As part of the NFL’s continuing mission to improve the public images of their players and to prevent further national embarrassment, the league has recently mandated group counseling sessions for all 32 teams.
Although the NFL’s new wellness policy prohibits the release of confidential information based on these sessions, a Cleveland Reboot intern managed to sneak a rather cumbersome 1980’s style tape recorder and microphone into Shaun Smith’s buttocks.
The following is a transcript of the session featuring several prominent Browns players.
Therapist
I am hoping that this session will benefit all of you. I want to stress that this is a safe zone…please do not feel inhibited in your responses.
Brady Quinn
Are you hitting on me?
Therapist
You must be Brady. I have heard a lot about you. Let’s start with you, Eric. You’re assuming a lot of responsibility this year. Would you like to share your feelings with the group?
Eric Mangini
(Silence)
Therapist
Eric, you must remember that this is a safe zone. There is no need to shut away your emotions here. Surely, you must have some worries regarding the upcoming season.
Eric Mangini
(Silence)
Shaun Smith
He thinks you’re wearing a wire.
Therapist
Why, I can assure all of you that what is said within these walls is strictly confidential.
Ryan Tucker
Take off your shirt and prove it.
Therapist
I don’t believe that is necessary. It is crucial to the process for us to establish trust amongst each other.
Brady Quinn
Is it pose down time? Boom!
(Quinn’s shirt flies across the room)
Ryan Tucker
(Instantly Enraged)
Take off your shirt and prove it!! I’ll take it off for you!!
Therapist
Please! This is not acceptable behavior!
(Tucker rips the therapist’s shirt off, exposing nothing but a pasty white chest.)
Brady Quinn
Dude, that’s weak.
Therapist
I am very disappointed in this display of behavior. It looks like we have some serious work to do here.
Braylon Edwards
Here’s your shirt back, Doc…
(Braylon drops the Therapist’s shirt on the floor.)
Braylon Edwards
…Oops. Here you go.
Brady Quinn
Bring a case of EAS to Gold’s Gym and I’ll get your pecs blasted in no time.
Therapist
Okay, let us put that ugly episode behind us. Now, Eric…I have proven to you that all information exchanged in this session is strictly confidential. Now, please share with the group your feelings regarding the upcoming season.
Eric Mangini
No comment.
Kamerion Wimbley
Hey, everybody. Sorry I’m late.
(Kamerion Wimbley attempts to sit in the last open chair, but instead continually runs past it.)
Therapist
What is the matter?
Shaun Smith
That’s the only way he knows.
(Eric Mangini scowls.)
Therapist
Hmmm. Eric, do Kamerion’s actions upset you?
Eric Mangini
(Silence)
Therapist
Okay, we’ll come back to you, Eric. How about you, Braylon? In the off-season, your name was being floated around in trades. How did that make you feel?
Braylon
It’s cool. It’s just a business. Plus, I –
(Braylon begins to sob.)
Therapist
It’s okay to cry, Braylon. Let it all out.
(Ryan Tucker begins to rifle through the therapist’s desk drawers.)
Therapist
Excuse me, Ryan. What is it you are looking for? I consider what you are doing as a violation of my personal space.
Ryan Tucker
(Grabbing random handfuls of sample medication)
I don’t know what these are, but they should work.
Brady Quinn
(Embraces a still crying Braylon)
It’s okay, buddy. It will be all right.
Braylon Edwards
Damn, Brady. Put your shirt back on.
(Brady begins to flex his arm muscles, but in doing so, his clench tightens. Braylon starts gasping for air.)
Braylon Edwards
You’re choking me –
(Shaun Smith leaps up from his chair and bull rushes Quinn, knocking him to the ground. Smith then proceeds to sit on Quinn. Ryan Tucker breaks down the door and exits. Kamerion Wimbley continues to repeatedly rush past his chair. Meanwhile, Eric Mangini placidly watches the events, then turns to the therapist.)
Eric Mangini
Where should I begin?
By Cleveland Reboot
Blogger/SJ Contributing Author
More…
Join in the discussion on this and other topics in the NEW Sports Jabber Forums!
Here’s a couple little pieces that offer some reflection on the Browns’ recent past, but also are relevant for the team heading into 2009 and beyond. So, let’s take a look at some different aspects of power in Berea before we celebrate America’s independence by buying hundreds of dollars worth of Chinese made fireworks. Of course, I’m not referring to economic independence. Emerging economic superpower? Whatever, China. Not if we’re broke.
And speaking of broken (and lame transitions), the great folks at TheOBR.com, via Sports Radio Interviews.com have found the first full-length interview given by former Browns coach and alleged “good guy” Romeo Crennel. So far, it appears that new coach Eric Mangini is the polar opposite of Crennel – which seems to be a natural evolution for a struggling team to shift from a “player coach” to “disciplinarian.”
Romeo Crennel Speaks
On if current head coach Eric Mangini ever talked to Crennel about staying in Cleveland to work on his staff:
“Eric talked to me about staying and I told him what my concerns were – particularly my hip, I wanted to get that taken care of. And then I felt like for Eric, it’s his show now. He has to be the guy in charge and he has to run it the way he wants to run it and he doesn’t need anybody looking over his shoulder.”
I know a lot of fans were eager to see Crennel retained in some sort of fashion, as most of the blame for last season’s collapse has been attributed to Phil Savage. While Savage did miss on several draft picks and free agents, ultimately he did improve the team. However, I’m of the opinion that Crennel was overwhelmed at times during his Browns’ tenure and also never really seemed to rise up the emotional expectations that being an NFL coach requires. Or, in other words, Crennel often seemed out of it.
As for a future role with the Browns, what exactly would that entail? If you view the Crennel-coached teams of the past four years, the most striking detail about them was the plain, toothless defense that existed solely to react to the opposing offense. Having said this, it would seem unlikely that Crennel, despite his extensive coaching resume, would be suitable in a defensive coaching role under Belichick. So, if Crennel is not helping out on defense, what exactly would he be doing in Berea?
On his disappointment about how things shook out for him and the Browns during his tenure there:
“Well you know we had a tough year last year. Everything that could go wrong, went wrong. But the nature of this beast is you have to win and we didn’t win. So they decided to make the change and that’s in the past so we’ve got to go forward.”
Again, let’s throw out the cliche – “Romeo is a good guy.” Great. Whatever. But Crennel’s response to this question was pretty much his standard answer throughout his Browns tenure. It always baffled me that Crennel never showed any real emotion during his time in Cleveland, with the slight exception of challenging some media members regarding the QB situation midway through 2008. Although many factors that led to losses were completely out of Crennel’s control, as a spokesman for the franchise, Crennel was less than inspiring.
On the Browns having to sign a 4th string quarterback by season’s end due to injuries to their top three guys:
“We were [disappointed], particularly with the expectations going in, but you learn that this game, it’s not a forgiving game, you know. The things that happen in the game happen and you have to deal with them.”
You have to feel for Crennel here. He went from Ken Dorsey to Bruce Gradkowski, with Syndric Steptoe as a starting wide receiver. Perhaps this is why Crennel gave such unimaginative, sterile answers to the media. How could you not be stunned stupid after having to rely on these types of players to close out your year?
On if he thinks that he lost his team in terms of effort:
“No, I didn’t feel like I lost the team because like I said, I thought that they were still trying and still playing but when you go from a first string quarterback to a fourth string quarterback, there is a difference in talent and ability. So generally, that fourth stringer, he’s not as good as the first stringer.”
The last month or so of the season is where true Browns fans discovered who the really valuable players are on the roster. Considering how hopeless the last several games turned out to be for the Browns, it was almost inspiring to watch players like Shaun Rogers, Josh Cribbs, Jamal Lewis and D’Quell Jackson give great efforts, despite the situation they were facing. Although I criticize one and all when it comes to players, based solely on effort, these four are among the jewels of the current roster.
And in looking back again…which brings us back to the same spot…
Temperature Keeps Rising for Tannenbaum
And if success is determined by whether the Jets made it to the playoffs, the various moves from a season ago fairly can be regarded as a massive failure.
Tannenbaum, however, didn’t shoulder the blame for the misadventures. Instead, coach Eric Mangini was fired, after only three years on the job.
The next time owner Woody Johnson decides change is needed, Tannenbaum likely won’t be quite so lucky.
In the wake of Mangini’s departure, Tannenbaum has continued to throw the ball deep. This year, he traded up 12 spots in the first round of the draft, via a deal with Mangini’s new team, to land quarterback Mark Sanchez.
But serious potential problems remain.
For all the Browns fans who seriously think that Mangini has softened in his dictatorial approach to running a team, think again. After losing to GM Mike Tannenbaum in the off season front office power struggle, Mangini should be more determined than ever to not lose his grip of power during his time in Cleveland. Obviously, the hiring of George Kokonis was a shining example of Mangini fully asserting total control over the franchise.
It should be interesting to keep an eye on the Jets’ fortunes in 2009 and beyond, both on the field and in the front office. If the Jets struggle this coming season, which is a possibility considering they may start a rookie quarterback who has few offensive weapons (sound familiar?), then GM Mike Tannenbaum may be on his way out of New York. Why does this matter for a Browns fan? You could view Tannenbaum’s dismissal as a bit of validation for Eric Mangini. And also, if the Browns can surprise in 2009, then possibly the Jets may begin to reevaluate their past decisions.
And then finally, a team other than the Browns can live in the past…at least for a while.
Posted by DK
Join in the discussion on this and other topics in the NEW Sports Jabber Forums!
Last season, when the media and a complete set of fans thought that Dallas was on their way to their own destiny, I penned the following perspective:
Destiny Weekend!
This is the weekend that the entire alignment of the heavens align to slide the picture of Dallas to one of contender-legitimate.
With a pass defense that is ranked #31 in the NFL, a deeply injured offense with a starter now out, and a recovering quarterback having both Julius Jones as his ‘workhorse’ and a depleted receiver group…(against Seattle) I think that Dallas will have the game in hand by halftime. This should be that eighth win for the Cowboys. (Dallas did win this game by a score of 34-9)
Philadelphia, who should be motivated by Thanksgiving pride that shouldn’t last long, and if you call their residence and receive a steady busy signal, that would be because they have mailed it in already. A loss here and they have been removed from contention for postseason.
Next, is the Giants/Redskins game, and that is what it is. Washington has a ton of injuries on defense, and against a strongly balanced Giant offense, that spells failure. This, although, could well be the start of a two-game blowout that spells finality to their playoff hopes as well…
That leads to the present competitors that are bunched up in a single conference. They will be playing against each other, and two of these will invariably slide down from being above the level of Dallas as well.
Take things in hand today, and Dallas may be heading into Pittsburgh in 10 days, with prospects of some sort of home field advantage in their own hands.
Well, we now have the storyline up to that point, and then, crushed, despite being in all but the very last game of the season against Philadelphia. The Eagles, although not the most talented team in the NFC alone, started their push towards a strong playoff run of it’s own.
Dallas lost a closely contested game against Pittsburgh, 13-20. The Cowboys then took a tough contest against a downwardly moving Giant team, 20-8. And, in a crucial game against Baltimore, lost a final quarter explosion in a score of 24-33.
The final game against Philadelphia now became indicative of the functional problems on the Cowboy’s team itself.
The destiny of that team had been missed, but as in all failures, they arise due to specific causes, but the storyline had been written for this team in 2008. The ‘Fat Lady’ could be heard strongly on stage now.
Now, seizing the gauntlet just recently thrown down by other authors—I shall assume the role of Val Kilmer, as Doc Holiday in the movie Tombstone, prior to joining Wyatt Earp in a gun fight.
Yes, I’ll be your ‘Huckleberry’, and grab that tin coffee cup that had just been used for some gin, and twirl it about mimicking a real demonstrated gun displayed by an opposing villain, and flash some similarly demonstrated acumen of definition…but here, in true mimicking style, I shall start with definitions and then arrive at the appropriate word for their respective meanings.
See if you are able to see an underlying theme of relevance for us as fans:
1. A mental disorder characterized by separation and a personal withdrawal from thought and emotions with delusions and bizarre behavior.
2. One who plays fair and can lose without complaint or win without gloating.
3. A person enthusiastic about a specific sport, team, or player.
Now, the flash of comparison with the word originating each defined role:
1. schizophrenic
2. sportsmanship
3. fan
As in the musical “Kismet”, the hero reached a climatic point. He uttered towards the villain, here, a simile of reversed comparison. He uttered the tone setting climax of the storyline: ‘Once having written, the writing hand moves on’. So be it.
The theatre has closed its doors on last year’s production of the Dallas Cowboys. It has instead been replaced with a differing and also intriguing assembly of coaches, players, and opportunity as well.
To say that is to say this team is completely disjoint from the team that was early on declared a major accomplishment in talent, skill, and dominance. This takes a step away from the emotional withdrawal due to frustrations in the experience itself. It requires a rational approach as well as realistic analysis of some of the variables at work last season, as well as how they were addressed prior to Training Camp this year.
The majority of pot hole patrols have come up with two major areas of failure to last season.
First, being the wide receiver image following the departure of Terrell Owens. The media feeding frenzie has not even abated despite his departure. What the media did was remove the focus of the players on the Dallas team, but it did not alter what was the crux of the matter and what was being taken onto the field.
This should be viewed more accurately as a loss of production on the offensive side of the ball.
Let’s start with TO himself. It is true and a valid observation that TO was among the top NFL producers over the three years he was with Dallas, in touchdowns scored.
That is a valid point, but not limiting as an indicator of what is involved with this aspect of analytical analysis. Stats are useful, but nowhere close to all inclusive in their limiting elements.
There is relevance to observing that TO deserves to be included in a future Hall of Fame status. That is part of the element that is seen by a fan. That although, does not transcend the progression of trends within the makeup of the team itself.
First, T.O. was the same No. 1 receiver that accumulated 20 percent of all of his success last season. Heck, Julius Jones hit upon some highlight specials in his career with Dallas as well.
Single game or even duplicate games does not make fullness in contributions by a player. T.O. was the same receiver who accumulated an average total yardage of slightly over 50 yards a game for the length of 10 games.
That is poor production for most No. 2 receivers through the league. Teams smacked their lips when they say the Dallas T.O.-oriented express arrive at their fields. T.O. was no longer able to come through in crunch time and produce those game changers that he had been able to previously in his career.
T.O. was more of the problem than the solution. His being the second highest dropped pass leader for the second consecutive year became a real factor.
He no longer went out of his way to go to where his quarterback threw the ball, but expected to be thrown exactly where his own window of opportunity suited him. Now, no longer was he even where he was expected to be able to catch a good thrown ball, or fighting to get balls in conflict.
These indicators speak louder than the total touchdown factor. This killed opportunity. Opportunities lost is what dispelled Camelot from view.
That is only a part of the issue on the offensive production. Injuries did play a major role here also.
First, the run production in the very center of the field, with the loss of Kyle Kosier and then Montrae Holland, meant that the team could NOT run a strong Red Zone offense. It had to then rely on an unreliable T.O. and a very injured Jason Witten. Although, Jason Witten was the team’s ‘Iron Man’ and performed at a very high clip.
Witten was severely injured almost the entire season. He could have been much stronger towards the end of the season, if not for quite a few limiting injuries. He would have been off the charts if not for these injuries.
Next, you have Tony Romo, who missed a very crucial consistency period that opened the door for poor executions, adjustments, and further injuries to accumulate. His three games off the field and Brad Johnson’s mockery to the position were only a part of the effect of Romo’s injury.
Romo had stitches in his chin early in the season, and then had a cast on his hand an additional three game injury stint. A player such as Romo played through pains, but it did have a detrimental affect as to throwing habits, ball release, and time of delivery as grip on the ball was very prominently being affected.
As breakdowns in the adjusted and much weaker offensive line, now with an injured Flozell Adams on the outside and a very weak Procter in the interior, Romo now no longer was able to set his feet properly in a collapsing pocket. Opponents adjusted their attacks to attack Romo and take advantage of hesitancy between Adams and Procter.
Additionally, roles became blurred as Miles Austin, Hurd, and then swapping of roles between Patrick Crayton and Roy Williams further blurred team consistency and productions.
Not only this, but the running back group lost Felix Jones and his ability to provide explosive elements to an attack. This changes the fabric of opponent’s game plans drastically.
Dallas could not pound Marion Barber inside, as that area of the offensive line was not dominant as Barber was injured for most of this past season. They could not go wide, as the speed of Jones was on injured reserves and it was Procter doing the pulling.
The element that was shown was that when Holland or a healthy Kosier was in the interior line the team could both run inside and outside. It was also shown that Tashard Choice, Jones, and Barber are a dynamic group that can make Red Zone efficiency a reality now.
Red Zone scoring diminished last season from the previous season for one reason…Dallas was not able to run the ball there. This was more indicative of scoring relevance than the loss of a diminishing effective T.O. in the Dallas offense.
Now, without T.O. in the lineup, Dallas has a better chance of being efficient than it did from the Seattle game onward last season.
Then one has the defensive side of considerations. Here, an observation should begin with the picture of DeMarcus Ware.
Ware is presently the most dominating player in the game. He is even more devastating than the newly-acquired Washington Redskins defensive tackle, Haynesworth. He has averaged over 10 sacks a season for four full years. He has also been an All Pro for three of those four years and is the present signature of this defense.
Frustrations around the persona of T.O. have clouded the real picture of Dallas and its coaches for too long now. It not only is unfair, but intensely inaccurate as well.
Once Wade Phillips started grabbing the reigns back, just as Bill Parcells had done at various times in his past times as head coach, the team started to excel at a higher level.
Critics have pointed at the failure of the cornerbacks instead of the real culprits in the ineffectiveness of this secondary unit. The safety play was at question from the start of the season.
Roy Williams mercifully was injured and not able to be the brunt of ridicule and scorn. Although, he had deteriorated, even in an interior only role as teams would force him into coverage and then without fail outmatch him to large gains. You just could not hide him enough.
That would not have been fatal, but ‘Killer’ Davis and Pat Watkins were even worse in backup roles. Add onto this the fact that Anthony Henry was no longer able to catch up in deep developing plays and his effectiveness on short passes deteriorated excessively this season. He no longer possessed catch up speeds and wasn’t nearly as effective even on short passes. This combined to put the whole safety group on islands.
The spiral down over the end of the season, was directly related to the degree that a very inferior group of safeties affected opponent’s ability to sustain drives and take advantage of that very group. As with T.O.’s departure, the loss of Roy Williams, Davis, and other members of a poorly functional safety group elevates this section as well.
Gerald Sensabaugh’s addition improves coverages greatly. The playing of both Mike Jenkins and Orlando Scandrick improves the catch up and thus single coverage ability of this defense. Instead of being a weaker point of contention, the whole secondary is BETTER able to maintain realistic coverage, as it continues to add to the improvements in the secondary group as a whole.
The secondary’s pass defense, ranked eighth in the NFL, was MORE related to the additions of Scandrick and Jenkins than the loss of Williams and Henry. Again, things are getting better on defense.
Now, strictly on the departures and additions, this Cowboys team has more depth that is adaptive as well as more dynamic than what was put on the field last season.
Numbers were down last season on Dallas turnovers. This was indicative to the drain that the ineffective strong safety and a diminished skills Henry were adding to that group.
It is stronger, despite losing the veteran experience, than it was last season. That Alan Ball and Courtney Brown are looking more adept at free safety and cornerback just adds to the running and coverage abilities of this group.
The center line of the entire defense has become harder to achieve against. Brookings moving in at weakside interior makes the ability to defense the run better. Adding a strong safety who doesn’t have to break his neck in coverage of tight ends and running backs, only makes him easier to support the run defense as well as be used in blitzing situations as well.
Then one has the Wade Phillips’ effect to consider. If anyone still feels that he is anyone’s fool in the matter of defense, he just hasn’t considered a very strongly supportive body of works there.
His defense is just now starting to hit stride as to application of technique, principles, as well as experience to be able to adapt to styles of play. This team will inch up in aggressive play as well as ability to stop opponents.
Wade is directing a very aggressive defense now. It is strengthened by players with familiarity with current members of the Dallas coaching staff.
Campo has previously worked with Sensabough and now, Ken Hamlin. Campo has been around Terrence Newman and was prominent in the quick development of both Scandrick and Jenkins.
Igor Oshanky should prove to be a strong asset against the run. If this run defense becomes even better, then it will open the door for a more integrated and functional secondary.
This in turn will allow the ‘dogs’ upfront to be even more aggressive from a NFL leading point from last season. Now, Wade Phillips’ effect is just starting to be seen, and should shortly be felt as well.
Now, to this fan, the assembled chorus seems to be warming up for yet another production…and to my ears, some of that intermingling warm up, sounds sweet received. I can only project what this dictionary word might evolve towards…
CCBoy is a Sports Jabber contributor.
Join in the discussion on this and other topics in the NEW Sports Jabber Forums!
Enough already. Enough of the developing stories regarding Mike Vick and how he went from the bedroom to the living room because one of the reporters that are camped out in his yard saw him do this.
What’s next?
This is ESPN with a developing story:
Mike Vick went down to his kitchen at 1:23 p.m. today and heated up one of those steak and cheese hot pockets, and after doing so, Mike spent the period of 1:55 to 2:08 on the pooper (Geez, what do you expect after eating one of those things?).
It is being reported that he read “Dog World”, this month’s “Animal Planet: A Pit Bull Special.”
ENOUGH ALREADY!
Shannon Matthews is a Sports Jabber contributor. You can view more of his work at Talking NW Sports
Join in the discussion on this and other topics in the NEW Sports Jabber Forums!
For those of you that have been salivating at the chance to get your hands on the new Chad Ocho Cinco jerseys, you’re gonna have to be content with a “Chad Ochocinco” jersey. Why? Because of a mistake made by Mr. Ochocinco, of course.
The NFL had agreed to let the player formerly known as Chad Johnson wear his new name on the back of his jersey this season. There’s one catch for the receiver: It’s not exactly how he wanted it.
Instead of Ocho Cinco, he’ll be “Ochocinco” because that’s how he wrote it when he submitted his name-change form last August in Florida.
So after a wait that lasted almost a year and a $5,000 fine, Ochocinco still won’t be known as “Ocho Cinco.” Which means we can throw that “my last name means 85” stuff out the window. Which also means that this whole charade was completely useless (Not that I thought it was useful prior to this).
I’m sure before it’s all said and done Ochocinco will have an utterly ridiculous story about how this happened. Just another thing to look out for on this season’s edition of HBO’s Hard Knocks.
Bengals receiver has yet another name (AP)
Fan of No Guts, No Glory? Subscribe to our feed! or Follow us on Twitter!
Join in the discussion on this and other topics in the NEW Sports Jabber Forums!
Brett Favre retired for a second time following the 2008 season, after a mediocre season performance with the New York Jets.
But as the 2009 season grows nearer, he’s getting the itch to play again.
According to ESPN’s NFL insider, Chris Mortenson, Favre will meet with Minnesota Vikings head coach Brad Childress later in the week to discuss a possible return to the NFL at age 39. So now we know who will be the first head coach fired following the 2009 season, remember Mangini.
Favre is one of the greatest QB’s to ever play the game, but his legacy will continue to diminish with each interception and sub par game he has in his golden years. He’s already played 18 seasons, most of which were outstanding, but it’s time to walk away.
Like Michael Jordan, Favre has too much pride and is too competitive. Reality has proven that we all have to move on sometime, and his time is now. I sure hope he stays retired.
*No Guts, No Glory is a Sports Jabber contributing author.
Join in the discussion on this and other topics in the NEW Sports Jabber Forums!
With the 44th pick in the 2009 NFL Draft, the Miami Dolphins select Pat White, quarterback, West Virginia.
For the third time in as many years, the Dolphins drafted a quarterback with a second-round pick, but this year’s pick is a little different. This is Pat White.
The fleet-footed winner from Daphne, Ala. While many embrace the move, others begin to question the move and along with it is the talk of, “What happens with Henne?”
However, I propose a question to everyone. Is this the beginning of an offensive revolution in the National Football League? This could very well be the era of a two-headed quarterback and it could start in Miami.
Chad Henne is the poised, pocket passer more suited for a traditional pro set. He’s had a year to develop behind one of the most accurate passers in NFL history in Chad Pennington.
When you combine that with his incredible arm strength, Henne has the tools to lead the Dolphins to the playoffs and beyond in the future.
Pat White is the running, passing, do-it-all quarterback. The “WildCat” himself, or shall I say “WildPat”?
He’s no slouch when it comes to throwing the ball and is a proven winner as he did what nobody else has ever done in college football, starting and winning four bowl games over the course of his career.
For the team that brought the WildCat to the NFL last season, White can strive in the formation. The one thing that lacked in last season’s version of the WildCat was the threat of a solid passer.
Ronnie Brown handled the snaps, but it almost became predictable near the end of the season. With White on the field, you add that extra dimension to the formation.
He has the awareness to either hand off, run the ball himself, or throw the ball and that’s something that is needed to make the formation that much more successful.
So, where does these two quarterbacks fit in on the same team? With Chad Henne being the prototypical pocket passer and Pat White being the essential key of the WildCat, or spread offense at times, could we possibly be on the verge of seeing the two-quarterback system in the NFL?
This season expects Chad Pennington to start for the Dolphins, so we may have to wait till 2010 to see the potential that this tandem can have.
One thing is for certain, White could see the field a lot this season and be an instant game breaker whether at quarterback, running back, wide receiver or returning kicks.
This could get interesting.
Join in the discussion on this and other topics in the NEW Sports Jabber Forums!
If you want a guy to feel enormous amounts of pressure, try giving him $41.7 million guaranteed before he’s taken one NFL snap. Oh, I almost forgot, the notoriously terrible Detroit Lions did give their No. 1 draft pick, Matthew Stafford, that type of loot.
Am I bitter he got millions before he’s played one NFL game? No, although I believe the NFL, like the NBA and MLB, should cap rookies salaries. It’s almost ironic that guys in the NFL that prove themselves year after year have to fight to get contracts like rookies drafted in the top ten. Makes no sense at all.
Hopefully the NFL’s Players Association will get owners and the league to change this practice. In most professions you’re giving an entry level salary, and in time, if you succeed and your performance is solid, then the big bucks start rolling in. Obviously the NFL has never observed that practice.
Stafford may be a great quarterback in five years or he could be another Joey Harrington, Alex Smith or David Carr. Who knows? Stafford started nearly 40 games in his collegiate career and the Lions have decided to make him their savior on that basis.
Is Matt Millen a consultant for the Lions? Because this is exactly what he would have done, and recent history has proven that Millen-type decisions lead directly to failure.
*No Guts, No Glory is a Sports Jabber contributor
Join in the discussion on this and other topics in the NEW Sports Jabber Forums!
Two rounds of the 2009 NFL draft are now complete. It was a day that featured some surprises and head-scratchers, but most projections were accurate or at least close to being so.
The University of Southern California delivered another four players to NFL rosters, including three first-round selections to increase their record total to 74.
And though the program flirted with history, they failed to set a new mark, with only two of three linebackers going in the first round.
THE 12-STEP PROGRAM FOR QUARTERBACK SELECTION
It was rumored that the Jets had interest in drafting quarterback Mark Sanchez, but it didn’t appear possible without him falling or the Jets surrendering a wealth of picks and personnel to jump into the upper portion of the order.
New York achieved the latter, using the Cleveland Browns as a trade partner to nab their franchise quarterback with selection No. 5.
To take the necessary 12 steps, the Jets handed the Browns the 17th pick of the first round, their 52nd selection in the second round, quarterback Brett Ratliff, defensive end Kenyon Coleman, and safety Abram Elam.
In essence, it’s a 5-for-1 trade, which will likely add to the Big Apple’s expectations for immediate success.
The New York press is known to be brutal, but if I had to choose one quarterback in this class best suited to handle a pressure cooker, Sanchez would be my man.
THE LONE STAR STATE ADDS ANOTHER
It was no secret that the Houston Texans were going to select a linebacker with the 15th overall pick, and Brian Cushing became their man.
The selection completes a long journey for the Cushing family, as a New Jersey native is educated in Southern California, and will soon receive a paycheck in Texas.
With continuous rumors of steroid use flying, though he’s never failed a test, Cushing maintained his value and will now join the young talents of DeMeco Ryans and Mario Williams on a Texans defense that allowed 366 yards per game in 2008.
MAKING THE LAMBEAU LEAP
The incredible story of Clay Matthews’ rise from a walk-on at USC to a first round selection by the NFL is now complete. The Green Bay Packers traded up to fulfill their hybrid need.
With Dom Capers joining the coaching staff, the Pack will switch to a 3-4, and used their ninth selection of the first round to acquire Boston College’s B.J. Raji, a nose tackle for the scheme.
They then moved back into the first round, at No. 26, adding Matthews as his support. Matthews can play any of the four linebacker positions, but will likely compete for an outside spot.
In the trade, the Packers sent New England the 41st pick of the second round, and the 73rd and 83rd picks of the third round.
REUNITED
Rey Maualuga’s draft slide showed evidence of the obvious concerns about his play in coverage. Two-down linebackers aren’t typically drafted in the first round, and USC’s man in the middle dropped to 38, where he was chosen by the Cincinnati Bengals.
The Bengals’ selection reunites Maualuga with Keith Rivers, who was selected by Cincinnati in the first round of last year’s draft. The selection also places him on a roster with former Trojans Carson Palmer and Frostee Rucker.
MOALA GALLOPS INTO INDY
The Indianapolis Colts made the run stopping Fili Moala the 56th pick, in the second round. Stopping the run is something the franchise has struggled with, and personally, I think this is a steal.
Many of the early projections had Moala slotted for the first round, with some making him the first pick overall.
As the college season moved along, and the big defensive tackle faced double teams, his name faded from the list.
In time, Moala, like Maualuga, will make many GMs regret that their talents were passed over.
Join in the discussion on this and other topics in the NEW Sports Jabber Forums!
Okay, there isn’t quite the urgency for a mob gathering as my headline is suggesting. For all I know, Matthew Stafford could be the next great quarterback in the NFL. Hell, at this point, after witnessing the past failures of Joey Harrington, and now an NFL record of 0-16, the Lions would be happy if their top pick just turns out to be “very good.”
But in conversations I’ve had with Detroit fans in the past few months, not one in the group believed the Lions would make a quarterback their first overall pick. Some even called me foolish for the name appearing first on my mock draft.
Well, before the NFL commish even walks to the podium to make the official announcement, Detroit has already signed Stafford to a six-year $78 million deal, making him the first overall pick in the 2009 draft.
And judging by some of the profanity laced comments I received with my suggestion of the former Bulldog going first, I now envision an angry mob gathering the hounds and searching the countryside for the man that made the decision. I can also see Matt Millen sitting in a lawn chair and pointing the way.
$78 million is a lot of money for an unproven player, but you can’t blame Stafford for that. If the NFL refuses to provide a structure for rookie salaries, the numbers will just continue to rise each year. Last year, I thought the Falcons made a mistake by not only drafting Matt Ryan, but also giving him a bundle of cash. In both cases, I was wrong.
Matthew Stafford may not make the same initial splash on the NFL scene as Ryan and Flacco did a year ago, but I still feel that quarterback was the right direction for Detroit. People ask why you draft a quarterback if your line can’t protect him, and I ask why they drafted a receiver (Calvin Johnson) without a quarterback to reach him.
It’s a circular game that goes round and round, but nevertheless, the issue is moot, as Stafford is the new face of your franchise. Just look at it this way, the new Lions can’t possibly fair worse than those of 2008. Can they?
Join in the discussion on this and other topics in the NEW Sports Jabber Forums!
Next Page »
No Comments 
