NFC East Stock Watch: Giants Gaining On Eagles

Look Out, Philly, The Champs Are Coming Fast

The Philadelphia Eagles had a great draft and spectacular offseason which cannot be denied. The New York Giants had a rocky one. That is the general consensus.

Believe it or not, regardless of my efforts, the Eagles’ beat writers and bloggers have the Eagles winning the Super Bowl hands down—smushing the Giants and all comers without a fight.

That was April. It’s almost August now. Let’s put some perspective and facts to this…

The Oddsmakers Favor The Giants

In a consensus of two dozen Internet gambling sites, the Giants are 7 to 4 to win the division. The Eagles are 2 to 1, the Cowboys 2.5 to 1 and the Redskins are 5 to 1.

It is close between the top three teams. If one were to use the axiom ‘put your money where your mouth is”, the Eagles are just another team in the mix for the division – not the prohibitive favorite Eagles backers would have you believe with all their stumping since the spring.

 

DC Roulette – Jim Johnson is Gone

Both the Giants and the Eagles will have new Defensive Coordinators. The Giants promoted linebackers coach Bill Sheridan to DC after Steve Spagnuolo accepted the head coaching job in St. Louis.

The Eagles promoted Sean McDermott, a long-serving defensive assistant to DC this week.  McDermott takes over for the ailing Jim Johnson, who is sadly battling cancer.

These developments may change the dynamic of the rivalry.  Johnson and Spagnuolo were known for the pressure they bring on the quarterback.  Will the philosophies change now that both are gone?  Stay tuned.

 

Osi Umenyiora – The Eagle Killer Returns

He’s baaaaack!  Remember how much trouble Osi brought to the Eagles’ blocking scheme?  Well, after missing all of 2008 with an injury, Osi is back and in top form according to sources.

That means trouble for the Eagles, who will now have to choose which Giants DE to double cover—Osi or All-Pro Justin Tuck.  Good luck with that one, Marty Mornhinweg.

 

The Giants’ Wide Receiver Corps

No one knows what this motley group is going to shape up to be.  New faces all over the place, and not one that gives any defense nightmares – yet.

The Giants’ top pick—Hakeem Nicks—reminds people of Michael Irvin.  Domenik Hixon is a tough, reliable receiver.  Ramses Barden, a 6’6″ rookie is built like an NBA power forward, and as nimble.  Steve Smith and David Tyree make big catches in big spots. 

Sinorice Moss, when healthy, dazzles.  Mario Maningham was a first-round pick in-waiting before he decided to enter the NFL Draft as a junior in 2008.

Suddenly, there is news that the Giants are considering bringing back Plaxico Burress should he be cleared to play in 2009.

That would scare some people. Especially Philadelphia, who had problems defending him in the past.  They also lost their most physical defender – Brian Dawkins – to free agency this past off-season.

All of these factors are working against the Eagles. Their advantages over the Giants, whatever they were, seem to be disappearing one by one.

John Fennelly is the publisher/founder of blogNYG.com, the fastest-growing fan-based blog in New York sports.

2008 NFL Draft: A Coinflip That Has Determined Three Franchises Futures

The 2009 NFL season is almost upon us, as training camp officially started yesterday in Buffalo. Many look to rebound from a disappointment of a season from 2008, while other teams look to continue their playoff success in 2009.

The 2009 NFL Draft was upon us in April, where once again we saw hopeful draftees selected to help turn around many of the franchises in the National Football League.

Three quarterbacks were taken in the first round, all of them will receive the pressure of turning their franchise around in one season as Joe Flacco and Matt Ryan did with their respectable organizations.

Speaking of Matt Ryan, what never is talked about on that day in the 2008 NFL Draft is the coin flip, the lucky charm that put Atlanta in the position to select their franchise quarterback.

Coin flip? What coin flip are you talking about involving the 2008 NFL Draft?

None can remember? Well, though I doubt many people to remember or think of this, what can be put into perspective is one coin flip has put three franchises in different futures.

As the 2007-2008 season came to a conclusion, there were three teams that were tied with a 4-12 record. These franchises are the Atlanta Falcons, the Oakland Raiders, along with the Kansas City Chiefs.

Just days before the draft began, the coin flip was going to be made, which would settle the three-way tie for the 3rd overall pick.

The Atlanta Falcons caught the most luck, earning the 3rd overall pick in the draft. Those Oakland Raiders went 2nd, and achieved the 4th overall pick, while the Chiefs found the least amount of luck in the coin flip, and earned the 5th pick.

In one way, none of these franchises shouldn’t be disappointed in their selections.

The Falcons selected Matt Ryan, quarterback out of Boston College.

The Raiders selected Darren McFadden, running back out of Arkansas.

The Chiefs at the fifth spot, selected Glenn Dorsey, defensive tackle from LSU.

These three selections have already made an impact on their organizations, and are now being the building block of the franchise. While nobody can be upset about these picks, what would have happened if the coin-flip went differently?

How much of a difference would it make on any of these franchises if they selected earlier or later? The relevant answer to this question would have to be involved mostly around the Falcons and the Chiefs.

Even though the what ifs can’t always be focused on, lets just think what would have happened if the Chiefs selected before the Falcons.

While the Chiefs did love Dorsey to help build a defensive squad that was weak, who would say that Kansas City wouldn’t have taken Matt Ryan if still on the board?

After all, at that point in time a quarterback was desperately needed. Tyler Thigpen was the best quarterback on the roster, and even though a great defensive tackle in Dorsey would be available, Matt Ryan would be a certain selection of the Chiefs, and become the new face of the franchise.

In case you don’t remember, the Atlanta Falcons were deciding at their pick whether to take Matt Ryan or Glenn Dorsey, both who intrigued the franchise. The team obviously needed a new face at quarterback, one who can lift the franchise from the damage caused by Michael Vick.

If the Chiefs found the same luck the Falcons did with the coin flip, and selected Ryan, the Falcons still would have drafted a great player, yet a whole new direction would be different. Earning a playoff spot in the 2008-2009 season would be highly unlikely if Atlanta did not have Ryan at the quarterback position.

If the Chiefs had the great QB, who knows how successful Kansas City could have put together, especially in a division that only took eight wins to clinch. Offensive weapons in Tony Gonzalez, Dwayne Bowe, and running back Larry Johnson would have been similar to the group Ryan had with Atlanta this season.

And then we have the Oakland Raiders. Heading into the draft, at the 4th selection it was made known that the silver and black would take Darren McFadden, the top running back in the draft, who was needed as the offensive threat for quarterback JaMarcus Russell.

If the coin flip went the Raiders way, and the 3rd pick was achieved, we would think Oakland would still have taken McFadden? Or would he?

We know Al Davis wouldn’t have selected another quarterback, but knowing the most-unlikely scenarios we have seen the Raiders at draft day, who knows the direction the franchise has gone in.

As we look heading into the 2009 season, how does each franchise look?

The Atlanta Falcons experienced the post-season under rookie quarterback Matt Ryan, who was awarded as the Offensive Rookie of the Year. The Oakland Raiders finished with a record of six wins and ten losses, however, ended the regular season on a winning streak under new head coach Tom Cable, bringing confidence heading into training camp.

The Kansas City Chiefs endured the most painful season of the three, which led to a new head coach in Todd Haley, general manager Scott Pioli, and quarterback Matt Cassell, who they acquired in a trade from the Patriots to be the new franchise quarterback.

In the National Football League, a franchise is built on success and hard-work from every man or woman in the organization.

In this case, one coin flip brought some good and bad luck to three of these franchises.

The good luck went Atlanta’s way, who selected Matt Ryan, and now leads one of the teams to beat in the NFC. Most importantly, the city has found hope, hope that this young man can lead this franchise to a Super Bowl and bestow the deviled past of Michael Vick.

The Oakland Raiders are still unproven on the good or bad side. McFadden was solid in his rookie season, and the team’s makes strides to get closer in post season contention once again. Yet, many feel the team is a few off seasons away from making another splash.

Finally, the bad luck has gone the way of the Kansas City Chiefs, who are beginning a great rebuilding plan under new management.

It shall be interesting to watch years down the line if any of these franchises find drastic changes along the way. But for now, one single coin-flip has determined the good, bad and worst of these NFL organizations.

 

Matt Miselis is a writer for BleacherReport.com

Why I Like Jeff Garcia But Want To See The Snot Knocked Out Of Him

When the 49ers unwisely turned their back on Jeff Garcia, I got this ache in the pit of my stomach.

It’s because I knew infamy would soon envelop this star-crossed side of the bay, where civilization can still be found.

And five Lombardis.

Compared to a pathetic 3-1 from that that grimy, crime-infested blight called Oakland.

Compared to the pathetic loser fans—whom I call Raiderettes, who keep pulling out their lousy AFL title.

It wasn’t the Super Bowl.

It don’t mean crap.

So stop bringing it up.

It’s time to get over it.

Already.

And, before you Raiderettes take me to task, let me educate you.

I have lived that dismal existence called being an Oakland resident.

Seeing that you are all so disadvantaged, and I believe in charity, and that we share something in common—I’m not proud of that, I want to help you out.

Because I pity you.

I know, I know, you have PTSD from being flunked out of Montessori—a near impossibility, but an impressive, err, distinction.

Please hear me out, you sweet souls.

My advice is to get some counseling.

It doesn’t hurt.

It should help you to unlearn bad behaviors.

We know how many you have.

But crime no longer pays, my friends.

You will have a future—if you work hard and abandon your sinful ways—of sunsets with your women.

You’ll be taught coping techniques so you can look upon your beauties despite having their beautiful smiles reveal their rotted teeth.

No longer will such, err, beauty be a distraction for you.

I, for one, feel your pain.

Plus, that’s the hazard of using storm runoff to brush your teeth.

In fact, Raiderettes, you’ll get to the point where the word “education” will no longer continue to send you into moribund sweat-covered nightmares.

I know you walk around with iPods dancing to Michael Jackson’s Thriller, but the only thing that will thrill you as you seek to redeem yourself is the fact that you don’t have to read.

That’s because of auidobooks.

See, Raiderettes, technology is your friend.

So stop riding those big, noisy motorcycles, and join the civilized world.

Hitch a ride.

I wish you good fortune, fools.

Oh, I’m supposed to educate you.

Before you hurl insults and tell me I’m prejudiced against Oakland, LET ME BE CLEAR.

(Some national leader overuses those words, but that’s another story, and you probably don’t know that because ya all cannot read. And you people only listen to religious radio, I know).

Anyway, my family once owned a home in Oakland, I lived there for about two years, and my late bro was born there.

So stick it.

Back to your man, Garcia, and why the 49ers glorious Gold Rush is going to knock the livin’ snot out of this fine American patriot.

Because of that shoppers, you better stock up because we’re headed into an era of unavailability in the East Bay.

Raiderettes—used to buying Kleenex because they have had to cry so much since 1983—will be buying all facial-type tissue from their Macy’s.

It’s called Wal-Mart.

Yeah, even in the Oakland area, they allow Raiderettes to actually shop in stores.

Accompanied by the Oakland Police Department’s SWAT team in full riot gear, of course.

I cannot say anything about the snipers—I must protect my confidential sources—on nearby roofs to make sure all is well in the parking lot.

Back to Garcia.

I can see Patrick Willis getting loose as this little fairytale begins to unfold in August.

(I don’t hold it against Raiderettes that the real Fairyland is in downtown Oakland, or that Raiderettes are prohibited from going there, along with their little misbehaved, on-a-criminal-track titans.)

That’s when the 49ers will reclaim their lost luster on the only side of the bay that matters.

Even though it’s preseason.

Yeah, I know you court jesters will tell me it’s backups who will play.

Put cheerleaders in cardinal and gold and silver and black, and it’s still war, you weasels.

Oh, that’s right, Oakland has had cheerleaders in uniform—except ALL the former 49ers, of course—since 1983, and that’s why it has lost so much.

Snot-knockin’ Willis will chase down the senior citizen imposter at your quarterback position.

I can visualize it right now.

Before Garcia is nearly decapitated, you’ll hear the tearful Raiderettes’ moans and groans.

There is nothing like hearing the groans and moans of macho men and their macho women—who shave their faces daily.

And what’s with the Raiderettes throwing former 49ers back at me?

You take pride in putting former San Francisco greats on your field as has-beens?

That’s embarrassing.

But, I know, cowardice has no limits.

It’s still pathetic.

Nothing like seconds, eh, Oakland?

It’s like Raiderettes and the senile old fool Al Davis—who would have been in the great yonder by now if the current health plan in Congress were law—have had this secret admiration for the ferocious 49ers.

Yeah, the Raiderettes still pull out their straw man and continue call the 49ers a finesse team.

What a laugh.

I guess the Raiderettes must be finesse, too, since they bring over so many great 49ers.

Yeah, Tom Rathman, Roger Craig, Ronnie Lott and Bill Romanowski were definitely, definitely finesse players.

And the guy Raiderettes really used to make fun of when he was a ‘Niner was Jerry Rice.

Yet, suddenly, that all changed when he became a Raiderette and helped take them to Super Bowl infamy.

Ouch. That hurt.

That’s when that senile old fool made one of the biggest blunders in NFL history.

The mistake only came back to kick the butt of his former and woefully unprepared team in the Super Bowl.

Leaving Raiderettes to still cry to momma that Tampa Bay knew all the Raiderettes signals and audibles.

Gee, ever hear of game preparation, Oakland?

Of not making feeble excuses?

Lame.

Talking about wussin’ out, Oakland.

Furthermore, only hillbilly embeciles like Raiderettes would call the bruisin’ sport called football, finesse.

But, hey, what do you expect from people who cannot read or write?

I’m looking forward to seeing Raiderettes.

Who could forget how they dress up?

Like out-of-control mental patients on a one-day weekend escape pass from Camarillo State Mental Hospital.

No, I’ve never been a patient there.

Just so you Raiderettes know, I’ll be the 49ers fan with the garlic-made Garcia doll.

I bought it, and the pins to stick in his hiney, at the Gilroy Garlic Festival this weekend.

His dad sold it to me. Seems your guy didn’t call dad on Father’s Day.

Big mistake.

Dad will be sitting with me.

The pungent odor will help protect us from the unwashed hordes called Raiderettes.

Oh, ya all want me to explain to readers how you people could afford to attend the game?

OK, but I really don’t want to.

OK, I will.

This is for Bleacher Report readers: Raiderettes at 49ers games got there by their own hard work.

Uh, no, it wasn’t sweat equity, in the conventional, pull-you-up-by-your-bootstraps tale.

More like pulling, err, a gun.

I’m a bit embarrassed to reveal their secret.

But I will.

They somehow were able to steal enough money robbing 7-11s to buy tickets for the preseason game.

(Oh, they like jalapeno hotdogs, mustard and relish, and coke slurpies. Not the Coke you are thinking of, sorry to say. They bring their own Starbucks-type shots.)

All to see a 39-year-old delicate quarterback star for them.

Do ya all have no pride?

No limit to your shame?

Didn’t they sign some dude with huge potential to QB a while back?

By now, I’m sure the red faces—caused by all sorts of legal and illegal intoxicants—of Raiderettes are about to burst the blood vessles in their cute little liver-damaged fat cheeks, so let me help ya out.

I am really sensitive to Raiderettes because of the communicable disease particular only to them.

Nearsightedness.

Hey, it’s ok. That’s why the state gives you the handicap placards.

We won’t hold it against you, even at the pit called Candlestick.

As I use my binoculars, I know I’ll be able to determine who is a Raiderette.

It’s rather simple, so let me clue ya all in.

They will be wearing the violet-covered supposedly intellectually looking rectangular nerd glasses worn by self-important fools.

I realize Raiderettes really think these idiot glasses make them look intelligent.

Hate to break it to you people, you effeminate Raiderettes, but they look absolutely ridiculous.

All you have to do is look at the San Francisco Chronicle from last week and see how ridiculous that Oakland coffee maker—who hails from my home county, Humboldt—looks.

He’s also the poster boy for Raiderettes as they try to mimic him and wear those comical glasses.

And you people make fun of San Francisco.

But, hey, that’s getting too personal, eh?

That’s just not allowed in this assuredly refined era of political and societal correctness, is it?

Let me let you in on another one of Oakland’s strange, but absolutely true, epidemiological secrets.

Raiderettes suffer from a communicable disease—PLEASE, don’t ask me how it’s transmitted—called Raiderettes Flatulence Syndrome.

Flatulence is gas, for the illiterates known as Raiderettes.

This world-renown discovery was made at, yes, the UCSF Medical Center.

That’s because Oakland has nothing so worthy.

I must say, I’ve personally been gassed, but I was saved by a life-cart and the fresh air paramedics brought.

I can tell you, it’s outrageously foul-smelling gas.

The United Nations recently deemed Raiderettes as carbon polluters.

They are now seeking—through a former 49ers player who is their financial adviser—how to trade carbon credits so they can go on living their miserable existences.

For you Raiderettes who are by now so offended, disgusted and angry, let me help you out.

Because I feel your pain.

And I respect all people.

Except Raiderettes.

I’ll be the guy in the flak jacket and helmet.

Along with my grenade-launcher.

Oh, yeah, and THAT!

An escort provided by the Camp Pendleton Marine Expeditionary Force, fresh from fighting the Taliban in America’s new Vietnam.

Oh, one last thing.

I just read that Homeland Security has raised the threat level to red on Aug. 22.

Oh, sorry, I lied.

One last thing.

The Raiderettes’ traditional tea in Hunter’s Point has been canceled due to a lack of medicinal marijuana.

Sorry about that, Raiderettes.

But, I’m sure you all grow it anyway.

Hey, good luck on another losing season.

And when you shop with your beautiful women at Wal-Mart, could you have them leave a few razors?

I mean, I know they have that unfortunate facial hair problem, but the rest of us shave, too.

Except for our civilized female companions.

They are actually feminine.

Unlike the ghastly Raiderette women.

Did I forget anything?

Oh, yeah.

Peace.

Out.

Woops, the point of this juvenile rant?

I want to see the snot knocked out of Garcia because of all the reasons cited above.

And because he is a Raiderette.

Buffalo Bills Fans Go Bananas For Terrell Owens at Training Camp Practice

Written by Daniel Wolf

Just a few days after Terrell Owens’ VH1 television show called The T.O. Show aired and drew crowds to watch him in real life, Owens is drawing more crowds this weekend to watch him some more on the football field.

Over 5,000 Bills fans showed up to the first training camp practice to catch a glimpse of Owens and hopefully get an autograph too.

The Bills are the fourth stop for Owens after San Francisco, Philadelphia and Dallas.

A very unlikely place for Owens to land, Buffalo gave him $6.5 million to come play for one year.

Fans that were in attendance made the practice feel like a circus-like environment coming equipped with Owens memorabilia the likes of his new limited edition cereal that is available in Buffalo grocery stores and Owens No. 81 Bills jerseys.

There were even some fans that had the letters “TO” painted on their chests.

It was almost like gameday in Buffalo.

“It adds a lot of excitement,” Coach Dick Jauron said. “I don’t know how (the attention) can be bad.”

“I’m used to it,” Owens said with a shrug. “Everywhere that I’ve been, it’s always been that type of reception.”

“I know that the Buffalo fans are very very fanatical,” Owens said. “So, coming out here, I expected nothing less.”

Fans were chatting “TO” when they first saw him and everytime Owens made a catch the fans cheered and Owens acknowledged them with smiles and peace signs.

Owens got the same type of treatment that former Bills quarterback, Jim Kelly, would receive from the team and fans without even playing a regular season game yet.

Whether Owens continues his career with Buffalo or not, will all depend on how well he plays in 2009, but if he chooses not to play football at least he has a television show to fall back on.

(Daniel Wolf also writes for and runs Dawg Scooper: An Unofficial Cleveland Browns News Source)

Sunday Roundable: NY Giants May Re-Sign Plaxico Burress

Quick Hits: Burress Could Return to Giants

****YaHoo is reporting that there are rumors that Plaxico Burress may end up right back with the Giants after his legal ordeal is over.

That made no sense a few months ago, but now as some grass has grown under this, it makes a lot of sense. Burress may not fit anywhere else in the league. He and the Giants have a relationship that can be easily repaired if he meets them 75 percent of the way.

Burress’ attorney, Ben Brafman, played this one beautifully it seems. By delaying court action, the urge to throw the book at Plaxico has waned over time, and that may continue to wane should the Giants be serious about reclaiming his services.

With the city and state in a political jackpot these days, Burress’ case is no longer in the center of the ring. Brafman will continue to whittle away at any proposed jail time, which may result in a plea deal that could put Plax back on the field this fall.

****The new rail link to the Meadowlands is a success. That is good news for both the Jets and Giants and concert-goers. The link is accessible from Secaucus Junction which is the hub for all points north and east such as Hoboken and New York City as well as other parts of the state including the Jersey Shore.

This will alleviate the impossible traffic situation in the area. NJ Transit has estimated that tens of thousands may use the rail on game days, which will enhance the quality of every one’s life in Bergen County.

****Training camp begins in one week. The Giants are still hedging on whether this will be their swan song at the University of Albany. John Mara has been intimating that the new Timex Performance Center at the Meadowlands could easily be used for camp as well. Logistically, it would be better for all—and much more inexpensive.

****It is being rumored that Michael Boley may miss as many as four games this season due to his recent hip surgery. Boley will miss the first game due to a one-suspension for violating the league’s domestic violence policy. After that, it’s cloudy when he’ll be ready to play.

In the interim, second-year LB Bryan Kehl will get first crack at the open spot. Gerris Wilkinson is also being considered, but his lack of physicalness has the team looking elsewhere for answers.

John Fennelly is the publisher/founder of blogNYG.com, the fastest-growing fan-based blog in New York sports.

Hank Aaron: Asterisks For Cheaters

The Calm Before the Storm: Looking Forward to Bears Training Camp

It is almost upon us…

The long summer months are almost over. The time where all we have to watch is:

• Baseball
• The NBA Draft
• Baseball
• The NBA Summer league
• Baseball
• Good Soccer (Confederations Cup)
• Baseball
• The WNBA
• Baseball
• Bad Soccer (MLS)

But no longer, because on July 31, in that beautiful, delightful Friday afternoon, the Chicago Bears training camp begins at Bourbonnais on the campus of Olivet Nazarene University.

After dealing with Manny and the steroids and the poor fate that Blake Griffin faces, the exciting, albeit brief, run by the Americans in the Confederations Cup and the WNB… er, I mean MLS…uh, GOLF…oh hell, nevermind.

Finally, football is here. For diehards, this is where we dig in for the long haul. In the sweltering heat of summer, this is where rookies become men (both in football and fandom terms). This is where battles are lost and won. This is when the season can be decided.

This isn’t just what fans live for, but NFL writers as well. There are so many storylines, with practice everyday, they can scrutinize and question every call and every decision made. They can work up a story about a player sitting out. They can over cover a minor injury. They can drive us sports fan nuts.

Add to that the extremely-high expectations of their fan bases, especially the Bears’ fan base this year, which makes every camp battle that much more important and that much more covered.

Will Dusty Dvoracek or Anthony Adams be the last defensive tackle on the roster? Which receiver will line up across from Hester on opening week? Will Tommie Harris return to Pro Bowl form?

Will the Bears cornerbacks stay healthy? Who’s going to start at the free safety position? Will Rod Marinelli make that big of a difference on the defensive line? Will Lovie return the whole D to it’s previous form?

I mean shoot, has Caleb Hanie improved enough to be a reliable back up? Will any of the undrafted free agent rookies make the team? Who’s a shoe-in for the practice squad? Will Brandon Rideau finally make the 53-man roster? How many people will buy a Will Ta’ufo’ou jersey just because that name is awesome?

I don’t know, but am excited to find out.

And not all of these questions can be answered in camp, but most will, because starting Friday, everyone has a chance to make the team. Every fan is excited to see who is going to break out and who is going to flop. Every team is undefeated. Every football fanatic can dream of comeback wins, rookies making impacts, and underrated veterans busting out of their shell.

This week is where people can convince themselves that their dreams are not just that.

This week will be the longest week of the summer, but once it is over, the madness begins…and I love it.

The Most Important Rookie Missing from the Buffalo Bills Training Camp

The Buffalo Bills have many questions to answer before the season opener against New England.  Most of the focus has been on the lack of a pass rush and the retooling of the offensive line for the second time in three years.

I can see the importance of getting rookies Eric Wood and Andy Levitre time to work their way into starting roles on the offensive line. I can even understand the need to get a first round talent in Aaron Maybin on to the field as soon as possible.  Fortunately, these three rookies have been in attendance for most of this spring’s minicamps.

I don’t believe that Aaron Maybin has a chance to begin the season as a starter. Instead he will act instead as situational rusher on passing downs, thus him missing some practice time over contract discrepancies doesn’t seem to hurt very much. 

While I eventually expect Wood and Levitre to be exceptional starting linemen, I don’t initially see them playing any better than veterans Seth McKinney and Kirk Chambers, so I really don’t feel like the team would be losing any great production without them in the lineup at this particularly moment.

The one rookie that that needs to be in camp is college ball-hawk Jairus Byrd.

Byrd comes from the University of Oregon where he put up 17 interceptions in three seasons.  He has quick lateral speed, can leap well vertically, and is a great open field tackler. 

As evident from his high interception total, Byrd has great anticipation, soft hands and breaks up many passes too.  He is said to be highly intelligent and studies the game well. All of these attributes will help him make the transition from cornerback to free safety and easy one.

Byrd seemingly makes the perfect candidate to start over all rookies this season, with one obstacle standing in his way: He hasn’t been able to participate as much as the other rookies.

According to Pac-10 rules, their drafted players aren’t allowed to participate in offseason programs until their exam schedule is complete.  These rules left Byrd with much catching up to do compared to his teammates.  He has an even greater challenge in that all of the plays and terminology may be unfamiliar to him because he is an inexperienced rookie.

Byrd not being at camp is the most concerning problem involving rookie signings right now because aside from the possibility of starting, he has the biggest chances of all the team’s rookies to make the most significant impact this season. 

The Bills are in desperate need of help at the free safety position.  While I am excited to see what Donte Whitner can do at the spot, I still prefer him at strong safety.

Byrd has the skill set capable of instantly making a difference on the defensive side of the ball, being the take-away artist that the Bills have lacked at the position for ages. 

Buffalo’s defense tied a franchise low at 10 interceptions in 2008, and I feel without new blood at the position you can expect much of the same even if the pass rush happens to improve this year.

While I have faith that Whitner will do just fine at free safety, I don’t necessarily expect him to make the plays that Byrd can possibly make.  Whitner is a stout tackler and does handle coverage well, but has never been considered an interception machine, even in his days at Ohio State where he recorded only three career interceptions.

In contrast Byrd offers the big-play equivalent at free safety as to what the young Leodis McKelvin offers at the cornerback position.  Byrd recorded as many interceptions in just 2008 as Whinter’s entire collegiate and professional careers combined.

If Buffalo wants to see a significant increase in their turnovers this coming season then it is imperative that they sign Jairus Byrd to a contract right way so that he doesn’t lose any more time than he has already lost.

Game-changers can’t change the game if they aren’t on the field.

Luckily, Everette Brown (the pick after Byrd) just signed his four year rookie contract which should certainly help set up some parameters to speed up the negotiating process for the Bills and their talented draft pick.

Remember the Titans: The Cases of Pacman Jones and Ben Roethlisberger

Call me campy or sentimental or whatever you need to say in order to denigrate what I have to say, with generalizations about why you think you’re strong-minded and I’m weak minded.

Because if you do, I don’t care what you think. 

Obviously, I’m referring to an abstract stereotype of potential criticism of my views.  So, you shouldn’t take it personally, unless you consciously and actively act that way.

The bottom line is however that racism still permeates our society, and if you think the election of Barack Obama has made it better—in the case of some people, it has made it worse.

In the past, I had been tolerant of hack jokes because I believed that the joke did not reflect who that person truly is, and that hack jokes were tantamount to smelling your own farts. 

Nowadays though, it seems like those same people have all left the reservation, and are willing to spin the most ridiculous crap I’ve ever heard.

There are people now, who see themselves as the “victim” of a black president who they think lacks legitimacy.  People like Glenn Beck and Lou Dobbs will sell that garbage all day for ratings.

On one hand, some of those people do so in order to sell news, and aren’t necessarily believers in the news that they sell.  However, they do that because they know that their buyers will truly believe it.

Either way, it reflects badly on the person—but there is a difference of intent.

Personally, I don’t agree with every opinion and stance of President Obama.  However, I thought that his election was a very important event to many people, and something that needed to eventually happen—regardless of whether I agreed with every opinion.

Sometimes there are more important things than opinions on how much money to allocate to a government program, and whether that program should even exist.

Sometimes, you should ask yourself, “Why do I have (blank) opinion” and whether that opinion is just sublimated hatred.  Meaning that, you only took the opinion that you did because it was the opposite opinion of someone you hate.

Suddenly then, you can claim, “I don’t hate you, I just disagree.”  Perhaps though the only reason you wanted to disagree is that you hated that person.

Thus, I do wonder if people must be willing to set-aside political differences and accept the importance of events such as the election of Barack Obama—in order to prove that they aren’t just a veiled racist.

Obiously, I’m not asserting that you should throw caution to the wind, but at the same time, I wonder if the media-amplified voracity against President Obama is really just a desire to sell news to veiled bigots — kinda like war profiteering.

You know, Bill O’Reilly always talks about a, “culture war” and being a Culture Warrior—perhaps though, O’Reilly is really just, “culture war-profiteering.”

There is such thing as civil disagreement.

 

Pacman and Big Ben

By now you must be wondering what this has to do with Pacman Jones, Ben Roethlisberger and Remember the Titans. Thus, I shall explain.

In the past three years of Roger Goodell’s tenure as commissioner of the NFL, I have been very disappointed by Goodell’s decisions, because of his clear willingness to disregard the rights of players, consumers, and even the integrity of the very game they play or enjoy.

Why?  Whatever pads the pocket book, that’s why.  To me, that is just the life of a nihilistic sociopath.

Everyone knows that the commissioner is supposed to act on behalf of the owners.  Yet, who will act on behalf of everyone else?

Why should I believe that my interests simply “trickle down” from the better interests of someone else?  To me, that is just insanity.  No one will protect your interests, ever—you must do that for yourself.

Yet, the player’s union will get demonized when they demand a pay raise, because the owners continue to rake in money from media contracts and ticket sales.

The fans will get demonized every time some isolated dope does something dumb.

All the while, the mass media says nothing critical of the problem but will cook-up storms around the trivial, because they know that since the NFL has a Congress-given antitrust exemption for media—that the NFL has the power and leverage to pull strings in order to get that journalist fired, if that journalist steps out of line.

(Some people would truly prefer to live by the idea of, “How can I please the person with all the power in the man made system?”  Frankly, I think that is a very vile and miserable life to live).

I think then that Roger Goodell has done the same thing that Bill O’Reilly, Glenn Beck, and Lou Dobbs have done—shamelessly sell news that is conducive to racist, “thought.”

Pacman Jones was a serial tabloid headline, nothing else, and yet Roger Goodell suspended Pacman for allegations.

Yet, if Roger Goodell is to remain consistent—he’d also suspend Ben Roethlisberger for allegations as well.

In fact, the stated purpose of Goodell’s suspension is to punish those who undermine the integrity of the game, regardless of whether that act is criminal.

Thus, why don’t accusations of being raped by Roethlisberger undermine the game?  Whether Ben committed the act is irrelevant, because the stated policy of Roger Goodell is to punish even non-criminal behavior. 

In essence, the purpose was to punish those who bring negative buzz to the NFL.

Thus, the mass media has avoided the story of Ben Roethlisberger at all costs, and since white people will stand and say that they believe Big Ben, and that his detractors are just overreacting—there is no one to sell the news too.  Thus, no negative buzz—thus, no reason to suspend Ben Roethlisberger.

That in essence is the heart of Goodell’s irresponsible “discipline” in which he acts like he is the judge, jury, and executioner.  Since, Goodell suspended Pacman for allegations—he must then suspend Roethlisberger for allegations in order to prove the veracity of his suspensions.

Goodell will bring down the hammer on a black guy in a cloud of controversy, such as Pacman or Tank Johnson. Yet, the white guys like Roethlisberger, Tom Brady, Jared Allen, and Matt Leinart go on their merry way with little or no punishment, because there is no hysteria surrounding the player.

The reality however is that the hysteria is fueled by sublimated racism.

In that, those who claim to be “tough on crime” really mean, they’re tough on non-white people or those that they think aren’t acting white.

To compound it, the mass media will jump to report the issue—thinking that they can dispel the falsehoods and examine the issue (and sell the news).  When really all they do is exacerbate the racist lust for negative news about non-white people.

 

Remember the Titans

Fittingly enough, Pacman Jones played for the Tennessee Titans and his case has reminded me of the movie Remember the Titans.

In that movie, Denzel Washington plays Coach Boone who became the first African-American coach of a de-segregated school in Alexandria, Virginia.

The moral of that story was that the black and white players had to put aside their differences in order to achieve the common goal of victory.

When I think of the case of Pacman Jones and now Ben Roethlisberger—all I see is a country divided by hatred, so much so that you’d rather see the country fail than to pursue the common goal of victory.

That’s you Rush Limbaugh and his Dittoheads…and many more.

 

For more on this topic follow this link:
http://bleacherreport.com/articles/223703-why-roger-goodell-should-be-terminated-from-employment

Will Terrell Owens be “Team Obliterator” in 2009?

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ESPN’s Skip Bayless often refers to Terrell Owens as the “team obliterator” (a play on his initials, “T.O.”)

Owens has thrown all of his quarterbacks under the bus. All of them have been young quarterbacks, like Trent Edwards. How can the outlook for Buffalo’s youthful starting quarterback be anything but negative?

Unlike years past, I don’t think Terrell Owens has any option but to be a team player this year. He only has a one-year contract with the Bills; if he proves to be a cancer yet again, I don’t think there will be any teams left that are willing to take a chance on him.

Realistically, who would? Cincinnati is known for taking a chance on players like Owens, but the combined egos of T.O. and Ocho Cinco would be a readily-combustible combination…ohhh mama, what drama!

I feel bad for young quarterbacks like Edwards, who are thrust into these types of situations with combustible players. I really hope Russ Brandon did the right thing and asked Edwards’ opinion on the matter before hiring someone as controversial as Owens.

All that being said, under the right conditions (especially with an offense that figures to be firing on all cylinders when Marshawn Lynch makes his return), I think Owens will continue his “first season on a new team” streak and put up some very impressive numbers.

In his first season with the Eagles after the trade that sent him there, he had 77 catches for 1,200 yards and 14 touchdowns.

In his first season as a Cowboy, he had 85 catches for 1,180 yards and 13 touchdowns.

Even at 35 years old, Owens will still pose a threat to opposing defenses if only with his supreme athleticism and his ability to beat corners by using those tools, such as his leap and agility.

It will be interesting to see how his presence effects the game planning of defenses in the AFC East when they’re playing against the Bills. Will the Patriots continue to be as relentless with blitzers up front if they know they have two deep threats to worry about?

The same question applies to Rex Ryan and his blitz-happy packages that will become a part of the Jets’ defensive scheme this year.

Both teams have made major moves in free agency to improve their depth at defensive back. The Patriots signed two new starters in Leigh Bodden and Shawn Springs, while the Jets signed former Eagles Pro Bowl cornerback Lito Sheppard.

These signings are signs that the guard in the AFC East is starting to become apparent; the teams are orienting themselves towards aerial attacks.

Even the Dolphins’ (in)famous (depending on how you look at it) Wildcat formation is predicated on deep passes.

Owens has continually made an impression in his first year on a new team, and I think this year looks to be a repeat of that trend. If not, the soon-to-be 36-year-old starlet wide receiver might be watching the stars fade on his career come time for the 2010 offseason.

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