NFL Week Three: Pressures, Hurries, and Knockdowns

Welcome to the first of what will be a weekly column of mine, in which I describe pressure situations in the NFL in the Pressures section, make quick hit points in the Hurries section, and express my thoughts regarding previous truths that have subsequently been disproved or are on shaky ground in the Knockdowns section.

For any members of the Raider Nation wondering why there is no mention of our beloved Silver and Black, I will be doing a separate Raiders version of the column on Saturdays.

 

PRESSURES

 

John Fox, Carolina Head Coach

Previously one of the most insulated men in the business after taking Carolina to a SuperBowl in just his second season back in 2003. Fox has had an inconsistent run since then, at times under-performing with talented teams. He’s now hitched his wagon to a quarterback who’s better days seem to be behind him, and, with a team expected to be better than their current 0-2 record, the pressure is mounting. 

Carolina followed up their SuperBowl appearance with a disappointing 7-9 season in ’04, but bounced back to return to the NFC Championship game in ’05. In ’06, they had high hopes and were heavily favoured to represent the NFC in the SuperBowl, but, in a pattern that has maintained throughout Fox’s tenure dating back to ’02, the team failed to post back-to-back winning seasons, and, at 8-8, missed the playoffs.

Another Panther squad touted as SuperBowl contenders disappointed in ’07, finishing below .500 at 7-9. They once again bounced back last season, riding a strong and versatile run game and stout defense to an impressive 12-4 record and a spot in the playoffs against Arizona.

Unfortunately for Carolina, the Cards were in the early stages of a magical run and the Panthers went out mewling in a debacle of a divisional round game at home behind quarterback Jake Delhomme’s five-interception, one fumble self-destruction that was as hard to watch as it was mesmerizing. 

Delhomme figures heavily in the pressure that is now on John Fox. Despite the fact that Delhomme has never joined the upper echelon of quarterbacks in the league, and despite the fact that he had a terrible season opener in which he nearly mirrored his ’08 playoff performance with another four interceptions and a fumble, he was given a vote of confidence by the coach.

This after the team gave him a rich extension this past offseason ($42.5 million over five years with $20 million guaranteed), at the behest of Fox. 

His clinging to Delhomme, who has always been a good quarterback who until recently was somewhat careful with the ball, has lead the team away from drafting a quarterback of the future and left the position somewhat of a question mark. It’s not to say Delhomme can’t bounce back and put up serviceable numbers, but at this point, it hasn’t boded well for him this season; which doesn’t bode well for Fox.

Fox’s teams are also usually known for stout defense, but currently sit 24th in total defense and 26th against the run. With the real possibility of 0-3 looming in the form of a trip to Jerryworld in Dallas on Monday, this team is in danger of falling into a deep hole in the tough NFC South, and it’s tough to see them or Fox surviving the fall.

 

New England Patriots

I’m not ready to throw the towel in on the Patriots by any means. We counted them out last season after losing Tom Brady, one of the best quarterbacks in the business, and they narrowly missed the playoffs, posting an impressive 11-5 record on the arm of a quarterback who hadn’t started since High School. This team is well coached, and well managed, and always has a chance in every game. I don’t like them, but I have to give credit where it is due.

The “Is Brady the same?” storyline has been played up enormously, and it is a huge factor in the pressure the Patriots are feeling to right a ship that’s usually on a steady course. The offense is struggling; the offensive line is struggling; and, subsequently, Brady is struggling. Well, as much as he does anyhow.

But the issue with the Patriots now, one that can’t be fixed in practice or with film study, is that their big-bad-bullies of Boston mystique is all but gone.

The Giants began eroding the myth in 2007 at SuperBowl XLII, where they repeatedly broke through the previously impenetrable Patriots offensive line and put constant pressure and pain on quarterback Tom Brady. The Patriots were still just a couple plays away from winning that game, but the Giants provided a blueprint for rattling Brady that proved effective again last week when employed by the Jets.

The Jets took the final shine off the Patriots aura last weekend and The Patriots have been the bullies of the AFC East in the 2000’s, especially against the Bills whom they’ve now beaten 12 straight times, and the Jets, against whom they have a 10-2 record since ’03. 

The Jets-of-recent-years have lacked the confidence to stand up to a Patriots team that was often dominant. Coach Eric Mangini, like a good father does when his charge is being bullied, decided to take the conservative approach and tell the authorities. He ratted out his former team for using illegal taping techniques, leading to the horrifying cliche “Spygate” and all the bombast that went along with it.

This approach wasn’t successful, and the Patriots continued their dominance of the Jets through the Mangini era, while a formerly warm coaching relationship was fractured forever. There is no way the new Browns coach will ever again be acknowledged by the Hood. 

Enter tough Uncle Rex Ryan. Instead of telling the Jets to just sit back and take what comes, he instead told them to take charge, to tell the bully to their face they weren’t afraid of them. He further dared them to punch them in the nose with everyone in the NFL watching.

This was surprising to say the least, as with the exception of ’02, when you made statements like that about Patriot teams between the years of 2001-2007, they usually beat you by multiple touchdowns just to send a message: You don’t talk smack about us.

The Jets, however, weren’t intimidated and they took their coaches’ words to heart.

They came out with a hard-hitting, pressure-packed performance on defense and got enough from Mark Sanchez and the offense to pull off an impressive 16-9 victory in front of the football world. By first calling them out and then following through, the Jets served notice that the bully wasn’t to be feared any longer.

With that game, the Patriots’ psychological advantage of presence intimidation is officially over. The Patriots are so used to being heavily favoured in most games and getting in their opponents heads before the game is even played that it’ll be interesting to see going forward how things will play out.

At 1-1, the season is very much alive and the Patriots do not panic, nor should they. They still have a great team with a savvy coaching staff. And most bullies are still big and strong; it’s just when they’re exposed when the aura of fear is gone and people look at them differently.

With Atlanta coming to Foxborough this weekend looking like a very strong team, and with both Wes Welker and Randy Moss possibly shelved for the contest, 1-2 is distinctly possible. In a division where the Jets are playing great football, the Bills look like they could possibly contend, and the Dolphins are better than their record, it won’t be as easy as it’s been in the recent past.

And now, teams who felt hopeless before will truly believe they can beat them every single week.

 

HURRIES

We’re seeing some great individual pass rushing displays this early season, with the Broncos Elvis Dumervil getting four against the Browns and the Bengals Antwan Odom rocking Green Bay’s Aaron Rodgers five times last Sunday.

I don’t usually feel bad for Jerry Jones or the Cowboys, but you had to feel a little bit sorry for him when the ‘Boys non-existent pass rush and an erratic Tony Romo choked the life out of the amazing spectacle he’d created. Didn’t you?

I’m not surprised Mario Manningham is playing well for the Giants. The kid was a big-play maker at Michigan, and I thought the Giants got a steal when they nabbed him in the third round of the ’08 draft. He didn’t see the field much last season, and it looked as if he might not this season either with the emergence of rookie Hakeem Nicks. But Nicks is hurt, and now Manningham is making the most of his opportunities. With Manningham and Steve Smith performing lights-out this season, and Nicks and fellow rookie Ramses Barden showing great flashes of potential, along with the ever-underachieving Sinorice Moss, the Giants suddenly have a very young, very talented core of receivers that could prove to be exceedingly dangerous.

Does Detroit get their first win this weekend when they host the offensively-challenged Redskins? It’s the sexy pick of the week, but I can’t pick the Lions until they win one. This may be their best chance in a while though, because their next three games before their Week Seven bye are: Chicago, Pittsburgh, and Green Bay. If they don’t get it on Sunday, they will have another excellent chance, being rested and ready after the bye, in Week Eight when they host the Rams.

 

KNOCKDOWNS

 

A Good Running Game and the Time of Possession Battle Win Games

This truth was shattered to pieces this past Monday night, as the Indianapolis Colts were run all over by the Miami Dolphins, and held the ball for less than 15 minutes yet came away with a 27-23 victory on the shoulders and fingertips of Peyton Manning.

Manning threw a touchdown pass on his first attempt, a nice 80-yard catch and run by Dallas Clark that left the Miami crowd stunned. But the Dolphins went into leech mode, trying to bleed the Colts out with constant pressure on the ground and keeping their defense tired and on the field. The Dolphins put up more than 230 yards on the Colts with a variance of the Wildcat and straight running that kept them off-balance the entire game.

This one game cannot debunk the truth of the statement that if you have a good running game and win the time of possession, you stand an excellent chance of winning the game.

That is still true. However, a good passing game is more valuable than ever.

Look around. Though it would take too long to do a proper statistical analysis (if anyone knows a good place to go for NFL stats, please let me know) it certainly seems as if teams are throwing the ball a heck of a lot more this season.

Sometimes it’s out of necessity (Kevin Kolb), sometimes it’s because they’re so, so good at it (Drew Brees), and sometimes it’s for on-the-job training (Matt Stafford, Mark Sanchez). The league has changed on offense from the conventional one back, No.1 receiver offense where only a couple guys could burn you at any time.

Teams now have multiple threats to go the distance at any time, as athletes get bigger, stronger, and faster all the time, and want to get the ball in the hands of their playmakers as often as possible. This usually means passing to them, like converted punt returners Devin Hester of the Bears and Josh Cribbs from the Browns.

More dangerous athletes mean more home-run hitters, and throwing them the ball on short routes like bubble screens and slant patterns can pay huge dividends. For that reason, expect teams to continue passing to their big play guys. 

 

The Houston Texans are Ready for Prime-time

Everyone’s favourite darlings in the preseason for the past two seasons, the Houston Texans somehow always come out of the gate misfiring and then have an uphill climb just to get to .500, which is exactly how they’ve finished in those two seasons.

This season was no different. Every expert and many fans decided it was the Texans year, and there was no two ways that they were going to the playoffs. Heck, Sports Illustrated and others even picked them to evict the Colts from their long-tenured penthouse stay in the AFC South.

But then they came out against the New York Jets and laid an absolute egg in their home opener. Outwitted, outplayed, and outgunned by a rookie quarterback and head coach, Gary Kubiak and his Texans looked to be heading on to another down slide early in the season that would portend doom for their playoff hopes.

They bounced back in a big way against Tennessee last week, putting up 33 on a supposedly good defense (almost in the pressures section, the Tennessee D has not impressed thus far) and doing just enough to win a very rowdy game in which they gave up multiple huge plays to the fastest guy in the NFL, Titans back Chris Johnson.

At 1-1, the season is not over. My point is that the Texans have done nothing this season other than lower their expectations. Nobody really though the Jets would win that first game, let alone in such a dominant fashion. The Jets showed last weekend against the Pats that their Week One play was no fluke, but still, Houston simply cannot be trusted until they string together two or three good performances in a row.

Conventional wisdom would say that they have an excellent chance to do so as they host the Jaguars this Sunday and the Raiders next Sunday. As a Raider fan, I respectfully disagree with conventional wisdom and say we beat the Texans in their own house. But that’s for another time.

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NFL Week 3: Building Momentum in the Early Season

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Cleveland Browns: Changing Quarterbacks Will Make No Difference

The current state of the Cleveland Browns is an ugly one at that. This team is 0-2 and the mighty Ravens are coming to town. Off the field, there is turmoil too.

Rookies can’t take pranks. Players are getting fined for stealing bottled water. The team is just a real mess.

Among the problems for the Browns have been offensive production. They have just one touchdown in the last 11 games. As expected, that has brought some negative feelings toward the quarterback. As a result, some are calling for Brady Quinn to be replaced by Derek Anderson.

That makes me laugh, because I know that move would have absolutely no impact on the offense.

One comment I hear is: Look at Mark Sanchez with the Jets. He is just a rookie and is already getting it done.

Well, first off it really isn’t a good idea to make comparisons to other teams in the league unless you are doing it in a productive manner. By that, I mean look at the Jets and determine what Sanchez has that makes him successful.

For starters he has an established offensive line and receiving corps. More importantly he has defense and a running game to help him out.

Can anybody honestly say that Quinn has all that in Cleveland? His best receiver has a reputation of dropping passes. His tight end is in Tampa and the best runner is way past his prime.

On top of all that, all these guys that Eric Mangini brought in on the offensive line have seriously laid an egg. The defensive additions have done nothing either.

I don’t want to make excuses, but how can any quarterback succeed in conditions like this? I look at that game last week with Denver and I saw an offensive line get demolished.

I saw the same thing in the earlier game between the Patriots and Jets. The Jets totally controlled the line of scrimmage. As a result, a rookie looks great and a league MVP looks unsure of himself. Go figure that one out.

Getting back to Cleveland, changing quarterbacks would make no sense. For one, didn’t Quinn just beat Anderson out for the starting job. I know, Quinn won’t go downfield.

Well, I saw a few plays where Quinn looked like he wanted to go deep but he had to dump off because of the pressure.

I do think what would Anderson do. He would force it into double coverage and get the ball picked off. I don’t mean that as an insult to him. If it is third and long, an interception is really no different than a punt.

Quinn dumps it and gives his guy a chance to make a play, if not they punt. So there is really no difference.

Imagine this scenario, the running game gets more production on first and second down. That makes the third down more manageable.

Or what if the runner makes a long run after an incompletion. What if the line gives him time to go downfield? What if when Quinn has to dump it short, the receiver breaks a tackle and picks up the first down?

Can you imagine that? Mark Sanchez can.

Therefore, the best thing to do is stay with Quinn and let him gain game experience. That is the only positive that will come out of this.

Browns fans have run a few talented quarterbacks out of town in recent years. It will eventually come back to haunt them if they continue this.

If Quinn is run out of town, here is a real scenario I can see. He will back up Tom Brady in New England and the first time the Patriots need him, he lights the world on fire.

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Tennessee Titans: At 0-2, Can They Turn The Tide Against High-Flying Jets?

Backed up by a solid running game and rock-solid defense in Week One, he earned his first NFL win against the Houston Texans.

Again bolstered by a highly efficient defense in Week Two, he outdueled a still recovering Tom Brady to triumph over the New England Patriots.

Folks, know one thing: Mark Sanchez is gonna be good—real good.

In interviews, he is unflappable. He is also confident, happy to be where he is, aware of the magnitude of the opportunity, and determined to make the most of it.

And he is bringing that attitude, that will to succeed, into Sunday’s game against the Tennessee Titans.

Tennessee sit at 0-2 coming into the game, and they don’t appear to have gotten a grasp on just what their problem is.

Identified before the season by pundits across the nation as a team likely to continue its run near the top of the defensive standings, the Titans have at times looked confused, overwhelmed, and out-gunned.

The safeties and cornerbacks aren’t communicating, which means big plays are on the verge of becoming an issue. Up front they aren’t too bad off, holding opponents to under 50 yards per game rushing in their first two contests. But their pass defense is atrocious, and Mark Sanchez is likely chomping at the bit to exploit that.

Considering that Texans’ quarterback Matt Schaub went for 367 yards against the Titans, this isn’t too far-fetched.

And rookie quarterbacks don’t carry quite the stigma they have had in past years. Remember, it was rookie quarterback Joe Flacco who overcame a stalwart Titans defense to win in Nashville in the 2008 Divisional Playoff game.

It’s difficult to identify just what the problem is. Defensive Coordinator Chuck Cecil is new to the position this year, but he can’t really be called a rookie coach. He was the defensive backs coach last year, so it’s not as if these guys aren’t used to his style.

And Head Coach Jeff Fisher has long been known as a defensive kind of guy, so it isn’t as if the team’s philosophy has drastically changed.

It can’t even be blamed on new personnel; there isn’t any. Nick Harper, Cortland Finnegan, Chris Hope, Michael Griffin: All these guys were there last year when the Titans were at the top.

And all four of them are responsible for the Titans being near the bottom.

Whatever the problem, they need to figure it out by gametime on Sunday. The Jets have owned the Titans lately, winning four of their last five meetings, including the Titans first loss last year after a 10-0 start to an eventual 13-3 record.

In their first two contests, the Jets were able to harangue the opposing quarterback at will, resulting in limited production in both meetings.

The Titans, by contrast, allowed both Ben Roethlisberger and Matt Schaub to eclipse 300 yards passing, with Schaub racking up four touchdown passes. In Week One, the Jets held Schaub to just 166 yards and no touchdowns.

What started out for the Titans as a promising season where they could make a run at the title has rapidly degenerated into a season where if they fall any further behind, they’ll be watching the playoffs from their living rooms.

At 0-2, they are stretching their fortune to the limit in making a playoff appearance.

At 0-3, they may as well buy their Super Bowl tickets.

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Plea to The Eagles: Keep Vick On The Leash This Week

It’s a proverb we all know: If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.

In the Eagles case, it should go something like this: If it’s broke, wait until it’s fixed to remodel it.

The “it” of course is the Eagles offense, and the remodel is one Mr. Michael Vick.

And as un-patriotic as this might sound to Eagles fans, it’s my estimation that there is absolutely no reason for Michael Vick to see any action outside of the Wildcat this Sunday.

Really, I don’t think now is the time to unleash him at all.

On one hand, yes, the Chiefs’ defense is suspect and now might be the best time to start incorporating Vick into the offense.

Except, of course, there’s one issue: Donovan McNabb isn’t playing again.

McNabb is “doubtful” this week, which is code for “yeah, we’re not just going to come out and say he’s getting three weeks off.”

And with Brian Westbrook doubtful with his sprained ankle, Kevin Curtis battling a sore knee and DeSean Jackson okay but coming off a quad injury…now is NOT the time to throw new wrinkles into the offense.

Kevin Kolb actually looked adequate last week, and against a team like the Chiefs (who, admittedly, the Eagles should beat) the focus should be on continuing his development and going with what works.

I can excuse Vick being active solely to run the Wildcat for two reasons – one, they’re going to run it anyway and it prevents possible further injury to Jackson, and two, it will give him a little chance to get up to game speed.

But if he’s active and Kolb struggles, you almost know Philly fans are going to call for Vick.

And that’s bad…especially in light of what he said in a recent interview about expecting to go somewhere and start right away.

Whether it’s bravado, delusionality or a little of both, that’s a ludicrous statement no matter how you slice it. Anyone who has missed two seasons in a row period shouldn’t expect to start at any position on any team, especially if you have off-the-field issues.

But Vick…well, Vick isn’t even a great quarterback. Yes, he has a good arm, and he can run well, and he was successful enough in Atlanta.

That was two years ago, and those traits make him a good athlete, not necessarily a good quarterback.

Baby steps. The Eagles offense is still learning to walk without Donovan McNabb; it’s not time to try to run just yet. With the bye coming up in Week 4 and McNabb returning to health, it might be best to table the Vick-speriment for one more week.

 

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Predictions For Week Three Of The 2009 NFL Season

Cleveland Browns @ Baltimore Ravens

The Browns are the worst team in the NFL right now. But things can change instantly. I just do not seeing it happening against Baltimore.

Ravens 31   Browns  13

Washington Redskins @ Detroit Lions

Many seem to be thinking the Lions win finally this week. So do I.

Lions 21    Redskins 17

Tennessee Titans  @ New York Jets

I cannot see the Titans losing this one. It could kill their season if thy do.

Titans 24    Jets  20

New Orleans Saints  @ Buffalo Bills

I expect the Saints to throw, but Buffalo has a decent secondary.

Bills 35    Saints 31

 

New York Giants  @ Tampa Bay Buccaneers

The Bucs will have some trouble even againbst an injured Giants defense, but I can see this going to the wire.

Giants 24   Buccaneers 17

Chicago Bears  @ Seattle Seahawks

Forte is the key here, because Seattle could not stop the run last week. I don’t see Seattle winning with Wallace at quarterback this week.

Bears  24   Seahawks 19

Green Bay Packers  @ Saint Louis Rams

Green Bay has to be upset after being run over by the Bengals at home last week. Champions don’t do those types of things.

Packers 31     Rams 10

 

Pittsburgh Steelers  @ Cincinnati Bengals

I like this game. Both teams are good on defense, but rely on the pass to move the ball. I am not convinced Palmer is his old self yet, so I’m going with Big Ben as the difference maker.

Steelers 24   Bengals 13

Denver Broncos  @ Oakland Raiders

Denver has lead a charmed life so far. The problem here is that the Raiders hate them. This should be a bruising affair where injuries could be plentiful on both sides of the ball.

Raiders 20   Broncos 14

 

Atlanta Falcons @ New Orleans Patriots

This will be a very good game. If Atlanta gets Michael Turner going, Atlanta will be in good shape to win. I am sure the Pats are aware of that.

Patriots 38   Falcons 34

 

Miami Dolphins  @ San Diego Chargers

The Chargers did well against the Ravens with so many starters injured last week. They will be in better shape this week.

Chargers 31   Dolphins 17

 

San Francisco 49ers  @ Minnesota Vikings

I think the Niners will keep this close, but the Vikes defense will make the key play to win.

Vikings 23   49ers  17

Indianapolis Colts  @ Arizona Cardinals

Game Of The Week

Two great quarterbacks with good offenses and decent defenses duel. I just think Kurt Warner has more weapons/ options.

Cardinals 38   Colts 34

Jacksonville Jaguars  @ Houston Texans

The Jags don’t get blown out. Del Rio is keeping them competitive while rebuilding. Houston, on the other hand, is ready to win now.

Texans 27   Jaguars 14

Carolina Panthers  @ Dallas Cowboys

I just have this feeling the Panthers are going to run all over that suspect Dallas run defense.

Panthers  24   Cowboys 21

Kansas City Chiefs  @ Philadelphia Eagles

SPECIAL MENTION TO WATCH HALFTIME!

Eagles 38   Chiefs 24

I think it will be close, but I don’t care about that game this week. I am interested in what is happening at halftime of that game! Why? Because AL WISTERT is finally going into the Eagles Ring Of Honor.

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Best Pro Football Players In Mississippi History; Part Nine: Kickers

This is the final installment in this series about the greatest pro football players in Mississippi history. The series has featured every position on the field and everyone has had a Hall of Famer or should be in the Hall of Fame.

In the last piece we will see some players that were missed in other posts and we will look at great special team players from Mississippi. The special team players from Mississippi also contain some great players.

So here is our final look at players from Mississippi who have had great careers in pro football. Starting with the players missed then special team players.

 

 

John “Kayo” Dottley: Chicago Bears via Ole Miss Rebels

John Dottley was one of the greatest players in Ole Miss history. Dottley was the first Rebel to rush for 1,000 yards. He did it twice in 1949 and 1950.

Dottley led the nation in rushing and the SEC in scoring in 1949 and was named All-American in 49’ as well. He was also named All-SEC in 1949 and 1950.

The Chicago Bears drafted Dottley in the second round with the 24^th overall pick in 1950. Dottley played for the Bears for three seasons and was named to one Pro Bowl in 1951.

Dottley was named to the Ole Miss team of the Century. He was named to the Ole Miss Hall of Fame in 1987 and the Mississippi Sports hall of Fame in 1971.

 

Parker Hall: Cleveland Rams via Ole Miss Rebels

Parker Hall was a star on both sides of the ball for Ole Miss. Hall led the nation in scoring and was second in interceptions in 1938. He was also first team All-SEC in 1938 as well.

The Cleveland Rams drafted Hall in the first round with the 3^rd overall pick in 1939. Hall is considered the first quarterback in NFL history to complete 100 passes in a season.

In 1939, Hall was named NFL Player of the Year and NFL Rookie of the Year. Hall’s rookie season saw him named first team All-Pro and to the Pro Bowl.

Hall would see his pro football career cut short as he severed in the military because of World War II. He is also a member of the College Football, Ole Miss, and Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame.

 

 

Ode Burrell: Houston Oilers via Mississippi State Bulldogs

Ode Burrell is considered a Mississippi State great during his short time in Starkville. Burrell was a standout offensively, defensively, and special teams.

In 1963, Burrell was named first team All-SEC and in 1964 was drafted in the third round by the Green Bay Packers. He instead chose to play for the Houston Oilers who drafted him in the fourth round with the 30^th overall pick.

Burrell played pro football for six seasons and was named AFL All-Star in 1965. After his playing career was over Burrell was named to the Mississippi State Hall of Fame in 1995 and the Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame in 1997.

 

 

Hoyle Granger: Houston Oilers via Mississippi State Bulldogs

Hoyle Granger was a three time letter winner and a three time All-SEC running back at Mississippi State. When he left the Bulldogs he was third on the all time rushing list.

The Houston Oilers selected Granger with the first pick of the fifth round. Granger played seven seasons as a pro football player.

Granger played most of his career for the Oilers but did play one season in New Orleans. He was a two time AFL All-Star in both 1967 and 1968.

Granger was elected in to the Mississippi State Hall of Fame in 2008.

 

 

Jim Poole: New York Giants via Ole Miss Rebels

Jim Poole played at Ole Miss with his brothers Ray and Barney. All three were stand out football players for the Rebels.

Jim was the oldest of the Poole brothers all of whom went on to play in the NFL along with Cousin Oliver Poole. Jim Poole has the distinction of being the first player ever drafted out of Ole Miss.

In 1937, the New York Giants drafted Poole in the seventh round with the 64th overall pick. Poole would play seven years in pro football.

Poole would leave pro football for three years to fight in World War II. During his years as a player Poole was named to three Pro Bowls from 1938-40 and was selected twice All-Pro in 1939 and 1946.

After playing football, Poole would come back to Ole Miss to coach until he retired. Poole was a charter member of the Ole Miss Hall of Fame in 1986 and the Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame in 1965.

 

 

George Blair: San Diego Chargers via Ole Miss Rebels

George Blair was a standout defensive back and kicker for the Ole Miss Rebels. Blair was a part two of Johnny Vaught’s National Championship teams at Ole Miss in 1959-60.

Blair was drafted in 1960 by the New York Giants in the sixth round with the 72nd overall pick. Blair decided to play for the San Diego Chargers of the AFL instead.

As a kicker, Blair would make one AFL All-Star appearance in 1961 and was part of the 1963 AFL championship team for the Chargers.

 

 

Roell Preston: Green Bay Packers via Ole Miss Rebels

Roell Preston was a standout wide receiver for the Ole Miss Rebels. He would play in the NFL for five seasons for five different teams.

When Preston got a chance to shine, he made the most of it as a kick returner for the Green Bay Packers. In 1998, while on his second stint in Green Bay, Preston made the only Pro Bowl of his career as a kick returner.

 

 

Jerrel “Thunder Foot” Wilson: Kansas City Chiefs via Southern Mississippi Golden Eagles

Jerrel Wilson was a standout punter at Southern Miss. While with the Golden Eagles Wilson’s high, booming punts that arched down field earned him the nickname “Thunder Foot”.

Wilson was drafted in 1963 in the 11th round with the 88th overall pick by the Kansas City Chiefs. He would lead the league with a 72-yard punt his rookie year and had four punts over 70 yards in his career.

For 15 seasons, Wilson would punt for the Chiefs and would be a backup running back. Wilson was named to three Pro Bowls from 1970-72 and was an All-AFL in 1968.

Wilson was named to the All-AFL team in 1970 and was named to the Kansas City Chiefs Hall of Fame in 1988.

Hall of Fame coach Hank Stram once said “Jerrel Wilson made other people aware of how important the kicking game was at a time when special times were not given special consideration.

“I’m prejudiced, but he’s the best punter I ever saw. He’ll go down in history as the best kicker in the NFL.”

 

 

Ray Guy: Oakland/Los Angeles Raiders via Southern Mississippi Golden Eagles

Jerrel Wilson might have company as the best kicker in NFL history. The company would come from his alma mater as well.

Ray Guy still owns the Southern Mississippi career record for highest average for a game, season and career. Guy also holds the record for the longest field goal in Golden Eagles history with a 61 yard field goal against Utah State in 1972.

A complete player, Guy still is tied for the record for most interceptions in a season at USM with eight in 1972. The same season he would set the record for longest punt which was 93 yards against Ole Miss.

Guy was selected first team All-American 1972 and was named first team All South Independent in 1970-72.  The Oakland Raiders made Guy the only punter ever taken in the first round in 1973 with the 23rd overall pick.

In an outstanding career, Guy was named a Pro Bowler seven times from 1973-78 and again 1980 in his 13 years all with the Raiders. Guy would play in 207 consecutive games and had 619 straight punts without a block.

Guy led the NFL in punting three times, 210 punts inside the 20-yard line (not counting his first three seasons, when the NFL did not keep track of this stat), with just 128 touchbacks.

Guy would never have a punt returned for a touchdown his whole career. He would be a first team All Pro six times from 1973-78 and was a three time Super Bowl champion.

After his career, Guy was the first to have his number retired by USM. He is a member of the USM Hall of Fame, Mississippi and Georgia Hall of Fame.

He was named to the NFL All 1970’s team and the NFL 75th Anniversary team. Guy was named to the College Football Hall of Fame as well.

Guy was named to the USM Team of the Century and every year in college football the best punter receives the “Ray Guy” Award.

 

Special teams players do not normally get in any Hall of Fame but if any special team players do its Jerrel Wilson and Ray Guy. The two Southern Miss kicking standouts deserve to be in the NFL Hall of Fame.

This concludes our look at great players from Mississippi. Some who did not make our list included players who made great plays in the NFL.

One was Lawrence Pillers, who sacked Danny White after the Montana-to-Clark “Catch” to preserve the 49ers trip to the Super Bowl.

Another was D.D. Lewis, who was the first to say the hole in the old Texas Stadium was so that “God could look down on his favorite team.”

I hope everyone had as much fun reading this series as I did writing it. I hope everyone thought each part was great and you learned something you did not know in each one.

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Philadelpia Eagles: This Sunday They Find Respect For History!

FINALLY! RESPECT IS BORN!

Give The Philadelphia Eagles credit today!

They recognize their tradition now.

FINALLY!

Al Wistert is being inducted into the Eagles Ring Of Honor on 9/27/09.

It will occur during a halftime ceremony when the Eagles host the Kansas City Chiefs.

BUT, the job is not done for Al.

He SHOULD be in Canton!

Here is his story again.

Consider getting on board.

Al Wistert
6’1″ 214
Tackle
Philadelphia Eagles
1943 – 1951
9 Seasons
95 Games Played
8 Time All Pro

Albert Alexander Wistert was drafted in the fifth round by the Philadelphia/Pittsburgh Steagles in 1943, the 32nd player chosen overall. The Steagles were a team that was comprised of Philadelphia Eagles and Pittsburgh Steelers into one team because of World War II.

Al had played college football at the University of Michigan. He was a legendary two way player there. He had two brothers, Alvin and Francis, also play for the Wolverines. They all played the same position, Tackle on both sides of the ball, and wore the same number 11 jersey.

Francis was the first, Albert was the second, then Alvin was last. Their number 11 jersey has been retired by Michigan University, and is one of only seven to have achieved that honor. Albert played on Wolverine teams that lost only five games in his three years there. He was an All-American and was named the MVP of the team in 1942.

One famous moment in Michigan University football history came against Notre Dame in South Bend, Indiana. Going in the locker room trailing at halftime, the Notre Dame fans told Michigan to go home because it was over. Wistert would have none of that and inspired his teammates with a pep talk that had the Wolverines fired up. Michigan rattled off 21 straight unanswered points in the third quarter and dominated Notre Dame to a 32-20 victory.

After playing in the 1943 East-West Shrine Game, Al was team captain of the College All-Stars who played against the NFL World Champion Washington Redskins. Al’s team stomped the Redskins, led by Hall Of Fame Quarterback Sammy Baugh, 27-7.

Al Wistert is a member of the Michigan University Hall Of Honor, and a member of the College Football Hall Of Fame, as are both of his brothers.

Al went to his first Steagles practice knowing no one. He saw Hall Of Fame Defensive End Bill Hewitt sitting on some rocks smoking a cigarette. Al approached Hewitt to introduce himself to the fellow Wolverine Alumni who had played alongside his brother Francis in college. Hewitt had just come out of a three year retirement to play for $4,000. It was the most Hewitt had ever made in the NFL. Al had just signed with the Steagles for $4,500. Al extended his hand and introduced himself, but Hewitt did not say a word or offer his hand. Al then decided to run laps around the field by himself. Pretty soon, the entire Steagles team was following Al and running around the field.

The Steagles disbanded the following season, and the Steelers and Eagles went back to being separate teams. Wistert stayed in Philadelphia. Al would make his first All-Pro Team that year in 1944, and would garner this achievement for every year of the rest of his NFL career. In 1946, he was named team captain. An honor he served until 1950.

The Eagles went to their first championship game in 1947, but lost to the Chicago Cardinals 28-21. The 1948 season saw the Eagles win their very first championship during a blizzard in a rematch against the Chicago Cardinals 7-0. The Eagles then went back to the NFL Championship the next year and beat the Los Angeles Rams 14-0 in heavy rain.

The Eagles are the only team in NFL history to win back to back championships and not allow their opponents to score. Al announced he would retire after the 1951 season. The Eagles held an AL WISTERT DAY in the fourth from last home game that year. The team gave Al a brand new car, and many other gifts. One gift was a hand crafted dining room table that Al still uses this day to eat his meals off of.

The Eagles then retired his #70 jersey in 1952, the first Eagle to ever have had this done. Al Wistert is a member of the NFL 1940’s All Decade Team.

I find it utterly amazing that Al Wistert has yet to be inducted into the Pro Football Hall Of Fame!

This man truly embodies what Canton is supposed to represent. Not only was he an eight time All-Pro in his nine year career, but he was a very important member of an Eagles team that dominated the NFL in the late 1940’s.

He introduced the NFL to the stand up style of blocking you all see today, instead of the rolling type of blocks that were employed then, which allowed Wistert to use his speed and agility to keep on blocking more defenders downfield and making him better than all the rest.

Al was a true leader on and off the field. He captained a powerhouse squad full of Hall Of Fame players like Steve Van Buren, Pete Pihos, Alex Wojciechowicz, and Chuck Bednarik. His coach was Hall Of Famer Earle “Greasy” Neale. Al also gave back to the community by coaching a high school team in New Jersey over 50 miles away, even though he did not own a car. Neale liked and respected Wistert so much that he would lend his personal car daily to Wistert so Al could go teach kids how to play football. This says a lot, because Neale was a noted task master.

One game, Al came to the sideline to tell the coach he thought he had just broken his leg. Neale replied, “Well, get back in there until you are sure that it is.” Al never missed a game in his career. He started every game of his career except the first five of his rookie season. He would supplant veteran Ted Doyle after the fifth game. The only other time he missed a start was in 1950 season opener against the Cleveland Browns. Wistert had a severely sprained ankle and could hardly walk, but he ended up playing most of the game anyways.

A 60 minute man, he never left the field at any time. Whether it was opening up holes for runners on offense or closing them on defense, Wistert was an amazing athlete—durable, strong, and cerebral. Al was the smallest Tackle in the NFL, weighing 214 pounds, but he was a master technician who would out think, outwit, out gut, and dominate his opponents on both sides of the ball for every minute of every game.

Al said, “I never gave them the same thing twice. I always confounded them with a new plan of attack.” His team mates dubbed him “Ox”, because he was incredibly strong and dependable.

The game was much different then. A rougher and more violent game with less rules and padding for self preservation. They played games in all sorts of poor weather, unlike the climate controlled stadiums so many players enjoy today. They would spend days travelling to cities by train, instead of a few hours on an airplane like today.

Just to get a taste of these times, the Eagles took a train from Philadelphia to Los Angeles after beating the Giants. Despite only having a few days in L.A., they shut out the Rams in monsoon like conditions to win an NFL Championship. To say these men were tough is an understatement. They did this for the love of the game, not the love for the money.

Many great football players eschewed the NFL in those days because they could earn more money outside of sports, and in other sports. Francis Wistert was given $100 by Cardinals owner Charles Bidwell just to sign a contract, even though he had no intention of ever playing in the NFL. Francis chose to pitch for the Cincinnati Reds in Major League Baseball instead of playing football.

Albert Wistert decided to play professional football and was great at it. After he retired, he became successful in the life insurance business and made million dollar deals. But he chose to play football first, and he is one of the path pavers who made the NFL the multi-billion dollar empire what it is today.

The fact the Eagles retired his number first, and only one year after his retirement, shows how special a football player he was. Al Wistert is also a member of the Philadelphia Sports Hall Of Fame.

As the years go on, the more we tend to forget great gridiron stars like Al Wistert. The veterans committee for the Pro Football Hall Of Fame MUST be blamed for not doing the jobs they were given to do. It is plainly evident to see, with all of the accolades, that a grave injustice has been perpetrated in regards to Al. It was not lost on his fellow players. After he retired, over 23 players and NFL’ers have written to the Hall Of Fame asking that Wistert be put in. Greats ranging from Chuck Bednarik to even former Eagles owner Norm Braman. Why the voters have chosen to ignore such a rich, diverse cast of NFL Alumni requests is bewildering. There is NO QUESTION that Albert Wistert belongs in Canton .

YOU can help by signing this petition:

http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/AlOxWistertHOF/

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The Raiders Need To Fire John Herrera

I’ve spent hours looking for the right word.

“Audacity?”

“Brashness?”

“Arrogance?”

All three words speak to a shameless sense of boldness, which would describe Raiders PR man John Herrera… if any of his childish actions were actually “bold.”

If you haven’t read Herrera’s comical justification for keeping Rich Gannon out of the Raiders’ production meetings, allow me a chance to provide the laughs.

Herrera quoted Gannon as saying in several interviews they should just “blow up the building and start over” in Oakland. Team officials took that as literally as they did figuratively, and told Gannon as much before last season’s home game against the Chiefs.

“We think in a post 9/11 world, that’s not a very proper thing to say,” Herrera said. “It’s uncalled for. He seems to be a guy who can’t get over the fact that he played the worst Super Bowl game in the history of the game and he wants to blame everybody but himself.”

“I guess it’s our fault he threw five interceptions.”

Wow…

In football terms, this is somewhere in the neighborhood of Sarah Palin’s sit down with Katie Couric. I am a stunned Jack Cafferty, forced to comment on the shame of such an inept person having such a high position of power.

John Herrera has insulted everything from the intelligence of Raider fans to the people who live in fear of real post-9/11 danger. He’s insulted the only successful Raiders quarterback since the Los Angeles era. He’s insulted the national media, who try to cover the Raiders in an honest light but get a heap of run around and smoke screening. He’s done all of this while playing the “media victim” card.

This isn’t the first time Herrera’s been in hot water. Just last season, a video on beat writer Tim Kawakami’s blog clearly shows Herrera physically intimidating the reporter over a column Herrera claims “was built on a lie.” Kawakami, a much smaller person in stature, is poised and calm throughout, but clearly not happy with Herrera’s display of thuggary (as much “thuggary” as a graying middle-aged PR man can display).

Rich Gannon is larger than Tim Kawakami; suffice to say, there probably won’t be any YouTube gold after tomorrow’s production meeting.

But the truth remains the same – John Herrera continues to humiliate the Raiders’ organization with his obvious disdain for truthful reporting and willingness to commit any shameful action to block unfavorable stories.

Maybe Al Davis needs to look at the bigger picture, the one that says “who’s meant more to this organization? John Herrera, or Rich Gannon?” If Mr. Davis needs time to think this answer over, it really is time for the NFL to seize control of the organization and demand secure, sane ownership.

Al – as a fan of 20+ years, I’m asking you to show me a sign that you’ve still got it, that there is a sane bone left in your body, that the fans and former players mean as much to you as your image, and that constructive criticism (the same constructive criticism that Rich Gannon offers every time he’s in the booth) is not a taboo concept at 1220 Harbor Bay Parkway, but an embraced one.

Pick up the phone, find “John Herrera” in your contacts, hit the call button and utter the only words you should say to him ever again.

“You’re fired.”

By the way, I found the word I was looking for.

“Stupid.”

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Detroit Lions: Let The Youth Movement Begin!

Lets see if I this analogy works.

Ever heard of the guy who meets this great girl? This girl is loving, but guarded.  She has this huge wall built from past relationships. Although, the guy knows she loves him and wants to be there for him, he also knows she is scared he will hurt her like the men before him.

Well, the Detroit Lions are that guy.

The fans, on the other hand are the heartbroken, love-torn woman who can not let the pain go. We continue to compare every player at every position to their predecessor. Matthew Stafford is compared to Joey Harrington (not fair), Kevin Smith to Barry Sanders (come on) and Calvin Johnson to Herman Moore (a little closer, but 2 years does not a career make). 

I know this should not have to be said, but it’s 2009.  These are not your grandfather’s Lions team.  Hell, this ain’t even your older cousin’s Lions team.  There has been a complete changing of the guard in the front office and coaching staff.  Over half of the roster has been replaced.  As much as we love to say “Same old Lions”, we can not.

We have to let it go.

This Detroit team is 0-2, not 0-19.  These players lost the first two games on their own merit.  Not because Matt Millen screwed the pooch for eight years. Not because when Marinelli said “pound the rock” he actually was underneath it trying to reach the surface. This is Martin Mayhew’s and Jim Schwartz’s team. This is a young team with five rookie starters and at crucial positions (qb, dt, s, lb and te). The star receiver is three years in and the halfback is a second year player running behind a sophmore right tackle. The defensive line core is even younger.  Cliff Avril is also in his second year while Sammie Hill is in his first and our best safety is a rookie.

So I say to you, love again.  Its ok.

Let the past go, let bygones-be-bygones. This is a new generation and its time we let them stand on their own merits. This is a new relationship and if this is going to work we need to give it a chance.

Either that or grow up and be the Cat Lady.

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