tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-91140886723803948932024-03-14T03:06:34.104-04:003rdStoneFromTheSunThe Truth Hurts Like Freedom3rdStoneFromTheSunhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08885818209425078599noreply@blogger.comBlogger351125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9114088672380394893.post-78126137278634960822012-01-18T19:32:00.003-05:002012-01-20T17:08:28.652-05:00NFL Star Avoids Retirement And Hangs Onto A Glorious Past<a href="http://assets.sbnation.com/assets/106255/hines_medium.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 410px;" src="http://assets.sbnation.com/assets/106255/hines_medium.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br /><br />Subjugating admission to an ego that athletic abilities have waned is tough for many professional athletes. Especially when the person is under 40 years old and feels years of acquired knowledge have made them more valuable than ever before.<br /><br />Hines Ward recently told reporters that he has no plans to retire and wants to play with the Pittsburgh Steelers next season. Having spent all of his career with Pittsburgh, the 14-year veteran told reporters he is willing to take a reduction in pay off his 2011 salary of $4 million.<br /><br />Ward says he will be "<a href="http://msn.foxsports.com/nfl/story/pittsburgh-steelers-hines-ward-willing-to-take-significant-pay-cut-to-stay-with-team-011112">devastated</a>" if he cannot finish his career with the only professional team he has played for, but Pittsburgh will have to decide in a few months if they want to give the wide receiver a roster bonus in order to give him a chance to make the team in training camp.<br /><br />Not only is he the the eighth player in NFL to accumulate 1,000 career receptions, Ward is coming off maybe his worst NFL season since his rookie season in 1998. A reserve behind Courtney Hawkins and Charles Johnson that season, it was the only year of Ward's career he didn't start a game.<br /><br />Antonio Brown began to take starts away this year from Ward, whose nine starts in 2011 were his fewest since the 1998 season. Brown and fellow wide receiver Mike Wallace would be named to the Pro Bowl this year, further pushing Ward into a role of the sage veteran who is more of a coach than player at this stage of their career.<br />His 46 receptions in 2011 were the fewest Ward has had since his rookie season. Burt it wasn't just a decline in production there that may have the Steelers brass undecided as to whether or not they bring him back for another year.<br /><br />He was always a possession receiver whose game was more noted for leadership and a run blocking ability that was truly bone-jarring. But Ward averaged a career low 8.3 yards per reception this year, and the two touchdown receptions Ward scored were his fewest since he failed to score as a rookie.<br /><br />Wanting to hang on another year is nothing new for the NFL player. There has been a ton of wide receivers who wanted to extend their careers one last season, but few who went out to the retirement pastures having left an indelible mark on those last gasps for glory.<br /><br />Jerry Rice is thought of by many to be the finest wide receiver in NFL history. The Hall of Famer spent 16 years with the San Francisco 49ers, but the team decided to part ways when Rice wanted to keep playing. He joined the Oakland Raiders and remained extremely productive for three season, one of which included a Pro Bowl nod, but wanted to keep playing in 2004.<br /><br />Father Time finally caught up to Rice by then, so the Raiders traded him to the Seattle Seahawks early in the season. He still tried to play in 2005, but ultimately decided to retire after realizing he would never top the depth charts of any team again.<br /><br />Rice broke the all-time receptions record of fellow Hall of Famer Art Monk, who is the first NFL player to ever have over 100 receptions in a season. Monk himself extended his career perhaps too long, just as did Rice and many others.<br /><br />After having spent 14 seasons with the Washington Redskins, the team decided to trim their payroll and parted ways with Monk. He joined the New York Jets for a year and was a moderately effective player, but decided to try and keep playing. Monk joined the Philadelphia Eagles for three games in 1995 before deciding to retire.<br /><br />Monk wanting to keep playing the game was no different than what his mentor, Charley Taylor, did. The Hall of Famer, who left the NFL as the all-time leader in receptions, tried to play his 13th season for the Redskins in 1977.<br /><br />Taylor, who had missed the entire previous season due to injury, began the season starting and eventually lost his job to Danny Buggs. He retired as a player, but soon rejoined Washington and coached the wide receivers to three Super Bowl victories.<br /><br />These are just a few examples of how Ward's NFL future could play out. Few end their careers on a high note, as Wes Chandler and Max McGee did.<br /><br />Chandler spent 11 years with the New Orleans Saints and San Diego Chargers, which included four Pro Bowl nods. He joined the 49ers in 1988 and played just four games, but garnered a Super Bowl ring that season before finally retiring.<br /><br />McGee spent 12 seasons with the Green Bay Packers, but had just 16 receptions for 325 yards and four scores in his last two years with the Packers. Yet his nine receptions for 201 yards and three touchdowns in the postseason helped Green Bay win two consecutive Super Bowls and helped McGee retire at the top.<br /><br />Whenever Ward does decide to retire, he will most likely receive a few votes for induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Despite making the Pro Bowl just four times, he is the Super Bowl XL MVP and was named MVP of the team Steelers times. Ward is the Steelers all-time leader in receptions, receiving yards and touchdown catches.<br /><br />Recruited by Georgia University as a quarterback, Pittsburgh had Ward throw just three passes in his career but did run the ball 57 times for 428 yards and a score. He was a precision route-runner who was the only dependable weapon Pittsburgh's passing game had for several seasons.<br /><br />Yet his leadership skills was perhaps as important as his playing ability. Ward's desire to win would have fit well with the famous "Steel Curtain" defense that won four titles, and his helping the franchise win two more just helps Pittsburgh stay one of the more respected teams in the NFL.<br /><br />His blocking ability allows Ward to stand out from the rest of the wide receivers in the league. Unfairly termed a dirty player by some, all Ward did was out-think opponents and put himself in the right position to make crucial blocks that also happened to break bones.<br /><br />In 2008, he laid out a unsuspecting Cincinnati Bengals linebacker Keith Rivers. While not penalized for the play, the ever-softening NFL did change rules in 2009 by making it illegal a blindside block if it comes from the blocker's helmet, forearm or shoulder and lands to the head or neck area of the defender. It is called the Hines Ward Rule by many.<br /><br />Whether or not Ward remains in the NFL, let alone with Pittsburgh, remains to be seen. It is obvious he is nearing the end of a fabulous career, one that can continue thanks to rules that cater to the offensive side of the football.<br /><br />His wisdom, blocking ability and leadership should attain a job offer next season, but Pittsburgh may end up being forced with giving Ward's roster spot to a younger and cheaper player. It may not be what the teams wants, but the examples of Rice and Monk are proof that sometimes the bottom line of a fiscal situation outweighs the heart.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Yooooooooo! Dis IS 7thStone wunce again! OK, I took a little trip but I iz back four now cuz I gots 30 days of extenshun to cum up with da money deez goombas claim i owe. Interest iz a killer yo!<br /><br />My cuzin 3rd filled in and went 4-4 in my absince. He almost called dat Patriots/ Broncos score perfectly tho. I tink I can be better dis weak.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;"><span style="font-weight:bold;">Baltimore Ravens @ New England Patriots</span></span><br /><br />Baltimore has never beaten the Patriots in six regular seesun games since 1996, but dey did win in New England during da 2009 playoffs. Patriots quarterback Tom Brady has four of those wins and is coming off a 2011 where he threw for career best totals in attempts, completions and passing yards.<br /><br />Brady is one of just two players in NFL history to win both the league's most valuable player award and Super Bowl MVP multiple times. He is very much in the running for a third NFL MVP trophy, because the Patriots have relied on his prowess heavily all seasun.<br /><br />Da Patriots don't run da football a lot, relying on five halfbacks two share da carries. Brady has spread da ball out too 12 different receivers, which includes fore players wif over 50 receptions.<br /><br />New England's defense is nothing special, ranking 31st in yards allowed and 15th in points coughed up. Their 17th ranked rushing defense will be under the spotlight against a Ravens team that relies heavily on their ground game.<br /><br />If Baltimore cannot run the ball well, da onus will bee on Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco. Flacco, whose 57.6 compleshun percentige dis yeer was da worst of his career, has won 46 of his 64 regular seesun starts. Da fourth-yeer pro has been drawing criticism recently for an inability to win big games, but da fact is dat Flacco has also won five of eight playoff games as well.<br /><br /><br />Ray Rice is the key to the Ravens offensive attack. Not only did he lead the team in rushing and receiving, but da 2,068 yards from scrimmage he had dis yeer led da NFL. Flacco has found five receivers more den 40 times dis seesun.<br /><br />Baltimore has a veteran defense that is perennially amongst da best in da league. Dey ranked third in both points and yards allowed dis yeer, as well as furst on touchdown passes given up.<br /><br />Fore Raven defenders wuz named two da Pro Bowl dis yeer, but da Ravens secondairy will have two bee grate for dere teem to win. Strong safety Bernard Pollard will be da most watched, cuz he will be given da assignment of trying to cover New England's two young stud tight ends Rob Gronkowski and Aaron Hernandez.<br /><br />Baltimore has a pair of young stud tight ends in Dennis Pitta and Ed Dickson themselves. While their combined 94 receptions and eight scores may pale in comparison to the 169 catches and 24 touchdowns Gronkowski and Hernandez got, the two are none the less an effective duo.<br /><br />New England lost just one home game this yeer, while all fore of da Ravens 2011 losses happened on da road. Both squads know how too win da big game and are laden wif experienced veterans.<br /><br />3rdStone picked da Ravens too win it all befour dis seesun started, while I tought dey will reech da Super Bowl. Tho I tink da Pats might win dis, I decided to go wif 3rd and stick wif da Ravens.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Ravens</span> 31 Patriots 24<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;"><span style="font-style:italic;">New York Giants @ San Francisco 49ers</span></span><br /><br />Dis surprise matchup iz indickadiv of a NFL seesun that kinda sucked tanks too no training camp. While da Niner was expected by few two bee hear at da beginning of dis seasun, praktically no one tought da Giants wuld ger hear after losing like half of dere defensive players before dey even got on da field dis yeer.<br /><br />New York is a teem dat throws da ball a lot cuz dere running game sucks out loud. San Francisco has a grate defense, led by excellent linebackers, and a offense dat leens on using halfback Frank Gore too eat up da clock wif a lot of touches.<br /><br />Vernon Davis is finally getting to show America his amazing athleticism tanks too da improved play of quarterback Alex Smith. Smith stopped turning da ball over dis yeer two, which allowed Davis more chances two get balls and be spechul.<br /><br />Da Giants go as far as Eli Manning's arm takes dem. Dere team is mediocre, as dere 9-7 record shows dis yeer, but da quarterback has had his best seasun ever in 2011. He has excellent wide receivers to work wif, which helped Manning set career high marks in attempts, completions and passing yards while making his second Pro Bowl in his eight yeers.<br /><br />Since da Niners wide receivers are pretty lousy, I expect even da beat up New York secondairy to play wif dem and allow da defense to concentrate on Gore and Davis. San Francisco needs Michael Crabtree to play as good as he thinks he is.<br /><br />Cornerbacks Carlos Rogers and Tarell Brown need to play well enuff too force New York into running da ball more. San Francisco should shut down most of da Jints offense for da most part, but dis iz da key area to push dem too victory.<br /><br />Gore will be needed to run well, because da Niners do not want two rely to much on Smith. If da Giants blitz a lot to shut down Gore and try to shake up Smith, a pretty yung San Francisco offensive line will bee put two da test.<br /><br />Dese teems met a weak befour Thanksgiving dis seasun in San Francisco. Da Niners won 27-20 tanks too for field goals by Pro Bowl kicker David Akers. New York gained 90 more yards, but two interceptions by Rogers helped da Niners seel da deal in da forth quarter.<br /><br />I don't know if da Niners swipe too more balls dis Sunday, but I can sea it. New York has da edge in experience, but San Francisco holds a decisive edge at spechul teems. Gore was shut down in da first meating between da squads, so I am looking for improved production from him.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">49ers</span> 23 Giants 21<br /><br /><br /><br /><br />OK yous mugs, enjoy Sunday. I iz gunna catch da games at dis cuties house, where I expect us tii due our own stretching exercises at halftime. Capeesh?<br /><br />Like dey often say in Ol' Mexico = A.M.F.<br /><br /><br /><a href="http://www.yougabsports.com/gfile/75r4!-!FFMLML!-!zrzor45!-!KOEQIEIF-RMKF-HRDG-LPNF-LFKIOMMMOHLO!-!72y1nq/7thstone.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px;" src="http://www.yougabsports.com/gfile/75r4!-!FFMLML!-!zrzor45!-!KOEQIEIF-RMKF-HRDG-LPNF-LFKIOMMMOHLO!-!72y1nq/7thstone.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a>3rdStoneFromTheSunhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08885818209425078599noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9114088672380394893.post-5210774560753470332012-01-12T19:36:00.008-05:002012-01-13T23:59:41.080-05:002012 NFL Draft May See Colts Gamble On Robert Griffin III Over Andrew Luck<a href="http://www.thesportsbank.net/core/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/Robert-Griffin-III.jpeg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 381px; height: 248px;" src="http://www.thesportsbank.net/core/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/Robert-Griffin-III.jpeg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br />Change is once again a headline in the NFL. General managers and head coaches have been coming and going for decades, so the year 2012 isn't any different.<br /><br />The Indianapolis Colts have a new general manager in Ryan Grigson, a former NFL and CFL tight end who rose quickly through the ranks of the Philadelphia Eagles front office the past few years. His hiring now has some wondering if he will fire incumbent head coach Jim Caldwell and which player the Colts will use the first pick of the 2012 NFL Draft on.<br /><br />With the surprise firing of Bill Polian as general manager, out went the assumption the Colts would select quarterback Andrew Luck. Grigson, who also worked for the Arena Football League and Canadian Football League, will be bringing a new philosophy to Indianapolis.<br /><br />Some pundits wonder if quarterback Peyton Manning, who has given the franchise a championship and 11 Pro Bowls since he joined the team in 1998, will be back next season. It seems like a ridiculous question to many, considering Manning has led the team to two Super Bowl appearances and has won four NFL MVP awards. Yet his 2011 season was lost due to a lingering neck injury that still has some observers concerned to whether or not it will ever fully heal.<br /><br />The bottom line of the Colts financial situation is often brought up as a reason the team may part ways with Manning, who had just signed a contract worth $90 million over five years before the 2011 season began. If the Colts were to draft a quarterback with their first pick, they might have to pay over $20 million to sign the player. Cam Newton, the first pick of the 2011 draft, received $22 million for four years.<br /><br />But there are now no guarantees if the Colts stay with the soon-to-be 36 year old Manning and not even draft a quarterback on a team with many holes that were seen as the team finished this year with a 2-14 record. There is no guarantee now that Luck, who is similar to Manning in many ways, will not be passed up on favor of Robert Griffin III.<br /><br />Assuming Indianapolis drafts one of these quarterbacks, the remaining player will not wait too long to find a suitor. Many are thinking the Cleveland Browns will look to replace second-year pro Colt McCoy by using the fourth overall pick. The Washington Redskins, who sit sixth in the draft order, desperately need a quarterback and could possibly try to work a trade with either the Minnesota Vikings or Saint Louis Rams to grab Griffin or Luck.<br /><br />Griffin, the 2011 Heisman Trophy winner, is as hot a commodity as Luck. While Luck is fairly mobile, Griffin has world class speed. Both quarterbacks possess excellent arm strength, but Griffin throws one of the most beautiful deep balls in all of football right now.<br /><br />Grigson is knowledgeable to a game where the field is wide open to constant scoring opportunities, as his AFL and CFL experience show. Defense has become a thing of the past in the NFL today, so the electric Griffin might light up the scoreboard with the help of rules heavily slanted to that side of the football.<br /><br />Passing is king now in the NFL, and Newton showed a running quarterback with a big arm can set records while exploiting rules where a quarterback is not allowed to be hit too high, too low or too hard. Rules Griffin can easily excel in as long as he stays healthy.<br /><br /><br /><br />Indianapolis isn't the only team in flux this year. The Jacksonville Jaguars have already hired their new head coach after tabbing Atlanta Falcons offensive coordinator Mike Mularkey for the job.<br /><br />Mularkey had played nine seasons with the Minnesota Vikings and Pittsburgh Steelers as a tight end known for his blocking abilities. He got into coaching soon after and worked his way up to becoming head coach of the Buffalo Bills in 2004.<br /><br />Buffalo went to the playoffs in his first year, the last time the franchise has accomplished that feat since. After is disappointing second season, the Bills brought back Hall of Famer Marv Levy as general manager. Mularkey resigned after he and Levy failed to agree in the direction of the team, so he took a job with the Miami Dolphins for two seasons before being hired by Atlanta in 2008.<br /><br />His offenses tend to work best when well balanced. This was true in Atlanta, where he helped quarterback Matt Ryan, running back Michael Turner, tight end Tony Gonzales and wide receiver Roddy White get to the Pro Bowl. He had balance in his first year with the Bills, led by quarterback Drew Bledsoe, running back Willis McGahee along with wide receivers Lee Evans and Eric Moulds.<br /><br />Mularkey is certainly isn't perfect. A big reason for his failure in Buffalo was because he chose to release Bledsoe and go with J.P. Losman at quarterback. His struggles during his first year in Miami saw him demoted to coaching the tight ends the following season. For all of the success Mularkey has attained thus far, his teams are just 2-5 in the playoffs with him serving as head coach or offensive coordinator.<br /><br /><br /><br />It was a given Jack Del Rio wasn't going into 2012 as head coach of the Jaguars, especially after he cut his starting quarterback to play a rookie who obviously would have been better off learning on the sidelines a year or more. Del Rio went 68-71 in his nine seasons, but his time was tarnished by former owner Wayne Weaver telling reporters he regretted firing Tom Coughlin as head coach in 2002.<br /><br />Jacksonville has a new owner now, but it remains to see if he is loyal as Weaver was to Del Rio. The Jaguars need improvement in many areas, so rebuilding may take time. <br /><br />Gene Smith remains general manager of the team, taking over for NFL legend James Harris in 2009. Harris, the first black player to start a NFL season at quarterback and the first black quarterback to go to the Pro Bowl or be named Pro Bowl MVP, joined the Detroit Lions.<br /><br />With Maurice Jones-Drew, Mularkey has a All-Pro halfback in the prime of his career. The defense is underrated and still young. It may not take as long as expected, given a few fortunate breaks, but the Jaguars fans are hoping more from a franchise that has had seven winning seasons since it joined the league in 1995.<br /><br /><br />While the Tampa Bay Buccaneers are looking for a head coach and the Saint Louis Rams need a general manager, the Oakland Raiders have recently filled one of their open positions by hiring Reggie McKenzie as general manager.<br /><br />With gridiron icon Al Davis having died back in October of last year, the team had to suddenly replace a man who had been running the team since 1962. Davis has more than a legacy that won three Super Bowls, he had a wealth of knowledge, insight and experience that is irreplaceable. His son, who now owns the team, knew he had a lot work cut out for him the day he took the reins of the Silver and Black.<br /><br />This is not the Reggie McKenzie who was a Pro Bowl guard that blocked for Hall of Famer O.J. Simpson and was a part of the "Electric Company". This McKenzie played linebacker for four seasons with the Raiders in the late 1980's. After sitting out of the league for four seasons, he suited up for two games with the San Francisco 49ers in 1992.<br /><br />He spent the last 18 seasons as the Director of Football Operations for the Green Bay Packers. His twin brother, Raleigh, was a guard on the famous offensive line of the Washington Redskins called the "Hogs". He won two Super Bowls and is one of the 70 Greatest Redskins.<br /><br />McKenzie's first move was to rebuild a team that lost four of their final five games in 2011 and hasn't been to the playoffs since 2002. Hue Jackson, the head coach who was recently fired despite just one season on the job, told <a href="http://msn.foxsports.com/nfl/story/Hue-Jackson-firing-shows-Oakland-Raiders-may-be-getting-serious-011012">reporters</a> that McKenzie “basically wants to gut the place.”<br /><br />The Raiders are not only now looking for a head coach, they may leave Oakland again for Los Angeles. They did this back in 1982 and stayed there until 1994 before returning to <a href="http://msn.foxsports.com/nfl/story/mark-davis-believes-oakland-raiders-could-move-back-to-los-angeles-011112">Oakland</a>.<br /><br /><br />The person many are starting to think will be head coach of the Raiders next year is Winston Moss. Moss is a former linebacker who played for the Raiders in the early 1990's. He has been a linebackers coach of the Packers since 2006, so McKenzie is very familiar with him.<br /><br />It will be strange and interesting to see how the Raiders do without Al Davis, just as it was when he was there. Whether or not they will achieve any semblance of the excellence Davis did remains to be seen.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />OK, 7thStoneFromTheSun is still missing. I got another blank postcard, this time from Kazakhstan, so I guess he is still on the run from owing markers to people you don't want to know. I went 2-2 in his place last week, acing Saturday's games and failing the next day.<br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;"><span style="font-style:italic;">New Orleans Saints @ San Francisco 49ers</span></span><br /><br />Two teams that are the polar opposites of each other. While the Saints are a dome team who lights up a scoreboard like a video game, the 49ers resemble an old school team who grinds opponents into submission with a sound running game and suffocating defense.<br /><br />If this game were in New Orleans, I'd pick the Saints all the way. While the weather is expected to be mild in San Francisco on Sunday, it will be played outdoors and possibly benefit the Niners with more than just the home field advantage of having nearly 70,000 screaming fans cheering for them. The Saints have never won a playoff game on the road.<br /><br />The Saints rolled up 626 yards last week, led by quarterback Drew Brees throwing for 466 yards and three touchdowns. While the Detroit Lions got repeatedly gashed in the air, New Orleans kept them off balance by averaging almost five yards on 36 carries.<br /><br />San Francisco's defense was the second best in points allowed this year, as well as fourth best in total yards given up. Five players from this unit were named to either a Pro Bowl or selected First Team All-Pro. Middle linebacker Patrick Willis is possibly the best in the NFL at his position.<br /><br />Pro Bowl running back Frank Gore is the 49ers best offensive weapon, but they have also gotten a solid season from quarterback Alex Smith. Much maligned since being the first overall selection of the 2005 draft, Smith has had the best season of his career in 2011.<br /><br />Tight end Vernon Davis and wide receiver Michael Crabtree are his main targets, but Smith has been so efficient that he threw just five interceptions all year. The 49ers ranked first in the NFL this season in the all important giveaway/ takeaway ratio.<br /><br />Pro Bowl cornerback Carlos Rogers and defensive end Ray McDonald gave San Francisco the best seasons of their career this season. While Rogers had a career high six interceptions this year, McDonald set career best marks with 5.5 sacks and 38 tackles.<br /><br />Rookie Aldon Smith led the team with 14 sacks, but Pro Bowl defensive end Justin Smith and linebacker Ahmad Brooks pitched in with a combined 14.5 sacks as well. Pro Bowl free safety Dashon Golden also gave the Niners the best year of his career this season.<br /><br />Golden and strong safety Donte` Whitner may hold the key to a 49ers victory. Both were very important to the team this year, finishing third and fourth in tackles respectively. Brees loves to throw to Pro Bowl tight end Jimmy Graham, so the duo will be tested often.<br /><br />Willis and Navarro Bowman are tackling machines who piled up 234 tackles this year, so New Orleans may find it difficult to run the ball effectively. Brees will have to be sharp this weekend and find an extra target to help win the game.<br /><br />With Rogers most likely shadowing Marques Colston, Brees will have to pick on cornerback Tarell Brown by going to Devery Henderson or Robert Meachum. Lance Moore is expecting to play despite a tender hamstring, so San Francisco defensive backs like Tramaine Brock, Chris Culliver, Madieu Williams and Shawntae Spencer will need to be sharp.<br /><br />It will be a challenge to stop the Saints electric offense, especially since inclement weather will not be there to help. Gore needs to be special against a run defense than ranked 12th in yards allowed this season.<br /><br />But Smith also needs to play excellent. The Saints pass defense ranked 30th in yards allowed, but try to cover up this area by frequent blitzes. Roman Harper, an excellent strong safety, will need to shut Davis down so Smith gets uncomfortable by having less options.<br /><br />I am not convinced yet that there is a team in the NFL who can keep the Saints from scoring. The rules of the game today totally help this unit blow up the gridiron with insane statistics weekly. They have lit up defenses all year, which includes stout units like the Houston Texans, Green Bay Packers, Jacksonville Jaguars, Chicago Bears and Tennessee Titans.<br /><br />San Francisco has the superior special teams unit, thanks to Pro Bowl kicker David Akers and Pro Bowl punter Andy Lee. If they can control field position, this area could make the difference in the end.<br /><br />San Francisco has not given up more than 27 points this season and 11 or less points seven times. The Saints have scored over 40 points seven times in 2011, an area the 49ers have reached just once.<br /><br />This is Roger Goodell's NFL, so offense is king and the quarterback is the golden child. The old adage that defense wins championships will be put to the test, but the cards are stacked against it.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Saints</span> 27 49ers 20<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;"><span style="font-style:italic;">Denver Broncos @ New England Patriots</span></span><br /><br />The NFL is clearly now on board with Tim Tebow. The Broncos quarterback silenced a ton of critics by recently winning his eighth of 12 starts this year, which included an upset overtime win over the Pittsburgh Steelers last week.<br /><br />He isn't going to complete even half of his passes, but his legs and savvy seem to be enough to get the job done. The Denver defense has been the overlooked hero of this magical run, producing the only three Pro Bowl players on the team this year, as they seem to always stop the opponent at the most crucial moments.<br /><br />Denver shouldn't be here. They went 8-8 and were minus 12 in the giveaway/ takeaway ratio this season, while giving up 81 more points than they scored.<br /><br />The Patriots are the opposite. Even though their defense is somehow sending two members to the Pro Bowl, it is one of the worst units in the league in yards allowed.<br /><br />These two teams met a month ago, where Tebow ran for 93 yards and two scores while actually completing half of his passing attempts. New England won 41-23, but the 393 Denver gained that week was just 19 yards short of their season high mark.<br /><br />Tom Brady is the difference in this game. The Patriots quarterback, who will finish his career inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, just had possibly the best season of his illustrious career by throwing for a career best 5,235 yards.<br /><br />He is one of four Pro Bowlers on offense, which includes tight end Ron Gronkowski and wide receiver Wes Welker. Brady also throws the ball to a plethora of weapons, which also includes tight end Aaron Hernandez and wide receiver Deion Branch.<br /><br />The Patriots use five different players to run the football, but the passing game is what got them a 13-3 record this season. Denver ranked 18th in passing yards allowed this season, as well as 24th in points given up.<br /><br />While Tebow has showed magic this year, Brady has done so most of his 12 seasons. Denver should be very proud of their team because no one expected anything that happened this year to transpire, but all dreams must end eventually.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Patriots</span> 45 Denver 16<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;"><span style="font-style:italic;">Houston Texans @ Baltimore Ravens</span></span><br /><br />If you like defense, then watch every play of this battle. Baltimore finished the 2011 season with the third best defense in both points and yards allowed. Houston was second in yards allowed and fourth in points given up.<br /><br />These two teams met earlier in the season in Baltimore, where the Ravens walked away with a 29-14 win behind five field goals and solid games by quarterback Joe Flacco and halfback Ray Rice. Despite having two turnovers to none by Houston, the Ravens gained 109 more yards that contest.<br /><br />It is well documented how the Texans continued to win this year despite several key injuries. But the replacements fill in well and the defense has been special all season.<br /><br />Houston beat a Cincinnati Bengals team last week, another team with a good defense, 31-10 despite gaining just 40 more yards and garnering two less first downs. Rookie quarterback T.J. Yates did not hurt the team and played decently, which was helped greatly by the return of wide receiver Andre Johnson.<br /><br />Halfback Arian Foster gashed the Bengals for 153 yards and two touchdowns, but the Pro Bowler has been accomplishing feats like this all season. Foster and backup Ben Tate piled up a combined 2,166 yards and 14 touchdowns on the ground this year.<br /><br />When Baltimore beat Houston earlier this season, the duo was limited to 90 on 24 carries because quarterback Matt Schaub hoisted the football 37 times that game. Yates won't be asked to do this, so the Texans running backs will get a lot more work this weekend.<br /><br />The Ravens ranked second in run defense this season. Three of the four Pro Bowlers on this until play along the front seven of a smothering defense that gave up 14 or less points eight times in 2011. Houston has accomplished that feat 10 times so far this year.<br /><br />While Houston's defense unbelievably produced just one Pro Bowlers this year in cornerback Johnathan Joseph, it is a young team with just one starter 30 years old. They have somehow gone this year without the press they deserve, but the turnaround from their miserable 2010 season is nothing short of spectacular.<br /><br />Baltimore will need all of their offensive weapons clicking against this unit, yet tight ends Dennis Pitta and Ed Dickson could be the key as they go up against Texans safeties Danieal Manning and Glover Quinn. The young tight ends combined for 94 receptions this season.<br /><br />Rice is the backbone of the offense, having led the team in both rushing and receiving this year. His reserve, Ricky Williams, needs to be effective when called upon because Baltimore relies so heavily on Rice's abilities.<br /><br />Baltimore obviously has the advantage in postseason experience here, since it will be just the second playoff game ever in Texans history. I <a href="http://judspressbox.blogspot.com/2011/09/nfl-predictions-for-2011-season.html">picked</a> the Ravens to go to the Super Bowl before the season began, so there is no reason to recant now. <br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Ravens</span> 21 Texans 13<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;"><span style="font-style:italic;">New York Giants @ Green Bay Packers</span></span><br /><br />Few expected the Giants to get this far after their roster was destroyed by injuries before the season got started, but they have won the big games when called upon. Some are trying to compare this team to the 2007 squad that won a Super Bowl, but they couldn't be more wrong in this comparison.<br /><br />Not only is quarterback Eli Manning a lot better now, the defense and running game carried the team to a title in 2007 and are nowhere near as good this year. New York finished ninth in scoring and eighth in yards gained this season, something they ranked 14th and 16th respectively in 2007.<br /><br />The running game ranked fourth best in 2007, but it is now the worst in the league. The defense, which ranked eighth in rushing yards allowed and 11th in passing yards given up in 2007, now ranks 19th and 29th respectively. There is no comparison between the two squads<br /><br />Green Bay, the defending champions, dominated the NFL with a 15-1 record this year. They had the top scoring offense and ranked third in yards gained. The defense ranked last in both passing and total yards given away, but that stems from opponents chucking the ball all game while desperately trying to attempt a comeback.<br /><br />Pro Bowl quarterback Aaron Rodgers had 10 teammates end the season with receptions in double figures. Rogers also found 10 different players in the end zone. Halfbacks Ryan Grant and James Starks followed Pro Bowl fullback John Kuhn to gain 1,137 combined yards, but the Packers leaned on the 4,643 yards and 45 touchdowns via Rodgers arm.<br /><br />Seven Packers are going to the Pro Bowl this year and their plus 28 in the giveaway/ takeaway ratio was the second best in the NFL this year. Not are they a veteran team that knows how to win it all, Green Bay is a lot healthier this season compared to 2010.<br /><br />It will be a high scoring affair Sunday, a game where a lot of yards are rolled up. Green Bay has the better defense, running game and quarterback, but their huge advantage at tight end and special teams could make the difference.<br /><br />These two teams met just over a month ago in New York, where the Packers won 38-35 on a late field goal. Both offenses rolled up 896 total yards, as Green Bay totaled just two yards than the Giants. Rodgers and Manning had similar games, but the Packers defense made the difference thanks to a touchdown off an interception by Pro Bowl linebacker Clay Matthews.<br /><br />This game could very well follow that pattern, but the home field advantage for Green Bay could provide the difference. The tundra of Lambeau Field will be frozen, as temperatures are expected to not go higher than 27 degrees Sunday.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Packers</span> 38 Giants 283rdStoneFromTheSunhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08885818209425078599noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9114088672380394893.post-56243026757914427082012-01-06T02:30:00.003-05:002012-01-06T14:55:52.766-05:00Tim Tebow's 2011 NFL Playoff Appearance Symbolizes A Chaotic Season<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://mit.zenfs.com/209/2011/12/tebow-knee-11.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 610px; height: 407px;" src="http://mit.zenfs.com/209/2011/12/tebow-knee-11.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br />When historians look back at the 2011 NFL season, there will be little attention given to the fact it was one of the sloppiest seasons ever played in the league's history. Perhaps a slight nod of acknowledgement to the players lockout that pretty much wiped out training camp and retarded the development of the game.<br /><br />Another footnote was how the game got softer, thanks to another laundry list of rules that effeminate football to the point it now practically resembles basketball with pads on. This mission, led by commissioner Roger Goodell, contradicts a history the league uses in their advertisements with pride. Commercials that celebrate gridiron warriors bloodied in a battle amongst the trenches that haven't been seen throughout the NFL in decades.<br /><br />As the playoffs commence this weekend, no team may better personify the league right now than the Denver Broncos. After beginning the season 1-4, Denver rattled off seven victories in eight weeks before finishing the year with three straight losses.<br /><br />Tim Tebow got a lions share of the credit for the Broncos victories, which included three in overtime. The defense gave up 17 of fewer points seven times this year, but the quarterback dominated the headlines. His image of being a wholesome religious boy captured so much attention, it drowned out critics who pointed to Tebow's miniscule 46.5 completion percentage this season.<br /><br />Some considered him no more than a glorified fullback when he entered the 2011, while others of a modern day version Bobby Douglass. A second round draft pick by the Chicago Bears in 1969, the fellow lefty quarterback ended his 11 NFL seasons with a 43 percent completion percentage.<br /><br />Douglass could run better than Tebow, once holding the record for most rushing yards gained by a quarterback when he churned out 968 yards in 14 games during the 1972 season. He averaged 69.1 yards rushing per game, which is better than the 64.9 yards Michael Vick had in 2006 when he surpassed Douglass' record in a 16 game season.<br /><br />Tebow piled up 660 yards and six touchdowns on the ground this year. He played mistake-free football much of the year until the last two games of the year, where he tossed four of his six total interceptions. Tebow completed just 19 of 51 attempts for 245 yards over that time.<br /><br />Denver still reached the playoffs despite an abysmal ending to a forgettable NFL season, thanks to playing in a division where three teams finished 8-8 and the fourth team went 7-9. The AFC West was perhaps the most mediocre in the NFL in 2011, which is a statement in itself because the NFC West, NFC East and AFC East were far from impressive as well.<br /><br />Coaches and general managers on many inept teams suffered from the shortened season to the extent they lost their jobs. Yet the NFL, as it has for the past 40 years, continued to rake in piles of cash even though the product they present today recedes and mollifies each snap of the ball under the Goodell regime.<br /><br />Image over substance is now in play as receivers and quarterbacks prance around untouched. College football shows the future is bleaker with recent bowl games where teams frequently combining to put up 80 or more points.<br /><br />Defense is now as extinct as the commercialized images the NFL sells of warriors battling because now accolades are attained minus a struggle. Where honing skills through practice has now joined the defense as a spectator.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />My cousin 7thStoneFromTheSun is nowhere to be found, though I did receive a blank postcard from Guam recently. While I will assume his prediction duties this week, it should be noted he finished 2011 with an overall record of <span style="font-weight:bold;">154-95</span>.<br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;"><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">Cincinnati Bengals @ Houston Texans</span></span><br /><br />The Bengals got into the playoffs because of a stingy defense that carried an erratic offense led by two rookies. The defense ended the season ranked seventh in yards allowed and ninth in points given up. While wide receiver A.J. Green, running back Cedric Benson and quarterback Andy Dalton are the key offensive weapons, Jermaine Gresham and Jerome Simpson also contribute heavily.<br /><br />The Texans are playing in their first playoff game in franchise history. It is also the first time Houston has hosted a playoff game since 1993, when the Oilers accomplished the feat before becoming the Tennessee Titans not long afterwards. The Texans are also the first team from Houston to win a division title since that 1993 season.<br /><br />Much has been made of the key injuries Houston's offense incurred this season. Quarterbacks Matt Schaub and Matt Leinart were lost for the season by the 12th game, and star wide receiver Andre Johnson suited up for just seven contests himself.<br /><br />But the team finished with a 10-6 record thanks to a smothering defense that was second in the league in yards allowed and fourth in points given up. This was even accomplished despite losing star defender Mario Williams in the fifth game for the season.<br /><br />Rookies J.J. Watt and Brooks Reed were special this year, but linebackers Conner Barwin and Brian Cushing have been stars in their own right. Cornerback Johnathan Joseph made the Pro Bowl, but his bookend, Jason Allen, was just as effective. Brice McCain and Kareem Jackson have also been solid, so opponents have found it difficult to pass the ball successfully often this year.<br /><br />Cincinnati will need their defense and running game to be special this week. Houston will have Johnson back to help their rookie quarterback, but his limit appears to be no more than 45 snaps. The Texans have a powerful running game that was first in attempts, second in yards gained and third in touchdowns scored. While the Bengals were tenth in rushing yards allowed, they finished 20th in touchdowns given up.<br /><br />Halfbacks Benson and Arian Foster will get a lot of attention, but the effectiveness of reserves Ben Tate and Bernard Scott may determine the outcome. Tate churned out 942 yards this season as he proved to be the best backup running back in the game today.<br /><br />Dalton may make less mistakes than T.J. Yates, thanks to more snaps, but both teams will have the benefit of playing in the climate controlled Texans stadium. Return men Jacoby Jones, Danieal Manning and Brandon Tate could make a big play that breaks open the game.<br /><br />These two teams battled just under a month ago, where the Texans prevailed with a 20-19 victory on a late touchdown pass from Yates to Kevin Walter. Houston had gained 127 more yards but coughed up two more turnovers than Cincinnati.<br /><br />Johnson and Green will draw special defensive attention from two units that have excelled all season. Both franchises rosters are young and inexperienced, so several members will be participating in the first playoff games of their careers.<br /><br />Once all the nervousness subsides, the defenses should take over. Houston's home field advantage will help carry their team a long way, but the combination of Foster and Ben Tate should drive the Texans into the next round.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Texans</span> 24 Bengals 16<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;"><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">Detroit Lions @ New Orleans Saints</span></span><br /><br />Many pundits are expecting an offensive battle in this game, mainly because both teams have offenses that can put up points in bunches. The two teams squared off in the beginning of December and gained 904 yards, with the Lions outgunning New Orleans by 28 yards in their 31-17 loss to the Saints.<br /><br />Detroit's defense has been a major disappointment in 2011. Their vaunted defensive line never excelled as expected and the secondary was frequently ripped apart by the opponents passing attack. The Lions gave up 20 or more points 12 times this season, while giving up less than 312 total yards just once.<br /><br />The Lions final game of 2011 saw them cough up a season high 550 yards, which included six touchdown passes and 480 yards to a fourth-year backup quarterback who entered the contest with 515 career yards and nine touchdowns off of 88 attempts. Detroit gained 25 more yards but lost 45-41.<br /><br />The offense ranked fourth in scoring and fifth in yards gained this year, but Detroit's defense ranked 23 in both points and yards allowed. The running game was amongst the very worst in football, ranking 29th in total yards gained.<br /><br />New Orleans was led by a balanced offensive attack that relied mainly on Pro Bowl quarterback Drew Brees. Brees set an NFL record this year with 5,476 yards passing, surpassing Hall of Famer Dan Marino. Detroit's Matthew Stafford wasn't too shabby himself, tossing the ball for a franchise record 5,038 yards and 41 scores. Brees had 46 touchdown passes.<br /><br />The Super Bowl XLIV MVP now has set or tied several Saints franchise records. He set six NFL records in 2011, which includes most completions in a season, most 300 yard passing games in a season, most consecutive 300 yard passing games, most consecutive games with 350 yards passing and highest completion percentage in a season. He also has set or tied 16 other NFL records in his career thus far.<br /><br />The Saints gained the most yards in the NFL this season while scoring the second most points. Besides having the top passing attack, the running game gained the sixth most yards in the league this season.<br /><br />New Orleans relies heavily on Brees, but the quarterback has a plethora of weapons at his disposal. Four different running backs gained 374 yards or more while nine players ended up in double digits in receptions.<br /><br />Detroit will be facing a defense that finished 24 in yards allowed, but 13th in total points scored upon. The Saints only picked off nine passes this season, but safety Roman Harper finished the season by leading the team with 96 tackles and a career best 7.5 sacks.<br /><br />If New Orleans cannot rush the football, the arms of both Brees and Stafford will be put to use seemingly every play. The Saints run defense was the 12th best in the NFL this year, so the Lions anemic ground game faces quite a challenge ahead of them.<br /><br />Greg Williams is a defensive coordinator who is known to love blitz packages to throw opposing quarterbacks off their game. If Detroit fails to run the ball, he will load up his Saints defense with complex packages. The New Orleans defense garnered 33 sacks this season, but Detroit gave up 36 sacks this season.<br /><br />New Orleans has scored over 40 points six times this year and have never scored less than 20 in a game. Their defense has given up 20 or less than points in nine contests while Detroit has accomplished that feat just five times.<br /><br />A bunch of yards should be gained in this game, but it may end up where the Lions end up fruitlessly try to catch up to the Saints all game. The Lions have had a habit of giving up a ton of points early before coming back, but not many teams have stopped the Saints from scoring in 2011.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Saints</span> 48 Lions 34<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;"><span style="font-style:italic;">Atlanta Falcons @ New York Giants</span></span><br /><br />Two of the most erratic and inconsistent teams of the 2011 NFL season meet here. Both barely made the playoffs following underwhelming seasons that will soon be forgotten.<br /><br />While injuries basically buried the Giants before the season started, they fought through a mediocre NFC East to capture the division crown in the last game of the season. Atlanta did finish the year with a respectable 10-6 record, but it seemed a far cry from expectations that had been placed on them after winning the NFC South in 2010 with a 13-3 record.<br /><br />Atlanta might have seemed to regress slightly on offense this year, after moving up in the draft to snag wide receiver Julio Jones in the first round of the 2011 draft. They finished fifth in scoring in 2010, averaging 25.9 points per game, while finishing seventh in scoring this year by averaging 25.1 points per contest.<br /><br />But the Falcons did gain 532 more yards while quarterback Matt Ryan and Michael Turner had very similar seasons to 2010. Star wide receiver Roddy White had 15 less receptions and eight less scores this season, but Jones picked up the slack while future Hall of Fame tight end Tony Gonzales remained consistent and excellent as always.<br /><br />The defense was also an area that regressed in a few areas as opposed to 2010. While finishing fifth last year in points allowed, Atlanta finished this season 18th. They also finished at plus eight in the giveaway/ takeaway ratio differential this year, as opposed to the plus 14 they had in 2010.<br /><br />Atlanta did improve in yards allowed, interceptions, sacks and run defense this season, but they also had eight contests where they gave up 23 or more points. The Falcons offense had 11 games where they scores 23 or more points.<br /><br />Atlanta is a well balanced team that has the talent, but gives the impression they are on the verge of exploding and have yet to do so. Most see the roster and fear any week will be the day they put it all together on a consistent basis, but it has yet to happen. Yet it is evident there is enough firepower there to win a Super Bowl.<br /><br />The Giants winning their division, no matter how mediocre it was in 2011, shows a great deal of experience and character. They went through much of the season with a defensive secondary filled with players that would not have made the team if it were not for the numerous injuries to hit that unit.<br /><br />The New York defense finished 29th in passing yards allowed, 27th in total yards allowed and 25th in points given up. Yet the offense finished eighth in yards gained and ninth in points scored. The running game was the worst in the NFL, but the passing game was ranked fifth in yards and sixth in passing attempts and touchdowns scored.<br /><br />Pro Bowl quarterback Eli Manning had nine receivers end up with double digits in catches. Wide receivers Victor Cruz and Hakeem Nicks combined for 158 catches for 2,728 and 16 touchdowns this year.<br /><br />If the Falcons cornerback duo of Dunta Robinson and Brent Grimes shuts down Cruz and Nicks, New York will be in major trouble. Atlanta may have too many weapons for the Giants to stop, bit no one can really be sure what versions of these teams will take the field Sunday.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Falcons</span> 37 Giants 20<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;"><span style="font-style:italic;">Pittsburgh Steelers @ Denver Broncos</span></span><br /><br />Tim Tebow will run onto the field Sunday with the cameras fixated on him. Mainly to appease a nation where religion is important, but also because he happens to play a position the NFL puts on a pedestal and carries like a golden child. Tebow truly embodies this NFL dream.<br /><br />Yet he will face a nightmare on the sabbath in the form of the Pittsburgh Steelers defense. A unit that ranked ranked first in both points a yards allowed, this veteran group will come into the salivating at the chance the expose a limited player with a questionable arm.<br /><br />Pittsburgh will be dealing with injuries to starting halfback Rashard Mendenhall and strong safety Ryan Clark, but the team has more than enough depth at these positions to succeed. Plus their quarterback Ben Roethlisberger has two Super Bowl rings and obviously knows how to win the big game.<br /><br />The Steelers win the old school way of controlling the clock while the defense destroys their opponents. Tebow, playing in the first playoff game of his very young career, will have to summon all of his abilities to keep his team within reach of victory.<br /><br />Ten Steelers have 11 or more receptions, so the Broncos defense will have their hands full trying to contain the Pittsburgh offensive onslaught. Denver's defense finished the 2011 season 20th in yards allowed and 24th in points scored upon.<br /><br />The Broncos offense wasn't any better, finishing 25th in scoring and 23rd in yards gained. Their best player, halfback Willis McGahee, finished the season with 1,199 rushing yards. Denver had just two players with more than 19 receptions this season.<br /><br />This game should get ugly quick. Unless the Broncos special teams and defense is exceptional, it should be over before halftime. This learning process may help Tebow one day, but teams have recently figured him out and there needs to be a dramatic improvement in his game if he wants to remain the starting quarterback for Denver in the future. This improvement, however, will probably not happen this Sunday.<br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Steelers</span> 27 Broncos 93rdStoneFromTheSunhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08885818209425078599noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9114088672380394893.post-33945509452804845812011-12-30T21:36:00.006-05:002011-12-31T05:43:58.235-05:00Washington Redskins 2011 NFL Season Grades<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i.usatoday.net/sports/gallery/2010/NFL/WeeklyGallery/week10/z4pg-vertical.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 515px; height: 340px;" src="http://i.usatoday.net/sports/gallery/2010/NFL/WeeklyGallery/week10/z4pg-vertical.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br /><br />As the Washington Redskins finish a third straight season at the bottom of the NFC East, an era where they have 15 total victories, there has been scattered areas of improvement. This is a positive sign for a franchise trying to rebuild a disheveled roster that suffered through years of poor decisions made in the front office.<br /><br />Though the Redskins new general manager and head coach have yet to make a huge impact to verify a statement of improvement, it appears owner Dan Snyder has enough reason to be patient and stay the course that has been laid before the team.<br /><br />Struggling often comes with rebuilding, so the roster has players who did not perform well enough to warrant a return in 2012. Yet there are hidden gems in a disastrous season where Washington failed to realize the Super Bowl hopes every team begins a season with.<br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Quarterback</span><br /><a href="http://ph.cdn.photos.upi.com/collection/upi/04199855309df68ef40d3ad7a5cf4c82/Redskins-Grossman-fumbles-in-Arlington_4.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px;" src="http://ph.cdn.photos.upi.com/collection/upi/04199855309df68ef40d3ad7a5cf4c82/Redskins-Grossman-fumbles-in-Arlington_4.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a> <br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;"><span style="font-style:italic;">Rex Grossman</span></span> - He is, at times, a poor man's Brett Favre. At other times, he is the equivalent of a junior high school sandlot quarterback.<br /><br />Like Favre, he turns the ball over in bunches with throws no professional quarterback should make. He also has a habit of taking delay of game penalties in bunches and takes tons of ill-advised sacks that result in huge losses of yards.<br /><br />Grossman was brought back in 2011 because of his familiarity of Kyle Shanahan's offensive system. This has helped him make plays that show off a skill set that has intrigued many ever since he joined the NFL in 2003.<br /><br />He is, at most, a system quarterback who needs an exceptional defense to carry him and cover Grossman's innumerable mistakes. But he is no more than a backup because of his constant mental errors. He is certainly on the lower tier of starting quarterbacks in the NFL, as shown currently by his eight fumbles and league leading 19 interceptions.<br /><br />Washington will most likely upgrade the quarterback position in the draft, thus ending Grossman's days as a starter. He made $810,000 this year, but is is just slightly more than backup John Beck. It is doubtful both will be back in 2012, but Grossman may leave on his own thinking he can start for another team elsewhere.<br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">Grade : <span style="font-weight:bold;">D +</span></span><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;"><span style="font-style:italic;">John Beck</span></span> - Redskins brass spun stories that Beck could lead the team before the season began, but he was beat out for the starting job in training camp. He did get three starts this year, but lost each of them. Beck has now lost all seven of his career starts, but four did occur with the 1-15 Miami Dolphins in 2007.<br /><br />He took 16 sacks and threw four interceptions in his four games. While the blocking was not good in stretches, it was expected that his mobility would help prevent so many sacks in a short time.<br /><br />It won't be shocking to see him return in 2012, but as a reserve since most of the football world expects the Redskins to draft a quarterback to start.<br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">Grade : <span style="font-weight:bold;">D</span></span><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Running Back</span><br /><a href="http://www1.pictures.zimbio.com/gi/Roy+Helu+Washington+Redskins+v+Seattle+Seahawks+tLGDK49Sld3l.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px;" src="http://www1.pictures.zimbio.com/gi/Roy+Helu+Washington+Redskins+v+Seattle+Seahawks+tLGDK49Sld3l.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a> <br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;"><span style="font-style:italic;">Roy Helu</span></span> - When Redskins general manager Bruce Allen grabbed Helu in the fourth round of the 2011 NFL Draft, he had an idea Washington had a steal on their hands. Those ideas were put into reality after the rookie was forced into action much earlier and much more often than they expected.<br /><br />Helu became the main ball carrier after injuries disheveled the backfield. He has responded even better than expected, showing excellent receiving abilities as well. Not only does Helu lead the team with 635 yards rushing, at a respectable 4.3 yards per carry, he has 47 receptions.<br /><br />The best part of his success may be his ball security. Helu has fumbled twice, but recovered one. He also became the first Washington rookie to for 100 yards in three consecutive games. The Redskins can only hope for similar results in the future.<br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">Grade : <span style="font-weight:bold;">A +</span></span><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;"><span style="font-style:italic;">Tim Hightower</span></span> - Getting Hightower in a trade this year excited the halfback and Washington fans, because most knew the abilities of the hometown hero from his previous three seasons with the Arizona Cardinals. The only question was if he could last all year as the primary ball carrier.<br /><br />His season ended after getting hurt in the fifth game, but he was averaging more touches per game than he had before. The reviews of his time were mixed because he was scoring less touchdowns and catching less passes, but Hightower's injury put a damper on getting a real review of his abilities.<br /><br />His injury allowed Washington to discover rookie Roy Helu, so it seems likely he will go back to a familiar role to sharing the football in 2012.<br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">Grade : <span style="font-weight:bold;">C</span></span><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;"><span style="font-style:italic;">Ryan Torain</span></span> - Injuries basically ended his Redskins career, as Washington cut him a few days after Christmas in 2011. Torain has had injuries plague him ever since college, but his interesting skill set should get him a training camp invitation somewhere in 2012.<br /><br />Drafted in the fifth round of the 2008 draft by Mike Shanahan and the Denver Broncos, he was lost for the year after getting hurt in his first NFL start. After sitting out the 2009 season, he rejoined Shanahan in Washington last year.<br /><br />Many got somewhat excited about Torain after seeing him run for 742 yards in eight starts, but injuries soon hit him again. After sitting out preseason and the first three games of the year with a hand injury, Torain led the Redskins to a victory by running for 135 yards on 19 carries.<br /><br />Since then, he had gained just 65 yards on 40 carries and fell on the depth chart so far that the team decided to part ways with him.<br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">Grade : <span style="font-weight:bold;">D</span></span><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;"><span style="font-style:italic;">Evan Royster</span></span> - Royster spent most of the year on the practice squad, but was promoted in week 10. Since then, he has run for an impressive six yards per carry on 36 attempts as a reserve.<br /><br />While pounding the ball between the tackles is more his game, the rookie has had a few impressive moments. He won't outrun opponents, but Royster gets by with intellect and enough elusiveness to show why the Redskins used a sixth round draft pick on him this year.<br /><br />He will return next year hoping to back up Roy Helu and Tim Hightower, but he has shown some abilities when called on.<br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">Grade : <span style="font-weight:bold;">B</span></span><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;"><span style="font-style:italic;">Darrell Young</span></span> - A college linebacker, he was converted to fullback as a undrafted free agent rookie last year. While he did play quite often as a rookie, Young has shown a lot of improvement this year.<br /><br />His job is to block, but the fullback has touched the ball 16 times and scored once. He should return next year and continue to get better.<br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">Grade : <span style="font-weight:bold;">A</span></span><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;"><span style="font-style:italic;">Mike Sellers</span></span> - His has been quite a successful career after the Redskins signed him from the Canadian Football League in 1998. Sellers has played both fullback and tight end in his 12 NFL seasons.<br /><br />He did leave the team after 2000 to join the Cleveland Browns for a season and the CFL for two years. Sellers returned to Washington in 2004 and made the Pro Bowl in 2008 for his exceptional blocking ability.<br /><br />Sellers is 36 years old and this is probably his last season. He has spent most of the year on the bench and has one reception. But he was a team player that Redskins fans rooted for because of his toughness and leadership as well.<br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">Grade : <span style="font-weight:bold;">C -</span></span><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Wide Receiver</span><br /><a href="http://i2.cdn.turner.com/si/2011/fantasy/12/20/fantasy-football-values/jabar-gaffney.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px;" src="http://i2.cdn.turner.com/si/2011/fantasy/12/20/fantasy-football-values/jabar-gaffney.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a> <br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;"><span style="font-style:italic;">Jabar Gaffney</span></span> - Washington is the fourth team Gaffney has played for in his 10 NFL seasons. He has had his best season in the pros with them, as he is on the verge of setting career high marks in receptions and touchdowns scored. He has already set a career best mark of 919 yards receiving.<br /><br />He has been Washington's only consistent force in the passing game. A big reason is his reunion with quarterback Rex Grossman, who also threw him a ton of passes while both were members of the Florida Gators in college.<br /><br />Gaffney has one more year left on his contract, so that should guarantee a return to Washington in 2012.<br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">Grade : <span style="font-weight:bold;">A -</span></span><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;"><span style="font-style:italic;">Santana Moss</span></span> - It has been a forgettable season for the 11-year pro. A injury to his hand slowed him down, and the 43 receptions he has had this year is the fewest he has had since 2004. He signed a three-year contract worth $15 million before the season started, so it appears likely Moss will be with the Redskins in 2012.<br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">Grade : <span style="font-weight:bold;">C</span></span><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;"><span style="font-style:italic;">Anthony Armstrong</span></span> - It was been a horrific season for Armstrong in 2011. He came out of nowhere as an undrafted free agent rookie in 2010 to catch 44 balls at 20 yards per catch. He has just seven receptions this season.<br /><br />A big part of the reason could be Washington's struggles at quarterback, but Armstrong has battled a hamstring issue this year and lost his starting job. He might be able to rebound in 2012, after the Redskins get a better quarterback, but Armstrong was a feel-good story of 2010 now trying to prove his success wasn't a flash in the pan.<br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">Grade : <span style="font-weight:bold;">D</span></span><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;"><span style="font-style:italic;">Donte` Stallworth</span></span> - Stallworth has been in the NFL nine seasons and has played with six teams. He has a good skill set, but has never consistently put it together. He sat out in 2010 after pleading guilty to DUI manslaughter.<br /><br />Washington cut him briefly this year, but brought him back after injuries depleted their receivers corps. Stallworth has caught 21 passes for two scores in the 10 games he has played. The former first-round pick of the New Orleans Saints appears to be running out of chances, but it would be no surprise to see him in the NFL next year.<br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">Grade : <span style="font-weight:bold;">C</span></span><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;"><span style="font-style:italic;">Leonard Hankerson</span></span> - The rookie had a case of the drops in preseason, but he made the team because the coaches were impressed with his size and skill set. The team had also used a third-round draft pick to acquire him.<br /><br />Hankerson was beginning to show productive signs when he got hurt and was lost for the season. He played just four games, catching 13 passes, but he had his first 100-yard receiving game in the NFL at the time of his injury. Expect him back in 2012, assuming he is healthy.<br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">Grade : <span style="font-weight:bold;">C +</span></span><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;"><span style="font-style:italic;">Terence Austin</span></span> - Austin is a second-year pro who has played and contributed more this season. He has 11 catches, showing decent ability in getting open. He has had to fight through the depth chart since arriving in Washington, an issue he will once again face in next year's training camp.<br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">Grade : <span style="font-weight:bold;">C</span></span><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;"><span style="font-style:italic;">Niles Paul</span></span> - Paul is another Nebraska Cornhusker that Washington drafted this season. He has primarily been used on special teams, but the speedy wide receiver has caught two passes and run the ball once.<br /><br />One of Paul's strengths is blocking downfield, a skill he showed often in preseason. He has a very good chance of returning next year, but is buried right now on a depth chart full of good receivers.<br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">Grade : <span style="font-weight:bold;">C</span></span><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;"><span style="font-style:italic;">David Anderson</span></span> - He will played just five games, but the possession-type receiver has caught six balls and scored once. It will be a longshot for his return in 2012, but Mike Shanahan does like a receiver with his skill set. Brandon Stokley is a prime example.<br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">Grade : <span style="font-weight:bold;">C +</span></span><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Tight End</span><br /><a href="http://helmet2helmet.net/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/chris-cooley1.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px;" src="http://helmet2helmet.net/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/chris-cooley1.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a> <br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;"><span style="font-style:italic;">Chris Cooley</span></span> - You could say it was a wasted season for Cooley, who played just five games because of a knee and hand injury. But he did catch eight balls and surpass Washington legend Jerry Smith for having the most receptions in a career by a Redskins tight end.<br /><br />Cooley wants to return in 2012, but that was beginning to look suspect when Fred Davis started to excel in his place. Davis then got suspended for illegal drug use, so Washington should think about bringing back a player who wants to finish his career with them.<br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">Grade : <span style="font-weight:bold;">C -</span></span><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;"><span style="font-style:italic;">Fred Davis</span></span> - Davis was starting to look like one of the few good draft picks Vinny Cerrato had before he was finally fired as the Redskins Vice President for Football Operations in 2009. Then the tight end was suspended for the final four games of the 2011 season for illegal drug use.<br /><br />The criticism of Davis, when Washington used a second round pick on him in 2008, was that he wasn't really interested in football. He developed slowly behind Chris Cooley on the depth chart, but showed flashes of the ability most felt he possessed.<br /><br />Davis was having a career year this season, catching 59 passes in 12 games, before he was shelved. His contract expires at the end of the year, so there are no guarantees he will return in 2012.<br /><br />If Washington loses him, there will be a big hole to fill at tight end. It will be even bigger than the one he created himself by poor decisions.<br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">Grade : <span style="font-weight:bold;">B</span></span><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;"><span style="font-style:italic;">Logan Paulson</span></span> - A blocking tight end forced into more involvement in the offense due to injuries and suspension, Paulson made the team last year as an undrafted free agent rookie. He has caught a career best nine passes this season, as opposed to the two he had last year.<br /><br />He makes his bones by blocking, something Paulson does a good job at. This should get him serious consideration at a 2012 return to Washington.<br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">Grade : <span style="font-weight:bold;">C</span></span><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;"><span style="font-style:italic;">Richard Quinn</span></span> - Quinn went into the 2009 draft as the top blocking tight end in the draft. The Denver Broncos used a second round selection on him, but cut him the following year. He has appeared in one game, so his chance will come in training camp as he vies with Paulson for the job of blocking tight end.<br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">Grade : <span style="font-weight:bold;">Incomplete</span></span><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;"><span style="font-style:italic;">Rob Meyers</span></span> - After spending most of the 2011 on the practice squad, Meyers joined the active roster for the final two weeks of the season. He gets compared a lot to Chris Cooley, most likely because both attended Utah State University.<br /><br />Meyers has been on six different teams practice squads since joining the NFL in 2009, so it is doubtful he will be back in 2012.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Grade : <span style="font-style:italic;">Incomplete</span></span><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;"><span style="font-style:italic;">Dominique Byrd</span></span> - Byrd appeared in two games before being waived. The four-year pro has played for both the Saint Louis Rams, who drafted him in the third round of the 2006 draft, and the Seattle Seahawks as well.<br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">Grade : <span style="font-weight:bold;">Incomplete</span></span><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Offensive Line</span><br /><a href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/rf/image_606w/2010-2019/WashingtonPost/2010/10/24/Sports/Images/sp-skins25_04_1287939960.jpg?uuid=LsVWuN-REd-NgU68fSCj5Q"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px;" src="http://www.washingtonpost.com/rf/image_606w/2010-2019/WashingtonPost/2010/10/24/Sports/Images/sp-skins25_04_1287939960.jpg?uuid=LsVWuN-REd-NgU68fSCj5Q" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;"><span style="font-style:italic;">Trent Williams</span></span> - It has certainly been mixed reviews since the Redskins used the fourth pick pf the 2010 draft on Williams. Many thought he was suited to play right tackle, but the Redskins believe he can play the demanding left tackle spot.<br /><br />More criticism of this pick comes from the fact the final four games of this season saw him suspended for using illegal drugs. The fact he continues to miss games due to injuries is also becoming a trend Williams needs to halt next year.<br /><br />Williams struggled last year by giving up 11.5 sacks, but he showed some improvement this season by giving up just three in his 10 games. He did draw more penalties this year, but the youngster is still a work in progress.<br /><br />I expect Williams to remain at left tackle in 2012, but his drug suspension has to be cause for some concern. He was lauded for having high character when drafted, so letting his team down belies that thought. But the team needs to hope this is a temporary setback for a man who is the beginning stages of an excellent career.<br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">Grade : <span style="font-weight:bold;">B -</span></span><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;"><span style="font-style:italic;">Jamaal Brown</span></span> - Washington felt good about trading for Brown's services before 2010, because they knew they were getting a two-time Pro Bowler and Super Bowl champion who was the first round draft pick of the New Orleans Saints in 2005.<br /><br />He had spent his best years at left tackle, but the Redskins have had him at right tackle since they acquired him. While he has played decently, the injury bug has plagued Brown's career and prevented him from ever playing 16 games in a season.<br /><br />While the Redskins offensive line showed improvement this season, they are still ranked ninth with 40 sacks allowed. Brown has unofficially been credited with a career high nine sacks allowed, but he has had just four penalties called on him as well.<br /><br />The Redskins will face some tough decisions once this season ends. Brown will be just 31 years old next year and his 2011 salary was just $685,000, but the team might make some changes to a unit where injuries prevented them from truly gelling this season.<br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">Grade : <span style="font-weight:bold;">C -</span></span><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;"><span style="font-style:italic;">Sean Locklear</span></span> - His previous seven years had been spent with the Seattle Seahawks, where the veteran started the last year at both tackle spots. Washington signed him as a free agent this year, where he has started in four of the eight games he appeared in.<br /><br />Health is a concern, mainly because he missed 17 games with Seattle. Even though he was replaced on the starting lineup recently, after giving up four sacks, having a veteran on a roster is a positive. Especially one with the experience of starting 82 games. This factor could bring him back to training camp next year.<br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">Grade : <span style="font-weight:bold;">D</span></span><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;"><span style="font-style:italic;">Will Montgomery</span></span> - He had quite a journey in becoming the Redskins starting center this year. Drafted in the seventh round of the 2006 draft, he had six starts in 13 games in his first two seasons with the Carolina Panthers and New York Jets. Washington signed him in 2009, where Montgomery had nine starts at guard before this year.<br /><br />Replacing Casey Rabach, who missed just one contest in six seasons, placed Montgomery in the spotlight somewhat. He has had a few moments where he has been overmatched, but Montgomery has kept his job on a team that has a lot of offensive linemen who are able to play his position.<br /><br />He will be just 29 years old in 2012, and his body still does not have a ton of wear and tear on it. Montgomery should go into training camp expecting to start next season.<br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">Grade : <span style="font-weight:bold;">B -</span></span><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;"><span style="font-style:italic;">Willie Smith</span></span> - The undrafted rookie has appeared in just three games this year, but started at left tackle in two. The Redskins could have a legitimate steal here.<br /><br />Many scouts thought not only that Smith would be drafted this year, a few thought he could start in a year or two into his career. While raw, mainly because the former defensive lineman has less than four years experience as a blocker, he is athletic and blessed with long arms that help him do well in both the run and pass game.<br /><br />While Trent Williams had had a few decent moments at left tackle, many believe right tackle is his best position. Aging veteran Jamaal Brown may not return next year, so it is a possibility that Smith starts at left tackle while Williams moves to the right side of the offensive line.<br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">Grade : <span style="font-weight:bold;">B -</span></span><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;"><span style="font-style:italic;">Tyler Polumbus</span></span> - After going undrafted in 2008, Polumbus was signed by Mike Shanahan and the Denver Broncos. He spent the next two seasons starting 15 games at both tackle spots for the Broncos and Seattle Seahawks.<br /><br />Seattle waived him after five games this year, so the Redskins signed him a few weeks later. Polumbus has a start at right tackle and has also played guard. His familiarity with Shanahan should give him a decent chance at being invited to training camp next year.<br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">Grade : <span style="font-weight:bold;">C</span></span><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;"><span style="font-style:italic;">Maurice Hurt</span></span> - He began this year on the practice squad, but has started the last eight weeks because of injuries. Drafted in the seventh round of the 2011 NFL Draft., Hurt is one of the gems Redskins general manager Bruce Allen unearthed.<br /><br />While he has had moments where Hurt had typical rookie struggles, giving up two sacks and drawing a pair of penalties, he has earned a chance to try to make the team again in 2012. His will be an interesting story in training camp, as he battles Kory Lichtensteiger for the job at starting left guard.<br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">Grade : <span style="font-weight:bold;">B</span></span><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;"><span style="font-style:italic;">Chris Chester</span></span> - The Redskins happily signed him as a free agent before this year, because he was a big upgrade over Artis Hicks. Hicks, who was a mistake free agent signing in 2010, was let go by the team. Chester has no sacks or penalties credited against him this year.<br /><br />Chester was drafted in the second round of the 2006 draft by the Baltimore Ravens. After nine starts in his first two years, Chester has started at right guard since. Washington gave him a five-year contract, so expect him back in 2012.<br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">Grade : <span style="font-weight:bold;">A</span></span><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;"><span style="font-style:italic;">Eric Cook</span></span> - At 6'6", Cook is tall for a center. Washington drafted him in the seventh round of the 2010 draft, but cut him and placed him on the practice squad. He has started in two of the seven games that he played in this season, but as a guard.<br /><br />Washington might bring him back next year, but it will be interesting to see which position Cook will try to make his mark at.<br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">Grade : <span style="font-weight:bold;">C </span></span><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;"><span style="font-style:italic;">Kory Lichtensteiger</span></span> - Drafted by Mike Shanahan and the Denver Broncos in the fourth round of the 2008 draft, he spent that year as a reserve before being cut after Shanahan was fired. The Minnesota Vikings signed Lichtensteiger, but cut him a few weeks later.<br /><br />After sitting out of the league in 2009, he rejoined Shanahan with the Redskins last season and started 14 games at guard. Lichtensteiger, who can play both guard and center, began 2011 starting at guard and tore his knee up in the fifth game of the season.<br /><br />He should be back, if healthy, next season because Washington needs all the help they can get on the offensive line. Lichtensteiger's best position was once thought to be center, but he has forged a decent career so far at left guard. He was playing at a decent level when his year was halted by injury, giving up no sacks or penalties at the time.<br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">Grade : <span style="font-weight:bold;">B</span></span> <br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Defensive Line</span><br /><a href="http://media.nj.com/giants_impact/photo/barry-cofield-giantsjpg-730742c3d51dbad7.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px;" src="http://media.nj.com/giants_impact/photo/barry-cofield-giantsjpg-730742c3d51dbad7.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a> <br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;"><span style="font-style:italic;">Barry Cofield</span></span> - Coming over a free agent this year from the division rival New York Giants, Cofield had adjusted nicely to the nose tackle position after having spent his previous five years as a defensive tackle.<br /><br />Cofield will end up with the lowest tackle total of his career this season, expected because few nose tackles pile up huge tackle numbers, but he has a career high eight passes defended. A key note is that Cofield has missed just one game in his career, so he will be penned in for 2012.<br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">Grade : <span style="font-weight:bold;">B +</span></span><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;"><span style="font-style:italic;">Stephen Bowen</span></span> - After five years with the hated Dallas Cowboys, the undrafted Bowen came to Washington as a free agent this season. Not only has become a full-time starter the first time in his career, Bowen has responded with the finest season of his career.<br /><br />He leads all Redskin defensive linemen in tackles and sacks. Bowen has proven to be a service player that Washington can plan to start again in 2012.<br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">Grade : <span style="font-weight:bold;">B +</span></span><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;"><span style="font-style:italic;">Adam Carriker</span></span> - Carriker has revitalized his career since washing out as a 2007 first round pick of the Saint Louis Rams in 2007. Unlike his time with the Rams, Carriker has not battled injuries in Washington.<br /><br />Able to play nose tackle as well, the defensive end has been more productive this year compared to last season in quarterback sacks. He is getting less tackles per game, but the rate isn't a huge drop off.<br /><br />The five sacks he has right now is second amongst Redskins linemen and fourth overall on the team. Since the team has so many other holes to fill, Washington could ride Carriker another season with confidence.<br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">Grade : <span style="font-weight:bold;">B -</span></span><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;"><span style="font-style:italic;">Chris Nield</span></span> - The rookie was a hero in his first game, collecting two key sacks and forcing a fumble. He hasn't been heard from since, as his 10 total tackles show. It seems he has a chance to return as a reserve next year, because nose tackle may be the most physically demanding position in all of football.<br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">Grade : <span style="font-weight:bold;">C -</span></span><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;"><span style="font-style:italic;">Darrion Scott</span></span> - After spending two years in the UFL with Haslett, after having spent four previous years with the Minnesota Vikings, Scott is in his second season with the Redskins. He has played seven games and wore three jersey numbers for Washington since then.<br /><br />His Haslett connection might get him back in camp, but four total tackles says the Redskins could do better here.<br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">Grade : <span style="font-weight:bold;">D -</span></span><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;"><span style="font-style:italic;">Kedric Gholston</span></span> - A serviceable lineman since being drafted by Washington in the sixth round of the 2006 draft, Gholston got hurt in the ninth game of this season and was shelved the rest of the year.<br /><br />He has a good chance of returning because he does fit the 3-4 scheme defensive coordinator Jim Haslett is running, but his output pretty much says that serving as a reserve in the rotation would be his best fit.<br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">Grade : <span style="font-weight:bold;">C -</span></span><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;"><span style="font-style:italic;">Kentwan Balmer</span></span> - The Redskins could be the last NFL team for Balmer, who has become a journeyman after flopping as the San Francisco 49er's first round pick in 2008. He has given nothing in his three games with Washington, a fact that probably doom his chances for a return next season.<br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">Grade : <span style="font-weight:bold;">F</span></span><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;"><span style="font-style:italic;">Chris Baker</span></span> - Baker came from a very defensive line at Hampton University that featured Miami Dolphins defensive end Kendall Langford and New York Jets defensive end Marcus Dixon. Detroit Lions linebacker Justin Durant got to play behind them.<br /><br />While those three have become starters in the NFL, Baker had had the least success. He has logged just two games, recording no statistics, since 2009 with two teams.<br /><br />After spending three months on the practice squad, he joined the team and got hurt in his first practice. Now on the injured reserve, it is doubtful Baker will be back in 2012.<br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">Grade : <span style="font-weight:bold;">Incomplete</span></span><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;"><span style="font-style:italic;">Jarvis Jenkins</span></span> - Getting injured during a promising preseason during your rookie year can only get an incomplete grade. Washington will hope his knee injury does not inhibit him any further.<br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">Grade : <span style="font-weight:bold;">Incomplete</span></span><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;"><span style="font-style:italic;">Doug Worthington</span></span> - He joined the team for the last two games of 2011 after having spent the season on the practice squad. The combination defensive tackle/ end spent 2010 on the Pittsburgh Steelers and Tampa Bay Buccaneers practice squads after being drafted in the seventh round. He will hope for a chance to make any NFL tea, next year.<br /><span style="font-style:italic;"><br />Grade : <span style="font-weight:bold;">Incomplete</span></span><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Linebacker</span><br /><a href="http://dcprosportsreport.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/london-fletcher.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px;" src="http://dcprosportsreport.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/london-fletcher.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a> <br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;"><span style="font-weight:bold;">London Fletcher</span></span> - The unquestioned leader of the defense, Fletcher is a 14 year veteran who contract expires at the end of the season. While 36 years old, he has never missed a game in his career and continues to be one of the top tacklers in the NFL.<br /><br />He leads the NFL with 163 tackles, which is actually more than he had in his previous two years where he garnered Pro Bowl honors. There is no doubt the man still produces better than most middle linebackers in the NFL, yet the only question will be if he wants to return in 2012.<br /><br />His return is probably the most critical of all of the Redskins impending free agents. Even if his production is curtailed, Fletcher's leadership is irreplaceable.<br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">Grade : <span style="font-weight:bold;">A +</span></span><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;"><span style="font-style:italic;">Ryan Kerrigan</span></span> - Drafted in the first round of the 2011 draft, the former collegiate defensive end has made a nice transition to outside linebacker. He leads the team with 7.5 sacks, has 62 tackles, four defended passes and has a touchdown off a interception.<br /><br />He is a serious candidate for for Defensive Rookie of the Year and appears to have a big future ahead that will probably includes Pro Bowls.<br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">Grade : <span style="font-weight:bold;">A</span></span><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;"><span style="font-style:italic;">Brian Orakpo</span></span> - Orakpo made the Pro Bowl in his first two seasons after the Redskins drafted him in 2009. He is still learning how to be more than just a pass rusher, yet he has a career high in both tackles and passes defended this season. If he doesn't get 1.5 sacks in his final game, he will have a career low seven this year.<br /><br />He is a work in progress, but a successful one who has teams up rather nicely opposite Kerrigan at outside linebacker. They are learning from a defensive coordinator who was also once a Pro Bowl linebacker, so there is a very good chance Orakpo's game continues to evolve and improve annually.<br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">Grade : <span style="font-weight:bold;">B +</span></span><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;"><span style="font-weight:bold;">Perry Riley</span></span> - Drafted in the fourth round of the 2010 draft, Riley has steadily improved at middle linebacker. After playing eight games as a rookie, Riley has now become a starter at inside linebacker and has 64 tackles so far.<br /><br />He has benefited from learning from Fletcher, which only bodes well for his future in Washington. Expect him to be starting in 2012.<br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">Grade : <span style="font-weight:bold;">B</span></span><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;"><span style="font-style:italic;">Rocky McIntosh</span></span> - There is no question that McIntosh hasn't been nearly as productive as he was in 2010. Not only has he lost his starting job, but he has his least amount of starts since the 2006 draft when Washington acquired him in the second round.<br /><br />His 62 tackles this year are the fewest since that rookie year, and it appears McIntosh is better suited as an outside linebacker in a 4-3 scheme. His contract expires at the end of the season, so there is a decent chance he will be with another team in 2012.<br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">Grade : <span style="font-weight:bold;">D</span></span><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;"><span style="font-style:italic;">Lorenzo Alexander</span></span> - Though listed as a linebacker, his position may be better termed as just "Football Player". Alexander made the Redskins as an undrafted rookie in 2007 and has played all along the front seven of the defense and is the captain of the special teams.<br /><br />Head coach Mike Shanahan once called him Alexander the best special teams <a href="http://voices.washingtonpost.com/redskinsinsider/lorenzo-alexander/shanahan-alexander-best-specia.html?wprss=redskinsinsider">player</a> he had been around. So it is a pretty safe bet the relentless Alexander returns in 2012.<br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">Grade : <span style="font-weight:bold;">C</span></span><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;"><span style="font-style:italic;">Keyaron Fox</span></span> - Fox makes his money on special teams. The eight-year veteran has earned a Super Bowl ring with the Pittsburgh Steelers in the past, where he was the captain of their special teams. There is a good chance Washington brings him back in 2012.<br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">Grade : <span style="font-weight:bold;">C +</span></span><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;"><span style="font-style:italic;">Markus White</span></span> - Drafted in the seventh round of the 2011 draft, White is a former collegiate defensive end converted to outside linebacker. He has appeared in one game this season.<br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">Grade : <span style="font-weight:bold;">Incomplete</span></span><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;"><span style="font-style:italic;">Rob Jackson</span> </span>- Another outside linebacker converted from defensive end, Jackson makes his main contributions via special teams. He has been in Washington since 2008 since being drafted in the seventh round, but has appeared in just 24 games. Jackson will have to fight for a roster spot in 2012.<br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">Grade : <span style="font-weight:bold;">C -</span></span><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Defensive Back</span><br /><a href="http://dcprosportsreport.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/07/Laron-Landry.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px;" src="http://dcprosportsreport.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/07/Laron-Landry.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a> <br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;"><span style="font-style:italic;">LaRon Landry</span></span> - After starting out the first nine weeks of the 2010 as the best safety in football, Landry has been battling injuries to his Achilles tendon. He has played in just eight games since then.<br /><br />After sitting out the preseason, Landry struggled with his health before shutting it down. He was still effective, making 48 tackles. But the question with him looms larger with each day.<br /><br />Landry is going to be a free agent in 2012, one highly sought by teams who want to believe his injuries are behind him. Washington surely doesn't want to let him go without a fight, but owner Dan Snyder has taken similar gambles in the past and gotten burned.<br /><br />Landry has all the tools desired to play strong safety, and his level of intensity makes him a favorite amongst the Redskin fans. No one would blame him for joining a team offering a bigger salary or a winning record, but this team needs him to return next season and beyond in full health so he can continue to be the best strong safety Washington has had since the immortal Hall of Famer Ken Houston.<br /><br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">Grade : <span style="font-weight:bold;">C</span></span><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;"><span style="font-style:italic;">DeAngelo Hall</span></span> - Maybe the biggest headlines Hall has made this year was telling reporters he did not deserve his annual $4.5 million salary. Yet he leads the team with 15 passes defended and three interceptions. He is also second on the team in tackles.<br /><br />Hall plays a soft corner and often gives up plays. There have been lapses in effort and attention, something not to be expected from a player raking in the salary he does.<br /><br />He should be back starting in 2012, mainly because effective starting cornerbacks are hard to find. He revitalized his career with Washington in 2009 and went to the Pro Bowl last year. He is a key figure in the Redskins dreams to returning to glory.<br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">Grade : <span style="font-weight:bold;">B +</span></span><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;"><span style="font-style:italic;">Josh Wilson</span></span> - There have been several moments in the 2011 season where Wilson was the best defensive back on the team. A local hero who is also the son of a Maryland University legend, Wilson and Kevin Barnes both played on the same Terrapins team in college.<br /><br />Washington signed him as a free agent this year and have been rewarded. Besides picking off two passes, Wilson is tied with the most passes defended on the team and has started and played in every game.<br /><br />Not only should he be back in 2012, but it is likely the Redskins start him as well.<br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">Grade : <span style="font-weight:bold;">B +</span></span><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;"><span style="font-style:italic;">Oshiomogho Atogwe</span></span> - Washington was hoping for a bigger season from Atogwe in 2011, but he got hurt in preseason and has been inconsistent much of the year. Not only is he about to finish with his lowest tackle total since his rookie year, but the seven-year veteran missed three games and eight starts<br /><br />Washington invested five years and $26 million into the free safety, so they are hoping for better in 2012. Atogwe can make plays, but he may not be on the team long if injuries continue to hamper him.<br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">Grade : <span style="font-weight:bold;">C -</span></span><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;"><span style="font-style:italic;">Kevin Barnes</span></span> - Barnes has had his best season as a Redskin since being drafted by them in the third round of the 2009 draft. He has set career high marks of two interceptions and 26 tackles thus far.<br /><br />He gets picked on at times, but the improvement over his career is evident. Barnes has one more year left on his contract, so there is a good chance the homegrown hero returns to the Redskins in 2012.<br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">Grade : <span style="font-weight:bold;">C +</span></span><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;"><span style="font-style:italic;">Dejon Gomes</span></span> - Drafted in the fifth round of the 2011 draft., Gomes has started four games at free safety. He is aggressive and shows good range, but his rookie season might be most noted for his tackle ending the year of Minnesota Vikings Pro Bowl halfback Adrian Peterson. Peterson, the highest paid running back in the NFL, had a consecutive streak of 1,000 yard rushing seasons halted at four years.<br /><br />Gomes will be back next year to back up Atogwe, but the future of the youngster is very promising.<br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">Grade : <span style="font-weight:bold;">B</span></span><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;"><span style="font-style:italic;">Reed Doughty</span></span> - He may not be the most athletic player, but Doughty is third on the team in tackles. Drafted in the sixth round of the 2006 draft by Washington, he has played both safety positions and started 35 of his 74 career games.<br /><br />Doughty won't wow many and creates even fewer turnovers, but he is an intelligent player who gets the most out of his abilities. Yet there is no guarantee he returns in 2012 for seventh season with the Redskins. Doughty has fended off challenges from players like Chris Horton and Kareem Moore thus far, so don't count him out just yet.<br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">Grade : <span style="font-weight:bold;">C</span></span><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;"><span style="font-style:italic;">Byron Westbrook</span></span> - Born and raised in Washington D.C., Westbrook is about to complete his third season with the Redskins. It is his most productive yet, as he has a career highs with three passes defended, 10 tackles and a forced fumble.<br /><br />Special teams is his main area of contribution, but it is very foreseeable that the cornerback stays on the team next year.<br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">Grade : <span style="font-weight:bold;">C</span></span><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;"><span style="font-style:italic;">Brandyn Thompson</span></span> - Drafted in the seventh round of the years draft, the bulk of his work has come via special teams. He has a pair of tackles in the five games he appeared in. He will spend nest season's training camp trying to make the team again.<br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">Grade : <span style="font-weight:bold;">D</span></span><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;"><span style="font-style:italic;">Phillip Buchanon</span></span> - Drafted in the first round of the 2002 draft, the Redskins represent his fifth team so far. Buchanon started out 2011 suspended for using performance-enhancing substances, then promptly went on inured reserve after playing in two games.<br /><br />It is hard to imagine he will be back, but Redskins general manager Bruce Allen has worked with him in Oakland and Tampa Bay as well. It could be time for Buchanon to call it a career, but perhaps he tries again in 2012.<br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">Grade : <span style="font-weight:bold;">Incomplete</span></span><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Specialists</span><br /><a href="http://cdn3.sbnation.com/entry_photo_images/2312498/133604136_extra_large.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px;" src="http://cdn3.sbnation.com/entry_photo_images/2312498/133604136_extra_large.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a> <br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;"><span style="font-style:italic;">Graham Gano</span></span> - In 35 games over three years with the Redskins, Gano has been up and down. He has missed 20 field goals the last two years, in 74 attempts, but did make a career best four field goals of over 50 yards.<br /><br />His nine misses of 39 yards or closer is a frustrating career statistic, but there are no guarantees Washington will find a better placekicker in 2012. It is possible Washington may be forced to spend a draft pick on a kicker, since Gano's inconsistencies are not conducive to winning football.<br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">Grade : <span style="font-weight:bold;">C</span></span><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;"><span style="font-style:italic;">Sav Rocca</span></span> - Rocca has been one of the Redskins best free agent signings of 2011. Despite the fact he will attempt the fewest punts of his career this year, his 43.6 yards per attempt average is the close to his career best mark. His 39.7 net yard average is the best of his career.<br /><br />Though having just five NFL seasons under his belt, Rocca is 38 years old. He has spent 15 years playing Australian Rules Football. Washington needs him back in 2012, and can only hope he wants to return.<br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">Grade : <span style="font-weight:bold;">A +</span></span><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;"><span style="font-style:italic;">Brandon Banks</span></span> - The Redskins kick return specialist, the second-year pro has been used even less on offense this season. He did throw a 49-yard touchdown pass on a wide receiver option.<br /><br />The diminutive Banks isn't returning balls as effectively as he did in his 2010 rookie year, but the difference isn't great and he does lead the league in kickoffs and kickoff return yardage. It seems very likely he will return to that role in 2012.<br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">Grade : <span style="font-weight:bold;">B</span></span><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;"><span style="font-style:italic;">Nick Sundberg</span></span> - After spending his 2009 rookie season on the practice squads of the Carolina Panthers and Baltimore Ravens, Sundberg replaced aging Pro Bowler Ethan Albright at long snapper on special teams in 2010. He has done a good enough job to warrant a return next season.<br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">Grade : <span style="font-weight:bold;">A</span></span><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Coaches</span><br /><a href="http://www.csnwashington.com/common/medialib/102/303124.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px;" src="http://www.csnwashington.com/common/medialib/102/303124.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a> <br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;"><span style="font-style:italic;">Mike Shanahan</span></span> - Shanahan came to Washington in 2010 with a career record of 138-86 with two Super Bowl titles as a head coach. He also won another Super Bowl as an offensive coordinator.<br /><br />He has gone 11-19 with the Redskins so far, which has caused some to speculate if his job was in jeopardy. Shanahan admits his rebuilding plan hasn't gone as quickly as expected, but he is basically trying to turn over a roster that suffered years of incompetence under Vinny Cerrato's leadership.<br /><br />While Shanahan will need all five years of his contract to show if he was a success, there is areas he has earned criticism. The main one is him allowing his son to be the offensive coordinator, a job the younger Shanahan has looked overmatched at often.<br /><br />Patience will be needed in the Redskins overhaul. He and general manager Brice Allen saw all of their 2011 draft picks make the team, but there are plenty of other holes to fill. Yet there is the worry that Shanahan is running a system that can't win it all in the NFC East.<br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">Grade : <span style="font-weight:bold;">C -</span></span><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;"><span style="font-style:italic;">Kyle Shanahan</span></span> - Getting a job because your dad is the boss doesn't exactly breed confidence amongst the ranks. He first got a NFL job working with Jon Gruden, then four seasons under Gary Kubiak. Kubiak played two years under the eldest Shanahan, then spent 12 years coaching with him.<br /><br />Washington finished 25th in scoring last year, averaging 18.9 points per game. They finished 18th in yards gained and 30th in rushing yards accrued. improvement was needed by the younger Shanahan's offense, but it actually regressed in certain areas.<br /><br />The Redskins are ranked 26th in scoring this year and are averaging about a half a point less per game than 2010. They have improved to 16th and 26th in total yards and rushing yards gained, but regressed in passing yards gained and interceptions thrown despite throwing the ball at about the same rate as last season.<br /><br />Most of the criticism of Shanahan's strategy comes from the fact it appears he often abandons the run in favor of the pass. It has surprised some because his father had most of his NFL successes via strong rushing attacks.<br /><br />He appears destined to return to the Redskins in 2012 because of his dad being the head coach. Shanahan will most likely have a rookie quarterback in charge of his offensive schemes, so there is a chance Washington continues to falter with the ball as a young quarterback matures.<br /><br />Washington fans might be stuck with both Shanahan's all five years, but a lot of critics could be suppressed if the young coordinator shows his theories to be correct.<br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">Grade : <span style="font-weight:bold;">D</span></span><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;"><span style="font-style:italic;">Jim Haslett</span></span> - Haslett has been involved with NFL defenses since 1979, save five years where he coached in college or other professional leagues. First he was a Pro Bowl linebacker, then he eventually became a head coach and respected defensive coordinator.<br /><br />He is still in the throes of converting the Redskins defense into a 3-4 scheme, acquiring the personnel he feels best fits his system. The Redskins struggled last year, finishing 31st in both total yards and passing yards allowed. They were 26th in rushing yards allowed and 21st in points allowed, getting 29 sacks, 19 forced fumbles and 14 interceptions.<br /><br />There was improvement this year, as Washington finished 16th in total yards allowed, 11th in passing yards allowed, and 19th in rushing yards allowed. While they have 38 sacks, the Redskins slightly improved to 19th in total points allowed.<br /><br />Yet the defense is still not creating the turnovers needed to be considered respectable. They have created five less fumbles and interceptions so far, an area the team must improve on in 2012.<br /><br />Haslett now has some interesting talent to work with, but depth must still be built and the run defense must get stouter. Injuries certainly hindered the unit, but that is a factor most NFL teams deal with annually.<br /><br />The Redskins defense often found itself on the gridiron too long, causing fatigue, due to an inept offensive attack. If Haslett and Washington can convince aging middle linebacker London Fletcher to return next year, they will be much better off. If he doesn't, a huge hole will be there in the middle of the defense. This hole could get gigantic if strong safety LaRon Landry leaves as well.<br /><br />But Haslett has led to defense to improve somewhat. He still has a ways to go, but there is more hope that pessimism involved.<br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">Grade : <span style="font-weight:bold;">B</span></span><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;"><span style="font-style:italic;">Danny Smith</span></span> - Smith has been here since 2004, but it seems he has dealt with a new kicker and punter most years. Washington finally got an excellent punter, even if he is 38 years old. But it seems their placekicker is inconsistent like most have been under Smith.<br /><br />His coverage teams are generally good, but Smith must get the team a reliable kicker to procure more victories. While widely respected in the NFL, he won't reach the heights of an upper echelon special teams coach until he fixes this critical area.<br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">Grade : <span style="font-weight:bold;">B -</span></span><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Yoooooooo! Dis iz Third's cuzin 7thStoneFromaTheSun makin his final procrastinashuns for da 2011 yeer. I did OK so far. I went <span style="font-weight:bold;">11-4</span> las week, and iz <span style="font-weight:bold;">143-88</span> overall.<br /><br />Letz finish strong, capeesh?<br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;"><span style="font-style:italic;">Green Bay Packers @ Detroit Lions</span></span><br /><br />I do belieef me and Third BOTH said da Lions wuz playoff bound dis yeer. Yo, da Pack don't knead dis, as both teems try to stay healthy. But Detroit wants homefield advantage in dere next game.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Lions</span> 34 Packers 24<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;"><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">Tennessee Titans @ Houston Texans</span></span><br /><br />Neither teem needs dis, but I tink da Texans finish strong.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Texans</span> 27 Titans 17<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;"><span style="font-style:italic;">Indianapolis Colts @ Jacksonville Jaguars</span></span><br /><br />A battle of bottom feeders.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Jaguars</span> 17 Colts 14<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;"><span style="font-style:italic;">New York Jets @ Miami Dolphins</span></span><br /><br />Too teems goin nowhere after dis.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Jets</span> 17 Dolphins 16<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;"><span style="font-style:italic;">Washington Redskins @ Philadelphia Eagles</span></span><br /><br />Da disappointing Eagles strong finish mite save Andy Reid's job.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Eagles</span> 31 Redskins 16<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;"><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">Carolina Panthers @ New Orleans Saints</span></span><br /><br />Da Saints go marching into da playoffs wif dere heads held up high.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Saints</span> 34 Panthers 24<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;"><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">San Francisco 49ers @ Saint Louis Rams</span></span><br /><br />Many tought, befour da seesun began, dat da Niners would be in last and da Rams in furst. Whops!<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">49ers</span> 23 Rams 9<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;"><span style="font-style:italic;">Buffalo Bills @ New England Patriots</span></span><br /><br />Da Pats want momentum headin into da playoffs.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Patriots</span> 37 Bills 31<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;"><span style="font-style:italic;">Chicago Bears @ Minnesota Vikings</span></span><br /><br />Who cares?<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Bears</span> 13 Vikings 10<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;"><span style="font-style:italic;">Kansas City Chiefs @ Denver Broncos</span></span><br /><br />Denver needs dis, but Kyle Orton makes dem regret choosing a weak-armed fullback over him.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Chiefs</span> 27 Broncos 13<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;"><span style="font-style:italic;">San Diego Chargers @ Oakland Raiders</span></span><br /><br />Da AFC West has always been wacky. Three teems go 8-8 dis yeer.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Chargers</span> 28 Raiders 20<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;"><span style="font-style:italic;">Seattle Seahawks @ Arizona Cardinals</span></span><br /><br />ZZZzzzzz<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Cardinals</span> 24 Seahawks 21<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;"><span style="font-style:italic;">Tampa Bay Buccaneers @ Atlanta Falcons</span></span><br /><br />Da erratic Falcons knead dis.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Falcons</span> 34 Buccaneers 13<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;"><span style="font-style:italic;">Pittsburgh Steelers @ Cleveland Browns</span></span><br /><br />As David Byrne chirped,"Same as it ever was."<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Steelers</span> 23 Browns 14<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;"><span style="font-style:italic;">Baltimore Ravens @ Cincinnati Bengals</span></span><br /><br />You like defense? Watch dis game! Call me crazy, but I'm goin wif da Bengals. Dey knead it two klinch a playoff berth.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Bengals</span> 20 Ravens 17<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;"><span style="font-weight:bold;">Dallas Cowboys @ New York Giants</span><br />Game of the Week</span><br /><br />Personally, I tink dat Ravens/ Bengals game is better den dese too mediovre squads. BUT all da media will bee dere and da winner gets da NFC East title while da loser goes home until 2012.<br /><br />Neither teem can run da ball, both quarterbacks iz overrated, and da defenses ain't nothin to write home about. I just gunna say Tony Romo ends dat "choke artist" label dis yeer. <br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Cowboys</span> 30 Giants 24<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Power Rankings</span><br /><br />1. Packers<br />2. 49ers<br />3. Saints<br />4. Ravens<br />5. Steelers<br />6. Patriots<br />7. Texans<br />8. Lions<br />9. Bengals<br />10. Falcons<br />11. Cowboys<br />12. Giants<br />13. Raiders<br />14. Broncos<br />15. Chargers<br />16. Jets<br />17. Titans<br />18. Eagles<br />19. Chiefs<br />20. Bills<br />21. Dolphins<br />22. Cardinals<br />23. Bears<br />24. Panthers<br />25. Seahawks<br />26. Redskins<br />27. Buccaneers<br />28. Browns<br />29. Jaguars<br />30. Colts<br />31. Vikings<br />32. Rams<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />OK, datt iz it folks. Yo? I hope I seas yous alls in 2012, but dat iz cuntingint on if dat certain family lookin four me finds me or not. <br /><br />You all have a Happy New Year and every day beyond.<br /><br />As dey say in Ol' Mexico= A.M.F.<br /><br /><br /><a href="http://www.yougabsports.com/gfile/75r4!-!FFMLML!-!zrzor45!-!KOEQIEIF-RMKF-HRDG-LPNF-LFKIOMMMOHLO!-!72y1nq/7thstone.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px;" src="http://www.yougabsports.com/gfile/75r4!-!FFMLML!-!zrzor45!-!KOEQIEIF-RMKF-HRDG-LPNF-LFKIOMMMOHLO!-!72y1nq/7thstone.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a>3rdStoneFromTheSunhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08885818209425078599noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9114088672380394893.post-59914647356658498932011-12-26T11:11:00.003-05:002011-12-26T14:25:56.606-05:00Pro Football Hall of Fame 2012 Semi-Finalists Hope For A Happy New Year<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.examiner.com/images/blog/wysiwyg/image/fn_hof_logo2%282%29.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 378px; height: 386px;" src="http://www.examiner.com/images/blog/wysiwyg/image/fn_hof_logo2%282%29.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br />The Pro Football Hall of Fame voters announced 28 semi-finalists for induction into the 2012 class. As always, it is a dubious list missing a ton of superior players, coaches and contributors languishing in a black hole called the "Seniors Pool". Just two players from that pool have a chance each year, which shows the huge flaw of this voting process.<br /><br />The voters have an extremely hard group of players to sift through this year. There are as many as 13 or more players I feel belong in Canton.<br /> <br />While the next vote to slim the list will not come for a few months, yours truly thought his ineffectual vote should be heard despite not counting. Here is the list :<br /> <br /> <br /> <br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Steve Atwater <br />Safety<br />Denver Broncos<br />11 Seasons<br />8 Pro Bowls<br />2 First Team All-Pro Teams<br />24 Interceptions</span><br /><br /><a href="http://www.broncoscountry.com/resources/citizen_uploads/photos/23259/photo7192.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px;" src="http://www.broncoscountry.com/resources/citizen_uploads/photos/23259/photo7192.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br />I don't think he is even the best safety in Broncos history, an honor I bestow on Goose Gonsoulin then Dennis Smith and Billy Thompson. Atwater will never get my vote.<br /><br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Jerome Bettis<br />Running Back<br />Pittsburgh Steelers<br />13 Seasons<br />6 Pro Bowls<br />2 First Team All-Pro Teams<br />13,662 Yards Rushing<br />94 Total Touchdowns</span><br /><br /><a href="http://a.espncdn.com/photo/2008/1113/golf_g_jbettis2_200.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px;" src="http://a.espncdn.com/photo/2008/1113/golf_g_jbettis2_200.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br />Bettis was involved in one of the biggest steals ever, when the Steelers got him from the Saint Louis Rams in a trade. He ran for over 1,000 yards in eight of his first nine seasons, showing remarkable durability because his game was running between the tackles.<br /> <br />Not much of a receiver, he could be depended on once handed the ball. He fumbled 41 times, but he usually rewarded his teams with a pounding style that wore out opponents while chewing up the clock.<br /> <br />There is no question that Bettis is worthy of Canton, so I would vote him onto the finalist's list without hesitation.<br /><br /><br /><br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Jack Butler<br />Safety<br />Pittsburgh Steelers<br />9 Seasons<br />5 Pro Bowls<br />3 First Team All-Pro Teams<br />52 Interceptions<br />10 Fumble Recoveries<br />9 Touchdowns</span> <br /><br /><a href="http://cdn0.sbnation.com/imported_assets/159349/butler_83681.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px;" src="http://cdn0.sbnation.com/imported_assets/159349/butler_83681.jpg" border=http://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gif"0" alt="" /></a><br /><br />I profiled Butler on <a href="http://crazycantoncuts.blogspot.com">Crazy Canton Cuts</a> back in <a href="http://crazycantoncuts.blogspot.com/2008/11/jack-butler.html">2008</a>.<br /> <br />He is the last person to play in the NFL from Saint Bonaventure University because the school dropped their football program after 1951. Butler joined the Bonnies football team at the request of Bonnie athletic director, Father Dan Rooney, the brother of Steelers owner Art Rooney. Butler then joined Pittsburgh as an undrafted free agent rookie.<br /><br />He retired early because of an injury, but his 52 interceptions in nine seasons were second most in NFL history at the time. He still ranks second in the Steelers history in total interceptions. <br /><br />When he retired from playing, Butler became an NFL scout. He was the director of BLESTO for over 40 years until he retired at 80 years old in 2007. Butler has helped start the career of innumerable scouts, player personnel directors, and general managers in the NFL.<br /><br />Butler was one of the hardest hitting cornerbacks to have ever played the game. Yet, he also had shut down ability, which is shown with his 52 thefts. Personally, I think his contributions off the field make him worthy two different ways.<br /> <br />But, sticking to just his play on the gridiron, there is no question that is is truly a disgrace that Jack Butler has not yet been inducted into the Pro Football Hall Of Fame already. He goes into Canton if I voted. NO question.<br /><br /><br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Tim Brown<br />Wide Receiver<br />Oakland Raiders<br />17 Seasons<br />9 Pro Bowls<br />1,094 Receptions<br />105 Touchdowns</span><br /><br /><a href="http://www.heartofawarriorfoundation.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2010/06/Tim-Brown.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px;" src="http://www.heartofawarriorfoundation.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2010/06/Tim-Brown.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br />Brown certainly is a product of the rule changes that allows receivers to roam untouched after five yards, but he was more than just a pass catcher. Brown also made an impressive mark on special teams<br /> <br />My issue with his being inducted is the fact he was never selected First Team All-Pro and led the league in receiving just once. Brown did lead the NFL in punt and kickoff return yards. <br /><br />But is that worthy of induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame? I say no and chalk him up as a good and reliable player who lasted a long time.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Cris Carter<br />Wide Receiver<br />Minnesota Vikings<br />16 Seasons<br />8 Pro Bowls<br />2 First Team All-Pro Teams<br />1,101 Receptions<br />130 Touchdowns</span><br /><br /><a href="http://i2.cdn.turner.com/si/2009/writers/jim_trotter/01/31/halloffame.picks/T1_0131_carteriacono.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px;" src="http://i2.cdn.turner.com/si/2009/writers/jim_trotter/01/31/halloffame.picks/T1_0131_carteriacono.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br />Carter, like Brown, go to enjoy rules friendly to the offense in an obscene fashion. He had a gift, however, of making catches in the end zone. <br /><br />That gift had him once released by the Philadelphia Eagles, where head coach Buddy Ryan the reason was that all Carter did for the Eagles was "catch touchdown passes". The truth was that Carter was abusing drugs and the wide receiver credits his being cut as the wake up call that saved his life.<br /><br />The Minnesota Vikings claimed him off the waiver wire right away, where he eventually started and would hold that spot the remainder of his Vikings career. One of Carter's strengths was his conditioning and durability. Though he missed four games because if injury in one season, he played every other game possible for Minnesota.<br /><br />He led the NFL in receptions once and in touchdown catches three times. Seven different quarterbacks were the primary starter in his 12 seasons with the team. Despite all the lunacy and confusion, Carter was a beacon of steady leadership and consistent production.<br /><br />Carter accumulated double figures in touchdown receptions in five of his Pro Bowl years. What also made his production even more special is the fact he had to share receptions with future Hall of Fame wide receiver Randy Moss, Pro Bowl wide receivers Jake Reed and Anthony Carter, and Pro Bowl tight end Steve Jordan.<br /><br />Carter has been a finalist for induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame three times so far. He ranks third in NFL history in career receptions, fourth in career touchdowns catches and eighth in career receiving yards and total touchdowns.<br /><br />Then there are the old school fans who point to the obvious fact Carter never dealt with the ten-yard chuck rule, which makes it much harder to excel as a receiver, as opposed to the offensive-friendly rules he participated in. Rules that greatly inflate statistics and can help make a player look better than players who did not benefit from the rule changes. This fact has made modern statistics dwarf the numbers from the ten-yard chuck era.<br /><br />Men like Mac Speedie, Lionel Taylor, Charlie Hennigan, Harold Carmichael, Drew Pearson, Gino Cappelletti, Sonny Randle, Cliff Branch, Harold Jackson, Pete Retzlaff, and LaVern Dilweg are just a few great receivers on par with Carter, Brown, and Andre Reed also awaiting their inductions. Men who dealt with a much rougher game, let alone the ten-yard chuck.<br /><br />Carter has a feel-good story attached to his career, one that has now extended to where he provides analysis on television. With his career on the ropes because of drugs, he rebounded and became a leader and won the Bart Starr Man of the Year Award, the Bryan "Whizzer" White NFL Man of the Year Award and the Walter Payton Man of the Year Award.<br /><br />Besides the 17 NFL records he either owns or shares, he is a member of the NFL's 1990s All-Decade Team. He is one of the 50 Greatest Minnesota Vikings as well as being a member of their 40th Anniversary Team.<br /><br />The Vikings have retired his jersey and have had a huge amount of great receivers to play for them. Cris Carter may be the best ever for this franchise and certainly deserves to move on to being a finalist once again.<br /><br /><br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Don Coryell<br />Saint Louis Cardinals<br />San Diego Chargers<br />14 Seasons<br />111 Wins<br />First Coach With 100 Wins In Pro And College Football<br />Only Coach To Lead NFL In Passing 6 Straight Years<br />5 Division Titles</span><br /><br /><a href="http://www.profootballhof.com/assets/photo_galleries/630x536/281C87EE9A6942218E4778F7667DBFD4.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px;" src="http://www.profootballhof.com/assets/photo_galleries/630x536/281C87EE9A6942218E4778F7667DBFD4.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br />The biggest no-brainer of the semi-finalists. It is disgusting he hasn't been inducted already, and even more revolting he passed away last year and will never get to enjoy his deserved respect from a game that still leans heavily on his genius to this very day. Crazy Canton Cuts profiled Coryell in <a href="http://crazycantoncuts.blogspot.com/2009/10/don-coryell.html">2009</a>.<br /> <br />Coryell played college football at the before getting into coaching. He succeeded George Allen, who later became a Pro Football Hall Of Fame coach.<br /><br />He also showed his innate ability to develop players, especially on offense. He had 54 players go to the NFL from his college teams, including five players drafted in the first round. Nine of his players were First Team All-Americans. In 1967, he had eight players drafted, and five went in the first two rounds.<br /><br />The Coryell coaching tree from his collegiate era is very impressive as well.<br /><br />Joe Gibbs was a player on Coryell's team at first and won the team's Most Inspirational Player Award once. Gibbs later became a graduate assistant, then assistant coach at San Diego State.<br /><br />He also was an assistant under Coryell with both the Cardinals and Chargers before becoming head coach of the Washington Redskins. Gibbs is a member of the Pro Football Hall Of Fame.<br /><br />Another Pro Football Hall Of Fame coach who coached under Coryell at San Diego State was John Madden. Madden would join the Oakland Raiders and then become the youngest head coach of the league the next season at 32 years old.<br /><br />Legendary men like Jim Hanifan, Ernie Zampese, and Rod Dowhower also coached under Coryell at San Diego State. Coryell's 104 victories and .840 winning percentage are the best in Aztec history, and he is a member of the College Football Hall Of Fame.<br /> <br />He then moved to the NFL to lead the Saint Louis Cardinals. His 42 wins are the most by any coach in the Cardinals franchise's history, and his five years as head coach with the team is the second longest tenure ever.<br /><br />The San Diego Chargers would later hire Coryell. This was when "Air Coryell" was born as a common term, even though Coryell's years in Saint Louis also featured high-powered offenses running under much of the same schemes also used in San Diego.<br /><br />When Coryell retired from the NFL with 111 wins in 195 games overall, he is the first head coach with 100 victories in both professional and collegiate football.<br /> <br />To try and sum up this man's career or impact on football is nearly impossible. Virtually every offense today, on all levels of the game, is a variation of his system. In his 14 seasons as a coach, his offenses led the NFL in net yards gained per passing attempt five times. They finished in the top-five of the NFL six more times.<br /><br />His teams led the NFL in passing yards seven times and none of his teams finished lower than seventh. They led the NFL in passing touchdowns three times and finished in the top ten nine other times.<br /><br />Many Hall Of Fame players and Pro Bowlers were coached by Coryell in the NFL. The list of players inducted into Canton includes Dan Fouts, Kellen Winslow, Charlie Joiner, Dan Dierdorf, Jackie Smith, Fred Dean and Roger Wehrli.<br /><br />Coryell changed the way football was played. It is still being played the way Coryell invented to this very day. The now all-to-common sight on multiple receiver sets was first started by Coryell, as are many versions of offenses being run these days.<br /><br />They are all spawns of his genius.<br /><br />Winslow stated it best when he said, "For Don Coryell to not be in the Hall of Fame is a lack of knowledge of the voters. That's the nicest way that I can put that. A lack of understanding of the legacy of the game."<br /><br />An ignorance that has wrongly kept Don Coryell from taking his rightful place.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Roger Craig<br />Running Back<br />San Francisco 49ers<br />11 Seasons<br />4 Pro Bowls<br />1 First Team All-Pro Team<br />8,189 Rushing Yards<br />566 Receptions<br />83 Touchdowns</span><br /><br /><a href="http://27.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_l8tazjFCwW1qz85lgo1_400.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px;" src="http://27.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_l8tazjFCwW1qz85lgo1_400.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br />A lot will point to Floyd Little as reason why Craig belongs in Canton. Like Little, Craig had a couple of great seasons and a couple of good ones. Unlike Little, he did not play on lousy teams nor did he save a city from losing their football team.<br /> <br />Many will point to his three Super Bowl rings, which could get him in but my opinion is that a championship is a team accomplishment. The Pro Football Hall of Fame is an individual accomplishment.<br /> <br />A versatile back, Craig also had the luxury of being surrounded by a ton of talent that included two Hall of Fame quarterbacks and a Hall of Fame wide receiver. He certainly was a reason the 49ers won three titles, but he was part of an offensive onslaught opponents could not stop.<br /> <br />I consider him a guy on the cusp, but equal to many other deserving running backs like Larry Brown, Spec Sanders and more. It wouldn't bother me to see him a finalist, but I do not consider him more worthy of induction than many other players.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Terrell Davis<br />Running Back<br />Denver Broncos<br />Seven Seasons<br />3 Pro Bowls<br />3 First Team All-Pro Teams<br />7,607 Rushing Yards<br />65 Touchdowns</span><br /><br /><a href="http://www.1043thefan.com/Pics/theDrive2011/terrell_davis.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px;" src="http://www.1043thefan.com/Pics/theDrive2011/terrell_davis.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br />Davis had four consecutive years of over 1,000 yards rushing before a knee injury basically ended his career. Two seasons were monstrous, where Davis led the league in rushing scores. He led the NFL with 2,008 rushing yards once as well.<br /> <br />Gale Sayers is an argument for Davis in a way. Sayers had a career also cut short by an injury, but he still got into Canton. Unlike Davis, Sayers was a terror as a punt and kickoff return specialist as well.<br /> <br />Davis was like a comet that burned brightly and flamed out fast. It shouldn't be enough to get him into Canton.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /> <br /> <br /> <br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Dermontti Dawson<br />Center<br />Pittsburgh Steelers<br />13 Seasons<br />7 Pro Bowls<br />6 First Team All-Pro Teams</span><br /><br /><a href="http://www.footballspeakers.com/i/dawson_dermontti.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px;" src="http://www.footballspeakers.com/i/dawson_dermontti.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br />Dawson first started out as a guard before switching the center and became one of the very best in the business. He has been a semi-finalist three times and and finalist twice. It is time he gets inducted.<br /><br /><br /><br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Eddie Debartolo Jr.<br />Owner<br />San Francisco 49ers<br />23 Seasons</span><br /><br /><a href="http://www.realclearsports.com/blognetwork/rcs_sidelines/eddie%20debartolo.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px;" src="http://www.realclearsports.com/blognetwork/rcs_sidelines/eddie%20debartolo.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br />Ummm....No! Really? This guy is a semi-finalist with a ton of worthy players not? I hope he never reaches these heights again.<br /><br /> <br /><br /> <br /><br /> <br /><br /> <br /><br /> <br /> <br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Chris Doleman<br />Defensive End<br />Minnesota Vikings<br />15 Seasons<br />8 Pro Bowls<br />3 First Team All-Pro Teams<br />150.5 Quarterback Sacks<br />8 Interceptions<br />2 Touchdowns<br />2 Safeties</span><br /><br /><a href="http://beyondthebleachers.com/system/files/chris-doleman.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px;" src="http://beyondthebleachers.com/system/files/chris-doleman.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br />Defensive end is a position stacked with worthy candidates who are not amongst the current semi-finalists. Men like Claude Humphrey, Jim Marshall, Coy Bacon, L.C. Greenwood and many others head a list of men at this position worthy of induction.<br /> <br />Doleman's numbers do not lie. He was a play-making machine. But he was more than a pass rush specialist at defensive end, which is shown by the fact he exceeded 100 tackles twice in his career. Doleman did get more than 10 sacks eight season and led the league once.<br /> <br />There is no doubt Doleman is worthy of induction, and it would be a shame if he had to wait as long as other past greats like Humphrey or Bacon. Yet I can't say he deserves to go into ahead of them too.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Kevin Greene<br />Linebacker<br />Los Angeles Rams<br />15 Seasons<br />5 Pro Bowls<br />2 First Team All-Pro Teams<br />160 Quarterback Sacks<br />5 Interceptions<br />26 Fumbles Recovered<br />3 Safeties</span><br /><br /><a href="http://cdn.bleacherreport.net/images_root/slides/photos/000/125/099/RackMultipart.13082.0_display_image.jpg?1260664307"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px;" src="http://cdn.bleacherreport.net/images_root/slides/photos/000/125/099/RackMultipart.13082.0_display_image.jpg?1260664307" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br />A hired gun as a pass rush specialist, Greene played for five different teams in his career. While getting to a quarterback was his main focus, he did get 87 tackles one year. He had 10 or more sacks in 10 different seasons.<br /> <br />Greene was named NFL Defensive Player of the Year once and led the league in sacks twice. He is a lot like Charles Haley in that he did just one thing really well, but the fiery player was versatile enough to create turnovers defending the pass on occasion.<br /> <br />He is worthy of being a finalist, but there are a ton of other outside linebackers I'd put into Canton ahead of him.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Charles Haley<br />Linebacker<br />San Francisco 49ers<br />13 Seasons<br />5 Pro Bowls<br />2 First Team All-Pro Teams<br />100.5 Quarterback Sacks</span><br /><br /><a href="http://cdn.bleacherreport.net/images_root/slides/photos/001/591/491/76439183_display_image.jpg?1321935962"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px;" src="http://cdn.bleacherreport.net/images_root/slides/photos/001/591/491/76439183_display_image.jpg?1321935962" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br />The only reason Haley has been a semi-finalist three times and finalist once before is because he played on five teams that won Super Bowls. Strictly a pass rush specialist, he never had more than 69 tackles in a season.<br /> <br />Honestly, Charles Haley does not belong in Canton. He never led the league in any category, though he did have the good fortune to play on good teams and was able to line up at defensive end as well. There are way too many candidates more richly deserving of induction over him.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Cortez Kennedy<br />Defensive Tackle<br />Seattle Seahawks<br />11 Seasons<br />8 Pro Bowls<br />3 First Team All-Pro Teams<br />58 Sacks<br />3 Interceptions</span><br /><br /><a href="http://pugetsoundblogs.com/daily-dan/files/2010/02/33931.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px;" src="http://pugetsoundblogs.com/daily-dan/files/2010/02/33931.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br />Kennedy is a bit of a conundrum for me, as far as being worthy of Canton. He was a playmaker who sacked the quarterback pretty often for a defensive tackle. He did enjoy three excellent seasons where he piled up 242 tackles over that time.<br /> <br />Yet he recovered a measly six fumbles in his career and he had four mediocre season. I can't say he is worthy, just because there are many defensive tackles, like Curly Culp, I consider superior. Yet it wouldn't be that frustrating if he went in either.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Curtis Martin<br />Running Back<br />New York Jets<br />11 Seasons<br />5 Pro Bowls<br />2 First Team All-Pro<br />14,101 Rushing Yards<br />484 Receptions<br />100 Touchdowns</span><br /><br /><a href="http://sportsblastradiodotcom.files.wordpress.com/2011/02/curtis-martin-2.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px;" src="http://sportsblastradiodotcom.files.wordpress.com/2011/02/curtis-martin-2.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br />One of the more underrated running backs of his era, Martin rushed for over 1,000 yards in each of the first 10 seasons of his career. Reliable and durable, he led the NFL in carries and rushing yards in his tenth season.<br /> <br />Martin was much more than a guy who carried the ball. He was an effective receiver and fumbled just 29 times in his career. He is easily the most worthy running back amongst the semi-finalists and surely gets my vote.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Clay Matthews<br />Linebacker<br />Cleveland Browns<br />19 Seasons<br />4 Pro Bowls<br />69.5 Sacks<br />16 Interceptions<br />14 Fumbles Recovered<br />2 Touchdowns</span><br /><br /><a href="http://cdn2.sbnation.com/imported_assets/341794/clay-matthews-browns-linebacker-1987jpg-1274e20ae1825cc0_medium.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px;" src="http://cdn2.sbnation.com/imported_assets/341794/clay-matthews-browns-linebacker-1987jpg-1274e20ae1825cc0_medium.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br />The Matthews family may be the most famous in the NFL. Bruce is already in Canton, something Clay Jr. hopes to do as well.<br /> <br />His longevity is a big reason he got this far, and he was still a very effective player at the end of the career. Matthews Jr. was an excellent player, I just can name a great deal many more outside linebackers I would put in first.<br /><br /><br /><br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Karl Mecklenburg<br />Linebacker<br />Denver Broncos<br />12 Seasons<br />6 Pro Bowls<br />3 First Team All-Pro Teams<br />79 Quarterback Sacks<br />2 Touchdowns Scored<br />1 Safety</span><br /><br /><a href="http://www.karlmecklenburg.net/_images/rotate/04.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px;" src="http://www.karlmecklenburg.net/_images/rotate/04.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br />After starting out as a pass rushing specialist, Mecklenburg moved to inside linebacker and became a star. He once 13 sacks despite just nine starts.<br /><br />An effective tackling machine, he had eight years of 97 tackles or more. He was a leader by example, and is one of the greatest Broncos defenders ever.<br /><br />Yet I consider Randy Gradishar, who is still awaiting induction into Canton, the greatest Broncos linebacker ever. Mecklenburg was a very good player, but I would not vote him into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /> <br /> <br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Bill Parcells<br />Coach/ General Manager<br />31 Seasons<br />172 wins<br />2 Super Bowl Wins</span><br /><br /><a href="http://cache.heraldinteractive.com/blogs/sports/rap_sheet/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/0_61_parcells_bill11.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px;" src="http://cache.heraldinteractive.com/blogs/sports/rap_sheet/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/0_61_parcells_bill11.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br />Parcells is here because he coached the New York Giants, a team flooded with media attention. While a good coach who has 42 more victories than defeats, he also had some limited successes with the New York Jets, Dallas Cowboys and New England Patriots.<br /><br />Known as the "Big Tuna", he was named NFL Coach of the Year three different seasons and is a member of the NFL's 1990s All-Decade Team. He then went on to become a general manager and had mixed results.<br /><br />Does Parcells belong in ahead of such legendary coaches like Buddy Parker, Chuck Knox, Tom Flores, Dick Vermeil and others? He doesn't belong in ahead of Don Coryell, but the New York City factor might push him in. I think he fairly worthy, but I think that of a few others as well.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /> <br /> <br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Andre Reed<br />Wide Receiver<br />Buffalo Bills<br />16 Seasons<br />7 Pro Bowls<br />951 Receptions<br />88 Touchdowns Scored</span><br /><br /><a href="http://thegothamgridiron.files.wordpress.com/2010/08/andre-reed.png"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px;" src="" border="0" alt="http://thegothamgridiron.files.wordpress.com/2010/08/andre-reed.png" /></a><br /><br />Reed was a precise route runner who was more good than great. He never led the league in any category and exceeded 1,000 yards receiving just four times despite playing in a era that caters to offensive production.<br /><br />What gets him this far is the fact he played on four teams that reached the Super Bowl. He had a Hall of Fame quarterback and running back helping him as well. I classify Reed as a very good player, but I'd put a ton of wide receivers into Canton ahead of him.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /> <br /> <br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Willie Roaf<br />Offensive Tackle<br />New Orleans Saints<br />13 Seasons<br />11 Pro Bowls<br />3 First Team All-Pro Teams</span><br /><br /><a href="http://cdn.bleacherreport.net/images_root/slides/photos/000/655/442/72483781_display_image.jpg?1295592372"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px;" src="http://cdn.bleacherreport.net/images_root/slides/photos/000/655/442/72483781_display_image.jpg?1295592372" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br />Roaf deserves induction this year. Plain and simple. I think there are a ton of blockers who belong, but the position is usually overlooked.<br /><br />Even though he missed 17 games because of injuries, Roaf started in every one of the 189 games he played in his career. A cerebral player with immense strength and incredible dexterity, the nimble tackle was rarely beat whether run blocking or protecting the blind side of the quarterback.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /> <br /> <br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Donnie Shell<br />Safety<br />Pittsburgh Steelers<br />14 Seasons<br />5 Pro Bowls<br />3 First Team All-Pro Teams<br />51 Interceptions<br />19 Fumbles Recovered<br />4 Touchdowns</span><br /><br /><a href="http://www.btsports.com/dshellpic.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px;" src="http://www.btsports.com/dshellpic.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br />Shell is the fourth Steeler on this list. A key member of the famous "Steel Curtain" defense, he is a lot like L.C. Greenwood in that he has been overlooked because that defensive unit already has three members in Canton. Yet there should be three more, even if the voters appear to have a quota per team<br /><br />The 70 turnovers and four scores in his career may show that Shell was incredible, but he was mainly known for his bone-jarring tackles. There were few safeties more feared in his era.<br /><br />While I feel Johnny Robinson may be the most deserving strong safety not yet in Canton, I'd put Shell in as well.<br /><br /><br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /><br /><br /> <br /> <br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Will Shields<br />Guard<br />Kansas City Chiefs<br />14 Seasons<br />12 Pro Bowls<br />2 First Team All-Pro Teams</span><br /><br /><a href="http://missourisportsmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/will_shields.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px;" src="http://missourisportsmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/will_shields.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br />Shields better go in immediately. He missed one start, but played in all 224 games in his career. He was always one guards in the AFC annually. He deserves induction now, but I have been saying this about Chiefs legends Jim Tyrer, Johnny Robinson and Ed Budde for years and years as well.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /> <br /> <br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Dick Stanfel<br />Guard<br />Detroit Lions<br />7 Seasons<br />5 Pro Bowls<br />5 First Team All-Pro Teams</span><br /><br /><a href="http://www.profootballhof.com/UserFiles/image/Stanfel_Dick_250.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px;" src="http://www.profootballhof.com/UserFiles/image/Stanfel_Dick_250.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br />Stanfel lasted only seven years, but he was amazing in his time. His rookie year was the only season he did not earn an accolade. After four seasons with the Lions, he joined the Washington Redskins and suddenly retired at just 31 years old.<br /><br />He played in an era where the pay scale was so minimal, players usually made more money working other jobs. Stanfel left the game so he could feed his family at a higher-paying job. There were just three starting offensive lineman in the NFL older than Stanfel when he left the game.<br /><br />Yet many historians agree there were few guards better. Despite his limited years, Stanfel is a member of the 1950s All-Decade Team. I'd put him in Canton, so hopefully he gets to the list of finalists.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /> <br /> <br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Paul Tagliabue<br />Commissioner <br />17 Seasons</span><br /><br /><a href="http://www.famousnewjerseyans.com/Images/paul_tagliabue.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px;" src="http://www.famousnewjerseyans.com/Images/paul_tagliabue.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br />No way does this basketballer belong. He helmed the the ruination of the NFL by gearing the rules of the game to carry the offenses while building a false pedestal for the quarterback. His toad, Roger Goodell, continues to carry that message today.<br /><br /><br /><br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Steve Tasker<br />Special Teams<br />Buffalo Bills<br />14 Seasons<br />7 Pro Bowls</span><br /><br /><a href="http://www.buffalosportshallfame.com/2001/pics/steve-tasker.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px;" src="http://www.buffalosportshallfame.com/2001/pics/steve-tasker.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br />Tasker was an overachiever who became a terror on special teams as a gunner. But no way does anyone belong in Canton via the special teams ahead of Ray Guy.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /> <br /> <br /> <br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Aeneas Williams<br />Cornerback<br />Arizona Cardinals<br />14 Seasons<br />8 Pro Bowls<br />3 First Team All-Pro Teams<br />55 Interceptions<br />23 Fumble Recoveries<br />12 Touchdowns Scored</span><br /><br /><a href="http://www.profootballhof.com/UserFiles/image/Williams_Aeneas_250.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px;" src="http://www.profootballhof.com/UserFiles/image/Williams_Aeneas_250.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br />Williams is one of many cornerbacks who belong in Canton, joining greats like Lemar Parrish, Pat Fischer, Louis Wright and more, but he may beat them in the race for induction. Like them, he was a premier defender.<br /><br />One fact easily seen is that Williams made opponents pay when they tried to move the ball in his direction. I believe he is worthy of immediate induction, but I been saying that about Parrish and others for years.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /> <br /> <br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Ron Wolf<br />General Manager<br />Green Bay Packers<br />24 Seasons</span><br /><br /><a href="http://www.greenbaypackernation.com/images/stories/Articles/ron-wolf.jpeg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px;" src="http://www.greenbaypackernation.com/images/stories/Articles/ron-wolf.jpeg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br />Wolf had a career that even traveled into the Canadian Football League. He orchestrated a deal with the NFL so Joe Kapp could leave the CFL and quarterback his Minnesota Vikings team. Not only did he build them into a powerhouse where the defense was named the "Purple People Eaters", he helped the Oakland Raiders build into dominant franchise as well.<br /> <br />He joined the expansion Tampa Bay Buccaneers and suffered through a 0-25 record until the team got to the NFC Championship Game. Wolf later went to the Green Bay Packers and acquired the services of Brett Favre in a trade that would later result in a Super Bowl win for the team.<br /> <br />Wolf belongs in Canton, but I believe coaches, owners, contributors and executives should be in a separate category so they do not steal a slot from players.<br /><br /><br /><br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">George Young<br />Executive<br />New York Giants<br />33 Years</span><br /><br /><a href="http://www.giantsfootballblog.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2010/04/georgeyoung.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px;" src="http://www.giantsfootballblog.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2010/04/georgeyoung.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br />An employee of the Baltimore Colts, Miami Dolphins, New York Giants and NFL, Young was named Executive of the Year five different times. His teams won three Super Bowls and one NFL Championship.<br /> <br /><br />Young belongs in Canton, but coaches, owners, contributors and executives should be in a separate category so they do not steal induction slots from players.3rdStoneFromTheSunhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08885818209425078599noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9114088672380394893.post-74736824346304916822011-12-16T14:31:00.004-05:002011-12-16T16:48:31.292-05:00NFL Farewell : Players You Might Miss In 2012<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-k7f4QoZzLNE/TuudRNNa09I/AAAAAAAAARA/D-IfzBfDPk8/s1600/dawkins.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 243px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-k7f4QoZzLNE/TuudRNNa09I/AAAAAAAAARA/D-IfzBfDPk8/s320/dawkins.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5686811873414665170" /></a><br /><br />Every year in the NFL brings both a sunrise and sunset to the careers of many participants. The departures are especially filled with melancholy because years of contributions have allowed the fan to grow accustomed to their faces.<br /><br />While a typical NFL career averages out to just about two seasons for players, there are some who defy these laws. Olin Kreutz retired after four games this year, despite being the starting center of the New Orleans Saints, because the 14-year player thought he production was declining and chose to remembered as a six-time Pro Bowler instead of playing out the string and hoping to win his first Super Bowl title.<br /><br />Jason Hanson is close to completing his 20th season as the placekicker of the Detroit Lions. The two-time Pro Bowler has shown no signs of slowing down and remains one of the top kickers in the entire league.<br /><br />He has missed just four kicks this year, a typical rate in his career. Two came from distances 50 yards or further, but he has made four at that range so far. Hanson will be 42 next season, so his retirement would have a tremendous impact on a franchise that has relied on the 1,997 points he has provided in his career.<br /><br />While the 41 year old Hanson may not be as well known outside of the Motor City, some players are considered well enough known that their images transcends beyond the gridiron. These individuals have raked in so much cash for the league that they will mist likely be offered jobs when the cleats come off for the final time.<br /><br />Peyton Manning is telling everyone he plans to play again, but he will be 36 years old and entering his 15th season in 2012. Manning sat out this year with a neck injury that has given mixed reports on the healing process. There has even been rumors that Manning underwent stem cell surgery to accelerate the healing process, but it did not take as expected.<br /><br />As Indianapolis trudges through the 2011 season without a win thus far, they are also primed to have the very first draft pick next year. Most expect them to snag quarterback Andrew Luck, who exhibits many of the traits of the 11-time Pro Bowl Manning. The likely scenario is both will be on the Colts roster next year, though some media members have wondered if the Colts would be brash enough and trade Manning to excise his salary from their payroll.<br /><br />Manning isn't the only future Hall of Famer who might retire at the end of this season. Ray Lewis, Jason Taylor, Brian Dawkins, Ronde Barber, Tony Gonzales, Hines Ward and LaDainian Tomlinson are all old veterans who may decide to call it quits.<br /><br />Lewis is considered one of the finest middle linebackers in the history of professional football. The 12-time Pro Bowler would most likely call it quits if the Baltimore Ravens won the Super Bowl this year, but other factors may lead Lewis to that decision regardless.<br /><br />The leader of the Ravens is currently sidelined with a frustrating toe injury that has caused him to miss three games so far. His production has also declined somewhat, so Lewis may decide to leave before he is a shell of his former self. He will be 37 years old soon, so the inevitable retirement approaches more rapidly each day.<br /><br />Taylor has six sacks this season and could probably still be able to sack a quarterback in 2032. He has 138.5 sacks in his career and has the most touchdowns off of fumble recoveries in NFL history.<br /><br />Yet he will be 37 years old in 2012. His switching from defensive end to outside linebacker in 2009 has extended his career, one many thought was over after a subpar 2008 season, but Taylor may not want to return to a Miami Dolphins franchise many expect to struggle again next year.<br /><br />Dawkins is 38 years old right now. He is in his 15th season and many expect it to be his last. The eight-time Pro Bowler is as much a leader as he is a ferocious and smart player, but the Denver Broncos now have a pair of young safeties perched to take over in 2012. A coach on the field, Dawkins will certainly be able to stay in the game by joining the coaching ranks on the sidelines in 2012.<br /><br />The writing appears to be written on the wall for Tomlinson, but there are no guarantees he will want to retire just yet. He has beaten the odds of many NFL running backs so far by lasting 11 years in the league while being an absolute workhorse in eight seasons.<br /><br />Tomlinson gained over 1,100 rushing yards in his first eight years, but the San Diego Chargers thought his career was over after he struggled for 730 yards in 2009. Even though he signed to be a reserve on the New York Jets last year, Tomlinson showed his greatness by churning out 914 yards on the ground.<br /><br />This year has not only been filled with injuries that have curtailed him somewhat, the rushing production has fallen at the lowest levels of his career. Tomlinson can still go out and catch the ball, as his 610 career receptions show, but he may not find that to be enough to return in 2012.<br /><br />The Jets could ask him back, because the 13.5 yards per catch is the best of his career, but Shonn Greene is now the man. Tomlinson has never had fewer than 219 rushing attempts in his career, but it now appears he won't reach 75 in 2011. By grinding out 13,590 yards so far, his is a career most running backs could only dream of having.<br /><br />Barber, Ward and Gonzales are all still very productive players, but the clock is certainly pulling the pads slowly off of them as well. These proud players may decide to stave off retirement for another year of football.<br /><br />Barber is still the best cornerback on the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, but the five-time Pro Bowler will be 37 years old in 2012. His 13 non-offensive touchdowns is the fourth most in NFL history and he did record the first safety of his career this season. There haven't been a ton of cornerbacks his age in NFL history, though Barber may want to challenge that logic.<br /><br />Ward is still getting open as a possession wide receiver, but he has seen Antonio Brown taking starts from him while Mike Wallace has become the top pass catcher on the team. The Pittsburgh Steelers may want to hang onto a veteran that is the longest-tenured current player on the team and has helped them win a pair of Super Bowls, but the Super Bowl XL MVP will be 36 years old next year and may not want to continue playing while watching his production to continue to steadily decline.<br /><br />Gonzales is a 11-time Pro Bowler who has the most career catches, receiving yards and touchdowns by a tight end in NFL history. He also holds the record for the most receptions ever in a single season by a tight end.<br /><br />While he will soon be 36 years old, the 15-year veteran has had a more productive season than he did in 2010. Gonzales hasn't had fewer than 70 receptions since 2003 and he still one of the main weapons of the Atlanta Falcons. After such a productive season, his prediction earlier this year appears to be correct when Gonzales said he had three years left in him.<br /><br />There are other great players who also may be appearing in their final games these next few weeks. Many that have been to the Pro Bowl and a few that have played in Super Bowls.<br /><br />Players like Jeff Saturday, London Fletcher, Marion Barber, Chad Clifton, Kelly Gregg, Takeo Spikes, Adam Vinatieri, Matt Bryant, Ricky Williams, Clark Haggins, Thomas Jones, Shaun Ellis, Na'il Diggs, Orlindo Mare, Casey Wiegmann, James Farrior and Matt Birk all have been productive this season without showing any real signs of aging. Yet they all are players who have played in a ton of games and are at a point of their careers where retirement is on the cusp.<br /><br />Others appear ready to retire even if they are interested in returning. Players who may not be asked to play for an NFL team because there are younger and cheaper options.<br /><br />Kerry Collins, Jon Kitna, Jeff Garcia and Jake Delhomme are all quarterbacks who might not be seen on a sideline wearing pads again. They are all considered too old, even if they have resumes that many upcoming quarterbacks can only hope to attain one day.<br /><br />Keith Brooking, Mike Sellers, Joey Porter, Mike Peterson, Reggie Kelly, Vonnie Holliday, Gerald Warren, Aaron Smith, Charlie Batch, Chris Hoke, Brendon Ayanbadejo, Matt Turk, Anthony Becht and Brandon Stokley all showed a decline in production that usually accompanies players of their experience and age. A group of excellent players who have had Father Time catch up to them and most likely ended their playing careers after this season concludes.<br /><br />Some players have hung on this year despite aging bodies telling them it is time to retire. Derrick Mason is a wide receiver who has lasted 15 years in the league and has 943 career receptions so far. Once a dynamic return specialist as well, the two-time Pro Bowler has rarely been used this season after being traded by the Jets to the Houston Texans a few months ago.<br /><br />Bob Sanders was the 2007 Defensive Player of the Year, but he has not been the same since singing a contract that year that made him the highest paid safety in the history of the NFL at the time. He has played in 11 games since then, which includes a two game stint with the Chargers this season.<br /><br />While it appears Sanders has run out of chances, running back Kevin Faulk might try to stay on with the New England Patriots next year. He just returned from an injury that has limited him to just seven games since 2010, but Faulk's role has a pass catcher has now seemingly been taken over by a group of other Patriots backs and he will be 36 years old soon.<br /><br />Al Harris is a cornerback who beat the odds to become a Pro Bowl player twice since being drafted by the Buccaneers in the sixth round of the 1998 draft. After the Bucs cut him, he was soon starting for the Philadelphia Eagles. After five years there, Harris logged productive seven seasons with the Green Bay Packers.<br /><br />Though he has spent the last two years with the Dolphins and Saint Louis Rams, Harris has not been able to stay healthy since 2008. He is now 37 years old and it seems unlikely any team will want to sign any team will sign an oft-injured cornerback of his age.<br /><br />Sometimes a player will decide to retire at the pinnacle of their game. The NFL has seen Hall of Famers like the immortal Jim Brown and Barry Sanders do it, and even saw it this year when the Channing Crowder retired at just 27 years old.<br /><br />Antonio Gates is on the verge of surpassing Hall of Famer Charlie Joiner for the most receptions in Chargers history. He made the NFL in 2003 as an undrafted player because he played just basketball in college.<br /><br />Yet the seven-time Pro Bowler has been hobbling around on bad feet the last two seasons, causing him to miss eight games so far. While highly productive at just 31 years old, Gates plays the game for love rather than money. No one could begrudge him for choosing to walk away from the game in relative good health, much like Brown and Sanders did, rather than risking further damage to his brittle wheels.<br /><br />Yet it is a quick good bye to many of these greats. There are no gold watches handed out and few dinners given. As soon as one player leaves, another quickly steps in to replace him. Even if the level of play may decrease, the uniforms stay the name even if the names don't.<br /><br />It is hard to say a man is old and past his prime at such a young age, but a career in the NFL is fleeting. All one is left with are enjoyable memories, even if they temporarily frustrated because that player beat a fans favorite team. Even if these players all come back in 2012 to the gridiron and enjoy a child's game, enjoy them now as much as possible.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Yoooooooo! Dis iz 7thStoneFromTheSun, 3rdStones cuzin, again. OK, I went <span style="font-weight:bold;">11-4</span> las weak and iz now <span style="font-weight:bold;">125-76</span> overall.<br /><br />Lets get two it!<br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;"><span style="font-style:italic;">Dallas Cowboys @ Tampa Bay Buccaneers</span></span><br /><br />OK, da Cowboys knead too win two stay on top da NFC East. Da Bucs ain't playing for nuttin, not even pride it seems.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Cowboys</span> 31 Buccaneers 17<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;"><span style="font-style:italic;">Miami Dolphins @ Buffalo Bills</span></span><br /><br />Both teems have run hot and cold las yeer, mostly cold. Flip a coin.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Bills</span> 24 Dolphins 23<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;"><span style="font-style:italic;">Seattle Seahawks @ Chicago Bears</span></span><br /><br />Let's see if Marion Barber <span style="font-weight:bold;">THROWS</span> another game on <span style="font-weight:bold;">PURPOSE</span> in this battle of to teems wif playoff hopes on life support.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Bears</span> 21 Seahawks 17<br /> <br /> <br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;"><span style="font-style:italic;">Carolina Panthers @ Houston Texans</span></span><br /><br />I don't tink Gary Kubiak saved his job by winnin da AFC South. I tink he may have by beetin a tough and desperate Bengals las week even after dey had alreddy clinched da first playoff birth in franchise history the week befour.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Texans</span> 27 Panthers 24<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;"><span style="font-style:italic;">Tennessee Titans @ Indianapolis Colts</span></span><br /><br />Does anyone care? Dat includes da Titans and Colts fans.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Titans</span> 23 Colts 20<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;"><span style="font-style:italic;">Green Bay Packers @ Kansas City Chiefs</span></span><br /><br />Poor Chiefs. New head coach but da same old results.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Packers</span> 34 Chiefs 10<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;"><span style="font-style:italic;">New Orleans Saints @ Minnesota Vikings</span></span><br /><br />Da Saints will win da AFC South crown, sorry Falcons,<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Saints</span> 30 Vikings 17<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;"><span style="font-style:italic;">Washington Redskins @ New York Giants</span></span><br /><br />Da Giants get revenge on da Redskins, kneading dis too stay on top of da NFC East.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Giants</span> 34 Redskins 20<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;"><span style="font-style:italic;">Cincinnati Bengals @ Saint Louis Rams</span></span><br /><br />Da Bengals <span style="font-style:italic;">KNOW</span> dey can kiss any playoff dreems goodbye of dey lose hear.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Bengals</span> 27 Rams 7<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;"><span style="font-style:italic;">Detroit Lions @ Oakland Raiders</span></span><br /><br />Dese too teems is on da edge of being obsolete if dey lose hear. Both knead dis bad, yet both are erratic and unreliable. I EXPECT a helluva battle and I iz flippin a coin.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Lions</span> 31 Raiders 27<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;"><span style="font-style:italic;">Cleveland Browns @ Arizona Cardinals</span></span><br /><br />Who cares? I'm staying home hear.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Cardinals</span> 27 Browns 24<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;"><span style="font-style:italic;">New England Patriots @ Denver Broncos</span></span><br /><br />I just don't tink Da Hoodie would let any of his players throw a game for Teblow and da NFL.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Patriots</span> 27 Broncos 19<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;"><span style="font-style:italic;">New York Jets @ Philadelphia Eagles</span></span><br /><br />I tink dis will be close. A game da Igglez can win! But da Jets knead dis if dey wanna go to da playoffs, sumthin da Eagles ain't doing this yeer.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Jets</span> 23 Eagles 20<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;"><span style="font-style:italic;">Baltimore Ravens @ San Diego Chargers</span></span><br /><br />IF da Chargers had a head coach? Dis game would meen sumthin! I don't get it! Todd Haley gets da Chiefs a divishun title in 2010, but gets fired las week. Norv Turner constantly has him teems underachieve and lose as he keeps a job he should never have had in da first place.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Ravens</span> 34 Chargers 24<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;"><span style="font-weight:bold;">San Francisco 49ers @ Pittsburgh Steelers</span><br />Game of the Week</span><br /><br />DEFENSE! DEFENSE! Old school football baby! Well, with faggy rules included dat iz. I like da fact both teems rin da ball well yet stop the run even better. Neither squad is great throwin da ball, but dey don't stink at it either.<br /><br />Ben Roethlisberger is hobbled, while Alex Smith is about as consistent as swirling winds. But Big Ben knows how two win while Smith doesn't.<br /><br />I tink da key hear is health. Da Steelers are dinged up while da Niners iz in pretty good shape. I tink dat San Francisco's blockers can do OK against Pittsburgh's blitzes, but I'm not sure if da Steelers hurting blockers will keep Roethlisberger upright with his one bad leg and thumb.<br /><br />If defensive end Justin Smith goes nuts, rookie Aldon Smith will be able to crash in off da edges. Pittsburgh halfback Rashard Mendenhall will hold da key.<br /><br />Frank Gore has now rushed for da most yards in Niners history, though no one will confuse him with Hall of Famer Joe "Jet" Perry. He will be critical because I expect Troy Polamalu to shadow Vern Davis all game.<br /><br />It will come down to who makes da least mistakes and special teams. Many expect da Steelers to stomp on Cinderella's glass slipper, but I'm going out on a limb and say David Akers makes da difference hear.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">49ers</span> 20 Steelers 17<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Power Rankings</span><br /><br />1. Green Bay Packers<br />2. Baltimore Ravens<br />3. San Francisco 49ers<br />4. Pittsburgh Steelers<br />5. New Orleans Saints<br />6. Houston Texans<br />7. New England Patriots<br />8. Atlanta Falcons<br />9. New York Jets<br />10. Detroit Lions<br />11. Denver Broncos<br />12. New York Jets<br />13. Cincinnati Bengals<br />14. Dallas Cowboys<br />15. Oakland Raiders<br />16. Tennessee Titans<br />17. Chicago Bears<br />18. Seattle Seahawks<br />19. San Diego Chargers<br />20. Arizona Cardinals<br />21. Philadelphia Eagles<br />22. Buffalo Bills<br />23. Kansas City Chiefs<br />24. Miami Dolphins<br />25. Cleveland Browns<br />26. Tampa Bay Buccaneers<br />27. Carolina Panthers<br />28. Washington Redskins<br />29. Jacksonville Jaguars<br />30. Minnesota Vikings<br />31. Saint Louis Rams<br />32. Indianapolis Colts<br /><br /><br /><br />OK, I had it. I iz goin to buy sum xmas wrapping paper and scotch tape befour stoppin at da bar for a glass of scotch. Dis da seesun to bee jolly and scotch always puts a smile on my face and makes my nose red. As dey say in Ol' Mexico= A.M.F.<br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-TSkhXHN7JIU/Tuudg57uiYI/AAAAAAAAARM/Tjzaef1tNR8/s1600/7thstone.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 250px; height: 316px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-TSkhXHN7JIU/Tuudg57uiYI/AAAAAAAAARM/Tjzaef1tNR8/s320/7thstone.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5686812143118092674" /></a>3rdStoneFromTheSunhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08885818209425078599noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9114088672380394893.post-74765588037220274962011-12-10T00:55:00.005-05:002011-12-10T01:45:01.977-05:00NFL 2011 Draft Grades For Every Team<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-iVyS12xjakA/TuL2KskkJRI/AAAAAAAAAQ0/u5G0Pk_Pmo4/s1600/cam.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 235px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-iVyS12xjakA/TuL2KskkJRI/AAAAAAAAAQ0/u5G0Pk_Pmo4/s320/cam.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5684376343318635794" /></a><br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;"><span style="font-style:italic;">Arizona Cardinals</span><span style="font-style:italic;"></span></span><br /><br />Arizona's draft started out strong when they selected Patrick Peterson in the first round. Not only is he playing cornerback well, Peterson has tied Hall of Famer Jack Christiansen for the most punt return touchdowns by a rookie. He is 97 yards away from the rookie record Louis Lipps set in 1984 for most punt return yards ever in a single season.<br /><br />Ryan Williams is a halfback drafted in the second round who has spent the season on injured reserve. Tight end Robert Housler was the Cardinals third round pick, but he has yet to catch a pass because veterans Todd Heap and Jeff King has kept him on the bench.<br /><br />Sam Acho, the fourth round pick, has done well transitioning from defensive end to outside linebacker. He has given the team five sacks, two forced fumbles, and 26 tackles as a reserve.<br /><br />Anthony Sherman is a fullback Arizona took in the fifth round. He is starting and has six receptions in a role that has him blocking for halfback Beanie Wells.<br /><br />The oft-injured Wells is having the best year of his career and is approaching his first 1,000-yard year. Wells nine scores not only match his career total, he is also 274 yards away from matching the totals he ran for his previous two years. Sherman's addition has obviously helped him.<br /><br />Defensive lineman David Carter and linebacker Quan Sturvidant were picked in the sixth round. While Sturdivant has spent this season on the practice squad, Carter has pitched in a sack as a bench player. Wide receiver Demarco Sampson, their last pick, has caught three balls this year.<br /><br />Losing the promising Williams hurt the team. Sherman and Acho have done well for the team, and the entire draft class did make the active roster with the exception of Williams and Sturdivant.<br /><br />Peterson has a very strong case for being named Defensive Rookie of the Year, and his record setting work on special teams has given the Big Red two of their five victories so far. His work has helped an average draft look better.<br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">Grade :<span style="font-weight:bold;"> B</span></span><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;"><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">Atlanta Falcons</span><span style="font-style:italic;"></span></span><br /><br />Atlanta felt they were on the cusp of Super Bowl glory, so they got aggressive in the 2011 NFL Draft by trading to move up and select wide receiver Julio Jones. Jones, a talented player who some perceived as fragile, has already missed three games this year because of injury. Yet he has caught 34 passes for 556 yards.<br /><br />Akeem Dent, a linebacker, was selected in the third round. He has basically played special teams. Fifth-round pick Jacquizz Rodgers, a halfback, has been seldom used as a reserve behind Michael Turner.<br /><br />Punter Matt Bosher has been average at best since being picked in the sixth round. The Falcons had two picks in the seventh round to finish up their draft.<br /><br />While guard Andrew Jackson has spent the year on the practice squad, defensive end Cliff Matthews made the team and has yet to contribute anything. Other than Jones and Bosher, this rookie class may not have an impact of the franchise for a few years.<br /><br />Atlanta gambled in hopes of retaining their NFC South title, but they are now struggling to get a playoff spot. The team has been inconsistent, which pretty much sums up their 2011 draft.<br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">Grade : <span style="font-weight:bold;">D</span></span><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;"><span style="font-style:italic;">Baltimore Ravens</span><span style="font-style:italic;"></span></span><br /><br />One of the biggest reasons the Ravens are always so good is because of the work general manager Ozzie Newsome puts in. Newsome, a Hall of Fame tight end, knows the game and obviously does his homework.<br /><br />Jimmy Smith was the Ravens first round selection. The cornerback was brought up slowly initially, but has shown promise despite missing four games due to injury. He has intercepted two passes in limited duty as an extra defensive back.<br /><br />Baltimore lucked into wide receiver Torry Smith in the second round, a player some thought might sneak into the first round. Smith, a local hero from the University of Maryland, fought through a tough preseason to rebound as the Ravens top deep threat.<br /><br />With veteran Lee Evans hurt most of the year, Smith has stepped up to catch 32 passes and five scores at a 20.2 yards per catch average. His ability to stretch the seam of the defense has given the Ravens the offensive balance they thought Evans would have provided.<br /><br />Jah Reid is an offensive tackle Baltimore drafted in the third round. He has spent this year as a reserve on a team full of veterans on the offensive line.<br />Tandon Doss is a wide receiver the Ravens took in the next round. He showed promise in preseason, but has not seen much action this year. He made headlines by foiling a crime earlier this year.<br /><br />Baltimore had two picks in the fifth round. Chykie Brown, a cornerback, has rarely played. Yet defensive end Pernell McPhee has been an excellent find. He has grabbed six sacks, second most on the team, and 20 tackles as a reserve on one of the best defenses in the league.<br /><br />Quarterback Tyrod Taylor was drafted in the sixth round and has spent the year on the bench behind Joe Flacco, who has yet to miss a game in his career. Halfback Anthony Allen was the last draft choice, and he has three carries in the four games he has played.<br /><br />This draft class, with the exception of McPhee and the Smith's, has spent this year learning from a group of veterans who know how to win. Their true impact will be seen more clearly down the road, because most have an upside that projects well.<br />Newsome just did what he has always done. He has set up this team to continue winning down the road.<br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">Grade : <span style="font-weight:bold;">B</span></span><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;"><span style="font-style:italic;">Buffalo Bills</span><span style="font-style:italic;"></span></span><br /><br />Many look at the Bills recent drafts and see many failures with their top picks. The team needed to stop this bad trait by having an excellent 2011 draft.<br />The Bills flew out of the gates this season, but reality has recently set in on the young team and had their Cinderella season strike midnight as they are in the midst of a five-game losing streak. Part of this early success was due to a solid draft where almost all made the active roster.<br /><br />Marcell Dareus, a defensive tackle selected in the first round, leads the team with 3.5 sacks despite having to play nose tackle after Pro Bowler Kyle Williams went on the injured reserve early in the season. Buffalo has 13 players on this list, including four starters on defense.<br /><br />Buffalo's second round choice was cornerback Aaron Williams, who has played just six games because of injuries. He has shown promise and he may contribute more with Pro Bowler Terrance McGee on injured reserve.<br /><br />Kelvin Sheppard is a linebacker drafted in the third round who is now starting after veteran Shawn Merriman went on the injured reserve after six games. The rookie has 36 tackles and safety so far.<br /><br />Da'Norris Searcy was drafted in the fourth round, and the strong safety has even started three games. He has an interception and 38 tackles so far. Chris Hairston was the Bills second pick in the fourth round, and he has spent this year on the bench.<br /><br />Fifth-round pick Johnny White has just 11 carries this year, but the halfback may end up getting more work after starter Fred Jackson went on injured reserve a few weeks ago. Linebacker Chris White is now on the injured reserve after the sixth-round selection had played special teams for seven weeks.<br /><br />Buffalo had two picks in the seventh round. Cornerback Justin Rogers has spent this season contributing on special teams.<br /><br />The Bills final pick was defensive lineman Michael Jasper, an interesting project who weighed over 450 pounds in college. He has spent the year on the practice squad and trimmed down to 375.<br /><br />The rebuilding of the Bills may take awhile, but having a solid draft finally will help. Dareus doesn't appear as if he will follow recent wasted top picks like Aaron Maybin, J.P. Losman, John McCargo and Mike Williams. Other recent top picks like Lee Evans, Willis McGahee, Donte Whitner and Marshawn Lynch have joined Maybin to contribute for other teams.<br /><br />But Buffalo hopes he isn't mediocre like recent first round selections C.J. Spiller and Leodis McKelvin. Time will tell, but the Bills did show unexpected marked improvement despite only getting real production from Dareus in the years draft class.<br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">Grade : <span style="font-weight:bold;">C-</span></span><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;"><span style="font-style:italic;">Carolina Panthers</span><span style="font-style:italic;"></span></span><br /><br />Ron Rivera needed a sound draft in his first year as the head coach. Being a defensive expert, he leaned heavily on that side of the ball but first started by getting his franchise quarterback.<br /><br />Cam Newton has carried this team day one, even though the roster has crumbled around him. The Panthers have 14 players currently on the injured reserve, which in includes their best defensive player and best offensive lineman.<br /><br />Newton has not only tossed the ball 413 times already, he has run the ball 100 times. Newton's 13 rushing touchdowns is the most ever by a quarterback in NFL history.<br /><br />He is just 19 rushing attempts and 51 yards from leading Carolina in this category despite the fact the team spent millions to retain the services of DeAngelo Williams before the season began. Jonathan Stewart has been more effective than Williams despite coming off the bench.<br /><br />After tabbing Newton with the top pick of the draft, Rivera grabbed two defensive tackles in the following rounds. While Terrell McClain played well at times, Sione Fua gave next to nothing. Both tackles went on the injured reserve after 12 games this year.<br /><br />Brandon Hogan is a cornerback Carolina took in the fourth round, but he has yet to record a statistic because he spent most of the season on the Physically Unable to Perform list until recently. Wide receiver Kealoha Pilares was taken in the fifth round, but has yet to catch a pass. He has returned 15 kickoffs, and he took one return for a team record 101 yard score.<br /><br />The Panthers sixth-round pick, Lawrence Wilson, did not work out. After spending much of the season on the practice squad, Wilson was arrested with possession of narcotics and had his contract terminated.<br /><br />Carolina grabbed two offensive linemen with their last two selections. Guard Zach Williams is on injured reserve, while tackle Lee Ziemba has spent the year as a rarely used reserve.<br /><br />With a team trying to rebuild, it has been difficult through all of the injuries. Carolina is the eighth best scoring team in the NFL, but the defense is ranked 29th in points allowed. This has helped the team to a 4-8 record so far.<br /><br />Besides Newton, the only rookies that have played well are McClain and Pilares. Newton will probably win the offensive Rookie of the Year award, thus saving this year from being a failure, but the overall draft has been a disappointment for the most part.<br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">Grade : <span style="font-weight:bold;">C</span></span><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;"><span style="font-style:italic;">Chicago Bears</span><span style="font-style:italic;"></span></span><br /><br />When you go the the NFC Championship Game, as the Bears did last year, you pick near the end of the draft and hope a good player falls to you. The Bears top pick, offensive tackle Gabe Carimi, was put on injured reserve after appearing in just two games.<br /><br />Chicago selected defensive tackle Stephen Paea in the second round, but the rookie has been buried on the bench. He still contributed a sack and a safety in the six games he has appeared in.<br /><br />Chris Conte is a safety Chicago took in the third round. He has started seven games and chipped in 26 tackles and a interception.<br /><br />The Bears used their fifth round selection on quarterback Nathan Enderle, who has spent the year on the bench. Chicago's last pick, linebacker James Thomas, has spent the year on injured reserve.<br /><br />Conte is the only player of Chicago's five picks that has contributed much of anything. Men like Carimi, Paea, Enderle and Thomas may help out in the future, but this year has been a wash out for this draft class.<br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">Grade : <span style="font-weight:bold;">D -</span></span><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Cincinnati Bengals<span style="font-style:italic;"></span></span><br /><br />When you get rid of your top wide receiver and your franchise quarterback refuses to play with your team, things appear bleak at best. Yet the Bengals turned this situation into a positive through their draft.<br /><br />They drafted wide receiver A.J. Green in the first round, then quarterback Andy Dalton in the next round. Both players have done so well that they have been mentioned as possible candidates for Rookie of the Year.<br /><br />Green has grabbed 50 passes for 832 yards and seven touchdowns. He has been nothing short of spectacular despite battling nagging injuries and having another rookie toss him the ball.<br /> <br />Dalton often plays unlike a rookie, though he has had a few expected bumps on the road to successes. He has thrown 17 touchdowns against 12 interceptions, which has helped Cincinnati stay very much alive in the playoff hunt this year.<br /><br />Dontay Moch, a linebacker picked in the third round, broke his foot in the first preseason game and has spent this year on the bench. Clint Boling, the fourth round selection, has started three games.<br /><br />The Bengals next two picks, free safety Robert Sands and wide receiver Ryan Whalen, have contributed nothing this year. Their last selections, cornerback Koren Lindsey and halfback Jay Finley, did not make the team.<br /><br />Though they haven't gotten much after their first two picks, the selections of Green and Dalton have set this franchise up for years. The duo is already exciting and should get even better down the road.<br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">Grade : <span style="font-weight:bold;">A -</span></span><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;"><span style="font-style:italic;">Cleveland Browns</span><span style="font-style:italic;"></span></span><br /><br />Everyone in Cleveland knew the rebuilding job Mike Holmgren is undertaking will take time, but there is already positive signs. Despite hiring offensive expert Pat Shurmur as head coach, the offense has been anemic. But the defense is ranked eighth in points allowed so far.<br /><br />Mammoth defensive tackle Phil Taylor was drafted in the first round and has started right away. He already has 48 tackles and four sacks.<br /><br />Jabaal Sheard was drafted in the second round and the defensive end lines up next to Taylor. He leads the team with 5.5 sacks and has 43 tackles.<br /><br />Wide receiver Greg Little was a third round pick some viewed as a sleeper who could be Rookie of the Year. That hasn't happened with Cleveland's offensive woes, but he has led the team with 50 receptions.<br /><br />Tight end Jordan Cameron, the Browns fourth round selection, has only contributed one catch. Fullback Owen Marecic, the fifth round pick, has mainly spent his time blocking for a wide range of halfbacks in the Browns banged up backfield.<br /><br />Cleveland had two picks in the fifth round. Buster Skrine, a speedy cornerback, hasn't done much. Yet guard Jason Pinkston beat out veterans Artis Hicks and John Greco for a starting job.<br /><br />Strong safety Eric Hagg, their last pick, has played in just six games as a third-string player. It was a draft where every player Cleveland selected made the active roster.<br /><br />Holmgren has to be happy with this draft class. Taylor and Sheard could be a lethal combo for a long time. Little, Marecic and Pinkston are already starters on offense.<br /><br />Getting five starters out of eight picks is an excellent job for any year. Cleveland may be struggling this year, but the "Dawg Pound" has to like the progress they are witnessing.<br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">Grade : <span style="font-weight:bold;">A</span></span><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;"><span style="font-style:italic;">Dallas Cowboys</span><span style="font-style:italic;"></span></span><br /><br />After years of concentrating on positions other than the offensive line in the draft, Dallas smartly began to bolster the trenches in this draft. They took 20 year old Tyron Smith in the first round, and the offensive tackle has been very good most of the season.<br /><br />Bruce Carter is a linebacker taken in the second round. He has not done much this year, making Cowboys fans wonder if he will be a bust like Bobby Carpenter was as the teams first round pick in 2006.<br /><br />DeMarco Murray has been quite a find as a third round selection. After a slow start, he eventually earned a starting job and has run for 872 yards so far.<br /><br />Offensive tackle David Arkin, the fourth round selection, has spent this year on the bench. Josh Thomas, a cornerback taken in the fifth round, did not make the team and has now played six games with the Carolina Panthers.<br /><br />Dwayne Harris, a wide receiver taken in the sixth round, has spent this season on the practice squad. Shaun Chapas, a fullback taken the next round, has spent most of this year on special teams but did start a game.<br /><br />Center/ guard Bill Nagy was their last pick. He started in one of the four games he played before an injury ended his season.<br /><br />Dallas had a hit or miss draft. Smith and Murray have been big, but they really haven't gotten a lot from the rest of their draft class. How guys like Carter and Arkin pan out down the road will give a truer grade, but the miss on Thomas drops the overall grade this year.<br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">Grade : <span style="font-weight:bold;">C +</span></span><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;"><span style="font-style:italic;">Denver Broncos</span><span style="font-style:italic;"></span></span><br /><br />When you are a head coach known for defensive expertise, it is safe to assume the first draft will lean heavily in that direction if rebuilding is the plan. John Fox took six defenders in the Broncos nine picks.<br /><br />The very first pick, who happened to be the second player chosen overall, was linebacker Von Miller. He is mostly known for his pass rushing abilities, as his team-leading 10.5 sacks show, but he has become more well-rounded as the season has progressed. He is third on the team with 58 tackles.<br /><br />Denver had two picks in the second round. The first was free safety Rahim Moore, a guy some thought may get picked in the first round. He has started five games and picked off a pass.<br /><br />Orlando Franklin surprisingly slipped into the Broncos laps. He is their starting right tackle, an important position because quarterback Tim Tebow is left-handed.<br /><br />The third round pick was Nate Irving, a middle linebacker buried in the depth chart. Joe Mays, a four-year veteran, has been a pleasant surprise at the position this season<br /><br />Quinton Carter was drafted in the fourth round, but he has now risen to be the starter at free safety. He has 37 tackles and might move over to strong safety next year if 16-year veteran Brian Dawkins retires at the end of the year.<br /><br />Julius Thomas was Denver's second pick in the fourth round. The tight end has just one catch so far. Mike Mohamed was a linebacker drafted in the sixth round, but has played in just two games.<br /><br />The Broncos had two picks in the seventh round. Tight end Virgil Green has caught two passes while defensive end Jeremy Beal was the last pick and he has spent the season on the practice squad.<br /><br />The pick of Miller alone makes this a successful draft. He is considered a favorite of mane to be named Defensive Rookie of the Year.<br /><br />While Franklin is already a vital part of the offense, Moore and Carter have split starts at free safety. So it appears Denver will be set in the middle of their secondary for quite awhile. Their young tight ends have also pitched in.<br /><br />In a year where rebuilding was supposed to have brought mediocrity, Denver sits on top of the AFC West because of their defense. While Fox may still be still developing his team, the results from the 2011 draft class have been mostly excellent thus far.<br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">Grade : <span style="font-weight:bold;">A</span></span><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;"><span style="font-style:italic;">Detroit Lions</span><span style="font-style:italic;"></span></span><br /><br />The young Lions rebuilding continues this year, and the was hoping for the same positive results they got last year. It hasn't worked out that way.<br /><br />Though Detroit already had a pretty good group of defensive lineman, they took Nick Fairley in the first round. Many thought the defensive tackle might go as high as the second overall pick, so Detroit felt lucky he fell to them. Fairley has given them next to nothing so far.<br /><br />Wide receiver Titus Young was the first of two picks the Lions had in the second round. He has given the team 31 receptions so far. Halfback Mikel LeShoure was lost for the year in training camp, which was a crushing blow to the team.<br /><br />Fifth round pick Doug Hogue has not played much because he is buried deep on the depth chart at linebacker. Offensive tackle Johnny Culbreath, their last pick, has spent the year on injured reserve.<br /><br />With just one draft pick contributing, this draft class has been disappointing for Detroit.<br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">Grade : <span style="font-weight:bold;">D -</span></span><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;"><span style="font-style:italic;">Green Bay Packers</span><span style="font-style:italic;"></span></span><br /><br />When your the defending champion returning most of their roster, there is only hope a few players from the draft. Especially this Packers team that won it all despite a major amount of injuries all of last year.<br /><br />Offensive tackle Derek Sherrod was the first round pick of Green Bay. He has spent most of the year on the bench.<br /><br />Randall Cobb is a wide receiver who is the Packers kick return specialist. Not only has he scored a touchdown off both a punt and kickoff return, he has grabbed 17 passes and scored once again.<br /><br />Alex Green is a halfback drafted in the third round, but he hasn't seen much action. Davin House, drafted in the following round, is a cornerback who has also not seen much action.<br /><br />The Packers drafted two tight ends and both made the team, giving them five on the roster. D.J. Williams has caught one pass, while Ryan Taylor has made his bones as a blocker.<br /><br />Green Bay had three draft picks in the sixth round. Guard Caleb Schlaunderaff was soon traded to the New York Jets, where he has appeared in four games.<br /><br />Linebacker D.J. Smith started a game but has mostly played special teams. Defensive end Ricky Elmore did not make the team, while defensive end Lawrence Guy, their last selection, has spent the season on injured reserve.<br /><br />Packers general manager Ted Thompson has a excellent draft for a defending champion picking last most of the time. While many are just seldom used reserves right now, it is yet another example of why the Packers are undefeated thus far.<br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">Grade : <span style="font-weight:bold;">B -</span></span><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;"><span style="font-style:italic;">Houston Texans</span><span style="font-style:italic;"></span></span><br /><br />With the team on the verge of their first playoff appearance ever, the success of their 2011 draft is a big reason why. It also may have saved head coach Gary Kubiak his job.<br /><br />Defensive end J.J. Watt is a mammoth player who has quietly put a season together worthy of Rookie of the Year honors. He has 4.5 sacks and third on the team in tackles. Houston currently has allowed the second fewest points and yards in the NFL.<br /><br />Houston had two picks in the second round. Brooks Reed is an outside linebacker forced into action early after Pro Bowler Mario Williams was put on injured reserve after five games. Reed has six sacks and 35 tackles so far.<br /><br />Cornerback Brandon Harris has played just four games so far, while fourth round pick Rashad Carmichael, another cornerback, has spent the year on injured reserve.<br /><br />The Texans then had a pair of picks in the fifth round. Strong safety Shiloh Keo has spent the year on the bench, while quarterback T.J. Yates was recently thrust into the starting lineup after injuries shelved Matt Schaub and Matt Leinart for the year.<br /><br />Houston also had a couple of picks in the seventh round. While Derek Newton has spent the year backing up left tackle Duane Brown, linebacker Cheta Ozougwu, Mr. Irrelevant of 2011, did not make the team.<br /><br />Watt was the only player expected to start, but Reed and Yates have also played well when called upon. Newly hired defensive coordinator Wade Phillips was given some ammo this year, as the team used six of their eight picks on defenders.<br /><br />Even if the Texans have an early exit in the playoffs this year, which could happen with many key players amongst the 12 players on injured reserve, this draft class has set up the franchise nicely for several years ahead.<br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">Grade : <span style="font-weight:bold;">A </span></span>-<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;"><span style="font-style:italic;">Indianapolis Colts</span><span style="font-style:italic;"></span></span><br /><br />When a team is without a victory yet, there is a struggle to find a silver lining. Many Colts fans are looking ahead to next year, with the expected return of Peyton Manning and drafting of Andrew Luck. Manning had led Indianapolis to the playoffs in 12 of the previous 13 seasons.<br /><br />Anthony Castonzo was drafted in the first round and now starts at left tackle. He is one of three rookies starting, though the other two are undrafted players.<br /><br />They drafted guard Ben Ijalana in the second round, but he ended up on injured reserve after four games. Defensive tackle Drake Nevis, their third round pick, was put on the injured reserve after five games.<br /><br />Delone Carter is a halfback who was drafted in the fourth round. He has played often and piled up 347 yards and a pair of touchdowns so far. Chris Rucker is a cornerback who was the Colts last pick and has played sparingly.<br /><br />It was not the best draft ever for the Colts, considering only two players have contributed much. The class has been bereft by injury, and Castonzo has missed four games himself. It seems everyone associated with the Colts cannot wait until next year.<br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">Grade : <span style="font-weight:bold;">D</span></span><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;"><span style="font-style:italic;">Jacksonville Jaguars</span><span style="font-style:italic;"></span></span><br /><br />It has been a difficult year for the Jaguars. They basically got a new quarterback, new head coach, and a new owners as the season has progressed.<br /><br />Blaine Gabbert was the Jags first round pick. The quarterback was thrust into the lineup before he was ready and has struggled all season.<br /><br />William Rackley was drafted in the second round and starts at left guard. Cecil Shorts is a wide receiver drafted in the following round. He has caught just two passes so far, but Shorts has also fielded 12 punts.<br /><br />Jacksonville used their last two picks on a pair of safeties. Free safety Chris Prosinski has spent most of the year on the bench, while strong safety Rod Isaac went on the injured reserve after three games.<br /><br />The Jaguars have 20 players on injured reserve, which undoubtedly has helped them struggle. With a new regime set to make their mark next season, the team is hoping for a more productive draft class in 2012.<br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">Grade : <span style="font-weight:bold;">C -</span></span><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;"><span style="font-weight:bold;">Kansas City Chiefs</span><span style="font-weight:bold;"></span></span><br /><br />This season has been difficult for the Chiefs. While they have just seven players on injured reserve, four players were expected to carry the team to a repeat as AFC West champions.<br /><br />Wide receiver Jonathan Baldwin was drafted in the first round, but the rookie has had a disappointing year with just 14 receptions. Center/ Guard Rodney Hudson was drafted in the second round and has spent the season on the bench.<br /><br />The Chiefs had a pair of picks in the third round, so they concentrated on defense. Linebacker Justin Houston is staring now and has three sacks and 36 tackles. Defensive end Allen Bailey hasn't contributed much.<br /><br />Jalil Brown is a cornerback drafted in the fourth round who has spent his season on special teams. The team had two picks in the fifth round in quarterback Ricky Stanzi and linebacker Gabe Miller. Stanzi has stayed on the bench while Miller is on injured reserve.<br /><br />Jerrell Powe, a nose tackle selected in the sixth round, has played in one game. Fullback Shane Bannon, the Chiefs last pick, is on the practice squad.<br /><br />Besides Houston, Kansas City has gotten next to nothing from this draft class. With the way the season has been with the team, the Chiefs could have used more help from the rookies.<br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">Grade :<span style="font-weight:bold;"> D</span></span><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;"><span style="font-style:italic;">Miami Dolphins</span><span style="font-style:italic;"></span></span><br /><br />After a very tough start to their 2011 season, the Dolphins have player better recently. Part of that reason is that their rookies have stepped up their game.<br /><br />Mike Pouncey was drafted in the first round and has started all year at center. Halfback Daniel Thomas, their second round pick, has run for 504 yards despite being banged up several games.<br /><br />Clyde Gates, a wide receiver taken in the fourth round, has only two catches. But he has returned 26 kickoffs at a healthy 25 yards per return average.<br /><br />Fullback Charles Clay is known for being a good blocker, but the rookie fullback has also caught 13 passes thus far. The sixth round pick has started eight games.<br /><br />Miami had a pair of picks in the seventh round, but cut defensive tackle Frank Kearse. Kearse later played two games with the Carolina Panthers. Cornerback Jimmy Wilson, their final pick, has an interception in limited playing time.<br /><br />The powerhouse blocking of Pouncey and Clay should help Thomas a lot in his career. Gates is a speedy player who some feel has a future as a deep threat on offense.<br /><br />It was a solid draft by a team who needs a decent quarterback to give their offense versatility because the defense is stout. Whether Miami has a new head coach or not in 2012, many pundits expect them to draft that franchise quarterback.<br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">Grade : <span style="font-weight:bold;">B</span></span><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;"><span style="font-style:italic;">Minnesota Vikings</span><span style="font-style:italic;"></span></span><br /><br />Most Vikings fans knew this would be a tough season with rebuilding in mind. They just didn't expect only two victories so far.<br /><br />A few were surprised when they tabbed quarterback Christian Ponder in the first round, especially after having just signing veteran Donovan McNabb. Not only did McNabb get benched then cut, the rookie has played very well in his place.<br /><br />Tight end Kyle Rudolph was grabbed in the second round. He has shown some promise with 18 catches and a pair of scores.<br /><br />A few were suprised to see defensive tackle Christian Ballard fall to the Vikings on the fourth round. Yet the rookie has spent much of the year on the bench.<br /><br />After drafting cornerback Brandon Butler in the fifth round, a player who has contributed little, the Vikings then had four selections in the sixth round and two more in the seventh.<br /><br />Tackle DeMarcus Love and center Brandon Fusco have spent the year on the bench. Linebacker Russ Homan was cut in training camp but later joined the Tampa Bay Buccaneers practice squad for a few days.<br /><br />Free safety Mistral Raymond is now starting at free safety. He was just given the job after veteran Husain Abdullah went on injured reserve. Wide receiver Stephen Burton has caught a pair of passes so far, while defensive end D'Aundre Reed has sat on the bench.<br /><br />Ponder has made the draft successful, while Rudolph has also helped. The rest of the picks are projects, which symbolizes where the franchise is right now. It will take a few years to see how good the draft class really is.<br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">Grade : <span style="font-weight:bold;">C +</span></span><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;"><span style="font-style:italic;">New England Patriots</span><span style="font-style:italic;"></span></span><br /><br />Patriots head coach Bill Belichick loves to work a draft, and this strategy has led to one of the most successful runs in recent NFL history. He attacked the 2011 like always.<br /><br />Left tackle Nate Solder was drafted in the first round and has spent this year on the bench being mentored by veteran Matt Light. Then the Patriots had two picks in the second, third, and fifth rounds.<br /><br />Ras-I Dowling is a cornerback who was put on injured reserve after two games. New England then drafted two halfbacks.<br /><br />While Shane Vereen has just 15 carries, Stevan Ridley has 48. The team has a deep backfield, but touches are even fewer because Belichick prefers future Hall of Fame quarterback Tom Brady passing the ball.<br /><br />They did draft quarterback Ryan Mallett, but few will be shocked to see him starting for another team in a few years. Tackle/ guard Marcus Cannon joins Solder on the bench to learn.<br /><br />Lee Smith was a curious selection, considering the Patriots have two young studs at tight end. He was cut by New England, but has joined the Buffalo Bills and caught three passes. Defensive end Markell Carter and cornerback Malcolm Williams have spent the year on the Patriots practice squad.<br /><br />The Patriots have to feel good they have a pair of blockers and runners for when their veterans retire. Dowling is considered a top talent, but he has had trouble staying healthy the past few years.<br /><br />The team is a real interesting mix of veterans and kids, but that is the plan of the genius Belichick. Instead of standing pat with veterans who have gotten him a lot of wind, he keeps upgrading the roster with young players so that the team will stay relevant for many years ahead.<br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">Grade : <span style="font-weight:bold;">C</span></span><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;"><span style="font-style:italic;">New Orleans Saints</span><span style="font-style:italic;"></span></span><br /><br />The Saints are beginning to look like the team that won the Super Bowl two years ago, not the team that floundered early in the playoffs last season. A big reason is that quarterback Drew Brees might be having an even better year than when he led the team to their title.<br /><br />They had two draft picks in the first, third and seventh rounds. Five of those picks were used to bolster the defense, which struggled in 2010.<br /><br />Their first pick was defensive end Cameron Jordan, who has started every game and has 25 tackles. Halfback Mark Ingram was selected next, and he seems like a lot of former Heisman winners who were average at best in the NFL.<br /><br />Linebacker Martez Wilson and cornerback Johnny Patrick have spent the year on the bench. Linebacker Nate Bussey is on the practice squad, while defensive end Greg Romeus is on the injured reserve.<br /><br />Jordan and Ingram aren't exactly setting the league on fire, but they are relied on already. Ingram splits carries with a plethora of excellent running backs, while Jordan has somewhat filled the void left by the departure of Charles Grant at the end of the 2009 season.<br /><br />The other four players may have futures, but the lack of production from this group drops an already mediocre grade lower. But the way Brees is going, it hasn't mattered that the rookies aren't great.<br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">Grade : <span style="font-weight:bold;">C -</span></span><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;"><span style="font-style:italic;">New York Giants</span><span style="font-style:italic;"></span></span><br /><br />The way injuries have absolutely destroyed the Giants defense this year, it has been been tough that a few kids had to grow up fast this year. Those who were able to play, that is.<br /><br />Their top pick was cornerback Prince Amukamara, who broke his foot in training camp. The Giants kept him on the roster, and he has recently returned to play the last three games and already has an interception.<br /><br />New York used their second round pick on defensive tackle Melvin Austin, but he got hurt in training camp and is on the injured reserve. Wide Receiver Jerrel Jernigan, the third round selection, has just one kickoff return so far.<br /><br />Offensive tackle James Brewer, the fourth round selection, has stayed on the bench this year. Then the Jints had four picks in the sixth round.<br /><br />Linebacker Greg Jones has started five games and has 26 tackles. Strong safety Tyler Sash has spent most of the year on special teams along with halfback Da'Rel Scott. Linebacker Jacquian Williams has been a nice find and he is sixth on the team with 50 tackles.<br /><br />Williams has saved this class from a failing grade, but it could rise before the season ends because Amukamara is back. It will hopefully be a healthy season for these kids in 2012 so they can show their abilities better.<br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">Grade : <span style="font-weight:bold;">C -</span></span><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;"><span style="font-style:italic;">New York Jets</span><span style="font-style:italic;"></span></span><br /><br />The Jets have been a big disappointment in 2011. Yet the draft class hasn't been a big part of that reason.<br /><br />Muhammad Wilkerson was the Jets first pick. The defensive end started right away and he has 29 tackles and a safety. Nose tackle Kenrick Ellis, their third round pick, has just played four games so far.<br /><br />Halfback Bilal Powell was drafted in the fourth round and has just seven rushing attempts so far. Wide receiver Jeremy Kerley is now the third receiver on the team and has 18 catches. Kerley has also returned 18 punts.<br /><br />The Jets had two picks in the seventh round. Quarterback Greg McElroy is on injured reserve, while wide receiver Scotty McKnight is on the practice squad.<br /><br />Wilkerson has obviously had the biggest impact in this draft class, but Kerley was a nice find. His progress allowed the Jets to trade veteran Derrick Mason. The rest of the group has yet to help much, which drops the overall grade.<br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">Grade : <span style="font-weight:bold;">C -</span></span><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;"><span style="font-style:italic;">Oakland Raiders</span><span style="font-style:italic;"></span></span><br /><br />Every member of this Raiders draft got that last taste of true greatness. They are the last players to be drafted by the legendary Al Davis, who would pass away early in the 2011 season.<br /><br />He went old school, despite having no pick in the first round. Davis drafted Stefen Wisniewski long long after he got Raiders great Steve Wisniewski to rejoin the franchise by coaching the offensive line. Now the uncle is teaching his nephew how to play guard like he did, where the versatile youngster has started every game this year.<br /><br />Oakland has two picks in the third and fourth rounds. Cornerback Demarcus Van Dyke has started four games and has an interception, while guard Joseph Barksdale has spent the year on the bench.<br /><br />Cornerback Chimdi Chekwa is on the injured reserve while halfback Taiwan Jones has 17 carries and eight kickoff returns. Wide receiver Denarius Moore has been quite a find and has 24 catches and four touchdowns despite battling nagging injuries. Tight ends Richard Gordon and David Ausberry both have just one catch each.<br /><br />Wisniewski has been steady and solid all year, and Moore really helped when the team was transitioning between starting quarterbacks. Most of the rest of the draft class has helped at some point, so it wasn't a draft will besmirch the genius of the great Davis.<br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">Grade : <span style="font-weight:bold;">C</span></span><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;"><span style="font-style:italic;">Philadelphia Eagles</span><span style="font-style:italic;"></span></span><br /><br />No team has failed to meet expectations in the 2011 more than the Eagles. The draft class is not a big part of how their year has gone so far.<br /><br />Guard Danny Watkins is a 27 year old rookie guard who has started eight games as the Eagles first round selection. He seems to get better each game, though he has had his struggles.<br /><br />Free safety Jaiquawn Jarrett is a local hero who has started one game, but mostly has spent his time on special teams. Cornerback Curtis Marsh has hardly played this season.<br /><br />The Eagles had a pair of picks from the fourth round on. Casey Matthews, a member of the most famous football family today, started at the beginning of the year before getting benched. Kicker Alex Henery has missed just three field goal attempts all season.<br /><br />Dion Lewis is a halfback who has mainly contributed as a kick returner, while guard Julian Vandervelde has played in just one game. Yet the Eagles hit pay dirt in the sixth round.<br /><br />Brian Rolle is a linebacker who is fourth on the team with 40 tackles. He also returned a fumble 23 yards for a touchdown. Center Jason Kelce has started every game this season.<br /><br />Greg Lloyd is a linebacker whose father was a Pittsburgh Steelers legend. He has spent the year on the bench. Fullback Stanley Havill has spent the season on the practice squad.<br /><br />Philadelphia seems to have found a good foundation at the inside of their offensive line with Watkins and Kelce. Of their three linebackers drafted, only Rolle has made a significant contribution. Henery is probably the best rookie on the team and has been as solid as any kicker in the league.<br /><br />While the big-money superstars have come up short this year, this draft class has played well enough to get Eagles fans excited about the future.<br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">Grade : <span style="font-weight:bold;">A</span></span><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;"><span style="font-style:italic;">Pittsburgh Steelers</span><span style="font-style:italic;"></span></span><br /><br />The biggest reason the Steelers seemingly sit near the top of the NFL the past 40 years is because they build their teams through excellent drafts. The 2011 season seems no different.<br /><br />Pittsburgh drafted defensive end Cameron Heyward in the first round. He has spent much of the year on the bench learning from the excellent veteran starters.<br /><br />Marcus Gilbert is an offensive tackle who was selected in the second round. He, like much of the Steelers offensive linemen this year, has battled nagging injuries. Yet he has started in all 11 games he has played in.<br /><br />Pittsburgh drafted a pair of cornerbacks in the next two rounds. Curtis Brown and Cortez Allen have mostly helped on special teams thus far.<br /><br />Keith Williams is a guard that Pittsburgh drafted in the sixth round. He was cut, but later picked up by the Buffalo Bills and has played five games for them. Halfback Baron Batch was the Steelers last pick and he has spent the season on injured reserve.<br /><br />Just another typical draft by Pittsburgh. They got a blocker who starts along with three defensive players who will contribute more as their careers go on.<br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">Grade : <span style="font-weight:bold;">C +</span></span><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;"><span style="font-style:italic;">Saint Louis Rams</span><span style="font-style:italic;"></span></span><br /><br />It has been an excruciating season for the Rams. A favorite by may to win the NFC West, before the season started, they are one of the worst teams in the league right now.<br /><br />Robert Quinn is a linebacker who was their first round pick. He is used on pass rushing downs and has five sacks so far.<br /><br />Saint Louis wanted to get quarterback Sam Bradford more weapons to throw to. Tight end Lance Kendricks has 19 catches, but a ton of drops too. Wide receivers Austin Pettis, who doubles as the primary punt returner, and Greg Salas, who is now on the injured reserve, have combined for 49 receptions so far.<br /><br />The Rams used their final four picks on defensive players that are no longer with the team.All were cut in preseason, but three are still in the league.<br /><br />Safety Jermale Hines played five games with the Carolina Panthers and is now with the Indianapolis Colts. Cornerback Mikail Barber was waived after being injured in preseason.Linebacker Jabara Williams is with the Chicago Bears, while safety Jonathan Nelson is on the Panthers practice squad.<br /><br />Quinn, Kendricks, Pettis and Salas have made contributions, so the draft wasn't a total failure for the Rams. The play of the oft-injured Bradford certainly didn't help them.<br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">Grade : <span style="font-weight:bold;">C</span></span><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;"><span style="font-style:italic;">San Diego Chargers</span><span style="font-style:italic;"></span></span><br /><br />This draft class should be known as the last one head coach Norv Turner presided over. The inept Turner appears to have finally run out of chances.<br /><br />Defensive tackle Corey Liuget is the Bolts top pick. While he has started in nine of the 11 games he has played in, Liuget has just 13 tackles this season. San Diego had two picks in the second, third and sixth rounds.<br /><br />Cornerback Marcus Gilchrist has started three games while getting an interception and returning a fumble 40 yards. Linebacker Jonas Mouton is on injured reserve.<br /><br />Wide receiver Vincent Brown is the best rookie San Diego drafted this season. The athletic Brown has 16 catches and a pair of scores. Cornerback Shareece Wright has spent this year on the bench, while halfback Jordan Todman is on the practice squad.<br /><br />Offensive tackle Stephen Schilling has a pair of starts in the five games he has appeared in. Linebacker Andrew Gachkar has been playing special teams.<br /><br />The Chargers wanted more from their top draft picks than occasional contributions. The contributions of the promising Brown saves this group from being called a complete failure.<br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">Grade : <span style="font-weight:bold;">D</span></span><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;"><span style="font-style:italic;">San Francisco 49ers</span><span style="font-style:italic;"></span></span><br /><br />The Niners have been one the great stories of 2011. Not only are they 10-2 right now, they also had an excellent draft under first-year head coach Jim Harbaugh.<br /><br />Linebacker Aldon Smith was San Francisco's first round pick. While the former collegiate defensive end has been primarily used as a pass rush specialist, he has come through with 9.5 quarterback sacks and a safety.<br /><br />The promising Colin Kaepernick has spent this year learning how to be an NFL quarterback under Harbaugh, yet the second round pick has gotten to throw five passes so far. Cornerback Chris Culliver has an interception and 25 tackles as a dime back.<br /><br />Halfback Kendall Hunter has been quite a nice pick in the fourth round. As the primary backup behind Frank Gore, he has churned out 302 rushing yards. Guard Daniel Kilgore has spent the season on the bench.<br /><br />The 49ers had two picks in both the sixth and seventh rounds. Wide receiver Ronald Johnson did not make the team and is now a member of the Philadelphia Eagles practice squad. Free safety Colin Jones ha played little.<br /><br />Bruce Miller was a defensive lineman in college, but San Francisco moved him to fullback. He has now started six games and even has a touchdown off of seven receptions. Guard Michael Person has spent the season on the bench, while cornerback Curtis Holmcomb is on injured reserve.<br /><br />Smith has really helped the 49ers have the top rated defense all season, while Hunter and the surprising Miller are making significant contributions to the offensive backfield. Culliver has also had provided much needed help.<br /><br />San Francisco has already won the weak AFC West. A reason why is this rookie class, one that should have the team winning beyond this season.<br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">Grade : <span style="font-weight:bold;">B</span></span><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;"><span style="font-style:italic;">Seattle Seahawks</span><span style="font-style:italic;"></span></span><br /><br />The Seahawks 2011 season has been tough. It has been just as tough on their rookies.<br /><br />Seattle used their first and third round draft picks on tackle James Carpenter and guard John Moffitt. Both landed on the injured reserve list after nine games, and Moffitt is also serving a suspension for use of performance enhancing drug use.<br /><br />Linebacker K.J. Wright was the first of two draft picks Seattle had in the fourth round. He currently starts and has 38 tackles with a quarterback sack. Wide Receiver Kris Durham had three receptions before ending up on the injured reserve.<br /><br />Free safety Mark Legree did not make the team. Cornerback Byron Maxwell and defensive tackle Lazarius Levingston have contributed little, but linebacker Malcolm Smith does have a sack and forced fumble.<br /><br />Seattle is a young team that has 11 rookies on the roster and three more on the injured reserve. While Carpenter, Moffitt and Wright earned stating jobs, their best rookie is undrafted wide receiver Doug Baldwin and his team-leading 38 receptions.<br /><br />The Seahawks can only hope Carpenter and Moffitt will not follow in Russel Okung's footsteps. Okung, the sixth player chosen overall on 2010, is a left tackle who has already missed 10 games due to injuries. If their young linemen can stay healthy, the franchise will be a threat down the road.<br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">Grade : <span style="font-weight:bold;">C +</span></span><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;"><span style="font-style:italic;">Tampa Bay Buccaneers</span><span style="font-style:italic;"></span></span><br /><br />The young Bucs took a few steps back this season. Youth can be attributed to their regression, but it was not expected to be as severe as it has been.<br /><br />Five defenders were amongst their eight selections. Defensive ends Adrian Clayborn and Da'Quan Bowers were their first two picks. Clayborn has 27 tackles and 5.5 sacks, while Bowers has chipped in 19 tackles and 1.5 sacks.<br /><br />Middle linebacker Mason Foster is third on the team with 57 tackles. He also has a pair of sacks and has demonstrated good leadership.<br /><br />Two tight ends were drafted by Tampa Bay. Luke Stocker has given them eight receptions, but Daniel Hardy did not make the team and is now a member of the Saints practice squad.<br /><br />Strong safety Ahmad Black is now on the Bucs practice squad while halfback Allen Bradford is a member of the Seahawks practice squad. Cornerback Anthony Gaitor has suited up for five games on special teams.<br /><br />Clayborn and Bowers are part of a young and talented Buccaneers defensive line that has yet to fulfill expectations. Foster looks like he will grow in the position, but the rest of the draft did not go well. Much like the Buccaneers 2011 season.<br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">Grade : <span style="font-weight:bold;">C +</span></span><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;"><span style="font-style:italic;">Tennessee Titans</span><span style="font-style:italic;"></span></span><br /><br />The Titans have had a pretty good year under first year head coach Mike Munchak, a Hall of Fame guard. They are very much in the playoff chase.<br /><br />Quarterback Jake Locker was their first round draft pick. Though he has spent most of the year on the bench, Locker has tossed 21 passes and two touchdowns.<br /><br />Linebacker Akeem Ayers, their second round pick, is sixth on the team in tackles with 51 tackles and he has two sacks. Third round pick Jurrell Casey, a defensive tackle, leads all Titans defensive linemen with 40 tackles.<br /><br />Linebacker Colin McCarthy has only played nine games, but he is right behind Ayers on the team with 40 tackles. Halfback Jamie Harper has just seven carries all season.<br /><br />Defensive tackle Karl Klug is the Titans fifth round pick and his four sacks leads the team. Offensive tackle Byron Stingily has sat on the bench this season, as has defensive tackle Zach Clayton for the most part. Cornerback Tommie Campbell, Tennessee's last pick, has contributed on special teams.<br /><br />The Titans grabbed four defenders who have had immediate impact. Their future franchise quarterback has benefited from learning from sage veteran Matt Hasselbeck. This good fortune has helped the team stay afloat most of the season.<br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">Grade : <span style="font-weight:bold;">A</span></span><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;"><span style="font-style:italic;">Washington Redskins</span><span style="font-style:italic;"></span></span><br /><br />Redskins general manager Bruce Allen has the unenviable task of trying to clean up the tremendous mess Vinny Cerrato left the team in. The son of the Redskins Hall of Fame George Allen, he has already made tremendous strides.<br /><br />Where his dad may have traded all of their draft picks to acquire veterans, the younger Allen went a different direction by wheeling and dealing on draft day and getting the team 12 draft selections.<br /><br />Ryan Kerrigan was their first round pick. He is making the transition from collegiate defensive end, but Kerrigan leads Washington with 6.5 sacks and is third on the team with 56 tackles. He also intercepted a pass and returned it for a touchdown.<br /><br />The Redskins second pick was defensive tackle Jarvis Jenkins. He was showing tremendous ability before suffering a season-ending injury during a preseason game. Wide receiver Leonard Hankerson gave Washington 13 receptions before ending up on the injured reserve list.<br /><br />Roy Helu has been a gem for the Redskins this season. He is now starting and the fourth round pick has 456 rushing yards and 42 receptions. He was the first of three Nebraska Cornhuskers that Allen drafted consecutively.<br /><br />Safety Dejon Gomes and wide receiver Niles Paul have spent most of the season on special teams. Halfback Evan Royster and cornerback Brandyn Thompson have spent much of the season on the practice squad, while wide receiver Aldrick Robinson has spent all of his year there.<br /><br />Guard Maurice Hurt started the year on the practice squad, but he is now starting after a rash of injuries hit the team. Markus White, a linebacker who played defensive end in college, has spent the year on the bench, while nose tackle Chris Neild has a couple of sacks backing up starter Barry Cofield.<br /><br />Washington lost seven starters to injury or suspension this year, which has doomed their 2011 dreams. Kerrigan and Helu were very nice surprises, but the rest of the draft class looks like developmental projects that will not show their true worth until they travel further down the NFL road.<br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">Grade : <span style="font-weight:bold;">C</span></span><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Yoooo! Dis iz 7thStone! Yo! Lets make dis fast cuz I got to go ho ho ho. Dats rite, da Guidacelli triplets is coming over so I iz eating viagra like dey is tic tacs. Capeesh?<br /><br />Last weak I went <span style="font-weight:bold;">10-5</span>, so I iz now 114-72 overall.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Indianapolis Colts @ Baltimore Ravens<span style="font-style:italic;"></span></span><br /><br />Yo? You kiddin, rite?<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Ravens</span> 31 Colts 14<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Atlanta Falcons @ Carolina Panthers<span style="font-style:italic;"></span></span><br /><br />If Atlanta loses hear, dere seasun is over.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Falcons</span> 27 Panthers 24<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Houston Texans @ Cincinnati Bengals<span style="font-style:italic;"></span></span><br /><br />YO! DIS iz gunna be a <span style="font-weight:bold;">CLASH</span> of too grate defenses. Plus both teems can run da ball and have rookie quarterbacks starting. I'm gambling hear, cuz da Bengals know a loss kills playoff dreems prolly.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Bengals</span> 23 Texans 21<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Minnesota Vikings @ Detroit Lions<span style="font-style:italic;"></span></span><br /><br />Da Lions stop losing hear.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Lions</span> 31 Vikings 28<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Tampa Bay Buccaneers @ Jacksonville Jaguars<span style="font-style:italic;"></span></span><br /><br />No one outside of Florida cares and not two many inside da Sunshine States does either.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Buccaneers</span> 23 Jaguars 17<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Philadelphia Eagles @ Miami Dolphins<span style="font-style:italic;"></span></span><br /><br />A battle of two teams going nowhere. The difference is that the Dolphins players try to play like professionals who know they are lucky to earn a paycheck, rather than think it is owed to them.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Dolphins</span> 24 Eagles 20<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Kansas City Chiefs @ New York Jets<span style="font-style:italic;"></span></span><br /><br />Da difference hear is dat da Jets is fighting for dere playoff lives.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Jets</span> 27 Chiefs 14<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">New Orleans Saints @ Tennessee Titans<span style="font-style:italic;"></span></span><br /><br />Can anyone stop Drew Brees?<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Saints</span> 28 Titans 20<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">New England Patriots @ Washington Redskins<span style="font-style:italic;"></span></span><br /><br />Sorry Cuzin 3rd<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Patriots</span> 42 Redskins 20<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">San Francisco 49ers @ Arizona Cardinals<span style="font-style:italic;"></span></span><br /><br />Just cuz da Niners won da NFC West, it dont meen dey is rollin over til playoffs.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">49ers</span> 27 Cardinals 17<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Chicago Bears @ Denver Broncos<span style="font-style:italic;"></span></span><br /><br />It ain't if anyone can stop Teblow, it is dat Bears beat up offense can score aganst dat improvin Broncos defense. NO<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Broncos</span> 16 Bears 7<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Oakland Raiders @ Green Bay Packers<span style="font-style:italic;"></span></span><br /><br />Da Raiders are just erratic eniff two hand da Pack there furst loss.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Packers</span> 34 Raiders 24<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Buffalo Bills @ San Diego Chargers<span style="font-style:italic;"></span></span><br /><br />Too teems we wont sea in da playoffs.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Chargers</span> 34 Bills 28<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;"><span style="font-weight:bold;">Dallas Cowboys @ New York Giants</span><br />Game of the Week</span><br /><br />Simple. If da Giants lose = dere playoff dreems are pretty much dun. If dey win = dey is den tied for furst place in da NFL East wif da Cowboys. I tink both teems stink and prefer the Bengals vs. Texans game, but dere are more steaks involved hear.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Cowboys</span> 21 Giants 20<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Saint Louis Rams @ Seattle Seahawks<span style="font-style:italic;"></span></span><br /><br />Hasn't Monday Night Footballs sucked King Kong balls most dis yeer? May be the worst MNF seasun EVER. Only a football junkie will watch dese too suck ass teems. Guys like me.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Seahawks</span> 27 Rams 16<br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Power Rankings</span><br /><br />1. Packers<br />2. Ravens<br />3. 49ers<br />4. Steelers<br />5. Texans<br />6. Saints<br />7. Patriots<br />8. Bengals<br />9. Falcons<br />10. Cowboys<br />11. Jets<br />12. Lions<br />13. Broncos<br />14. Raiders<br />15. Titans<br />16. Bears<br />17. Giants<br />18. Bills<br />19. Chargers<br />20. Seahawks<br />21. Chiefs<br />22. Cardinals<br />23. Dolphins<br />24. Buccaneers<br />25. Panthers<br />26. Browns<br />27. Eagles<br />28. Redskins<br />29. Jaguars<br />30. Vikings<br />31. Rams<br />32. Colts<br /><br />OK. See ya! As dey say in Ol' Mexico= A.M.F.<br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1w5jnEsrTTM/TuL0asL-NNI/AAAAAAAAAQo/vlu7UYxEPas/s1600/7thstone.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 250px; height: 316px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1w5jnEsrTTM/TuL0asL-NNI/AAAAAAAAAQo/vlu7UYxEPas/s320/7thstone.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5684374419070137554" /></a>3rdStoneFromTheSunhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08885818209425078599noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9114088672380394893.post-79276323869811632042011-12-02T21:53:00.005-05:002011-12-02T23:41:12.709-05:00NFL Legend Buckles to Crime and Punishment<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-QleGVxPLDbo/TtmQ3Kp3k8I/AAAAAAAAAQc/HcMmB7O5eCA/s1600/Ndamukong-Suh-ejected-after-stomp-430x320.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 238px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-QleGVxPLDbo/TtmQ3Kp3k8I/AAAAAAAAAQc/HcMmB7O5eCA/s320/Ndamukong-Suh-ejected-after-stomp-430x320.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5681731682331759554" /></a><br /><br />This is the first installment of <span style="font-weight:bold;">NFL Lucubrations</span> in 2011, and most likely the only one. <br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Ain't That A Kick In The Head<span style="font-style:italic;"></span></span><br /><br />Ndamukong Suh is a throw back player stuck in a sad time in the NFL, otherwise known as the Goodell Valley. First he got screwed out of the Heisman Trophy, and award that is supposed to go to the best player but goes to the most popular quarterback, running back or wide receiver, two years ago.<br /><br />He destroyed NFL offenses in his rookie season in 2010, quickly gaining respect and fear from his opponents. Suh hits hard and often, thus drawing critics who have been brainwashed by Goodell to worship just the offensive side of the football.<br /><br />Suh isn't producing as much this year, most likely the infamous sophomore jinx being the culprit, but he is still producing at a good rate. He isn't going to match last years tackles and sacks totals, and that will be helped by the fact he is going to serve a two game suspension for stomping an opponent out of frustration on Thanksgiving.<br /><br />Part of the frustration is the fact that the Detroit Lions defensive line has not met expectations this season. Suh, the 2010 Defensive Rookie of the Year, was surrounded by more talent than he had ever played with before. He is spending his second season lined up next to Corey Williams, but the veteran is having maybe the worst season of his eight-year career.<br /><br />Defensive ends Kyle Vanden Bosch and Cliff Avril have combined for 13 sacks so far, but they have offered little in run support with just 37 tackles. Linebackers Justin Durant and Stephen Tulloch were two veterans signed as free agents before this year, but the duo has only 107 combined tackles. Pat Angerer, of the Indianapolis Colts, and Pro Bowler London Fletcher, of the Washington Redskins, have at least that many tackles by themselves.<br /><br />Detroit used their first round draft pick this year on defensive tackle Nick Fairley, only to get just six tackles in six games so far. Dreams of this unit being Detroit's second "Fearsome Foursome" have not come about, with Suh and Fairley reminding no one of the great Roger Brown or Alex Karras in the 1960's.<br /><br />Suh plays with a mean streak, one that recalls historians of "Mean" Joe Greene of the Pittsburgh Steelers. Greene, a member of both the pro and collegiate Hall of Fame's, also was the Defensive Rookie of the Year as a defensive tackle. Suh may not match the streak of 10 consecutive Pro Bowls to start out his career like Greene did, but there are other similarities between the pair.<br /><br />Like Suh, Greene hated to lose and would often explode if frustrated. During a game against the Cleveland Browns in 1975, Greene repeatedly kicked the opposing center in the groin. "Mean Joe" would also bat the ball away from centers during games where his team was losing.<br /><br />Not only does he own four Super Bowl rings as a player, he has earned two more as a coach and consultant since retiring. A two-time winner of the NFL Defensive Player of the Year award, there are few players in the history of professional football more respected and beloved.<br /><br />Yet Suh is getting scorn for the same types of actions. Matt Slauson, a guard for the New York Jets, went to reporters to let them know he did not like Suh while the two were teammates at the University of Nebraska. Slauson then tried to say few of his fellow Cornhuskers liked Suh as well, yet not one of those teammates have corroborated these claims.<br /><br />Some think Slauson's real issue is that he spent most of his time under performing in an injury-riddled collegiate career, which caused him to drop all the way to the sixth round of the 2010 NFL Draft. Others believe the cause of his ire was from being thrashed around by Suh continuously in inter-squad scrimmages during practice.<br /><br />Slauson and others believe Suh's foot stomp of Evan Dietrich-Smith of the Green Bay Packers was not unintentional, which Suh initially claimed it was. The star defensive tackle later apologized for the incident, but still garnered a suspension because he currently is carrying the tag as the dirtiest player in football.<br /><br />Most of the media, many who never have played football or sports of any kind, claim Suh crossed the line of sportsmanship. While that may hold some truths, the game of football is bereft with emotions that can sometimes be borderline psychotic. As the legendary Jack Tatum, a Pro Bowl safety, once said, " I like to believe my best hits borderline on felonious assault".<br /><br />That attitude of the game has been castrated by Goodell and rules he has invented like "putting too much weight on the quarterback". It is a game biased in offense and geared to carry the quarterback, one where defenses are now merely temporary obstacles at best.<br /><br />After the incident on Thanksgiving, reporters were quick to run and get quotes from current and former players. Yet these came from offensive players, men who are basically the enemy of the defense. An outraged is expected from these types.<br /><br />Playing in an atmosphere as antiseptic as a hospital, the modern defender must watch now only how high, low, or hard he hits a player holding the ball. They must engage an offensive lineman with kid gloves because blockers today are allowed to extend their arms and basically hold on each play, making it extremely difficult for a defender to get near the football.<br /><br />Suh will have to go the rest of his career carrying the burden of an unjust label that comes from him playing the game with passion. He may have the respect of those who paved the NFL path to get get this game a multi-billion dollar empire, but Suh now has to carry the ire of the current leadership intent on making the game plush and cozy for quarterbacks and other offensive players.<br /><br />This isn't his first fine, and it may not be his last suspension. If it is, we may soon see a docile Suh playing out the string of his career for a paycheck, something often witnessed in the game today, instead of striving for greatness.<br /><br />Greatness that has made men like "Mean Joe" Greene and others some of the most recognizable and respected people in all of sports. If Suh wants to attempt to match that type of success, people like Roger Goodell need to get off of his back and let the man play this child's game with all of the zest he can muster. True gridiron legends are made by the man, fans and game, not meddling bores sitting in a posh office on Park Avenue in New York City.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Losing Isn't For Everyone<span style="font-style:italic;"></span></span><br /><br />Cleveland Browns star Josh Cribbs was recently lamenting how he has experienced just 38 victories in the 107 games he has played with the club since joining them in 2005. With a new coach this season, his third with Cleveland, the results have been pretty much the same as they have been his entire NFL career.<br /><br />The 2007 season was the best the Browns have had in his time there, where they went 10-6. Not only is it the only winning season he has experienced, but Cribbs also made the first of his two Pro Bowls that year after leading the league in all-purpose yards, kickoff return yards, and an average of 30.7 yards per kickoff return.<br /><br />After setting a NFL record with eight touchdowns via kickoff returns in 2009, his last Pro Bowl year, Cribbs' production on special teams fell off in 2010. He has had a resurgence this year, but he is not satisfied because the new kickoff rules have made opportunities lessen for him.<br /><br />He doesn't just return kicks or punts, but he is also does a bit of everything on offense. Cribbs was a quarterback in college, so Cleveland has had him rush the ball 121 times and toss 12 passes with them. He is also a productive pass catcher who is used in multiple wide receiver sets. Cribbs has snagged 88 passes so far, but his role has increased in the offense this year and he already has a career high mark in receptions with 29.<br /><br />Despite the fact he is tired of losing, Cribbs will most likely spend 2012 in Cleveland. His contract will expire after that year, but the market for 30 year old return men may not be as desirable in the free agent market as he may hope.<br /><br />Yet Cribbs harkens back memories of other legendary Browns return specialists. Men like Eric Metcalf, Greg Pruitt, Dennis Northcutt, Gerald McNeil, Hall of Famers Bobby Mitchell and Leroy Kelly are just a few greats who spent years exciting Browns fans through the years.<br /><br />Some will say this current Cleveland franchise isn't the same one that ties into the fantastic Browns teams that won eight championships between 1946 and 1964. That team went to Baltimore in 1996 and became the Ravens. This version of the Browns was born in 1999 and has had just two winning seasons since.<br /><br />This may not be the Browns that sent 16 men to the Pro Football Hall of Fame, but the fans of Cleveland's Dawg Pound just want a few more wins. It is refreshing to see a guy like Cribbs, a real leader of the team, say what is obvious.<br /><br />It is also heartening for Browns fans to know they have players whose desire to win is that immense. Many men have been in Cribbs situation of being with a franchise in an era of losing, but there are also many stories where perseverance was later paid off by championship victories.<br /><br />It will take some time for team president Mike Holmgren to show results in his attempt to rebuild the team, but Cribbs realizes his window as a productive player shrinks with each contest that passes by. The team is young, but there has been sporadic signs in 2011 that the Browns will improve sooner or later.<br /><br />Sooner is not soon enough for Cribbs, so Cleveland can expect him to fight until the end. It has been what Cribbs has done since he joined the NFL as an undrafted free agent.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Blame The Coach For My Tears<span style="font-style:italic;"></span></span><br /><br />Many Philadelphia Eagles fans have called for the firing of Andy Reid, the winningest head coach in franchise history, for years despite the fact his teams have won 122 out of 202 games since he was hired in 1999. That rage in helped by the fact the Eagles haven't won a championship since 1960.<br /><br />Reid even has a winning record in the playoffs, but his teams only reached the Super Bowl once. He smoothly transitioned the squad from the Donovan McNabb Era last year, but the squad has hit a few bumps this season despite spending millions in the free agency market.<br /><br />When fans saw the Eagles load their roster with Pro Bowlers like Nnamdi Asomugha, Jason Babin, Cellen Jenkins, Vince Young, Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie and Ronnie Brown, everyone expected the team to be headed for at least a division title in the NFC East. Many saw a Super Bowl ahead, which included yours truly.<br /><br />But it hasn't worked out that way. Much like many other teams in professional sports history that doled out millions of dollars and got undesirable results, the Eagles have fallen flat on their faces in 2011. Things have fallen so far that Philadelphia was dealt their eighth loss already after getting stomped 31-14 by a young and rebuilding Seattle Seahawks team that has spent this season struggling themselves.<br /><br />Owner Jeff Lurie is known for his loyalty, so there is hope he won't bow to a few fickle fans who starve for a trophy despite not knowing much about the game. Reid has made a few gambles that ended up being mistakes, like putting Juan Castillo in charge of the defense after the assistant had worked the offensive side of the ball the last 16 years with the team.<br /><br />Trying to fill the shoes of Jim Johnson has been impossible since the guru died of cancer in 2009. Sean McDermott was fired after replacing Johnson, but he quickly found work with the Carolina Panthers. Yet fans need to realize the defense of 2011 is about the same as last year as far as yards and points allowed.<br /><br />With the addition of Asomugha, Bryant, Babin, Rodgers-Cromartie, as well as retaining Pro Bowl cornerback Asante Samuel, fans expected a huge improvement. The offense is also scoring four points less per game than they did last year, which reflects on Reid.<br /><br />Quarterback Michael Vick, the man who replaced McNabb, looks like a $100 million mistake. He still remains injury-prone, but he has also regressed from last year when he looked like he finally adjusted to passing in the pocket. Young, who has filled in a few times after Vick went down, has also played erratically in his place.<br /><br />Brown played so poorly that the Eagles looked to trade him weeks ago. But it isn't just the money Lurie has tossed that has hurt this team. It is the cash he hasn't yet passed out that ultimately became an issue.<br /><br />DeSean Jackson had made two Pro Bowls in his previous three years with the team. An all-purpose wide receiver, the diminutive Jackson has been a threat catching, running, or returning punts for Philadelphia.<br /><br />With his output, Jackson wanted a raise in pay. Lurie and his staff seemed more inclined to discuss this after 2011, considering the owner spent a fortune in free agency. Since this moment, Jackson has been a petulant child more inclined to be clubhouse cancer rather than a productive player.<br /><br />What is confusing about his behavior is the fact Jackson went to the prestigious University of California, Berkeley., a school noted for their scholastic endeavors. All Jackson has done is lower his value with his behavior, so he wont be getting the cash he once sought.<br /><br />Reid might catch the blame of Jackson's histrionics by some, but the coach has been trying to appease an ego while trying to get his 2011 to learn how to win. It is a juggling act that has not fared well for the team.<br /><br />Coaches like Jack Del Rio have been fired already, even though that head coach was destined for this result after the owner forced him to cut his starting quarterback to save money. Men like Norv Turner and Tony Sparano should soon follow him to the unemployment line once this season concludes.<br /><br />But Reid deserves a better fate. Some will say his players laid down on him this year, which should necessitate a change, but the unfamiliarity of a roster loaded with stars might need more time to gel. A squad in need of a real training camp, something the NFL was not afforded this year because of the players lockout.<br /><br />After all of his productive years of service, Reid deserves one more season. A real season where he is afforded time to instill his philosophies into the newcomers, and possibly get rid of some distractions.<br /><br />Every head coach is hired to be eventually fired because nothing lasts forever in the NFL other than legacy. Fans of Philly might be tough critics, but what is one more season to a group that hasn't seen a trophy in over 40 years?<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Punches Hurt At Any Age<span style="font-style:italic;"></span></span><br /><br />Many know how Canadian Football Hall of Famers Joe Kapp and Angelo Mosca brawled a week ago at a luncheon to discuss a cheap shot Mosca put on a teammate of Kapp's during a title game in 1963. Many may not know that the history of these men have NFL ties that still reverberate today.<br /><br />When Kapp was drafted in the 18th round of the 1959 NFL Draft by the Washington Redskins, he basically was forced to the Canadian Football League because the Redskins never even bothered to contact him. Kapp is Hispanic and the Redskins were the last NFL team to integrate in 1962.<br /><br />He was coaxed to join the Calgary Stampeders by legendary general manager Jim Finks. Two seasons later, he was traded to the B.C. Lions for four players, soon turning the team into a winner.<br /><br />Leading them to the Grey Cup in 1963, the Lions faced Mosca's Hamilton Tiger-Cats. Mosca, whose nine Grey Cup appearances is a record, was a defensive tackle who was known as the meanest man in the CFL.<br /><br />Kapp had a teammate named Willie "The Wisp" Fleming, a star halfback who would later be inducted into Canadian Football Hall of Fame himself. Fleming, who still holds the record for the longest play from scrimmage in CFL history, was tearing up the league during this time. Not only is Fleming the first 1,000-yard rusher in Lions history, he averaged 9.7 yards per carry in 1963.<br /><br />Fleming went out of bounds after a carry, Mosca barreled into the prone player and knocked Fleming out of the contest. The Lions lost that game, but got revenge the following season by defeating Hamilton in the Grey Cup.<br /><br />Kapp joined the NFL in 1967, thanks to Finks. Several franchises wanted his services, including teams in the American Football League, but Finks worked out a deal where his Minnesota Vikings waived a little-used halfback named Jim Young so that the Lions could sign him. Young would spend the next 13 seasons with the Lions and be named to the Canadian Football Hall of Fame.<br /><br />Despite spending just three years with the Vikings, Kapp's Vikings made the first playoff appearance in franchise history. He made the Pro Bowl in 1969 and led Minnesota to the last NFL Championship Game ever. After winning that game, the Vikings went on to Super Bowl IV before losing to the Kansas City Chiefs of the AFL.<br /><br />He had played that year without a contract, thanks to an option in his contract. Despite having tied a record by tossing seven touchdowns in a single game, the NFL would not allow teams to contact the free agent until late September of 1970.<br /><br />Kapp signed with the Boston Patriots, which caused the team to give the Vikings a pair of first-round draft picks, and struggled with a team that had just two wins that year. The newly renamed New England Patriots then drafted Heisman trophy winner Jim Plunkett, who also happened to be a quarterback with Hispanic heritage, and turned Kapp away at their facilities when he reported to camp.<br /><br />After deciding to retire after that encounter, he spent the next decade acting in television and movies. He returned to football in 1982 by becoming the head coach of the University of California, his Alma mater.<br /><br />Not only is he the last coach to lead Cal to the Rose Bowl, Kapp oversaw his squad make "The Play". This is when the Golden Bears lateraled the ball five times on a kickoff return as the clock expired to defeat rival Stanford University.<br /><br />After being fired in 1986, Kapp went back to the CFL in 1990 and became the general manager of the Lions. Though he he lasted just 11 games on the job, Kapp was the man who brought star quarterback Doug Flutie to the CFL.<br /><br />Yet with all of that success, he did not forget what Mosca did to Fleming in 1963. Kapp was close with the halfback and had coaxed Fleming out of retirement in 1968 to try to play with Minnesota. Mosca became a Hall of Fame professional wrestler after he retired from the gridiron.<br /><br />The popular video of Mosca swinging his cane and Kapp pounding his fists has been seen by many. Some have dubbed it a "geezers brawl" because both men are 74 years old. Yet there is much more respect to be had than humor.<br /><br />These men played the game for passion, not cash. They had successes beyond that time, but the passion surely still burns in souls not nearly as withered and damaged as their bones. It beckons to the heart as to why a true football fan loves the game, as well as to past participants as to why they played it.<br /><br />No one is calling for a re-match, but no one wants or expects these gridiron greats to ever lose their love for their teammates, fans, or the game itself. We need more of this passion to touch us all.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Yoooooooo! Dis iz 7thStoneFromTheSun again. OK, I struck out in da afternoon games las weak and only went <span style="font-weight:bold;">7-6</span>. I is now 104-67 overall. I knead two dew better dis time cuz it iz holidaze time.<br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;"><span style="font-style:italic;">Carolina Panthers @ Tampa Bay Buccaneers</span><span style="font-style:italic;"></span></span><br /><br />I got dis sneeky feelin da Panthers will win hear, cuz da Bucs just have let down demselves in 2011. Dey mite rebound dis weak,but I tink Cam will get er dun.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Panthers</span> 27 Buccaneers 24<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;"><span style="font-style:italic;">Indianapolis Colts @ New England Patriots</span><span style="font-style:italic;"></span></span><br /><br />Da Pats are in da middle of a run dat will sea dem win dere final eight games. I tink dat defense gets dem bounced from da playoffs, but a 13-3 record will look good.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Patriots</span> 34 Colts 20<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;"><span style="font-style:italic;">Denver Broncos @ Minnesota Vikings</span><span style="font-style:italic;"></span></span><br /><br />Da Teblow legend continues, but it is more an indictment of da crappy fundamentals of da NFL today. It is revoltin a NFL defense can't stop an option quarterback who can't throw da ball at all. Da Broncos defense is da reel savior of da teem.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Broncos</span> 17 Vikings 14<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;"><span style="font-style:italic;">Tennessee Titans @ Buffalo Bills</span><span style="font-style:italic;"></span></span><br /><br />Both teems 2011 playoff hopes iz on life support, but da Bills showed me a little sumfin las weak. I tink dey will build off dat big victory las Sunday.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Bills</span> 28 Titans 24<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;"><span style="font-style:italic;">Oakland Raiders @ Miami Dolphins</span><span style="font-style:italic;"></span></span><br /><br />Da Raiders iz cummin off a big win las weak,while da Dolphins are just playin four pride. Oakland kneads two seel da deel by winnin games like dis.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Raiders</span> 27 Dolphins 21<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;"><span style="font-weight:bold;">Atlanta Falcons @ Houston Texans</span><br />Game of the Week</span><br /><br />Houston rules dere divishun wif a too game leed, but dey got quarterback issuez and is stuck havin two start a third-string rookie. Dey even went too a retirement community and brought Jake Delhomme back to be da reserve.<br /><br />Da Texans will knead to rely on dere excellent runnin game and underrated defense two win hear. Lawrence Vickers, an excellent blocking fullback, mite miss da game and put more stress on Arian Foster and Ben Tate two be big.<br /><br />Atlanta has been incunsistent and mediocre all yeer. But dere run defense is ranked second best in da NFL in yards alloud. Wif a rookie Texans quarterback expectin to see eight or nine defenders in da box Sunday, Atlanta will need to refrain from giving up big plays while controlling the line of scrimmage.<br /><br />Da Falcons offense has not been as good as expected dis yeer, mainly because quarterback Matt Ryan has played poorly much to often. Halfback Michael Turner, just 52 yards away from 1,000 rushing yards, will need to be big against a Texans defense that is the best in the NFL in yards alloud and happens to bee forth best in rushin yards given up.<br /><br />Who wins da line of scrimmage will prevail hear. Atlanta is a game behind New Orleans in da NFL South, so dey must stay pace. Dis iz why I iz rollin wif dem hear.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Falcons</span> 23 Texans 14<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;"><span style="font-style:italic;">Cincinnati Bengals @ Pittsburgh Steelers</span><span style="font-style:italic;"></span></span><br /><br />Dese teems faced each other too weaks ago, wif Pittsburgh winning by a touchdown in a very closely contested battle. Even tho da Steelers gained more yards and had one less turnover, Cincinnati took it two dem.<br /><br />I expect a replay really, but da Bengals are a game behind da Steelers in da AFC North and a loss hear will drop them in the Wild Card playoff quagmire with such average teems like da Jets, Broncos, and Titans.<br />I tink it goes to da wire.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Steelers</span> 21 Bengals 17<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;"><span style="font-style:italic;">New York Jets @ Washington Redskins</span><span style="font-style:italic;"></span></span><br /><br />Yeah, Mark Sanchez was a mistake to draft. Yeah, Rex Ryan ran his toe sucker much two much as his teem true frailties was exposed. Yeah, dis average teem only gets press cuz dey iz in New York.<br /><br />Still, dey are very much in da AFC playoff race and should beet Washington two stay adrift in it. Dese too teems have faced each other just nine times before, and da Jets only win over da Redskins was a 3-0 barn burner in 1993.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Jets</span> 23 Redskins 21<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;"><span style="font-style:italic;">Kansas City Chiefs @ Chicago Bears</span><span style="font-style:italic;"></span></span><br /><br />A battle of backup quarterbacks who knead a good rushing attack and defense too win. Da Bears.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Bears</span> 24 Chiefs 10<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;"><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">Baltimore Ravens @ Cleveland Brown</span>s<span style="font-style:italic;"></span></span><br /><br />Da Ravens have had a habit of playin down to lesser oppossition in 2011, while da Brownies almost pulled off a big upset over da Bengals las weak. PLUS da Dawg Pound will never forgive Art Modell and will have extra venom four Baltimore.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Ravens</span> 24 Browns 17<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;"><span style="font-style:italic;">Dallas Cowboys @ Arizona Cardinals</span><span style="font-style:italic;"></span></span><br /><br />Now dat da Cowboys sit alone on top of da NFC East, dey knead to win deez type of games to stay dere.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Cowboys</span> 27 Cardinals 17<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;"><span style="font-style:italic;">Green Bay Packers @ New York Giants</span><span style="font-style:italic;"></span></span><br /><br />Remember las weak how I told ya'll da Jints defense would get steamrolled by da Saints? What do yous tink da Pack iz gunna do? Capeesh?<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Packers</span> 35 Giants 20<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;"><span style="font-style:italic;">Saint Louis Rams @ San Francisco 49ers</span><span style="font-style:italic;"></span></span><br /><br />At da beginning of dis seesun, most taught da Rams would be 9-2 and da Niners 2-9 now. Dat iz why dey play da games.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">49ers</span> 27 Rams 14<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;"><span style="font-style:italic;">Detroit Lions @ New Orleans Saints</span><span style="font-style:italic;"></span></span><br /><br />I was one of dem who had Detroit goin two da playoffs dis yeer, but a loss hear will have dem drop another notch down on da ladder. Da Saints have to get dis two stay ahead of Atlanta in da NFL South.<br /><br />I expect a high scoring affair, but I tink da Saints just got a few more weapons. If Detroit runs da ball well, dey got a shot.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Saints</span> 38 Lions 31<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;"><span style="font-style:italic;">San Diego Chargers @ Jacksonville Jaguars</span><span style="font-style:italic;"></span></span><br /><br />Da Jags fired dere head coach dis weak, somethin da Chargers should have dun two dere head coach befour dis yeer even began. Why San Diego hasn't canned Norv Turner yet iz a question I have asked since 2009.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Chargers</span> 31 Jaguars 17<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Power Rankings</span><br /><br />1. Green Bay Packers<br />2. Baltimore Ravens<br />3. Pittsburgh Steelers<br />4. New Orleans Saints<br />5. San Francisco 49ers<br />6. New England Patriots<br />7. Houston Texans<br />8. Dallas Cowboys<br />9. Atlanta Falcons<br />10. Oakland Raiders<br />11. Cincinnati Bengals<br />12. Chicago Bears<br />13. Detroit Lions<br />14. New York Giants<br />15. New York Jets<br />16. Tennessee Titans<br />17. Denver Broncos<br />18. Buffalo Bills<br />19. Philadelphia Eagles<br />20. Washington Redskins<br />21. Tampa Bay Buccaneers<br />22. Seattle Seahawks<br />23. San Diego Chargers<br />24. Kansas City Chiefs<br />25. Arizona Cardinals<br />26. Cleveland Browns<br />27. Carolina Panthers<br />28. Jacksonville Jaguars<br />29. Miami Dolphins<br />30. Minnesota Vikings<br />31. Saint Louis Rams<br />32. Indianapolis Colts<br /><br /><br />Welp,dat iz dat. I knead to get da fuck outta hear two do sum xmas shopping cuz yous alls knows dat dis goomba has a lot of hunnys to spread da mistletoe on in da cummin weeks. As dey say in Ol' Mexico= A.M.F.<br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-uEe1Gy2ybas/TtmQr8_4VsI/AAAAAAAAAQQ/gK021Ptn-lE/s1600/7thstone.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 250px; height: 316px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-uEe1Gy2ybas/TtmQr8_4VsI/AAAAAAAAAQQ/gK021Ptn-lE/s320/7thstone.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5681731489687426754" /></a>3rdStoneFromTheSunhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08885818209425078599noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9114088672380394893.post-66261706735214436112011-11-25T23:46:00.005-05:002011-11-26T01:19:20.133-05:00Sports Turkey's To Carve Up This Holiday<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ueYGkEsKa9Q/Trw-STuMS_I/AAAAAAAADL8/YhRjJ-FpiWw/s1600/paterno.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 490px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ueYGkEsKa9Q/Trw-STuMS_I/AAAAAAAADL8/YhRjJ-FpiWw/s1600/paterno.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br />Like a turkey head barely missing the cut last Thursday, it is time once again for <em><strong>POINTLESS PONDERING</strong></em>. That giblet of babble that leaks out of an ear like diarrhea after the brain flushes it like undercooked poultry.<br /><br /><br />OK, this may not be a purely sports rant. More a sports entertainment topic, which is the category World Wrestling Entertainment prefers to be in.<br /><br />Did you cave in last week and buy the latest WWE pay-per-view gig that was titled "Survivors Series"? The big headline was the return of former WWE star Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson, a 39 year old actor who had spent most of the last seven years in Hollywood. <br /><br />He returned to pair up with the WWE's top star of these days, John Cena, who has also been attempting to make a name for himself in Hollywood the last several years. The two biggest stars in the WWE the last 13 or so years were supposed to be a tag team that would wrestle together.<br /><br />What the fans got instead was a wallet lifting exercise that was almost criminal. The entire PPV, with possibly the exception of two matches, was uninspired drudgery. When the big match that involved the two stars finally got underway, most of the crowd in Madison Square Garden was half asleep. One could only imagine the impact it had on those who had the luxury of sitting on their couches at home watching this snoozefest.<br /><br /><br />The "Rock/ Cena" match was pretty boring and bad, but that has been the direction of professional for quite awhile. Vince McMahon, the owner of the WWE, had long ago phased out staple wrestling moves like the pile driver and replaced it with scantily clothed models who are more interested in the application of make up than a wrestling move.<br /><br />In the old days, it was territorial wrestling. Each territory of the United States had their own wrestling promotion, so competition to push each other to be at their best was common. McMahon has bought up most of those competitions, so the WWE has become a fat cat that is lazy and uninspired. <br /><br />There are no ECW's or WCW's anymore, though TNT has sort of attempted to find a niche by basically using a ton of old and familiar faces. Many at the age of qualifying for AARP, but this company seems content with basically emulating the WWE in many ways.<br /><br />The WWE's biggest event annually is called WrestleMania, which will be held in April of 2012 and is the WWE's version of the Super Bowl. Cena will square off against Johnson in a match for bragging rights on who is the biggest WWE superstar since Hulk Hogan first left the promotion in the summer of 1993.<br /><br /><br />If the last WWE PPV was any indication, save yourself the $50 or so that it will cost to watch a couple of guys carefully grappling each other so no marks are left on their bodies. Two guys who will not break a sweat so their head shots remain in tact so that they can audition for another movie.<br /><br />Maybe the WWE needs to call itself entertainment instead of sports entertainment, because professional wrestling certainly isn't what is used to be. It is a shame because men like Lou Thesz, Bruno Samartino and Andre the Giant spilled a ton of body fluids on the mat so the sport could have a future.<br /><br />Professional wrestling may soon experience a steep decline in popularity, something it has done several times since it originated in the 19th century. McMahon's vision of half naked models prancing around in the ring slapping themselves may need to be replaced with a new angle, real wrestling, which is actually an old angle.<br /><br />Regurgitating story lines is something professional wrestling is adept at and has done for decades. Wih the popularity of MMA and other extreme sports increasing, getting rid of the soap opera fantasy for the sake of reality would force the big stars of future WrestleMania events to actually earn their adoration.<br /><br />If you smell what I am cooking and can see me and the direction I am headed.<br /><br /><br />Everyone has jumped on Joe Paterno and Penn State the past month. This story, of former Nittany Lion player and coach Jerry Sandusky's child molestation charges, has been brewing for quite awhile. It began decades ago and the school paper has been talking about it for well over a year before the mainstream media swooped in like vultures to feed on the remains.<br /><br />Paterno was at the university for 61 years, holding the position of head coach for 49 seasons. He has the most wins ever by a Division 1A in NCAA history and is a member of the College Football Hall of Fame. His face is alongside Bear Bryant, Alonzo Stagg, Pop Warner, John Gagliardi, Robert Neyland and Eddie Robinson on the Mount Rushmore of college football coaches.<br /><br />Paterno was forced out of his job a few weeks ago over Sandusky's transgressions, but this may just be the beginning of change within that rarefied standard where coaches like Paterno occupy. Another, Jim Boeheim, may soon follow Paterno to the unemployment line.<br /><br />Boeheim has been coaching basketball at Syracuse University since 1969. He has been the head coach since 1976, and even played guard for the school in the early sixties. He has piled up 861 wins, the fifth most ever in NCAA Division 1A history, and won a national championship in 2003.<br /><br />When he was hired in 1976, he named Rick Pitino and Bernie Fine as his assistants. Pitino lasted two seasons before venturing off on his own successful career as a head coach, which also includes a national championship title.<br /><br />Fine, who met Boeheom as a student-manager on the Orangeman's basketball team in the earlie 1960s, has been there ever since. Now he has found himself in the same hot water Sandusky is in.<br /><br />Years after the allegations were first murmered, a long running investigation found itself to search Fine's home yesterday. Given ample time to destroy evidence, it would be shocking if the 66 year old Fine left detectives anything to find. What has been shocking is the response of the school and media.<br /><br />Paterno was fired in a swift move, but Boeheim seems safe with his job. Both head coaches not only share success in sports, but have also been accused of knowing their assistant coaches had a habit of spending a lot of time with underage boys.<br /><br />Critics had called for Paterno's ouster for years. Not because of Sandusky or anything of that ilk, but because they felt the game has passed him by and his age was a deterrent to success for Penn State. But Paterno just kept winning, which made the critics look stupid. When the Sandusky offenses were revealed, the critics reappeared and pounced on this story with glee.<br /><br />Boeheim has never faced that type of backlash. He is 17 years younger than Paterno, so he appears to have time to try and match Paterno's two national titles. Since the allegations against Fine happened over 10 years ago, it appears there will be no charges filed in events that purportedly occurred for nearly 20 years. <br /><br />Syracuse has put Fine on administrative leave, but has not fired him or Boeheim. Boeheim has told many reporters the charges are false and driven by greed for cash.<br /><br />Yet it is interesting how Penn State went on a firing spree as soon as reports surfaced, while Syracuse has chosen to do nothing for now. Maybe the reason is Sandusky's guilt seems more obvious than Fine's, but the proof hasn't really been shown for either as of yet.<br /><br />Jumping the gun with assumption is something the public has been known to do when led by the media like cattle to the hamburger hut. It has cost one legacy immortality, but it seems strange how there appears to be a process to pick and choose who is to blame.<br /><br /><br /><br />Yooooo! Dis is 7thStoneFromTheSun, Thirds cousin. Yo! My procrastinashuns las weak was OK. I went <strong>10-3</strong>, so I am now 97-61 overall.<br /><br />Lets get too it.<br /><br /><em><strong>Minnesota Vikings @ Atlanta Falcons</strong></em><br /><br />OK, AP is hurt and da Falcons knead dis to stay close to da Saints. Easy pick.<br /><br /><strong>Falcons</strong> 28 Vikings 17<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><em><strong>Cleveland Browns @ Cincinnati Bengals</strong></em><br /><br />I don't tink dis yeers battle of Ohio will be close.<br /><br /><strong>Bengals</strong> 27 Browns 13<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><em><strong>Carolina Panthers @ Indianapolis Colts</strong></em><br /><br />Da Colts <em>HAVE</em> to win one. Don't they? Still, I'm rolling with Cam.<br /><br /><strong>Panthers </strong>27 Colts 24<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><em><strong>Houston Texans @ Jacksonville Jaguars</strong></em><br /><br />IF da Jags had held onto David Garrard, I'd say it'd be close.<br /><br /><strong>Texans</strong> 31 Jaguars 13<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><em><strong>Buffalo Bills @ New York Jets</strong></em><br /><br />Both teems knead dis in order to have playoff hopes, but I tink da Bills are done.<br /><br /><strong>Jets</strong> 23 Bills 9<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><em><strong>Arizona Cardinals @ Saint Louis Rams</strong></em><br /><br />Dis iz a battle for last place in da NFL South.<br /><br /><strong>Cardinals</strong> 27 Rams 17<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><em><strong>Tampa Bay Buccaneers @ Tennessee Titans</strong></em><br /><br />Too of da most incunsistunt teems in da NFL battle, but I'm taking da Bucs run game hear.<br /><br /><strong>Buccaneers</strong> 23 Titans 17<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><em><strong>Chicago Bears @ Oakland Raiders</strong></em><br /><br />Both teems are starting quarterbacks dey didn't expect two play dis yeer. Both knead to run too win, but da Bears defense can stop da run while da Raiders defense can't. <br /><br />I tink Matt Forte will run wild while Caleb Hanie doesn't hurt Chicago. I tink Carson Palmer plays well, but havin no runnin game will hurt.<br /><br /><strong>Bears</strong> 26 Raiders 24<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><em><strong>Washington Redskins @ Seattle Seahawks</strong></em><br /><br />Da Skins loosing streek cuntinews.<br /><br /><strong>Seahawks</strong> 28 Redskins 21<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><em><strong>New England Patriots @ Philadelphia Eagles</strong></em><br /><br />Da Igglez gave Mike Vick $100 million, but Vince Young is da better quarterback. Tom Brady keeps da Pats in it, but I tink da Igglez have one las gasp of hangin on two playoff hopes befour reality sets in and ends dere 2011 seasun.<br /><br /><strong>Eagles</strong> 34 Patiots 31<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><em><strong>Denver Broncos @ San Diego Chargers</strong></em><br /><br />If Tim Teblow wins dis, da Bolts better fire Norv Turner in da locker room after da game.<br /><br /><strong>Chargers</strong> 34 Broncos 16<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><em><strong>Pittsburgh Steelers @ Kansas City Chiefs</strong></em><br /><br />Maybe Kyle Orton will get a few snaps in dis blow out.<br /><br /><strong>Steelers</strong> 34 Chiefs 10<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><em><strong>New York Giants @ New Orleans Saints</strong><br />Game of the Week</em><br /><br />OK, deez teems is similar. Both can pass da ball. Da Saints lead da NFL in yards passing per game while da Giants rank fifth. Both rank 20th in points alloud per contest.<br /><br />But da Saints rank second in ponts scored per game, while New York is ranked 16th. New Orleans is 13th in yards rushing per game, while da Jints are ranked second to last.<br /><br />Da Giants knead to win two stay in furst place in da NFC East with da Dallas Cowboys, while a Saints loss could put them into a tie with da Falcons if Atlanta wins dis weak.<br /><br />New York has made a nice 2011 NFL story, considerung dey wa killed by inurys in da secundairy befour da seasun even began. But I tink Drew Brees will expose dat weekness hear.<br /><br /><strong>Saints</strong> 34 Giants 24<br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Power Rankings<br /><br />1. Green Bay Packers<br />2. Baltimore Ravens<br />3. San Francisco 49ers<br />4. Pittsburgh Steelers<br />5. New Orleans Saints<br />6. Chicago Bears<br />7. Houston Texans<br />8. New England Patriots<br />9. New York Giants<br />10. Atlanta Falcons<br />11. Dallas Cowboys<br />12. Oakland Raiders<br />13. Cincinnati Bengals<br />14. Detroit Lions<br />15. New York Jets<br />16. Philadelphia Eagles<br />17. Buffalo Bills<br />18. Tennessee Titans<br />19. San Diego Chargers<br />20. Denver Broncos<br />21. Tampa Bay Buccaneers<br />22. Seattle Seahawks<br />23. Arizona Cardinals<br />24. Kansas City Chiefs<br />25. Jacksonville Jaguars<br />26. Miami Dolphins<br />27. Carolina Panthers<br />28. Minnesota Vikings<br />29. Washington Redskins<br />30. Cleveland Browns<br />31. Saint Louis Rams<br />32. Indianapolis Colts<br /><br /><br /><br />OK, I got two go sit on da porcerlin trone and push out sum of dis Thanksgiving dinner cuz I ate to much. As dey say in Ol' Messico = A.M.F.<br /><br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-G1sSMf03tjo/TtBv1lzRhdI/AAAAAAAAAQE/cSU82izHNeA/s1600/7thstone.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 250px; height: 316px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-G1sSMf03tjo/TtBv1lzRhdI/AAAAAAAAAQE/cSU82izHNeA/s320/7thstone.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5679162096585115090" /></a>3rdStoneFromTheSunhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08885818209425078599noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9114088672380394893.post-56773458857905556562011-11-17T22:01:00.005-05:002011-11-18T14:16:02.968-05:00NFL Quarterback Needs In 2012<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-rP2NI0CCEao/TsXYpz3_KGI/AAAAAAAAAPs/XR15p9y7ydM/s1600/Andrew-Luck.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 223px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-rP2NI0CCEao/TsXYpz3_KGI/AAAAAAAAAPs/XR15p9y7ydM/s320/Andrew-Luck.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5676181118181648482" /></a><br /><br /><br />The NFL has been called the "Not For Long" game for decades, and this fact has accelerated since free agency was introduced. Rosters of teams are frequently encountering some amount of personnel turnover, no matter how much success was had in the previous season.<br /><br />The one position a franchise seeks stability at most is the quarterback position. This player handles the football on most plays, and many are expected to be amongst the most important leaders of their teams. The quarterback also typically enjoys one of the largest salaries on the payroll once he becomes a starter.<br /><br />The annual draft brings a plethora of collegiate athletes who want to be the next Johnny Unitas, Joe Montana or Tom Brady. A type of leader who wins many titles on their way to gridiron immortality by being inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.<br /><br />The 2012 season should be no different than others in the NFL, meaning there will be quite a few teams trying to find their next franchise quarterback. Then there are others who would like to strengthen the position by bolster the bench in case an injury occurs to their incumbent starter.<br /><br />Here is a peek at a few of those teams that will most likely look to improve their roster at such a key position.<br /><br /><strong>Indianapolis Colts</strong> <br /><a href="http://staceysports.files.wordpress.com/2011/10/andrew-luck.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px;" src="http://staceysports.files.wordpress.com/2011/10/andrew-luck.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a> <br /><br /><br />The Colts are well in the lead for the right to select Andrew Luck with the first overall pick in the 2012 draft, considering the team has failed to win a single game so far this season. The team might might miss future Hall of Fame quarterback Peyton Manning immeasurably this year, but Manning will be 36 next year. <br /><br />Not only does Manning's age make the selection of Luck even more important, the fact that the veteran is struggling to heal from a neck injury has his future in doubt. But the Colts would like to get a few more years from Manning, considering they had signed him to a huge contract extension before the season began.<br /><br />If Manning returns at a starters level, it helps Indianapolis. Not only would they have their fiery leader back, Luck could sit and learn from one of the best quarterbacks in franchise history.<br /><br />If Manning's neck injury prevents a full return, Luck is skilled enough to step in right away and play at an NFL level. Luck has quite a few similarities to Manning.<br /><br />Both are not only students of the game, but they are both the sons of former NFL quarterbacks. They have basically lived and breathed the gridiron since the day they were born.<br /><br />Rarely does a team have the ability to transition from a Hall of Famer to a possible future great. The Green Bay Packers are experiencing this now, and the Colts would surely love to follow in their footsteps and hoist a Super Bowl trophy with their young quarterback one day.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><strong>Miami Dolphins</strong> <br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-aFRewbMmFAg/TcmgOVNrJmI/AAAAAAAAACo/wrystJk0nXM/s1600/Matt+Barkley.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-aFRewbMmFAg/TcmgOVNrJmI/AAAAAAAAACo/wrystJk0nXM/s1600/Matt+Barkley.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a> <br /><br /><br />It seems a certainty Miami will use their 2012 draft pick on a quarterback. The only question will be if they go with Matt Moore another year at starter, as they develop the rookie, or throw the kid to the wolves immediately.<br /><br />The Dolphins will most likely have a new head coach next year, as well as waive Chad Henne. Henne, who had started 31 out of 34 games before being hurt early this year, appears to be better served to find newer surroundings. Moore, who has started since, has been serviceable at best.<br /><br />Perhaps the Dolphins fans are tiring of a franchise that is seemingly rebuilding each season the past decade, but the team is still looking for the next Bob Griese or Dan Marino. They will eye talents like Matt Barkely, Landry Jones, and possibly Robert Griffin. If Miami continues to struggle in 2011, many experts feel Barkely will be the selection very early in the 2012 draft.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><strong>Washington Redskins </strong><br /><a href="http://i.cdn.turner.com/si/2010/writers/stewart_mandel/06/02/preseason-polls/landry-jones-p1.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px;" src="http://i.cdn.turner.com/si/2010/writers/stewart_mandel/06/02/preseason-polls/landry-jones-p1.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a> <br /><br /><br />Redskins general manager Bruce Allen and head coach Mike Shanahan knew they were gambling with the likes of Rex Grossman and John Beck at quarterback this year. On a team full of holes and looking to rebuild, Allen concentrated on filling the roster with a very sound draft.<br /><br />With a season shortened by a strike, the Washington brass may not have felt comfortable trying to develop a rookie quarterback in such a short amount of time. Training camp is crucial for a young player to learn his organization from top to bottom.<br /><br />After watching the current Redskins quarterbacks stumble and bumble around so far, many expect the team to finally draft a quarterback in Shanahan's third season. Some think the team also didn't do so in 2011 because there were no quarterbacks they were in love with.<br /><br />It is possible Washington replaces both of their current quarterbacks via free agency and the draft in 2012. Possibly grabbing a veteran to man the helm as the kid develops, setting up a view of progress in the two last years of Shanahan's contract the following year.<br /><br />After a fast start, the Redskins are on a dreadful losing streak currently. If this continues, the team will sit pretty high up in the draft order. Other teams with lesser records, the Indianapolis Colts and Miami Dolphins, are expected to also draft a quarterback in 2012.<br /><br />If, as expected, Andrew Luck and Matt Barkely are off the board by the time Washington picks, the team will be left with Landry Jones and Robert Griffin. Griffin is more athletic, the type of quarterback Shanahan has had success with in the past. Landry is experienced and precise.<br /><br />Both have accurate guns and many collegiate starts under their belts, so the Redskins would win big drafting either player. This draft may be the time for Shanahan and Allen to put their Redskins legacies on the line by finally grabbing their franchise quarterback.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><strong>Cleveland Browns</strong> <br /><a href="http://www.fantasycollegeblitz.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/Ryan-Tannehill.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px;" src="http://www.fantasycollegeblitz.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/Ryan-Tannehill.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a> <br /><br /><br />Colt McCoy is the starter, and the young player is on a struggling team that is desperately trying to get good talent around him while learning a new offensive system under a new head coach. All three Browns quarterbacks on the 2011 roster are small, standing about six-foot tall each.<br /><br />Seneca Wallace is the veteran that serves as the top reserve. He is mostly known for his legs than arm. Thaddeus Lewis is a raw prospect in his second season with the team.<br /><br />Cleveland could take a flier on Ryan Tannehill as early as the third round. After spending his first two years of college at wide receiver, the 6'4" Tannehill has ocassionally displayed a skill set that will impress teams. He is extremely raw, but very athletic and a hard worker. <br /><br />With McCoy entrenched as the starter, Cleveland can afford to spend a few years developing this intriguing project. Tannehill is the type who could greatly award a coach's patience down the road.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><strong>Arizona Cardinals </strong><br /><a href="http://www.mockdraftclub.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/Nick-Foles-throwing.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px;" src="http://www.mockdraftclub.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/Nick-Foles-throwing.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a> <br /><br /><br />Kevin Kolb has not played well since the Cardinals traded a lot to get him this season. His backup, second-year pro John Skelton, has played better. Journeyman Richard Bartel is third on the depth chart, while the young Max Hall is spending 2011 on the injured reserve.<br /><br />It is unlikely the Cards dump Kolb, but owner Bill Bidwell is known for his frugality and Kolb becomes a free agent at the end of the year. This factor could have Arizona to go with Skelton next year.<br /><br />If that happens, Arizona may not be comfortable with Hall and Bartel as the main reserves. The team could look at an experienced player like Chandler Harnish in the later rounds, or even look at local hero Nick Foles early on.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><strong>Kansas City Chiefs</strong> <br /><a href="http://i.cdn.turner.com/si/2010/writers/andy_staples/09/29/oklahoma-state-holgorsen/brandon-weeden-p1.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px;" src="http://i.cdn.turner.com/si/2010/writers/andy_staples/09/29/oklahoma-state-holgorsen/brandon-weeden-p1.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a> <br /><br /><br />Matt Cassel hasn't impressed everyone since the Chiefs traded for him in 2009 and handed him a contract worth $61 million over six years. Even if he continues to start, the reserves behind Cassel are from from impressive.<br /><br />Journeyman Tyler Palko, who has 35 passing yards since turning pro in 2007, is the top backup. Rookie Ricky Stanzi, drafted in the fifth round of the 2011 draft, sits on the bottom of the depth chart.<br /><br />Cassel is now hurt, so Palko will get his audition. The Chiefs erratic 2011 season could take a turn for the worse now, which could force them to think about bringing more quarterbacks into training camp next year.<br /><br />Gettin a veteran free agent seems most logical, but there could be an interest in getting a solid player like Kirk Cousins or Brandon Weeden later in the draft if Palko plays poorly. Weeden is the 2011 version of Chris Wienke, meaning he is going to be a 28 year old rookie, so his age could cause his draft stock to drop down into the later rounds.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><strong>Seattle Seahawks</strong> <br /><a href="http://cdn3.sbnation.com/imported_assets/828558/Robert-Griffin-III.jpeg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px;" src="http://cdn3.sbnation.com/imported_assets/828558/Robert-Griffin-III.jpeg" border="0" alt="" /></a> <br /><br /><br />Tavaris Jackson is starting now, but his play has been inconsistent. Charlie Whitehurst, his reserve, has been horrible whenever he has played. Josh Portis is an athletic and raw rookie prospect Seattle has kept on the roster this year.<br /><br />Pete Carroll is still rebuilding his team, turning over personnel at a rapid rate. Yet he hasn't gone after a quarterback in the draft he wanted to start. This could be the year he uses a first round draft pick for the position.<br /><br />Seattle is struggling right now, but so are 10 other teams with records the same or worse than the Seahawks 3-6 mark. There are no guarantees that Seattle would get to Matt Barkley, who was recruited to play at USC by Carroll just a few years ago.<br /><br />The only other quarterbacks considered a first round talent after Luck and Barkely is Landry Jones and Robert Griffin. Both are big with strong arms that have excellent accuracy. While Seattle could gamble with Jackson in 2012, now may the time for Carroll to get his quarterback of the future.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><strong>Oakland Raiders</strong><br /><a href="http://images.athlonsports.com/d/15460-1/KirkCousins.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px;" src="http://images.athlonsports.com/d/15460-1/KirkCousins.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a> <br /> <br /><br />Oakland has basically mortgaged their future into Carson Palmer at quarterback, but the backup quarterback position could be an issue in 2012. Jason Campbell, who began the season as the starter until an injury to him prompted the Raiders to trade for Palmer, may want out to find a starting job elsewhere next season.<br /><br />Kyle Boller probably won't be on the team next year, considering how poorly he played when Campbell went down. Oakland used a supplemental draft choice on Terrelle Pryor, a project who is most likely years away from being ready to contribute.<br /><br />Getting a free agent veteran to carry a clipboard is most likely the direction the Raiders will go next year if Campbell leaves the team. Al Davis has passed away, but his legacy lives on. There is a chance the team might grab a kid after the draft to see if they can develop a competent reserve for Palmer in the years ahead.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><strong>Denver Broncos</strong> <br /><a href="http://heismanpundit.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/07/kellen-moore-heisman.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px;" src="http://heismanpundit.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/07/kellen-moore-heisman.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a> <br /><br /><br />It seems almost a certainty that Kyle Orton will leave the Broncos at the end of the year. Reserve Brady Quinn seems destined to remain a bench player for however long he stays in the NFL.<br /><br />Tim Tebow can't throw or read defenses, but he can win games. Some critics are not sold that Broncos president John Elway, a Hall of Fame quarterback, is sold on Tebow a the future at the key position. Tebow could alleviate any purported issues by continuing to win.<br /><br />If they keep Tebow, they still need to get a backup besides Quinn. That may require Denver selecting a quarterback in the mid-rounds of the 2012 draft. If the Broncos rather jettison Tebow or bench him, they will have the conundrum of using a first round pick on either a signal caller or continue building the defense.<br /><br />Kellen Moore is a lefty like Tebow, and he also has the most wins by a starting quarterback in NCAA history. A gritty and cerebral type, he could provide a decent backup on a team. He could go anywhere from the third round on.<br /><br />If Denver decides to go in a different direction than Tebow, an athletic type like Robert Griffin III could interest Elway. Nick Foles could be there in the second round, because he may take longer to develop, while Griffin appears destined for the first.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><strong>Houston Texans</strong> <br /><a href="http://cdn.cloudfiles.mosso.com/c1910342/media_center/images/rendered/blog/wysiwyg/Dominique-Davis.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px;" src="http://cdn.cloudfiles.mosso.com/c1910342/media_center/images/rendered/blog/wysiwyg/Dominique-Davis.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a> <br /><br /><br />Matt Schaub is the starter, but he is often battling injuries. Houston has had a history of picking up discarded first round flops to back him up, ranging from Rex Grossman to Matt Leinart.<br /><br />T.J. Yates was drafted in the fifth round of the 2011 draft, so the Texans may eschew from grabbing another project to develop. Schaub is hurt again, this time for the rest of the year, so Leinart will become the starter.<br /><br />If Leinart fails, Houston might look into the free agency market to get a better veteran on the bench. But a failure could also bring a change at the head coaching slot, so a new administration may decide to go with young players.<br /><br />Dominique Davis is an interesting project who might last until the later rounds of the 2012 draft. Unlike the three current Texans quarterbacks, Davis is athletic. <br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><strong>New York Jets</strong> <br /><a href="http://blockonation.com/BlockONation-Images/CaseKeenum_001.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px;" src="http://blockonation.com/BlockONation-Images/CaseKeenum_001.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a> <br /><br /><br />Mark Sanchez, as erratic as he is, should hold the staring job once again in 2012. But getting some youth in the backup slot may not be a bad idea.<br /><br />Sanchez's top reserve is 41 year old Mark Brunell, whose NFL career should be nearing an end this year. The Jets have journeyman Kevin O'Connell, who has 28 career passing yards since being drafted in the third round of the 2008 draft.<br /><br />It isn't a bad idea to consider drafting a quarterback in the later rounds. Case Keenum, who has the most passing touchdowns in NCAA history, should be there. <br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><strong>Jacksonville Jaguars</strong><br /><a href="http://somuchsports.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/Ryan-Lindley.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px;" src="http://somuchsports.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/Ryan-Lindley.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a> <br /> <br /><br />The future is now with rookie Blaine Gabbert, who has been struggling mightily as he tried to go for the spread offense, which he played in college, to the pro set in Jacksonville. His only backup is journeyman Luke McCown.<br /><br />McCown began the season as the starter, but quickly lost it after horrendous play. The Jags are not molding anyone on the practice squad, so they need to consider upgrading the backup job through the draft.<br /><br />Since they used their 2011 first round pick on Gabbert, Jacksonville could wait late in the draft in 2012 before grabbing a quarterback. Ryan Lindley is just one of a few to consider, despite the fact he has struggled in his senior season.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><strong>New York Giants</strong><br /><a href="http://i2.cdn.turner.com/si/2011/writers/stewart_mandel/04/12/florida-state-ej-manuel/ej-manuel-p1.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px;" src="http://i2.cdn.turner.com/si/2011/writers/stewart_mandel/04/12/florida-state-ej-manuel/ej-manuel-p1.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a> <br /> <br /><br />Eli Manning has the starters job unquestionably. David Carr, the first overall draft choice of 2002, has been his backup in three of the last four years. Yet Carr will be 33 years old before the 2012 season starts.<br /><br />Rookie Ryan Perrilloux sits on the practice squad, but it wouldn't be a bad idea to get another youngster in camp to see if Manning could groom them into a serviceable player down the road. Yet the Jints may not want to waste a draft pick, opting to look in the free agents pool.<br /><br />E.J. Manuel is a huge kid who could go undrafted, as could people like Jacory Harris The Giants wasted draft picks in the recent past on guys like Andre Woodson and Rhett Bomar and got nothing in return, so they could stand pat with Carr and Perrilloux.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><strong>Green Bay Packers</strong> <br /><a href="http://www.tigerrag.com/wp-content/uploads/lee_jarrett_troy08.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px;" src="http://www.tigerrag.com/wp-content/uploads/lee_jarrett_troy08.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a> <br /><br /><br />Rumors of backup Matt Flynn departing at seasons end began awhile ago. He has been called the next Matt Cassel, even if he has less NFL experience than Cassel did when he switched teams in 2009. <br /><br />Flynn has been a reserve since 2008, thrown 86 career passes, and lost the only game he has started. Yet there are rumblings his services will be sought after when he becomes a free agent at the end of this year.<br /><br />If that happens, the Packers could opt to go with Graham Harrell. A journeyman on their practice squad, there is a chance he will hold the honor of backing up star quarterback Aaron Rodgers. <br /><br />Green Bay general manager Ted Thompson could look at this position in the later rounds, where interesting projects like Dan Persa or Jarrett Lee will sit. Lee is from LSU like Flynn and the pairs collegiate careers parallel each other somewhat.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Yoooooooooo! Dis iz 7thStoneFromTheSun wunce again. Yo? I took a beeting las weak, going 7-8 . I iz now 87-58 overall. Lets gets two it.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><em><strong>Tampa Bay Buccaneers @ Green Bay Packers</strong></em><br /><br />Da Pack GOT to lose one, don't dey? Tampa Bay is on da brink of losing playoff dreems, so dey knead dis. Yet I tink Aaron Rodgers is da Buc's Freddy Krueger.<br /><br /><strong>Packers</strong> 30 Buccaneers 20<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><em><strong>Dallas Cowboys @ Washington Redskins</strong></em><br /><br />A great rivalry, but dese too teems ain't goin nowhere dis yeer. Da Skins are at rock bottom, so da em while dey iz down dere.<br /><br /><strong>Cowboys</strong> 31 Redskins 16<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><em><strong>Jacksonville Jaguars @ Cleveland Browns</strong></em><br /><br />A massive battle of 3-6 teems. Wake me when it's over.<br /><br /><strong>Jaguars</strong> 17 Browns 14<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><em><strong>Cincinnatti Bengals @ Baltimore Ravens</strong><br />Game of the Week</em><br /><br />I love dis game. I love defense. It is as close as yous iz gunna get two old skool football in dis NFL.<br /><br />Da Ravens rank third in both points and yards allowed in da NFL. Cincy ranks fifth best in both categories themselves. So dere ain't gunna be a ton of points scored, even if both teems didn't have da incunsistent offenses dey currently got.<br /><br /><strong>Ravens</strong> 16 Bengals 13<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><em><strong>Carolina Panthers @ Detroit Lions</strong></em><br /><br />Detroit kneads two keep winning cuz da Pack is undefeewted and da Bears are tied with dem in second place. Da Lions got to shut down Panthers rookie superstar Cam Newton.<br /><br /><strong>Lions</strong> 27 Panthers 20<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><em><strong>Buffalo Bills @ Miami Dolphins</strong></em><br /><br />Wif da Jets sucking, da Bills playoff hopes iz still alive. Dis iz a must win hear.<br /><br /><strong>Bills</strong> 34 Dolphins 17<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><em><strong>Oakland Raiders @ Minnesota Vikings</strong></em><br /><br />Da Raiders was gunna actually begin play in Minnesota in 1960 for da AFL, but da NFL stopped it by creatin da Vikings. Since den, da Raiders have won nine of 13 matchups, witch includes a Super Bowl win in 1977. Oakland keeps dat theme goin, though AP will keep it close.<br /><br /><strong>Raiders</strong> 27 Vikings 24<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><em><strong>Seattle Seahawks @ Saint Louis Rams</strong></em><br /><br />A battle for da best draft pik cuz neither teem is goin nowhere dis yeer.<br /><br /><strong>Seahawks</strong> 24 Rams 20<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><em><strong>Arizona Cardinals @ San Francisco 49ers</strong></em><br /><br />Da Niners iz running away wif da NFC West. It cuntinues.<br /><br /><strong>49ers</strong> 23 Cardinals 14<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><em><strong>Tennesee Titans @ Atlanta Falcons</strong></em><br /><br />A battle of 5-4 teems teetering on the edge of the playoff race. Da Falcons have been a disappointmint, while da Titans have played better den expected. Still? I'm goin will Atlanta hear.<br /><br /><strong>Falcons</strong> 31 Titans 16<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><em><strong>San Diego Chargers @ Chicago Bears</strong></em><br /><br />Da Bears iz hot, winning four straight. Da Bolts got a loser head coach. See where I'm heading?<br /><br /><strong>Bears</strong> 26 Chargers 24<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><em><strong>Philadelphia Eagles @ New York Giants</strong></em><br /><br />Da Igglez have showed no heart dis yeer, while a injured Jints squad has pretty much wn da NFC East allreddy by playin wif heart. It's a wrap.<br /><br /><strong>Giants</strong> 23 Eagles 21<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><em><strong>Kansas City Chiefs @ New England Patriots</strong></em><br /><br />Da Chiefs are on a yo-yo ride two nowhere dis seesun. Da Pat's sit on top of da AFC East despite having a terribul defense. I tink it stays dat way.<br /><br /><strong>Patriots</strong> 37 Chiefs 17<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><em><strong>Power Rankings</strong></em><br /><br />1. Green Bay Packers<br />2. San Francisco 49ers<br />3. New York Giants<br />4. Pittsburgh Steelers<br />5. New Orleans Saints<br />6. Chicago Bears<br />7. Houston Texans<br />8. New England Patriots<br />9. Detroit Lions<br />10. Cincinnati Bengals<br />11. Baltimore Ravens<br />12. Atlanta Falcons<br />13. Dallas Cowboyss<br />14. Oakland Raiders<br />15. Buffalo Bills<br />16. Tennessee Titans<br />17. New York Jets<br />18. San Diego Chargers<br />19. Philadelphia Eagles<br />20. Denver Broncos<br />21. Tampa Bay Buccaneers<br />22. Seattle Seahawks<br />23. Kansas City Chiefs<br />24. Arizona Cardinals<br />25. Jacksonville Jaguars<br />26. Carolina Panthers<br />27. Minnesota Vikings<br />28. Washington Redskins<br />29. Saint Louis Rams<br />30. Cleveland Browns<br />31. Miami Dolphins<br />32. Indianapolis Colts<br /><br /><br /><br /><br />OK, I iz on my way two dis turkey farm so I can get a Thanksgiving dinner reddy. I got dis hunny cummin over for a taste and yous knows I iz all about stuffing da bird. Capeesh? As dey say in Ol' Messico = A.M.F.<br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-luS6acos8_w/TsaqUTT0UXI/AAAAAAAAAP4/ArTykGRyhZ4/s1600/7thstone.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 250px; height: 316px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-luS6acos8_w/TsaqUTT0UXI/AAAAAAAAAP4/ArTykGRyhZ4/s320/7thstone.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5676411646104588658" /></a>3rdStoneFromTheSunhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08885818209425078599noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9114088672380394893.post-35387888355490368892011-11-10T18:12:00.005-05:002011-11-10T22:15:33.948-05:00NFL 2011 Mid-Season Awards<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ft-walq3Gd4/Trx_B2eMvEI/AAAAAAAAAPg/For1mCNL5rA/s1600/aaron-rodgers.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 208px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ft-walq3Gd4/Trx_B2eMvEI/AAAAAAAAAPg/For1mCNL5rA/s320/aaron-rodgers.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5673549300358757442" /></a><br /><br />Making predictions of an upcoming NFL season is basically akin to swinging a stick at a pinata blindfolded, yet without knowing if such a target truly exists. The reason of an educated guess can be leaned upon, yet there is no real science because too many unknown factors lurk in shadows set aside annually by the enemies of success.<br /> <br />Even with a 2011 season hurriedly smashed together after a players strike that killed much of the preseason, the league has gone on collecting the offerings of fans as this circus barks town to town. The actual play on the field may have degenerated some, but much of this stems from rules that were set out without much clear thought instilled.<br /> <br />As the NFL hits the midpoint of the 2011 season, there are already reasons to rejoice about the game. Some surprises have been peppered in with the unexpected and relied upon. As the pretend awards are passed out, on their way to the real ones in a few months, we look back at preseason predictions and compare them with the reality of here and now.<br /><br /><br /> <br /><strong>MVP : Aaron Rodgers, Quarterback, Green Bay Packers</strong><br /><a href="http://i.cdn.turner.com/si/2010/writers/damon_hack/09/01/nfc.north.preview/aaron-rodgers-si.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px;" src="http://i.cdn.turner.com/si/2010/writers/damon_hack/09/01/nfc.north.preview/aaron-rodgers-si.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a> <br /><br />I picked Rodgers to win this award a few months ago, and he has played as expected. His team, which relies on him heavily, is undefeated and showing they could be better than the Packers squad that won it all last year. I still think he walks away with the NFL MVP Award when he season ends, and Rodgers has done nothing to show why he won't yet.<br /> <br />Matt Forte, Frank Gore, Drew Brees, and Eli Manning are worth noting for their efforts so far.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><strong>Offensive Player of the Year : Fred Jackson, Halfback, Buffalo Bills</strong> <br /><a href="http://www.nflgridirongab.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/09/Jackson-258x300.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px;" src="http://www.nflgridirongab.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/09/Jackson-258x300.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a> <br /><br />My preseason selection, Ray Rice of the Baltimore Ravens, has done nothing but show why I selected him. Yet Jackson is the biggest reason the Bills are in first place in the AFC East. He leads the NFL in rushing yards and is just 47 yards away from leading the league in total yards from scrimmage.<br /> <br />Jackson already had the respect of the league for his versatility, and it appears he is headed to his first Pro Bowl season. If he holds up this year, since the Bills rely on him so heavily, Buffalo could make the playoffs for the first time since 1999.<br /> <br />Rice, Forte, LeSean McCoy, Wes Welker, Calvin Johnson, and Steve Smith are all certainly capable of winning this award when the season ends.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><strong>Defensive Player of the Year : Jared Allen, Defensive End, Minnesota Vikings</strong><br /><a href="http://www.vikingsgab.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/11/jared-allen_nc.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px;" src="http://www.vikingsgab.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/11/jared-allen_nc.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a> <br /><br />The player I picked to win this award, Ndamukong Suh, has been average for most of this season. Allen has been awesome all season. He is tied with the most fumbles forced, fumbles recovered, and passes defended amongst all defensive linemen.<br /><br />He leads everyone with 12.5 sacks and is fourth in tackles amongst defensive linemen. Allen has also found time to intercept a pass. While the Vikings have struggled this season, it could be a lot worse if Allen wasn't having the season he currently is. Minnesota has been mostly competitive because he keeps caving in offensive lines off the edge.<br /> <br />Nick Barnett, Kameron Chancellor, Darrelle Revis, Charles Woodson, and Jason Pierre-Paul are just a few players who could be considered for this award.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><strong>Offensive Rookie of the Year : Cameron Newton, Quarterback, Carolina Panthers</strong> <br /><a href="http://s3.jrnl.ie/media/2011/09/PA-11592303-390x285.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px;" src="http://s3.jrnl.ie/media/2011/09/PA-11592303-390x285.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a> <br /><br />My selection, Daniel Thomas, has struggled with his health all year and is fourth amongst all rookies in rushing yards. Newton is third so far.<br /><br />But it isn't just his legs that makes him special. Despite being the first draft selection of 2011, pundits expected him to struggle from the spread offense, that he played in college, to the pro style offense. Newton has had a few rookie struggles, but he has mostly stood out for his struggling Panthers.<br /><br />He has performed so well that Carolina hardly runs the football this year despite giving halfback DeAngelo Williams just 75 carries so far after making him one of the highest paid halfbacks in the game before the season started.<br /><br />Newton has already set team records, by throwing for 432 yards in one game and 854 yards in two consecutive games. His 422 yards passing in his debut is the most in NFL history, and the 854 yards thrown in his first two games is also a NFL record.<br /><br />Not only is Newton the first rookie in NFL history to pass for more than 400 yards in first career start, as well as the first rookie in NFL history to pass for more than 400 yards in first two career starts, he is just the sixth quarterback ever to throw for over 400 yards in consecutive games.<br /><br />He is the only player in NFL history with at least five rushing touchdowns and five passing touchdowns in his first five games, and he is one rushing touchdown away from having for most rushing touchdowns by a rookie quarterback.<br /><br />Andy Dalton, who is having an excellent season so far as the starting quarterback of the Cincinnati Bengals, is the only rookie in the discussion with Newton. Dalton has done well, but the surprising Bengals sit on top of the AFC North right now because of their defense.<br /><br />Newton's team is not winning much yet, but the future appears bright for this 6'5" 248 lbs monster who already has the respect of opponents. He has a better quarterback rating than Dalton, as well as over 900 more passing yards. He is already the leader of a rebuilding Panthers franchise, and one day could be the best quarterback in the league.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><strong>Defensive Rookie of the Year : Patrick Peterson, Cornerback, Arizona Cardinals</strong><br /><a href="http://goavantgarde.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/Patrick-Peterson-Post-Pic.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px;" src="http://goavantgarde.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/Patrick-Peterson-Post-Pic.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a> <br /><br />My pick, J.J. Watt of the Houston Texans, is playing very well and is certainly in the running. So are players like Mason Foster, Ryan Kerrigan, Von Miller, Akeem Ayers, Marcell Dareus, Phil Taylor, and Brooks Reed.<br /> <br />Peterson leads all NFL rookies in solo tackles, interceptions, passes defended, and is third in total tackles. But what separates him is the work he does on special teams. He is already the best punt returner in the league.<br /><br />He leads in the NFL with three touchdowns off of punt returns, punt return yards, and a whopping 21.8 average off of 19 returns. Peterson is already within reach of several NFL records.<br /><br />His three touchdowns is tied with Devin Hester as the second most by a rookie in NFL history and one away from the record Hall of Famer Jack Christiansen set in 1951. He is just 242 yards away from the record Louis Lipps set in 1984 for the most punt return yards ever by a rookie. He is also within reach of the 23 yards per return average Herb Rich set on 12 returns in 1950.<br /><br />His 99-yard punt return is the second longest ever in NFL history. It happened in overtime against the Saint Louis Rams, and was the first overtime by a rookie off a punt return since Tamarick Vanover did it in 1995.<br /><br />If Peterson keeps up even half of this pace, as many suspect he will, there should be an easy task for the voters on who is the 2011 Defensive Rookie of the Year.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><strong>Comeback Player of the Year : Ben Tate, Houston Texans</strong><br /><a href="http://i.usatoday.net/sports/gallery/2011/NFL/2011%20NFL%20season/Week%207/texans-titans-tatex-large.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px;" src="http://i.usatoday.net/sports/gallery/2011/NFL/2011%20NFL%20season/Week%207/texans-titans-tatex-large.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a> <br /><br />I picked Tate and he is already fulfilling expectations. He already has 623 rushing yards despite being basically a reserve with limited touches. He is averaging a very impressive 5.7 yards per carry as well.<br /><br />This award generally goes to players who, like Tate, are coming back from a previous year ruined by injuries. It also can go to an improved player who had previously struggled. Men like Ryan Fitzpatrick and Alex Green are in the running based on those facts.<br /><br />Arian Foster is the star of the Texans. Not only is he the 2010 rushing yards leader, he leads the team in rushing yards , attempts, and touchdowns this season. Yet he has a lead of just 33 yards over Tate despite 45 more attempts and having started every game but two for Houston in 2011.<br /><br />It will be curious to see how much longer the Texans keep this duo in tact beyond 2011. Tate has just one start this year, a number he undoubtedly would like to change down the road. Houston has the most rushing attempts and second most running yards by a team so far this year, which is a big reason the Texans sit on top of the AFC South right now.<br /><br />Tate seems a cinch to join Foster as a pair off 1,000-yard rushers for the Texans this year. He has shown no residual effects from the broken leg he suffered during a 2010 exhibition game either. He has given no reason why he shouldn't win the 2011 Comeback Player of the Year Award.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><strong>Coach of the Year : Jim Harbaugh, San Francisco 49ers</strong><br /><a href="http://profootballzone.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/jim-harbaugh.png"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px;" src="http://profootballzone.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/jim-harbaugh.png" border="0" alt="" /></a> <br /><br />There really is no doubt who is leading here. Harbaugh is leading one if the NFC's better teams with a good defense and rushing attack. Yet Harbaugh also has had a tremendous positive influence on quarterback Alex Smith, who has performed well despite having his top two wide receivers struggling to stay healthy this year.<br /> <br />My selection, Steve Spagnuolo, has seen his team play poorly. The Niners are already running away with the NFC West title, and their rookie head coach is a huge reason why. If Harbaugh keeps it going, he may pass his younger brother John in accolades. He and John Harbaugh, a successful head coach with the Baltimore Ravens, are the first pair of brothers to be NFL head coaches.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Yoooooooooo! Dis iz 7thStoneFromTheSun, 3rd's cuzin, once again! Yo? I did crappy las weak, going 8-6. I iz now <strong>80-50</strong> overall, so lets get dis partee started. Capeesh?<br /><br /><br /><br /><em><strong>New Orleans Saints @ Atlanta Falcons</strong><br />Game of the Week</em><br /><br />Da winner gets two sit alone on top of da NFC South, even if Atlanta has played one less game so far. Both teems have average defenses, but da explosive Saints offense has looked better than the more balanced Falsons offense so far.<br /><br />Matt Ryan has been inconsistent with Atlanta all yeer, but da defense has looked better in each of da las three weaks. Drew Brees has been mostly awesone for New Orleans all seasun, but da inconsistent Saints defense can get exposed by a good running teem.<br /><br />If Michael "Burner" Turner gets off, Atlanta wins. If not, look for Brees to make da difference.<br /><br /><strong>Atlanta</strong> 30 Saints 28<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><em><strong>Tennessee Titans @ Carolina Panthers</strong></em><br /><br />I really iz flippin a coin on hear. Cam Newton mite prove me wrong.<br /><br /><strong>Titans</strong> 27 Panthers 24<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><em><strong>Pittsburgh Steelers @ Cincinnati Bengals</strong></em><br /><br />OK, da Bungles have had a nice ride against da lesser teems. Now reality sets on.<br /><br /><strong>Steelers</strong> 24 Bengals 20<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><em><strong>Saint Louis Rams @ Cleveland Browns</strong></em><br /><br />YO! I rather have a labotomy den watch dis crap.<br /><br /><strong>Rams</strong> 28 Browns 20<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><em><strong>Buffalo Bills @ Dallas Cowboys</strong></em><br /><br />I tink da Bills fun ride is over. I don't tink much of da Cowboys, but I can sea dem winning hear.<br /><br /><strong>Cowboys</strong> 27 Bills 24<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><em><strong>Jacksonville Jaguars @ Indianapolis Colts</strong></em><br /><br />How many times in da Jags history have dey gone into Indianapolis expecting two win?<br /><br /><strong>Jaguars</strong> 23 Colts 21<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><em><strong>Denver Broncos @ Kansas City Chiefs</strong></em><br /><br />Tim Teblow ran a win las weak, but da Chiefs will not allow dis.<br /><br /><strong>Chiefs</strong> 31 Broncos 16<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><em><strong>Washington Redskins @ Miami Dolphins</strong></em><br /><br />If da Skins lose hear, pack it up until 2012. John Beck gets his first win ever, at the expense of his former team.<br /><br /><strong>Redskins</strong> 20 Dolphins 17<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><em><strong>Arizona Cardinals @ Philadelphia Eagles</strong></em><br /><br />Kevin Kolb prolly won't play hear two get back at da Eagles for trading him. But Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie will.<br /><br /><strong>Eagles</strong> 31 Cardinals 20<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><em><strong>Houston Texans @ Tampa Bay Buccaneers</strong></em><br /><br />Houston kneads dis, and da Bucs are wildly inconsistent. Dat Houston runbning game pulls it out.<br /><br /><strong>Texans</strong> 28 Buccaneers 17<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><em><strong>Baltimore Ravens @ Seattle Seahawks</strong></em><br /><br />Da Ravens tend two play down too competition and dey are goin to have a let down after a big win las weak. I tink it will be a close one hear.<br /><br /><strong>Ravens</strong> 27 Seahawks 24<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><em><strong>Detroit Lions @ Chicago Bears</strong></em><br /><br />Da Bears are cummin off a big win las Monday, but da Lions know how two play dere division rivals.Det beet Chicago by 11 just over a month ago and sweep dis series to try to stay within reach of da Packers.<br /><br /><strong>Lions</strong> 26 Bears 24<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><em><strong>New York Giants @ San Francisco 49ers</strong></em><br /><br />I see a old school battle hear, where defense rules most of da game. I like da Niners defense much more den da Jints, but I tink Eli Manning is just a bit better den Alex Smith.<br /><br /><strong>Giants</strong> 17 49ers 16<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><em><strong>New England Patriots @ New York Jets</strong></em><br /><br />Dese are too flaewed teems dat we all expected more from. Flip a coin hear, da winner gets to sit on top of da AFC East. I'm going with the better defense.<br /><br /><strong>Jets</strong> 23 Patriots 21<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><em><strong>Minnesota Vikings @ Green Bay Packers</strong></em><br /><br />Da Pack just has two loose once. Right? Dis iz a game they very well could, but I tink dey isn't reddy yet.<br /><br /><strong>Packers</strong> 34 Vikings 23<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><em><strong>Power Rankings</strong></em><br /><br />1. Green Bay Packers<br />2. San Francisco 49ers<br />3. Atlanta Falcons<br />4. Detroit Lions<br />5. Baltimore Ravens<br />6. New York Giants<br />7. Houston Texans<br />8. New York Jets<br />9. New Orleans Saints<br />10. Pittsburgh Steelers<br />11. Chicago Bears<br />12. Cinncinatti Bengals<br />13. New England Patriots<br />14. Buffalo Bills<br />15. Philadephia Eagles<br />16. Dallas Cowboys<br />17. Tennessee Titans<br />18. Kansas City Chiefs<br />19. Tampa Bay Buccaneers<br />20. San Diego Chargers<br />21. Seattle Seahawks<br />22. Oakland Raiders<br />23. Carolina Panthers<br />24. Jacksonville Jaguars<br />25. Minnesota Vikings<br />26. Washington Redskins<br />27. Arizona Cardinals<br />28. Saint Louis Rams<br />29. Denver Broncos<br />30. Cleveland Browns<br />31. Miami Dolphins<br />32. Indianapolis Colts<br /><br /><br />OK, dat iz dat. Now iz da time two go find a few honeys too hang out with, because yous knows dat I iz all about da honey. As dey say in Ol' Messico = A.M.F.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fimtRKoliAk/Trx76hkoczI/AAAAAAAAAPU/fomqzJT5Srs/s1600/7thstone.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 250px; height: 316px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fimtRKoliAk/Trx76hkoczI/AAAAAAAAAPU/fomqzJT5Srs/s320/7thstone.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5673545875954627378" /></a>3rdStoneFromTheSunhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08885818209425078599noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9114088672380394893.post-34756864668812200642011-11-04T02:21:00.003-04:002011-11-04T04:46:34.234-04:00Chicago Bears Despicable Usage Of Matt Forte Draws Ire Beyond The Locker Room<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1xWqCpK00bQ/TrOZU3fj2bI/AAAAAAAAAO8/QSlXTEh3u0w/s1600/matt-forte.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 200px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1xWqCpK00bQ/TrOZU3fj2bI/AAAAAAAAAO8/QSlXTEh3u0w/s320/matt-forte.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5671044939562342834" /></a><br /><br />The Chicago Bears had one of their best second round draft picks ever in 2008, which is quite a statement for a franchise with the illustrious history the Bears have. The team has selected Pro Bowl players like Rich Petitbon and Rick Casares in that round, as well as Pro Football Hall of Fame middle linebackers Bill George and Mike Singletary. Future Hall of Fame candidate Devin Hester was also a second round selection by Chicago.<br /> <br />Matt Forte` was selected that year. Chicago took the halfback, despite the fact he had suffered a knee injury in his junior season at Tulane University. He exploded onto the scene as a senior, rushing for over 2,100 yards and scoring 23 times.<br /> <br />He was put to work right away, leading the team in rushing and receiving with career best marks of 1,231 rushing yards and 63 receptions. He also led the team with a career high mark of 12 touchdowns and 1,715 total yards. <br /> <br />He had broken Hall of Famer Gale Sayers team record for all purpose yards by a rookie, and the 123 yards he ran for in his first game is also a team record. Despite leading all NFL rookies in total yards and receptions, he somehow received just one for NFL Rookie of the Year.<br /> <br />Forte` did suffer a sophomore slump of sorts in 2009, scoring a career low four times. Despite handling the ball 64 less times, he fumbled six times as opposed to the one fumble he had as a rookie. Forte` still led the team in yards rushing and from scrimmage, as well as being just three catches away from leading the team in receiving.<br /> <br />He rebounded last year to run for 1,069 yards and score nine times. Though he handled the ball 27 times less than the year before, Forte` still tied for the team lead in receptions and led the team with 1,616 yards from scrimmage. It helped the Bears reach the NFC Championship Game before their season ended.<br /> <br />Forte` had gained 160 total yards in that game, leading all players. He led all players with 10 receptions as well. In the three years he had spent with the team, Forte` has shown remarkable durability by not missing a contest yet in his career.<br /> <br />His importance to the Bears franchise has been on display once again in 2011. He currently leads the league with 1,071 yards from scrimmage, and he is also averaging a career best 5.4 catches per game and 11 yards per reception. Forte' is also averaging a career best 5.4 yards per carry on 124 attempts, which has enabled him to average a career high 96 yards rushing per game after seven contests.<br /> <br />Yet the running back is frustrated with the way the team is treating him. Forte` makes just $600,000 annually, a far cry from what the highest paid running backs make in the league. Adrian Peterson, of the Minnesota Vikings, is currently making over $13.7 million annually.<br /> <br />The Bears typically like to hash out contract issues during the off-season, but a backlash on how they have dragged their heels on the Forte` situation grows daily as the running back continues to stand out. Forte` has seen his teammates tell the media he deserves a raise in pay, and Pro Bowl middle linebacker Brian Urlacher, considered the leader of the team, recently said Forte` in the leagues most valuable player right now.<br /> <br />Fans have also started a campaign, hoping to get the attention of Bears general manager Jerry Angelo. Angelo reportedly offered Forte` a contract with about $14 million guaranteed before the 2011 season started, but it is a far cry from the $36 million Peterson has guaranteed. Chris Johnson, of the Tennessee Titans, has $30 million in guarantees, and the Carolina Panthers DeAngelo Williams has over $21 million in guarantees.<br /> <br />Not only is Forte` having a better season than any of those backs so far, he is arguably more important to the success of his team than Johnson or Williams are to theirs. Johnson has been struggling horribly so far in 2011, and Williams hardly touches the football on the Panthers pass-happy offense.<br /> <br />Forte` recently was found lamenting his situation to the Chicago media. He realizes the Bears can place a franchise tag on him in 2012, which would bump his salary up to possibly $8 million that year. The running believes that is no solution to the problem, and would not remain silent in his mission if the Bears decided to go that route. All he seeks is fairness, because the average career of an NFL running back is so fleeting.<br /> <br />‘‘The running back position is the most physically demanding on the field,’’ Forte told reporters. ‘‘Everyone acknowledges that. So to continue to give me the touches I’ve had since my rookie year but not award me a long-term contract sends the message that you’re OK grinding me into a pulp.’’<br /> <br />Another reason the Bears should resolve this issue quickly is because they are so reliant upon him. Their quarterback, Jay Cutler, is wildly inconsistent and extremely prone to tossing a bundle of interceptions. The Bears blocking and receiving corps are far from special as well, so the team often rides Forte's back down the field to get scoring opportunities.<br /> <br />Very few backs have shown they can stand up to this type of pressure over a long stretch of time. Many great running backs have succumbed to injuries after taking a tremendous beating over a few seasons. The Bears have seen this in their own ranks after watching men like Sayers, Casares, and Neal Anderson.<br /> <br />Few backs have lasted long carrying an entire team on their backs. Hall of Famers Walter Payton and O.J. Simpson come to mind immediately, but even Canton is full of backs whose careers were cut short due to a mountain of touches in a short span. Earl Campbell, Eric Dickerson and Steve Van Buren are other examples.<br /> <br />The NFC North is called the "Black and Blue Division" because most contests have been decided in the trenches. Great running backs in that division have come and gone after battling those wars. The list of great running backs, whose careers were shortened, is long.<br /> <br />Men like Chuck Foreman, Billy Sims, John Brockington, and many more have torn up the NFL before their bodies broke down due to the wear and tear at the position. Forte` seems to understand this, as well as the fact his NFL career can end on any given play.<br /> <br />The Bears are run by the daughter of Hall of Famer, and founding member of the NFL, George Halas. Halas, nicknamed "Papa Bear", was known for his stinginess during his lifetime. Hall of Famer George Blanda once said Halas would make Blanda buy his own kicking shoes and even took back his signing bonus after Chicago had drafted him.<br /> <br />There is no proof Virginia Halas McCaskey runs the team the same way, but it certainly can be assumed she learned how to run the franchise from her dad. While her own children are also involved in the running of the team, the 88-year old McCaskey has recently been engaged in discussions about selling the team.<br /> <br />Angelo reports to team president Ted Phillips. Phillips, named to his position in 1999, has been with the team 27 years after previously working as an accountant. It may be the good old bottom line of dollars and cents that has kept the team from bumping up Forte's salary. But if McCaskey is set to sell the team, Phillips may want to enable the increase before new ownership takes over.<br /> <br />The counterpoint that Forte` has handled the ball less each season is no longer a discussion. The running back is averaging 23.1 touches per game, slightly less than the career best 23.7 touches per game he averaged as a rookie. <br /> <br />Forte` has averaged 20.8 touches per game, which is better than the 18.8 touches Williams has averaged in his career. The Panthers running back is averaging barely 10 touches per game this season despite having signed a huge contract during the off-season.<br /> <br />Johnson has averaged 22.1 touches per game, but it has been curtailed to 19 this year as his struggles continue following a hold out to get his new contract. Peterson averages 21.8 touches per game in his career, but the four-time Pro Bowler came into 2011 with 12 more fumbles than Forte`. Peterson's career high of 24 touches per game was back in 2008.<br /> <br />The onus is on the Bears management right now, and it would make sense for them to make their best player happy immediately. They may choose to continue the stingy ways of the deceased Papa Bear, but that would just show the game has passed them by much like it did Halas while he was alive.<br /> <br />Chicago currently has a 4-3 record in the 2011 season, which is only good enough for third place in their division. The Green Bay Packers are undefeated, and the Detroit Lions are 6-2. The Bears are about to face a Philadelphia Eagles team that is starting to play well.<br /> <br />If the Bears want to win ans stay within reach of the Packers and Lions, they must win this game Monday night. The best plan of attack is the same plan the Bears have used all season, which is give the ball to Forte` frequently. The weakness of the Eagles defense is stopping the run, so again Chicago will have to ride Forte's back for any hope of victory.<br /> <br />But these hopes are being placed on a unhappy man tired of being used at such a reduced rate, his salary is on par with reserves who hardly get on the field at all. The perfect strategy would be to pay Forte` now before Monday, so his happiness has a chance to shine on the gridiron. <br /> <br />This example was seen last week with the Buffalo Bills, who had just extended the contract of quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick a few days earlier. Fitzpatrick, who has not achieved nearly as much as Forte`, then went on the field and carved up the Washington Redskins to a 23-0 victory. <br /> <br />If McCaskey, Phillips, and Angelo continue to ignore the obvious fact they are basically using Forte` as a piece of cheap meat, dreams of even repeating the successes of 2010 will be more unlikely with each snap of the football the rest of the way in 2011.3rdStoneFromTheSunhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08885818209425078599noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9114088672380394893.post-81999910031853765042011-10-28T03:39:00.003-04:002011-10-28T05:24:29.450-04:00Tim Tebow Hype : How To Avoid It As The Descent Into The NFL Playoffs Begin Now<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-WqN1W2abuJ4/TqpcaLlORkI/AAAAAAAAAOw/WIPMMi3VZRs/s1600/tebow1.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 202px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-WqN1W2abuJ4/TqpcaLlORkI/AAAAAAAAAOw/WIPMMi3VZRs/s320/tebow1.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5668444685854459458" /></a><br /><br />Tim Tebow has owned a great deal of attention from the media, football fans, and religious zealots long before the Denver Broncos drafted him last year. A former Heisman Trophy winner, Tebow became a legend at the University of Florida by leading the Gators to a pair of national championships.<br /> <br />While setting several Southeastern Conference records, Tebow also became the first collegiate player to ever score at least 20 touchdowns in both throwing and rushing in a single season. He was a consensus All-America choice once and has been called one of the NCAA's best players in the 2000s decade.<br /> <br />Undeserved or not, the hype of his collegiate achievements have followed him to the NFL. huge part of this reason has nothing to do with the gridiron. It has to do with his personal life, which some follow at every turn.<br /> <br />Tebow's mother was told to abort her son during her pregnancy, as doctors expected a stillborn delivery due to an infection. His mother, a devout follower of the Christianity religion, refused and both mother and son beat the odds. After spending his life being home, he became the Florida Player of the Year twice in high school after being allowed to join a team at a school he did not attend.<br /> <br />The religious beliefs of his family has drawn a legion of fans, several who are unconcerned about his gridiron exploits and more concerned about his following of the same gospel they believe in. This was seen when he joined the NFL in 2010.<br /> <br />There have been many more Heisman winners to have played poorly in the professional ranks than there have been players who have been excellent. Since the award started in 1935, just seven players eventually were inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.<br /> <br />This fact has followed Tebow, as has the fact many think of him to be more of a fullback than quarterback. While he has an immense desire to win, the mechanics he possesses is quirky and not considered good enough to succeed in the NFL by many.<br /> <br />While he hasn't completed even 50 percent of the passes he has tossed in his career, Tebow is 2-2 in his career starts. Whatever circumstanced led to those victories, most pundits agree is has been accomplished with a Broncos franchise that has more questions than talent on their squads the past few years.<br /> <br />When Denver came back to defeat a horrid Miami Dolphins team last week, the Tebow hype has been full blown. Even as the game was being played, the NFL's own website didn't even keep track of the match up like they typically do with all contests. Unless you were a Broncos and Dolphins fan actually watching the game, or you bought an NFL package that allowed you to view, the game remained largely shrouded in mystery.<br /> <br />With Brett Favre now retired, the media has been craving a replacement to dote over constantly. Tebow has come along to take this mantle, whether it is viewed as a good thing or not. Unless an injury ends his career, expect the camera to follow every move he makes for at least a decade.<br /> <br />Not every fan wants to follow this hype train, as many have never boarded it or had gotten off long ago. Those fans can concentrate on much more interesting and important stories that are going on during the 2011 season. Stories that could carry on to Super Bowl XLVI in 2012.<br /> <br />The Green Bay Packers are looking like a team that could be the first to repeat as Super Bowl champions for just the eighth time since the game was first played in 1967. They won last year despite having a plethora of key players injured, and now they are pretty much at full strength and the leagues only undefeated team this year.<br /> <br />Not only is quarterback Aaron Rodgers considered one of the very best at his position today, the Packers are one of the leagues top teams in scoring, passing, rushing defense, and yards allowed per game. Rodgers already has tossed the ball to 13 different players, seven players have caught at least 11 balls and scored a touchdown.<br /> <br />While they are a long way away from having a chance to repeat, the road traveled so far has been impressive. Even with all of this, Green Bay isn't even the only story in their division.<br /> <br />The Detroit Lions, one of the NFL's worst teams for the last decade, shot out of the gates at 5-0. While they have lost their last two games by 14 total points, this young team has shown an exceptional balance that belies their experience. They rank 13Th in scoring and 10Th in points allowed, a stat that could help the franchise reach the playoffs for the first time since 1999.<br /> <br />The tight end position is seeing a boom in production as well. Since most of the defenses in the NFL play a zone, the success of the tight end splitting the seam has become even more important. This has allowed quite a few become stars this year.<br /> <br />Only eight tight ends are inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, though there should be more. Men like Jerry Smith and Fred Arbanus belong, but most feel the first tight end ever selected, John Mackey, is still the best ever at the position.<br /> <br />While youngsters like Jimmy Graham, of the New Orleans Saints, and Fred Davis, of the Washington Redskins, have stood out this year, there are a ton of excellent players at this position at the game today. Many are good blockers, but they have enough speed to get downfield at break a zone scheme with their deep threat abilities.<br /> <br />Men like Vernon Davis, Antonio Gates, Brandon Pettigrew, Jason Witten, Ron Gronkowski, Kellen Winslow Jr., Tony Gonzales, Aaron Hernandez, Owen Daniels, Jermaine Gresham, Jermichael Finley, Dustin Keller, Heath Miller, Greg Olsen, Jeremy Shockey, and Ed Dickson are just a few who are important players on their teams as well. Pettigrew, Gresham, Gronkowski, Hernandez, and Dickson are youngsters learning their positions as they accumulate impressive statistics.<br /> <br />Established veterans like Dallas Clark, Kevin Boss, Mercedes Lewis, and others, have yet to truly break out in 2011 due to injuries and quarterback struggles their teams are having. Wide receiver may get a lot of attention, mainly due to the diva-like behavior of a few head cases at the position, but the tight end in the NFL today has quietly become the consistent star a team needs to win often.<br /> <br />All eyes will be on Carson Palmer for a few weeks, monitoring his progress as he learns the Oakland Raiders playbook after having joined the team barely a week ago. He had sat out all year, refusing to play for the Cincinnati Bengals, who also spent that time refusing to trade him. <br /> <br />After gridiron giant, and Raiders owner, Al Davis died, the team made the type of risky move Davis spent his career making by dealing away possibly two first round draft picks for the quarterback. <br /> <br />Palmer was thrust into action last Sunday, the first time he had ever come off the bench, and completed just eight of 21 passes. Three attempts were picked off, as the Raiders were dismantled 28-0 by the lowly Kansas City Chiefs.<br /> <br />The race for the services of Andrew Luck, a quarterback at Stanford University, has started to thin out some. Luck, who many think the 2011 Heisman is his to lose, is considered to be the best quarterback prospect in a very long time.<br /> <br />Two horrid teams this year, the Saint Louis Rams and Minnesota Vikings, are probably not interested in Luck. The Rams used the first pick of the 2010 draft on quarterback Sam Bradford, and the Vikings used their 2011 first round pick on Christian Ponder.<br /> <br />The main two teams in the "Battle for Luck" are the Miami Dolphins and Indianapolis Colts. The Dolphins would love to draft him, especially now that it seems the injured Chad Henne's days are done in South Florida. Not only has Miami failed to win a game yet this year, it almost appears they are laying down in each contest in order to procure defeat.<br /> <br />Peyton Manning's neck is still not healing, even despite a radical stem cell surgery that had hoped to help. While heading to Canton as a first-year inductee, the Colts did not foresee this when they gave Manning a five-year contract worth $50 million before the 2011 season started.<br /> <br />Manning has led the franchise to two Super Bowls, winning once in a game was named MVP in. He has been to 11 Pro Bowls and has broken many Colts passing records that were once held by Hall of Famer Johnny Unitas, considered by most experts the greatest quarterback in NFL history.<br /> <br />Yet he will be 36 years old if he even is able to play next year. Luck would benefit sitting and learning from Manning in 2011, and there are similarities between the two. Both have fathers who played quarterback in the NFL, and both are students of the game who are known for being detail oriented.<br /> <br />While Miami would want to see Luck follow in the footsteps of Bob Griese and Dan Marino, the Colts would love to see Luck give them at least the same greatness as Unitas, Manning, Earl Morrall, and Bert Jones once did for the team.<br /> <br />Miami is battling the Colts for misery in 2011, since the Colts have failed to win a game as well so far. This epic battle of futility and Luck could see Indianapolis get an edge in two games, as the Dolphins host the struggling Chiefs. The rest of Miami's schedule appears difficult for them to win much.<br /> <br />The Colts, who have already lost to Kansas City, might have a harder time getting Luck. They have been trying to win and have been competitive in a few contests. Indianapolis will also face mediocre teams like the Tennessee Titans and Jacksonville Jaguars twice, as well as an encounter with the struggling Carolina Panthers in a month.<br /> <br />No matter who is the winner of this battle, the prize of being the worst of 2011 is a banner not to really be proud of nor promote in their quest to get a franchise quarterback of an unknown future. If Luck plays as many expect, maybe a ton of losses will look a little less uglier in a decade from now.<br /> <br />So there really is no reason to follow the evolving Tebow story faithfully, even if you are a fan of the game or a Bible thumping fanatic. With a lousy team that just traded their best receiver, it is doubtful many victories will follow. Especially if he plays like he did most of the game last week.<br /> <br />But he must win because he does not want Denver to be in a position to get Luck. If that happens, these could be your final weeks to get Tebow souvenirs and bask in the bizarre hype unless another franchise wants to take a shot at seeing how far they can go with the kid that has cameras following him everywhere.3rdStoneFromTheSunhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08885818209425078599noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9114088672380394893.post-86621523390200787612011-10-21T20:59:00.006-04:002011-10-21T22:47:26.091-04:00NFL Comings and Goings Shine Loudest As Midseason Approaches in 2011<a href="http://www.waitingfornextyear.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/palmer-raiders_440.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 440px; height: 250px;" src="http://www.waitingfornextyear.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/palmer-raiders_440.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br />When the 2011 NFL season started, many pundits wondered aloud if the quality of competition would be effected by the fact training camp time was greatly reduced because of a players strike. While there have been many examples of this being true, the show must go forward.<br /><br />This was seen with running back Jerome Harrison, who has been in the league since 2006. He was set to go to the Philadelphia Eagles in a trade this week, his fourth different team, but the move was halted by a physical detecting a brain tumor.<br /><br />The trade attempt may have saved his life and career, thanks to the early detection. Harrison is known as the man who broke the immortal Jim Brown's franchise record by running for 286 yards in one game for the Cleveland Browns in 2009. It is the third most rushing yards in a single game in NFL history.<br /><br />A few other realities have also shone forth. The Green Bay Packers are healthy and are on their way to being a serious contender in defense of their title. The duo of Tom Brady and Bill Belichick passed Hall of Famers Dan Marino and Don Shula for the most regular season victories one quarterback has ever had under one head coach.<br /><br />While the Packers and New England Patriots are set at quarterback, other teams are not. The Washington Redskins benched Rex Grossman in favor of John Beck. The Minnesota Vikings appear ready to bench Donovan McNabb, who Grossman replaced in 2010.<br /><br />Injuries caused the Miami Dolphins to go with Matt Moore, while the Saint Louis Rams will play A.J. Feeley this week. The Oakland Raiders, however, have been stealing the headlines recently.<br /><br />After the death of gridiron giant Al Davis two weeks ago, the franchise made a move that was one the maverick owner would have liked. Oakland may have possibly given up two first round draft picks to the Cincinnati Bengals for disgruntled quarterback Carson Palmer, but it represents an upgrade at the position.<br /><br />The Raiders has just gotten news that starter Jason Campbell with be out at least a month with a broken collarbone, and reserve Kyle Boller was not playing well. Palmer, who refused to play in 2011 unless he was traded, returns home to California. After having grown up in Orange County, he became a Heisman Trophy winner with the University of Southern California.<br /><br />After leaving USC, he was the first pick of the 2003 draft by Cincinnati. Palmer battled with injuries to his knee and arm, making the Pro Bowl twice, but he grew weary of the Bengals losing ways. With the Raiders on the cusp of sitting on top of the AFC West, a revival of Palmer's career is there for the taking.<br /><br />Another ghost of the NFL's past may soon reappear. The bombastic Terrell Owens is working out for teams in hopes of playing. While 37-years old, his age is not the issue with Owens. He is a clubhouse cancer who often lets everyone know it all about T.O.<br /><br />Antonio Gates seems a viable candidate for induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame one day, but the seven-time Pro Bowler has been showing signs of breaking down recently. He missed a career high six games for the San Diego Chargers in 2010 with foot issues, the same problems that have caused him to play just two games and catch only eight balls so far this season.<br /><br />He is set to return this week, something the Bolts need if they want to stay in first play in their division. Gates is only 31-years old, but he is in his ninth season. If his foot problems continue, this could be his last year in the NFL.<br /><br />Olin Kreutz decided not to finish the 2011 before exiting the game. A six-time Pro Bowl center, he spent 14 years with the Chicago Bears and was known for his leadership and fiery passion for the game. He rejected an offer to stay with the Bears, which turned out to be an unwise move.<br /><br />Kruetz joined the New Orleans Saints for one million less dollars this season, and even started in a few games. Realizing his skill set was not what it once was, he walked away from the game instead of stealing a paycheck. While a member of the NFL's 2000s All-Decade Team, his only real chance at Canton will come from the fact he played with the Bears. <br /><br />While worthy of induction, players tend to get overrated by the media in cities like Chicago and New York. Yahoo Sports even went as far as to call Kruetz one of the greatest centers ever, which shows how much extra love someone gets playing in those towns. <br /><br />While a very good player, there are better centers who are still awaiting their call into Canton for decades. Still, you have to respect a man who played football for the love of the game and not the money.<br /> <br />While guys like McNabb and others may follow Kruetz to retirement, it is likely they will do so after the season. With the loss of so many legends on the horizon, which may even include Peyton Manning if his neck injury never starts to heal., the "Not For Long" league will have to once again readjust as the show goes on.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Yo! Whut it iz? Dis iz 7thStone again. OK, I rebounded sum to 9-4 las weak, makin my overall record now <strong>55-35</strong>. Now lets get too it.<br /><br /><br /><em><strong>Denver Broncos @ Miami Dolphins</strong></em><br /><br />To of da crappiest teems in football battle for supremancee at da top of da toilet. Tim Tebow cums home to Florida and wins again.<br /><br /><strong>Broncos</strong> 10 Dolphins 9<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /> <br /> <br /> <br /><em><strong>Houston Texans @ Tennessee Titans</strong></em><br /><br />The Titans looked bad las weak, sumthin da Texans have been doin four three weaks. Dis iz a game dat decides who wins da AFC South, in my opinion.<br /><br /><strong>Texans</strong> 24 Titans 20<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /><em><strong>Chicago Bears @ Tampa Bay Buccaneers</strong></em><br /><br />Da Bears playoff chances could dim cunsiderablee if that Bucs play up to dere abilitees.<br /><br /><strong>Buccaneers</strong> 23 Bears 21<br /><br /><br /><br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /><em><strong>Atlanta Falcons @ Detroit Lions</strong></em><br /><br />OK, dis iz a big game four both teems. Da Lions are cummin off dere furst loss, causin dem to tumble into secund place in da NFC North. Da Falcons are a game behind too teems in da NFC South, so dey knead to keep pace.<br /><br />Detroit's passing game should bee da key hear, cuz da Atlanta secundairy has just been mediocre so far dis seesun and quarterback Matt Ryan has been erratic a lot.<br /><br /><strong>Lions</strong> 27 Falcons 21<br /><br /><br /><br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /><em><strong>Seattle Seahawks @ Cleveland Browns</strong></em><br /><br />I supposeda storeeline hear iz dat Mike Holmgren's former teem battles his new teem. Flip a coin, but da Browns just ain't movin da ball as well as Seattle.<br /><br /><strong>Seahawks</strong> 30 Browns 17<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /><em><strong>San Diego Chargers @ New York Jets</strong><br />Game of the Week</em><br /><br />Jets head coach Rex Ryan recentlee ran his toesucker again, dis time by statin da obvious. Norv Turner sucks as a head coach and blew it with sum loaded Chargers teems over da yeers. As far as Rex sayin he would've won it all as a head coach of da Bolts? Dat iz sour grapes cuz San Diego had hired Turner over Ryan in 2007.<br /><br />Chargers like Phlip Rivers play with fire, so I sea dem tryin to show Ryan he should shut up. Star tight end Antonio Gates is back, sumthin da mediocre Jets safeties are not happy about. Da teem kneads too win two stay ahead of da Raiders in da AFC West to.<br /><br />Da Jets iz overrated. Mark Sanchez is a less den mediocre system quarterback, and da rest of dis teem just ain't pickin up da slack. A loss hear could kill dere playoff dreems two.<br /><br /><strong>Chargers</strong> 27 Jets 13<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /><em><strong>Washington Redskins @ Carolina Panthers</strong></em><br /><br />OK, da Redskins FINALLY flushed dat hunk of shit Rex Grossman. But dere offensive line, witch was average to begin with, is now realing with injurees. At least dey is facin a Panthers defense missin star linebacker Jon Beason a whole lot.<br /><br />Da problem with da 1-5 Panthers iz dat dey don't run da ball. Dey got too good running backs, and even paid one a whole lotta cash a few months ago. Dey just seam to ask rookie quarterback Cam Newton two due to much, even if da kid has been grate doin it.<br /><br />I tink dey run da ball finally, facing a Washington defense that can bee gashed on da ground. Newton mite get da press, but dat iz OK if dey win. A Redskins loss hear could be catestrophic to dere seesun.<br /><br /><strong>Panthers </strong>23 Redskins 17<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /> <br /><em><strong>Kansas City Chiefs @ Oakland Raiders</strong></em><br /><br />You know what sucks about dis game? Al Davis and Lemar Hunt, two of da gratest football men ever, are now dead. Yet dis rivalree still lives on, thanks too them.<br /><br /><strong>Raiders</strong> 28 Chiefs 24<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /> <br /> <br /><em><strong>Pittsburgh Steelers @ Arizona Cardinals</strong></em><br /><br />A rematch of Super Bowl XLIII. But da big difference is da Steelers are still pretty good and da Cardinals ain't. If Arizona quarterback Kevin Kolb doesn't play well dis weak, da Big Redfans will be unhappy da Cards gave up soo much two get him.<br /><br /><strong>Steelers</strong> 31 Cardinals 20<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /> <br /> <br /> <br /><em><strong>Saint Louis Rams @ Dallas Cowboys</strong></em><br /><br />So da Rams secundairee stinks and iz missin dere starting quarterback. Chalk dis up two da Cowboys.<br /><br /><strong>Cowboys</strong> 37 Rams 10<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /><em><strong>Green Bay Packers @ Minnesota Vikings</strong></em><br /><br />Donovan McNabb's daze as a starter end after dis weak.<br /><br /><strong>Packers</strong> 38 Vikings 13<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /> <br /><br /> <br /> <br /><em><strong>Indianapolis Colts @ New Orleans Saints</strong></em><br /><br />Is dere reely any debate hear?<br /><br /><strong>Saints</strong> 41 Colts 20<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /> <br /> <br /><br /> <br /> <br /><em><strong>Baltimore Ravens @ Jacksonville Jaguars</strong></em><br /><br />Too weaks in a row of aweful Monday Night Football games. Too weaks in a row of heerin dat idiot Jon Gruden babble not stop about nuthin to fill dead air during a dead game.<br /><br /><strong>Ravens</strong> 30 Jaguars 10<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><strong>Power Rankings</strong><br /><br />1. Green Bay Packers<br />2. Baltimore Ravens<br />3. San Francisco 49ers<br />4. Detroit Lions<br />5. San Diego Chargers<br />6. New England Patriots<br />7. Pittsburgh Steelers<br />8. Buffalo Bills<br />9. Tampa Bay Buccaneers<br />10. New Orlean Saints<br />11. Oakland Raiders<br />12. Atlanta Falcons<br />13. New York Giants<br />14. Houston Texans<br />15. Philadelphia Eagles <br />16. Chicago Bears<br />17. Tennessee Titans<br />18. New York Jets<br />19. Dallas Cowboys<br />20. Washington Redskins<br />21. Cincinnati Bengals<br />22. Seattle Seahawks<br />23. Minnesota Vikings<br />24. Arizona Cardinals<br />25. Carolina Panthers<br />26. Jacksonville Jaguars<br />27. Cleveland Browns<br />28. Miami Dolphins<br />29. Saint Louis Rams<br />30. Denver Broncos<br />31. Kansas City Chiefs<br />32. Indianapolis Colts<br /><br /><br /><br />OK, I iz outta hear! Time two make da donuts wif dis hunny I met at da race track da other day.<br /><br />As dey say in Ol' Messico = A.M.F.<br /><br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4TeasCBtquE/TqIYPiy67TI/AAAAAAAAAOk/M9u6YHklLzk/s1600/7thstone.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 250px; height: 316px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4TeasCBtquE/TqIYPiy67TI/AAAAAAAAAOk/M9u6YHklLzk/s320/7thstone.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5666117936502992178" /></a>3rdStoneFromTheSunhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08885818209425078599noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9114088672380394893.post-32479263988919658132011-10-14T21:28:00.005-04:002011-10-15T00:04:35.275-04:00Philadelphia Eagles Prove Money Doesn't Buy NFL Love<a href="http://phillysportsworld.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/12/michael-Vick-120310-hits.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 239px; height: 211px;" src="http://phillysportsworld.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/12/michael-Vick-120310-hits.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br />The Philadelphia Eagles face the Washington Redskins this Sunday in a game that can only be described as an encounter where their 2011 season is on the line. If this team has any Super Bowl aspirations, a fifth defeat could cripple their dreams.<br /><br />Philadelphia is fighting history this weekend as well. If they finish the weekend at 1-5, the team must realize only the 1970 Cincinnati Bengals reached the playoffs after starting a season as poorly. <br /><br />That Bengals team started the season 1-6 before rattling off seven straight wins behind Pro Bowl players like Lemar Parrish and Bob Trumpy. They would lose the first playoff appearance in franchise history against the eventual champion Baltimore Colts.<br /><br />The offense has yet to really click for the Eagles yet this season. While ranking third best in the NFL in total yards gained, they have been struggling to consistently score touchdowns and rank 11th in total points scored. The offensive line, an issue that mostly has haunted head coach Andy Reid since he took the job in 1999.<br /><br />It has to burn Reid's heart at this issue. He has won 60 percent of the 197 regular season games with Philadelphia, which makes him the winningest head coach in franchise history, but blocking is an area he is supposed to be an expert in.<br /><br />Reid played offensive tackle in college, then got into coaching immediately upon graduating after his 1981 senior season. He coached the offensive line until the end of the 1996 season. His Eagles teams have produced just five Pro Bowl blockers since he took the helm, with only one that Reid drafted and developed, not something the head coach probably foresaw.<br /><br />Philadelphia looked smart last year by trading quarterback Donovan McNabb and going with Michael Vick in his place. Vick, though known for a mobility that made him the NFL's top rushing yards leader by a quarterback in league history last week, has taken a tremendous pounding in 2011 because of Philadelphia's offensive line woes.<br /><br />Vick has battled injuries and missed time this year, something the Eagles thought they had a contingency plan for by signing free agent Vince Young. Young has been to the Pro Bowl quarterback twice since being drafted in 2006, but he was not healthy enough to play when Vick went down.<br /><br />Blocking isn't the only reason Vick has suffered. Though he is still learning how to be a pocket-passer, Vick has a propensity to hang onto the ball too long and take many unnecessary sacks. <br /><br />The Eagles rushing attack is led by an excellent 5.8 yards per carry average from halfback LeSean McCoy, yet the Eagles still are ineffective in short yardage situations where a powerful running game between the tackles is needed. None of Reid's teams have ever excelled in this critical area.<br /><br />If the offensive trenches weren't enough of an issue for Reid, his defensive lines haven't been much better in his Eagles career. Philadelphia has had a habit of getting tiny pass rushers who were weak against the run, often contributing to the reason Reid has yet to win a Super Bowl despite 119 regular season victories and nine playoff appearances in his previous 12 years.<br /><br />Jeff Lurie has been a great owner since buying the Eagles in 1994. He is known for his loyalty as much as the generosity he has displayed to charitable causes. Reid's coaching staffs have shown a solid continuity for the most part, which can be seen with defensive coordinator Juan Castillo.<br /><br />Castillo has been with the Eagles since 1995, holding jobs in many areas. After coaching the offensive line since 1998, he moved over to defense this year. Critics are not only pointing to Philadelphia's poor run defense, others are looking at a secondary that has yet to meet expectations.<br /><br />After spending a ton of money to sign free agent cornerback Nnamde Asomugha, as well as trading for Pro Bowl cornerback Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, Lurie bit the financial bullet by retaining the services of Pro Bowl cornerback Asante Samuel. Not only has the secondary given up way too many touchdowns on so few passing attempts, ranking 30th in that category, the group is not creating turnovers.<br /><br />The Eagles tried to address the long-standing issue in their trenches by signing two high profile free agents in Jason Babin and Cullen Jenkins. While the duo has already racked up a combined 12 of the teams 16 total sacks, they are also a reason the team ranks 30th in rushing yards allowed and last in rushing yards per attempt up the middle of the defense.<br /><br />The team took a gamble this year by going with a bunch of underwhelming or unproven linebackers this season, and are losing big so far. Not only has the group mostly stunk in run support, they have been even worse in pass defense.<br /><br />The fact the Eagles safeties haven't played great hasn't helped either. Kurt Coleman has struggled at free safety, which hurts more due to the fact Nate Allen has yet to play as well as he did in his 2010 rookie year.<br /><br />Despite Lurie shilling out millions to Vick, Young, Asomugha, Babin, Bryant, Steve Smith, Ronnie Brown, and others, the results have yet to be met by a group trying to get acclimated with each other on the fly in a season truncated because of a players strike. Yet history shows pouring money into players does not equate to championships.<br /><br />Whether it is the 2010 Miami Heat, the Ted Stepien Era with the Cleveland Cavaliers, or even the 2011 Boston Red Sox, the examples are plentiful. Sometimes the angle of spending a lot of money works, as George Steinbrenner showed by winning seven titles in his 37 years of owning the New York Yankees.<br /><br />The season is not yet lost for the Eagles, especially if they defeat a division rival that Reid has triumphed over 15 times in 24 attempts. The Redskins, who are coming off their bye week, need this game to stay on top of the NFC East while trying to increase their lead with their second division win in as many attempts.<br /><br />Washington will probably attempt to run the ball down the Eagles throats with their trio of excellent running backs. If they succeed, Philadelphia could see their 2011 season begin to end as the game clock expires.<br /><br />The City of Brotherly Love is starving for a football title in the NFL, having not seen their team win a championship since 1960. They are known as passionate fans, so a let down by their beloved Eagles may lead to a large insurgence of fans calling for the firing of Reid.<br /><br />With their season on line, let alone the Eagles careers of guys like Reid and Castillo, the team has their backs against the proverbial wall and must begin to come out swing like Philly legend Rocky Balboa. Hopefully their thrust will not be fictional like Rocky was.<br /><br /><br /><br />Yooooooooooo! For doze of yous dat forgots about me, I iz 7thStoneFromTheSun, da distant cuzin of 3rdStoneFromTheSun Yo, I did suck las weak in my procrastinashuns. I went 7-6, and I now iz <strong>46-31</strong> overall.<br /> <br />Lets get too it!<br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /><em><strong>Saint Louis Rams @ Green Bay Packers</strong></em> <br /><br />OK, I know a lots of yous mugs tought da Rams mite go two da playoffs dis yeer. But dey will now bee 0-5, sumfin not many saw cummin.<br /> <br /><strong>Packers</strong> 37 Rams 21<br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /><em><strong>Jacksonville Jaguars @ Pittsburgh Steelers</strong></em> <br /><br />Da Jags never shuld have gone da cheep route and dumped quarterback David Garrard, cuz it iz cleer Blaine Gabbert aint reddy. Da Steelers will expose dat truth even more.<br /> <br /><strong>Steelers</strong> 23 Jaguars 7<br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /><em><strong>Philadelphia Eagles @ Washington Redskins</strong></em> <br /><br />As 3rd says, dem Igglez have spent like a billion dollars and iz 1-4. I'm picking da Skins running game hear, but dont bee shocked if suckass Rex Grossman trows da game away two Philly.<br /> <br /><strong>Redskins</strong> 27 Eagles 24<br /> <br /><br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /><em><strong>San Francisco 49ers @ Detroit Lions</strong><br />Game of the Week</em> <br /><br />Yo, dis aint 1950 so dont rub yer eyes in disbelief. Dis iz da game of da weak! Both teems got good defenses and quarterbacks picked furst in dere drafts. I tink it mite cum down too who runs da ball best, if dat iz a hint.<br /> <br />But Yo! Who hear saw dese teems a combined 9-1 cummin into dis game?<br /> <br /><strong>Lions</strong> 23 49ers 21<br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /><em><strong>Carolina Panthers @ Atlanta Falcons</strong></em> <br /><br />I'm not in love wit Matt Ryan or da Falcons pass defense so far dis yeer, but they can win if dey run da damn ball. Cuz Carolina sure as fuck don't.<br /> <br /><strong>Falcons</strong> 30 Panthers 28<br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /><em><strong>Indianapolis Colts @ Cincinnati Bengals</strong></em> <br /><br />Da Colts blow chunks yo. Dey couldnt even beet da shitty Chiefs. Put dem down at 0-7.<br /> <br /><strong>Bengals</strong> 34 Colts 17<br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /><em><strong>Buffalo Bills @ New York Giants</strong></em> <br /><br />Eli Manning cemented his spot as one da most overrated players ever las week. Da Bills are a helluva lot better den da Seahawks, and dey will go downstate and leave 5-1.<br /> <br /><strong>Bills</strong> 34 Giants 24<br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /><em><strong>Houston Texans @ Baltimore Ravens</strong></em> <br /><br />Derrick Mason just joined da Texans, who iz strugglin all of da sudden, and iz facing a teem he spent six seasuns wif. Da Ravens will enjoy da fact star linebacker Mario Williams wont play for Houston again dis yeer.<br /> <br /><strong>Ravens</strong> 27 Texans 20<br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /><em><strong>Cleveland Browns @ Oakland Raiders</strong></em> <br /><br />Just keep winning baby! R.I.P. Al Davis<br /> <br /><strong>Raiders</strong> 31 Browns 23<br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /><em><strong>Dallas Cowboys @ New England Patriots</strong></em> <br /><br />Tony Romo mite trow four 400 yards against dis crappy Pats secondary, but his teem has no answers for Tom Brady.<br /> <br /><strong>Patriots</strong> 37 Cowboys 28<br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /><em><strong>New Orleans Saints @ Tampa Bay Buccaneers</strong></em> <br /><br />Just when it looked like da Bucs was turning da corner, they laid a egg of shit las week. Dis alloud da Saints two sit on top of da NFC South. New Orleans iz ranked 28th in yards given up per rushing attempt, but rank fourth best in rushing attempts against dem cuz teems are trowing so much trying to play catch up.<br /> <br />Saints quarterback Drew Brees should enjoy facin a dissappointin Buccaneers defense, whose seasun mite be on da line hear.<br /> <br /><strong>Saints</strong> 34 Buccaneers 23<br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /><em><em><strong>Minnesota Vikings @ Chicago Bears</strong></em></em> <br /><br />Get out da No Doz Sunday nite. Dat iz if you dont like smash mouth football in da Black and Blue division. Da Bears knead dis cuz da Packers and Lions are starting to run away in da race for da NFC North title.<br /> <br /><strong>Bears</strong> 24 Vikings 17<br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /><strong><em>Miami Dolphins @ New York Jets</em></strong> <br /><br />Dis piece of crap MNF game iz a perfect reasun da New York City media kneads to shut da fuck up about dere overrated talent and why we knead to start ignoring dese boobs. Capeesh?<br /> <br />Da Jets suck! Mark Sanchez sucks dirty donkey balls and dat Jets defense looks old. Rex Ryan has been gettin his fat mouth closed a lot dis yeer so far. I dunno if he iz puttin his foot in his mouth or his wife's, but he should STFU until he has a reesun to talk.<br /> <br />Da Dolphins basically got Matt Moore and Sage Rosenfels as dere quarterbacks, which aint awesum. Both is sound reserves at best, but we will sea. I tink Miami better run rookie halfback Daniel Thomas 25 times against dat suspect Jets defense.<br /> <br />But da Jets will put 8 in a box cuz dey dont respect da Dolphins quarterbacks, which iz da rite move.<br /> <br /><strong>Jets</strong> 23 Dolphins 14<br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /><strong>Power Rankings</strong> <br /><br />1. Green Bay Packers<br />2. Detroit Lions<br />3. Baltimore Ravens<br />4. Buffalo Bills<br />5. San Francisco 49ers<br />6. New Orleans Saints<br />7. San Diego Chargers<br />8. New England Patriots<br />9. Pittsburgh Steelers<br />10. Washington Redskins<br />11. Tennessee Titans<br />12. Atlanta Falcons<br />13. Oakland Raiders<br />14. Houston Texans<br />15. Tampa Bay Buccaneers<br />16. Chicago Bears<br />17. New York Giants<br />18. New York Jets<br />19. Dallas Cowboys<br />20. Philadelphia Eagles<br />21. Cincinnati Bengals<br />22. Seattle Seahawks<br />23. Minnesota Vikings<br />24. Arizona Cardinals<br />25. Miami Dolphins<br />26. Carolina Panthers<br />27. Jacksonville Jaguars<br />28. Cleveland Browns<br />29. Saint Louis Rams<br />30. Denver Broncos<br />31. Kanas City Chiefs<br />32. Indianapolis Colts<br /> <br /> <br /> <br />OK, I iz outta dis peace! I iz gunna lay down wif dis hunny I met at da bar and have her feed me grapes as I watch da games.<br /> <br />As dey say in Ol' Messico = A.M.F.<br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9YVMiS7i9tE/Tpjob8-_goI/AAAAAAAAAOY/qpJwl0etIKA/s1600/7thstone.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 250px; height: 316px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9YVMiS7i9tE/Tpjob8-_goI/AAAAAAAAAOY/qpJwl0etIKA/s320/7thstone.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5663532098342847106" /></a>3rdStoneFromTheSunhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08885818209425078599noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9114088672380394893.post-72489447726561824012011-10-05T09:01:00.005-04:002011-10-08T00:30:08.647-04:00Incomplete : The 10 Worst Quarterbacks In The NFL Today<strong>Jay Cutler, Chicago Bears</strong><br /><a href="http://larrybrownsports.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/08/jay-cutler-bears-449x303.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px;" src="http://larrybrownsports.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/08/jay-cutler-bears-449x303.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a> <br /><br /><br /><br /><em>129 Interceptions and Fumbles in 72 Games<br />109 Touchdowns Thrown, 61.2 Completion Percentage, 84.0 Quarterback Rating<br />36-36 Record</em><br /><br />When the Denver Broncos selected Cutler in the first round of the 2006 draft, they thought they had their quarterback of the future. Especially after he made the Pro Bowl in 2008.<br /><br />Then the Broncos suddenly traded him to the Chicago Bears for quarterback Kyle Orton, first- and third-round selections in 2009, and a first-round pick in 2010. The reviews on Cutler have been mixed since.<br /><br />His first year in Chicago saw Cutler lead the NFL in interceptions thrown. While he reduced his number of interceptions in 2010, Cutler led the league in number of times sacked and yards lost off those sacks. Though his turnovers decreased, Cutler threw an interceptions seemingly every game with a 4.1 interception percentage with the Bears.<br /><br />While Cutler led the Bears to the 2010 NFC Championship Game last year, he still throws a ton of interceptions. He also endured a wrath of criticism for taking himself out of that championship game after spraining his MCL, even though Bears head coach Lovie Smith stated he made the decision to take bench Cutler.<br /><br />Cutler hasn't really justified that big trade yet, and he has already tossed four interceptions this year. The plus side is that he is entering the second year under offensive coordinator Mike Mart's system. <br /><br />The down side is that the Chicago offensive line has been horrendous at times.. If they improve, giving Cutler more time to throw, perhaps he quarterback will decrease his turnover rate and show Bears fans why their team mortgaged so much of their future on his arm.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><strong>Donovan McNabb, Minnesota Vikings</strong><br /><a href="http://www.pictures.zimbio.com/gi/Donovan+McNabb+Minnesota+Vikings+v+San+Diego+rzRhBXG9GA3l.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px;"src="http://www.pictures.zimbio.com/gi/Donovan+McNabb+Minnesota+Vikings+v+San+Diego+rzRhBXG9GA3l.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a> <br /><br /><br /><br /><em>215 Interceptions and Fumbles in 165 Games<br />234 Touchdowns Thrown, 58.9 Completion Percentage, 85.6 Quarterback Rating<br />97-61-1 Record</em><br /><br />It wasn't long ago quite a few thought McNabb was headed for induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame one day, especially after earning his sixth Pro Bowl in 2009. Then the wheels came off.<br /><br />After being the second overall pick of the 1999 draft by the Philadelphia Eagles, he started six games as a rookie. McNabb then proceeded to carry the franchise on his back the next decade. He is the Eagles all-time leader in career wins, pass attempts, pass completions, passing yards, and passing touchdowns by a quarterback.<br /><br />He was then traded to the Washington Redskins before the 2010 season, where he ended up being benched for the final three weeks of the season. Not only were there whispers that his productive playing days were over, some claimed he was out of shape and couldn't grasp the new offensive system he was playing under.<br /><br />Washington decided to trade McNabb to the Minnesota Vikings at the end of the season. He has continued to struggle, as have the Vikings, to an 0-4 record so far in 2011.<br /><br />His quarterback rating not only has gone down the past two years, but the 15 interceptions McNabb threw last year was a career high mark. He will be 35-years old soon, but some critics are wondering if his days as an NFL starter are about to end sooner than expected.<br /><br />McNabb has endured his share of criticism since being drafted. Not only did a bunch of fans boo his selection that day, but he has had critics question his competence. McNabb has handled everything with dignity and class, and his selection in 1999 rivals Champ Bailey and possibly Torry Holt as the best first round draft pick that year.<br /><br />If Father Time has indeed caught up with McNabb, he won't go down without a fight. He still ranks ranks fourth best all-time in career interception percentage in NFL history. He was the NFC Offensive Player of the Year after leading Philadelphia to Super Bowl XXXIX.<br /><br />History shows quarterbacks nearing the end of great careers mostly never turn it on again, but people like Kurt Warner, Y.A. Tittle and others have showed it does happen. McNabb, who last year said he wanted to play for many more years, and the Vikings certainly hope he has some greatness left in him.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><strong>Alex Smith, San Francisco 49ers</strong><br /><a href="http://cdn.bleacherreport.net/images_root/slides/photos/000/116/071/93020015.jpg.841.0_display_image.jpg?1258222679"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px;"src="http://cdn.bleacherreport.net/images_root/slides/photos/000/116/071/93020015.jpg.841.0_display_image.jpg?1258222679" border="0" alt="" /></a> <br /> <br /><br /><br /><em>91 Interception and Fumbles in 58 Games<br />55 Touchdowns Thrown, 57.7 Completion Percentage, 73.8 Quarterback Rating<br />22-32 Record</em><br /><br />Ever since Smith was the first overall draft pick in 2005, he has been on most lists as the worst starting quarterback in the NFL. He was probably put on the field too early, but the 49ers could not afford to give him time to sit and learn his position.<br /><br />Yet Smith has only lasted a full year at starter once so far. He also may be running out of chances to be the starter, especially since the raw and athletic Colin Kaepernick was drafted this year. It hasn't always been Smith's fault that he he has yet to show why San Francisco drafted him, because he has been sacked 142 times in his career.<br /><br />With the best receivers at his disposel in his career, Smith's 2011 season has seen him complete a career best 67.3 percent of his passes so far. He also has tossed just one interception, despite having no running game so far. New head coach Jim Harbaugh, a former NFL quarterback, has had a positive impact as the 49ers shot out to a 3-1 record.<br /><br />Sometimes it takes a quarterback a few years to learn and get it all down. Canton has men like Len Dawson, Dan Fouts, Bart Starr and others as proof. So there is still a chance Smith can end up having a career comparable to those legends.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><strong>Tavaris Jackson, Seattle Seahawks</strong><br /><a href="http://www.onlinesportshandicapping.com/files/imagecache/article/articles/tarvaris-jackson-seattle-seahawks.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px;"src="http://www.onlinesportshandicapping.com/files/imagecache/article/articles/tarvaris-jackson-seattle-seahawks.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a> <br /><br /><br /><br /><em>44 Interceptions and Fumbles in 40 Games<br />29 Touchdowns Thrown, 59.3 Completion Percentage, 77.2 Quarterback Rating<br />11-13 Record</em><br /><br />Jackson was drafted in second round of the 2006 draft by the Minnesota Vikings. He ended up starting in 19 games his first three season, but stayed on the bench mostly behind Brett Favre the next two. <br /><br />He left Minnesota after 2010 and signed a contract with the Seattle Seahawks. Jackson not only has good receivers like Mike Williams and Kevin Boss, he rejoined former Vikings teammate Sidney Rice. <br /><br />It is his first season in a new system, as well as the first time in his career he is the anointed starter. He already has five touchdown passes, which means he will pass his career high of nine soon if he stays healthy. But Jackson has already tossed four interceptions as well, which has helped the 1-3 Seahawks rank 29th in scoring so far in 2011.<br /><br />Since Seattle can't seem to get their rushing attack going yet, they will rely heavily on Jackson. After being played too early at the beginning of his career, he should be as ready as he might ever be. Jackson's entire career has been played under offensive coordinator Darrell Bevell, so system familiarity will not be a reason to hold him back.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><strong>Rex Grossman, Washington Redskins</strong><br /><a href="http://losthatsportsblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/rex-grossman.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px;" src="http://losthatsportsblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/rex-grossman.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a> <br /><br /><br /><br /><em>71 Interceptions and Fumbles in 45 Games<br />46 Touchdowns Thrown, 54.6 Completion Percentage, 71.8 Quarterback Rating<br />23-15 Record</em><br /><br />The Chicago Bears used a first round draft pick on Grossman in 2003. He did start seven games in his first three seasons, but the Bears started him all of 2006. He played decently as the Bears defense led the team to a Super Bowl before losing.<br /><br />He lost his starting game after seven games the next year, and was released by Chicago after 2007. After sitting on the Houston Texans bench for a season, he followed offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan to the Washington Redskins and ended up starting the final three games of 2010.<br /><br />He is now the starter, but it may not be for long. Grossman still makes innumerous mistakes every game he plays, often forcing passes that often hit the defenders in the chest. Though he is in his ninth season, Grossman often plays like a rookie who has had minimal experience at the quarterback position.<br /><br />With his high turnover rate, it will be interesting to see how long the Redskins will put up with him. They are a team rebuilding, but their 2011 schedule has had some luck in the fact that Washington has faced opponents bereft by injuries already. <br /><br />At their current 3-1 record, it may be unlikely Grossman is benched even though the media has begun whispers a change is on the Redskins horizon. If this happens, it is probably the last legitimate shot Grossman will have as a starting quarterback in the NFL.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><strong>Mark Sanchez, New York Jets</strong><br /><a href="http://media.mlive.com/fantasysports_impact/photo/mark-sanchez-jets-01b794c88fd903d7_medium.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px;" src="http://media.mlive.com/fantasysports_impact/photo/mark-sanchez-jets-01b794c88fd903d7_medium.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a> <br /><br /><br /><br /><em>63 Interceptions and Fumbles in 35 Games<br />35 Touchdowns Thrown, 54.5 Completion Percentage, 71 Quarterback Rating<br />21-14 Record</em><br /><br />Some fair-weathered fans might not like this selection of a guy who played college ball at USC, where he won a national championship, then has led a New York team a game within the Super Bowl each season since the Jets drafted him in the first round of the 2009 draft.<br /><br />They basically gave up a second round draft pick to the Cleveland Browns, along with three players no longer in Cleveland, to get a player who became the first rookie quarterback to start for the franchise since their inaugural season. Both critics and fans of Sanchez have pointed to his lack of collegiate experience since that day.<br /><br />Being a player in a fish bowl like New York is a double-edged sword. While a player may be severely overhyped much of the time, every move made is also met with scrutiny. Sanchez has handled this situation well so far.<br /><br />Some call him a newer version of Trent Dilfer, a quarterback who once rode the Baltimore Ravens running game and defense to a title in 2000. The Jets are similar to that Ravens team in that their rushing game and defense is the main reason they reached the AFC Championship the previous two years.<br /><br />Sanchez still makes a ton of mistakes, but he is in just his third season and was never allowed to sit and learn his position because of the $50 million he was given in 2009. But the Jets are winning, and that is all that matters at the end of the day. No matter who is manning the quarterback position.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><strong>Eli Manning, New York Giants</strong><br /><a href="http://blog.nj.com/giants_impact/2008/01/elimanningeli.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px;" src="http://blog.nj.com/giants_impact/2008/01/elimanningeli.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a> <br /><br /><br /><br /><em>153 Interceptions and Fumbles in 109 Games<br />162 Touchdowns Thrown, 58.2 Completions Percentage, 81.1 Quarterback Rating<br />63-44 Record, Super Bowl XLII Champion and MVP</em><br /><br />Manning made a few waves before he even played in the NFL after the San Diego Chargers used the first pick of the 2004 draft on him. Refusing to play with the Chargers, he was dealt to the New York Giants for Philip Rivers.<br /><br />Manning started seven games as a rookie, splitting the duties with veteran Kurt Warner. The Giants were encouraged enough by Manning's performance to allow Warner to move on to the Arizona Cardinals.<br /><br />While Rivers has gone to three Pro Bowls, as opposed to one for Manning, the Chargers have yet to reach a Super Bowl. Manning, despite leading the NFL in interceptions thrown in 2007, rode a strong rushing attack and smothering defense to Super Bowl XLII.<br /><br />In a game most remember for a 32-yard prayer Manning heaved to David Tyree, who snagged the ball with one hand, the quarterback was awarded the Super Bowl MVP after two short fourth quarter touchdown passes helped New York win 17-14. That is enough legacy for most quarterbacks to hang their hat on.<br /><br />Manning has two areas that both greatly help and sometimes detract from his true abilities. While playing in the fish bowl called New York, he is the little brother of future Hall of Famer Petyon Manning. His family has a rich legacy that carries him and often shades the reality of his skills.<br /><br />Manning is coming off a 2010 season where he led the NFL in interceptions thrown for the second time in his seven seasons. Now entering his eighth year, he has thrown just two so far despite having several teammates hurt and many changes made to the Giants roster.<br /><br />He may be the third best NFL quarterback in his own family, but Manning believes he is an elite player. That confidence will hopefully increase his completion percentage while reducing a high turnover rate.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><strong>Jason Campbell, Oakland Raiders</strong><br /><a href="http://www.1800-sports.com/images/jason-campbell-raiders-qb.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px;" src="http://www.1800-sports.com/images/jason-campbell-raiders-qb.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a> <br /><br /><br /><br /><em>94 Interceptions and Fumbles in 69 Games<br />72 Touchdowns Thrown, 61.1 Completion Percentage, 83 Quarterback Rating<br />29-39 Record</em><br /><br />It has been a wild ride since Campbell began playing college football. It seems he has played in a new system under a new offensive coordinator annually. He has also played behind some porous offensive lines, leaving him vulnerable to being frequently hit.<br /><br />Since being drafted in the first round of the 2005 draft by the Washington Redskins, Campbell has been inundated with tons of plays by several different coaches. He has been reunited with offensive coordinator Al Saunders this year, a man Campbell played under the first two seasons of his career.<br /><br />After starting seven games as a rookie, Campbell has basically started since. He has proven to be pretty tough and durable over this time. He was making progress in Washington, but ended up getting traded for a fourth-round pick to the Oakland Raiders after the Redskins signed free agent Donovan McNabb.<br /><br />He was benched by since fired head coach Tom Cable for three games, all of which Oakland lost, before coming back to lead the Raiders to their best record since 2002. While the Raiders rushing attack has been the star of this team, Campbell has tried to work hard and develop a repertoire with his young wide receivers.<br /><br />It may seem Campbell has been around forever, but he will be only 30-years old soon. Oakland is headed in a good direction and have the right man for the quarterback job, but must get better play from the blockers and receivers to help him out.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><strong>Chad Henne, Miami Dolphins</strong><br /><a href="http://helmet2helmet.net/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/Chad-Henne2.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px;" src="http://helmet2helmet.net/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/Chad-Henne2.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a> <br /><br /><br /><br /><em>37 Interceptions in 36 Games<br />31 Touchdowns Thrown, 60.7 Completion Percentage, 75.7 Quarterback Rating<br />13-18 Record</em><br /><br />Henne was drafted by the Dolphins in the second round of the 2008 draft. After sitting on the bench as a rookie, he has started since. The results have been mixed.<br /><br />While Henne's progress has slightly been slowed by the single-wing formation, also called "Wild Cat," his team frequently ran the first two years of his career, he also continues to make mistakes in his reads. Miami got him an upgrade of receivers to throw to, but his completion percentage had shown no improvement.<br /><br />Despite having a good size and strong arm, his ability to check down to secondary receivers and not force passes to covered receivers has held Henne back. After having veteran coach Dan Henning teach him at the beginning of his career, Henne is now in his first season under Brian Daboll as his offensive coordinator.<br /><br />With head coach Tony Sparano seemingly in his last season with the team, Henne appears to likely to have a new coaching staff in his future. Whether that is with the Dolphins or not will be determined later, as will be his future as a starting quarterback in this league.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><strong>Tim Tebow, Denver Broncos</strong><br /><a href="http://i823.photobucket.com/albums/zz158/only_gators1/tebow-ota-broncos.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px;" src="http://i823.photobucket.com/albums/zz158/only_gators1/tebow-ota-broncos.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a> <br /><br /><br /><em>10 Games Played and Four Turnovers<br />11 Touchdowns Thrown or Rushed, 50 Completion Percentage, 82.1 Quarterback Rating<br />1-2 Record</em><br /><br />How can such an untested youngster make this list? When he is an overhyped entity, courtesy of the media and zealots whose view of him extends beyond the gridiron.<br /><br />Critics say Tebow is basically a fullback at this stage of his career, and Denver has run him 44 times already in a career that started last season after the Broncos used a first round pick to acquire him. Despite a terrible 2011 preseason that obviously showed he isn't ready, his legion of fans cry his name all game.<br /><br />The media has peppered Denver head coach John Fox with more Tebow questions than questions about the Broncos team, exacerbating the hype. Even with the Broncos coaches and players showing support for starting quarterback Kyle Orton, the media and a few fans keep harping on Tebow.<br /><br />Tebow may not be ready until 2013, if the recent preseason was any indication of his progress, but that will not stop the factions who impatiently want him out there now. There used to be a time a quarterback would sit and learn how to be an NFL quarterback, and time is something Tebow needs a lot of.3rdStoneFromTheSunhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08885818209425078599noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9114088672380394893.post-91478293397374437352011-10-02T20:35:00.003-04:002011-10-02T22:38:46.144-04:00NFC East Leading Washington Redskins Head into Bye Week After a Big Win<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RRo9THvol5M/TokHNtDLA_I/AAAAAAAAAOQ/Z3LcWrzmYUI/s1600/torain.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 289px; height: 320px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RRo9THvol5M/TokHNtDLA_I/AAAAAAAAAOQ/Z3LcWrzmYUI/s320/torain.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5659062338780333042" /></a><br /><br /><br />It wasn't pretty, but the Washington Redskins 17-10 victory over the Saint Louis Rams propelled them atop of their division with a 3-1 record heading into their bye week. Though there is no time to celebrate, there has to be some pride of the work this team has put in so far.<br /><br />Expecting to rebuild, general manager Bruce Allen wheeled and dealed during the 2011 draft. Nine of Allen's 12 picks have made the team, and the remaining three are on the practice squad.<br /><br />With their two division rivals losing this week, the Redskins gained percentage points on the 1-3 Philadelphia Eagles, 2-2 Dallas Cowboys and the 3-1 New York Giants. Washington defeated New York already in the first week of the season..<br /><br />The Redskins will prepare for the Eagles in a game two weeks from now, but they also need to use this time to work out some kinks. Critics will point to a soft schedule filled with injured opponents, but any victory attained in the NFL is truly earned.<br /><br />The running game was clicking versus the Rams, something it has done several times since preseason. This time saw Redskins 2010 rushing leader, Ryan Torain, get his first action of the year and rush for 135 yards on just 19 attempts.<br /><br />The passing game is still a work in progress. Quarterback Rex Grossman continues to turn the ball over, something that has been Washington's problem 18 straight games, and he had a series in the third quarter of the Rams game that was frustrating.<br /><br />After Torain carried the Redskins about 40 yards, Redskins offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan reverted to his bad habit of eschewing the run game in favor of the pass. He first had Grossman, not known for nimble feet, roll out to his left, where the quarterback quickly stumbled and began to fall to the ground untouched or without defensive pressure.<br /><br />Grossman tried to thrown across the middle of the field, but a Rams defender dropped a sure interception. Grossman looked a bit lost after that play, causing the Redskins to take a delay of game penalty. Finally getting his team ready, he signaled center Will Montgomery to snap the ball but looked over to a receiver as the ball was hiked.<br /><br />Though no turnovers game on that series, this series of plays killed the drive and forced Washington to punt. These types of moments must be ironed out during the bye week, because the Redskins might not survive such events in another contest.<br /><br />The defense has carried this team, a sight Redskins fans have grown accustomed to over the past many years. The 21 points they allowed in a victory over the Arizona Cardinals in the second week is still the most they have allowed in a contest yet.<br /><br />Ryan Kerrigan and Brian Orakpo are a pair of first round draft that have made seamless transitions from defensive end to outside linebacker. While neither are as good in pass defense as they will be in time, the youngsters are creating havoc on opposing quarterbacks.<br /><br />Middle linebacker London Fletcher is the leader of the defense, and Rocky McIntosh was a terror versus the Rams most of the contest. Washington's linebackers have benefited from stout play by the defensive line, as the front seven is the prime reason for their record.<br /><br />The amazing part of Washington's defensive excellence is that they have done much of it without star strong safety LaRon Landry. Landry was easily the best safety in NFL in 2010 until an injury ended his season after nine games.<br /><br />Landry returned last week, after recovering from a groin injury that had kept him out since training camp, but was seen going into the locker room early in the fourth quarter against St. Louis. He did return to play later on.<br /><br />Getting healthy is obviously a priority of a bye week, so it will be a nice break for some of the Redskins with nagging injuries. The other positive of having the bye week so early is getting it getting it out of the way and plow forward with momentum the rest of the way.<br /><br />Since the NFL implemented the bye week in 1990, seven teams have won the Super Bowl after enjoying an early break. Three more reached it after having their bye week early. The 1993 Dallas Cowboys and Buffalo Bills had two bye weeks that season.<br /><br />So this week is important for many reasons, especially since they are coming off a victory. The Redskins have had time to have their weaknesses exposed and the roster is healthy enough to try to do something about it.<br /><br />If Grossman's prediction that Washington will win the NFC East this season comes true, hammering out the kinks with be needed so they can hopefully keep winning enough games to get into the playoffs. That, as well as good health and fortuitous luck, can help the Redskins continue to shock the critics who expected them to finish last in their division this year.3rdStoneFromTheSunhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08885818209425078599noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9114088672380394893.post-62509039432256322192011-10-01T22:26:00.003-04:002011-10-02T00:10:28.108-04:00NFL 2011 Week 4 Predictions and Power Rankings<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vKY-A764xrQ/TofV22r5mCI/AAAAAAAAAOI/drzqhAHSMzs/s1600/sav.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 277px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vKY-A764xrQ/TofV22r5mCI/AAAAAAAAAOI/drzqhAHSMzs/s320/sav.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5658726595183613986" /></a><br /><br /><strong><em>Detroit Lions @ Dallas Cowboys</em></strong><br /><br />You have to admire the Cowboys victory last week, considering they are so banged up along their roster. Still, kicking six field goals will not get it done against Detroit.<br /><br /><strong>Lions</strong> 27 Cowboys 20<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /> <br /> <br /> <br /><strong><em>New Orleans Saints @ Jacksonville Jaguars</em></strong><br /><br />The Saints cannot stop the run and the Jaguars best player is halfback Maurice Jones-Drew. Yet, in case you haven't noticed, Drew Brees is on fire.<br /><br /><strong>Saints</strong> 30 Jaguars 16<br /><br /><br /> <br /> <br /> <br /><strong><em>Tennessee Titans @ Cleveland Browns</em></strong><br /><br />Chris Johnson has only 98 yards on 48 carries, showing why training camp is so important. But that Titans defense has carried the club, ranking first in the NFL in yards allowed and second in points given up.<br /><br />Cleveland isn't doing much offensively yet, but their pass defense is ranked third best in the NFL in passing yards allowed. If Johnson stinks again, the Browns will have an advantage.<br /><br /><strong>Titans</strong> 20 Browns 17<br /><br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /><strong><em>Buffalo Bills @ Cincinnati Bengals</em></strong><br /><br />Who here predicted the Buffalo Bills would start the season 3-0? How about 4-0?<br /><br /><strong>Bills</strong> 24 Bengals 20<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /> <br /> <br /><strong><em>Washington Redskins @ Saint Louis Rams</em></strong> <br /><br />The Rams will be happy to have star halfback Steven Jackson back in this must-win game against the Redskins. Washington has given up 252 yards on 41 carries to Ahmad Bradshaw, Beanie Wells and Felix Jones the previous three weeks.<br /><br />That fact, and the fact opponents can always rely on Redskins quarterback Rex Grossman to make several key boneheaded plays each week, might be enough to get Saint Louis their first win this season.<br /><br /><strong>Rams</strong> 20 Redskins 17<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /> <br /> <br /><strong><em>San Francisco 49ers @ Philadelphia Eagles</em></strong><br /><br />Frank Gore has struggled to just 148 yards on 59 carries so far. This hurts because the 49ers have one of the NFL's worst starting quarterbacks in Alex Smith. If Gore cannot produce against a beat up Eagles squad that is 30th in run defense, they have no shot.<br /><br />The Niners are dead last amongst all NFL teams in yards gained, so the Eagles star-studded secondary might have to swipe a few of Smith's mistakes and carry their team to victory.<br /><br /><strong>Eagles</strong> 23 49ers 20<br /><br /><br /><br /> <br /> <br /> <br /><strong><em>Minnesota Vikings @ Kansas City Chiefs</em></strong><br /><br />This might be interesting only in the fact that it could be the last time Donovan McNabb starts in his career. The Vikings cannot continue to sit back and watch him play poorly, or the season will soon be lost.<br /><br /><strong>Vikings</strong> 27 Chiefs 17<br /><br /><br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /><strong><em>Pittsburgh Steelers @ Houston Texans</em></strong><br /><br />Houston's defense looked like it was back in 2010 last week by coughing up 40 points after having given up just 20 total the previous two weeks. The offense, led by halfback Ben Tate, already has 90 points scored.<br /><br />Pittsburgh isn't scoring yet, getting just 54 points so far, but the defense has given up just 55 in three weeks. Their 2-1 record has been aided by playing two lousy teams the past few weeks.<br /><br />This is a statement game for both. Houston needs to show they are the cream of the AFC South crop, as many have predicted they will be this season. Pittsburgh needs to prove they are still strong Super Bowl contenders, as well as disprove the recent whispers they are an aging team in many important areas.<br /><br />Houston needs to generate a pass rush against a beat up Steelers offensive line. Texans defensive coordinator Wade Phillips may have a few special blitz packages drawn up for outside linebacker Mario Williams, especially since Houston has quite a few defenders dinged up with injuries.<br /><br />The vaunted Steelers run defense has yet to play well, so they need to step up the week. Not only will they have Tate to deal with, 2010 rushing champion Arian Foster will see his first action this year. So it comes down to if experience Pittsburgh has will prevail over the inexperienced Texans.<br /><br /><strong>Texans</strong> 24 Steelers 21<br /><br /><br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /><strong><em>Carolina Panthers @ Chicago Bears</em></strong><br /><br />Carolina does not run the ball, just relying on Cam Newton to pass practically every play. This lack of offensive balance should play nicely into the Bears wily defense.<br /><br /><strong>Bears</strong> 30 Panthers 24<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /> <br /> <br /> <br /><strong><em>Atlanta Falcons @ Seattle Seahawks</em></strong><br /><br />Disappointing is how you could term both of these 1-2 teams. Neither have yet to play as many expected, but the Seahawks offensive woes will be the difference here.<br /><br /><strong>Falcons</strong> 28 Seahawks 17<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /> <br /> <br /> <br /><strong><em>New York Giants @ Arizona Cardinals</em></strong><br /><br />Kevin Kolb has had sufficient time to break in with the Big Red. Now is his time to show why Arizona gave up so much to acquire him.<br /><br /><strong>Cardinals</strong> 31 Giants 28<br /><br /><br /><br /> <br /> <br /> <br /><strong><em>Denver Broncos @ Green Bay Packers</em></strong><br /><br />Is there any doubt who wins?<br /><br /><strong>Packers</strong> 37 Broncos 20<br /><br /><br /><br /> <br /> <br /> <br /><em><strong>New England Patriots @ Oakland Raiders</strong><br />Game of the Week</em><br /><br />Oakland has the best rushing attack in the NFL, and are ranked the sixth best in points made. Their defense, however, is near the bottom of the league in many categories.<br /><br />New England has the best passing attack in the NFL, but they too have a defense ranked near the bottom of the NFL in many categories and they will not have the services of starting defensive end Albert Haynesworth this week. Both teams also share the surprising distinction of losing to the Buffalo Bills late in the game.<br /><br />Both teams need to win to keep from falling in their division. While the Raiders do not play in nearly as talented a division as the Patriots, this game could mean a lot later in the season to both squads.<br /><br />It comes down to if the Raiders can stop the pass or the Patriots stop the run. It also may come down to the final play.<br /><br /><strong>Patriots</strong> 38 Raiders 35<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /> <br /> <br /> <br /><strong><em>Miami Dolphins @ San Diego Chargers</em></strong><br /><br />The Dolphins were great on defense but lousy on offense in 2010. Now those roles have reversed. San Diego can score, but their defense has been erratic.<br /><br />This could be a high scoring affair, but the Bolts have the edge of experience for these types of games.<br /><br /><strong>Chargers</strong> 34 Dolphins 31<br /><br /><br /><br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /><strong><em>New York Jets @ Baltimore Ravens</em></strong><br /><br />The Ravens season has started pretty good, but not great. They rank 13th in the NFL in both yards gained and allowed. While their defense has given up the fewest points in the league, the offense ranks eighth in most points scored.<br /><br />Jets head coach Rex Ryan knows this team well, having been the Ravens defensive coordinator just a few years ago. But his own vaunted defense is struggling much more than expected, ranking 31st in rushing yards allowed and 12th in points scored upon.<br /><br />Ray Rice and Ricky Williams will need to have good games here. Both teams will keep it close until the final seconds.<br /><br /><strong>Ravens</strong> 16 Jets 13 <br /><br /><br /> <br /> <br /><strong><em>Indianapolis Colts @ Tampa Bay Buccaneers</em></strong><br /><br />It really doesn't matter if Curtis Painter or Whistler's Mother plays quarterback, the Colts just plain stink without Peyton Manning.<br /><br /><strong>Buccaneers</strong> 27 Colts 10<br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /><strong>Power Rankings</strong> <br /> <br />1. Green Bay Packers<br />2. Detroit Lions <br />3. Buffalo Bills<br />4. Baltimore Ravens <br />5. Houston Texans <br />6. Pittsburgh Steelers <br />7. Tennessee Titans <br />8. Tampa Bay Buccaneers <br />9. Oakland Raiders<br />10. New England Patriots<br />11. San Diego Chargers <br />12. New Orleans Saints <br />13. New York Jets <br />14. Atlanta Falcons <br />15. New York Giants<br />16. Dallas Cowboys <br />17. Philadelphia Eagles <br />18. Chicago Bears <br />19. Washington Redskins <br />20. San Francisco 49ers <br />21. Seattle Seahawks <br />22. Cleveland Browns <br />23. Carolina Panthers <br />24. Miami Dolphins<br />25. Jacksonville Jaguars <br />26. Arizona Cardinals <br />27. Cincinnati Bengals <br />28. Minnesota Vikings <br />29. Saint Louis Rams <br />30. Denver Broncos <br />31. Indianapolis Colts<br />32. Kansas City Chiefs3rdStoneFromTheSunhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08885818209425078599noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9114088672380394893.post-30267987417023656702011-09-30T20:12:00.004-04:002011-09-30T21:37:38.526-04:00NFL 2011 Week 4 : Washington Redskins 5 Keys To Beating the St. Louis Rams<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-h2DJBiI9ybI/ToZdEgCxV7I/AAAAAAAAAOA/3aoUmnqMHeI/s1600/chris-cooley.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 234px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-h2DJBiI9ybI/ToZdEgCxV7I/AAAAAAAAAOA/3aoUmnqMHeI/s320/chris-cooley.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5658312313740023730" /></a><br /><br /><strong>Lick Your Wounds</strong> <br /><br />Losing to your rival hurts, but the pain runs deeper when you know the loss was your own fault. Poor play was seen in a lot of places for the Washington Redskins last week. Gambling on three straight all-out blitzes with the game on the line, the Redskins gave up the big play that ultimately helped them lose the game.<br /> <br />Facing the Saint Louis Rams this week, getting back to basics may be the key to victory. They will face a team that has had difficulty stopping the run this season, so they might need to hand off the ball to Tim Hightower and Roy Helu more than the 19 times they did last week.<br /> <br />While the Redskins defense is ranked fifth best in the NFL in points allowed, their run defense of 11th in rushing yards allowed is deceptive. If you look at the numbers of their three previous opponents top running backs, Ahmad Bradshaw, Beanie Wells and Felix Jones, you can see they have given up 252 yards on only 41 carries against the trio.<br /> <br />Steven Jackson is a much better running back than those three, as well as more versatile a player. He got off to a fast start by running for 56 yards on two carries before being hurt. He returned to very limited duty last week, but still got 23 yards on four carries against an excellent Baltimore Ravens defense.<br /> <br />If he is ready to go at full speed, the Redskins need to keep Jackson off the field as much as possible. This can be done by running the ball well and controlling the clock, while praying their erratic quarterback doesn't suffer another of his frequent brain locks by making throws he should never attempt.<br /> <br />Hightower has already been handling the ball more than he ever has since becoming a pro in 2008. Helu has been quite a find since Washington drafted him in the fourth round this year. Now may the time to get Ryan Torain his first rushing attempts of 2011, especially since he ran for 742 yards in 10 games last season.<br /> <br />Washington has to pick themselves up and dust themselves off. They will get another crack at the Dallas Cowboys just before Thanksgiving, so the Redskins need to focus now on the St. Louis Rams and head into the bye feeling good about themselves. <br /> <br /> <br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><strong>Reality Check</strong> <br /><br />Washington should be undefeated right now, especially when they prepare to face the Philadelphia Eagles after they get their bye week out of the way. They defeated a beat up New York Giants team that has improved some after the first game. After defeating a Arizona Cardinals squad getting acquainted with a new quarterback, they laid an egg against an injured Dallas Cowboys.<br /> <br />Dallas had an offense in disarray, but Washington quarterback Rex Grossman looked uncomfortable all game and the team once again had difficulties in the red zone. This hurt especially because the Cowboys run defense was stout.<br /> <br />Dallas was barely averaging two yards per carry heading into their contest versus Washington, but Felix Jones ran for 115 yards on just 14 carries. Tony Romo played with broken ribs and his top wide receiver hurt, but he still got the team to win with just six field goals<br /> <br />Growing pains are expected when a team rebuilds, like the Redskins are. Though there is a big infusion of youth on the team, as opposed to the 2010 roster, there are more than enough pro veterans to keep Washington moving in a forward direction.<br /> <br />This game may have a bigger impact on the 2011 season than some may think. Heading into a bye week with another loss can hurt moral in the locker room and have fans hoping for some changes made to the lineup. Grossman's starting job could be on the line this week, especially if he continues to play like he did last week.<br /> <br />A win here may get the team fired up and working hard with a chip on their shoulders in the bye week. As they head down the road of 2011, Washington doesn't seem to have a difficult opponents until week 12 against the New York Jets. The games before then are very winnable, so positive momentum can be attained with a resounding win over the Rams this Sunday.<br /> <br /> <br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><strong>Cool It</strong> <br /><br />It was really great having tight end Chris Cooley back in the Redskins lineup. Not just for his abilities, but his leadership certainly boosts moral.<br /> <br />He gutted it out for a few games as he tried to recover from a knee injury that kept him out of preseason games, but the two-time Pro Bowler had a good game last week. He was needed since Fred Davis was limited to one reception.<br /> <br />The eight-year pro quietly passed the legendary Jerry Smith, who belongs in the Pro Football Hall of Fame, for the most receptions ever by a Redskins tight end in the first week of 2011.<br /> <br />Cooley caught a season high four passes for 41 yards last week, but he also ran the ball twice for the first time in his career. One rushing attempt resulted in a first down.<br /> <br />With Cooley seemingly back, he should get back to his typical output. Besides his rookie year and 2009 season, which was limited to seven games due to injury, Cooley has not had fewer than 57 receptions. He always to be in the right place for his quarterback, allowing Washington to move the chains.<br /> <br />Davis has slimmed down and gotten in the best shape of his life, so he can split the seam like few tight ends can. He is reminiscent of Smith in that area, because Smith was known for frequently getting deep down the field for big catches. Davis is averaging 17.8 yards on his 12 receptions.<br /> <br />But Cooley is a wily player who has used smarts, innate instincts and his athletic ability to burn defenses for years. He is the most reliable receiver Washington has, so hopefully there will be a heavy dosage of balls thrown his way for the rest of the season.<br /> <br /> <br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><strong>Kick 'Em While They're Down</strong> <br /><br />The Rams may have been hurt by the players lockout like no other team. They are a young team, so the limited reps in a truncated training camp has done them no favors.<br /> <br />Injuries have blasted this team instantly. Star halfback Steven Jackson got hurt after the first game, but is expected back Sunday from a quad injury. His backup, Cadillac Williams, is slowed by a hamstring injury.<br /> <br />The Rams top receiver, Danny Amendola, may not be ready to go after hurting his elbow in the first game of the year. Their top cornerback, Ron Bartell, is out for the year. They key losses have hurt the winless Rams.<br /> <br />Saint Louis is last in the NFL in rushing yards allowed, and second to last in total yards and points allowed. While Williams has done a good job in Jackson's place, the passing game has not done well. Saint Louis ranks 29th in points scored, so getting points has proven to be difficult for quarterback Sam Bradford.<br /> <br />Right tackle Jason Smith has been hobbled by an ankle injury, causing the second overall pick in the 2009 draft to be benched last week. The Rams need him to help an offensive line that is full of more talent than most others in the league.<br /> <br />The Rams have won nine of 31 regular season matchups against Washington, but this is the eighth time they have met since 2000. Saint Louis has won three of their last four games against the Redskins, losing 9-7 in 2009. They won 30-16 last year.<br /> <br />Washington will be facing not only a team desperate to win finally in 2011, they will face a Rams team that is confident that they can win. The Redskins need to defeat a team that is attempting to get off the snide after injuries held them back, or they will be disappointed heading into their bye week at 2-2.<br /> <br /> <br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><strong>Warm Up The Bullpen</strong><br /><br />Rex Grossman's gross play last Monday is a big reason the Redskins are no longer undefeated. He is in his third season under offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan's system, but the ninth-year pro plays often like a rookie who is entering his first NFL game ever.<br /><br /><br />Grossman has not only tossed three interceptions his first three games, he has already taken eight sacks and fumbled the football twice. He has gotten away with a lot of poorly thrown balls that are usually intercepted, and he most likely got away with another fumble last week.<br /><br /><br />When you are a team that is a week away from getting their bye week finished, a strong start is needed. Especially when your team that has a ton of changes in your roster and is trying to remain competitive while rebuilding. This kind of team cannot afford to have a quarterback playing like a chicken with their head cut off.<br /><br /><br />Shanahan cannot allow the offensive to wallow for sixty minutes under incompetent leadership another week. Grossman has done nothing to prove he deserves to keep a job he barely won in training camp, helped by circumstances more than actual production.<br /><br /><br />John Beck had legendary Redskins quarterback Joe Theismann's support during preseason. Theismann said Washington would go with Beck, but Shanahan went with Grossman.<br /><br /><br />It is not to say Washington would have even two wins with Beck at the helm right now, because all of that is unknown for a quarterback who hasn't played since he suited up as a rookie for a horrible Miami Dolphins squad in 2007.<br /><br /><br />But you know what you get with the "Rex Hex." Gross play flooded with tons of turnovers and even more poor decisions. This is is given by an unathletic quarterback who is as mobile as a statue and so short he seemingly gets at least a few attempts batted down each contest. There is a reason he has been a journeyman bench warmer most of his career.<br /><br /><br />If the gross play continues against the Rams, the plug has to be pulled on Grossman. Put Beck in and see what he can do. If promise is shown, Washington can use their bye week to get the rest of the offense more in sync with a mobile quarterback who is a better athlete.<br /><br /><br />Whether than means whether Beck is a better quarterback or not would be determined on the field of play.3rdStoneFromTheSunhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08885818209425078599noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9114088672380394893.post-16533345991971715652011-09-29T16:15:00.003-04:002011-09-29T17:16:37.616-04:00NFL Mistakes : 11 Players Who Teams Regret Giving Up On<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DAHgkcoTm-s/ToTSdmUTWqI/AAAAAAAAAN4/TFMtliwqly8/s1600/lebeau_dick_011.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 272px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DAHgkcoTm-s/ToTSdmUTWqI/AAAAAAAAAN4/TFMtliwqly8/s320/lebeau_dick_011.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5657878437827926690" /></a><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;"><br />Dick LeBeau</span><br /><br />LeBeau was a fifth round draft pick of the Cleveland Browns in the 1959 draft, the was the 58th player picked overall. LeBeau did not make the Browns team, and was cut in training camp. He would then be picked up by the Detroit Lions.<br /> <br />He played six games in his rookie year, mostly on special teams, did recover the first fumble of his career that season. In 1960, LeBeau earned the starting job at cornerback opposite newly acquired Hall of Famer Dick "Night Train" Lane. The Lions defense also had Hall of Fame middle linebacker Joe Schmidt, Hall of Fame safety Yale Lary. Pro Bowl defensive tackle Alex Karras and Pro Bowl safety Terry Barr.<br /> <br />LeBeau picked off four passes his initial season. The next three seasons, LeBeau and Lane formed the best cornerback tandem in the NFL. LeBeau picked off four balls in 1962. He scored the first two touchdowns of his career that year, by interception and fumble recovery.<br /> <br />In 1963, LeBeau picked off five passes and returned them for 158 yards. He also returned one interception 70 yards for a touchdown. LeBeau would then make his first of 3 consecutive Pro Bowl appearances in 1964. That season also marked Lary's last in the NFL, and Lane played only seven games. LeBeau still managed five interceptions that year.<br /> <br />The 1965 season was the last year for both Lane and Schmidt. LeBeau picked off seven passes and returned one for the last touchdown of his career. LeBeau's last Pro Bowl season was in 1966, when he intercepted four passes.<br /> <br />LeBeau picked off four passes in 1967 by bookending Hall of Fame cornerback Lem Barney. He did this while under new head coach, and former teammate, Joe Schmidt. LeBeau and Barney would then team up for the next three years as one of the best cornerback tandems in the league. <br /> <br />The 1970 season saw LeBeau have a career high nine interceptions. At 34-years old in 1971, LeBeau would intercept six passes. The 1972 season would be the last year as a Detroit Lion for LeBeau and Schmidt. LeBeau was moved to free safety that year, and would not intercept a pass for the first time since his rookie season.<br /> <br />LeBeau only retired from the NFL as a player after 1972. He went into coaching in 1973 for the Philadelphia Eagles as a Secondary Coach. He stayed with the team until 1975. He then held the same duties with the Green Bay Packers from 1976 to 1979.<br /> <br />In 1980, he moved to the Cincinnati Bengals. He served as their secondary coach and a defensive coordinator with the Bengals until 1991. LeBeau then served as the Defensive Coordinator for the Pittsburgh Steelers from 1992 to 1996.<br /> <br />This is when LeBeau would gain notoriety for inventing the now commonly used "Zone Blitz" defense. The Steelers defense featured such greats as Hall of Fame cornerback Rod Woodson, Pro Bowl linebackers Greg Lloyd, Hardy Nickerson, Levon Kirkland, Chad Brown, Kevin Greene, Jason Gildon and strong safety Carnell Lake. They would go to the Super Bowl after the 1995 season.<br /> <br />In 1997, LeBeau returned to the Bengals as a defensive coordinator. He would then be named head coach of the Bengals in 2000, holding that job until 2002. LeBeau then worked for the Buffalo Bills in 2003.<br /> <br />He returned to the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2004, and is still the defensive coordinator of the Steelers today. In 2005, the Steelers won Super Bowl XL. LeBeau is one of the most respected coaches in NFL history and is called "Coach Dad" by his players.<br /> <br />Dick LeBeau's playing career alone may have had him inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2010. He is the first player from the 1959 NFL Draft to make it into Canton. He is a member of the Detroit Lions Legends and his 62 interceptions are the most in the history of the Lions. <br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Dave Butz</span><br /><a href="http://www.footballdiner.com/davebutz.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px;" src="http://www.footballdiner.com/davebutz.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a> <br /><br />Butz was the fifth overall selection of the 1971 draft, chosen by the Saint Louis Cardinals. His career got off to positive beginnings, as he started 10 of the 12 games he played as a rookie.<br /><br />Then Butz suffered a devastating knee injury of the first game of the 1972 season. The Cardinals believed his playing days were over, so they released him. The Washington Redskins quickly signed the huge defensive tackle.<br /><br />After being brought along slowly by Hall of Fame head coach George Allen, where Butz started in 16 of the 40 games he appeared in over three seasons, he was elevated to a starters job in 1978. He would remain there the next 11 seasons.<br /><br />Being 6'7" 291, he was an immovable object in the middle of the defense. While stuffing running backs was his specialty, Butz also batted down a ton of passing attempts. If that wasn't enough of a distraction for opposing quarterbacks, he was also a good pass rusher despite drawing multiple blockers most plays.<br /><br />The 1983 season is considered his finest year. Butz was named to his only Pro Bowl and First Team All-Pro nod after being named the NFL Defensive Player of the Year by the Kansas City Committee 101, an award chosen by 101 NFL sportswriters and sportscasters. He had a career best 11.5 quarterback sacks that season.<br /><br />He was the Redskins model of consistency. After becoming a starter, he missed three games in 11 years. Butz missed five total in his 14 years with the Redskins. Besides having 59.5 career sacks, which is most ever by a Washington defensive tackle, his 203 games played is the fourth most in franchise history.<br /><br />Dave Butz is a member of the NFL's 1980s All-Decade Team. Not only did he constantly make the Cardinals regret giving up on him, Butz made Redskins fans joyful by helping their team win two Super Bowls. He is one of the 70 Greatest Redskins ever.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Lou Creekmur</span><br /><a href="http://www.customauthenticjerseys.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/07/detroit-lions-hall-of-famer-lou-creekmur.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px;" src="http://www.customauthenticjerseys.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/07/detroit-lions-hall-of-famer-lou-creekmur.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a> <br /><br />Creekmur lasted until the 26th round of the 1948 draft when the Philadelphia Eagles used the 243rd pick on him. He did not make the team, so he was out of football until 1950.<br /> <br />The Detroit Lions offered him a tryout that year, which turned out to be a great move. He earned a starting job at left guard that season and went to the first of eight consecutive Pro Bowls. The 1951 season saw him honored as First Team All-Pro, something he would garner in six of the next seven years.<br /> <br />Creekmur moved to left tackle in 1952, where he would stay the rest of his career. While noted as a fierce run blocker, he was equally exceptional pass blocking. He kept Hall of Fame quarterback Bobby Layne upright.<br /> <br />Layne also happened to be a player Detroit got from another team off that 1948 draft. He was selected by the Chicago Bears with the third overall pick that year, who would trade him one year later to the New York Bulldogs. He was traded to the Lions the following season.<br /> <br />Layne was known for taking his linemen out each week for expensive dinners to thank them for keeping him healthy. Creekmur would later note that Layne was his favorite quarterback to protect.<br /> <br />Detroit would go to four title games and win three of them behind Creekmur. He retired after the 1958 season, but was coaxed back in 1959 to play eight straight games despite not having any time to practice and get in shape. He retired permanently after that season.<br /> <br />Not only is Creekmur inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, his six First Team All-Pro nods are the most ever by a Lions offensive lineman. It is also tied with Hall of Famers Barry Sanders and Dutch Clark as the most ever by an offensive player in that franchises long history.<br /> <br />Lou Creekmur is the best blocker in Lions history and his toughness is legendary. Creekmur broke his nose 13 times playing football, but he never missed a game and always was great. Not bad for a guy who nobody wanted on their team for the first few years he was out of college.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">George Blanda</span><br /><a href="http://static.foxsports.com/content/fscom/img/2010/09/27/4_20100927163133_338_225.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px;" src="http://static.foxsports.com/content/fscom/img/2010/09/27/4_20100927163133_338_225.JPG" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br />Blanda was a 12th round draft pick of the Chicago Bears in the 1949 draft. His final two seasons pf college football was played under legendary coach Bear Bryant. Blanda is a member of the University of Kentucky Hall of Fame.<br /> <br />Blanda then went on to play pro football under NFL founder and Hall of Famer George Halas. The two did not get along.<br /> <br />Blanda was given $600 to sign with the Bears, but Halas took the money back after Blanda made the team.<br />He kicked, punted, and quarterbacked his rookie year. Blanda started the next season with the Baltimore Colts, but found himself back on the Bears for the final 11 games of that season.<br /> <br />While mainly used as a kicker for three years, he spent the 1951 season also playing linebacker. Blanda intercepted the only pass of his career that season.<br /> <br />Blanda earned the starting job at quarterback in 1953, and led the NFL in attempts and completions. He started seven games the next year, and led the NFL in yards gained-per-games played.<br /> <br />He would accomplish that feat two more times in the AFL. Blanda was then mainly used as a kicker until 1958. He decided to retire because of his difficulties with Halas.<br /> <br />He said that Halas no longer seemed interested in the NFL and the game had passed him by. Blanda was quoted to have said, "Halas was too cheap to even buy me a kicking shoe."<br /> <br />After sitting out of the 1959 season, Blanda decided to play for the expansion Houston Oilers in the fledgling American Football League. The Oilers would go on to win the first AFL Championship with Blanda at the helm.<br /> <br />The Oilers repeated as AFL Champions the next year, as Blanda was named to his first All Pro team while leading the AFL in passing yards, touchdowns, and several other categories. He also set a record for fewest receiving yards in a career, when he caught a pass for negative 16 yards.<br /> <br />He would be named an All-Pro the next two seasons as well. He led the AFL in attempts and completions from 1963 to 1965. Blanda also led the AFL in interceptions thrown from 1962 to 1965.<br /> <br />At 40-years old, Blanda joined the Oakland Raiders in 1967. He was named to his last All Pro team, this time as a kicker, helping the Raiders get to Super Bowl II.<br /> <br />He led the league in extra points attempted and made in four of his first eight seasons with Oakland. He led the NFL in scoring in 1967 with 116 points, and had a career high 117 points the following year.<br /> <br />His biggest year in Oakland was in 1970, when he would be named the Bert Bell Award winner for Player of the Year. Blanda had actually been released for a short time in preseason, but was quickly brought back.<br /> <br />That season, Blanda had to come off the bench four times to replace Darryl Lamonica, the starter, due to injury. Blanda led the Raiders to three comeback wins and a tie.<br /> <br />He then had the come in for an injured Lamonica during the AFC Championship game. He booted a 48-yard field goal, and went 17-32 for 271 yards and two touchdowns, but the Raiders fell to the eventual Super Bowl Champion Baltimore Colts.<br /> <br />In 1973, at 46-years old, Blanda scored 100 points. He then retired after the 1975 season at 48-years old.<br />Many fans may know that the Hall of Famer Blanda retired with an then-NFL record 2002 points, but he also holds several other records.<br /> <br />He shares the record for seven touchdown passes in a game, owns the record for most seasons played, and most seasons scoring a point (26). He's also the first player in history to score over 2,000 points, the oldest person to ever play in the NFL and in a title game. Blanda has thrown the most interceptions in a season.<br /> <br />He still has attempted and made the most extra points ever. While playing the fourth most games ever, he still has the fifth most points scored ever. His 26 seasons played and most years of scoring a point are also records.<br /> <br />Brett Favre broke his record of 277 interception in 2007, and Drew Bledsoe broke his record of 68 passing attempts in a game during the 1994 season.<br /> <br />George Blanda is truly one of the legends of the game of football, as a kicker and quarterback. Many Raiders will always remember him coming off the bench and leading Oakland to thrilling victories. <br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Timmy Brown</span><br /><a href="http://cdn.bleacherreport.net/images_root/slides/photos/000/839/303/4c561c9b8bfd3364e9c2c96b2f3a38c53d9b1b95_original_display_image.jpg?1302129231 "><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px;" src="http://cdn.bleacherreport.net/images_root/slides/photos/000/839/303/4c561c9b8bfd3364e9c2c96b2f3a38c53d9b1b95_original_display_image.jpg?1302129231 " border="0" alt="" /></a> <br /><br />Brown was a 27th round draft pick by the Green Bay Packers in the 1959 draft. He only was on the roster for one game in his rookie year, and did not accumulate any stats.<br /> <br />He then joined the Philadelphia Eagles the next year. He played very sparingly, but did have a 79-yard kick return on 11 attempts.<br /> <br />The 1961 season would be the year Brown got his chance. He led the NFL with 29 kickoff returns and 811 yards. He scored on a 105-yard return, which still stands as an Eagles franchise record and is the seventh longest in NFL history. He also scored the only punt return touchdown of his career on just eight returns.<br /> <br />Brown led the NFL in all-purpose yards in 1962 and 1963. In 1962, Brown caught 50 balls and averaged an impressive 16.3 yards per catch.<br /> <br />He led the NFL in kickoff returns and kickoff return yards in 1963, with 33 attempts for a career high 945 yards. He was also named to the Pro Bowl from 1962 to 1965.<br /> <br />He led the league with a yards per rushing average of 5.4 yards per carry, as he ran for a career high 861 yards in 1965. Brown became the first ever to score on two kickoff returns in one game during the 1966 season, which is still a NFL record that he shares with nine others.<br /> <br />Brown got injured in the seventh game in 1967 and missed the rest of the year. He joined the Baltimore Colts the next year, and helped the Colts win the NFL Championship before they went on to lose in Super Bowl III. He retired after that season and has enjoyed a fine acting career. Brown was in both the movie and TV version of M*A*S*H.<br /> <br />Timmy Brown rushed for 3,862 yards and 31 touchdowns, while catching 235 passes for 3,399 yards and 26 additional scores. His 14.5 yards per catch is very impressive for a running back, and he also averaged 26 yards on 184 kickoff returns. Brown's five career kickoff return touchdowns is tied for the eighth most in NFL history.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Don Maynard</span><br /><a href="http://nyjetsfuelblog.files.wordpress.com/2010/07/a.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px;" src="http://nyjetsfuelblog.files.wordpress.com/2010/07/a.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br />Maynard was drafted in the ninth round of the 1957 draft by the New York Giants. Though he did not make the team that year, he did play the next year for the Giants. He was used as a return specialist mostly, taking 24 punts and 11 kickoffs for 401 yards. Maynard also caught five passes and ran the ball a career best 12 times as a reserve halfback.<br /> <br />He was released after that season, so Maynard joined the Hamilton Tiger-Cats of the Canadian Football League in 1959. The fledgling American Football League was born the next year, so Maynard left the CFL to join the New York Titans.<br /> <br />He was teamed up with felow wide receiver Art Powe. Powe, who is a member of the AFL's All-Time Team, was another receiver rejected by the NFL the year before. Powe had been an 11th-round pick of the Philadelphia Eagles, but was also just used as a return specialist.<br /> <br />The duo lit up the AFL for the three years they teamed up. Powe had 204 catches over that time, leading the league in receiving yards and touchdown catches once, before going to play with the Oakland Raiders.<br /> <br />Maynard was equally as dangerous, grabbing 171 balls for 1,935 yards and 22 scores over that time. The Titans weren't a very good team, so the franchise was often on the verge of bankruptcy trying to compete against the Giants in the same city.<br /> <br />Renamed the Jets in 1963, the franchises fortunes began to change for the better after drafting future Hall of Fame quarterback Joe Namath. He and Maynard soon developed an excellent repertoire and Namath often looked the way of his favorite receiver when the team needed yards most.<br /> <br />Making his first Pro Bowl in 1965, Maynard led the AFL with a career best 14 touchdown receptions. Namath became the first quarterback to throw for over 4,000 yards in 1967, and Maynard's career best 1,434 yards and 102.4 yards receiving yards per game, both of which led the league, was a big reason why. He also averaged 20.2 yards on 71 receptions while scoring 10 times.<br /> <br />This set the stage for the Jets magical 1968 season. Maynard led the AFL with a career best 22.8 yards per catch average, while also leading the league with a 99.8 yards receiving per game average. He piled up 1,297 yards and caught 10 touchdown passes.<br /> <br />In the 1968 AFL Championship, Maynard burned the Oakland Raiders secondary for 118 yards on six receptions. Not only did he score the first touchdown of the contest, he also scored the last. That latter touchdown won the game for the Jets 27-23.<br /> <br />The Jets then faced the NFL's Baltimore Colts in Super Bowl III. Tired of hearing the media constantly tell him the Colts would dominate, Namath made his famous guarantee that his team would win. Baltimore was so intent on stopping Maynard, Namath used him as a decoy and targeted George Sauer instead.<br /> <br />While Maynard did not touch the football, the strategy worked. New York won 16-7, an important moment in AFL history that ultimately forced a merger between the leagues. It is still the only championship season in Jets history.<br /> <br />The 1969 season was not only Maynard's last Pro Bowl year, it was his only First Team All-Pro nod. He averaged 20 yards on 47 receptions. His production began to decline over the next three years, so he joined the Saint Louis Cardinals in 1973.<br /> <br />After one catch in two games, he joined the Houston Texans of the World Football League in 1974. The Texans were later renamed the Shreveport Steamers because the WFL was struggling financially. He retired after that season.<br /> <br />Not only is Maynard inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, he is a member of the AFL's All-Time Team. Maynard is one of 20 players to play the entire 10 seasons the AFL existed, and he is one of seven to have played his entire AFL career for one franchise. He is also one of just a few players to play for the NFL, CFL, AFL and WFL.<br /> <br />Maynard was once just one of only five players to record more than 50 receptions and more than 1,000 receiving yards in five different seasons for many years. He left the game with the most receptions and receiving yards in pro football history at the time. He is the first receiver ever to exceed 10,000 receiving yards.<br /> <br />He still is the Jets all-time leader in receptions, receiving yards and touchdowns caught. His 18.7 career yards per catch average is even more amazing because Maynard dealt with the 10-yard chuck rule and caught balls from over a dozen different quarterbacks.<br /> <br />Known for his sure hands, Maynard also was had great improvisational skills when running routes. He is easily the greatest receiver in Jets history, let alone one of the best in pro football history.<br /><br /> <br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Warren Lahr</span><br /><a href="http://img.fanbase.com/media.fanbase.com/8/21098/60c06fff525e5618f93819a78c784bebd9beea0d.jpg?x=243&y=304&sig=5b3b3111d9e8eedb9fdfe2a52ac4852e"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px;" src="http://img.fanbase.com/media.fanbase.com/8/21098/60c06fff525e5618f93819a78c784bebd9beea0d.jpg?x=243&y=304&sig=5b3b3111d9e8eedb9fdfe2a52ac4852e" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br />In the final round of the 1947 draft, the Pittsburgh Steelers selected Lahr. Just six players were chosen after him. He did not make the team, but he was the last of 16 players from Case Western Reserve University to play in the NFL.<br /> <br />The Cleveland Browns had him try out in 1949 and he made the team. His rookie season found Lahr used in assorted ways, where he caught his only career pass and scored his only offensive touchdown off of nine rushing attempts.<br /> <br />Safety was the position he would make his mark quickly. He had four interceptions his rookie year as the Browns won the All-American Football Conference title for the fourth and final time. The AAFC merged with the NFL the next season.<br /> <br />Cleveland dominated the NFL in 1950 and Lahr was certainly a big reason why. He snagged a career best eight interceptions, two of which he returned for two scores. He led the league in scores off of interceptions that year.<br /> <br />When Cleveland beat the New York Giants in a 8-3 defensive struggle, Lahr picked off a pass that helped preserve the win. It helped substantiate the Browns as a legitimate powerhouse as well as showed the three AAFC teams belonged in the NFL.<br /> <br />He came up big in the Browns first title win. The Los Angeles Rams had two Hall of Fame quarterbacks in Bob Waterfield and Norm Van Brocklin, but Cleveland picked off five of their passes that day. Lahr led the way with two, as the Browns prevailed 30-28.<br /> <br />Lahr led the NFL again with two touchdowns off of interceptions in 1951. Cleveland mowed through the league with one loss behind the top defense. They scored five times off of 58 turnovers that season.<br /> <br />The Browns faced Los Angeles again in the title game, where Lahr had an interception and two fumble recoveries. The Rams won the game 24-17 on a 73-yard bomb from Van Brocklin to Hall of Fame wide receiver Tom Fears late in the fourth quarter.<br /> <br />Despite 22 interceptions in his first four seasons, Lahr did not get to the Pro Bowl until 1953 after gaining a career best 119 yards off of five interceptions, He scored the final touchdown of his career in 1954, as the Browns won another championship.<br /> <br />Cleveland repeated as champions in 1955 as Lahr had another five swipes. In his first seven seasons, he had piled up an impressive 34 picks and never had fewer than four in a season. He stayed with the team until 1959 before retiring.<br /> <br />His 44 career interceptions are still the second most in Browns history, and his five touchdowns off of interceptions is still the most in franchise history. He is a member of the Browns Legends and should soon find himself inducted into the newly created Browns Ring of Honor. <br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Earl Morrall</span><br /><a href="http://www.thesunblog.com/sports/earl_morrall.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px;" src="http://www.thesunblog.com/sports/earl_morrall.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a> <br /><br />Morrall was a first round draft pick of the San Francisco 49ers in the 1956 draft. He was the second player chosen overall that year.<br /> <br />He was mostly used as a punter in his rookie year. He did start four games when the starter, Hall of Famer Y.A. Tittle, was injured. Morrall was traded to the Pittsburgh Steelers after that year, and was named to his first Pro Bowl in 1957.<br /> <br />After starting the first two games of the 1958 season for Pittsburgh, Morrall was traded to the Detroit Lions for Hall of Famer Bobby Layne. There, he backed up Tobin Rote, Jim Ninowski, and Milt Plum until 1964. During the 1963 season, Plum was injured early in the year and Morrall ended up starting 11 games.<br /> <br />Morrall tossed 24 touchdowns on 2,621 yards. Both totals would be the second highest of his career. He was hurt early in the 1964 season, and missed the rest of the year. He was then dealt to the New York Giants during the offseason.<br /> <br />He started the entire 1965 season, and threw the longest pass of that season for 89 yards. Morrall started seven games the next year and threw a pass that is still franchise long of 98 yards to Homer Jones, the man who invented the spiking of the football after a score.<br /> <br />He was replaced by Gary Woods as the Giants went 1-12-1. Morrall soon became a reserve behind Hall of Famer Fran Tarkenton. He then was dealt to the Baltimore Colts in 1968, where his career would be reborn.<br /> <br />Hall of Famer Johnny Unitas was injured in the last preseason game and was out for the year, so Morrall became the starter. He led the Colts to a 13-1 record after throwing for a career high 26 touchdown passes with a career best 2,909 yards.<br /> <br />He led the NFL in touchdown passes, touchdown percentage and yards gained-per-pass attempt. He was selected to his last Pro Bowl and was named the 1968 NFL MVP. The Colts would go on to lose in Super Bowl III. With Unitas healthy again, Morrall started three games over the next two seasons.<br /> <br />In 1970, the Colts would win Super Bowl V when Morrall was called upon again after Unitas was injured early in the game. Morrall helped the Colts beat the Dallas Cowboys 16-13.<br /> <br />Morrall started the first nine games of the 1971 year, leading the Colts to a 7-2 record. He was then injured and replaced by Unitas as the Colts would go on to lose to the Miami Dolphins in the AFC Championship game.<br /> <br />The Colts then cut Morrall, but he was claimed by Miami. Dolphins head coach Hall of Famer Don Shula had coached him on the Colts' 1968 Super Bowl team, so he knew what kind of player he was getting.<br /> <br />The move paid off early into the 1972 season, when Hall of Famer Bob Griese was injured during the fifth game.<br />Morrall started the next 12 games and helped lead the eventual Super Bowl Champion Dolphins to the only perfect season in modern NFL history. He took them to the AFC Championship game, but was replaced by Griese.<br /> <br />Morrall was named the AFC Player of the Year in 1972, and he also won the first Comeback Player of the Year Award that year. He started one game the next year, as the Dolphins repeated as Super Bowl Champions. Morrall retired after the 1976 season at the age of 42-years old.<br /> <br />Though Earl Morrall started only 102 of the 255 games he played over 21 years, he won 60 and tied three. He also was an important part of four Super Bowl teams and has to be considered one of the best firemen in NFL history.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Otis Taylor</span><br /><a href="http://www.sportsattic2.com/nflphotos/photos6/Taylor,Otis4.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px;" src="http://www.sportsattic2.com/nflphotos/photos6/Taylor,Otis4.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a> <br /><br />Taylor was drafted in the 15th round of the 1965 NFL Draft by the Philadelphia Eagles. He was also selected in the fifth round of the American Football League's draft by the Kansas City Chiefs.<br /> <br />What happened next is part of both AFL and Chiefs lore. Taylor was brought into the Eagle camp to try out, but legendary Chiefs scout Lloyd Wells had other ideas. Wells had successfully stolen Hall of Fame talents like Buck Buchanan, Emmitt Thomas and Willie Lanier from the NFL.<br /> <br />Taylor was being watched closely by Eagles personnel to prevent him from talking to Wells, but were unsuccessful. In a moment called the "Babysitting Incident", Wells coerced Taylor to sneak out the Eagles facility and sign a contract with the Chiefs.<br /> <br />It turned out to be a great move for Kansas City because Taylor became the big-play receiver the needed. He made his first Pro Bowl in 1966 after having the best year of his career.<br /><br />Taylor led the league with a 22.4 yards per catch average on 58 receptions for a career best 1,297 yards. He scored eight times, including one on a league leading 89-yards catch.<br /> <br />He led the AFL with a career best 11 touchdown catches the next year, as well as grabbing a career high 59 balls, then spent the next three seasons battling injuries. Yet he was there when Kansas City needed him most, which was seen in the 1969 season.<br /> <br />The Chiefs won the last AFL title that year, which propelled them into Super Bowl V. Taylor led all Chiefs receivers with six catches for 81 yards. He sealed Kansas City's 23-7 victory in the fourth quarter with a catch that covered 46 yards en route to a touchdown.<br /> <br />The 1971 season saw Taylor return to the Pro Bowl and earn his second First Team All-Pro nod after grabbing 57 passes for a league-leading 1,110 yards. He made his final Pro Bowl the next year after getting another 57 receptions.<br /> <br />After a decline in production over the next two seasons, he suited up for one game in 1975 before retiring. He was more than a productive receiver with a propensity of making a big play, Taylor was also a fierce competitor who is one of the best blocking wide receivers to ever play the game.<br /> <br />This fierceness was seen in a game against the Oakland Raiders in 1970. Chiefs Hall of Fame quarterback Len Dawson was speared by mammoth Raiders defensive end Ben Davidson as he laid on the ground. Taylor attacked Davidson, which provoked a bench-clearing brawl.<br /> <br />Not only is he a member of the Chiefs Hall of Fame, Taylor is still all over the teams record books. He ranks second all-time in receiving yards and touchdown catches. His 410 career receptions still ranks third best in Kansas City history.<br /> <br />Wells was a huge reason the Chiefs got their only Super Bowl win. His famous encounter with Taylor helped give the team the best wide receiver that team ever had wear their uniform. Taylor also made the NFL regret not keeping a closer eye on their prospects.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Pete Retzlaff</span><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-G0phZakgldU/Tm47v6YVaLI/AAAAAAAAAEM/kOAU_BvuCkw/s1600/retzlaff.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-G0phZakgldU/Tm47v6YVaLI/AAAAAAAAAEM/kOAU_BvuCkw/s1600/retzlaff.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a> <br /><br />Retzlaff was drafted in the 22nd round of the 1953 draft by the Detroit Lions, where he was the 265th player chosen overall. The Lions cut Retzlaff in training camp, so he went back to college and worked as an employee of the school for a year. He then enlisted in the United States Army for almost two years before coming back to again try out with the Lions.<br /><br />Detroit sold his contract to the Philadelphia Eagles in 1956, where he would spend the first two seasons of his career as a reserve fullback. Though he did not have a rushing attempt over that time, the Eagles coaching staff noticed his excellent receiving skills.<br /><br />Moved to wide receiver in 1958, Retzlaff exploded onto the NFL scene. He went to his first Pro Bowl after leading the team with 56 receptions. After a solid 1959 season, Retzlaff became part of Philadelphia lore.<br /><br />The 1960 season is the last year the Eagles have won an NFL title. There were eight Pro Bowlers on that squad, which included Retzlaff, and four future Hall of Famers in Norm Van Brocklin, Sonny Jurgensen, Tommy McDonald, and Chuck Bednarik.<br /><br />While all three Eagles receivers went to the Pro Bowl that year, Retzlaff led the team in receptions and receiving yards. He would catch 80 passes over the next two years, but he got hurt in 1962 and missed six games.<br /><br />The Eagles asked Retzlaff to move to tight end in 1963, where he excelled immediately. Making the Pro Bowl until the 1965 season, he led the team in receptions and receiving yards each season.<br /><br />The 1965 is considered by many his finest year in the NFL. Retzlaff set career best marks of 66 receptions for 1,190 yards and 10 touchdowns. Not only was he given his only First Team All-Pro nod, Retzlaff was the recipient of the Bert Bell Award for NFL player of the year.<br /><br />He was 35-years old in 1966, an advanced age for an NFL tight end. Despite having another productive season, Retzlaff decided to retire at the end of the season after 11 years.<br /><br />Dubbed "The Baron" and "Pistol Pete" by his teammates, Retzlaff bled the Eagles colors. He loved his peers so much, he was the second ever National Football League Players Association president.<br /><br />He was also the second general manager in Eagles history. Not only has the franchise retired his jersey number, Retzlaff is a member of the Eagles Honor Roll.<br /><br />Retzlaff still ranks second in Eagles history with career receptions and receiving yards. He also ranks fifth in touchdown catches. His five Pro Bowls is tied with McDonald and Mike Quick as the second most ever by a Philadelphia receiver.<br /><br />Philadelphia got real lucky Retzlaff came along when he he did. Pete Pihos, the legendary Hall of Fame end of the Eagles, had just retired in 1955. Buck Shaw and his coaching staff also deserve credit for switching his position.<br /><br />His experience as a fullback made him an exceptional blocker and a threat once he caught a pass. Retzlaff averaged over 16 yards per catch in his career, never averaging less than 15.4 yards in the last eight years of his career.<br /><br />While the spectacular and diminutive McDonald got most of the press, which was also shared with Pro Bowl tight end Bobby Walston, Retzlaff was consistent. He led the Eagles receptions six times throughout his career.<br /><br />Not only could he split the seam of a defense by being a deep threat, Retzlaff went and got the tough pass over the crowded middle of the field. He missed just 12 games in his career, showing the toughness and durability he exemplified.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;"><br />Brett Favre</span><br /><a href="http://synthesis.net/wp-content/uploads/2008/07/favre1.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px;" src="http://synthesis.net/wp-content/uploads/2008/07/favre1.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a> <br /><br />The main reason Favre lasted until the second round of the 1991 draft is because teams were concerned about reports of a hip condition he had. The Atlanta Falcons used the 33rd overall selection on him.<br /> <br />He got into two games as a rookie, throwing two interceptions off of four attempts. Green Bay then hired Ron Wolf as their general manager, who then began trying to acquire Favre.<br /> <br />Wolf had been working for the New York Jets before that and had planned on drafting Favre until the Falcons snagged him one pick before the Jets could. New York took Browning Nagle instead, and the quarterback stayed in the NFL until 1996.<br /> <br />Giving up Green Bay's first round pick of 1992, a running back named Tony Smith, the Packers obtained Favre's services. Smith, who was out of the league after 1994, happened to be Favre's teammate at Southern Mississippi University.<br /> <br />What happened next is often compared to Wally Pipp. Pipp was the first baseman of the New York Yankees who sat out a game and never got his job back because Hall of Famer Lou Gehrig would man the position for the next 17 seasons.<br /> <br />Green Bay had a Pro Bowl quarterback named Don Majkowski, but he got hurt in the third game of the season. Favre took over and stood out immediately, making the Pro Bowl. It was the third straight year Majkowski got hurt, so he was released after the season and was out of the league at the end of the 1996 season.<br /> <br />Favre began a career where he went to the Pro Bowl in nine of his 16 seasons with the Packers. He not only had the respect of his peers, the media loved him. He would be named NFL MVP three times.<br /> <br />The 1996 season was his most successful. Favre led the NFL with a career best 39 touchdown passes while tossing just 13 interceptions. Green Bay would go on to win Super Bowl XXXI, where the gunslinger tossed a pair of scores in the 35-21 victory.<br /> <br />He led the NFL a third straight year in touchdown passes in 1997, something he would do one more time in his career. The Packers reached the Super Bowl again, but would lose 31-24 despite Favre's three touchdown passes. This would be the last time in his career that he took a team that far.<br /> <br />After setting a ton of NFL and Packers records, Favre decided to retire after the 2007 season, his last Pro Bowl season with Green Bay. He then decided he wanted to play again, but the Packers opted to go with Aaron Rodgers as their quarterback.<br /> <br />He was traded to the Jets and got off to a good start, tossing a career best six touchdowns in the fourth game of the season. He would make the Pro Bowl that season, then decide to retire again.<br /> <br />The itch to play quickly returned, so Favre decided to suit up for the Minnesota Vikings in 2009. He went to his 11th and final Pro Bowl after having maybe the best season of his career. The 40-year old tossed a career low seven interceptions against 33 touchdowns. His 4,202 yards thrown that year was the third highest total of his career.<br /> <br />After taking the Vikings to the NFC Championship Game that year, he decided to play in 2010. Unfortunately for him and Minnesota, he played like a 41-year old quarterback. He got hurt, which ended his streak of 297 consecutive starts, and missed three games that season. He retired for good soon after.<br /> <br />Favre owns several records, like most consecutive games started, most touchdown passes thrown, most passes attempted and completed. and most wins by a quarterback. He is the only player named NFL MVP by the Associated Press three straight years and he is a member of the NFL's 2000s All-Decade Team.<br /> <br />There is the other side of his gunslinger attitude that most likely prohibited him from winning more than one title. Favre owns the NFL records for most interceptions thrown, most fumbles lost, most turnovers ever by a player, and most times sacked.<br /> <br />Yet he did take his teams to five conference championship games and two Super Bowls in his career. Pretty good for a guy given up on early in his career because people thought the avascular necrosis in his hip would prevent him from attaining the greatness he later achieved.3rdStoneFromTheSunhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08885818209425078599noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9114088672380394893.post-769768292600804452011-09-26T06:47:00.005-04:002011-09-26T11:45:07.030-04:00NFL 2011 Week 3 : Washington Redskins 5 Keys To Defeating The Hated Dallas Cowboys<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-PGwt5-n7CkY/ToBh7D-jMHI/AAAAAAAAANk/cipS-XpnkzY/s1600/hanburger13.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 206px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-PGwt5-n7CkY/ToBh7D-jMHI/AAAAAAAAANk/cipS-XpnkzY/s320/hanburger13.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5656628799285178482" /></a><br /><br /><br /><strong>Don't You Forget About Me</strong> <br /><br />Tim Hightower rebounded from a mediocre first week as a Redskin to explode against the Arizona Cardinals, his former team, last week. He ran for 96 yards on 20 carries, most of which happened in the first half of the Redskins 22-21 victory.<br /><br />His backup, rookie Roy Helu, piled up an additional 74 yards on just 10 attempts. Yet both did not get many touches in the second half as offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan seemed to call for a pass every down. Though Washington eked out a win, Shanahan's disregard for the effective running game hearkened back to 2010.<br /><br />If was the first year he and his dad held jobs in the organization. There were quite a few games the team lost, like the their match up with the Indianapolis Colts, where he got obsessed with calling pass plays and it cost his team in the end.<br /><br />The Dallas Cowboys have been stout at stopping the run for several years, so most teams have been attacking their dinged up secondary. Yet their offense relies on the pass so much, it could mean their defense spends much more time on the gridiron.<br /><br />If this happens, then an effective run game will be needed even more. Especially in the fourth quarter, where most overworked defenses begin to tire. Hightower and Helu will need carries all game, not just a portion of it. The old adage that a good ground game gives the offense more options will certainly come into play if Shanahan decides to opt for a better offensive balance.<br />.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><strong>No Mercy</strong> <br /><br />Not only are two of the Cowboys best cornerbacks dealing with injury issues already, a third will not play at all because of an ankle problem. This could benefit Washington when quarterback Rex Grossman looks to pass.<br /><br />Orlando Scandrick is out and his replacement, veteran Terence Newman, is playing in his first game this year because of a nagging groin injury. Grossman will probably test that groin a lot, as well as nickle back Alan Ball. The Redskins currently have the ninth best passing attack in the NFL, and four different wide receivers have receptions.<br /><br />Santana Moss may be the best receiver Washington has, but Mike Jenkins may shadow him. Jenkins, who has a sore shoulder, is the best cornerback Dallas has right now. This means Anthony Armstrong and Jabar Gaffney will need to beat Newman and Ball.<br /><br />Tight end Fred Davis has been amazing since coming into training camp in better shape. He is averaging a healthy 17.4 yards on 11 receptions, so Washington was afforded to let Chris Cooley fully recuperate from a knee injury. Cooley is now back, so he gives the Redskins another weapon.<br /><br />Washington has had some early successes in the pass same this season, so this is a game to keep the momentum going. If Newman is still hobbled, it will draw safety help and give Davis or Cooley more chances to gouge Dallas for big chucks of yards after the catch.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><strong>No Miles To Run</strong><br /><br />Miles Davis is the best Cowboys receiver. He leads the team in receptions, receiving yards and touchdowns this year. He has been vital to an offense with an inept ground game. Dallas averaged barely over two yards per attempt this season, and starting halfback Felix Jones is dealing with a shoulder issue.<br /><br />The other starting wide receiver, Dez Bryant, has a thigh injury that has limited him to one game so far. This has made Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo rely heavily on Miles and Pro Bowl tight end Jason Witten. Witten's 13 catches is one less than Davis.<br /><br />If Bryant is still too hurt to be his usual dynamic self, this helps the Redskins because they have a few injuries in their defensive secondary. Josh Wilson and DeAngelo Hall are not at full health, but are expected to play. Strong safety LaRon Landry has yet to play this season, because of a hurt hamstring, and his is listed as questionable.<br /><br />His replacement, Reed Doughty, is good against the run but mediocre versus the pass. Romo, now having to lean on Witten, will go after Doughty in a number of attempts that will exceed double digits. Even if Doughty is assigned to reserve tight ends Martellus Bennett and John Phillips, Romo will look to pick on him much like Eli Manning did two weeks ago.<br /><br />If Dallas has wide receivers like Kevin Ogletree and Jesse Holly as their weapons, perhaps free safety Oshiomogho Atogwe can focus on Witten and give Romo a harder time. Since Romo is already dealing with broken ribs, the secondary shutting down the Cowboys passing attack will leave the quarterback more available to being hit by Washington's pass rushers.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><strong>Kicks Count</strong><br /><br />Dallas has two placekickers on their 2011 roster. One, rookie Dan Bailey, handles all of the short kicks. The other, David Buehler, is injured in the groin of his kicking leg and will try to play. Washington's diminutive return specialist Brandon Banks may get a shot a returning kickoffs if Buehler's injury shortens his kickoffs.<br /><br />Considering Dallas may have the best punter in the NFL in Mat McBriar, it was unlikely Banks would get many opportunities whenever the Washington defense forced McBriar on the field. It will also be an uneasy situation for Dallas if Baily has to attempt anything longer than 50 yards, though Bailey did hit a critical 48-yard attempt last week.<br /><br />Redskins kicker Graham Gano has yet to make a kick over 34 yards. He has missed twice already on attempts between 30 and 39 yards. If Washington struggles to get in the red zone against Dallas, they will have to rely on a player who has eight of his 13 career misses come from distances of 30 yards or more.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><strong>Remembering A Rivalry</strong><br /><br />Rivalries in the NFL today are harder to maintain because of free agency. Teams are no longer able to maintain the bulk of their roster like in the past, where they would develop their players and a stronger bond of unity would be an outcome.<br /><br />Redskins Hall of Fame head coach George Allen taught his team to dislike the Cowboys, and the teams passionate fans followed suit. This came from the fact both Washington and Dallas dominated their conference when Allen joined the franchise in 1971. <br /><br />The Redskins made the playoffs in five of Allen's first six seasons, which included a Super Bowl appearance. Dallas had made the postseason every season but two times between 1966 and 1985. They were the class of the NFC usually, once earning the nickname "America's Team."<br /><br />Allen knew his team had to beat Dallas to achieve success, no small task with Hall of Famer Tom Landry as the head coach of the Cowboys. The 60 wins the Cowboys have in their meeting, out of 100 contests, is the most over any other NFL franchise. Washington, however, has beat them in both playoff games they met in.<br /><br />Landry beat Allen eight times in the 15 games he faced Allen, but the Redskins great beat him in their only playoff game. That victory, a 26-3 drubbing, propelled Washington into their first ever Super Bowl and first NFL title game in 28 years.<br /><br />Dallas took command in this series since the second game of the 1997 season. Washington has won just seven times in the last 27 meetings. The 2005 season has been the only time the Redskins won both games over that time.<br /><br />Yet fans of both teams will admit the unpredictable often happens when these franchises battle. Good examples are the 1989 season, where the Cowboys lone victory that year came at the expense of the Redskins, and the 1991 season. <br /><br />Washington had stormed out of the gates at an 11-0 record when Dallas came to town that year. After losing by three points, Washington's run at perfection ended. They rested their main players in the final game, giving them their only other defeat. Had they has beat Dallas, they stood a better chance of matching the 1972 Miami Dolphins for a truly perfect season.<br /><br />Maybe the history of these franchises escapes most of those involved with both teams today, but the Redskins have legacy to remind. General manager Bruce Allen is the son of the Hall of Fame Redskins coach, so he certainly knows how important it is to beat Dallas. The Cowboys head coach is Jason Garrett, who was a backup quarterback with Dallas for eight years. He also understands this rivalry.<br /><br />The Redskins are currently undefeated and alone on top of the NFC East. A loss here drops them into a tie with Dallas and the New York Giants. Washington already beat New York, so a victory over Dallas would give them two big wins within their own division, which is important at times when the playoffs approach. These two wins could give them enough in the percentage points department if there is a tie-breaker.<br /><br />There may not be as much venom between these squads compared to the past, but there will be no love lost. With Hall adding fuel to the fire by being recorded by cameras saying he will try to tackle the injured Romo and Jones hard, players will come in fired up as the ghosts of legends egg them on to greatness.3rdStoneFromTheSunhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08885818209425078599noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9114088672380394893.post-20510520542109402112011-09-24T00:16:00.003-04:002011-09-24T00:59:02.390-04:00Cincinnati Bengals Blow Smoke While ESPN Blows Tim Tebow<a href="http://denverandmore.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/12/tebow_bench.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 189px; height: 277px;" src="http://denverandmore.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/12/tebow_bench.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br />Like a pound of high grade skunk smuggled past the vigilant guard dogs at an airport by being crazy glued to the taint of a 400 lbs midget, it is time for POINTLESS PONDERING.<br /> <br />Does anyone besides me make the huge mistake of turning on ESPN while an actual sporting event is not being broadcast? Not that crap the network pretends is a sport, like poker or competitive eating, but a sport where a participant actually breaks a sweat from physical activity while not sitting on their fat asses?<br /> <br />I did.<br /> <br />Turning on the boob tube one day, I saw ESPN oozing out a gabfest called "First Take." The shrow sprinkles a few active and retired athletes around three women who are the main characters of this pretend talk show. The most dramatic queen of the three is a geriatric know-nothing named Skip Bayless.<br /> <br />Bayless, who probably couldn't tell you who George Halas was even though he was born ahead of Papa Bear, has the memory of a fruit fly and thinks that everything at this moment is the 'greatest of all-time.' This pole smoker is known throughout ESPN as the former sports journalist who tries to get attention by besmirching athletes like Lebron James.<br /> <br />ESPN has been in mourning since Brett Favre retired finally a few months ago. Missing scrolling his name in huge letters constantly across the viewers screen, they still mention the Hyckocrite several times a day even if Favre is no longer part of the sports landscape and was last seen being accused of molesting women younger than his own children.<br /> <br />They knew they had a replacement lined up. A guy who, compared to Favre, is akin to being near beer versus real beer. Yet, like Favre, his concocted image far outweighs his actual abilities or talents. In others words : all hype and no substance. Just like EPSN itself.<br /> <br />Bayless and his fellow paparazzi have spent the 2011 NFL season drooling and batin' to Tim Tebow's picturesque image. Tebow, who is a third-string quarterback who even has a former first-round draft pick bust named Brady Quinn ahead of him on the depth chart, has become a polarizing figure thanks to the constant attention he receives from stalkers who pose as sports media members.<br /> <br />Tebow is not even close to being a NFL quarterback in most experts eyes, but do not tell that to Bayless. The old fruit spends every possible moment he can calling Tebow the best player the Denver Broncos have, because Bayless is a typical NFL puppet who believes the game revolves around the universe of this one position on the gridiron.<br /> <br />Ever since ESPN took over the Monday Night Football duties, they have tried to rival the NFL's own network in soft coverage they try to pawn off as news to viewers, carefully trying not to besmirch the monster entity. They earned this by constant on-air fellatio on the likes of Favre and other questionable characters with personal lives just as shady as the Hyckocrite's is.<br /> <br />A few weeks ago, Denver was losing agame on Monday Night Football. Broncos starting quarterback Kyle Orton played admirably, despite having terrible blocking and a shoddy rushing attack that produced a paltry 25 yards from his running backs against one of the worst run defenses in the league.<br /> <br />While Orton threw for over 300 yards in a game Denver would lose by a field goal, ESPN spent their times using the cameras to scan the stands for any idiot wearing a Tebow jersey or holding a sign professing their love for a player who has yet to do anything worth noting on a professional football field. The same "Christian" fans who would later piss away $10 grand on a billboard showing support for Tebow instead of doing something for society... like feeding homeless children.<br /> <br />Skippy has twisted his manpon since this moment, as well as showing the world once again he knows absoloutely nothing about football. Bayless has basically called Orton a loser while proclaiming Tebow to be the next Favre. He continued his tirade even after Orton led Denver to a win after getting help from an effective rushing attack last Sunday.<br /> <br />It doesn't really seem it will matter if Tebow is a career reserve or a future Hall of Famer to ESPN, because the network has found their new deity to stand along Favre on the ESPN pedestal. They will continue to feed their sheep while dropping his and the Hyckocrite's name at every turn possible, while viewers are forced to watch people like Bayless drools incessantly at perverted dreams that will never come true.<br /> <br /> <br /> <br />Breaking news! A Cincinnati Bengals player is in trouble with the law. No...wait! Make that two Bengals. As Led Zeppelin once said, "The Song Remains The Same."<br /> <br />Some franchises are forever snakebitten by bad karma, it seems. The ghosts of men Paul Brown, who founded the team, screwed over seem to be drowning this team in ignorance and forgettable obscurity. Somewhere upstairs, the ghosts of Mac Speedie and others are probably smiling in content as yet another Bengals player embarrasses himself, his family and teammates.<br /> <br />Whether the player is a moron like Adam "Pac Man" Jones paralyzing a person for life after making it 'rain money' at a strip club, or a deceased player like Chris Henry for having continual alcohol issues while alive, the Bengals franchise has had their players arrested over 32 times since 2000. It is easily this highest number amongst NFL teams, and this issue is a huge reason the team has gone 73-104 since 2000.<br /> <br />Brown, a legendary Hall of Fame coach who won seven championships in his 17 years with the Cleveland Browns, founded the Bengals in 1968. Though he coached in Cincinnati for just eight years, he got the franchise off to a fast start by helping them to a 55-56-1 record. He then ran the team from his offices from 1976 to 1991, when he died of complications from pneumonia.<br /> <br />The Bengals reached the playoffs three times with Brown as their head coach, then four more times with him as the general manager. This includes the only two Super Bowl appearances in franchise history, where Brown's teams lost both times to the San Francisco 49ers. The team has reached the playoffs just twice since Brown passed away.<br /> <br />It is ironic the team lost both Super Bowls to the 49ers Hall of Fame head coach Bill Walsh. Walsh is another person who was once screwed over by Brown after having been a Bengals assistant coach from 1968 to 1975. He was promised the Bengals head coaching job for years, but offensive line coach Bill "Tiger" Johnson was chosen instead.<br /> <br />Johnson resigned five games into the 1978 season while Walsh became the San Francisco head coach in 1979 and won three Super Bowls in his nine seasons on the Niners sidelines. Brown was accused of almost preventing Walsh of even getting the head coaching job in San Francisco once by Walsh himself.<br /> <br />Walsh claimed that Brown "worked against my candidacy" to be a head coach anywhere in the league. "All the way through I had opportunities, and I never knew about them," Walsh said. "And then when I left him, he called whoever he thought was necessary to keep me out of the NFL."<br /> <br />It is reminiscent of Brown's issues with Speedie, a Pro Bowl wide receiver during the Browns championship years. When Speedie wanted a raise in pay, he was rebuffed by Brown. He then bolted to the Canadian Football League for a bigger paycheck.<br /> <br />Years later, Speedie became a coach and scout in the American Football League. The Bengals joined the AFL initially, so the two men once met on the gridiron before a contest. When Speedie extended his hand as a greeting, Brown turned his back on him after telling Speedie, "Yes, I know. You're the one who went to Canada."<br /> <br />Speedie went to his grave believing Brown's influence prevented his induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. There are other frustrating examples of how Paul Brown infuriated people along his career, but time constraints will inhibit this endeavor. <br /> <br />His son Mike hasn't done any better since taking over the team, as the Bengals have gone 113-181 under his regime. He is known for his frugality and much as he is for overseeing squads that frequently have members ending up arrested.<br /> <br />Brown has frustrated people himself, as recently seen by quarterback Carson Palmer's refusal to play for the team and walking away from millions of dollars after Brown turned down his request to be traded to another team.<br /> <br />Now current players Jerome Simpson and Anthony Collins are in trouble after being arresting in a drug sting where over five pounds of marijuana was taken from Simpson's home after undercover agents delivered about two pounds of the drug to the wide receivers home. <br /> <br />Simpson, who is leading the Bengals in receptions this year, has been viewed a disappointment as a player since being drafted in the second round of the 2008 draft by the team. Before 2011, he had appeared in just 11 games and had 21 receptions in his career. Collins, drafted two rounds behind Simpson in 2008, has started has started 16 of 34 career games as an offensive tackle. <br /> <br />Both of their NFL careers are in jeopardy right now, a conundrum the league offices are used to dealing with when it comes to Bengals players. It may seem to be business as usual for this team, but the act has to have worn thin for the NFL long ago. Perhaps the only way out of these constant messes for the Bengals is to hold an exorcism in an attempt to finally bring this team good karma<br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br />Yoooooooooooo! Dis iz 7thStone once again! I is 3rdStone's cuzin, four doze of yous who fourgot me. I do predikshuns of da NFL four him becuz I iz a ex-bookie.<br /> <br />Yo! I iz <strong>21-11</strong> overall now after goin 11-5 las weak. Not two shabby, not to strong. Capeesh? <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /><em><strong>Jacksonville Jaguars @ Carolina Panthers</strong></em> <br /><br />I know Cam Newton has a lot of passin yards, but yoooooooo! Da Panthers dont run da ball no mo! WTF iz dey paying DeAngelo Williams all dat cash and givin him da ball on just 22 times so far? Jonathan Stewart, who ran for 1,133 yards in 2009, has only 23. Newton leads da teem in rushing attempts and yards, besides bein da only Panther to run four a score dis seasun.<br /> <br />I don't care how good Newton iz, dat is STUPID Yo! Dis teem kneads two run too win! For all dat passin, dey iz still only 18th in scoring in da NFL so far. Da D is 26th in points allowed.<br /> <br />Dey should move up dis week facin a Jags teem dat has one player, Maurice Jones-Drew, who can actually do sumfin with da football. Jack Del Rio's gamble on cuttin David Garrard has looked dumb so far because his replacemint sucked donkey balls. Capeesh?<br /> <br />Now Jacksonville is starting there rookie quarterback, but dis guy cant do any badder den da scrub dat was their las weak. Still, dey is goin to feed MJD da ball like 30 times or more. Dat will bee da key hear.<br /> <br /><strong>Jaguars</strong> 23 Panthers 21<br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /><strong><em>Detroit Lions @ Minnesota Vikings</em></strong> <br /><br />Da Donovan McNabb Era haz gone so good dat Vikings fans iz calling four rookie Christian Ponder. Dis teen cant score and dey iz ranked 31st in da league in passing.<br /> <br />Detroit iz doin just what we all tought dey iz doin. Yo! Dis teem iz four reel. Capeesh? Watch dem and sea what I meen.<br /> <br /><strong>Lions</strong> 34 Vikings 20<br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /><strong><em>San Francisco 49ers @ Cincinnati Bengals</em></strong> <br /><br />Yo! Not only did da Bungles top receiver get busted with sum good smoke by da Feds da other day, da teem just found out top running back Cedric Benson iz being suspended three games. Guess Benson can go finish out his jail time now after his apeel iz reduces his sentence or gets rejected next Tuesday.<br /> <br />Da Niners blew a win las week, but dat iz cuz Alex Smith is just a crap QB. Dis piece of crap is going to be benched wifin three weeks, mark my words. But da 49ers iz pissed enough over las weak to win dis one.<br /> <br /><strong>49ers</strong> 24 Bengals 19<br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /><strong><em>Miami Dolphins @ Cleveland Browns</em></strong> <br /><br />OK, da Browns iz not as good as I tought dey would be. Dey iz young, so I still feal dey will bee good by da end of da yeer. Miami iz da better teem hear, espeshully after finding a good running back in Daniel Thomas las weak.<br /> <br /><strong>Dolphins</strong> 27 Browns 24<br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /><strong><em>New England Patriots @ Buffalo Bills</em></strong> <br /><br />Everyone iz happy da Bills is 2-0. But da dreem stops hear. A reality check is cummin. Capeesh?<br /> <br /><strong>Patriots</strong> 37 Bills 27<br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /><strong><em>New York Giants @ Philadelphia Eagles</em></strong> <br /><br />I saw dis stat dat Mike Vick completed 43% of his passes against da Giants blitz las yeer. Now da dog killer is hurtin in his chicken neck.<br /> <br />Still, da Jints secondary sucks ass and Eli Manning just has had reality's scrotum teabagging his girly ass so far. Dis boob says he in a elite QB, but do elite quarterbacks lead a 27th ranked scoring offense wif a 80 QB rating? Dat ratin goes down more against dem three Pro Bowl cornerbacks Philly has.<br /> <br /><strong>Eagles</strong> 30 Giants 21<br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /><strong><em>Denver Broncos @ Tennessee Titans</em></strong> <br /><br />Da Titans shocked da NFL in weak 2 by beatin da Ravens HANDILY with no running game to speek of. Chris Johnson looks like a guy who didn't do training camp with his 77 yards on 33 carries.<br /> <br />But dat defense is da story Yo! Ranked fouth in da league in points allowed, it iz hard to pass on dem. Dey already have alreddy forced 8 turnovers.<br /> <br />Denver kneads to run da ball hear. Dey cant rely on just chuckin passes, so mebbe Tim Teblow will run a few option plays since dat iz about allhe iz good four.<br /> <br /><strong>Titans</strong> 20 Broncos 10<br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /><strong><em>Houston Texans @ New Orleans Saints</em></strong> <br /><br />Since 1950, only 11 running backs have run for over 100 yards in their first 11 games. This list includes Hall of Famers Earl Campbell and Marshall Faulk. Another guy is dis list iz Ben Tate of da Texans. Look four him do get his third easily against a terruble Saints run defense.<br /> <br />Drew Brees will be testin out Wade Phillips revamped Houston defense. They rank first in both points and yards allowed so far. Dis will bee da difference as dat explosive Texans offense wears down a mediocre Saints defense.<br /> <br /><strong>Texans</strong> 38 Saints 27<br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /><strong><em>New York Jets @ Oakland Raiders</em></strong> <br /><br />Watchin da Raiders blow dat win against Buffalo las weak was ugly yo. While dey can score points, dey cant stop opponents from scoring. Da Raider have scored and given up 58 points, not a formula four success.<br /> <br />Da Jets dont let opponents score. Oaklands rushing attack is there best strength, while da Jets run defense is dat squads best strength. Plus New York kneads to stay pace wif da Pats yo.<br /> <br /><strong>Jets</strong> 34 Raiders 20<br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /><strong><em>Kansas City Chiefs @ San Diego Chargers</em></strong> <br /><br />Da Chiefs are goin so bad, head coach Todd Haley will bee luckin two win five games dis yeer. All there best players are getting hurt so bad, dey iz out all seesun. Da Chargers offense iz just two powerfull.<br /> <br /><strong>Chargers</strong> 42 Chiefs 14<br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /><strong><em>Baltimore Ravens @ Saint Louis Rams</em></strong> <br /><br />Da Ravens got embarrassed last weak after embarrasin da Steelers da weak before. Saint Louis iz goin to attack dat suspect Ravens secondary dat iz ranked 28th in passing yards alloud. With deep threat Lee Evans out dis weak, Baltimore will knead to rely on da run game and young tight ends.<br /> <br />Sam Bradford won't have Danny Amendola two throw too, so Mike Sims-Walker will knead two bee big. Even if star halfback Steven Jackson plays this weekend, he may be best served is the passing attack since Baltimore is stout against the run.<br /> <br /><strong>Ravens</strong> 24 Rams 21 <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /><em><strong>Atlanta Falcons @ Tampa Bay Buccaneers</strong><br />Game of the Week</em> <br /><br />This could be a helluva battle! Da Bucs rediscovered the run game las weak, witch will helps against a mediocre Falcons defense that is 28th in points alloued and 27th in yards alloud. Tampa Bay cannot leen on da pass game as much as dey have da furst too weaks.<br /> <br />Matt Ryan has been incunsistunt so far, but he did help Atlanta cum back in a thrillin win las weak. Pro Bowl halfback Michael "Burner" Turner has been da Falcons biggest star this yeer, which is not a good deel for a Buccaneers defensedisappointedly ranked 31st in run defense and 28th in total yards alloud.<br /> <br />Da best run game should win dis, witch iz why I iz goin wif Atlanta.<br /> <br /><strong>Falcons</strong> 23 Buccaneers 17<br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /><strong><em>Green Bay Packers @ Chicago Bears</em></strong> <br /><br />Da Bears have played no teem more den dey have da Pack. Though they are 91-83-6 against Green Bay, da teems have met just twice in postseesun. Da last time was in da 2010 NFC Championship Game, where da Packers prevailed 21-14. In da three games dey played las yeer, every contest was decided by a one score difference.<br /> <br />Da 2011 Bears season iz lookin a lot like 2010, where da defense is carrying a erratic offense. The Bears offense kneads two step up dis weak cuz da Pack has da worst padd defense in da NFL after givin up 800 yards in da air alreddy.<br /> <br />But da Packers got weapons galore on offense. Plus dey take care of da football by not turnin it over. The secondary is da weekness of da Chicago defense, so I expect Aaron Rodgers to pick them apart when he kneads it mostest.<br /> <br /><strong>Packers</strong> 23 Bears 21<br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /><strong><em>Arizona Cardinals @ Seattle Seahawks</em></strong> <br /><br />Yo! Snoozeville! Capeesh? Let's leeve it at Larry Fitzgerald has a big day.<br /> <br /><strong>Cardinals</strong> 30 Seahawks 20<br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /><strong><em>Pittsburgh Steelers @ Indianapolis Colts</em></strong> <br /><br />OK, Kerry Collins iz alreddy banged up and hasn't even been in da Colts system for to months. Dis iz not a good sign when facing a angry Steelers teem still seething for having there butts kicked two weaks ago.<br /> <br /><strong>Steelers</strong> 34 Colts 10<br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /><strong><em>Washington Redskins @ Dallas Cowboys</em></strong> <br /><br />OK, dis rivalry is like all NFL rivalrees today. Watered down by free agency, so dey have A LOT less meening to da players these daze. But Dallas is banged up good and da undefeeted Redskins iz healthy.<br /> <br />If dat moron Kyle Shanahan does almost blow it again wif his crappy play calling, like how the jackass forgot da run game in da second half of las weaks win after Tim Hightower had dominated da furst half, den Washington should get there 39th win in 101 games versus da Cowboys thanks too dat solid defense.<br /> <br /><strong>Redskins</strong> 27 Cowboys 24<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><strong><em>Power Rankings</em></strong> <br /><br />1. Green Bay Packers<br />2. Houston Texans<br />3. New York Jets<br />4. New England Patriots<br />5. Detroit Lions<br />6. Washington Redskins<br />7. Buffalo Bills<br />8. Atlanta Falcons<br />9. Philadelphia Eagles<br />10. Baltimore Ravens<br />11. Pittsburgh Steelers<br />12. Chicago Bears<br />13. Tennessee Titans<br />14. Tampa Bay Buccaneers<br />15. New Orleans Saints<br />16. San Diego Chargers<br />17. Oakland Raiders<br />18. New York Giants<br />19. Dallas Cowboys<br />20. Cincinnati Bengals<br />21. Jacksonville Jaguars<br />22. Arizona Cardinals<br />23. Minnesota Vikings<br />24. Miami Dolphins<br />25. San Francisco 49ers<br />26. Cleveland Browns<br />27. Saint Louis Rams<br />28. Denver Broncos<br />29. Seattle Seahawks<br />30. Carolina Panthers<br />31. Indianapolis Colts<br />32. Kansas City Chiefs<br /> <br />OK, I gots two go. I gots dis fine hunny lined up at dis club I know. She can spin on a pole, capeesh? As dey say in Ol' Messico = A.M.F. <br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZUzm2X5nzYs/Tn1aZ70WN3I/AAAAAAAAANc/Mqzx6RixIf8/s1600/7thstone.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 250px; height: 316px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZUzm2X5nzYs/Tn1aZ70WN3I/AAAAAAAAANc/Mqzx6RixIf8/s320/7thstone.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5655776108647692146" /></a>3rdStoneFromTheSunhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08885818209425078599noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9114088672380394893.post-73547592362813749602011-09-16T23:18:00.002-04:002011-09-16T23:23:08.283-04:00NFL Sell Out : How Pandering To The Offense Has Ruined Quality Of Play<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Q9e6tmI3OW0/TnQSBhLsSrI/AAAAAAAAANU/IFkYt_4vSOY/s1600/peyton-manning-vs-tom-brady.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 280px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Q9e6tmI3OW0/TnQSBhLsSrI/AAAAAAAAANU/IFkYt_4vSOY/s320/peyton-manning-vs-tom-brady.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5653163249553394354" /></a><br /><br />Week one of the 2011 NFL season saw five games where both starting quarterbacks on each team exceeded 300 yards passing. Some may say the sloppy defensive play stems from a truncated preseason caused by a players strike, but this is more an indictment of the direction the game is headed.<br /> <br />In 1978, the NFL made two huge rule changes that have drastically changed the game of football. The first was to allow offensive linemen extend their arms and grab defenders, as opposed to the chicken wing style of blocking that had been allowed since the beginnings of the NFL.<br /> <br />If that wasn't enough, they set receivers free to basically prance around the gridiron without care. The 10-yard chuck rule had been lessened to a paltry five yards, making the receivers jobs much easier while their statistics ballooned.<br /> <br />These two rules have caused an offensive explosion in the NFL, basically turning quarterbacks the face of the game because these rules benefited them most. It is akin to when Major League Baseball lowered their mounds, shrunk the ballparks, then juiced the ball and players to increase scoring in order to lure the novice fan who had been avoiding the game for years.<br /> <br />The strategy has filled the National Football League's pockets like no other sport on the planet. Already a tax-free organization that had enough power to push their blackout rules through the Senate, Congress and White House in one day, this insanely rich league saw the rules cashing in ability and took it further.<br /> <br />The game today basically has turned a quarterback into something besides a football player. The position is a gilded image the NFL is hell-bent on protecting because that is what they deem to be their cash cow.<br /> <br />Not only is a defender not allowed to hit the quarterback too high or low, he cannot hit them too hard. If he lands on a quarterback, a penalty and fine are on their way for putting too much of his body weight upon the golden boy.<br /> <br />The term "put a skirt on them" has been used to describe an NFL quarterback for decades now. Others think the NFL may as well put flag football rules as the protective bubble the league so desperately seeks for this position.<br /> <br />Defenses have been castrated beyond recognition. If a team wants to play defense as the way NFL Films often hails in historic clips, they will be fined and suspended without fail. Not only has the aura of a great defense been lessened drastically, but the personalities that go with them have been greatly tempered.<br /> <br />It is as if the league ignores the fact defenders can come off the edge while dragging a mammoth blocker who has been clawing at them since play commenced. Despite this, the onus is on the defender to somehow pull up and not lose momentum, risking serious injury to legs especially, and lay the quarterback gently as if it were a newborn infant.<br /> <br />Rules that prevent clotheslines and head shots make sense, especially now that the NFL is being forced to look at head injuries. This is something they ignored since the inception of the league. While the NFL reluctantly is making adjustments, they do so with a smile as they continue to ignore all of the countless alumni of their league that have been suffering for decades.<br /> <br />Yet the two rules in 1978 have pretty much destroyed football as a competitive sport. It has become more an indoor track meet in hospital clean environments these days. Defenses tend to just be warm bodies providing temporary obstacles these days, instead of having a fair chance to compete anymore.<br /> <br />I had a discussion with Pete Rozelle in 1978. Rozelle, then the NFL commissioner, bristled at my questions of why these rules would even be allowed. Especially since it so blatantly punished the defenses and gave that side of the football much less opportunity to compete.<br /> <br />I thought Rozelle would understand my position, considering his background. He helped fight racism as a publicist at the University of San Francisco in 1951, the last year the school played football, where 11 members of the football team went on to the NFL. Three are inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame while five were Pro Bowl players. Rozelle joined the Los Angeles Rams soon after.<br /> <br />While with the Rams, he saw the team have two Hall of Fame quarterbacks split plays on the field in Bob Waters and Norm Van Brocklin. Besides having a powerful running game, the Rams passing attack was lethal. with Hall of Fame receivers Elroy "Crazy Legs" Hirsch and Tom Fears.<br /> <br />The Rams had just won the 1951 championship, where the two quarterbacks ranked first and second in passing that season. Van Brocklin threw for 554 yards one game, a record that still stands today.<br /> <br />When Rozelle continued to be evasive giving specific answers, I decided to end the conversation by pointing out how the American Football League showed a game could accrue a ton of yards and points without castrating the defense. Rozelle, now with a red face filled by anger from mentioning the hated AFL, called me a jerk and that was the end of my chance to discover what the league's thought process was.<br /> <br />Rozelle was later replaced by Paul Tagliabue, a lawyer whose only athletic expertise came from playing basketball at Georgetown University. Tagliabue continued to tinker with those two rules, especially when it came to trying to help the receivers and quarterbacks.<br /> <br />He did such a job that now Jerry Rice is called by NFL Films the greatest player in NFL history. Rice, who constantly ran the five-yard slant pass in a dink-dunk offense that smartly took advantage of the rules, was a quick player with average speed and a tremendous work ethic. Put Rice in the 10-yard chuck rule, his 1,549 career receptions could possibly be at about 600 instead<br /> <br />When the NFL started out, it was a running game. One where ball carriers were not tackled until they stopped moving, meaning they could continue to crawl for more yards after contact. Scores, as expected, were generally low-scoring affairs..<br /> <br />The college game was the more popular sport, but that changed in 1925 when the Pottsville Maroons beat Notre Dame University in an exhibition game. Despite beating the Fighting Irish and their famous "Four Horseman" backfield, the champion Maroons were stripped of their title even though that win brought the NFL legitimacy. The reason given was that commission Joe Carr had told the Maroons not to play, while the team claimed Carr had given his approval.<br /> <br />Passing the football came into vogue in the NFL when the Washington Redskins drafted Sammy Baugh in 1937. Baugh is considered the innovator of the passing game in the NFL. He was so successful, the Chicago Bears drafted Sid Luckman two years later and the passing game was on its way.<br /> <br />Baugh, for all of his successes, had just two years of over 2,500 yards passing. In 1947, he set career high marks of 210 completions on 354 attempts for 2,938 yards and 25 touchdowns<br /> <br />He never passed for over 2,000 in any of his other 14 years, which includes winning two of three NFL title games. Baugh also played safety on defense for six years, grabbing 34 interceptions.<br /> <br />He still holds the NFL record for average yards per punt average in a career, and was inducted in Pro Football Hall of Fame's inaugural class in 1963. While holding extreme importance to the NFL passing game, his numbers greatly pale to those quarterbacks who enjoy the rule changes of 1978.<br /> <br />Washington was also lucky to later have another quarterback to take the passing game of the NFL to even a higher level. Sonny Jurgensen set many team records in his career, and still holds on to a few this day.<br /> <br />Jurgensen was first mentored by Van Brocklin with the Philadelphia Eagles, serving as his backup on the Eagles 1960 title team. He was traded to the Redskins in 1964 for Pro Bowl quarterback Norm Snead, who had grown up nearby and was the second overall selection of the 1961 draft.<br /> <br />Jurgensen, who passed for 3,723 yards in 1961, exceeded his career high total by 25 yards previously set in 1967. He had a span of over 400 passing attempts three times over four years, highlighted by the 508 attempts he had in 1967.<br /> <br />Washington's head coach that year was Hall of Fame quarterback Otto Graham. His strategy was to throw the ball often, which is seen by the team-leading 91 carries halfback A.D. Whitfield had that year. <br /> <br />Jurgensen was part of a trio that would later get inducted into the Hall of Fame. Wide receivers Charley Taylor and Bobby Mitchell combined for 130 receptions and 1,856 yards. Tight end Jerry Smith had 67 receptions for 849 yards himself, becoming the first team ever to have their two wide receivers and tight end to have at least 849 yards each in one season.<br /> <br />Taylor led the NFL in receptions, while Smith was second in both receptions and touchdown catches. Mitchell was fourth in NFL receptions that year.<br /> <br />Joe Theismann, not Baugh or Jurgensen, is still the Redskins all-time leader in career passing yards. He was at the helm when the NFL made those three key rules changes in 1978. <br /> <br />His passing yards totals increased in 1981, exceeding 3,300 yards in three of the next four years. The one time he didn't was in the 1982 strike season, where he helped the Redskins win their first title since 1942.<br /> <br />Theismann's career high passing yards mark of 3,714 yards has been passed by Redskins quarterbacks Jay Schroeder and Brad Johnson. The team has had 12 different quarterbacks lead the team in passing since Theismann's career ended in 1985.<br /> <br />Washington isn't alone as a team that has struggled to find a long-term quarterback over the years. Sid Luckman, who retired way back in 1950, is still on top of the Chicago Bears list for career passing yards.<br /> <br />Chicago isn't the only team whose passing yards leader never was fortunate to play after 1978 and enjoy the rules that ultimately changed the game. Hall of Famers Len Dawson, Bobby Layne, Joe Namath and Luckman are the only quarterbacks whose careers ended before the 1978 rule change and still lead their franchises in career passing yards.<br /> <br />Layne left the Detroit Lions in 1958 after just over eight years with the team, where he led them to three NFL titles in four attempts. Credited with inventing the two-minute drill, Layne is second to Luckman in longest-running leader in passing yards for a team.<br /> <br />Namath is credited by some as the man who led the way to forcing the NFL to merge with the American Football League. Not only because the AFL was deemed to having a more exciting brand of football with their wide open passing attacks, but also due his famous guarantee the preceded the New York Jets defeating the Baltimore Colts in Super Bowl III.<br /> <br />Namath was called "Broadway Joe" during this time where he was king of New York City. He was in movies and modeled, but he also had a gun for an arm. In 1967, Namath became the first professional quarterback ever to pass for over 4,000 yards in a season.<br /> <br />His brand of football helped bring the AFL more popularity than it had ever experienced since their 1960 inception. The NFL was known for a hard nosed running game before then, but the league tried to match their rival that season through the arms of men like Jurgensen and Fran Tarkenton.<br /> <br />Dawson joined the Kansas City Chiefs, then the Dallas Texans, in 1962. He led the Chiefs to three AFL titles, one that is still the longest championship game in professional football history, and two Super Bowl appearances. <br /> <br />His 1969 season saw the Chiefs win Super Bowl IV, the last AFL game ever. He retired after the 1975 season, having played 19 seasons total.<br /> <br />Tarkenton's Hall of Fame career ended with the Minnesota Vikings in 1978. He spent 13 of his 18 seasons with the Minnesota Vikings, retiring with a then-NFL record of 47,003 career passing yards.<br /> <br />Yet it was his final year where he threw for a career best 3,468 yards, which also happened to lead the NFL. The "Mad Scrambler" had exceeded the 3,000 mark just once in his career before then, getting 3,088 with the New York Giants in 1967.<br /> <br />Tarkenton also led the NFL in attempts and completions in 1978. Enjoying the new rules that made his job easier, he exceeded his career best mark of attempts by 147, while surpassing his best total of completions by 82.<br /> <br />Some quarterbacks, who were there for the rule change in 1978, still lead their organizations in passing yards. Hall of Famer Terry Bradshaw, who won four Super Bowls, joined the Pittsburgh Steelers in 1970 and stayed there until 1983.<br /> <br />Despite all of Bradshaw's successes, it wasn't until after the rule changes of 1978 that his statistics picked up exponentially. He had passed for over 2,000 yards just three times in his eight previous seasons, yet that quickly changed after his job became easier.<br /> <br />He made two of his three career Pro Bowls after 1978, which also includes his lone First Team All-Pro nod and NFL MVP award in the 1978 season. Bradshaw passed for at least 2,887 yards the next four year, which includes a career best of 3,724 in 1979. After suffering an injury in 1983, he retired.<br /> <br />Kenny Stabler joined the Oakland Raiders in 1970. He won a Super Bowl and the 1974 NFL MVP with them.<br /> <br />Yet his 1979 season saw Stabler throw a career best 3,615 yards. He had never exceeded 3,000 yards before that. Stabler's season high in passing attempts was 310 attempts, which happened in his MVP year. Starting in 1978, he had 904 attempts in his final two years as a Raider.<br /> <br />Ken Anderson joined the Cincinnati Bengals in 1971 and stayed with them until 1986. His lone First Team All-Pro year came in 1981, where he set career high totals in attempts, completions, yards and touchdowns.<br /> <br />He led the Bengals to their first Super Bowl that year, where he set Super Bowl records in completion percentage and total completions in the Bengals loss. Anderson then set an NFL season record for completion percentage in 1982.<br /> <br />Perhaps no quarterback enjoyed the rule changes more than Hall of Famer Dan Fouts. The rule change coincided with the San Diego Chargers hiring head coach Don Coryell, revitalizing Fouts' career.<br /> <br />Coryell, whose offensive genius is still seen in every NFL offense today, ushered in an era simply called "Air Coryell". Fouts not only had Hall of Famers Charlie Joiner and Kellen Winslow catching his passes, he also had the services of Pro Bowler wide receivers like John Jefferson and Wes Chandler.<br /> <br />Fouts joined the Chargers in 1973 and had never thrown for more than 2,535 yards before Coryell's arrival. He exploded on the NFL from 1979 to 1981, exceeding 4,000 yards passing all three years. He twice led the NFL in attempts and completions as well.<br /> <br />The 1981 season was his best, where he set career high totals in attempts, completions, yards and touchdowns. He may have surpassed these totals in 1982, if it were not for the players strike shortening the season to nine games. Fouts retired after the 1987 strike-shortened season.<br /> <br />Steve Bartkowski joined the Atlanta Falcons in 1975 and stayed there until after the 1985 season. Jim Hart joined the Saint Louis Cardinals in 1966 and stayed there until 1983. Brian Sipe joined the Cleveland Browns in 1974, lasting there until 1983.<br /> <br />All three enjoyed their best statistical seasons after the 1978 rule change. Sipe threw for 4,132 yards in 1982, Bartkowski had 3,829 in 1981, and Hart had 3,121 in 1978. Hart is the only one of these three to go to the Pro Bowl before 1978, which he accomplished four times.<br /> <br />The other 21 NFL teams have career passing leaders who joined their teams after the 1978 season. Of the 20 players who own the most career passing yards in NFL history, only Tarkenton, Fouts, Hart, and Johnny Unitas had their careers start before 1978. Unitas is the only one who never experienced the pleasurable rule changes quarterbacks now enjoy.<br /> <br />It isn't just the quarterbacks whose statistics have been greatly jaded since 1978. The receivers have enjoyed way more credit that they deserve perhaps. Of the top 40 players in career receptions, just Hall of Famer Steve Largent had his career start before 1978.<br /> <br />Joiner, Harold Jackson, Stanley Morgan along with Hall of Famers John Stallworth and Fred Belitnikoff are the only receivers in the top 100 in career receptions whose careers started before 1978. Belitnikoff retired after the 1978 season. <br /> <br />There are only six players in that list of the top-100 receivers who never enjoyed the 10-yard chuck rule in their career. Hall of Famers Don Maynard, Charley Taylor, Raymond Berry, Lance Alworth, Bobby Mitchell and the underrated Lionel Taylor, who should be in Canton, are those players.<br /> <br />While the modern fan might try to say the athlete today is superior, that is true in athleticism only. In regards to football ability, that can be debated more because fundamentals of the game were so much more important then.<br /> <br />The players of the past held a second job, not paid so much that they could afford to train every day of the year like the modern athletes are able to now. Those past players had to make time to get into shape to prepare for training camp, which usually meant after they had worked eight hours at their primary job.<br /> <br />Then there is the obvious observation that the human race grows each generation. Players who weighed over 300 pounds were not too plentiful until the last few decades. Now it is common for players to weigh that much, and there are quarterbacks now closing in on that size.<br /> <br />The rule to help blockers cannot be argued for or against too well. The older player was subject to head injuries because they were taught to lead with their heads. The modern blocker gets to extend his hands to prevent this, but is basically allowed to hold every play.<br /> <br />Raymond Berry told me that this change made in blocking in the primary reason for the increase in offense. He explained that this gives a receiver and quarterback extra time to get open, giving them a tremendous advantage.<br /> <br />He used an example of a 15-yard out route. Berry said this play, that might have taken five seconds to run in the rules before 1978, now can last up to six or more seconds because the quarterback and receiver are afforded longer opportunities to exploit a defense.<br /> <br />With timing being so important between the quarterback and receiver, the extra time to delve into the opponents can mean more yards for the offense. Berry, who is known for the fantastic timing he shared with Johnny Unitas, is also a former head coach who led the New England Patriots to a Super Bowl in 1985.<br /> <br />Technology has also been implemented. The debate of whether it helps or not can last a long time. While now medical personnel can examine the entire body of an athlete better, there are also more cameras to examine every inch of the gridiron. The equipment players have used has been improved gradually ever since the NFL began play.<br /> <br />Human error is a rich part of NFL history, but this factor is now lessened by instant replay. The problem with instant replay is it can stop the game and cool down athletes, making them more susceptible to injury.<br /> <br />While the NFL smartly seeks to improve their brand, sometimes the lure of cash detracts from actual achievement. Loads of fans today, many who no concept nor concern for history, think the game today is better than it has ever been.<br /> <br />The novice fan today wants the 45-42 final score over the 17-14 tally. Much like how the baseball fan of today has been conditioned to want home runs hit over no-hitters thrown, the football fans wants a ton of touchdowns made each Sunday.<br /> <br />The memories of greatness achieved, when football was truly a hard sport to play for everyone involved, of history fades further into the past as the modern player posts obscene statistics helped by rules. Statistics that dwarf predecessors who had to actually earn their accolades without being helped out by the league's front office nor rules to carry them further down the gridiron.<br /> <br />With Tagliabue's student, Roger Goodell, now at the helm, it will get worse before it gets better for football purists. Purists who now basically have the defense sitting on the sideline with them as the offense runs their plays unabated.<br /> <br />Whether the 1978 rules changes helped the NFL or not is subject for debate. The modern fan will point to the cash now raked in without realizing this league has been pulling big gates in for years no matter what the dollar is actually worth. The Rams still hold attendance records set during that era Rozelle oversaw.<br /> <br />The fickle fair-weathered fan of today may be content with the pandering of the offense because it results in more scoring, but the idea of bring back even the 10-yard chuck rule could show them players actually earning their accolades while being fairly defended.<br /> <br />But fairness left the NFL long ago. The importance of cash overrides actual competitive play now. It just furthers the saying, "This isn't your fathers NFL". It's yours now. Good luck.3rdStoneFromTheSunhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08885818209425078599noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9114088672380394893.post-70876088962809601412011-09-16T01:03:00.002-04:002011-09-16T01:08:10.715-04:00NFL 2011 Week 2 : Washington Redskins 5 Keys To Defeating The Arizona Cardinals<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-JDN48i0UkqI/TnLY88xXa_I/AAAAAAAAANM/bqrchYpWRvs/s1600/russ-grimm-hall-of-fame-washington-redskins.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 256px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-JDN48i0UkqI/TnLY88xXa_I/AAAAAAAAANM/bqrchYpWRvs/s320/russ-grimm-hall-of-fame-washington-redskins.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5652819023920327666" /></a><br /><br /><br /><strong><em>Lean On Me</em></strong> <br /><br />The defense has often been a big reason the Washington Redskins has won over the last several years. This was true again in their victory against the New York Giants last week.<br /> <br />The Arizona Cardinals offense is still a work in progress because quarterback Kevin Kolb is new to the team. Yet they did show the ability of production against the Carolina Panthers last week in several areas.<br /> <br />Halfback is a big question mark, but Beanie Wells churned out 90 yards on 18 carries last week. The Redskins allowed 75 total rushing yards last week, so it is important they shut down Wells and make the Cardinals defense one dimensional.<br /> <br />Arizona can throw the ball, which is seen by the 309 yards that Kolb put up on 18 receptions. The Redskins might have to play a lot of man-to-man defense because the Cardinals like to throw to their tight ends and even have four on their roster.<br /> <br />Todd Heap and Jeff King combined for 101 yards on four receptions. Both averaged over 20 yards per catch, which included King's 48-yard touchdown catch. King, mostly noted for his blocking ability, had averaged just over eight yards on 114 career receptions in his five seasons coming into this year.<br /> <br />Washington gave up two big plays to Giants tight end Jake Ballard, a rookie who is on the team because he can block well. This lumbering tight end exposed a weakness in a Redskins defense by getting 59 yards on a pair of receptions.<br /> <br />If the safeties are forced to pay closer attention to Heap and King, it will leave wide receivers like Larry Fitzgerald facing the Washington cornerbacks only. Fitzgerald is spectacular in a double-team situation, but he is an even bigger threat in single coverage.<br /> <br />Washington needs the return of strong safety LaRon Landry, who has been nursing a hamstring injury for months. Landry was the best safety in the NFL in 2010, piling up 85 tackles before getting hurt early in the ninth game of the season, is in a contract year and hasn't played since November 15th of 2010.<br /> <br />Landry is a week removed from criticizing the Redskins training staff via Twitter. He now defers questions to head coach Mike Shanahan, who only says Landry has been limited in practice so far.<br /> <br />The Redskins cannot rush him back too early, but Landry has already stated he is excited to play next to free safety O.J. Atogwe. It is the first time since Sean Taylor passed away in 2007 that Landry has a Pro Bowl-caliber player alongside him. <br /> <br />Reed Doughty has been in the lineup while Landry heals, but Doughty is basically an extra defensive back who plays a linebacker slot in a dime package. The Giants picked on him often last week, putting Washington in a precarious position against Arizona if Landry needs another week off.<br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /><em><strong>Special Delivery</strong></em><br /> <br />Redskins placekicker Graham Gano missed another chippie last week. He missed five field goals of 39 yards or less in 2010, something he did again on his only field goal attempt last week. Washington cannot afford to keep having Gano miss field goals that because points in the NFL are of premium importance.<br /> <br />Washington has the electric Brandon Banks are their return specialist. The diminutive Banks is capable of taking it to the house every time he returns a kick. Yet Arizona has two big threats of their own on special teams.<br /> <br />LaRod Stephens-Howling, who is about the same size as Banks, led the NFL in kickoff return yards last year. He also took two kickoff returns for touchdowns, his third in his two previous seasons as an NFL player. Gano must take advantage of the extra five yards he has kicking the ball off by not giving Stephens-Howling any chances to return the ball.<br /> <br />If that wasn't enough, Arizona also has a dynamic punt returner in rookie Patrick Peterson. Though he was drafted for his excellent coverage skills as a cornerback, the rookie went through college as a dominant punt returner. Peterson returned just two punts last week, but the second one was returned 89-yards for the winning score.<br /> <br />Sav Rocca might have been the Redskins best free agent signing in 2011. Rocca has averaged 43 yards a punt in his four NFL seasons, showing a remarkable consistency along the way.<br /> <br />But putting the ball inside the opponents 20-yard line is possibly what Rocca does best. He has dropped 106 of his 341 career punts inside the 20, and has an impressive net punting average of 37.5 yards. Four of his six punts dropped in inside the 20 last week, but the Redskins gave up 27 yards on the two punts that were returned.<br /> <br />Washington must not allow the Cardinals returners go off this Sunday. If they do not, it could take away any other successes they have on the field.<br /> <br /> <br /> <br /><em><strong>Bombs Away</strong></em> <br /><br />Redskins quarterback Rex Grossman took advantage of a immensely crippled Giants defense by throwing for 305 and a pair of scores while tossing just 13 incompletions. Washington needs a similar performance against an Arizona defense that looked bad last week.<br /> <br />The Cardinals have a few injured cornerbacks of their own, and this was seen against the Panthers. Rookie Cam Newton struggled with his throwing accuracy all preseason, but he took the form of Johnny Unitas against Arizona with a record-setting performance.<br /> <br />Newton set a record for a first game by a player by carving up the Cardinals defense for 422 yards and missing on just 13 passes in 37 attempts. Eight different Panthers receivers got a reception, led by the 178 yards and two scores Steve Smith had on eight catches.<br /> <br />Washington could use another big game from tight end Fred Davis, who had 105 yards on five receptions last week, as well as a healthy Chris Cooley. Carolina's tight ends combined for 129 yards on seven receptions last week, so Grossman may want to look in the direction of Davis and Cooley often.<br /> <br /> <br /> <br /><strong><em>Payback</em></strong><br /> <br />Tim Hightower was stunned a few months ago by being dealt in a trade between the Cardinals and Redskins. While he was happy to return to the Washington Metropolitan Area, where he grew up, he also saw the Redskins obtained him for just a sixth-round draft pick and 14-year journeyman defensive end named Vonnie Holiday.<br /> <br />Hightower had led the Big Red in rushing last year, his third NFL season, while averaging nearly five yards per carry. He led the NFL with an 80 yard run as well.<br /> <br />Despite 23 touchdowns and 118 receptions in mostly a reserve role in his Arizona career, the team dealt him because his 12 career fumbles bothered the Cardinals coaching staff.<br /> <br />He has a very impressive training camp, getting 170 yards on 25 carries in a few quarters of play. Yet the Giants shut him down to 72 yards on 25 attempts last week. Take away a 22-yard run he had, the 50 yards on 24 attempts showed the Redskins offensive line gave Hightower no chance.<br /> <br />Arizona faced a pair of productive Carolina halfbacks in DeAngelo Williams and Jonathan Stewart last week. They limited the pair to 56 yards on 19 carries, while also holding the athletic Newton to 18 yards on eight attempts at sacking the rookie four times.<br /> <br />Hightower will certainly want to make Arizona regret trading him, but his offensive line needs to help get that point across. The unit was just terrible last week against a Giants defensive line missing their two best players. Arizona has three excellent run stuffers in the trenches, so this game might ride on Hightower's shoulders.<br /> <br /> <br /> <br /><strong><em>Hog Revisitation</em></strong> <br /><br />Football excellence has always followed Russ Grimm. Drafted in the third round of the 1981 draft by the Redskins, he soon became an integral member of three Super Bowl winners for the franchise.<br /> <br />Athleticism was just one reason for his greatness. He may have toiled in the trenches, but he was often listed as an emergency quarterback in a career that saw him go to four Pro Bowls before being inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.<br /> <br />Amazingly, he is the only member of the famous Redskins offensive line, dubbed the "Hogs" by coaching great Joe Bugel, to be in Canton. When his playing career ended, he quickly became a coach and used the information the accumulated as a player. Not only did he have his own expertise, he was mentored by coaching giants Bugel, Jim Hanifan and Hall of Famer Joe Gibbs.<br /> <br />After spending nine years coaching Washington's tight ends and offensive linemen, he went off to coach the Pittsburgh Steelers offensive line for six seasons. He helped Pittsburgh win a Super Bowl and reportedly was going to be Bill Cowher's replacement at head coach until the offer was rescinded at the last minute and given to current Steelers coach Mike Tomlin instead.<br /> <br />Since 2007, Grimm has been the Cardinals offensive line coach. Success in football continues for him and has now been inherited by his offspring. Cody Grimm is the starting free safety for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, an honor he won in the 2010 season as a seventh round draft pick. Chad Grimm is currently an assistant coach in the Cardinals organization.<br /> <br />Grimm has been a serious candidate for a NFL head coaching job several times. He excels at getting the most out of a players abilities, something he did himself in his career.<br /> <br />He has helped such great Redskins offensive linemen blockers like Chris Samuels and Tre' Johnson to become Pro Bowl players. He did the same in Pittsburgh with Alan Faneca, Marvel Smith and Jeff Hartings.<br /> <br />Arizona comes into 2011 with two free agent veterans now starting at guard. Grimm still has continuity at center and the tackle spots. But this one of his most experienced units with the Cardinals, even with losing 11-year veteran guard Floyd "Pork Chop" Womack to injury for the season.<br /> <br />The depth of the offensive line is bolstered by Duece Lutui, a starter since 2006 until losing his spot to eight-year veteran Rex Hadnot. Grimm has already helped the Cardinals reach their first Super Bowl in 2008, but he undoubtedly expects greatness from his present students.<br /> <br />Chris Nield is certainly on his radar this week. The nose tackle was the second to last player drafted this year, and he made the team because of a solid preseason with few highlights. That changed last week after Neild had a pair of sacks and forced a fumble while spelling starter Barry Cofield.<br /> <br />Not only do the nose tackles need to be as good as last week, but defensive ends Adam Carriker and Stephen Bowen as well. Both contributed a sack last week. Outside linebackers Brian Orakpo and Ryan Kerrigan's ability to pressure Kolb will also hold extreme importance.<br /> <br />While no real Redskins fan wants Grimm to experience failure, they are in the unenviable position of rooting against one of their heroes. It is real nice to see an "Original Hog" back in town, and there is a chance he sees fellow Hogs Joe Jacoby and George Starke, who have stayed in the area after their football careers, as well.<br /> <br />Grimm probably has a part of him wishing success for the Redskins as well. But torn emotions will reign on the sideline and stands this Sunday as present situations will temporarily have both rooting against each other.3rdStoneFromTheSunhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08885818209425078599noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9114088672380394893.post-51537277580536379622011-09-11T03:39:00.004-04:002011-09-11T06:46:47.023-04:00NFL Predictions For Week One<a href="http://www.glogster.com/media/5/23/85/94/23859420.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 341px;" src="http://www.glogster.com/media/5/23/85/94/23859420.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br /><em>Pittsburgh Steelers @ Baltimore Ravens<br />Game of the Week</em> <br /><br />These two teams dislike each other, and this is the best rivalry in the NFL today. The Steelers are 18-12 in this series, and five of the last six were decided by three points or less.<br /> <br />I like the Ravens, but I think it will take a few more weeks until they hit their stride. The Steelers know each other right now, so familiarity will win.<br /> <br /><strong>Steelers</strong> 19 Ravens 17<br /> <br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><em>Atlanta Falcons @ Chicago Bears</em><br /><a href="http://www.nfltouchdown.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/turner.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px;" src="http://www.nfltouchdown.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/turner.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br />The Falcons balance on both sides of the ball will be hard to handle for their opponents this season. The Bears defense is excellent, but it remains to be seen if the offense has improved for their sub par 2010 performance.<br /> <br />Bears quarterback Jay Cutler has chucked 79 interceptions in 68 career games. It is the highest total in the NFL over that time. If Cutler continues to make errors, it will make it easier for Atlanta to win.<br /> <br /><strong>Falcons</strong> 23 Bears 17<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><em>Cincinnati Bengals @ Cleveland Browns</em><br /><a href="http://www.nypost.com/rw/nypost/2010/11/19/sports/photos_stories/Peyton_Hillis--300x300.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px;" src="http://www.nypost.com/rw/nypost/2010/11/19/sports/photos_stories/Peyton_Hillis--300x300.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br />The snoozer of week one of the NFL to some. Cincinnati has a chance at being the worst team in the AFC North this year, while the improving Browns really need a strong start to show their improvements.<br /> <br /><strong>Browns</strong> 31 Bengals 14<br /><br /> <br /> <br /> <br /><br /><br /><br /><em>Indianapolis Colts @ Houston Texans</em> <br /><a href="http://images.paraorkut.com/img/football/images/a/andre_johnson_of_houston_texans-58.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px;" src="http://images.paraorkut.com/img/football/images/a/andre_johnson_of_houston_texans-58.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br />No Peyton Manning means no hope for the Colts. This is the Houston Texans time to win the AFC South, and they should use their running attack to destroy the Colts porous run defense.<br /> <br /><strong>Texans</strong> 37 Colts 20<br /><br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><em>Tennessee Titans @ Jacksonville Jaguars</em> <br /><a href="http://helmet2helmet.net/wp-content/uploads/2010/12/maurice-jones-drew-2.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px;" src="http://helmet2helmet.net/wp-content/uploads/2010/12/maurice-jones-drew-2.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /> <br />These teams mirror each other in several ways. Both have new starting quarterbacks, though the Titans Matt Hasselbeck holds the edge here.<br /> <br />Running the ball well should decide this. Jacksonville's Maurice Jones-Drew is ready to go after a full training camp under his belt, while Tennessee's Chris Johnson has only been at it about a week.<br /> <br /><strong>Jaguars</strong> 21 Titans 17<br /><br /> <br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><strong>Buffalo Bills @ Kansas City Chiefs</strong> <br /><a href="http://www.komu.com/images/news/sports_football_chiefs_derrick_johnson.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px;" src="http://www.komu.com/images/news/sports_football_chiefs_derrick_johnson.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br />It seems the only way Buffalo wins here is by an excellent defensive effort and halfback Fred Jackson running wild. While the Bills defense should be improved from last year, the Chiefs plan to run the ball down their throats.<br /> <br /><strong>Chiefs</strong> 23 Bills 13<br /><br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><em>Philadelphia Eagles @ Saint Louis Rams</em> <br /><a href="http://cdn.bleacherreport.net/images_root/images/photos/000/795/328/95674246.jpg.20006.0_crop_340x234.jpg?1263155937"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px;" src="http://cdn.bleacherreport.net/images_root/images/photos/000/795/328/95674246.jpg.20006.0_crop_340x234.jpg?1263155937" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br />Philly needs to show why owner Jeff Lurie plunked down over $200 million this year. The Rams are a promising team who can run the ball well with a Pro Bowl halfback and one of the best offensive lines in football.<br /> <br />The Eagles defensive weakness is stopping the run, so this area will be exploited by the Rams. Yet Philadelphia gets wide receivers Jeremy Maclin and Steve Smith back this week, and the Rams secondary is the weakness of the Saint Louis team.<br /> <br /><strong>Eagles</strong> 34 Rams 24<br /><br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><em>Detroit Lions @ Tampa Bay Buccaneers</em> <br /><a href="http://www.buccaneersgab.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/josh-freeman.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px;" src="http://www.buccaneersgab.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/josh-freeman.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br />If you love to watch young defensive lines with the ability to dominate, tune into this game. Both teams feature trench play from pretty deep defensive units, led by Detroit's Ndamukong Suh.<br /> <br />It comes down to the young quarterbacks on both teams. Matt Stafford may have Calvin Johnson to throw to, but the Lions quarterback has been brittle so far in his career. The Buccaneers Josh Freeman does not make many mistakes, and this could be the difference this week.<br /> <br /><strong>Buccaneers</strong> 14 Lions 10<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /> <br /> <br /><em>Carolina Panthers @ Arizona Cardinals</em> <br /><a href="http://thecovertwo.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/larry-fitzgerald.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px;" src="http://thecovertwo.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/larry-fitzgerald.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br />Two new quarterbacks start here, but the Cardinals hold the edge. Kevin Kolb will enjoy throwing the football to Larry Fitzgerald and Todd Heap this season, something that should be seen in week one.<br /> <br /><strong>Cardinals</strong> 31 Panthers 17<br /><br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /><br /><br /><br /><em>Minnesota Vikings @ San Diego Chargers</em> <br /><a href="http://helmet2helmet.net/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/ryan-mathews1.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px;" src="http://helmet2helmet.net/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/ryan-mathews1.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br /><br />Minnesota changed head coaches last year, but the Chargers hung onto theirs for some reason. That reason needs to be shown immediately.<br /> <br />While Minnesota's back seven in their defense is pretty good, they have questions along the defensive line. The Chargers offense is explosive, so a fast start is needed by them in order to show they are Super Bowl contenders.<br /> <br /><strong>Chargers</strong> 28 Vikings 24<br /><br /> <br /> <br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><em>Seattle Seahawks @ San Francisco 49ers</em> <br /><a href="http://profootballzone.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/49ers-frank-gore.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px;" src="http://profootballzone.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/49ers-frank-gore.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br />Both teams have pretty lousy quarterbacks, so the run game will be big here. Both teams have nice receiving trios, but no one to get them the ball.<br /> <br />While special teams may decide things, this could be the week Frank Gore reminds fans of just how good he can be.<br /> <br /><strong>49ers</strong> 20 Seattle 17<br /><br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><em>New York Giants @ Washington Redskins<br /></em><br /><a href="http://www3.pictures.zimbio.com/gi/Carolina+Panthers+v+New+York+Giants+p7dEoVhegQ1l.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px;" src="http://www3.pictures.zimbio.com/gi/Carolina+Panthers+v+New+York+Giants+p7dEoVhegQ1l.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br />It is fitting New York will be represented in the nation's capitol on the tenth anniversary 9-11. Washington will need to run the ball and eat up the clock to keep the Giants excellent offense on the sideline.<br /> <br />The Giants severely depleted secondary will be tested soon, but it is doubtful this will come from Redskins quarterback Rex Grossman. His penchant for mistakes will probably make the difference.<br /> <br /><strong>Giants</strong> 27 Redskins 24<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /><em>Dallas Cowboys @ New York Jets</em> <br /><a href="http://empiresportsnow.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/darrelle_revis-300x450.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px;" src="http://empiresportsnow.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/darrelle_revis-300x450.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br />This could get ugly fast, as Dallas can't stop the run and probably will not be able to run against the excellent Jets defense. Tony Romo may end up chucking over 50 passes in this one.<br /> <br /><strong>Jets</strong> 27 Cowboys 14<br /><br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /><br /><br /><br /><em>New England Patriots @ Miami Dolphins</em> <br /><a href="http://static-l3.blogcritics.org/10/11/15/148463/tombrady,fromthirtysecondsurveysdotcom.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px;" src="http://static-l3.blogcritics.org/10/11/15/148463/tombrady,fromthirtysecondsurveysdotcom.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br />Miami fully expects to have a better offense compared to last year as young quarterback Chad Henne matures into the player they hope for. But their rushing attack is still in question.<br /> <br />The Patriots, considered by some to be the best team in the AFC, only have to question of how many games they will win this year.<br /> <br /><strong>Patriots</strong> 23 Dolphins 16<br /><br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><em>Oakland Raiders @ Denver Broncos</em> <br /><a href="http://cdn.bleacherreport.net/images_root/slides/photos/001/218/216/121730296_display_image.jpg?1314044286"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px;" src="http://cdn.bleacherreport.net/images_root/slides/photos/001/218/216/121730296_display_image.jpg?1314044286" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br />Oakland loves to run the football, as they should with Darren McFadden and Michael Bush taking carries. But their defensive secondary in an unknown commodity when extra defensive backs are needed, and the run defense on both teams is nothing special. <br /> <br />Kyle Orton could light up the Raiders secondary for over 300 yards, but the amount of offensive plays the Broncos could have may be limited due to the Raiders ground game controlling the clock.<br /> <br /><strong>Raiders</strong> 20 Broncos 173rdStoneFromTheSunhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08885818209425078599noreply@blogger.com1