An Open Letter From The Jaguars Fans to Matt Jones.

Matt,

Towards the middle of last season you had us all on edge. We were thinking, “Yes! He’s finally become the legitimate receiver we drafted him to be!”…

Why do you hurt us so?

All we ever asked of you was to catch the ball. For three agonizing years we watched you come so close to doing just that, only to have the ball bounce from your oddly lifeless fingertips.

What, we pondered, could the cause of your horrible lack of concentration be attributed to? Were you really that overhyped coming out of college? The answer, it seemed, was a little bit of magic dust… Or rather, cocaine.

So, after the cocaine bust, it looked like you were turning things around. You were having an excellent training camp, you started the year off great, you started catching passes and you certainly outshone that hack-I mean legitimate free agent signing Jerry Porter.

Our hopes were high coming into this season, we were hoping that you paired with a deep threat could be like Keenan McCardell and Jimmy Smith. Thunder and Lightning all over again. But no, you had to ruin it for us.

I mean, seriously, who drinks while they golf? Come on man, that’s just absurd! I’ve certainly never kicked back a cold one while cruising my way to a gentleman’s 140 (and that’s just the back nine…). No, never in a casual golfer’s life has he opened a beer coming into the seventh hole. Or coming off the first tee…

My point here, although it may seem long winded now, is you have been released because you violated your probation. You violated your probation drinking beer while golfing.

So the Jaguars cut you. Wow, Gene Smith, I know you value character, but this is a guy who is on the rise. In the last year he’s gone from slobbering cocaine addict to legitimate wide receiver and you cut him for downing a cold one on the golf course. I hope like nobody’s business that you end up with a team we play this season, Matt. And I love the Jags, and I hope they win, but I also hope you go over 100 yards against us if we do play you, just to show Gene Smith what an idiot he is.

So, Matt Jones, good luck wherever you land and let it be known that the fans of Jacksonville will miss you a lot more than they think this season. Now we get to pick between Northcutt and… Do we have a second receiver?

*sigh*

2009 NFL Players in the Final Year of a Contract

When it comes to evaluating players for the 2009 fantasy football season we all have our own theories on how we evaluate and rank talent. We all like to believe we know more about NFL players and fantasy football strategy then anyone in our league.

There are the obvious great players that everyone knows about like the Peyton Manning’s, Adrian Peterson’s and Larry Fitzgerald’s of the world. So veteran fantasy football players are always looking for the next breakout player and we all use different ways to try and find them. We follow free agency; the NFL draft and we use theories like Third-Year Wide Receivers.

Another commonly used theory when trying to find a player who is about to breakout is the infamous player in the final year of a contract. Many of us believe that players have their best years when they are playing for their next contract. The Bruno Boys do see the logic behind it, but let’s face it like any other theory this is not going to be 100 percent effective.

Even though I don’t believe that just because a player is playing for a contract they are automatically going to have a great season, I do believe some of them might. So for the sake of covering all bases, let’s take a look at some NFL players who are in the final year of a contract heading into 2009.

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Quarterbacks

Phillip Rivers (San Diego Chargers) – Phillip Rivers is far and away the best quarterback on this list. He passed for 4,009 yards with 34 touchdowns and 11 interceptions in 2008. Rivers is a high-end QB1 heading into 2009 and could very well improve on last season’s numbers.

Eli Manning (New York Giants) – Eli Manning has been known to make fantasy football owners pull their hair out. Thanks to his big brother (Peyton) he has been overrated from day one. Sure he already has a Super Bowl ring and a Super Bowl MVP on his resume, but he does not put up huge fantasy football numbers. Consider him a top-tier QB2 heading into 2009; he is someone you can use as a platoon quarterback.

Jake Delhomme (Carolina Panthers) – This 11-year veteran may be on the downside of his career, but he does play in an offense full of talent. The Panthers now run a balanced offensive attack, which allowed Jake Delhomme to throw for 3,288 yards with 15 touchdowns and 12 interceptions in 2008. He will be hard pressed to make a drastic improvement on those numbers in 2009, so he should be targeted as a low-end QB2 in this summer’s drafts.

Other notable quarterbacks playing for a contract: Jason Campbell (Washington Redskins); Kellen Clemens (New York Jets); Kyle Orton (Chicago Bears).

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Running Backs

Maurice Jones-Drew (Jacksonville Jaguars) – Heading into his fourth NFL season expectations are going to be extremely high for Maurice Jones-Drew. The Jaguars released their all-time leading rusher Fred Taylor this offseason and have been working on improving their offensive line. This should help MJD improve on last season’s 1,389 combined yards and 14 total touchdowns. Consider Jones-Drew a RB1 heading into 2009, worthy of a top-ten pick in upcoming fantasy football drafts.

Jerious Norwood (Atlanta Falcons) – As a backup running back Jerious Norwood has shown flashes of brilliance during his first three seasons in the NFL. He a career rushing average of 5.8 yards per carry and if he can get enough touches in 2009, he has chance to cash in on free agency in 2010. Consider Norwood a RB3 heading into 2009, as he should get 10-15 touches a game as Michael Turner’s backup in Atlanta.

Willie Parker (Pittsburgh Steelers) – Injuries limited Willie Parker in 2008. He ran for 791 yards with five touchdowns in 11 games in 2008. When healthy Parker is a speedy back who fits perfectly in the Steelers run oriented offense. Consider Parker a low-end RB2 heading into 2009, but if he remains healthy he will likely exceed expectations and earn a nice big contract.

LenDale White (Tennessee Titans) – LenDale White is one part of a very formidable duo in Tennessee. He and Chris Johnson form a nice one-two punch at running back. White carried the ball 200 times for 773 yards with 15 touchdowns while splitting carries with Johnson in 2008. Consider White a RB2 heading into 2009 while once again sharing time with Johnson.

Other notable running backs playing for a contract:

Kevin Faulk (New England Patriots); Edgerrin James (Arizona Cardinals); Chester Taylor (Minnesota Vikings); Leon Washington (New York Jets); Ricky Williams (Miami Dolphins).

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ESPN’s Ron Jaworski Feels Bears WR Devin Hester Has Improved

ESPN’s Ron Jaworski Feels Bears WR Devin Hester Has Improved

Former NFL quarterback Ron Jaworski, who is an announcer for ESPN’s “Monday Night Football” has studied Bears WR Devin Hester’s transition from a kick returner to wide receiver.

Jaws had this to say about Hester’s transition:

“He has improved dramatically as a wide receiver, he has improved in every area, … I thought he learned how to run routes, he learned how to read coverages on the move and he learned now to stem and separate from cornerbacks and safeties. I saw a guy who got better and better and better the more experience he got. I think he is going to make a significant contribution as a wide receiver.”

All quotes from chicagotribune.com

Oakland’s Cornell Green: Just Let Him Foul Up, You Have a Reason to Ditch Him

For anyone who hasn’t read it now, Cornell Green has been arrested for a Domestic Violence Charge, stemming from a fight in Tampa.

The 32 year old Cornell was caught trying to get on a flight to Oakland California, so apparently either he felt what he did didn’t warrant police action, of he thought the sooner he could leave the situation, the better things would be for him.

In his case, he was wrong both times.

Now, before judgement can be passed on if he’s guilty, some things would have to come to light. Guilty? Innocent? Was he intoxicated? Only two people know, and the courts could have a field day with this.

Oakland, meanwhile has an issue to deal with, on top of the death of Marquis Cooper. Cornell Green is an Offensive Tackle, if you can call him that. He was part of the “screen door” line that the most false starts in the NFL last season, teaming with league leaders Kwame Harris.

Some were wondering why Green wasn’t already cut along with Harris. Someone in Oakland probably felt they couldn’t afford to drop both linemen with limited options.

Right now, I think Oakland’s best option, and to continue to move forward, is to drop Green, try to find another Tackle on the free agency market or start looking at options for the Draft. By Green’s own actions, he’s helped the team, unlike any other player.

He self-destructed, and gives us a reason to get rid of him.

Steelers Versus Raiders, Always a Slugfest

Does anyone remember George Atkinson? Loyal and longtime face of the Oakland Raider greats gets to speak his mind during training camp and preseason games on TV as an analyst on the promotional program “Behind the Shield.”

During the regular season George can be found milling around the VIP areas of McAfee Coliseum graciously answering questions and chatting with fans.

I can never quite figure out if he’s been hitting the booze or if that is his natural accent but to listen to George is like he’s Bill Cosby’s alter ego. They have the same drawl. 

In his day, George Atkinson was the fastest man in the AFL with blazing speed returning punts. Drafted out of a small school in the south (Robert Morris) he played his rookie season in 1968, the year the Raiders played the Packers in Super Bowl II.  He was a factor in that game for the Raiders.

In fact, it is fair to say as both a punishing defensive back and elite punt returner, Atkinson came to symbolize what Raider greatness is all about.

This of course includes a full commentary on what really defines Raider greatness.

Take the case of Russ Francis for example. He played on some underachieving New England Patriot teams in his day but was considered one of the best at his position (tight end). To try and change the complexion of a game, George Atkinson broke Russ’ nose unnecessarily.

The most unnecessary of George’s egregious acts on the football field, however, was clubbing the back of Lynn Swann’s head after a play ended and a pass nowhere near Lynn was thrown (and then still calling him soft years later)

George has never made apologies for his style of play. In fact he has owned up to the label of “dirty player” and has said being labeled as such never bothered him. Is there irony here or is that a smoking gun?

What makes the story of George relevant to Raiders history is after the Swann incident, the Steelers’ head coach Chuck Knoll called Atkinson part of a “criminal element.”

Back in those days, the NFL was not as strict as it is today with the rules and etiquette and legal haggling and all that stuff. On George’s behalf, Al Davis sued Chuck Knoll (or perhaps he sued all of Pittsburgh) under the pretense the comment damaged his reputation.

Get it? Isn’t that funny? Chuck Knoll damaged George Atkinson’s reputation?

Well, it wasn’t so funny at that time. There was a chain of endless court dates and lawyer fees and all kinds of mudslinging in the press. I remember a TV clip with Atkinson in his 1970’s wide collared shirt and gold chains saying something like “Yea, my rep is tarnished man.”

This whole lawsuit scenario was a giant farce, yet, at the time, few knew how to stop the Al Davis legal jaugernaut. People’s lives were interrupted so they could be in court.

Al’s history is all about abusing the legal system. Al still has the gall to refer to Chuck Knoll as his friend to this day. Is that funny or what? Al was too insecure a personality to confront an issue like a mature adult. He could have accepted an apology from Chuck Knoll but instead he sued him for defamation. Do friends do that to each other?

All it would take is if cooler heads prevailed. Instead, Al wanted retribution. It was the only way a scrawny guy could get to thump his chest is if he leveraged the only card in his deck, which is money, to hire multiple attorneys to throw down the lawsuit gauntlet.  

Instead, he wasted a lot of people’s time for no gain (the lawsuit awarded Atkinson no damages). 

What most people remember about the trial was not George Atkinson.  They remember Al Davis gloating, trying to stick it to Pete Rozelle (then commish of the NFL), Art Rooney and the entire Steeler organization because they beat the Raiders in the playoffs so many times.

By today’s standards, what Knoll said is not that big a deal. We all say things in the heat of the moment and this was hardly that bad. Al just wanted to make a point and reinforce his approach as being anti-NFL.

The implication was he did not need NFL rules. Al would use the laws of the land.

Its Time For Jamaal Anderson To Prove His Worth To The Falcons

He is known to many Falcons fans simply as JA98. That moniker refers to the name and number of this former first round pick out of Arkansas. To those who don’t know the name, it’s Jamaal Anderson, and he was supposed to be the big time defensive end that the Falcons needed to get that pass-rush moving in the right direction.

To date, he has yet to mature into the guy that the Falcons brass thought he would and many fans feel that we have already given up on JA98.

I certainly have.

When you look at what he has done in the last two years, he simply has not been impressive. In two years as the Falcons starting defensive end, his stat line reads 57 tackles, two sacks, and six pass deflections. That is hardly the kind of production you would expect to see from a former top ten pick.

By contrast, LaMarr Woodley, the second round pick of the Steelers in that same draft has 74 tackles, 15.5. sacks, two forced fumbles, and an interception. He has played in three less games than Anderson and didn’t become a starter until his second year in the league. 

Clearly, I am aware that Pittsburgh currently has a better defense than the Falcons and the possibility of success for Woodley was far more attainable than for Anderson, but the talent level of Anderson was supposed to make that Falcons defensive line appreciably better than the year before and it hasn’t.

Further, look at what John Abraham has been able to do on the other side as his counterpart; clearly, it’s not out of the realm of possibility that Anderson can succeed at his position if he has the skills that the Falcons felt he did when he was drafted.

He simply hasn’t found that groove yet.

I’m not looking for double-digit sacks by any means, sacks are not easy to come by. And, more to the point, I don’t think that they are always the measure of a great defensive end. However, I am looking for him to put more pressure on the quarterback than he does.

For a guy who left the SEC with 17.5 sacks in twenty starts, he has shown me little in the way of that quick first step off the snap that lets the opposing quarterback know that he better get that ball off in a hurry or he will find himself kissing dirt.

In some games he seems focused and lively, while in others, you might question whether or not he is even in the game.

Now, I know that it has only been two years and there is still hope for Anderson to mature into that powerful pass-rusher that we so hope he can be, but his time is quickly running out as the Falcons seem to be content with letting Chauncey Davis be the man that JA98 has yet to become.

It is possible that Davis was signed to light a fire under Anderson and that this may be the wake-up call the young fellow needs to get back on track. I am still pulling for him to succeed because, after all, we did spend millions on him to be that player. Not to mention the fact that John Abraham isn’t getting any younger and I don’t foresee a whole lot of those 16+ sack seasons in the near-future.

JA98’s time is now and if he can’t get it done, he may need to switch positions to something that better fits his skill level.

Happy to Be Alive: The Story of Daryl Stingley

Happy to Be Aliveby Daryl Stingley with Mark Mulvoy

Review by C. Douglas Baker

On August 12, 1978, Darryl Stingley’s life changed forever.  On that date, in a meaningless preseason professional football game, after a vicious, unnecessary hit by Jack Tatum, Darryl became a quadriplegic.  This book is his story about his struggle to survive and live a meaningful life after going from a young, promising professional athlete to a wheelchair in single terrible moment.

Stingley’s book is fascinating on several fronts and he’s brutally honest about himself and those around him.  As a boy growing up in an inner city neighborhood, despite being a little better off than many, he was little hooligan—stealing, fighting, looting. 

Not that he did this constantly as a way of life, but he was involved in these activities despite his parents trying to keep him out of trouble.  As a big man on campus in high school he knocked up his girlfriend Tina, and then knocked her up again when he went to Purdue to play football on a scholarship. 

He was clearly very immature.  Even when he made it to the NFL, his lack of maturity showed and he freely admits it in his book.  To his credit he stayed with Tina pretty much his entire life, and she with him, despite some separation long after his injury.  She clearly was a solid person, nursing him back to health and dealing with an overbearing mother-in-law.  They eventually married.

Darryl gives a great deal of detail about his recovery process and the pain and depression that went along with it.  The people who stood by him and come out looking the best in all his travails were his partner Tina, John Madden who visited him frequently in the hospital and may have saved his life when a breathing apparatus malfunctioned and he yelled for the nurses, his therapists that put up with him, and the New England Patriots organization, at that time owned by the Sullivan family, who took care of all his medical bills and made sure he had everything he needed to recover.  His Patriots teammates were also an important part of his life before and after the injury. 

Needless to say Jack Tatum comes off looking very bad, not only never apologizing or reaching out to Darryl, but making overtures of a public meeting that turned out to be to promote his book, showing a lack of sincerity.  He comes off as classless and crass.

This is an interesting, introspective, personal story of one man’s life.  Darryl did recover and lived a productive life.  This book was published in 1983, five years after the injury.  Darryl went on to work with youth and charities in his native Chicago and died in April 2007 of heart disease and pneumonia complicated by quadriplegia.

San Diego Chargers Worst Ever Quarterbacks

Writing about the greatest Charger quarterbacks was easy,. This assignment is a little tougher, Ryan Leaf of course holds the title as the all time worst Chargers quarterback, but he had some stiff competition.

We will take a stroll through Charger history and try to detail some of the busts that have taken snaps behind center for the Bolts.

NFL Proposed Rule Changes Milquetoast The Game

Sifting through NFL.COM, I watched a new official review video. In the video, Vice President of Officiating Mike Pereira explained that there will be four rule changes voted upon at the NFL spring meetings.

Here are the rules as follows with a detailed break down:

1. Onside Kick: Right now on the kicking team you must have four players on each side of the Kicker. The part that they want to change is return team. Owners will vote on this rule that states return teams can no longer line up in bunch formation. This rule was drawn up to keep player safety in check.
2. Blindside Block: To improve player safety the competition committee submitted this rule stating that offensive play will no longer be able to block a defender from the blindside. Referring to the block that Hines Ward of the Pittsburgh Steelers put on Cincinnati’s line backer Keith Rivers.
3. Peel back: This will be a rule stating that neither defenders nor receivers will be able to peel off of one another to get open for the ball.
4. Defenseless Receiver: This rule will also extend to player safety. A defender can no longer run into a receiver shoulder or head first into the head or neck area. They say too many receivers have injured their necks being hit like this.

•  Bonus Rule = Overtime: Instead of having sudden death in overtime, some owners expressed that they’d like to see each team have a chance with the ball first. This would give each team a fair shot before it goes into sudden death overtime.

Here goes the link to the Video:

http://www.nfl.com/videos?videoId=09000d5d80f5e234

In my view of things it seems like the more rules that are applied the more pansy the game of football gets.

The Story Behind Bill Belichick’s Hoodie

NOTE: I AM a Patriots fan.

Today’s the day the Patriots and the Bills play a game in Foxborough. 

The game is in Buffalo and the fans are wild. 

They hate the Patriots because they keep losing to them. 

Then the face of evil to many franchises, Bill Belichick, arrives to coach the New England Patriots looking like a…bum?

Bill Belichick has become known as a man who sometimes dresses like a bum to NFL football games. Mike Nolan and Jack Del’ Rio wear suits and ties, Belichick wears a ripped hoodie.

He honestly could be a fashion model of Bums ‘R’ Us.

His clothing attire has brought up alot of discussion. They can be ranging from “Oh my god, he is a bum!” or “Dude! Belichick is sweet! Mom! Buy me a charcoal hoodie like Belichick so I can cut off the sleeves!”  Even “Wow, way to be poor Billy.”

Where did the hoodie come from? Does it have a name?

The answer to No. 1 I will explain and to No. 2, we are not sure.

The NFL struck an apparel deal with Reebok, requiring coaches to wear team attire during games. Belichick had to abblige.

He sure did. He had a hoodie, cut off the sleeves and since then, it has lived in infamy.

The hoodie is Belichick’s way of saying, “Screw you!” to the league.

The hoodie is available for purchase or you can just buy one yourself and cut off the sleeves.

The hoodie is a fascinating piece of apparel and is what makes Bill Belichick, Bill Belichick. 

Is their really a story behind the hoodie? No. It’s just showing Belichick likes to be unqiue and be himself…

And he says it’s comfortable.

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