Posts Tagged NFL

Before Ray Lewis, There Was Junior Seau

Posted by klownboy in NFL, sports blogging on May 2, 2012

One of the biggest shocks I’ve ever experienced happened earlier today while listening to Sirius/XM NFL Radio.  I heard that Junior Seau died of an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound to his chest earlier this afternoon.

I must admit I felt a bit of sadness.  I even shed a few tears while watching his mom crying during a police press conference and former teammate and friend Marcellus Wiley become emotional while talking about Seau on ESPN.

I remember following him as a member of the San Diego Chargers when I was in high school.  Hell, I remember controlling Seau while playing Super Tecmo Bowl way back when (and yes, I am showing my age here).

One more thing to add for the new jacks out there: while Ray Lewis is the man in the present-day NFL, but Junior Seau personified toughness and leadership before Lewis came into the NFL.  Go look Seau up on YouTube and you will see for yourself.

It’s just hard – REALLY hard – for me to believe that Seau is gone.  RIP, Junior Seau.

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Shanahan Is Nuts for Drafting Cousins

Posted by klownboy in NFL, sports blogging on May 1, 2012

Yes, I know Mike Shanahan is a good coach – though he hasn’t won anything of significance since John Elway retired (look it up).  And I am sure dude wants to win in Washington more than anything.

But after seeing Shanahan draft Kirk Cousins in the fourth round after he mortgaged the future to draft Robert Griffin III, I have reached the following conclusion: dude REALLY wants to get fired.

I mean, the Redskins did not exactlyset the world on fire last year.  They were 5-11!  They had needs other than drafting two rookie QBs.  What in the hell was Shanahan thinking?

Let me put it this way: when you already have Michael Jackson, you do not bring in Prince and ask him to be Jermaine Jackson because Prince will eventually think he is better than Michael.  That is what is going to eventually happen in Washington.

From what I have been hearing, people say that Cousins is a born leader.  Cousins works hard to be good, and it showed when I watched him at Michigan State.  Even though he lasted until the 4th round, Cousins is good enough to start in this league.

Now you bring this young man in after RG3 has all but assured that he will be the man going forward.  This is a QB controversy from hell (or heaven if you are a Cowboys fan) waiting to happen.

Shanahan downplayed the issue by saying that RG3 is his guy.  I tell you what, for Shanahan’s sake I hope he is telling the truth.  Because if he let’s this QB controversy wreck his team when it didn’t have to happen, Shanahan will not be around to see if Cousins is really better than RG3.

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2012 NFL Draft Busts?

Posted by klownboy in NFL, sports blogging on April 28, 2012

Every year, draft pundits have postulated which teams made out like bandits and which those which left them head scratching.  And even though the NFL completed just the first round of its draft, the draft pundits – as well as fans like me – have an idea of which teams will keep spinning its wheels for a second consecutive year.

I have two teams who fit the latter criteria: Miami and Kansas City.

First of all, the Dolphins selected Texas A&M QB RyanTannehill with the eighth overall pick in the first round last night.  A couple of thoughts here: did any of the Dolphins’personnel see the game tape on that kid?  Dude’s interception-to-touchdown ratio in college is just too damn high.  Did anyone see that game he had against the Texas Longhorns last season? 

Absolutely horrible.  

I know one thing, if you draft a kid with the eighth pick in the draft he’d better be an impact player – let alone a franchise QB.  I do not think Tannehill is that guy.

The Chiefs made perhaps the biggest head-scratcher with their selection of Dontari Poe.  If you watch this kid on film, his motor was far from consistent – during Conference USA play no less.  In fact, Poe was originally thought to go no higher than late in the first round.  

Then the NFL Combine happened.  Poe was a workout wonder, clocked an excellent time in the 40-yard dash and did rather well in the agility drills.  As I said time and again in the past that is why I think the Combine is more of a hindrance than a help.  NFL personnel men tend to rely more on how a kid does in shorts than his college production on film.

I know one thing: picks like those tend to get personnel men (and sometimes coaches) fired.  Both the Dolphins’ and Chiefs’ personnel groups should be planning to rent instead of buy sooner rather than later.

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Pro Sports Strong-arming Cities into Stadium Deals Are Flat Out Wrong

Posted by klownboy in MLB, NBA, NFL, NHL, sports blogging on April 22, 2012

The Minnesota Vikings stadium deal collapsed earlier in the week.  NFL Commissioner/Warden/Playa-Hata/QB-Lover Roger Goodell and onwer of my beloved Pittsburgh Steelers Art Rooney II flew to Minnesota to speak with its governor and legislature.  There was talk of Goodell throwing around the possibility of the Vikings moving to Los Angeles, where the NFL really REALLY wants to place a team.

A day or two later, the stadium bill was “renewed”.

In Sacramento, an effort to build a new arena in downtown Sacramento for the Kings fell through.  The mayor of Sacramento, former NBA player Kevin Johnson, flew to Las Vegas to meet with the Maloof family (who owns the Kings) in hopes of reviving talks so the team will not move.

We all have seen this movie play out before.

We have seen the NBA move the Hornets from Charlotte to New Orleans, mainly because the city of Charlotte refused to give in to the whims of the former bumbling, cheap-ass, and scandal-ridden owner George Shinn.  Recently the NBA moved the SuperSonics from Seattle to Oklahoma City.

We have seen the NHL move franchises such as the Minnesota North Stars, Hartford Whalers, and Quebec Nordiques to Dallas, Raleigh, NC and Denver respectively.  The same NHL moved the old Winnipeg Jets to Phoenix of all places!  (at least the NHL made things right moving the floundering Atlanta Thrashers to Winnipeg)

We have seen Major League Baseball move the Montreal Expos to Washington, DC.  And to those of us old enough to remember, MLB relocated both Washington Senators franchises to become the Minnesota Twins (in 1961) and Texas Rangers (in 1972).

Even the mighty NFL moved the old Cleveland Browns franchise to Baltimore, as well as the Houston Oilers to Tennessee, and Los Angeles Rams to St. Louis (St. Louis?!).

The point I am making is pro franchise are wrong for strong-arming communities over the years into financing new stadiums and sports arenas with the threat of relocation.

Look, I know that there has to be some community investment with a sports franchise.  The risk is often-times too great for owners of professional teams.  I just think that given what ails our society – poor under-funded schools, lack of jobs, high-ass taxes, sky-rocketing inflation – that communities are better off not committing over 60% of the tab on stadium deals.

And sure, people say new stadiums and arenas will create more jobs and pay for itself over time.

Just don’t tell that to the people of Cincinnati, where it has to endure Bengals owner Mike Brown – the same dude who helped force the mother of all sweetheart deals which helped build Paul Brown Stadium.  Oh, and by the way, all of the ticket proceeds – no matter the event – goes to Brown.

I hate seeing billionaires force communities into further debt in doing something that they should be doing themselves.  Hell as much as I loathe Jerry Jones, at least he footed the majority of the bill for that $1.something billion palace for his Cowboys.

I really, REALLY hate corporate welfare.  Professional sports leagues need to put an end to it.

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ESPN’s Schedule Special Is More Proof that NFL Is King

Posted by klownboy in NFL, sports blogging on April 17, 2012

The NFL has struck again – and I am happy as a mother-bleep about it.

The NFL has released its 2012 schedule via ESPN tonight.  It has been on for over two hours and I am STILL watching as I am typing this.

And when the ratings for the special come out tomorrow, I guarantee you that it will be higher than any NBA game, baseball game, AND NHL playoff game in that same time slot.

This is one of the reasons why the NFL is king in the USA.  Anytime a league schedule release special draws viewers and hype, you know that league is the “shiz-niztz”.

And as crazy as tonight’s schedule release on ESPN is, just wait until the draft rolls around next week – in PRIMETIME no less.  Once again, this is the NFL’s world and the NBA, NHL, NASCAR, MLS, golf, and baseball are just living in it.

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Memo to Tebow: Athletes Are NOT Role Models

Posted by klownboy in NFL, sports blogging on April 9, 2012

In a rare – and I do mean rare – instance, I agree with ESPN First Take’s Skip Brainless.

Skip disagreed with Tim Tebow’s notion that athletes should be role models.  Skip flat out didn’t like what Tebow said at all, while supporting his Christian point of view.

Bravo, Skip (as I threw up in my mouth typing that).

The only people who should be role models are PARENTS, not some cats who are great at playing kids’ games for lots of money.  I think back to what Charles Barkley said on that Nike commercial way back when.  People were mad at Sir Charles for speaking the truth, and that’s a sad commentary on our society.

As much as I loved Jerry Rice growing up, I didn’t try to follow his lead in life off the field.  Hell, if anything I knew I would eventually be let down by Rice or other athletes by scandal, issues on the field or the locker room.  After all, athletes are not perfect – and a lot do not give a damn if they are or not.

My dad has been the real role model in my life.  I followed my dad’s example in how to provide by a family, how to be a good father and husband, a law-abiding citizen.  And he is still doing the damn thing 70 years and counting.  By the way, my father wasn’t the only one: favorite uncles, ministers, and big cousins were good role models for me.

Now anyone who follows this blog knows I am a big fan of Tebow.  I respect his willingness to be a role model.  I respect his willingness to call out athletes for not being role models.

I just think he is a bit naive…

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Tebow a Better Fit in Miami – not New York

Posted by klownboy in NFL, sports blogging on March 22, 2012

If the New York Jets were not a circus last year, they are going to be the Cirque du Soleil of the NFL this coming season.

The Denver Broncos traded Tim Tebow to the Jets yesterday.  While the Broncos – namely John Elway – were happy to rid themselves of Tebowmania, the Jets have no idea what they are in for.

As I mentioned earlier, the Jets were a circus last year.  Actually they were worse than a circus – they were a MESS.  Now the Jets are going to place a green dude like Tebow in that locker room?  Are you kidding me?

First of all, the last thing incumbent QB Mark Sanchez needs is a fan favorite as a backup.  Tebowmania is going to be much bigger in the NYC than in Denver.  No disrespect to Denver, but there is a reason why NYC is called “the media capital of the world”.

At any rate while I agree that Sanchez has been overly coddled, dude did lead the Jets to the AFC title game his first two seasons.  Sure he took a step back, but I think he will bounce back now that he has time to learn from his mistakes last season.  Sanchez is not mentally strong enough to deal with Tebowmania, especially after a few poor throws.

I think Tebow would have been better served playing in Miami.  From what I understand, the Dolphins really wanted Tebow to play for them.  I know Tebow is from Jacksonville and the Jaguars did make a push for him, but I think that was more from ownership than the front office and coaching staff.

Plus, you mean to tell me Dolphins are set with David Garrard – a dude who didn’t even play last year?  Really?  Tebow would have been starting games by Week 3.

I am on record as being a Tebow fan.  I still think this kid can and will be a productive starting QB in this league.  I think he has the ability to succeed.

I just do not think it will be in New York.

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Goodell’s Suspension of Payton Is Flat Out Stupid

Posted by klownboy in NFL, sports blogging on March 21, 2012

So let’s get this straight…

Saints coach Sean Payton gets suspended for a year for being an alleged enabler of a bounty program, while Patriots coach Bill Bellicheat gets docked a fine ($250K) for cheating (Spygate).

Something is very wrong with this picture (forgive the poor grammar).

So in NFL Commissioner/Warden/Playa-Hater Roger Goodell’s eyes, hurting players is more important than cheating.  So I suppose the moral of the story is if you play football the way it’s meant to be played, your ass is going to get popped.  Meanwhile, cheat your ass all the way to the bank – as long as you do not get caught.

Before you call me barbaric, let me remind you that football is a violent sport.  Defensive players are paid to lay the wood on ball carriers.  Defensive players look to send a message to ball-carriers and receivers who dare to go across the middle – whether they catch the ball or not.  And this just in: defensive players HATE opposing – sometimes their own – quarterbacks.

Look, I understand the whole player safety thing.  Hell, even I would agree that there should be no bounties in the NFL.  No one should intentionally hurt another player.

I just think that bounties and intentional injuries are not mutual exclusive.  I bet every team has a pool that includes rewards for big hits on marquee players in every game.  After all, there are legal “kill shots” that knock out players out of every NFL game.

Again I must say, between this suspension and the NFL slapping the wrist of Bellicheat for his role in Spygate, I have a bigger problem with the lack of consistency in the punishment levied by Goodell.  Cheating is not as egregious as nailing the hell out of the opposition.

I’ve said it once, and I will say it again: Goodell sucks.

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Good for Denver, Bad for Peyton

Posted by klownboy in NFL, sports blogging on March 19, 2012

Well this is a shocker.

Word on the street is Peyton Manning is working on a contract to play for the Denver Broncos.  The Broncos – namely executive John Elway – get the prototypical QB it long desired since the Tebowmania wrecked havoc in Denver.  Plus, it makes the Broncos the team to beat in the AFC West.

While this was a great move for the Broncos, it’s a questionable one for Manning.

First of all, there were better teams out there that were recruiting Manning.  You cannot say with a straight face that the Arizona Cardinals, Tennessee Titans AND San Francisco 49ers are not better than the Broncos.  Hell if you stick Manning on the 49ers, they would be an instant favorite to WIN the Super Bowl.

So why wouldn’t Manning want to ball in San Fran?  I think it’s because he will not have complete control of the offense.  Niners’ coach Jim Harbaugh is himself a control freak, and would have a cow if Manning kept audibling out of offensive plays.

Meanwhile, Broncos’ coach John Fox and Elway have said that Manning can do whatever the hell he wants on the offensive side of the ball.

So what about Denver?  The Broncos have a wide receiving corps that is in the Witness Protection Program.  Their defense outside of Elvis Dumervil, Von Miller and Champ Bailey is suspect.  At least they have a running game with Willis McGahee, but the Broncos still do not measure up with those other teams.

Hell as much as I love the 49ers fit, I thought the Titans would be a shoo-in for Manning.  He went to school at the University of Tennessee (and yeah, I know Vanderbilt is in Nashville where the Titans play, but who gives a damn about the Commodores?).  Plus last I checked, Nashville is a helluva lot warmer than Denver.

At any rate, good move – check that, GREAT move for the Broncos.  Elway finally gets his man, and Tim Tebow will be shown the door.

And as long as Manning is willing to accept being no better than second-place in the AFC, then it’s a great move for him as well.

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Bears’ Trade for Marshall Vaults Them over Lions

Posted by klownboy in NFL, sports blogging on March 13, 2012

I guess the Chicago Bears were really sick and tired of all the hype surrounding the Detroit Lions.

Why else did the Bears make the move to acquire Dolphins WR Brandon Marshall for a couple of 3rd round picks (this year’s and next)?

Now don’t get me wrong, I LOVE the move.  First of all, this reunites Marshall and QB Jay Cutler.  They made beautiful music together when both were in Denver pre-Josh McDaniels (still liking that McDaniels move Broncos fans?).

Plus, and more importantly, it gives the Bears a legit, bonafide #1 receiver they lacked the past few seasons.  I mean, you know it’s bad if your #1 receiver is a kick returner (Devin Hester).

Couple that with RB Matt Forte, and Chicago has the balanced offense they have been sorely lacking.

Meanwhile, you know the defense is loving this move.  I bet Brian Urlacher and co.  are thinking, “no need to worry about holding teams to 13 points anymore”.  Look for the Bears defense to become more aggressive because now it has an offense that could potentially match the Lions and Green Bay Packers point-for-point.

Look, I still am buying into the Lions stock.  It’s just that they – nor other teams – shouldn’t be sleeping on the Bears next season.

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