The Truth Behind the Minnesota Vikings and the Stadium Issue

The current economic recession has taken its toll on the the automotive industry, banks, big business, and especially the working American. It has not, however, had much impact on the sports world. 

Recently, NFL teams such as the Colts (Lucas Oil Stadium), and the Dallas Cowboys, despite a declining economy, have built new stadiums to replace the ones which they’ve played in for numerous years. 

The grandeur and marvelous architecture of these new stadiums reflects the true greatness and stability of the NFL, the recession-proof capabilities of team owners, and just how important these teams are to the community.

With the Minnesota Vikings, it is a different case. For twenty-seven years and counting, the Vikings have played in the Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome in Minneapolis, Minnesota, a structure which, though not yet dilapidated, has quickly become outdated, and in a sports world revolving around renewal and perfection, it must be replaced.

In the recession, people have lost money but it hasn’t stopped them from attending beloved sports games. It will stop them, even with an abundance of money, if they feel as though they are not being accommodated appropriately, according to their spending.  Such is the case with the Metrodome, and with the threat of a move to sunny L.A., it is a more prominent issue than ever for the Vikings to build a new stadium.

“Build it and they will come,” Jim Morrison told Wayne in the comedy classic “Wayne’s World,” but if the Vikings don’t build it, “they” will steadily not come, until a move is the only option left. 

Roger Goodell, the NFL Commissioner, has realized this urgency, and at the most recent NFL annual meeting, discussed the Vikings’ stadium issues as being a top priority, and with the recent departure of the Minnesota Twins and the Minnesota Golden Gophers from the Metrodome, it can easily be seen that the Metrodome is no longer worthy of an NFL team, especially one on the brink of success, such as the Minnesota Vikings.

Overall, the Vikings’ stadium situation is one that has no reason to even be occurring. With the recession-proof abilities of the NFL, there is no reason why Adrian Peterson shouldn’t have a new place to break various NFL rushing records. 

It’s time someone in the Minnesota legislature realized the immense contributions that an NFL team has to a community, and allowed the state budget to contribute to a stimulus package in the form of a new stadium for the Vikings.

From The Top: Coaches On The Hot Seat in 2009

As folks arrived in Dana Point, Calif., Sunday for the NFL owners’ meetings, Peter King of Sports Illustrated observed:

“I think it’s a strange sight, and definitely a changing-of-the-guard sight, to come to a league meeting and not see Mike Holmgren, Mike Shanahan, Jon Gruden, Herman Edwards…Changing-of-the-guard time, folks.”

Oh, but for how long, Peter? All of those guys, plus Bill Cowher, are expected to be in play for NFL jobs again in 2010; and with such a bunch of power brokers expected to be available, many franchises figure to put their current coaches on short leashes in 2009.

As the owners’ meetings continue, it’s a perfect time to take a look at some of the coaches who might not be there next year, the guys who are sitting in the hot seats.

1) Tom Cable, Oakland

Raider coaches are always No. 1 on the hot seat. How could they not be? There have been five of them since 2002.

Al Davis is a black-and-silver-hair-trigger pistol who fires coaches at first twitch. He has no tolerance for losing, yet that’s all his team has done since it lost to Gruden’s Tampa Bay Bucs in the Super Bowl after the 2002 season.

If Cable can get the Raiders to 8-8, he might buy himself another season. Otherwise, it’s better than 50-50 that Davis finds someone else to yell at.

One of Davis’ problems is he still thinks he knows football, so he hires coaches he can bully and control.

The irony is: If he hired a strong, veteran coach like one of the giants mentioned above, the Raiders would win again. Of course, there’s no chance any of those guys—especially former Raiders Shanahan and Gruden—would coach for Davis when they will get much better offers elsewhere.

2) Wade Phillips, Dallas

If the Cowboys miss the playoffs again, Phillips is gone. Owner Jerry Jones has not said it, but he doesn’t need to. Like a lot of people, Jones thinks Dallas has too much talent to not make the playoffs.

But would Jones go after one of the big shots? And would they want to work for such a hands-on (some say “meddling”) owner?

Gruden or Edwards might, but the Big Three—Holmgren, Cowher, and Shanahan—would not. Holmgren and Shanahan want to run their own operations again, and Cowher reportedly wants his own people (i.e., Kevin Colbert, general manager of the Pittsburgh Steelers) running the show with him.

3) Jim Zorn, Washington

The surprise pick to coach the Redskins in 2008, Zorn needs to up his coaching game big time or he’ll probably get big-timed.

Owner Daniel Snyder loves coaching legends, as his short-lived affairs with Steve Spurrier and Joe Gibbs illustrated. Snyder broke form by hiring a little-known coach who wasn’t really ready, and he might be itching to go big again next year if Zorn fails again.

If he’s willing to demote or fire de facto GM Vinny Cerrato, Snyder might be able to get Shanahan or Holmgren. Imagine a Shanahan-Clinton Portis reunion.

If Zorn doesn’t get Washington to the playoffs this year, it could happen.

4) Dick Jauron, Buffalo

What a helpless feeling to know your fate is in the hands of Terrell Owens. That’s where Jauron finds himself as the Bills splurged on a one-year gamble with the 35-year-old wide receiver, hoping Owens is the fulcrum the Bills can use to help pry themselves out of a three-year, 7-9 rut.

Jauron is lucky to be back for 2009 after his team faded from a 5-1 start in 2008 to a third straight 7-9 finish. Anything short of the playoffs will probably not be good enough this time.

But the Bills have cash-flow issues and probably couldn’t afford to hire one of the Fab Five Free Agents of Coaching even if owner Ralph Wilson wanted to.

5) Brad Childress, Minnesota

Childress finally got the Vikings to the playoffs in 2008, and he will be expected to win in 2009, especially after the Vikings traded for quarterback Sage Rosenfels.

For the past couple of years, the Vikings have been the IT team in the NFL. With a great defense and running game, all they have lacked is a quarterback to put them over the top.

It still doesn’t look like they have one, and if that’s true and they can’t win some playoff games, owner Zygi Wilf might let Childress go and try to grab a coach who has proven he knows how to get to the Super Bowl (Holmgren, Cowher, Shanahan and Gruden all have won it).

OTHERS

Lovie Smith, Chicago: The heat might be on Smith after two non-playoff seasons. He still doesn’t have much of a quarterback, and his defense can’t seem to stay healthy. If the Bears go into early hibernation again in 2009, GM Jerry Angelo just might make a change. But he wouldn’t replace Smith with an expensive coach who might threaten Angelo’s power base.

Marvin Lewis, Cincinnati: Lewis has two years left on his contract, and if he can’t get the Bengals back to the playoffs for the first time since 2005, he might not see that final year. Mike Brown is one of the cheapest owners in the league and has a history of sticking with losing coaches, but four bad years in a row has usually been his limit. Of course, even if he let Lewis go, it’s highly doubtful Brown would want to pay one of the Fab Five.

Gary Kubiak, Houston: After consecutive 8-8 seasons, Kubiak’s Texans are poised to get over the hump in 2009. If they don’t, owner Bob McNair might choose to go straight to the source and try to hire Kubiak’s former boss in Denver, Shanahan. The pressure is building in Houston.

Chris Cluff’s Football.com column, “From the Top,” is a weekly look at issues involving coaching, management and ownership of the NFL’s 32 franchises. See more at http://www.football.com/nfl.php.

The Buffalo Bills’ Current State

The Buffalo Bills have made a lot of noise throughout the NFL and the sports world recently with their addition of high profile wide receiver Terrell Owens. 

But there are other areas that need to be focused on as well.  Something that I really want to focus on throughout this article is that the Bills need to fill the void at left guard, defensive end, linebacker, and tight end.  Those are the top four areas where the Bills need to either sign or draft someone at each of those positions. 

The Bills so far have signed five free agents, QB Ryan Fitzpatrick, C Geoff Hangartner, CB Drayton Florence, WR Terrell Owens, and LB Pat Thomas.  Fitzpatrick was a good signing because we did need a quarterback to back up Edwards after the departure of JP Losman. 

I hope that Hangartner will be able to give us a huge boost over Duke Preston and Melvin Fowler, because center last year was a huge issue for the Bills. 

I really liked the Bills picking up Drayton Florence; he will be a solid nickel back for us and he could start if either McGee or McKelvin were to go down. Knock on wood that it doesn’t happen. 

T.O. was a huge addition for us; I was shocked and surprised that the Bills went out and signed him.  I just hope that he isn’t going to be a distraction for us like he has been with every other team.  The Bills are a very young team and they don’t need any distractions. 

I know that T.O. will perform on the field; I just hope that he also performs in a good way off the field as well. 

The signing of Pat Thomas was very mediocre.  Thomas is not starting material; at best, he’s just here for depth at linebacker and special teams.

I don’t think the Bills are done in free agency yet, because they still need to address four very important positions.  For the Bills to even be considered a potential playoff team, they have to find the guys to fill those four vacant positions. 

I was really hoping the Bills would acquire left guard Brian Waters from the Kansas City Chiefs.  Waters would be a great fit for the Bills at right guard; the guy is experienced and has been to many Pro Bowls. 

The Bills would still have to draft some offensive linemen in the draft for depth.  Who knows what’s going to happen with Peters and if Hangartner can really be the number one guy at center?  The Bills right side of the line is set, with Walker at right tackle and Butler at right guard. 

The Bills most likely will address the tight end and defensive end positions in the upcoming NFL draft.  At linebacker, I was also really hoping the Bills would sign free agent LB Cato June. 

June has already won a Super Bowl with the Colts.  He’s an experienced linebacker who would definitely start with the recent departure of Angelo Crowell, who is a Buccaneer now.

I think the Bills’ first round draft pick will be a defensive end and that they will draft either Brian Orakpo from Texas or Aaron Maybin from Penn State.  In the second round, I think the Bills will try to go after tight end Shawn Nelson from Southern Miss.

Hopefully the Buffalo Bills will be able to fill the voids that need to be filled.  I truly think they are capable of doing this; they might have to trade some players or draft picks to get what they need, but as long as they are determined to find the right people then they should hopefully have a successful season. 

This is the Bills’ time to get back to the playoffs.  It has been way too long since the Bills were in a playoff game.  Fans are getting sick of the Bills missing the playoffs, so now is the time to put together a playoff winning team that can take us back. 

The Bills are a team on the rise. Look for them to be a successful team going into the 2009 season, determined to get back to the playoffs and maybe the Super Bowl.

I will be writing more articles about the Bills following up to the NFL Draft and so on.  Any feedback is greatly appreciated on my article, thanks.   

 

Buffalo Bills at New England Patriots: Get Your Popcorn Ready

As anticipated, the signing of Terrell Owens this off-season has increased the national appeal of our small-town gridiron heroes. The formerly uninteresting, middle-of-the-pack nobodies are now one of the teams slated to be showcased on the NFL’s opening weekend.

Partly because they are one of the original AFL teams, and the NFL is celebrating the AFL’s 50th anniversary this season, but mostly because of T.O.

Get your popcorn ready, North America.

Think what you will about T.O.—selfishness, “Me Only” attitude, bashing teammates (especially QBs)—he definitely commands attention. Dick Jauron can’t stop parroting his stats in press conferences. His new coach is obviously impressed.

And so are season ticket holders. Increased sales and renewals are a direct result of signing just this one player. The Bills Store has also seen an amazing demand for Owens jerseys. The guy commands attention.

The Bills have at least one more showcase game already. They will be on the national stage once again when they play their second game across the border in Toronto, Ontario (also known by the locals as, “T.O.” That won’t be exploited at all…).

The early talk is that the Bills could play Peyton Manning and the Indianapolis Colts in that game. Other possibilities include Tampa Bay and New Orleans.

But I really don’t think that will be the end of it. Thanks to the T.O. factor, NFL fans across the country (and beyond) should be seeing our Buffalo Bills many times this season.

I really like the first game for Buffalo, too. Think about it. The return of Tom Brady. T.O.’s first game. The losing streak is beginning to rival that dreaded Oh-for-the-’70s streak against the hated Miami Dolphins.

What better litmus test for this T.O.-powered offense (and the whole team in general) than the one team they just can’t beat (the one possible flaw being the likely absence of star RB Marshawn Lynch, who should be serving the first game of a suspension whose length—and actuality—is yet to be determined.)?

The NFL powers that be have decided the Bills are worth watching. Most Bills fans are equally intrigued. If nothing else, you have to admit, Bills’ GM (and former marketing guy) Russ Brandon really knows how to market his team.

So we now have a date. September 14 at 7:00pm EDT.

Get your popcorn ready.

Colts Talk: Breaking Down The Colts Pt. 2: Running Backs

The Colts had a great season last year.

Not just great. It was amazing.

They started out the season with a painful loss to the Chicago Bears, 29-13. That was the first time they lost their first game of the season since 2004 when they lost to the Patriots.

The Colts started out with a 3-4 record that year. That was just not how the Colts play.

After that, the Colts shined. After beating the Patriots, 18-15, that was the start of the nine-game win streak. They made it towards a 12-4 record and made the playoffs.

One of the anchors on CBS said that the Colts were the hottest team coming into the playoffs. Unfortunately, it didn’t look like it. They lost to the Chargers, 23-17, in overtime while the Colts didn’t even have a chance to touch the ball.

After that painful loss, Tony Dungy said that it was over for him in football. After he retired from the Colts and wrote a book called, Uncommon.

The Colts were looking for a new coach. Gladly, they found Jim Caldwell, a man who has been with the staff for quite some time.

What can Caldwell do? Is he the man for the job? Can the Colts show the world they have a running game and they can be Super Bowl contenders?

Let’s see what happens.

Last time, you saw the quarterbacks and how good I explained them. Thank you very much! Now today, I am going to break down the running backs. I know I said fullbacks in the last article, but there is actually no fullbacks, just running backs. Next time, it will be the wide receivers and tight ends. So let’s go!

 

Joseph Addai: 155 carries. 544 rushing yards. 3.5 yards per carry average. Five touchdowns.

This year was a disappointing year for Joseph Addai.

This is the first time in his NFL career that he has not reached the 1,000-yard rushing mark. After coming off a year of 1,072 rushing yards, Addai looked to dominate more with Dominic Rhodes on his back.

He didn’t.

He was on D-Rhodes’ back. It all started in a 29-13 lost to the Bears. Addai has 12 carries for 44 yards. Pretty decent, but what made it go down was the 3.7 yards per carry average. It was okay.

The next game was horrible though. In a 18-15 win against the Vikings: 15 carries for 20 yards. 1.3 yards per carry average. One touchdowns.

Horrible!

You just don’t see 15 carries for 20 yards. The next game was fabulous for Addai. He started to improve dramatically. He had 16 carries for 78 yards with a 4.9 yards per carry average. It also included two touchdowns but it wasn’t enough in the 23-21 loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars.

Addai had another big game in the next one in a 31-27 win over the Texans: 17 carries for 71 yards and one touchdown, including a 4.2 yards per carry average. Those were very good numbers. Has last two games were great, resulting in 34 carries for 149 yards and three touchdowns, including a 4.6 yards per carry average.

Addai started to go low in his next three games, one including two carries for only three yards. The highest yards per carry average was 2.8! Addai was just having a horrible year.

The next three games were surprising for Addai.

It started out with 22 carries for 105 yards and one touchdown, including a 4.8 yards per carry average in a 33-27 win over the Texans. Addai just has great games over the Texans. He had a total of 39 carries for 176 yards and two touchdowns, including a 4.5 yards per carry average against the Texans.

In the next game, resulting in a 23-20 win over the Chargers, Addai had 16 carries for 70 yards and a 4.4 yards per carry average. The next game was okay. Not very good but pretty decent numbers in a 10-6 win over the Browns: 15 carries for 57 yards and a 3.8 yards per carry average.

In his last three games, Addai dazzled his numbers up very good. He had a total of 53 carries for 232 yards and one touchdowns, including a 4.3 yards per carry average. Those are very good numbers.

How can you say good? Those are spectacular! Miraculous! Just amazing!

Even though his last three games were amazing, the the next four were just the opposite.

It started out in a 35-3 win over the Bengals. Even though it was a killer win, Addai had only 10 carries for 26 yards and only a 2.6 yards per carry average. Then in the next two games, he missed, due to an injury.

His last game was only good in the passing game. The running game was nothing: One carry, four yards, four yards per carry average. But anyways, Addai had a 55 yard touchdown pass in the first quarter in that 23-0 win over the Titans.

Addai ended the season with the stats shown in the big bold letters above. Addai didn’t have much of a big game in the 23-17 overtime loss to the Chargers: 16 carries for 44 yards and one touchdowns, including a 2.8 yards per carry average.

Even though Addai didn’t dazzle this year, he probably will next year. With Mike Hart coming back and Lance Ball and Chad Simpson might have their ways and Dominic Rhodes backing up Joe, Addai can be the 1,000 yard rusher that he once was but still is.

I hope Addai helps out the Colts’ running game that can lead the Colts towards their third Super Bowl win in their franchise history. Addai looks to be great next year.

Watch. You’ll see.

Dominic Rhodes: 152 carries. 538 rushing yards. 3.5 yards per carry average. Six touchdowns.

Rhodes is my favorite running back ever!

Rhodes proved himself as a better running back than Addai last year, and that is why the Colts want Rhodes to stay with them still. Rhodes was a huge X-Factor to the team last year. Rhodes, in my opinion, is the man.

Even though his first two games of the season weren’t that good: four carries for seven yards, including a 1.8 yards per carry average. Even though that wasn’t that good, but his “X-Factorness” and backup running back skills were pretty helpful when it came to those kind of stats.

In a 23-21 loss to Jags, Rhodes had two carries for 24 yards. That included a 12 yards per carry average, the best yards per carry average in a game than any other Colts’ running back on the team!

Rhodes next three games were just amazing. He had this combined total of dynamic stats: 62 carries for 216 yards and three touchdowns, including a 3.6 yards per carry average. Those are very good stats, for a backup.

Dom’s best game as a starter came against the Lions when he had 20 carries for 86 yards and two touchdowns, including a 4.3 yards per carry average.

Rhodes also helped out the team as he and Clifton Dawson, who is now released by the team according to Bryan Brackney at The Colts Corner, took the load in the Titans game. Well, not Rhodes, but Dawson.

Rhodes ended the season with decent stats for a backup. He had four carries for 12 yards and a three yards per carry average.

Rhodes looks to re-sign with the Colts with a small amount of pay, due to that he wants to stay with the team and leave some cap room for the team. Let’s hope Rhodes can lead the team to a fabulous Super Bowl win next year.

Chad Simpson: 15 carries. 45 rushing yards. Three yards per carry average. One touchdown.

Simpson is one of those helpful third-down backs. He will probably make the team as a fourth-string running back, behind Mike Hart next year or he might make the practice squad. Lance Ball might also mike the practice squad too.

Simpson did well in the pre-season. His best game in the pre-season came in a 23-20 lost to the Panthers as Chad Simpson had four carries for 27 yards and a 6.8 yards per carry average. Simpson ended the pre-season with 16 carries for 49 yards and a 3.1 yards per carry average.

Simpson’s first game came in a 34-14 lost to the Packers as Simpson had two carries for one yard with a horrible .5 yards per carry average. Even though that happened, it was his first game.

His best game against in a 31-21 lost to the Titans in which Simpson had four carries for 23 yards and a 5.8 yards per carry average.

His first touchdown came when he and Rhodes took the load in a 31-21 win over the Lions. Simpson had seven carries for 17 yards and one touchdown, including a 2.4 yards per carry average. Even though the carry average isn’t that good, Simpson was.

Simpson looks to help out the Colts in short-yard plays and might be a kick-off return specialist. He might also play a lot in the last game of the season. There are a lot of possible chances if Simpson will play next year. He looks to stay with the team, though.

Good luck Chad!

Lance Ball: 13 carries. 83 rushing yards. 6.4 yards per carry average. Zero touchdowns.

According to Colts Gab, they say that the Colts have re-signed Lance Ball. And on the Bryan Brackney article, they say that Lance Ball might be on the practice squad. I think Ball will make the team but probably might not play. He might play on the practice squad but we’ll see.

Even if Ball does make the practice squad, let’s just break down of what he’s got.

His pre-season stats are no doubt, amazing! In the pre-season, he had 31 carries for 137 yards and two touchdowns, including a 4.4 yards per carry average.

Ball only played one game in the regular season. Ball had the stats that are shown above. He did amazing. There is an NFL video of Ball doing spectacular starting in the 23-0 win over the Titans.

Ball looks to help out the Colts big time next year. Let’s see how he does. He’s gotten a great start in his first NFL game, but can he do more? We’ll find out next year.

Mike Hart: Two carries. Nine yards. 4.5 yards per carry average. Zero touchdowns.

Hart will become a short-yardage back next year with the Colts. It looks to be real exciting and I really can’t wait! Hart did amazing in the pre-season, having 17 carries for 95 yards and a 5.6 yards per carry average.

Hart really couldn’t do anything in the regular season last year. In his first game, a 29-13 loss to the Bears, Hart had one carry for seven yards and we all know what the yards per carry average is.

Hart’s last game playing was against the Ravens when he only had one carry for two yards and a two yards per carry average. Hart was placed on IR that year and could have done more with the team if he hadn’t have been injured.

After becoming a great in Michigan, he looks to pass it on in the NFL. Let’s see what he does and I hope he does great. Hart looks like an amazing player. I wish him the best luck out of all of the running backs seen. Good luck, Mike!

 

So now you know the Colts’ running backs. I hope you enjoyed the segments of the players in my article. Great read, huh? Stay tuned for next time as I break down the wide receivers and tight ends. Stay tuned…

ARTICLE ALSO FEATURED ON:

1. Sports Report with J.D.
2. Colts Corner
3. Stampede Blue
4. Sports Guys

Deals NFL GMs Need To Get Done, 2009 Edition

Last night, I took about five hours, seriously, five hours and looked through every trade and potential signing related headline I could find.

From the rift Jay Cutler and Josh McDaniels, to Tony Gonzalez wanting to leave Kansas City when they finally are getting the puzzle pieces to win a division title-(Cutler leaving Denver wouldn’t hurt either) to yes, the dumbest rumors involving Michael Vick playing in the NFL again.

So I composed a list of deal that need to happen, probably soon, preferably before things in their current situations get any worse.

 

1. Torry Holt to the 49ers.

Yeah, Holt had an off year, yeah he might be getting old, but he’s a proven former No. 1 wideout, probably best suited to be a speedy No. 2 now.

Holt still has amazing upside, especially when given a a good scheme. Even without Mike Martz calling the offense, Holt could rebound from his off year, and peak with 1,000 yards and six to eight touchdowns again.

Holt immediately makes Shaun Hill more comfortable and gives the Niners a legitimate long ball threat.

Throw in Andre Smith via the draft to secure up the O-Line, smack Vernon Davis upside his head and inform him he’s not god’s gift to tight ends, and this offense starts to get on the radar of Defensive Coordinators.

Other Places for Holt-Jacksonville, and maybe Cleveland.

 

2. Braylon Edwards and Cleveland’s Round Two, Pick Four to Philadelphia for Hank Baskett, Victor Abiamiri, and Philadelphia’s Round One, Pick 28

Braylon Edwards doesn’t fit into Eric Mangini’s system. He’s a whiny, selfish kinda of player, who albeit has talent like Keebler has cookies, can’t seem to harness it to the extent it needs to be.

Andy Reid got the best out of Terrell Owens, if only for a while and can do it with Edwards as well. The emergence of DeSean Jackson makes Baskett expendable and Abiamiri is the out guy out in the defensive end competition.

The Eagles would only be moving down nine spots where TE Brandon Pettigrew from Oklahoma State will probably still be.

Cleveland picking up Pick 28 can focus on Pick 5 and B.J. Raji or Brian Orakpo and maybe use number 28 on Hakeem Hicks or Brian Robieskie.

Other options—Phily acquires Anquan Boldin from Arizona, San Francisco or Indianapolis try to pry Edwards from Cleveland.

 

3. Anquan Boldin and Pick 31 to Baltimore for Picks 22, 57, and 119

Boldin is unhappy, and may hold out if his trade demands aren’t met. Swapping first round picks and nabbing a second and fourth rounder, makes sense.

Arizona can regroup and make another Super Bowl push and Joe Flacco gets his piece of gold No. 1 wideout.

Boldin’s complaining is going to hurt his value and if Arizona can pull this off, you have to give them kudos.

Other options—Taking far less than boldin’s value to dump him.

 

4. Jay Cutler and pick 79 to Minnesota for picks 22, 86, and another player

Jay Cutler needs to end up in Minnesota. Flat out, no Tarvaris Jackson, no Sage Rosenfels, yes Jay Cutler.

Cutler gives Minnesota the best chance to win right now, and probably secures Adrian Peterson won’t leave via free agency when his number comes up.

Minnesota gives Denver a team willing to shovel out draft picks for Cutler.

If Minnesota would send Jackson in the deal, Denver has to take it.

Detroit, the Jets, and Tampa Bay, all are Cutler suitors, have more holes than a quarterback can fill. Cutler is what Minnesota needs right now.

With Jared Allen and the Williams’ their defense is sound, they will address the WR situation in the draft and could be a home for Marvin Harrison or Torry Holt.

Other options—As noted Detroit, the Jets, and Tampa Bay, all have picks and players that Denver might want, and the Jets, realistically, probably are the front runners to acquire him.

My feeling is that when draft day comes Minnesota will still see him available and try to acquire him.

 

5. Tony Gonzalez to, well nowhere

Quit complaining and enjoy the fruits of rebuilding. you’ve got Cassel, Bowe, and a good core of players to make a serious run, and now you want to leave? you have got to be kidding me.

Other options—Gonzalez whines his way onto a 4-12 team not in Kansas City

 

6. Michael Vick to Subway

Anyone outside of the quarterback desperate Jets or 49ers that gives this guy a chance, will be put on my list of people who need punched in the face.

Vick deserves another chance like I need to be starting at TE for the Rams. He’s a choke artist, con-artist, and needs to learn to be a “sandwich artist” at Subway.

Other options—dare I say Canada.

 

7. The Buffalo Bills to Las Vegas or Toronto.

Pretty self-explanatory. I just had to throw this one in. GMs can’t do anything about it, it’s just one of those, it made sense in my mind.

 

8. Julius Peppers to New England for Picks 34 and 47, and a future 1st round pick.

Carolina, give Julius what he wants before he sits out and holds out and does any number of other things all involving the word out.

Two second rounders and a first rounder next year or the year after is probably all you’re gonna get unless you want all three of New England’s second rounders this year.

Other options—Peppers to Dallas, or one of two other “unnamed” teams, or Peppers holds out.

Derrick Harvey, Reggie Hayward Working to Improve Jacksonville Pass Rush

With the departure of veteran Paul Spicer, the Jaguars defense will have an updated look this coming season, featuring returning vet Reggie Hayward and second-year player and expected star Derrick Harvey as the team’s starters.

Hayward, since his 8.5-sack performance in 2005, has had trouble returning from an Achilles tear he sustained early in the 2006 season.

In 2007, he had a modest 3.5 sacks, and in 2008 he managed 4.5, but his performance has still not been what the Jaguars were expecting.

Harvey played well last season, especially after having missed almost all of training camp on the season’s longest rookie holdout. He is now expected to step in and fill Spicer’s role as the full-time right end.

Last season, the Jaguars defensive line was nothing short of dismal, continually failing to apply pressure to opposing quarterbacks and putting unnecessary strain on the already banged up secondary.

Hayward and Spicer combined for a grand total of only 8.5 sacks, the same number that Hayward had by himself in 2005.

Hayward said of Harvey, “He has more of an understanding of what’s going on…Your second year is always the hardest, because you’re not a surprise to opposing teams anymore. It’s just harder. He’s going to have to work harder to get over that hump.”

All in all, we can probably expect a better season from Harvey now that he’ll have both a full season and a full training camp under his belt, and Hayward is working hard to regain some of that burst he lost with the Achilles injury.

Don’t expect too much from the line this season, but do expect them to be better than last season.

Evaluating the Green Bay Packers’ 2006 Draft

Before the 2008 season, I wrote an article about the 2005 Draft. As I said in that article, I always find it ridiculous that fans and experts analyze drafts the day after.

After re-reading my article, three years may not be long enough.

Aaron Rodgers finally gave us a glimpse of what is to come. There were some spectacular moments for Rodgers, others fans would like to forget. Nick Collins exploded as well, reaching his first Pro Bowl.

The 2006 draft, I believe, is more clear cut.

 

Round One (Fifth overall): A.J. Hawk

Hawk has been good. Not great, not terrible, just average. For the fifth overall choice, though, more is expected.

It is a bit strange, as Hawk’s numbers have regressed every year. Tackles, interceptions, passes deflected, forced fumbles, you name it, it seems to get worse. Granted, Hawk had more on his plate to worry about this past year due to Nick Barnett’s injury, but the statistics are rather odd.

The sack total did rise from ’07 to ’08. But again, three sacks is nothing special.

He does have durability. Hawk hasn’t missed a game since he was drafted. Whether or not he is playing well, at least you know he built. So well built he ruptures spleens (see Al Harris).

I took a peek at the rest of the top ten picks that year, which include Reggie Bush, Matt Leinart, Vince Young, Michael Huff, Donte Whitner, and Vernon Davis have all underachieved. By no means does it grant Hawk a reprieve, I just found it interesting.

The switch from a 4-3 to 3-4 will be an interesting experiment for Hawk. Hopefully it better suits him. But for now…

Grade: B-

 

Round Two (47th Overall): Daryn Colledge T/G

Colledge has become a starter for the team, with McCarthy projecting him to be the left guard. However, Tauscher’s situation brings up the opportunity for Colledge to play right tackle.

Look, there aren’t statistics for offense line. You can’t really compare unless you study film. But I remember hearing the name Colledge during games, and when you are an offensive lineman, that is not a good thing.

The main problem seems to be that McCarthy doesn’t know where to put him. He has started, he has potential. As a second rounder, you have to though.

Grade: B-

 

Round Two (52nd Overall): Greg Jennings WR

Probably the best pick Ted Thompson has made so far.

After trading Javon Walker, there wasn’t exactly a clear cut No. 2 behind Driver. I remember being frustrated early on as Jennings would run the wrong routes. Then an injury. But his ability to be a deep threat was intriguing.

Now, I believe Jennings can make the Hall of Fame. I truly believe he can be one of the greatest Packers to ever play the game.

The man has speed, heart, and soul. Not to mention a pretty good head on his shoulders. Jennings can burn you deep, or find 20 yards after a quick slant route. He has the muscle and vertical to out-reach defenders, and the intensity to fire up the team.

He is selfless. I hear countless stories about his character. I don’t remember hearing a peep about renegotiation after his 12 touchdown spectacle in ’07.

I am not ashamed: I love Greg Jennings. I hope he is a Packer for life.

Oh yeah, some stats. Over three seasons he has 2844 yards, and 24 touchdowns, including last seasons 1292 yard and 9 TD’s totals.

And this never gets old. He had 12 touchdowns on 53 receptions in ’07. Nearly every four times he touched the ball, the Packers scored six.

Grade: No grade qualifies for how amazing Jennings is. I seriously wanted to do this preview just for the fact of reviewing Jennings. I guess we can move on now.

 

Round Three (67th Overall): Abdul Hodge LB

Didn’t quite pan out. Hodge only played eight games for the Packers, and could never get beyond Hawk, Barnett, and Poppinga.

He currently is a backup on the Bengals

Grade: D

 

Round Three (75th Overall): Jason Spitz

Spitz has had a slightly better career than Colledge, but is moved around like his second-round counterpart. Spitz started last season filling in for Scott Wells at center, and had some issues fumbling the ball.

Spitz is currently the right guard, but will face some competition from backup Josh Sitton. Spitz should, however, retain his position.

Grade: B

 

Round Four (104th Overall): Cory Rodgers WR

Never really panned out as a WR or KR.

Grade: F

 

Round Four (115th Overall): Will Blackmon CB

Blackmon’s career didn’t exactly start out the greatest. He was Justin Harrell, but without as much hype.

I looked for Blackmon to really grab that nickel spot, but injuries kept him from developing. He is currently, in my mind, competing with Pat Lee for that fourth CB spot.

Blackmon has found his niche as a return man. Scoring two touchdowns off of punts last year, it looked like Blackmon finally started coming around. What I’m really thankful for, is that he stepped out so Charles Woodson wouldn’t kill himself returning punts anymore.

Blackmon also shared kick-offs with Jordy Nelson, averaging a decent 21 yards a return.

Grade: B

 

Round Five (148th Overall): Ingle Martin QB

He had a funny name. Not much besides that

Grade: F

 

Round Five (165th Overall): Tony Moll T/G

Moll has seen some playing time, but has been a backup for most of his career. Tauscher possibly leaving can create a space for him, but he will battle Sitton and 6’7″ Breno Giacomini. He has played all over the line, and the experience might give him the edge.

Grade: C+

 

Round Six (183rd Overall): Johnny Jolly DT

Jolly cracked a starting spot after Corey Williams was traded, and it coincided with a lack of stopping the run. He also ran into some legal problems before the season last year.

Jolly, if he can play, will be an important part for this team. If he does not start, he may be a backup for the NT or DE positions. For a sixth rounder, he’s promising.

Grade: B

 

Round Six (185th Overall) Tyrone Culver S, Round 7 (253rd Overall) Dave Tollefson DE

Neither did much for the Packers, but Culver has lived long enough to provide depth for the Miami Dolphins.

Grades: F

 

Recap: The 2006 Draft was particularly impressive for Thomson. Six players are current or projected starters, one more is a backup. I doubt many teams can claim six starters from one draft alone.

Many are still just players and may never be superstars, but Jennings and Hawk have the chance. One more year, and Jennings will be. Changing schemes gives Hawk an opportunity.

This draft is one reason I trust Ted Thompson. There are starters found from the first to sixth rounds.

Let’s hope he can do it again come this April.

The Lonely Lion: The Drew Stanton Story

Each day, news comes out of Denver about the status of Jay Cutler. And each day, the Lions are mentioned as the top team hoping to gain Cutler’s services. But many are forgetting, after trading away Kitna and Orlovsky the Lions still hold two quarterbacks, the aging Daunte Culpepper and the young Drew Stanton.

Stanton, a three year starter at Michigan State, was drafted by the Lions in 2007, before the season he had knee surgery and sat out the entirety of the season. He has seen how the Lions work and he still wants to play for them, weird.

While at Michigan State he totaled 6,485 passing yards with 42 touchdowns and 1,470 rushing yards with 14 rushing touchdowns. As a Spartan he gave the offense an added dimension, he was a mobile quarterback who had a power arm. During the Senior Bowl Challenges, Stanton won the Quarterback Challenge in which he had to move in the pocket and throw at targets down field.

Stanton was an intense player while at Michigan State, he was the leader of the clubhouse, on several occasions rallying the team during halftime to comeback and win in the second half.

His most notable comeback victory was at Northwestern, at half the Spartans were down big and Stanton stood in the center of the locker room and told his teammates that he did not want Coach Smith to go out like that. The Spartans responded and came out to beat the Wildcats in a record breaking comeback victory.

During his tenure at Michigan State, Stanton not only gave the Spartans a quality quarterback, but he could take the pressure off of Lightning and Thunder, Javon Ringer and Jehuu Caulcrick respectively.

Following his Michigan State career Stanton was drafted by the Detroit Lions and took the third quaterback roster spot behind Dan Orlovsky. But now that both Jon Kitna and Orlovsky are no longer in Detroit, the competition boils down to Culpepper and Stanton.

Culpepper started for the Lions several times late in the season last year, and was ordinary, if that. The Lions did not want to start Stanton because he was too young and not ready for the big leagues. When they did put him in his green did show, he had a 52.9 completion percentage with 91 yards and a touchdown.

But if one looks at the needs of this team one can tell that more players are needed on the lines then behind center. With the offensive line the Lions have now, Tom Brady would look like Joey Harrington. The O-line is a siv and allows pass rushers in on the quarterback untouched, players are playing out of their positions and it shows.

The Lions do not need to draft another quarterback, if Matthew Stafford was brought into the organization, he would not have any success. There would still be no offensive line in front of him, there is a reason that quarterbacks always thank their O-lines in press conferences. Stafford would be a rookie quarterback, already a little shaky because of his youth who was being chased around the backfield by 300 lb. linebackers who are trying to rip his head off.

If the Lions would focus the draft on the offensive and defensive lines, the overall performance of the team would dramatically increase. Putting Stanton behind center is the best option, even though the line would be improved, if a defender broke through, Stanton would be able to scramble out of the way while throwing accurate shots down the field.

Any Lions quarterback has to be mobile, those who aren’t fail. Take Joey Harrington, he was not a mobile quarterback and he was forced to become mobile or lay on the turf. Jon Kitna, slightly more mobile than Harrington and had slightly better stats, he did throw some stupid passes but he was able to avoid some sacks.

If Stanton was anointed starter, he would be able to bob and weave around some of the defenders as he looked for an open receiver down field. Culpepper would be a good starter for part of the season though, as a mentor to Stanton, and when Stanton is ready he could take the reigns to the team.

So please, Jim Schwartz, pass on Matthew Stafford, take someone like Jason Smith or Aaron Curry. Use some common sense and let things play out before you start trying to fix this franchise with one draft. I ask you also to let Stanton start next season, its the next best thing for this franchise other than Ford selling to someone with a brain.  

Brady Quinn Would Be Denver Broncos’ Best Option

Hey, did you hear that Jay Cutler has been upset lately with the way New Broncos Head Coach Josh McDaniels has handled his franchise quarterback?

Oh, you did? Just checking.

Many think the New York Jets, who have jumped in this Jay Cutler pool most recently, have the most to give up in an attempt to land the Pro Bowl quarterback. From those who do think this is the case, where exactly do the Broncos go with the quarterback position?

Sure, they will definitely get a 2009 first-round draft pick, as well as maybe a future first-round pick to spend on a young quarterback. But let’s be honest, should the Broncos feel good coming into the 2009 NFL season led by a rookie quarterback?

Many could also say that the Broncos could acquire one of the Jets quarterbacks in a trade. Again, I do not see Erik Ainge, Brett Ratliff, or Kellen Clemens as the quarterback Broncos Owner Pat Bowlen and McDaniels envision for the future of the franchise.

I have also heard the Washington Redskins in this push for Cutler. Again, I do not think Denver would get the best out of a trade, even if that trade does include Quarterback Jason Campbell.

Campbell, although young and still progressing, doesn’t seem to be the type of quarterback McDaniels wants in his system. To me, Campbell has always seemed to be a passer that would not fit the style of what the New England Patriots offense has been the past couple of seasons.

With that being said, if the Broncos do in fact trade Cutler in the end, I would think the Cleveland Browns would be the ideal trade partner in this situation. What do they have? They have a young quarterback in Brady Quinn who does have some experience, and probably the most talent of any young quarterback that could become available.

Quinn was selected by the Cleveland Browns with the 22nd-overall pick in the 2007 NFL Draft. Many draft experts thought he was at least a top-five pick that year, but after the Miami Dolphins selected Wide Receiver Ted Ginn Jr. with the ninth-overall pick, Brady’s hope of being a top pick seemed to be crushed.

The Browns traded up with the Dallas Cowboys at 22 to select Quinn and make him their quarterback of the future.

Quinn has played in only four games for the Browns the past two season, passing for 563 yards, two touchdowns, and two interceptions.

Browns Head Coach Eric Mangini has recently said it would be an open competition between Quinn and Derek Anderson for the starting quarterback job. Obviously, Cleveland feels like Anderson still has a future with the team, despite his injury-plagued 2008 season.

This is the time when the Denver Broncos should make their run at Quinn. Nothing that is put on the table by another NFL team can match what the Browns can right now.

Maybe the Broncos will work out the wrinkles with Cutler and all will be well in Denver. But if Cutler still wants to be on the trade block, Bowlen should look towards a different kind of orange.

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