2010 NFL Draft: Teams That Could Take a Chance on Tim Tebow

Tim Tebow has earned a reputation as one of the best–or at least most successful–college quarterbacks of all-time. But many folks don’t think that means that Tebow will become a top first-round pick. Jump throws just don’t translate to the pros all that well. That said, Tebow does have a record of success and more than a fair amount of football talent–so he will be picked somewhere. The question is: By whom?

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To Sit or Not to Sit? NFL’s Competitive Balance Issue Rages On

The playoffs may be upon us, but this year, there is a regular season white elephant in the room that refuses to go away:

Should a playoff-bound team—with its seeding already decided—rest its starters during late season, “meaningless” games?  

Normally, the issue is merely an eye roll-inducing annoyance.  Here’s a typical Sunday conversation in late December:

“Let’s see, what game’s on next? Oh, the Colts and the Browns…um…what time does Family Guy come on, again?”

However, this year, with the New Orleans Saints and Indianapolis Colts coming so close to perfection, the argument has been cast into the limelight like never before.  

Throw in the fact that the New England Patriots—a non-perfect team who still had their playoff destiny decided—lost star wide receiver Wes Welker for the year (when he could have sat), and well, there are arguments aplenty from coaches, players and fans alike. 

In a sense, there are two sides to the topic.  

On the one hand, there’s the issue of perfection and whether or not it’s worth risking injury to attain.  

On the other hand, there’s the question of competitive balance and whether or not it’s kosher for the 12-3 teams to lay down for games that don’t affect their big-picture playoff aspirations.  

Here is a look at both sides.  There is no clear cut answer; this article is mainly meant to spark the dialogue and debate. 

 

Perfection

Just how important is a perfect 16-0 regular season record?  

Very, given that it’s only happened twice.  However, the poignancy of the accomplishment is somewhat diminished if the team doesn’t go on to win the Super Bowl. 

When Colts coach Jim Caldwell decided to bench his starters against the Jets a few weeks ago, the folks in Indy were as mad as if he’d have gone 1-15.  

His logic, of course, was that a Lombardi Trophy in February was more important.  

Of course, the poster boys for his argument are the 2007 Patriots.  

At the end of their careers, what do you think that Tom Brady, Tedy Bruschi, and Bill Belichick will cherish more?  

Their three Super Bowl rings?  

Or their 16-0 regular season that ultimately produced no championship hardware of note?  

The answer is obvious.  

Then again, continuity and momentum are potentially sacrificed when the star players are essentially put on a preseason routine.  

Will the Peyton Manning and Reggie Wayne of the divisional playoff round be the same crisp guys who ravaged defenses up until Week 15?  Or will there be rust?  

The question is rhetorical; in this case, the answer is not obvious.

 

Competition

Perfection aside—it’s not every year that two teams burst out of the gate at 13-0—there’s also the age-old issue of competitive balance.  

In many ways, this is a very ambiguous concept.  

Most would agree that a team that has locked up their playoff logistics shouldn’t have to play their starters just because the competition committee decided that Joe Sixpack in section 335 deserves good football in December.  

However, it could be argued that he does.  

See, the NFL is not unlike the rock/pop star business model in that it is essentially the fans who make it the grand spectacle that it is.  

Without them, it’s a blase, semi-pro purgatory.

The other side of the argument, however, is perhaps best described by, yet again, those unfortunate Patriots.  

Last week, with their playoff destiny decided, coach Belichick decided to play his starters, regardless.  

The result?  Wes Welker, arguably the MVP of the team, went down for the year with torn ACL’s and MCL’s, greatly weakening their shot at a return trip to the Super Bowl.

A revealing and ironic tidbit should be noted, however.

As mentioned, fans in Indy were up in arms over Caldwells’ decision to bench his stars. However, most fans don’t seem to be that upset of the needless injury to Welker.  

Perhaps there is a noble grain of truth to playing hard all 16 games.  

At any rate, the NFL’s competition committee, as mentioned, review the issue this offseason.  

What will they decide is anyone’s guess. 

 

Read more NFL news on BleacherReport.com

San Francisco 49ers: The Plays That Made Fans Jump Up and Down in 2009

While the 2009 San Francisco 49ers came up short in their goal of making the playoffs, an 8-8 regular season (their first non-losing season since 2002) made for an exciting brand of football.

Despite having to switch quarterbacks mid-way through the season, the 49ers still managed to hang around the playoff race until week 15, largely in part to the big play abilities in all three phases of the game

Unfortunately the 49ers would fall short in each phase of the game when it mattered most this season and because of this, they managed just two wins on the road and missed the post-season.

As their head coach Mike Singletary stated after the season finale, his team was simply too immature to reach their goals. And part of that immaturity has to be placed on the head coach. Questionable clock management, including odd timeout usages and play calling was evident throughout the season.

But with a year and a half of coaching under his belt, Singletary should improve as a head coach next season and his players will improve because of it.

Alex Smith will improve, the offensive line will improve and the defense will improve in 2010, and a big reason for the confidence in this team moving forward comes from the big plays turned in on both sides of the ball and even special teams this past season.

Granted some of the big plays turned in by the 49ers came in non crucial moments, including ones in the last two meaningless games. Therefore I have left those off this list.

The remaining big plays that made the list were the ones that fans went crazy over because they were huge moments in crucial games that had playoff implications on the line.

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Tom Brady’s Comeback Player of the Year Award is Almost a Tragedy

You’ve got to hand it to Ye Olde Media. Once again, they appear to have voted for a major award without doing their homework—you know, like watching the 2009 NFL season.

How else can you explain the comfortable margin of victory with which Tom Brady captured the Comeback Player of the Year award?

Perhaps some of them cast their votes in Week Three?

Perhaps they got confused and thought that this was the vote for the Associated Press Prettiest Player of the Year award?

Regardless of the explanation, they disgraced themselves by completely ignoring some of the most impressive and inspiring stories that the NFL has seen all decade.

And that’s what is so upsetting about this.

The AP writers decided to half-ass this award in a season that featured some incredibly inspiring comeback stories.

Let’s begin by quickly dismissing the person who actually won. Yes, Tom Brady followed his MVP performance in 2007—and it was more than just an MVP season, it was completely dominant—with a season-ending injury in 2008. He regrouped in 2009 and had a strong, but by no means exceptional, year.

He was a top-10 quarterback, though he absolutely fell from the elite tranche that includes Manning, Favre, Brees, and Rivers. Many, including myself, would argue that his receivers were superior than those available to the QBs listed above—but oh well, no need to tear him a new one.

Does he deserve a pat on the back? Sure. He can have a pat on the back.

Now, let’s take a look at Cedric Benson.

Benson has certainly overcome some physical injuries, but what’s more important is that he has overcome an injured reputation. And not just any injured reputation; he has done what very few blue chip RB prospects have ever done…escaped the “Bust” label.

Ki-Jana Carter, Curtis Enis, Lawrence Phillips; the list goes on and on and on.

When was the last time a certified bust has totally rejuvenated his career to the extent that Cedric Benson has?

He isn’t just good. He is now elite.

His numbers are only the beginning. He finished eighth in the league in rushing, even though he was forced to sit out several games—including the season finale in which his health was conserved.

Why did he sit out Week 17?

Because his once-woeful Bengals had already secured a playoff spot!

The Bengals are the “Comeback Team of the Year,” and Cedric Benson is a big part of the reason why they are thriving.

This year, he was Mr. Comeback.

Were I to cast a ballot, though, my vote might actually have been for Vince Young. From a pure merit standpoint, nobody did more to reverse his team’s fortunes than Vince Young.

Unlike Benson, the former Texas messiah will not be playing in the postseason. However, Young deserves credit for helping to totally salvage a seemingly devastating 2009 campaign for Tennessee.

And his story goes deeper than that.

Six months ago, when it appeared as though Vince Young’s career was already in the abyss, he suddenly lost his friend and mentor, Steve McNair. It’s one thing to lose a starting job in the NFL. It’s another to lose a father figure.

In Young’s own words, “Since I was a teenager, he was like a father to me. I hear his advice in my head with everything I do. Life will be very different without him.”

Young made headlines later in 2009 when he began to take an interest in mentoring McNair’s children.

But he made even bigger headlines this fall when he re-emerged out of nowhere and led the Titans to an 8-2 record following a disgusting 59-0 loss to New England.

Their two losses came at the hands of Indianapolis and San Diego—excusable defeats, to say the least.

Many people will have Tennessee as a favorite to make the postseason once again in 2010, and you can be sure that Vince Young will take the first snap of the season this time.

His numbers are not yet dominant. No, they aren’t as good as future Hall of Famer Tom Brady’s. But Vince Young knows how to win. The high point was a stunning victory over the Arizona Cardinals in which Young engineered a cross-field drive and threw a winning touchdown on the game’s final play.

He is not only a deserving winner of Comeback Player of the Year, but he is also deserving of Comeback PERSON of the Year. Not only did he lose his father figure, but he also overcame severe personal depression, an ailment that has defeated many athletes over the years.

One does not need to be a Titans fan to be a Vince Young fan. Everyone should be cheering for this exceptional man. And it’s a shame for the NFL that too few sportswriters were Vince Young fans when it came time to vote.

 

Read more NFL news on BleacherReport.com

Ian’s 2010 NFL Playoff Predictions

With the 2009 NFL regular season over, the playoffs are beginning this Saturday, and many people are wondering who will win the Super Bowl. This slideshow contains my playoff predictions for each round and my pick to win the Super Bowl. My predictions are not likely going to be what you expect. It will be very interesting to see how the playoffs unfold.

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Philadelphia Eagles’ Fourth Quarter Report Card: Offense

Although it wasn’t as strong as they had hoped, the Philadelphia Eagles did finish the 2009 season strong.

For the second straight quarter the Birds went 3-1, but the only loss was a heartbreaking shutout in Dallas that earned the Cowboys the division title and the Birds the title of “road warriors.”

As the No. 6 seed in the NFC playoffs, they’ll have to win three games away from The Linc to make it to Miami.

But can they get there?

Let’s see how the Birds’ offense grades out for the final marking period of the 2009 campaign.

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Michael Oher Slapped in the Face by NFL Award Voters

It is simply an injustice.

I would think that after years of John Madden on Sunday Night Football praising offensive linemen, the sportswriters and award voters would learn to give consideration to offensive linemen when it comes to prestigious awards.

Just recently, Percy Harvin was given the Offensive Rookie of the Year award for his contributions to the Minnesota Vikings as a wide receiver and kick returner.

Yet if one examines the statistics, they would see that this player’s accomplishments throughout the season do not eclipse what Baltimore Ravens offensive tackle Michael Oher has done throughout the season.

Harvin had 60 catches for 790 yards and six touchdowns, 15 rushing attempts for 135 yards and no scores, and 42 kick returns for 1,156 yards and a pair of scores.

So, the Offensive Rookie of the Year is a slot receiver with a legendary quarterback named Brett Favre throwing him accurate tight spirals.

Hmm…I’m sorry, but I find the Offensive Rookie of the Year result offensive.

No disrespect to Harvin, but did he really earn this award, or was this just a weak rookie class?

All three of the rookie quarterbacks had a combined total of 58 interceptions between them. Michael Crabtree waited until five games were done before he finally signed with the 49ers and still caught 48 balls for 625 yards and two scores.

Not one of the rookie running backs had over a thousand yards rushing. Knowshon Moreno of the Broncos came closest with 947 yards.

I think the voters just picked Harvin because he was on a team that had a first round bye in the NFC playoffs, and they overlooked the true winner, which is Michael Oher.

Everyone knows the story of Oher, who was featured in the movie The Blind Side, and when I first saw him on that line, I was amazed.

I still cannot figure out why he was not selected to the Pro Bowl this year. Peter King of Sports Illustrated wrote that Oher was his midseason pick for All-Pro.

He shut down giant pass rushers like Dwight Freeney and Jared Allen while allowing only one sack between the two of them.

In 2008, the Raven were ranked 11th in scoring offense, and in 2009 they are ranked ninth in scoring offense. The passing offense in yards went up from 28th in 2008 to 18th in 2009.

While the Ravens were fourth in rushing yards last year, they were ranked fifth in total rushing touchdowns. They are ranked fifth in rushing yards this year but first in rushing touchdowns.

The Ravens can definitely credit Oher’s productivity at both right and left tackle (he played left tackle for a few games when Jared Gaither was hurt) as a reason for the large increase in offensive production.

The voters ought to be ashamed of themselves. Harvin is not even a starter for the Minnesota Vikings, while Oher has missed maybe one snap in the entire season.

Why is it that only quarterbacks, running backs, and receivers get the Offensive Rookie of the Year award? Offensive linemen are more important to winning games than a flashy running back or a quarterback with a rifle for an arm.

Without offensive linemen, there is no protection from pass rushers and no holes for the running back to exploit.

Oher has done both those things, while Harvin hasn’t had a start.

Oher deserved that award. I think the voters need to claim temporary insanity and take it away from Harvin, because I don’t see any argument that can make him more of an impact player than Michael Oher.

Read more NFL news on BleacherReport.com

New York Giants Fire Defensive Line Coach

The bloodletting continued today for the reeling New York Giants, who announced that veteran defensive line coach Mike Waufle has been fired.

Waufle has been the team’s d-line coach since 2004, when Tom Coughlin took the reins as head coach.

During his tenure, the Giants’ defensive line became one of the NFL’s most productive, spurred by the likes of Pro Bowlers Osi Umenyiora, Justin Tuck, and future Hall-of-Famer Michael Strahan.

It was the decrease in sack production, though, that led to Waufle’s firing.  The Giants only had 32 sacks this season, as opposed to 53 in 2007 when they were Super Bowl champions.

Read more NFL news on BleacherReport.com

Mike Shanahan’s First Order Of Buisness: Get Rid Of Clinton Portis

Clinton Portis is one of the least likable players in the league.  He is a “me first” player who has constantly called out his teammates instead of looking in the mirror at himself. 

Just a short list from my feeble memory:

• He criticized Joe Gibbs for playing him too long in a preseason game when he hurt his shoulder.
• He criticized his offensive line and then got into a war of words with Redskin great Brian Mitchell.
• He tried to get fullback Mike Sellers benched and then had a confrontation with him in the locker room.
• He got into an exchange with Jim Zorn when he decided to take himself out of a game last year—without bothering to tell anyone.

And now, a player who it has been reported is not respected by his teammates because he never practices and gets preferential treatment by the owner, has called out Jason Campbell for not being a leader? 

And you are, Mr. Portis?  These actions demonstrate team leadership?

Mike Shanahan’s first order of business should be to rid the team of cancers like Portis who not only shows no team leadership, but is a divisive force on the team.  He sets a poor example for young players, and he’s getting old and washed up and doesn’t seem to really want to play anymore anyway.

And of course, Portis was a malcontent in Denver, and Shanahan already ridded himself of this annoyance once.  I will be suprised if he does not do it again.

Throw on your clownish outfits and head out of town, you clown.

Read more NFL news on BleacherReport.com

Breaking Rumor: John Fox to Browns Would Open Door for Bill Cowher to Panthers

Rumors have begun to spread in Cleveland (via cleveland.com) that new president Mike Holmgren is eyeing Carolina Panthers head coach John Fox to coach the Browns in 2010.

This opens up so many different channels of speculation because if Fox was to come to the Browns, then that means Holmgren is already leaning toward firing current Browns coach Eric Mangini.

Also, if this rumor holds any truth, then Fox, who is in his last year of his contract would have to be let go by Panthers owner Jerry Richardson.

According to a league source, Fox is “very interested” in the move to the Browns to work under Holmgren.

Since rumors have been circulating in the last several weeks regarding the future of Fox, one would think that Richardson and Fox would agree on a settlement to end Fox’s contract which is due to pay him $6 million as the Panthers’ coach in 2010.

Continuing on the speculation, what does this mean for the Panthers?

One name.

Bill Cowher.

Cowher resided in North Carolina and various rumors (via profootballtalk.com) over the last few weeks have said that Cowher is making calls and beginning to set up a coaching staff.

The Tampa Bay Bucs were said to have offered Cowher a GM and coach position, but have since denied that they are pursuing Cowher at all.

The real question regarding the Fox to the Browns rumor is why would Holmgren want Fox since they have no ties together?

One simple answer is that they know each other through their mutual agent, Bob LaMonte.

Apparently, Holmgren is compiling his “lists” of candidates for various positions in the Browns organization via his agent.

Sounds strange and a bit fishy, but who in Carolina wouldn’t be happy if this went through and they wound up getting Cowher as their new head coach?

 

Read more NFL news on BleacherReport.com

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