseys, he will not just wait for the coach to announce the result of competition. Having proved that he can win on the road with 80.6 QB rating, 6 TDs, 3 INTs, he will definitely make the best use of the opportunity to show that he can also lead the Raiders to winning season.
The former first-round pick Russell actually failed to live up to expectation last season. He should just feel lucky that he still have another chance to compete for the starting job at quarterback as he is no longer the coach’s favorite. If he wants to be a starting quarterback again, he really needs to spend as much time as possible on studying his divisional opponents and self-scouting his own game in the film room.
As for Gradkowski, who is in his second year of wearing the Raiders jerseys, he will not just wait for the coach to announce the result of competition. Having proved that he can win on the road with 80.6 QB rating, 6 TDs, 3 INTs, he will definitely make the best use of the opportunity to show that he can also lead the Raiders to winning season.
Wednesday, March 24, 2010
Raiders signed back three free agents
The Oakland Raiders made an announcement on Tuesday that they have signed back unrestricted free agent defensive tackle William Joseph and restricted free agents linebacker Ricky Brown and fullback Luke Lawton. None of the three managed to play through last season without missing a game.
Joseph played 14 games over the past two seasons, all for the Raiders, although he was cut by the Raiders for three times and became a free agent twice. Fortunate to him, each time he was eventually able to wear back the Raiders jersey to play for the team again.
Brown played only five games at strongside linebacker last season as he suffered a season-ending ankle injury on Week 5. Gaining enough health back to play football again, he has the chance to start at the middle linebacker if the Raiders decide not to bring back restricted free agent Kirk Morrison.
As for Lawton, he missed the final two games of last season and will miss another two at the beginning of next season because he has been given a two-game suspension by the league for using performance enhancing substances.
Joseph played 14 games over the past two seasons, all for the Raiders, although he was cut by the Raiders for three times and became a free agent twice. Fortunate to him, each time he was eventually able to wear back the Raiders jersey to play for the team again.
Brown played only five games at strongside linebacker last season as he suffered a season-ending ankle injury on Week 5. Gaining enough health back to play football again, he has the chance to start at the middle linebacker if the Raiders decide not to bring back restricted free agent Kirk Morrison.
As for Lawton, he missed the final two games of last season and will miss another two at the beginning of next season because he has been given a two-game suspension by the league for using performance enhancing substances.
Tuesday, March 23, 2010
DE Peppers wants to thank DT Gilbert for jersey number
Joining the Chicago Bears on a $91.5 million, six-year contract, defensive end Julius Peppers was also offered to continue wearing No. 90 NFL jersey, a number that was previously worn by Bears defensive tackle Jarron Gilbert. Gilbert did not say anything about having to change jersey number, but Peppers is determined to thank him through proper ways.
"I hit him up about it, but it was kind of late because they had already announced that I was going to get it,’ Peppers told Vaughn McClure of the Chicago Tribune. "When I talked to him, he was like, ‘It’s all good.’ I told him I appreciated it and that I had to do something to show my appreciation. (Gilbert) told me not to even worry about it, but I’m going to hook him up anyway. What am I going to get him? I don’t know yet. I’m still trying to decide, think about what’s going to be good. I didn’t even meet him yet. I’m going to meet him and see what he likes and then try to hook him up with something.”
Peppers is the second player to take away Gilbert’s jersey number in one year but could be the first to thank him for doing that. Wearing No. 90 at San Jose State before he was drafted by the Bears as a third-round pick last year, Gilbert had to change to No. 73 because the number 90 was already worn by linebacker Joey LaRocque. He wore back NO. 90 after LaRocque was released but had to give it up again when the Bears signed Peppers from the free agent market.
"I hit him up about it, but it was kind of late because they had already announced that I was going to get it,’ Peppers told Vaughn McClure of the Chicago Tribune. "When I talked to him, he was like, ‘It’s all good.’ I told him I appreciated it and that I had to do something to show my appreciation. (Gilbert) told me not to even worry about it, but I’m going to hook him up anyway. What am I going to get him? I don’t know yet. I’m still trying to decide, think about what’s going to be good. I didn’t even meet him yet. I’m going to meet him and see what he likes and then try to hook him up with something.”
Peppers is the second player to take away Gilbert’s jersey number in one year but could be the first to thank him for doing that. Wearing No. 90 at San Jose State before he was drafted by the Bears as a third-round pick last year, Gilbert had to change to No. 73 because the number 90 was already worn by linebacker Joey LaRocque. He wore back NO. 90 after LaRocque was released but had to give it up again when the Bears signed Peppers from the free agent market.
Monday, March 22, 2010
Coyotes had ninth consecutive win on Sunday night
Beating the Dallas Stars 3-2 on Sunday night, the Phoenix Coyotes made a franchise record with nine consecutive victories. By so far they have won eight straight tiebreakers, five during the nine-game streak and improved to 12-4 in shootouts.
“For a team that not supposed to have a lot of skill, we’re finding ways to win, especially in a shootout,” wearing the No. 1 Coyotes jersey, goalie Jason LaBarbera said. “We just have so much confidence in this room right now and I think that’s the big difference. The confidence right now is unreal and you just want to compete hard for the guy next to you and it’s working well.”
The last time when the team won nine consecutive games was in 1985 when the team was named the Winnipeg Jets that moved to Phoenix in 1996 to become current Coyotes. The franchise now has 97 points to match the Chicago Blackhawks for the most in the Western Conference, emerging as a black horse of this season.
“For a team that not supposed to have a lot of skill, we’re finding ways to win, especially in a shootout,” wearing the No. 1 Coyotes jersey, goalie Jason LaBarbera said. “We just have so much confidence in this room right now and I think that’s the big difference. The confidence right now is unreal and you just want to compete hard for the guy next to you and it’s working well.”
The last time when the team won nine consecutive games was in 1985 when the team was named the Winnipeg Jets that moved to Phoenix in 1996 to become current Coyotes. The franchise now has 97 points to match the Chicago Blackhawks for the most in the Western Conference, emerging as a black horse of this season.
Friday, March 19, 2010
Former Seahawks DE Tapp will compete for starting job in Philadelphia
25-year-old defensive end Darryl Tapp officially said goodbye to free agency two days after a trade between the Philadelphia Eagles and the Seattle Seahawks. A three-year contract will keep him in the Eagles jersey through the 2012 season and he will have a chance to compete for the starting job at left defensive end.
“I think a change of scenery will be good,” Tapp said. “I guess last year I had 2 1/2 sacks, but honestly in my eyes, I feel like it was my best year. I had 2 1/2 sacks and 18 quarterback hits. Last year was just a difficult situation with the circumstances that we had in Seattle. So, stats don’t always tell the story. It’s what you see on the surface.”
During the four seasons with the Seahawks, Tapp totally had 18 sacks, two interceptions, eight forced fumbles and four fumble recoveries in 64 games. And his competitors for the starting job include Victor Vbiamiri and Juqua Parker. If he wins the job, he will co-work with Pro Bowl right end Trent Cole on defensive line.
“I think a change of scenery will be good,” Tapp said. “I guess last year I had 2 1/2 sacks, but honestly in my eyes, I feel like it was my best year. I had 2 1/2 sacks and 18 quarterback hits. Last year was just a difficult situation with the circumstances that we had in Seattle. So, stats don’t always tell the story. It’s what you see on the surface.”
During the four seasons with the Seahawks, Tapp totally had 18 sacks, two interceptions, eight forced fumbles and four fumble recoveries in 64 games. And his competitors for the starting job include Victor Vbiamiri and Juqua Parker. If he wins the job, he will co-work with Pro Bowl right end Trent Cole on defensive line.
Tuesday, March 16, 2010
Packers extended contracts with safety Collins and NT Pickett
The Green Bay Packers finally fulfilled their promises to two of their free agents by signing two long-term contract extension with safety Nick Collins and nose tackle Ryan Pickett to secure the services of the two cornerstones in the team’s defense.
The team did not release details of either deal. Collins’ agents, Dave Butz and Alan Herman, confirmed a report on the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel’s Web site that Collins’ deal was for three years and $23.4 million. Unrestricted free agent Pickett received the franchise tag earlier this offseason when negotiation on the contract extension was still going on, so the deal that was agreed on Friday should be a great one.
“The Packers always try to be proactive in our discussions with our current players and we are pleased we were able to come to an agreement with Nick,” Packers general manager Ted Thompson said in a statement. “Nick has been an impact player for us, and we look forward to having him continue his career as a Packer.”
Having 13 interceptions the last two seasons, Collins was selected to his second straight Pro Bowl last season despite unhappiness with his contract status, and Pickett has been a vital part of what was one of the league’s best run defenses since putting on Packers jersey as a free agent before the 2006 season.
The team did not release details of either deal. Collins’ agents, Dave Butz and Alan Herman, confirmed a report on the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel’s Web site that Collins’ deal was for three years and $23.4 million. Unrestricted free agent Pickett received the franchise tag earlier this offseason when negotiation on the contract extension was still going on, so the deal that was agreed on Friday should be a great one.
“The Packers always try to be proactive in our discussions with our current players and we are pleased we were able to come to an agreement with Nick,” Packers general manager Ted Thompson said in a statement. “Nick has been an impact player for us, and we look forward to having him continue his career as a Packer.”
Having 13 interceptions the last two seasons, Collins was selected to his second straight Pro Bowl last season despite unhappiness with his contract status, and Pickett has been a vital part of what was one of the league’s best run defenses since putting on Packers jersey as a free agent before the 2006 season.
Friday, March 12, 2010
Cardinals QB Leinart does not worry about his starting job
With the retirement of quarterback Kurt Warner, the Arizona Cardinals’ next choice of starting quarterback could only be Matt Leinart unless they sign a veteran like Jake Delhomme or Derek Anderson to compete with Leinart for the starting job. That means there is still possibility for Leinart to lose his starting job; however, he seems not to worry about that much.
"It’s my time and I know that," Leinart told KTAR-AM. "I’m working my butt off to get ready. … Competition makes you better, I’m aware of that. To be honest with you, I’m not really worried about anything. I don’t know if that’s cockiness or not. I’m confident that I can do it. I’ve been in the system for three years. To me it doesn’t really matter because I’m focused on my job.”
Leinart also said that he would take the doubts from doubters as his motivation to do a better job at his position. With such confidence, Leinart is taking his time to prove his ability to be a starter in the fifth year of wearing Cardinals jersey.
"It’s my time and I know that," Leinart told KTAR-AM. "I’m working my butt off to get ready. … Competition makes you better, I’m aware of that. To be honest with you, I’m not really worried about anything. I don’t know if that’s cockiness or not. I’m confident that I can do it. I’ve been in the system for three years. To me it doesn’t really matter because I’m focused on my job.”
Leinart also said that he would take the doubts from doubters as his motivation to do a better job at his position. With such confidence, Leinart is taking his time to prove his ability to be a starter in the fifth year of wearing Cardinals jersey.
Wednesday, March 10, 2010
Seahawks QB Wallace was traded to Browns
On Monday night, the Seattle Seahawks confirmed that they have made a deal with the Cleveland Browns, trading backup quarterback Seneca Wallace to Browns for an undisclosed 2011 draft pick. The trade is also considered to be one part of Browns current team president Mike Holmgren’s plan of restructuring Browns with players from his former team, the Seahawks.
“This will give Seneca a chance for a fresh start,” Seattle general manager John Schneider said in a statement. “The Browns front office’s familiarity with his abilities will give him an opportunity to compete for playing time. We wish him nothing but the best.”
Formerly the Seahawks head coach, Holmgren took Wallace as one of his favorite players, and that could be the major reason why he made effort to bring Wallace to Cleveland. So, putting on the Browns jersey, what Wallace could do for the new team?
Being drafted by the Seahawks as a fourth-round pick in 2003, Wallace has spent his entire seven-year career with the team and has played in totally 46 games, starting 14 games at quarterback with 25 career touchdowns. He was used sometimes at wide receiver and returner and had four pass catches for 76 yards and 214 rushing yards. His best season was 2008 when he started eight games with 1,532 throwing yards and 11 touchdowns. He was also given starting job last season for two games when original starter Matt Hasselbeck was sidelined with injury. Therefore, what the Browns brought to their offensive line was a versatile player who has considerable experience as a starter. Not a bad deal.
“This will give Seneca a chance for a fresh start,” Seattle general manager John Schneider said in a statement. “The Browns front office’s familiarity with his abilities will give him an opportunity to compete for playing time. We wish him nothing but the best.”
Formerly the Seahawks head coach, Holmgren took Wallace as one of his favorite players, and that could be the major reason why he made effort to bring Wallace to Cleveland. So, putting on the Browns jersey, what Wallace could do for the new team?
Being drafted by the Seahawks as a fourth-round pick in 2003, Wallace has spent his entire seven-year career with the team and has played in totally 46 games, starting 14 games at quarterback with 25 career touchdowns. He was used sometimes at wide receiver and returner and had four pass catches for 76 yards and 214 rushing yards. His best season was 2008 when he started eight games with 1,532 throwing yards and 11 touchdowns. He was also given starting job last season for two games when original starter Matt Hasselbeck was sidelined with injury. Therefore, what the Browns brought to their offensive line was a versatile player who has considerable experience as a starter. Not a bad deal.
Sunday, March 7, 2010
Tim Tebow sold autograph for Tim Tebow Foundation
The former Florida quarterback Tim Tebow has not decided which team’s NFL jersey to put on for his pro career, but he has already been considered to be a super-star-like player whose autograph is wanted by many people even at high price.
According to the Florida Times-Union, Tebow appeared Saturday at Palm Beach Autograph, and an estimated crowd of 1,500 people were in attendance to pay $160 for a Tebow autograph. Per the reports, part of the proceeds will go to the Tim Tebow Foundation. Besides the autograph, event attendees could also chip in $75 for photos with Tebow.
“It’s an honor to have people want to want you and want to have your autograph and want to be around you. That’s special to have an opportunity to sign for people, but it’s more special to be able to do things like we’re doing and being able to really just brighten kids’ days in really their darkest hour of need, which is a lot of what my foundation is about.” Tebow said. “I’m just so excited that I have the opportunity to do this and just make a difference in kids’ lives.”
Even not a pro NFL player yet, Tebow has been busy with public-service activities. Before the autograph-signing event, he went to Jacksonville’s Brooks Rehabilitation Center on Friday to visit a teenager who was shot by another teen in January. In preparation for his NFL career, he is also scheduled to conduct individual workouts for the Buffalo Bills and the Seattle Seahawks following his Pro Day workout.
According to the Florida Times-Union, Tebow appeared Saturday at Palm Beach Autograph, and an estimated crowd of 1,500 people were in attendance to pay $160 for a Tebow autograph. Per the reports, part of the proceeds will go to the Tim Tebow Foundation. Besides the autograph, event attendees could also chip in $75 for photos with Tebow.
“It’s an honor to have people want to want you and want to have your autograph and want to be around you. That’s special to have an opportunity to sign for people, but it’s more special to be able to do things like we’re doing and being able to really just brighten kids’ days in really their darkest hour of need, which is a lot of what my foundation is about.” Tebow said. “I’m just so excited that I have the opportunity to do this and just make a difference in kids’ lives.”
Even not a pro NFL player yet, Tebow has been busy with public-service activities. Before the autograph-signing event, he went to Jacksonville’s Brooks Rehabilitation Center on Friday to visit a teenager who was shot by another teen in January. In preparation for his NFL career, he is also scheduled to conduct individual workouts for the Buffalo Bills and the Seattle Seahawks following his Pro Day workout.
Saturday, March 6, 2010
Colts retained LB Brackett with five-year deal
The Indianapolis Colts linebacker Gary Brackett has wished that he could finish his NFL career as a Colt, and that may come true- the Colts have offered him a new contract that will keep him in the Colts jersey for the next five years, just a few hours after the 29-year-old linebacker officially became an unrestricted free agent.
“Obviously, this is a great place to play and when you get a chance to stay a Colt for life, you usually jump at it,” Brackett said during a news conference at the team’s complex. “That’s why I wanted to do everything within my power to make this my home.”
According to reports, the five-year contract will offer Brackett a pay $33 million, including a $12 million signing bonus and is likely to make him the team’s highest-paid linebacker in a decade. It’s lucky enough for Brackett to be able to stay with the Colts after becoming unrestricted free agent, and such a big contract is easily taken as the reward for Brackett’s performance during the seven seasons he has spent all only with the Colts.
Colts have rarely made offers to retain unrestricted free agent linebackers. Since the end of the 2002 season, they have allowed four linebackers to leave as unrestricted free agents, including Mike Peterson, Marcus Washington, Cato June and David Thornton.
“Obviously, this is a great place to play and when you get a chance to stay a Colt for life, you usually jump at it,” Brackett said during a news conference at the team’s complex. “That’s why I wanted to do everything within my power to make this my home.”
According to reports, the five-year contract will offer Brackett a pay $33 million, including a $12 million signing bonus and is likely to make him the team’s highest-paid linebacker in a decade. It’s lucky enough for Brackett to be able to stay with the Colts after becoming unrestricted free agent, and such a big contract is easily taken as the reward for Brackett’s performance during the seven seasons he has spent all only with the Colts.
Colts have rarely made offers to retain unrestricted free agent linebackers. Since the end of the 2002 season, they have allowed four linebackers to leave as unrestricted free agents, including Mike Peterson, Marcus Washington, Cato June and David Thornton.
Friday, March 5, 2010
Bills re-signed safety Scott with a two-year contract
On a day full of news about teams releasing players or making tender offers, the two-year contract the Buffalo Bills offered to safety Bryan Scott sounded so favorable by confirming a long-term relationship between a team and one of its players.
Scott’s agent, Edward Johnson, said the two sides are still completing the final details of the deal, which was reached prior to the start of the NFL’s free agency period, which opens on Friday. The seven-year veteran proved his value by giving consistent performance on an injury-depleted defense last season except for missing seven games because of injuries.
Entering the third season of wearing Bills jersey, Scott opened the season as a starting strong safety before missing his first five games of last season with sprained left ankle. But when a rash of injuries hit the team’s linebackers, he came out in time to fill in and started six games at weak-side linebacker. Then he missed another two games, the final two of the regular season, because he sustained a head injury.
Scott’s agent, Edward Johnson, said the two sides are still completing the final details of the deal, which was reached prior to the start of the NFL’s free agency period, which opens on Friday. The seven-year veteran proved his value by giving consistent performance on an injury-depleted defense last season except for missing seven games because of injuries.
Entering the third season of wearing Bills jersey, Scott opened the season as a starting strong safety before missing his first five games of last season with sprained left ankle. But when a rash of injuries hit the team’s linebackers, he came out in time to fill in and started six games at weak-side linebacker. Then he missed another two games, the final two of the regular season, because he sustained a head injury.
Thursday, March 4, 2010
Bears seem interested in free agent DE Peppers
According to latest reports, the Chicago Bears were spot talking with Carl Carey, representative for free agent defensive end Julius Peppers. As it happened just a few days before the March 5 deadline for free agency, people could not help guessing what’s going on between the two sides.
Carey has no other active NFL client than Peppers. If the Bears were talking with him about signing Peppers, they would be on the hook for tampering NFL rules that do not allow conversations between the agents for looming free agents and potentially interested teams before the deadline day for free agency. Violation of tampering rules can result in fines and forfeiting draft picks for a franchise.
The 6-7, 283-pound defensive end was not designated with a franchise tag by the Carolina Panthers for 2010 season, so it’s almost sure that he will take off Panthers jersey by the end of the last league year to be an unrestricted free agent. And it has been reported that he is already on the free-agent watch list of several teams like the Washington Redskins, New England Patriots and Philadelphia Eagles.
Carey has no other active NFL client than Peppers. If the Bears were talking with him about signing Peppers, they would be on the hook for tampering NFL rules that do not allow conversations between the agents for looming free agents and potentially interested teams before the deadline day for free agency. Violation of tampering rules can result in fines and forfeiting draft picks for a franchise.
The 6-7, 283-pound defensive end was not designated with a franchise tag by the Carolina Panthers for 2010 season, so it’s almost sure that he will take off Panthers jersey by the end of the last league year to be an unrestricted free agent. And it has been reported that he is already on the free-agent watch list of several teams like the Washington Redskins, New England Patriots and Philadelphia Eagles.
Jaguars signed WR Williamson back after Holt’s departure
Wide receiver Troy Williamson wore back the Jacksonville Jaguars jersey Tuesday, not long after he was released by the team last month. Thanks to Torry Holt, who was released later than Williamson and left a hole to the Jaguars’ offensive line.
Williamson was formerly a first-round draft pick by the Minnesota Vikings and was traded to the Jaguars after spending 3 three seasons in Minnesota. If not being signed back by the Jaguars, he would have become a restricted free agent on Friday.
Earning the starting job last year, Williamson however did not keep that job for long and lost it to Holt after sustaining a season-ending shoulder injury in Week 2. Having 87 receptions for 1,131 yards and four touchdowns in his five-year career, Williamson will be given a chance to compete for the starting job again with Mike Walker.
Williamson was formerly a first-round draft pick by the Minnesota Vikings and was traded to the Jaguars after spending 3 three seasons in Minnesota. If not being signed back by the Jaguars, he would have become a restricted free agent on Friday.
Earning the starting job last year, Williamson however did not keep that job for long and lost it to Holt after sustaining a season-ending shoulder injury in Week 2. Having 87 receptions for 1,131 yards and four touchdowns in his five-year career, Williamson will be given a chance to compete for the starting job again with Mike Walker.
Tuesday, March 2, 2010
Judge dismissed two charges against Steelers kicker Reed
The Pittsburgh Steelers kicker Jeff Reed now does not have to face charges of simple assault and resisting arrest, but he still has to face two other charges of disorderly conduct and public drunkenness.
All the charges were caused by an incident that happened on October 18 last year outside of a bar near Heinz Field. According to reports by the Associated Press, Reed allegedly took a “fighting stance” when officers tried to cite another man in Steelers jersey, tight end Matt Spaeth, for disorderly conduct because Spaeth was seen urinate in a parking lot. When a police officer ordered Reed to go back into his vehicle, Reed was alleged to raise his fists at the officer.
The judge said that “something was there” between Reed and police on Oct. 18, 2009, several hours after the Steelers beat the Cleveland Browns 27-14, but it didn’t rise to the level of simple assault or resisting arrest.
A decision will be made in six weeks on whether to hold Reed for trial on charges of disorderly conduct and public drunkenness. And the judge wants Reed to perform 40 hours of community service instead of fine. If Reed is willing to do that, the judge would consider dropping the remaining two charges.
All the charges were caused by an incident that happened on October 18 last year outside of a bar near Heinz Field. According to reports by the Associated Press, Reed allegedly took a “fighting stance” when officers tried to cite another man in Steelers jersey, tight end Matt Spaeth, for disorderly conduct because Spaeth was seen urinate in a parking lot. When a police officer ordered Reed to go back into his vehicle, Reed was alleged to raise his fists at the officer.
The judge said that “something was there” between Reed and police on Oct. 18, 2009, several hours after the Steelers beat the Cleveland Browns 27-14, but it didn’t rise to the level of simple assault or resisting arrest.
A decision will be made in six weeks on whether to hold Reed for trial on charges of disorderly conduct and public drunkenness. And the judge wants Reed to perform 40 hours of community service instead of fine. If Reed is willing to do that, the judge would consider dropping the remaining two charges.
Sunday, February 28, 2010
Raiders QB Russell will have to compete for starting job
According to the Oakland Raiders Coach Tom Cable, quarterback JaMarcus Russell, who was formerly the No. 1 overall pick of 2007 draft, will not be guaranteed with a starting job as the team considers the best thing for all quarterbacks in Raiders jerseys is a competition. That is to say, Russell will have to compete with some other quarterbacks for the starting job in 2010 season.
"I have not put a lot of thought into this at this point," Cable said when asked about naming Russell the starter. "JaMarcus is working and doing the things he should be doing right now. He’ll get himself prepared to compete for the job. I think that’s the only way to look at it. That would help our football team right now, getting into more of that competition. I’m for having guys go at it and battle for the job."
Currently the Raiders have three other quarterbacks on their roster: Charlie Frye, Bruce Gradkowski and J.P. Losman. And there are still possibility that the team may acquire quarterback outside the team.
"I have not put a lot of thought into this at this point," Cable said when asked about naming Russell the starter. "JaMarcus is working and doing the things he should be doing right now. He’ll get himself prepared to compete for the job. I think that’s the only way to look at it. That would help our football team right now, getting into more of that competition. I’m for having guys go at it and battle for the job."
Currently the Raiders have three other quarterbacks on their roster: Charlie Frye, Bruce Gradkowski and J.P. Losman. And there are still possibility that the team may acquire quarterback outside the team.
Saturday, February 27, 2010
Former Eagles RB Westbrook confirmed Eagles won’t keep QB Vick
Now running back Brian Westbrook was a free agent after being released by the Philadelphia Eagles. He began to understand more about NFL business and believes that the Eagles will not keep quarterback Michael Vick.
Westbrook seemed a bit disappointed with the decision made by the Eagles, who drafted him but released him after nine seasons.
"I was a little bit surprised. Thinking they maybe would give me an opportunity to renegotiate things," Westbrook said. "For [the Eagles], it’s always business, it’s always money. … We left it on good terms. I wouldn’t say they were bad terms at all."
As they did not hesitate to release a nine-year Eagle, it is almost sure that the Eagles will think less in getting rid of a one-year guy, who did not show much value during the only season in Philadelphia. So Westbrook said “definitely” Vick will put on another team’s NFL jerseys and predicted that the quarterback would be traded as that could not only save the Eagles a lot of money but also could bring them some wanted player as the price for Vick.
Westbrook seemed a bit disappointed with the decision made by the Eagles, who drafted him but released him after nine seasons.
"I was a little bit surprised. Thinking they maybe would give me an opportunity to renegotiate things," Westbrook said. "For [the Eagles], it’s always business, it’s always money. … We left it on good terms. I wouldn’t say they were bad terms at all."
As they did not hesitate to release a nine-year Eagle, it is almost sure that the Eagles will think less in getting rid of a one-year guy, who did not show much value during the only season in Philadelphia. So Westbrook said “definitely” Vick will put on another team’s NFL jerseys and predicted that the quarterback would be traded as that could not only save the Eagles a lot of money but also could bring them some wanted player as the price for Vick.
Friday, February 26, 2010
Lions are open to everything that helps improve team
The Detroit Lions finished the past 2009 season 2-14 and had totally 30 losses in the previous two seasons. They were bad enough and eager to have improvements. So it’s no surprise that they are willing to offer the No. 2 pick in the draft as the price for a trade and they have intention to pursuit free agent running back LaDainian Tomlinson.
“We’re open to just about everything,” Detroit coach Jim Schwartz said Thursday at the NFL scouting combine. “Whether you keep the second pick or whether you trade down, it doesn’t change what you have to do—that’s make good decisions in the draft. There are blue chip players available a lot of different spots in the draft.”
Ranking 24th in the league with 101 yards per game and improving from 0-16 in 2008 to only 2-14 last year, the Lions are in need of upgrading their running back. Having Tomlinson put on Lions jersey is not a bad idea, so we can expect the two sides to start negotiation in near future.
“We’re open to just about everything,” Detroit coach Jim Schwartz said Thursday at the NFL scouting combine. “Whether you keep the second pick or whether you trade down, it doesn’t change what you have to do—that’s make good decisions in the draft. There are blue chip players available a lot of different spots in the draft.”
Ranking 24th in the league with 101 yards per game and improving from 0-16 in 2008 to only 2-14 last year, the Lions are in need of upgrading their running back. Having Tomlinson put on Lions jersey is not a bad idea, so we can expect the two sides to start negotiation in near future.
Thursday, February 25, 2010
Former Patriots FB Tatupu passed away at 54
Although he was never a superstar as an NFL player, he has been liked and will be remembered by many New England Patriots fans. 54-year-old Mosi Tatupu, father of Seattle Seahawks linebacker Lofa Tatupu, died Tuesday at Sturdy Memorial Hospital in Attleboro.
“I know that I share a heavy heart today with Patriots fans everywhere who have learned of Mosi Tatupu’s passing,” team owner Robert Kraft said in a statement. He was a dominant special teams player and a punishing rusher who loved the Patriots as much as the fans did.”
Tatupu was an eighth-round pick by the Patriots in 1978 and played 13 of his 14 NFL seasons in the Patriots jerseys, with last season being spent with the then Los Angeles Rams. Rushing for 2,415 yards and 18 touchdowns in his career, Tatupu had his best season in 1983 with 578 rushing yards.
Tatupu was beloved by Patriots fans for his play on kickoff and punt teams and even had his own cheering section known as “Mosi’s Mooses.” He made to Pro Bowl in 1986 as a special teams player and was also on the Patriots 50th anniversary team last season.
“I know that I share a heavy heart today with Patriots fans everywhere who have learned of Mosi Tatupu’s passing,” team owner Robert Kraft said in a statement. He was a dominant special teams player and a punishing rusher who loved the Patriots as much as the fans did.”
Tatupu was an eighth-round pick by the Patriots in 1978 and played 13 of his 14 NFL seasons in the Patriots jerseys, with last season being spent with the then Los Angeles Rams. Rushing for 2,415 yards and 18 touchdowns in his career, Tatupu had his best season in 1983 with 578 rushing yards.
Tatupu was beloved by Patriots fans for his play on kickoff and punt teams and even had his own cheering section known as “Mosi’s Mooses.” He made to Pro Bowl in 1986 as a special teams player and was also on the Patriots 50th anniversary team last season.
Wednesday, February 24, 2010
Panthers will let DE Peppers go free
As defensive end Julius Peppers expected, the Carolina Panthers announced Tuesday that they have no plan to place franchise tag on him, letting Thursday’s deadline pass by and Peppers make his own choice about his future career as an unrestricted free agent.
“With the magnitude of the contract, the tender that it would take to franchise him and how it fits into the big picture with our team, we made the decision to not franchise him,” Panthers GM Marty Hurney said. “Obviously, it’s a very difficult decision because he’s a tremendous player.”
Thus after March 5, Peppers will have the right to sign with any team he likes to play for. Seeming happy to learn that the Panthers would not tag him, Peppers released a statement through his agent on the same day, saying that he felt good to have the opportunity to visit with other teams and his next goal will be to find the right match for his skill set. Forget the eight seasons he played in Panthers jerseys, and try to believe his new phase of career will be better, or at least as good as he has expected.
“With the magnitude of the contract, the tender that it would take to franchise him and how it fits into the big picture with our team, we made the decision to not franchise him,” Panthers GM Marty Hurney said. “Obviously, it’s a very difficult decision because he’s a tremendous player.”
Thus after March 5, Peppers will have the right to sign with any team he likes to play for. Seeming happy to learn that the Panthers would not tag him, Peppers released a statement through his agent on the same day, saying that he felt good to have the opportunity to visit with other teams and his next goal will be to find the right match for his skill set. Forget the eight seasons he played in Panthers jerseys, and try to believe his new phase of career will be better, or at least as good as he has expected.
Tuesday, February 23, 2010
Becoming free agent again, WR Owens becomes friends with QB McNabb
It had been known for years that there are feuds between wide receiver Terrell Owens and Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Donovan McNabb. But recently Owens, becoming an unrestricted free agent this offseason, said that he is friends with McNabb now.
"I can honestly say I appreciate those years and Donovan and I are friends and, actually we were just hanging out last night as a matter of fact," McNabb said. "So it was one of those things where, again, it started off well, it didn’t end well. Sometimes, I wish it could have ended on a positive note."
During the two seasons Owen played in Eagles jerseys, he was unhappy with his contract, with management, coaches and former Eagles defensive end Hugh Douglas and eventually chose to leave the City of Brotherly Love. Well, after three seasons with the Dallas Cowboys and one uneventful, unproductive season with the Buffalo Bills, he becomes a free agent again and need to get along well with any possible chance to a new deal. Possibly he could be an Eagle again, and then good terms with the team’s star quarterback are absolutely necessary.
"I can honestly say I appreciate those years and Donovan and I are friends and, actually we were just hanging out last night as a matter of fact," McNabb said. "So it was one of those things where, again, it started off well, it didn’t end well. Sometimes, I wish it could have ended on a positive note."
During the two seasons Owen played in Eagles jerseys, he was unhappy with his contract, with management, coaches and former Eagles defensive end Hugh Douglas and eventually chose to leave the City of Brotherly Love. Well, after three seasons with the Dallas Cowboys and one uneventful, unproductive season with the Buffalo Bills, he becomes a free agent again and need to get along well with any possible chance to a new deal. Possibly he could be an Eagle again, and then good terms with the team’s star quarterback are absolutely necessary.
Monday, February 22, 2010
Questions to be answered this week
Usually, a lot of questions would be asked about the NFL and their players during the offseason. When there is no game, some begin to rest, some are to reconsider their choices and some get ready to compete for their chances.
The first of all questions to be answered: who will be the most impressive at the Combine that begins Wednesday in Indianapolis? Draft prospects are timed, measured, tested, interviewed, and thoroughly scrutinized. And quarterbacks Jimmy Clausen and Sam Bradford are now the hottest topics.
The next question is about franchise tag and the answer will come out no later than Thursday. Whether Saints safety Darren Sharper, Raiders defensive end Richard Seymour and Patriots defensive tackle Vince Wilfork will be tagged or enter free agents market? Both teams and players need to make imminent decision. Also, Panthers defensive end Julius Peppers and Cardinals linebacker Karlos Dansby is likely to be free agents but there are still other possibilities.
Then there are questions about who are to leave their current teams. As teams are looking to avoid paying imminent roster bonuses, some prominent veterans could be released and some others may put on new teams’ NFL jerseys after being traded.
The first of all questions to be answered: who will be the most impressive at the Combine that begins Wednesday in Indianapolis? Draft prospects are timed, measured, tested, interviewed, and thoroughly scrutinized. And quarterbacks Jimmy Clausen and Sam Bradford are now the hottest topics.
The next question is about franchise tag and the answer will come out no later than Thursday. Whether Saints safety Darren Sharper, Raiders defensive end Richard Seymour and Patriots defensive tackle Vince Wilfork will be tagged or enter free agents market? Both teams and players need to make imminent decision. Also, Panthers defensive end Julius Peppers and Cardinals linebacker Karlos Dansby is likely to be free agents but there are still other possibilities.
Then there are questions about who are to leave their current teams. As teams are looking to avoid paying imminent roster bonuses, some prominent veterans could be released and some others may put on new teams’ NFL jerseys after being traded.
Sunday, February 21, 2010
WR Moss does not expect to stay with Patriots
The New England Patriots wide receiver Randy Moss believes that the Patriots won’t be regretful if he takes off Patriots jersey to find new job elsewhere in 2010 season, although there is still one year left on his current three-year, $27 million contract with the Patriots.
Moss told reporters that he believes so because he knows what the team is considering about the finance. The Patriots will have to pay $6.4 million in base salary to Moss if he finishes the last season on the contract.
"I understand the beast, the nature of it. I think that just with what I think and what I know I don’t think they’re going to re-sign me back. So, after this season if there is not a lockout I’ll be looking for a new team," the Boston Globe quoted Moss as saying. "I got a lot of respect for the Patriots and what they did for me and my family. So, the only thing I can do is just play this year out and see what my future holds after that."
The 33-year-odl receiver caught 83 passes for 1,264 yards and 13 touchdowns last season, including four TD passes in the final three weeks of the regular season.
Moss told reporters that he believes so because he knows what the team is considering about the finance. The Patriots will have to pay $6.4 million in base salary to Moss if he finishes the last season on the contract.
"I understand the beast, the nature of it. I think that just with what I think and what I know I don’t think they’re going to re-sign me back. So, after this season if there is not a lockout I’ll be looking for a new team," the Boston Globe quoted Moss as saying. "I got a lot of respect for the Patriots and what they did for me and my family. So, the only thing I can do is just play this year out and see what my future holds after that."
The 33-year-odl receiver caught 83 passes for 1,264 yards and 13 touchdowns last season, including four TD passes in the final three weeks of the regular season.
Saturday, February 20, 2010
Vikings LT McKinnie has to pay NFL $4,000 for missing Pro Bowl game
The Minnesota Vikings left tackle Bryant McKinnie had his reasons to miss the Pro Bowl game, but he still has to pay back the league for the absence. According to what the NFL announced on Friday, McKinnie is required to play $4,285 reimbursement for expenses incurred that week in Miami.
McKinnie has said that he did not put on Pro Bowl jersey for the NFC all-star team because of injury on his foot. And also there was miscommunication about his desire to withdraw from the team. Thus he skipped most of the team practices and obligations, and was then dismissed from the NFC all-star squad.
The results for McKinnie’s also included forfeiting his $22,500 game check. Additional action from the league could be taken after the league’s competition committee reviews the matter so as to avoid similar things in future Pro Bowl games.
McKinnie has said that he did not put on Pro Bowl jersey for the NFC all-star team because of injury on his foot. And also there was miscommunication about his desire to withdraw from the team. Thus he skipped most of the team practices and obligations, and was then dismissed from the NFC all-star squad.
The results for McKinnie’s also included forfeiting his $22,500 game check. Additional action from the league could be taken after the league’s competition committee reviews the matter so as to avoid similar things in future Pro Bowl games.
Friday, February 19, 2010
Titans guard Amano received multiyear contract
The Tennessee Titans made an announcement Wednesday that they have agreed to a multiyear contract with veteran guard Eugene Amano, who is a key piece to the team’s offensive line and started 41 games in his past six NFL seasons.
Over the last two years the Titans’ offensive line has ranked second in the league in rushing yards (4,791) and is tied with the Indianapolis Colts for the fewest sacks allowed. For last year only, the offensive line paved the way for running back Chris Johnson to become just the sixth player in NFL history to gain 2,000 yards in one season and became the first NFL team to allow 15 or fewer sacks and average more than five yards per carry.
By signing Amano the Titans avoided losing him in free agent market as the guard was to become an unrestricted free agent March 5 if without contract. But in order to keep the team’s offensive line one of the best in NFL, the Titans should also sign veteran center Kevin Mawae, who is entering his 16th NFL season and will also become an unrestricted free agent March 5 if without contract. However, the center has said that he does not expect to wear back the Titans jersey as the team seems also weighing backup center Leroy Harris.
Over the last two years the Titans’ offensive line has ranked second in the league in rushing yards (4,791) and is tied with the Indianapolis Colts for the fewest sacks allowed. For last year only, the offensive line paved the way for running back Chris Johnson to become just the sixth player in NFL history to gain 2,000 yards in one season and became the first NFL team to allow 15 or fewer sacks and average more than five yards per carry.
By signing Amano the Titans avoided losing him in free agent market as the guard was to become an unrestricted free agent March 5 if without contract. But in order to keep the team’s offensive line one of the best in NFL, the Titans should also sign veteran center Kevin Mawae, who is entering his 16th NFL season and will also become an unrestricted free agent March 5 if without contract. However, the center has said that he does not expect to wear back the Titans jersey as the team seems also weighing backup center Leroy Harris.
Wednesday, February 10, 2010
Vikings fans want Favre to stay
In order to persuade quarterback Brett Favre to stay with the Minnesota Vikings, a group of Vikings fans used advertising space on a digital billboard near Favre’s home to send message, hoping the 40-year-old quarterback could make his mind to continue wearing No. 4 Vikings jersey for another season.
“Hey No. 4, do Minnesota fans love you and want you back next year? You Brettcha!” the message reads.
The group of more than 122,000 people has also collected photos, videos and posted messages from the fans to mail to Favre, and the plan was made by Jay Tappe of Minneapolis one day after the Vikings lost the NFC championship game to the New Orleans Saints.
“We never really got to give Brett a good send-off or a standing ovation or anything, because they finished the season on the road,” Tappe said. “My thought was to put up a billboard that he sees every morning.”
The plan also includes raising fund through a website, vikesfans4favre.com and getting Vikings defensive end Jared Allen to record a video encouraging fans to join the cause. By so far, they have raised $2,600. It was enough to keep the billboard up for the month and the remaining money will be donated to the foundation of Favre’s wife to help disadvantaged women in their fight against breast cancer. And Allen is one of Favre’s biggest fans who welcomed the legendary quarterback to Vikings after Favre got out of retirement and signed with the Vikings.
“Hey No. 4, do Minnesota fans love you and want you back next year? You Brettcha!” the message reads.
The group of more than 122,000 people has also collected photos, videos and posted messages from the fans to mail to Favre, and the plan was made by Jay Tappe of Minneapolis one day after the Vikings lost the NFC championship game to the New Orleans Saints.
“We never really got to give Brett a good send-off or a standing ovation or anything, because they finished the season on the road,” Tappe said. “My thought was to put up a billboard that he sees every morning.”
The plan also includes raising fund through a website, vikesfans4favre.com and getting Vikings defensive end Jared Allen to record a video encouraging fans to join the cause. By so far, they have raised $2,600. It was enough to keep the billboard up for the month and the remaining money will be donated to the foundation of Favre’s wife to help disadvantaged women in their fight against breast cancer. And Allen is one of Favre’s biggest fans who welcomed the legendary quarterback to Vikings after Favre got out of retirement and signed with the Vikings.
WR Stallworth will try his chance with new team
One day after wide receiver Donte’ Stallworth was reinstated to the NFL, his old team Cleveland Browns announced that the team released him. One day after being released, his agent told media that the receiver will work out for another NFL team on Wednesday.
“He is in the best shape he’s been in since I’ve been representing him,” Rosenhaus said. “His reinstatement was a very smooth process. He’s developed a very good rapport with (NFL Commissioner) Roger Goodell.” Rosenhaus did not identify the team Stallworth will visit.
Stallworth pleaded guilty in June to DUI manslaughter for striking and killing a pedestrian with his car in Miami Beach, Fla., drawing a suspension from the league. The 29-year-old receiver caught 17 passes for 170 yards and one touchdown while playing the 2008 season in Browns jersey. Since entering the NFL as the 13th pick of first round in 2002 by the New Orleans Saints, he has had 296 receptions for 4,383 yards and 32 touchdowns.
“He is in the best shape he’s been in since I’ve been representing him,” Rosenhaus said. “His reinstatement was a very smooth process. He’s developed a very good rapport with (NFL Commissioner) Roger Goodell.” Rosenhaus did not identify the team Stallworth will visit.
Stallworth pleaded guilty in June to DUI manslaughter for striking and killing a pedestrian with his car in Miami Beach, Fla., drawing a suspension from the league. The 29-year-old receiver caught 17 passes for 170 yards and one touchdown while playing the 2008 season in Browns jersey. Since entering the NFL as the 13th pick of first round in 2002 by the New Orleans Saints, he has had 296 receptions for 4,383 yards and 32 touchdowns.
Tuesday, February 9, 2010
WR Stallworth lost his chance in Browns
As people have guessed, wide receiver Donte’ Stallworth lost his job in the Cleveland Browns a few days after the NFL commissioner Roger Goodell said Stallworth would be reinstated after the Super Bowl game.
Goodell made his statement on Friday, and it took only three days for the Browns to make the decision of releasing the troubled wide receiver. The team released a one sentence statement on Monday stating the team had terminated Stallworth’s seven-year, $35 million contract that was signed in 2008. Stallworth already received a $4.5 million bonus before he struck 59-year-old crane operator Mario Reyes the morning of March 14 in Miami.
Stallworth pleaded guilty June 16 to DUI manslaughter, a second-degree felony, and was suspended by Goodell two days later. The 29-year-old receiver caught 17 passes for 170 yards and one touchdown while playing the 2008 season in Browns jersey. Entering the league as a first round draft pick in 2002, Stallworth played with the New Orleans Saints, Philadelphia Eagles and New England Patriots before joining the Browns.
Goodell made his statement on Friday, and it took only three days for the Browns to make the decision of releasing the troubled wide receiver. The team released a one sentence statement on Monday stating the team had terminated Stallworth’s seven-year, $35 million contract that was signed in 2008. Stallworth already received a $4.5 million bonus before he struck 59-year-old crane operator Mario Reyes the morning of March 14 in Miami.
Stallworth pleaded guilty June 16 to DUI manslaughter, a second-degree felony, and was suspended by Goodell two days later. The 29-year-old receiver caught 17 passes for 170 yards and one touchdown while playing the 2008 season in Browns jersey. Entering the league as a first round draft pick in 2002, Stallworth played with the New Orleans Saints, Philadelphia Eagles and New England Patriots before joining the Browns.
Monday, February 8, 2010
Bears WR Hester expects cooperation with new coordinator
The Chicago Bears wide receiver Devin Hester is expecting to work with new coordinator Mike Martz, who may help the Bears improve their offense. Being known for his offense that puts up big numbers in the passing game, Martz was hired by the Bears earlier this month.
"That’s a guy a receiver would love to work with, the type of coach who spreads the receivers out," Hester told the Chicago Sun-Times. "If he brings that offense he had in St. Louis, we’re going to be a tough team to beat."
Martz seems to have the same expectation, saying that he likes what he sees of the Bears’ receiving unit, which has been maligned but has potential up-and-comers in Johnny Knox and Devin Aromashodu.
Although the unit is in lack of experience, Martz believes that there’s plenty of talent there. He indicated that he could use Hester in the slot. And he is also expecting a lot from the Bears quarterback Jay Cutler, who had failed to meet expectation since taking off his Denver Broncos jersey to become a Bears quarterback.
"That’s a guy a receiver would love to work with, the type of coach who spreads the receivers out," Hester told the Chicago Sun-Times. "If he brings that offense he had in St. Louis, we’re going to be a tough team to beat."
Martz seems to have the same expectation, saying that he likes what he sees of the Bears’ receiving unit, which has been maligned but has potential up-and-comers in Johnny Knox and Devin Aromashodu.
Although the unit is in lack of experience, Martz believes that there’s plenty of talent there. He indicated that he could use Hester in the slot. And he is also expecting a lot from the Bears quarterback Jay Cutler, who had failed to meet expectation since taking off his Denver Broncos jersey to become a Bears quarterback.
Saturday, February 6, 2010
Vikings seem destined to suffer more than others
The Minneapolis front yard seems a colder place than it was last week when it was covered by snow and there hung a purple Vikings flag at half-staff as the Minnesota Vikings lost their NFC champion to the New Orleans Saints, a woeful memory to all those who were watching the game in their beloved purple and while Vikings jerseys.
After losing four Super Bowls in the 1970s, the Vikings are now 0-5 in NFC championship games. No matter if the loss was because of the too-many-men-in-the-huddle penalty that infamously preceded Brett Favre’s interception or the three lost fumbles earlier, the Vikings familiarly lost the most critical game despite dominating the Saints in total yardage. Many Vikings supporters can’t help feeling like their sports-fan souls are somehow destined to suffer as much as or more than any others.
“It kind of feels like it doesn’t it?” said Randy Komorouski of Rosemount. “I grew up with all the Super Bowl losses, so, yeah, it’s like they’re snakebite a little bit.”
As the Saints are to fight for their first Super Bowl Championship against the Indianapolis Colts this weekend, what the Vikings fans all could do is to keep their hope for next season. Some day they will make it, just believe it.
After losing four Super Bowls in the 1970s, the Vikings are now 0-5 in NFC championship games. No matter if the loss was because of the too-many-men-in-the-huddle penalty that infamously preceded Brett Favre’s interception or the three lost fumbles earlier, the Vikings familiarly lost the most critical game despite dominating the Saints in total yardage. Many Vikings supporters can’t help feeling like their sports-fan souls are somehow destined to suffer as much as or more than any others.
“It kind of feels like it doesn’t it?” said Randy Komorouski of Rosemount. “I grew up with all the Super Bowl losses, so, yeah, it’s like they’re snakebite a little bit.”
As the Saints are to fight for their first Super Bowl Championship against the Indianapolis Colts this weekend, what the Vikings fans all could do is to keep their hope for next season. Some day they will make it, just believe it.
Friday, February 5, 2010
Cardinals signed an LB from CFL
After playing four seasons in the Canadian Football League, outside linebacker Stevie Baggs will try his career in NFL by signing a one-year contract with the Arizona Cardinals.
Changing the Saskatchewan Roughriders jersey to the Cardinals jersey, Baggs must be confident that he could have big time in the NFL. He had 12 sacks last season, tied for most in the CFL. Overall, he had a career-high 55 tackles. With experience and records, he is believed by someone to be another Ray Lewis.
Baggs’ experience included playing collegiately at Bethune-Cookman, playing for the CFL’s Winnipeg Blue Bombers and Edmonton Eskimos before signing with Saskatchewan. Well, I guess he will do as good job in a different league, at least I hope so.
Changing the Saskatchewan Roughriders jersey to the Cardinals jersey, Baggs must be confident that he could have big time in the NFL. He had 12 sacks last season, tied for most in the CFL. Overall, he had a career-high 55 tackles. With experience and records, he is believed by someone to be another Ray Lewis.
Baggs’ experience included playing collegiately at Bethune-Cookman, playing for the CFL’s Winnipeg Blue Bombers and Edmonton Eskimos before signing with Saskatchewan. Well, I guess he will do as good job in a different league, at least I hope so.
Thursday, February 4, 2010
Saints RB Bush is overcoming his youth while career continues
When putting on the New Orleans Saints jersey in 2006 as the second pick of first round, Reggie Bush was just 21 years old. But just in his very first season, he helped lead the Saints to the NFC title game, and three years to now, he is still playing important role in leading the Saints to the Super Bowl.
Although he failed to be even the Saints’ second-leading rusher in 2009 and has been bothered by left knee injuries for parts of the last three seasons, Bush remains capable of brilliance: he exploded for 217 all-purpose yards in the Saints’ divisional-round win vs. the Cardinals, bursting away for an 83-yard punt return for a score and breaking tackles and sprinting away from the Arizona defense on his way to a 46-yard TD run.
When Bush won the Heisman Trophy as a junior at USC in 2005, Saints head coach Sean Payton predicted that youth was a hurdle he had to overcome early in his career. And now Bush is to turn 25 by March, Payton said “Reggie’s developed his overall understanding of what we are doing.”
Although he failed to be even the Saints’ second-leading rusher in 2009 and has been bothered by left knee injuries for parts of the last three seasons, Bush remains capable of brilliance: he exploded for 217 all-purpose yards in the Saints’ divisional-round win vs. the Cardinals, bursting away for an 83-yard punt return for a score and breaking tackles and sprinting away from the Arizona defense on his way to a 46-yard TD run.
When Bush won the Heisman Trophy as a junior at USC in 2005, Saints head coach Sean Payton predicted that youth was a hurdle he had to overcome early in his career. And now Bush is to turn 25 by March, Payton said “Reggie’s developed his overall understanding of what we are doing.”
Wednesday, February 3, 2010
Bengals Lb Maualuga received suspended sentence for DUI
Saying that he would plead not guilty a few days ago, the Cincinnati Bengals rookie linebacker Rey Maualuga has changed his attitude now to plead guilty to a DUI charge. He received a suspended sentence on Tuesday.
Four days ago Maualuga was arrested after hitting a parking meter and two parked cars in northern Kentucky. The police charged him with drunken and careless driving. After the linebacker pleaded guilty and received the sentence, the charge was dropped. As a result, Maualuga had his driver's license suspended for 90 days and was ordered to participate in an alcohol and drug education program. He was also required to pay $884 in a fine, plus court costs and make restitution for damages from the accident. The probation is for two years.
Putting on his Bengals jersey last year as a second-round draft pick out of USC, Maualuga quickly became a starter and a fan favorite for his hard-hitting play. After the sentence, Maualuga apologized for disappointing his fans by making a terrible decision to drive under the influence.
Four days ago Maualuga was arrested after hitting a parking meter and two parked cars in northern Kentucky. The police charged him with drunken and careless driving. After the linebacker pleaded guilty and received the sentence, the charge was dropped. As a result, Maualuga had his driver's license suspended for 90 days and was ordered to participate in an alcohol and drug education program. He was also required to pay $884 in a fine, plus court costs and make restitution for damages from the accident. The probation is for two years.
Putting on his Bengals jersey last year as a second-round draft pick out of USC, Maualuga quickly became a starter and a fan favorite for his hard-hitting play. After the sentence, Maualuga apologized for disappointing his fans by making a terrible decision to drive under the influence.
Tuesday, February 2, 2010
Browns and Dolphins exchanged vice presidents
There was a trade done between the Miami Dolphins and the Cleveland Browns on Monday, but no player need to change their NFL jerseys as the trade was unusually for team officials, with former Dolphins senior vice president of football operations being Browns’ vice president of football administration and replacing Dawn Aponte, who is to do Thomas’ job with the Dolphins.
The trade was made partly because both vice presidents’ new bosses were the bosses who they used to work for.
Thomas spent last 12 seasons with the Dolphins and got the job of vice president recently. The Browns’ executive vice president of business operations, Bryan Wiedmeier, was president of the Dolphins while Thomas worked there as vice president.
As for Aponte, she had been working with the Browns for one year and was the club’s chief negotiator on contracts. Before joining the Browns, she worked as the NFL’s management council and also worked for the New York Jets with Bill Parcells, who is now the Dolphins’ president.
The trade was made partly because both vice presidents’ new bosses were the bosses who they used to work for.
Thomas spent last 12 seasons with the Dolphins and got the job of vice president recently. The Browns’ executive vice president of business operations, Bryan Wiedmeier, was president of the Dolphins while Thomas worked there as vice president.
As for Aponte, she had been working with the Browns for one year and was the club’s chief negotiator on contracts. Before joining the Browns, she worked as the NFL’s management council and also worked for the New York Jets with Bill Parcells, who is now the Dolphins’ president.
Monday, February 1, 2010
Favre could have real retirement now
Leading the Minnesota Vikings to a 12-4 season but a regretful loss to the New Orleans Saints in NFC championship game, Brett Favre is now taking his time to decide what to do for next season. Remain in the No. 4 purple Vikings jersey? Or just keep his promise for the first time in his NFL career to have a real retirement? I think, the latter is a much better idea for the 40-year-old quarterback.
I don’t mean he is too old to play football anymore. At his age, his performance during 2009 season was amazing and impressive. And the Vikings do enter postseason thanks a lot to his help. But I just think it would be good for him to follow former Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kurt Warner, who announced retirement last Friday at age 38 after 12 years of NFL career. Favre has been staying long enough in the NFL, and 18 years of NFL career has made his name well-known among each team’s fans, in good or bad sense. To be honest, every knows he is a great quarterback, and that’s why he should leave now, at the time people still believes he is a great player, but not at a time when people begin to say “well, what can we expect from a man at his 40s?” if he shows any tendency to drop behind those rising young stars.
For a better life and family happiness, Favre should take his time to rest well before doing anything a 40-year-old man fits to do. Mid-aged man should not expect to heal as fast as those 20s if he gets injured. And it’s time to give chance to those younger quarterbacks who have made every effort to get a starting job, like Tarvaris Jackson and Sage Rosenfels, who were supposed to compete for the spot, until Favre came after training camp in mid-August. Leave now before they acquire the job by performing better during regular season, and Favre, you will face much less embarrassment.
I don’t mean he is too old to play football anymore. At his age, his performance during 2009 season was amazing and impressive. And the Vikings do enter postseason thanks a lot to his help. But I just think it would be good for him to follow former Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kurt Warner, who announced retirement last Friday at age 38 after 12 years of NFL career. Favre has been staying long enough in the NFL, and 18 years of NFL career has made his name well-known among each team’s fans, in good or bad sense. To be honest, every knows he is a great quarterback, and that’s why he should leave now, at the time people still believes he is a great player, but not at a time when people begin to say “well, what can we expect from a man at his 40s?” if he shows any tendency to drop behind those rising young stars.
For a better life and family happiness, Favre should take his time to rest well before doing anything a 40-year-old man fits to do. Mid-aged man should not expect to heal as fast as those 20s if he gets injured. And it’s time to give chance to those younger quarterbacks who have made every effort to get a starting job, like Tarvaris Jackson and Sage Rosenfels, who were supposed to compete for the spot, until Favre came after training camp in mid-August. Leave now before they acquire the job by performing better during regular season, and Favre, you will face much less embarrassment.
Saturday, January 30, 2010
Bengals Lb Maualuga ended his rookie season with a DUI Charge
The Cincinnati Bengals linebacker Rey Maualuga may say goodbye to his rookie season by busily dealing with charges of drunken and careless driving. The Bengals' 2009 second-round draft pick from USC was held for about seven hours at the Kenton County jail before being released on his own recognizance.
Hitting a parking meter and two parked cars early Friday with his 2003 Pontiac, the 23-year-old player has pleaded not guilty to the charge. Although the damage he made was minor, should not he recognize what a stupid thing he has done? That’s little about penalty, but it really has something to do with his sense of responsibility. Even if he is a genius in football able to keep his starting job for the first 15 games of his first season playing pro football in NFL jersey, there is not a reason at all for him to ignore security of others’ properties.
Bengals’ team spokesman Jack Brennan refused to comment on the case, saying that the team will wait until the case is resolved. And court records show he entered a plea and was ordered to return next month for a hearing.
Hitting a parking meter and two parked cars early Friday with his 2003 Pontiac, the 23-year-old player has pleaded not guilty to the charge. Although the damage he made was minor, should not he recognize what a stupid thing he has done? That’s little about penalty, but it really has something to do with his sense of responsibility. Even if he is a genius in football able to keep his starting job for the first 15 games of his first season playing pro football in NFL jersey, there is not a reason at all for him to ignore security of others’ properties.
Bengals’ team spokesman Jack Brennan refused to comment on the case, saying that the team will wait until the case is resolved. And court records show he entered a plea and was ordered to return next month for a hearing.
Friday, January 29, 2010
Bears center Kreutz is to have surgery on tendon
Making it to Pro Bowl for six times during his NFL career, the Chicago Bears center Olin Kreutz is expected to give a better performance next season, after he has the surgery to repair his injured Achilles tendon.
According to The Chicago Tribune, Kreutz will have the surgery on Thursday. As the Bears captain, Kreutz, however, had considerably low production this season because of the injury, which makes it difficult for Kreutz to push off and get leverage.
While Kreutz is absent, Josh Beekman will be used as the starter at center, but it is unlikely that he could keep that job for long as offensive line coach Mike Tice has tremendous confidence in Kreutz and would like to give back the starting job once he wears back his Bears jersey to play football.
According to The Chicago Tribune, Kreutz will have the surgery on Thursday. As the Bears captain, Kreutz, however, had considerably low production this season because of the injury, which makes it difficult for Kreutz to push off and get leverage.
While Kreutz is absent, Josh Beekman will be used as the starter at center, but it is unlikely that he could keep that job for long as offensive line coach Mike Tice has tremendous confidence in Kreutz and would like to give back the starting job once he wears back his Bears jersey to play football.
Thursday, January 28, 2010
Wizards guard Arenas has suspended for remaining season
There finally has been a result to Washington Wizards guard Gilbert Arenas’ gun-possession incident. According to latest reports, he will not be able to play any NBA game in his NBA jersey until next season as the NBA commissioner David Stern has given the former All-Star a suspension for the rest of season, a much shorter suspension than another suspension scenario which should be a full 82-game ban.
The reports said that players’ union executive director Billy Hunter and union attorneys had negotiated the suspension terms with Stern over the past several days. And Stern has made his mind to suspend Arenas for the full 82 games if the union dares to appeal the shorter suspension. So Arenas is now trying his best to persuade the union not to appeal. After all, the more games he is to miss, the more money he will lose. He has already lost nearly $7.4 million for missing games since the incident along with the games he is suspended for, altogether to be 50 games.
However, the other Wizards guard involved in the incident, Javaris Crittenton, may have a different plan .Crittenton received the same suspension as Arenas, but his agent Mark Bartelstein said they have yet to decide whether to appeal the suspension.
The reports said that players’ union executive director Billy Hunter and union attorneys had negotiated the suspension terms with Stern over the past several days. And Stern has made his mind to suspend Arenas for the full 82 games if the union dares to appeal the shorter suspension. So Arenas is now trying his best to persuade the union not to appeal. After all, the more games he is to miss, the more money he will lose. He has already lost nearly $7.4 million for missing games since the incident along with the games he is suspended for, altogether to be 50 games.
However, the other Wizards guard involved in the incident, Javaris Crittenton, may have a different plan .Crittenton received the same suspension as Arenas, but his agent Mark Bartelstein said they have yet to decide whether to appeal the suspension.
Monday, January 11, 2010
Cowboys RB Barber could play against Vikings
The Dallas Cowboys running back Marion Barber is likely to return to his home in Minnesota and get ready for a playoff game against the Vikings on Sunday. He may take part in practice Thursday to see how well his left knee works to decide whether he gets to play or how much he plays.
According to Cowboys Coach Wade Phillips, the team will not have Barber practice Wednesday because of precaution. And they also should avoid what happened last week when Barber tried to play Saturday night after missing some practice time but was stuck on the sideline after three carries netted just 4 yards.
“He’s already better than he was last week and better than he was after the game,” Phillips said. “So we think he’s going to be all right. And I know he wants to play going back to Minnesota. But we’ll monitor it.”
Third-stringer Tashard Choice, who suffered concussion during the fourth quarter of Saturday’s game against the Philadelphia Eagles, is also likely to wear back his Cowboys jersey for this Sunday’s game. The team said he has been cleared by doctors to practice. If he is to play, he is to face former college teammate Adrian Peterson, who is now the Vikings starting running back.
According to Cowboys Coach Wade Phillips, the team will not have Barber practice Wednesday because of precaution. And they also should avoid what happened last week when Barber tried to play Saturday night after missing some practice time but was stuck on the sideline after three carries netted just 4 yards.
“He’s already better than he was last week and better than he was after the game,” Phillips said. “So we think he’s going to be all right. And I know he wants to play going back to Minnesota. But we’ll monitor it.”
Third-stringer Tashard Choice, who suffered concussion during the fourth quarter of Saturday’s game against the Philadelphia Eagles, is also likely to wear back his Cowboys jersey for this Sunday’s game. The team said he has been cleared by doctors to practice. If he is to play, he is to face former college teammate Adrian Peterson, who is now the Vikings starting running back.
LeBron James led Cavaliers to 106-94 victory by scoring 41
Wearing one blue shoe and one orange shoe to go with his blue and orange Cavaliers jersey, LeBron James had 41 points and 10 rebounds while leading the Cleveland Cavaliers to a 106-94 victory over the Portland Trail Blazers on Sunday night.
The Blazers simply had no solution for James. His layup capped a 12-0 Cleveland run in the second quarter that stretched the lead to 46-31, and the Cavaliers led 64-49 at the break. James finished the first half with 31 points— the most the Blazers have allowed in a half this season. It was really a big blow to the team and the fans who were still excited with last Friday’s 107-98 victory over the Los Angeles Lakers.
Blazers top performer Brandon Roy scored 34 points had had 4 rebounds for his team. His 3-pointer with 6:55 left tied it at 87. But Anderson Varejao hit a layup to give the Cavaliers back the lead at 91-89. Then Mo William’s 3-pointer extended it to 95-89, and after a couple of costly Blazers turnovers, Jawad Williams hit a 3-pointer to stretch it to 98-89 with 2:58 left and Cleveland led the rest of the way.
The Blazers simply had no solution for James. His layup capped a 12-0 Cleveland run in the second quarter that stretched the lead to 46-31, and the Cavaliers led 64-49 at the break. James finished the first half with 31 points— the most the Blazers have allowed in a half this season. It was really a big blow to the team and the fans who were still excited with last Friday’s 107-98 victory over the Los Angeles Lakers.
Blazers top performer Brandon Roy scored 34 points had had 4 rebounds for his team. His 3-pointer with 6:55 left tied it at 87. But Anderson Varejao hit a layup to give the Cavaliers back the lead at 91-89. Then Mo William’s 3-pointer extended it to 95-89, and after a couple of costly Blazers turnovers, Jawad Williams hit a 3-pointer to stretch it to 98-89 with 2:58 left and Cleveland led the rest of the way.
Saturday, January 9, 2010
Patriots top DTs returned to practice and may start Sunday
The New England Patriots defensive tackles Vince Wilfork and Ty Warren both wore back their NFL jerseys to take full part in the team’s practice on Wednesday, a good sign that the Patriots best two defensive linemen may start this Sunday’s playoff against the Baltimore Ravens.
“They have two tough runners,” Wilfork said of the Ravens with Ray Rice and Willis McGahee. “We pride ourselves around here with stopping the run. Sometimes we did this year, sometimes we didn’t. But you know what? It all starts over now. It all starts at 0-0.”
Wilfork missed the last three games with a foot injury and Warren sat out two of those games and most of the third with an ankle problem. Their absence partly caused the Patriots to allow 144 yards rushing against the Houston Texans that had the NFL’s second worst running attack before last Sunday’s game but sent the Patriots to a 34-24 loss in their season finale.
“They have two tough runners,” Wilfork said of the Ravens with Ray Rice and Willis McGahee. “We pride ourselves around here with stopping the run. Sometimes we did this year, sometimes we didn’t. But you know what? It all starts over now. It all starts at 0-0.”
Wilfork missed the last three games with a foot injury and Warren sat out two of those games and most of the third with an ankle problem. Their absence partly caused the Patriots to allow 144 yards rushing against the Houston Texans that had the NFL’s second worst running attack before last Sunday’s game but sent the Patriots to a 34-24 loss in their season finale.
Wednesday, January 6, 2010
Point Guard Alston is to join Miami Heat
According to Yahoo! Sports, point guard Rafer Alston has agreed to a contract buyout with the New Jersey Nets and will clear waivers at 5 p.m. ET on Thursday. The Miami Heat has been ready to acquire the point guard once waivers are cleared.
Alston, who put on NBA jersey as the 10th pick from the second round by the Milwaukee Bucks in 1998, came to New Jersey in June in a trade for Vince Carter. It seemed that Alston did not like the new team at all and has been anxious to flee the 3-30 Nets to play for a contender. His chance came when Heat president Pat Riley identified Alston earlier this season as a veteran point guard who could help stabilize his backcourt.
To sign Alston, the Heat have agreed to trade point guard Chris Quinn and a 2012 conditional second-round pick to the Nets, while the Nets will send a $1.3 million trade exception and 2010 second-rounder to Miami. The benefit Nets get from the deal also includes reduced tax and salary.
Alston, who put on NBA jersey as the 10th pick from the second round by the Milwaukee Bucks in 1998, came to New Jersey in June in a trade for Vince Carter. It seemed that Alston did not like the new team at all and has been anxious to flee the 3-30 Nets to play for a contender. His chance came when Heat president Pat Riley identified Alston earlier this season as a veteran point guard who could help stabilize his backcourt.
To sign Alston, the Heat have agreed to trade point guard Chris Quinn and a 2012 conditional second-round pick to the Nets, while the Nets will send a $1.3 million trade exception and 2010 second-rounder to Miami. The benefit Nets get from the deal also includes reduced tax and salary.
Tuesday, January 5, 2010
Titans RB Johnson made it to 2,000
The Tennessee Titans won Sunday’s season finale by beating the Seattle Seahawks 17-13, and their running back Chris Johnson made it to rush for 2,000 yards in a season, becoming the sixth player in NFL history to have that achievement.
Johnson ran 36 times—three short of Earl Campbell’s franchise record set in 1981 against the Seahawks-for 134 yards and both of the touchdowns for the Titans (8-8) against a Seahawks defense that hit him hard and was determined to stop him from making history on it.
Johnson, who is in his second year of playing football in NFL jersey, ran right, cut back inside and jumped over a teammate for a 4-yard gain early in the fourth quarter, thus joining Eric Dickerson, Jamal Lewis, Barry Sanders, Terrell Davis and O.J. Simpson in the 2,000-yard club. And if not a holding penalty moments earlier, Johnson would have set an all-time rushing record.
Johnson ran 36 times—three short of Earl Campbell’s franchise record set in 1981 against the Seahawks-for 134 yards and both of the touchdowns for the Titans (8-8) against a Seahawks defense that hit him hard and was determined to stop him from making history on it.
Johnson, who is in his second year of playing football in NFL jersey, ran right, cut back inside and jumped over a teammate for a 4-yard gain early in the fourth quarter, thus joining Eric Dickerson, Jamal Lewis, Barry Sanders, Terrell Davis and O.J. Simpson in the 2,000-yard club. And if not a holding penalty moments earlier, Johnson would have set an all-time rushing record.
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