Twenty Questions With Pittsburgh Steelers Linebacker James Harrison

Pittsburgh Steelers outside linebacker James Harrison, who celebrated his 31st birthday earlier this month, has had a tumultuous year.

He was able to trump his own breakout 2007 season by winning the 2008 AP NFL Defensive Player of the Year honor and by recording the longest play in Superbowl history with a pivotal 100-yard interception return for a touchdown in February.

The Steeler known as “Silverback” has also been in the spotlight for issues not pertaining to his prowess on the field and subsequent rise to his place among pro football’s elite.

Who is the man behind Number 92?  The following 20 questions will attempt to paint a complete picture.

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1)  First of all, Mr. Harrison, tell us a little bit about your upbringing.  You are the youngest of 14 children.  How much, if at all, did having to fend off 13 siblings contribute to your development as a person and as a player?

2)  Growing up in Akron, Ohio, you were kind of in no-man’s land with regard to the great Steelers/Browns rivalry, but certainly geographically closer to Cleveland.  Were you a fan of either club?  If not, where did your football loyalties lie?  And if you were a Browns fan, has it been odd playing for the Steelers or playing for a brief stint in the Ravens organization?

3)  You’ve worked your way from an undrafted free agent in 2002 to one of the more recognizable names in professional football.  What were some of the keys to your transformation?  Did anyone specifically encourage you?  Did you make changes to your workout regimen?

4)  It must have been discouraging to have been cut several times in your early career.  There have been articles saying that had football not panned out for you, you might have become a truck driver, or pursued a career as a veterinarian.  What or who helped you keep your focus on football to go the extra distance?

5)  Who would you say have been your biggest influences?  Which, if any, NFL players did you try to model yourself after?  Who in your family inspired you to strive for more?

6)  You’ve been a Steeler now for five full seasons, but you didn’t get a chance to start regularly until 2007.  If you had been able to start in 2004, 2005, and 2006, do you think you would have been as dominant then as you’ve been these past two season?  Or were there still some things you were learning?

7)  You became a starter the same year that Mike Tomlin became head coach.  Did he bring anything to the table that helped you gain an extra edge that maybe you didn’t have under Bill Cowher?

8)  Defensive coordinator Dick LeBeau is a legend from another era who seems to be able to adapt to the league rather than hold to more traditional styles of football.  What’s it like studying under a man old enough to be your grandfather, but so young at heart? 

9)  What have you been up to this off-season in terms of staying in shape, getting stronger, and staying focused?

10) Having already won a Superbowl in 2005, then experiencing a considerable letdown in 2006, what do you think the coaching staff and your fellow teammates will do to keep the Steelers from experiencing a similar drop-off in 2009?

11) Your nickname “Silverback” comes from a name given to an adult male gorilla.  When did your teammates start calling you that?  Do you know who came up with it first?  What caused them to make the correlation?

12) How much easier would you say your job has been with LaMarr Woodley patrolling the other side of the line?  How much credit is he due for your success?

13) Who do you feel was the overall greatest mentor in your development as a player?

14)  Are there any younger Steelers that you’ve taken under your wing, or younger players that seem to seek you out regularly for advice and pointers?

15)  By what, if any, philosophy do you try to live your life?  Do you play football with the same philosophy?

16)  There was in incident during this past year’s Superbowl where replays showed you striking Aaron Francisco of the Arizona Cardinals during a special teams play.  Announcers and fans say it was an offense worthy of ejection from the game.  In your own words, tell us what the cameras didn’t show or the broadcast didn’t focus on.  Was it a lapse in judgement on your part, or is there more to the story than is publicly discussed?

17)  With regard to your refusal to attend the White House reception last week, a good many media outlets and fans feel it wasn’t so much disrespecting the President, but more of an insult to Dan Rooney, a man who awarded you a hefty contract earlier this off-season.  Have you spoken with Mr. Rooney about it, either before or after it was made public? 

18)  What has been your favorite individual moment in the NFL?  What has been your most embarrassing?

19)  Now that you’ve established yourself in the league, are there any specific goals you have set for your career?  Sack leader?  Superbowl MVP?  First-ballot Hall of Famer?

20)  When the time comes to hang up the cleats, what do you envision yourself doing? Do you plan to stay in football as a coach (be it at the collegiate or professional level)?  Perhaps pursue training in the veterinary field?  Or just sit back and rest?

The Saints Are Coming: A 2009 Preview

Last month, Regis and Kelly were filming their morning TV show in New Orleans for an entire week.  Keeping in line with the local theme, one of their featured guests was New Orleans Saints running back Reggie Bush. 

When Regis Philbin asked about the kind of success Saints fans could expect this year, Bush predicted that this was the year that the Saints would go to the Super Bowl. 

“We’re going all the way,” Bush told Philbin, “I’m feeling very good.”

Of course Reggie Bush was playing to the local crowd, but it is exactly this type of blind optimism that epitomizes the plight of every rank-and-file Saints fan. 

But is it that far of a stretch?  After all, the Black and Gold came within one game of achieving that very goal just three years ago. 

Additionally, Sean Payton’s working-class approach to the game, along with his roster of players that embrace his “culture of winning” mantra have only produced one of the league’s top offenses.  Oh yeah, and that offense is anchored by Drew Brees, who happens to be on of the league’s top quarterbacks.

If you ask the average Saints fan what it will take to get to the big game this year, most of them would probably tell you that it’s all about improving the defense.  While this is a relatively correct answer, as evidenced by Sean Payton’s replacing defensive coordinator Gary Gibbs with Gregg Williams, but it is also an incomplete answer.

The Saints lost at least three games in 2008 due to missed field goals and personnel mistakes on down-and-short situations. To be more precise on the latter, far too often the Saints found themselves failing to pick up 1 or 2 yards to convert a first down while a seemingly healthy Deuce McAllister stood on the sidelines.  This left many frustrated and confused ticket holders scratching their heads in the stands.

The fans can expect to see an entirely new defensive philosophy in 2009.  New coordinator Gregg Williams has already given us a preview of this new attitude in the team’s most recent OTA (organized team activity).  In fact, the first OTA that was open to the media this year got extremely lively on one particular pass play.

Wide receiver Skyler Green was being covered by cornerback Jason David on a pass route, but when Green slipped behind his defender to make the catch,  David knocked Green to the ground.  Before anyone knew it, offensive tackle Zach Strief came out of nowhere and tangled with Jason David in an obvious attempt to defend his offensive teammate. 

The scrum broke up quickly, but some of the local sports writers made quite an issue of it.  The next day I ran into Zach Strief and his wife at the New Orleans Wine and Food Experience and asked him about the incident. 

He said that it was blown out of proportion and that all of the players were encourage to play at a high intensity level at all times during the OTA.  His wife was also quick to assure me that Zach was a big “teddy bear” that got along with all of his teammates, including Jason David.

As a journalist, it was great to get the real story directly from the source.  As a fan, it was great to hear that even in the early Spring these guys weren’t holding anything back.

Gregg Williams certainly has his work cut out for him taking over a unit that routinely gave up 3rd and 25’s last season, but he has also been given the keys to the kingdom to run his defense how he wants.  Saints management showed their confidence in Williams by giving him nearly all of their draft picks last month, and additionally made all the free agent moves he asked them to make.

While success may not be realized overnight, the “Who Dat” nation can rest assured that their defense is on the right track.  But Williams must realize that the surest path to the post-season runs right across his desk.

The problems on special teams seemed to almost auto-correct as the 2008 season went on, but there is always more room for improvement.  Place kickers Taylor Mehlhaff and Garrett Hartley were much more accurate and reliable than Martin Gramatica, who subsequently went out with an injury after a disappointing start to the 2008 season.

Perhaps the most interesting special teams story of the off season came during the draft, when the Saints surprised everyone by trading up in the fifth round to get…wait for it…a punter.  Yes, Thomas Morestead from SMU will be fighting for a punting slot on the special teams squad next season.  We’ll see of all the drama was worth it.

At the end of the day, all the defensive and special teams improvement in the world won’t matter if the Saints offense doesn’t continue their high output.  This is Drew Brees’ 4th year of a six-year deal in New Orleans, and he’s been worth every penny.

The most obvious change on the offense, on and off the field, will be the absence of beloved Saints running back Deuce McAllister who was released in the off season.  Several undrafted free agent backs have been brought in to try and fill that gap, but the most notable move to replace the “Deuce” has been a move that hasn’t been made yet – the Saints are reportedly negotiating a deal with Arizona Cardinals running back Edgerrin James.  In the meantime, Reggie Bush and Pierre Thomas are expected to do most of the heavy lifting in the backfield.

Brees’ accurate arm will have to find some reliable targets in his receiver corps.  Robert Meacham has reportedly impressed the coaching staff in the off season and they expect big things this year out of their number one pick in the 2008 draft.  We’d also like to see the big man Marques Colston return to his 2006 form when he was Brees’ number one go-to guy.  Lance Moore was the leading pass grabber for the Saints in 2008 with 928 yards, and he is expected to repeat that performance in 2009.  And finally, we can’t forget about Devery Henderson, Drew Brees’ favorite deep ball target, who was 2nd overall in receiving yards in 2008 with 793.

Will all these new and old factors live up to Reggie Bush’s prediction to Regis Philbin?  The jury is still out on that one.  But one thing is for sure, the Saints are back and they are coming.  With a schedule that includes two Monday Night football games and a Saturday night prime time game, it is sure to be a season that won‘t soon be forgotten. 

The citizens of New Orleans just got the exhilarating news that they will be hosting their 10th Super Bowl in 2013, but it sure would be nice to have a reason to get excited about a Super Bowl before then.

Are you listening Boys?

NFL Whirlwind Previews: Washington Redskins

It’s at times like this that Washington Redskins fans wish the nation’s capital could just be transplanted. Not that there’s anything wrong with the physical location of D.C.; more like it forces them to be a part of one of the NFL’s toughest divisions, the NFC East.

Geography might be the biggest obstacle in getting to the playoffs this coming season for the ‘Skins, as they’ve got a solid group but face a massive challenge in finishing better than fourth and remaining in Wild Card contention.

Oh, to play in the AFC West…

Offense: Play to Your Strengths

Offensive coordinator Sherman Smith has the right idea about things; by following that mantra in the above subheadline, increasingly introducing West Coast concepts to the Redskins offense, and actively employing his experience as a running backs coach, he’s molding the Washington unit into one that could serve a contender.

The ground game will remain the focus. While Clinton Portis is surely going to wear down fast at the rate of carries he’s getting, boy picked up darn near 1,500 yards last season and marched to the Pro Bowl. Ladell Betts brings experience and a different style as the backup, and both play well enough behind an aging line.

Ah, the line. The general attitude towards center Casey Rabach reveals a lot about the group: He’s a good guy, solid if unspectacular. For seasons, there have been more glaring needs than replacing him or anyone else of the five, and so…

The team is content to play out another campaign with minimal changes. Still, we will see Derrick Dockery back at guard; you didn’t miss his re-signing amidst all the other free agent talk, did you? Guy has excellent mechanics and is ready to deal with both rushes and run-blocking assignments.

And what about that area of great debate and much import—they call it the “passing game,” I believe—how will it fare?

It’s a matter of going to it. As I said earlier, Sherman seems to know his personnel very well and is aware that he must make gradual transitions; here’s hoping that means he’s going to go to the air a bit more this year.

I mean, why not, right? With a top-notch big target at tight end, Chris Cooley, and two stars for wide receivers in Santana Moss and Antwaan Randle El, shouldn’t the ball be flying in D.C.? Doesn’t everyone trust quarterback Jason Campbell?

Oh.

Well then, shame on you. I’ll get a little editorial here, but hey, it’s my article and that’s my prerogative: The former Auburn Tiger is a good (if not great) signal-caller. The more time he spends under center, the more sure you can be about him.

Campbell will never be in the discussion of the best pure QBs in the league, but in my mind, he’s quickly becoming one of those guys who just won’t lose you the game. He won’t wow you with a single big play, and besides, the smart Washington playcalling does not favor such feats. No, he’ll instead wow you with consistency and his ability to seek out the best of his options on each down.

Yes, Sherman will continue to emphasize the rushing attack because Portis is the man, after this receiving corps (note that young third receiver Devin Thomas says he’s fully recovered) and arm went so underutilized in ’08 (Jason had 13 passing touchdowns! 13!), I expect him to shift a bit, continue working in new short passing plays, and improve the production.

Defense: I’d Like to Welcome to the Stage…

Some dude named, uh, “Albert Haynesworth”?

Oh, so you know about the beast and his massive contract. Well then, do you know about the rest Redskins front four?

It’s a super-experienced bunch that features the ferocious Andre Carter, massive Cornelius Griffin, and reliable Phillip Daniels as starters plus terrific backups Kedric Golston, Anthony Montgomery, and the now-healthy Alex Buzbee.

They like to spread the stats around, so citing numbers isn’t going to necessarily impress, but take into account the lifetime production of just the three starters besides Haynesworth and you’ll get the idea. No, they can’t hang with the Giants D-line, but they’ll put up a heck of a fight.

As for the linebackers, I could do basically the same for them and just list the names: London Fletcher and his 96 solo tackles aren’t going anywhere, and neither are partner-in-crime Rocky McIntosh and his 60 solo. They welcome rookie Brian Orakpo—that’s right, he did fall to 13th overall, right in the Redskins’ lap—who is moving easily from the end position he played in college.

But you want a bit more than enumeration, I bet. Well, consider the way defensive coordinator rotates his ‘backers (by location, situation, and down) and his pedigree with the Bears, Colts, Packers, and Fighting Irish, and you might develop some faith in his schemes.

Oh yeah, he’s also got Alfred Fincher and H.B. Blades at his disposal off the bench. And that leaves us with just the secondary, which is cohesive to the point that one can feel confident yet will still spark debate.

So if you knew about Haynesworth, you might have caught wind of the large sums tossed DeAngelo Hall’s way. Yes, it was a lot to give a guy cut by the Falcons not long ago, and yes, some attitude problems have popped up in his past. But don’t be one of those people who seemingly forget his playmaking capability, overall athleticism, and youth (he’s only played six seasons).

With what he’s produced to this point and with the number of years he could have ahead of him, I think Washington’s going to look pretty smart down the road. Besides, he won’t feel so alone in the backfield as he did in Atlanta and Oakland; in fact, the pressure of playing alongside names like Carlos Rogers, LaRon Landry, and Chris Horton must be practically moot.

Those fellas were three of the team’s top five tacklers last campaign and combined for seven picks!

Overall Outlook: See What I’m Saying?

I mean, is it just me, or are the Redskins pretty stacked? Coach Jim Zorn had them on the upswing in 2007 and managed an 8-8 ’08 despite ridiculous divisional comp; like I stated before, if Washington were for some reason moved to the California coast and the Hogs could shift divisions…

Oh, and before you think I’ve forgotten special teams, I did see where the team picked up excellent punter Hunter Smith (who never got a chance in Indianapolis), and I’m fully aware of the tapestry that Rock Cartwright wove last season returning kicks (1,307 yards!).

In short, these Redskins have or are rapidly developing answers to most of the questions, but they might just be doomed because of where they play.

Top Heavy: Life in the AFC North

If you didn’t pay attention to the NFL playoffs last season you may not have noticed, but the AFC Championship Game featured two teams from the same division: The AFC North.

The Steelers emerged victorious over the Ravens that day.  In fact, Pittsburgh won both regular season matchups also.

Everyone who follows the NFL at all knows that the Steelers went on to win the Super Bowl over the Arizona Cardinals. But the story that can be gleaned for the 2009 season would be that the AFC North may not just be home to the best rivalry in the league, but perhaps the two best teams in the AFC.

The other side of that story would be that the division is also home to two of the worst teams in the AFC.

The Browns and Bengals had the fifth and sixth picks, respectively, in the 2009 Draft.  Both teams are looking to—and should—improve this season. But the fanbases of both teams would tell you the same thing: It’s a long road to the top when the top is occupied by two fiercely dominant and consistently good teams.

The Browns are under an entirely new administration, with Eric Mangini holding the coaching reins.  The franchise has long been a doormat of the NFL, and don’t expect much more than the usual this season.  The team may be improving, but not drastically enough to expect much more than last season. 

The weaknesses of this team are many, but I’d say the worst is a lack of leadership on either side of the ball.  This is a team with things to figure out in training camp if it wants to even pretend to be competitive.

Good leadership can make a bad team good, so the Browns need either Brady Quinn or Derek Anderson to step up and put the team on his back.  This position battle at quarterback will be one of the most interesting of the offseason. 

They’re the only two real X-factors on the team. You know exactly what you’ll get from every other member of the team, whether it’s good or bad. They both want to be big-time quarterbacks in the NFL, so one of them needs to step up, otherwise this will just be another forgettable season for the Browns.

The Bengals have been nicknamed “the Bungals” for very good reason: The franchise has not enjoyed very many good seasons, and this one isn’t looking much rosier. The team has improved significantly through this year’s draft, the consensus pick for best overall draft, but don’t expect that to translate into a huge improvement this year.

The team will, however, be better than last year, with Carson Palmer returning healthy from an injury-shortened season. They’ll be a few wins better, but not in the playoff hunt.

Between Palmer’s return and his apparent chemistry with new arrival Laveranues Coles, the Bengals offense should be fun to watch, at any rate.  The overall quality of the team has gone up and it should be reflected in wins, but probably not that much this season. They could be vastly improved in 2010 with one more good offseason.

So it comes down to the smash-mouth rivalry between the Baltimore Ravens and the Pittsburgh Steelers.  These are two teams that hate each other.  They will both fight tooth, nail, and claw for every yard, every win, and, ultimately, for the division title.

The Steelers have known hardly anything but sustained success over their long and storied history.  They’re fresh off their sixth Super Bowl victory and the team doesn’t appear to have deteriorated noticeably.  So they’re right on track for another Super Bowl run.

The offensive line is still the only chink in the armor, but the team found a way to overcome that last season.

The key to their success is the defense as usual, but Ben Roethlisberger is nearly as important.  When he’s successful, so is the team.  So if the line can give him time to make throws, the rest should fall into place. Hey, it worked last season.

The Ravens’ history is much, much shorter, moving from Cleveland in 1996, but they enjoyed a relatively quick rise to the top with a Super Bowl victory in the ’00 season.  Since then the Ravens have been consistent contenders, with only a couple underachieving seasons. 

The team had both key departures and arrivals, so it’s hard to gauge whether they’ve improved or gotten worse. But the general feeling is that they’re better than last year.  The team’s main weakness is the lack of an established big-play threat at wide receiver.

The Ravens’ success is predicated on the same philosophy of dominant defense, and the team’s quarterback, Joe Flacco, is constantly compared to Ben Roethlisberger.  Similarly, he holds the key to the Ravens’ season. The team needs Joe Flacco to step up in his second year, and all reports from camps indicate he’s improved in a big way. Things look good in Ravens Land.

As a Ravens fan, I’d like to say that the Ravens hold an edge in the divisional race, but, in good faith, I could not do that.  I’d give a very slight edge to the Steelers, if only because they took three of three very, very physical games from the Ravens last season.

I feel like we’ll see both teams in the playoffs again.  It’s just a matter of which one comes in as the division winner and which comes in as the wild card. 

Either way, this will be the season that the rest of the league sees just how vicious a rivalry this division houses, and just maybe they’ll see another Super Bowl trophy in one of these teams’ trophy cases.

Ravens ’09 Roster Will Be Shaped By Key Position Battles

In a league where competition is constant and roster turnover is high from year to year, the Ravens are taking every step they deem necessary to fill the holes on their team and take the next step for 2009. After a few departures in the offseason, many starting spots are up for grabs and there are some strong talents ready to claim them. B/R now takes a look at what position battles Ravens fans will likely have their eyes on heading into Training Camp.

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Inside Linebacker

No player’s absence will be felt more for the Ravens than inside linebacker Bart Scott’s, who joined his former defensive coordinator Rex Ryan in New York this offseason. Luckily, the Ravens believe they have two able replacements ready to step up and make their marks.

Tavares Gooden was selected in the third round of the 2008 Draft out of Miami. Jameel McClain went undrafted that same year, ultimately signing with Baltimore. Gooden showed flashes before a hip injury put him on injured reserve last season, while McClain played in every game and even established a new franchise record for safeties in a season, recording two in 2008.

Both players are young, fast and hungry for playing time. Gooden has so far seen more time with the starting defense and appears to be the early favorite.

Defensive leader and fellow linebacker Ray Lewis remarked he even had to slow Gooden down during practice, and defensive coordinator Greg Mattison compared him to a stallion ready to break out. Both linebackers will likely see their roles increase in 2009, regardless of who is named the starter.

No. 3 Wide Receiver

Ravens general manager Ozzie Newsome raised some eyebrows when he didn’t select a wide receiver in the 2009 draft. Derrick Mason and Mark Clayton are the clear-cut starters, but the position was viewed as a question mark after them.

Newsome affirmed his confidence in his current corps, particularly Demetrius Williams, and noted there was not a receiver available at any given point that Newsome felt was worth the draft pick. He did point out, however, his penchant to constantly tinker with the team throughout the offseason.

“The job is never done as far as I’m concerned,” Newsome said. “If the opportunity presents itself, and it’s the right thing for us to do, that fits into the structure of our football team that allows us to continue to build and keep some of our good, young talent, we’ve got to look at that.”

Newsome proved his point when he invited a veteran wideouts Kelley Washington, Jerry Porter and Tab Perry to compete for a spot at the team’s mini-camp two weeks ago. Washington clearly stood out and was signed just in time for Organized Team Activities (OTAs). He split time with the starting offense with Williams and second-year receiver Marcus Smith.

Williams has shown promise in his first three seasons, but has been slowed by injuries, missing 16 games  over the last two years. Smith was mostly quiet in his rookie year, but has come on strong in the OTAs.

The Ravens also have Justin Harper, Ernie Wheelwright and Edward Williams competing for roster spots, but Demetrius Williams, Washington and Smith seem to be the ones stuck in the log jam for the third receiver spot. Whoever wins will have a lot of responsibility on their shoulders, especially with the talk in the offseason of Baltimore trading for Arizona Cardinals wider receiver Anquan Boldin.

Cornerback

What was once a trouble spot for the Ravens has now become one of the deepest positions on the team. After cutting ties with starter Chris McAlister after two injury-riddled seasons, the Ravens brought in Domonique Foxworth to take his place.

Fabian Washington filled in admirably for McAlister in 2008, and after Samari Rolle was released it appeared Foxworth and Washington would be the starters. But that theory was shot once Rolle was re-signed.

Rolle and Washington have both been slowed by injuries during OTAs, as well as Frank Walker and newly-signed Chris Carr. This has opened the door for Anwar Phillips and Derrick Martin during last week’s passing camp.

Rolle, Foxworth, Washington and Carr are practically all givens to make the roster, though what order on the depth chart remains to be seen. Foxworth and Rolle would be the given favorites to start, but Rolle has been fighting injuries the past few years.

Then again, so has Washington. Regardless, the Ravens have a lot of talented players at the position. Now all they have to do is stay heathy.

Backup Quarterback

The recent signing of free agent quarterback John Beck created an interesting and unique quarterback dynamic for the Ravens. He and current backup Troy Smith shared a similar road to this point. Both entered 2008 with legitimate shots at become the starter until outside circumstances forced them back to the sidelines.

Beck, who was drafted by the Miami Dolphins when Ravens offensive coordinator Cam Cameron was the head coach there, did not see playing time last year once the Dolphins brought in Chad Pennington. Smith’s changes were just as promising until he developed a serious tonsil infection that spread to his lung, which opened the door for rookie Joe Flacco.

Unlike Beck, however, Smith did see action on the field once he recovered in certain game situations.  ‘The Suggs Package’ as it was deemed by the media,’ was a variation on the Wildcat offense that Smith is ideally suited for with his speed and elusive nature of play.

Beck, meanwhile, is more of a traditional passer who is familiar with Cameron’s offense. When he was brought on, initial reports suggested he would be competing with Smith for the no. two backup role. Cameron refuted that, saying there is always competition and that the Suggs Package was definitely there to stay.

Because of Smith’s role in the Suggs Package, he will likely see more time on the field than Beck, but if Flacco is sidelined, Beck may be the go-to guy to take over under center. But Smith is a competitive player, and wants to prove he can be starter in this league.

NFL rules state that the no. 3 quarterback can dress on game day but only play if the starter is injured and cannot return. That might be the one stipulation that relegates Beck to third-string, to ensure Smith can enter the game in certain game situations. Regardless, the Ravens are confident in both players and they will likely push one another heading into Training Camp.

Kicker

In one of the more controversial personnel moves of the offseason, Matt Stover was not retained at kicker after 13 years of stability. The 41-year-old still had the accuracy, but his age was beginning to show on distance, and with his contract running out, the Ravens decided to get younger at the position.

Steve Hauschka handled many of the kickoff duties last season, and even drilled a 54-yard field goal at Houston last year. Graham Gano, on the other hand, is a well-regarded prospect out of Florida State who signed with the team as an undrafted free agent.

Ravens special teams coordinator believes both are talented, but not quite ready to play in the NFL. But as Rosburg pointed out, they don’t have to play until September.

Both kickers had high and low moments during mini-camp, and the Ravens have not ruled out bringing back Stover should they feel they need to. Regardless of who wins this competition, they will be under a certain amount of scrutiny for replacing one of the most beloved Ravens of all time.

Return Specialist

Head coach John Harbaugh was a special teams coach in Philadelphia and knows the importance of a good return game. Yamon Figurs had a promising 2007 campaign but was a non-factor in 2008.

Tom Zbikowski and Jim Leonhard also returned punts last year, but with Leonhard departed for New York, the Ravens will look for a spark on special teams. Chris Carr returned kicks in Tennessee and will likely push for that role. The Ravens’  2009 third-round draft choice Lardarius Webb was a returner while playing for Nicholls State and could contribute as well.

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Given their track record, the Ravens will no doubt have the best players possible on the field opening day against the Kansas City Chiefs. Who those players specifically are will be determined, but the battles for those spots will likely play a huge role in the fortunes of the Ravens’ season. 

NFL Losing Respect & Toughness

When the NFL started in the early 1890s, players wore shirts and rubber helmets. Players played with broken bones, tackling as low as the knee was permitted, and the only thing that players cared about was scoring.

It was the toughest, meanest sport in the country, and by the time it became the NFL and players like Butkus played, it became the most popular sport. When you mention the best defenses of all-time, the 1985 Bears are the first team that comes to your mind, and it’s because the referees let them play the game.

The players could hit, and not worry about a flag being flown. However, times have changed, and its getting a bit ridiculous.

A new rule was passed today where if a defensive player is on the ground next to the QB, you cannot lunge at the QB like Pollard did to Brady last season. You can swipe at the QB’s legs and feet with your hands.

Are you kidding me? Defensive players job on defense is to get to the ball, and if the QB has the ball, your job is to get to the QB. If that QB wants to stay in the pocket while its collapsing and players are closing in around him, then he is taking a risk to get sacked, and possibly injured.

The QB rules began with the roughing the passer penalty. After the QB throws the ball, if you even breath or look at him the wrong way, a flag will be thrown. The NFL feels that the QB is defenseless after throwing the pass, and that he should not be hit.

Now they are trying to protect him in the middle of a play, with 200-300 pounds NFL players that can lift car’s hitting each other. Now the NFL is making NFL players think before they hit, making the game far less attractive.

This hit that Ryan Clark had on Wes Welker has also issued a new rule by the NFL. If you hit a player in the chest, shoulders, or in their helmet with your helmet, it is a 15 yard penalty. First, I can understand that the NFL is trying to stop helmet-to-helmet hits.

Most of the time, when that happens, it ends up with neck injuries that could end careers. However, the NFL is now taking away the whole upper body. Players in the NFL are some of the fastest players in the world, especially cornerbacks and safeties.

The NFL is making these players control their bodies that are being flown all over a field when they hit a player. This is absolutely ridiculous.

Cornerbacks are already getting way too many penalties called on them as it is. If a cornerback does so much as touches a receiver 10 yards down the field, a flag is thrown for holding.

There were so many times this season on third down where a cornerback barely touched a receiver, and it was an automatic first down. It’s ruining the game, it’s pissing off fans, and it’s making the NFL a sissy sport.

Message to the NFL: Let the players play. I understand that there needs to be rules, and there needs to be structure, and you need to keep your players safe. But this is turning into a baby-sitting game, where fans need to hope that defensive players don’t touch the opposing team.

In a game where the point is to hit the player with the ball, and players are wearing pad’s and a metal helmet, let the men hit each other. Get back to the days where Dick Butkus and Ray Lewis were dominating defenses. Where linebackers making big hits made the highlight reel.

Let the analysts on Monday Night Football show the top five hits of each week, and not the top five mess-ups. If not, the NFL will slowly start losing fans, and in an economy like today, that’s not what the NFL can afford.

With the history that the NFL has, why change it? Whats great about history is being able to compare players of the present, to players of the past. Kobe Bryant & Michael Jordan. Alex Rodriguez & Babe Ruth. Who can we compare to the NFL greats?

We can’t, because each season, the league changes the rules that makes the game less and less like the way its supposed to be. The NBA and MLB have been the same since they started. A few rule changes here and there, but nothing like the NFL is doing to their game. So stop, before the fans stop first.

New York Jets’ July: Five Battles To Look Forward to As the Jets Go to Camp

The Jets start their travelling training camp circuit on July 31.  The plan for Rex Ryan is to take the camp to central New York (Cortland, to be exact), then to Long Island and Northern New Jersey. 

I applaud Ryan for this move, he is trying to make Jets camp more accessible to the fans that can’t or won’t drive to Hofstra University (where camp was held in the past).  As the Jets make the trip up north, keep you eye on five battles that can affect the Jets’ starting roster.

 

Can Chansi “Stuckey” to the starting lineup, or will he get Clowned on?

The Jets failed to acquire a receiver in the offseason, which is a huge mistake, and leave the open spot next to Jerricho Cotchery (not exactly No. 1 material himself) in the starting lineup. WR Chansi Stuckey seems to be the natural place in line, considering he was the No. 3 last season.

However, Stuckey isn’t very big or particularly fast, so he’s not a lock.  While he does run decent routes and has a decent set of mitts on him, he doesn’t really offer much that Jerricho Cotchery doesn’t.  He doesn’t look like much more than a fringe starter with his skill set.

David Clowney, who will be vying for the job also, does offer something different.  He has some serious speed.  He clocked a 4.37 in the 40-yard dash coming out of Virginia Tech.  He also offers roughly the same size that Chansi Stuckey gives you. 

Clowney displayed that speed in a preseason game against Cleveland last year, going for 136 yards and 2 TDs on 4 catches, but soon afterwards he broke a collarbone that turned out to be a major setback. Still, he has a shot to compete for playing time.

Brad Smith *could* be a wild ard in this battle, but I think the Jets are going to keep him where he is as the slot receiver and utility player.  I like Smith’s game, but he’s a former quarterback who doesn’t have great hands or routes and isn’t a blazer. He works as a reverse runner and Wildcat QB, though, because he has good moves and running instinct.

My prediction: Chansi Stuckey wins out due to familiarity and polish. I’m hoping Clowney wins it, but I doubt it. He’ll be able to stretch the field from the slot, however.

 

Can Gholston shake the “Ghost”on label, or will Thomas keep him at bay?

Now, knowing Rex Ryan, he’ll want to use all of his potential pass rushers to run his aggressive defense. However, that doesn’t mean there won’t be competition to be an every down player.

Vernon Gholston is the guy who needs to perform and win this job for the good of the Jets. He’s fast, strong, has natural pass rush ability, and is receiving a heck of a pay check. Last year, Gholston lacked a motor and struggled with the transition from college DE to 3-4 OLB.

As such, he never saw the field except in spot duty. Under Rex Ryan, Gholston will have every chance to succeed.

Bryan Thomas has been a solid player in the 3-4 but has yet to fulfill his expectations as a first round pick out of UAB. Still, he’s experienced and kept Gholston at bay while notching 5.5 sacks (though 4.5 of those sacks were in the first five weeks, and the final sack came in Week 17). 

He has solid pass rush moves and good size, but he’s very streaking and doesn’t possess Gholston’s athleticism.

Prediction: It’ll be a battle to the end, but I think Gholston winds up the starter, and Thomas will play like 50 percent of the snaps in a rotational/package role.  Assuming Gholston shows some desire after an embarrassing rookie campaign.

 

Gettin’ so many PD’s you can call him Dwight Lowery…but can you call him starter?

Darrelle Revis is an absolute stud on one corner slot, but the other side was a big problem area last year. The Jets were so strapped for solidity, they signed a 90 year old Ty Law to man the spot. Yikes.

Fourth round pick Dwight Lowery was thrown into the fire as a rookie last year, which was a terrible move. He struggled mightily, which led to the Law signing.

However, there was some good as he got some valuable (even if rough) experience and did wind up forcing five fumbles, deflected 16 passes and grabbed a pick. There’s almost nowhere to go but up for Lowery.

The Jets traded a 2009 fifth rounder and a conditional 2010 pick for two-time Pro Bowler Lito Sheppard. You’d have to believe Sheppard is on the inside track for the job, but is he really worthy?

According to various sources, such as KC Joyner and Pro Football Prospectus as well as having watched plenty of Eagles games (my mom lives in South Jersey), Lito Sheppard has been a overrated, awful cover corner. 

He made the Pro Bowl based on the strength of his interception total, with five in 2004 and six in 2006, but when he’s gambling and failing to grab interceptions he’s nearly worthless on the field.

This may not be an obvious battle as I’m thinking Lito has the edge on the basis of his resume, but if Lowery can improve upon last year and fulfill his ability he could vie for the spot. After all, Lito Sheppard did fall behind Joselio Hanson on the Eagles depth chart, and it wasn’t all for contractual reasons.

Prediction: Lito Sheppard wins out, but unless he returns to 2006 form, his grasp on the job isn’t firm. Unless Lowery doesn’t improve.

 

Can Leon find a role, or will Shonn Greene be the primary backup?

This may not be a direct competition between the two since I think they’ll have different roles, but it’s still interesting to see who can prove worthy of getting more snaps. 

I’ve gone on record stating I would reduce Washington’s role on returns to half in order to use him more on offense.

Washington is a similar player to Felix Jones and Reggie Bush in that he creates matchup issues offensively due to his speed and game breaking ability as both a runner and a pass catcher.  That type of explosiveness isn’t to be kept on the bench.

However, Washington and the Jets are in a contract dispute. While it’s been positive thus far, it’s impossible to predict how these things wind up and teams have never been beyond reducing one’s playing time due to these disputes.

Shonn Greene was a bulldozer at Iowa. He seems to have the type of ability you look for out of a lead back: sturdy, strong, decent speed, able to wear teams down.

Depending on how much the Jets see fit to get their presumed future feature back ready, they may be more willing to spell Thomas Jones more often. Unfortunately, it could be at the expense of Washington. 

Incorporating three running backs can be a tough task, so someone’s going to wind up with too small a cut of the pie.  That won’t be Thomas Jones, coming off a career year.  Camp could be the deciding factor.

Prediction: Shonn Greene sees the field a little more often than Leon, who doesn’t get any type of scale back from his return duties.  I continue to get frustrated that Leon is on the bench too much.

 

The ultimate showdown: Who will captain the ship?

The obvious battle, but it’s the most important and most widely anticipated battle as the Jets near the season. This hasn’t been a settled position since 2002 for the Jets, outside of last year’s Brett Favre rental, considering how hot and cold (and injury prone) Chad Pennington was as a Jet. I don’t expect any miracles in 2009, either.

Kellen Clemens was drafted out of Oregon in the second round in 2006 to be the heir apparent for the aging and oft-injured Pennington. Three years later, the Jets have seen it fit to trade into the top five for Mark Sanchez.

That does not bode well for what the team thinks of Clemens, who has failed to impress in limited action. However, Clemens still has a nice arm and talent, so if he can develop some there is a place for him in this league.

Sanchez is the anointed one, and for good reason. I actually like him better than No. 1 pick Matthew Stafford. Sanchez has a legitimate arm, leadership skills, and his accuracy on the run is VERY impressive.

HOWEVER, rookie quarterbacks are not the ideal starters for a team with playoff and Super Bowl aspirations.  Despite the success of Matt Ryan and Joe Flacco last year and Ben Roethlisberger in 2004, rookie QBs historically struggle.  Especially ones that come out as underclassmen with limited college starts.

Sanchez has all the tools to be a great one, but a true franchise QB need not be rushed.  Though the Jets have the ability to protect a rookie QB with their line and run game, you still run the risk of rookie QB struggle.

The Jets also lack the dynamic downfield receiver to make the quarterback look better.  Guys that sit their first year tend to have more success, like former USC QB Carson Palmer.

Clemens has experience with Brian Schottenheimer and experience inside the offense.  He’s not great, but after riding the bench another year he should be more equipped to run the offense.

He only needs to manage the game, get the ball to his running backs, find TE Dustin Keller for the underneath routes, and throw downfield enough to force teams to respect the deep ball. 

If the competition is close, Clemens should get the nod as starter.  If Sanchez completely outclasses Clemens, then he deserves to start.  Just don’t rush him in there.

Prediction: Clemens is your game 1 starter, but he’s likely on borrowed time.  Sanchez is the future, and the future may begin sooner than later if Clemens bombs early.

Pro Football Weekly Off Base About Vick, Redskins

Last week in their “Whispers—NFC” section, Pro Football Weekly “reported” the following:

Would the Redskins take a chance on Michael Vick? Don’t rule it out. Owner Daniel Snyder loves the big splash and might be willing to gamble on Vick, who grew up in nearby Newport News, Va. There’s no question that the Redskins would like an upgrade at quarterback with Jason Campbell entering the final year of his deal, and they likely would be willing to gamble on players with questionable character, given the $54 million deal they gave to CB DeAngelo Hall.

Where to start with this nonsense? First of all, there is no source cited. The title “Whispers” implies that the content is some sort of inside information that was discreetly passed along to an investigative journalist. This is “Voices in My Head.”

This is a writer sitting at his keyboard just dreaming stuff up. He is connecting dots that he drew.

Also the thought of jettisoning Jason Campbell in favor of a quarterback whose career rating is five points lower than Campbell’s is questionable at best. Add in the fact that said quarterback will have accumulated at least two and possibly three years of rust and the notion that Vick would be an “upgrade” is just plain stupid.

Yes, Snyder likes the “big splash” but putting the quarterback position in the hands of Vick would not be a splash, it would be lunacy.

Even if Snyder was prone to engage in lunacy he isn’t likely to make a move that would take cash out of his pocket. Vick is a lightning rod and Washington is the political correctness capital of the world.

It appears that the Redskins are having difficulty selling season tickets (I’ve received two phone calls offering me non-premium seats in the past month) and Snyder would be risking disaster from the backlash that would come from the convicted dog killer taking snaps for the home team at FedEx Field.

PFW isn’t the first media outlet to talk about Vick going to the Redskins and they won’t be the last. What makes this little entry so ridiculous, though, is the last part equating DeAngelo Hall’s character to that of Vick.

Certainly Hall is not angel and a case can be made that the Redskins took a gamble in giving him some $23 million in guaranteed money. He whined and pouted his way out of two organizations and had some noteworthy clashes with coaches.

In 2007, he was fined $10,000 for showing support for Vick, his teammate both with the Atlanta Falcons and at Virginia Tech, by displaying “MV7” in the black shade under his eyes. The “MeAngelo” moniker is well earned.

Hall is not, however, has not been convicted of multiple felonies. He has not spent two years in the federal pen. He did not drown dogs. To compare his character to that of Vick, who has all of that on his character resume and much more, is an outrage.

Let’s say I hired someone who had been convicted of picking pockets. By PFW’s logic, I also would hire Bernie Madoff. Both the pickpocket and Madoff stole money, right?

PFW used to be a reliable source for NFL news and views. Made up hit pieces like this one have brought it down to the level of the National Enquirers of the world.

NFL 2009 Season Predictions

* Terrell Owens immediately endears himself to the Buffalo faithful when, after grabbing a 65-yard touchdown bomb from Trent Edwards in the Bills’ home opener against the Buccaneers, he pulls a chicken wing from his sock and takes a bite, then leaves a greasy handprint on the jersey of Tampa cornerback Ronde Barber.

As a chicken wing is considered a “prop” in the NFL’s touchdown celebration rules, Owens is fined for the act.

* The Dallas Cowboys host an open house, allowing commoners a chance to tour their new $1.1 billion home in Arlington. Owner Jerry Jones personally guides a tour of the stadium’s 300 luxury suites, promising that there is something for everyone.

From the most extravagant models, named after Cowboy greats like Roger Staubach and Troy Aikman, to the more basic layouts, such as the “Nate Newton” suite, a 4′ by 4′ room constructed from Venetian cinder blocks, modestly accessorized with a bunk bed, a sink, a toilet, and a chin-up bar.

Jones also reveals the team’s most private model, the “Tony Romo Honeymoon Suite,” the master bedroom of which features a king-size bed, as well as a single bed, suitable for an interloping tight end, or a meddling father-in-law.

* Newly-signed Raider quarterback Jeff Garcia engages in a heated, tension-filled battle for the starting position with incumbent JaMarcus Russell. The situation reaches a boiling point when the feisty Garcia confronts Russell and gets all up in his face, until Russell rises to his feet, gives Garcia a wedgie, and stuffs him into an empty locker.

* Brett Favre comes out of retirement to fight Larry Holmes at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas. Favre separates his right shoulder in the third round, but gamely continues, until a TKO stoppage in the 11th hastens his retirement from the ring.

Favre ends his brief retirement when he joins the Birmingham Barons, the Chicago White Sox Class AA affiliate.

Favre bats .145 and throws 13 interceptions, and announces his retirement three games into the season. After a short hiatus, Favre makes a final comeback, laying down some guest lyrics on Jay-Z’s third “comeback” album.

In late July, the Vikings make a last-ditch effort to sign Favre, offering him a $7 million, one-year contract, and full creative control of a weekly television show, tentatively titled the “Vike-O-Den.” Favre opts to remain retired, however, citing his need to spend time with his family, as well as contemplate a 2011 return.

* British comedian and trickster Sasha Baron Cohen, posing as a 32-year-old former division III college quarterback named Timmy Nevada, infiltrates the Cleveland Browns training camp, easily winning the starting position over Brady Quinn and Derek Anderson.

Nevada leads the Browns to wins in their first two games, throwing four touchdown passes and only one interception. Then, Baron Cohen decides to reveal the ruse, but not before a naked wrestling match with Browns nose tackle Shaun Rogers erupts in the banquet room of the teams’ hotel prior to Week Three’s contest against the Ravens.

* Larry Fitzgerald leads the NFL in receptions, 109, receiving touchdowns, 13, and encouraging hugs to discontented teammate Anquan Boldin, 23, further solidifying Fitzgerald’s status as the league’s preeminent receiver and consummate teammate.

* In an Aug. 30 preseason game in Denver, former Broncos quarterback Jay Cutler roams the Bear sideline sporting a white headband bearing the word “McDaniels” in black lettering.

Cutler is mercilessly heckled by the Denver crowd, and in an embarrassing twist, he turns and gives the middle finger to a particularly raucous Broncos fan nearby, who turns out to be former Denver quarterback Jake Plummer.

Cutler’s comeuppance, however, is not complete until he is spoofed on the Sept. 14 episode of South Park, in which Cutler’s character is killed in a grisly accident while mooning a helicopter piloted by Kenny.

* The Detroit Lions new, fiercer-looking logo heralds a new era for the franchise, and opposing teams take notice, with many commenting that they were “slighty more afraid” while beating the Lions. The logo is also selected to grace the cover of Cat Fancy magazine’s 2009 NFL preview issue.

* In a late August appearance on “The Oprah Winfrey Show,” Tom Brady professes his unconditional love for Gisele Bundchen, gushing to Oprah that “he heard fireworks” during their second round of nuptials in Costa Rica in April.

Winfrey gently breaks the news to Brady that those sounds were not “fireworks,” but the echoes of gunshots from Brady’s trigger-happy security detail opening fire on unarmed paparazzi.

* Sales of Cincinnati wide receiver Chad Ochocinco’s No. 85 jersey remain at a virtual standstill, with most fans disgruntled with Ochocinco’s diva-like behavior over the last two years. One enterprising pro shop employee stumbles onto a gold mine when he alters a jersey, removing the nameplate of “Ochocinco” and replacing it was a more appropriate, Spanish-flavored alternative. The Bengals No. 85 “Has Bien” jersey becomes a best seller in Cincinnati. Johnson graciously is a good sport about it, but only after his attorneys negotiate a cut of the jersey sales.

* Minnesota defensive end Jared Allen’s season comes to an abrupt end when, while on an elk-hunting trip at Alaska’s Kodiak Islands during the Vikings’ Week Nine bye week, he is mistaken for an ape and shot from a helicopter by Alaska governor Sarah Palin.

Left for dead, Allen is rescued by a herd of manly bull elks, nursed back to health, and returned to civilization, with a new respect for an animal he once mercilessly killed, as well as an appreciation for the four-point stance, and being “mounted.”

* Matthew Stafford, the first selection in the 2009 NFL draft, gets the start in the Lions’ first preseason game against the Falcons on August 15th, facing Matt Ryan, last year’s third pick. Stafford begins his first NFL preseason game just as Ryan began his first regular-season game last year by throwing a touchdown pass … to a Falcon.

Stafford’s first pass is intercepted and returned 35 yards for a touchdown by Atlanta cornerback Chris Houston.

* New York Jets quarterback Mark Sanchez, the fifth pick in the draft, becomes an instant fan-favorite in the New York-New Jersey area, and a local Big Apple eatery honors the former USC star with a dish in his name, a fish taco smothered in mustard and Worcestershire sauce known as the “Dirty Sanchez.”

Later in the year, Sanchez declines an offer to appear on the cover of men’s alternative fashion magazine GQ wearing only a No. 12 Joe Namath jersey and fishnet stockings.

* Michael Vick meets with NFL commissioner Roger Goodell in early November to discuss reinstatement. The meeting goes well until Vick, in his excitement at a possible return to the league, furiously humps the leg of the Commissioner, then urinates on the floor of Goodell’s office.

* Minnesota running back Adrian Peterson is a consensus first pick in most fantasy football drafts, and doesn’t disappoint, breaking the 1,000-yard mark in the Vikes first seven games. However, Peterson is again plagued by fumbling issues, which, much to the chagrin of fantasy owners, cuts into his goal line touches.

Nevertheless, Peterson’s endorsement worth skyrockets, and he becomes the face of several big-time products, most notably Butterfinger candy bars.

* On Sept. 1, just in time for the NFL season, resident New York Times writer/stalker/fictionalist/man-hater Selena Roberts announces the release of her controversial new book, titled Peyton Manning: Satan’s Signal Caller.

In the book, Roberts paints a damning picture of Manning as the supreme leader of a worldwide cult of immoral beings and hedonistic decadents.

Manning good-naturedly laughs off the book, citing Roberts’ penchant for sensationalistic journalism practices, while Raiders owner Al Davis angrily files an injunction to the book’s release, accusing Roberts of outright plagiarism of his own autobiography.

* After the Browns suffer a humiliating 31-10 loss to the Chargers in Cleveland on Dec. 6, Jamal Lewis vents his frustration at the gall of some of his teammates texting on their cell phones in the locker room afterwards, calling them a “bunch of Twitters” on his personal blog.

* As the Patriots prepare in London for their Oct. 25 game versus Tampa Bay at Wembley Stadium, many of the players use their down time for sightseeing. Unwise to British traditions, Randy Moss makes a particularly large splash across the pond when, during a visit to Buckingham Palace, he high fives Queen Victoria instead of properly bowing.

Moss then tells the Queen he loved her in The Naked Gun. Then, upon learning that the Queen is married to a prince, Prince Philip, and not a king, Moss presents her with a 40 of King Kobra malt liquor.

Suitably impressed with his exploits, Moss declares himself heir to the throne, excuses himself to the Palace’s parlor restroom, and emerges minutes later to announce that he “just abdicated. But don’t worry, I royally flushed.”

Moss is skewered in the British press, but is quickly forgiven at Wembley when he bows to the crowd after the first of his two touchdown catches. New England whips the Buccaneers 41-10, and the headline in the following day’s edition of The Sun read “English Snuffin.'”

* In a Dec. 13 game at New England, disgruntled Carolina Panthers defensive end Julius Peppers, who expressed his desire to play for the Patriots before being franchised by Carolina, returns a Tom Brady fumble 66 yards, the wrong way, for a Patriots safety.

Peppers celebrates with former Minnesota Vikings defensive end Jim Marshall, who, coincidentally and conveniently, watches from the Patriots end zone. Peppers then confronts head coach John Fox and proclaims, “Now do you believe I wanted to play for the Patriots?”

Fox immediately disenfranchises Peppers, stripping him of his Panther status. Peppers is later picked up on waivers by the Harlem Globetrotters.

* Jacksonville quarterback David Garrard finds a new favorite target in veteran wide receiver Torry Holt, the Jags’ biggest offseason free-agent acquisition.

Garrard immediately clicks with Holt, and after Holt catches 10 passes for 140 yards and 2 touchdowns in a Week Two win over the Cardinals, Garrard expresses his joy at being able to throw to an ex-Ram as opposed to an ex-con.

* Former Buccaneers coach John Gruden makes a seamless transition from coaching to the “Monday Night Football” team, joining Mike Tirico and Ron Jaworski in the booth after Tony Kornheiser’s departure.

Gruden’s knowledge of the game and quick-wittedness adds a sharp-tongued presence to the team, and ratings soar after Gruden promises, prior to Week One’s Buffalo/New England contest, to put the “MF” in MNF.

* Defensive tackle Albert Haynesworth, Washington’s $100 million free-agent prize, continues his dominance as the league’s finest interior lineman. Haynesworth’s No. 92 jersey quickly becomes a hot seller in D.C., matching the popularity of the No. 8 Capitals jersey of NHL superstar Alex Ovechkin.

In October, Haynesworth and Ovechkin are invited to the White House for an honorary dropping of the puck to celebrate the Capitals season opener.

Haynesworth gladly obliges, but Ovechkin, after learning of Haynesworth’s more infamous NFL exploits, declines to attend, telling the White House that “there’s no way I’m participating in a ‘face-off’ with Haynesworth.”

* Referee Ed Hochuli, his once-sterling reputation sullied by last year’s blown Jay Cutler fumble call, promises that he will not make anymistakes in the upcoming season. However, Hochuli can’t make the same promise in regards to his line judge, Tim Conway, nor his back judge, Don Knotts, nor his head linesman, Jerry Lewis.

* On Conference Championship Sunday, the visiting Patriots take down the defending Super Bowl champion Steelers, 23-20, behind 98 yards rushing and 2 touchdowns from Fred Taylor.

In the NFC, the home-standing Eagles defeat the Falcons in the title game, 30-24.

In Super Bowl XLIV in Miami, Donovan McNabb engineers a late game-winning drive with seven completions and two first-down rushes, leading the Eagles to a 28-24 win over New England. McNabb makes history, becoming the first and only black quarterback to hoist the Lombardi Trophy, then vomit on it.

* Pacman Jones, displaying the entrepreneurial spirit of a disgraced former NFL star hard up for cash, opens the nation’s first adult entertainment venue/shooting range. “Money Shots” opens to much fanfare in Jones’ hometown of Atlanta, but ultimately fails due to financial, safety, security, health, sanitation, child care, and homeland security concerns.

Broke, Jones’ accepts a role on NBC’s critically-acclaimed cop drama Southland, playing a former superstar athlete turned streetwise hustler with an itchy trigger finger, a role Entertainment Weeklyhails as one “Pacman was born to play.”

* Already with one connection to the Saints (Kim Kardashian dates New Orleans running back Reggie Bush), the Kardashian clan adds another when Khloe, Kim’s younger and more robust sister, signs with the Saints as an offensive lineman. Thus, the Amazonian Khloe becomes the second Kardashian charged with opening holes for Reggie Bush.

Brett Favre: The Vikings Want a Decision by This Weekend

According to Peter King of SI.com, the Minnesota Vikings organization likely wants a decision from retired quarterback Brett Favre on if he plans on coming back to the NFL by this weekend.

Favre has met with Dr. James Andrews in Alabama about an injured tendon in his right arm that is causing him pain.

From King, the Vikings want to know if he plans on coming back because they want to know the future of their quarterback position as early as possible.

It is known that Favre most likely doesn’t want surgery, even if it’s minor. For the pain in his arm to go away, the tendon would have to completely tear. The only other way for him to tear the tendon in his right arm is by natural movements. The problem with this is nobody knows when the tendon would tear.

Surgery rehab would take from six to eight weeks. Stay tuned.

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