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Ben Roethlisberger: Idiocy, Sadness, and Redemption?
Posted by Dennis Velasco Categories: Athletes, Editorial, Injuries, News, NFL,
Before I really begin, let me say that I know a few hardcore Pittsburgh Stillers fans… no, that’s not a misspelling of the team name, but what the fanatical natives call their team. After talking with them, I found out they feel the same way I do about their Super Bowl Champion QB, Ben Roethlisberger - what an idiot.
“Big Ben” Roethlisberger got into a motorcycle accident in downtown Pittsburgh yesterday. Riding his 2005 Suzuki Hayabusa, Roethlisberger collided with a Chrysler New Yorker from the opposite direction driven by a 62-year-old woman. The car was making a left turn at the intersection where the impact happened. Okay, understandably, accidents happen and this one was very much one that is believable to happen. But what is unbelievable is this…
Roethlisberger wasn’t wearing a helmet.
Click to continue reading Ben Roethlisberger: Idiocy, Sadness, and Redemption?
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Tennessee Titans Trade Steve McNair To Baltimore Ravens
Posted by Dennis Velasco Categories: Athletes, Editorial, News, NFL, Trades,
Okay, so it’s not a DONE done deal as the former NFL MVP, Steve McNair, still needs to pass a physical. It’s more of a formality and this will get finalized. This trade wasn’t much of a surprise as it’s been rumored for months now, but for it to finally get done will help the Titans organization and McNair to move on with the business of playing football and not football business.
Some other winners here? The Baltimore Ravens receivers, who haven’t had a decent quarterback take the snap from under center for several seasons. In particular, I think McNair’s former Titans teammate, WR Derrick Mason should be happy as he was McNair’s main target back in Tennessee. Another winner? The newly drafted Titans QB Vince Young. The irony here is that Young is compared to McNair in their ability to throw and run.
So, who loses? Without question, Ravens QB Kyle Boller gets the downgrade here from his starting spot. There was great hope for Boller a couple of seasons ago, but he didn’t come close to delivering on the Ravens’ faith. However, Boller is still a young kid (25 years old on June 17) and there’s nothing wrong with learning from an MVP. Hopefully, Boller will take advantage of it. If not, he loses a little more.
McNair will bring a tough mentality to the Ravens and a winning attitude. He will easily command the players in the huddle and have a leadership role that has been missing from a Ravens QB for quite some time. Despite the wear and tear that goes with being an NFL quarterback, McNair’s talent level is still pretty good and has a couple of seasons left in the tank, if you ask me.
New Orleans Saints Running Back Reggie Bush and the Jersey Number Confusion Saga
Posted by Jeff Chan Categories: Athletes, Editorial, Gear, Kudos, NFL,
There is still doubt as to whether Reggie Bush will be able to wear his favorite number 5 on the back of his jersey come the start of the NFL season. Figures from retailers have cooled off in sales, because of the uncertainty. Although to us, that is not the big story. The big story is a heart-warming, charitable one. Bush will donate 25 percent of all royalties he will receive as a result of jersey sales toward Hurricane Katrina charities regardless of what number he has on his jersey. That wasn’t the only good charitable act Bush has been apart of recently. Bush recently contributed $50,000 to the Holy Rosary School, a learning disabilities school in Louisiana that was in danger of closing. I just want to get give my applause to Reggie Bush for his good deeds in the age of the spoiled and pampered athlete.
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| Darren Rovell
Detroit Lions Trade Quarterback Joey Harrington to the Miami Dolphins
Posted by Jeff Chan Categories: Athletes, Front Office, NFL, Trades,
The trade became official earlier today and the Miami Dolphins have their insurance quarterback in Joey Harrington. He was traded to the Miami Dolphins for only a 2007 sixth-round draft pick and the pick can be elevated to a fifth-round pick if Harrington reaches a certain threshold of playing time. This fan for one was happy to see Harrington leave town. Harrington was the overall number three draft choice in the 2002 draft behind David Carr and Julius Peppers. Overall, the majority of the 2002 first round draft picks have been disappointments. The Lions have given up on Harrington after four seasons by signing three quarterbacks in the off-season, including Jon Kitna, Josh McCown and Shaun King. Most NFL teams go by the philosophy of you’ll know if a player is a solid quarterback after 48 games, and Harrington has not had success in 58 games as the Lions QB, but the Lions were an unusual circumstance of being bad from top to bottom in their organization. If Dante Culpepper is not ready to start the season, Harrington is assumed to start for the Dolphins opening week.
Read More | Len Pasquarelli
Seattle Seahawks Shaun Alexander Has the Madden ‘07 Curse
Posted by Jeff Chan Categories: NFL, Video Games,
The immensely popular Madden football game franchise will be released on all major systems in August 2006. The “Madden curse” has been well-documented by both NFL fans and video game fanatics. Usually, a player with an outstanding year the season befoehand is selected and honored to be on the cover of the game for it’s newest edition. For the most part, each player that has been on the cover had suffered a career low in performance, mostly due to injury. Is it just coincidence or is the Madden curse legitimate? Well, for the most part we can bet on Shaun Alexander having a bad year and taking the Seahawk offensive attack with him. So it bears the question of which NFC team will be top dog this upcoming year? Most preseason picks have the Carolina Panthers going back to the Super Bowl, but we will wait and see. With the NFL draft over and a better sense of your team, give us your thoughts on why your NFC team is the team to beat or any other Madden concerns.
Read More | Gamefeed
AFC SOUTH Draft Grade: Tennessee Titans
Posted by Dennis Velasco Categories: Athletes, Drafts, Editorial, Front Office, NFL,
2005 Record: 4-12
Points For: 299
Points Against: 421
Rushing Yards PG: 95.3
Rushing Yards Allowed PG: 118.4
Passing Yards PG: 224.8
Passing Yards Allowed PG: 201.0
Drafted:
1.3 (3) - Vince Young, QB, Texas
2.13 (45) - LenDale White, TB, USC (from Philadelphia)
4.5 (102) - Calvin Lowry, S, Penn St.
4.19 (116) - Stephen Tulloch, LB, N.C. State (from Dallas through Philadelphia)
5.4 (137) - Terna Nande, LB, Miami (OH)
5.37 (169) - Jesse Mahelona, DT, Tennessee (Compensatory Selection)
6.3 (172) - Jonathan Orr, WR, Wisconsin
7.7 (215) - Cortland Finnegan, DB, Samford
7.37 (245) - Spencer Toone, LB, Utah (Compensatory Selection)
7.38 (246) - Quinton Ganther, RB, Utah (Compensatory Selection)
Comments:
There was a lot of speculation with the first pick for the Titans (number three overall) as it basically came down to Young or Matt Leinart who had ties with offensive coordinator, Norm Chow from their USC days. It basically came down to who had the most upside of the two and ownership deemed that Leinart had basically peaked already, while Young was still trending upwards and could be the next Steve McNair, a former MVP for the Titans and current disgruntled employee. White was a first round talent who was arguably just as good as Reggie Bush concerning numbers, but because of character issues and an injury problem, White took a landslide down to the second round and I have to say the Titans lucked out in getting this power back. Lowry is the proverbial “solid” player. He has very solid tackling skills. Tulloch has good speed and a motor. Nande is a very fast and explosive player. He could excel in special teams play. Mahelona loves to play, but that doesn’t always translate in the statline. Orr is a tall wide receiver with very good speed. Finnegan is superfast and is a more than viable option in the return game. Toone will probably play special teams and come in only to give one of the linebackers a rest. Ganther is short, but strong. He doesn’t have great speed, however.
ENDSCORE GRADE: C+
AFC SOUTH Draft Grade: Jacksonville Jaguars
Posted by Dennis Velasco Categories: Athletes, Drafts, Editorial, Front Office, NFL,
2005 Record: 12-4
Points For: 361
Points Against: 269
Rushing Yards PG: 122.4
Rushing Yards Allowed PG: 106.8
Passing Yards PG: 199.4
Passing Yards Allowed PG: 184.1
Drafted:
1.28 (28) - Marcedes Lewis, TE, UCLA
2.28 (60) - Maurice Drew, RB, UCLA
3.16 (80) - Clint Ingram, LB, Oklahoma (from Dallas)
5.28 (160) - Brent Hawkins, DE, Illinois St.
7.5 (213) - James Wyche, DE, Syracuse (from San Francisco)
7.28 (236) - Demetrice Webb, CB, Florida (from Jacksonville through San Francisco)
Comments:
The Jaguars didn’t have many picks, but they pretty much fulfilled needs. Lewis is a tall tight end that doesn’t have the speed or flash, but at 6’6” with long arms and a big body, he’ll be a great end zone target. Drew is extremely fast and quick, but at only 5’7” what will his durability be like? I’m not sure if he’s an every down back, but he’ll get his shot. If anything, he can become a dangerous return man. Ingram is an every down linebacker that can cover. Hawkins is a big-time pass rusher that will probably be converted to the linebacker spot because of his lack of size (6’2”; 240 pounds) to really compete as a defensive lineman in the NFL. Wyche is a solid player, but will probably be broken in slowly. Webb left too early as he could have used more seasoning.
ENDSCORE GRADE: C
AFC SOUTH Draft Grade: Indianapolis Colts
Posted by Dennis Velasco Categories: Athletes, Drafts, Editorial, Front Office, NFL,
2005 Record: 14-2
Points For: 439
Points Against: 247
Rushing Yards PG: 106.4
Rushing Yards Allowed PG: 110.1
Passing Yards PG: 256.0
Passing Yards Allowed PG: 196.9
Drafted:
1.30 (30) - Joseph Addai, RB, LSU
2.30 (62) - Tim Jennings, CB, Georgia
3.30 (94) - Freddie Keiaho, LB, San Diego St.
5.30 (162) - Michael Toudouze, OT, TCU
6.30 (199) - Charlie Johnson, OT, Oklahoma State
6.38 (207) - Antoine Bethea, CB, Howard (Compensatory Selection)
7.30 (238) - T.J. Rushing, CB, Stanford (from Indianapolis through Tennessee)
Comments:
Goodbye, Edgerrin James… Hello, Joseph Addai. Addai is a great pickup at the tail end of the first round. He should give Dominic Rhodes and anyone else a run for the starting spot. Jennings has very good coverage skills, vertical leap, and the all-important speed. Keiaho lacks size, but is very intense about the game. Toudouze is big, athletic, and raw. Considering he made his All-Mountain West team, he has some upside. Johnson will be a project. Bethea is very fast, but isn’t the greatest cover guy. He should get better if given a real shot. Rushing is short, but fast and has excellent return ability on special teams.
ENDSCORE GRADE: C+
AFC SOUTH Draft Grade: Houston Texans
Posted by Dennis Velasco Categories: Athletes, Drafts, Editorial, Front Office, NFL,
2005 Record: 2-14
Points For: 260
Points Against: 431
Rushing Yards PG: 113.5
Rushing Yards Allowed PG: 143.9
Passing Yards PG: 139.8
Passing Yards Allowed PG: 220.1
Drafted:
1.1 (1) - Mario Williams, DE, N.C. State
2.1 (33) - DeMeco Ryans, LB, Alabama
3.1 (65) - Charles Spencer, OT, Pittsburgh
3.2 (66) - Eric Winston, OT, Miami (FL) (from New Orleans)
4.1 (98) - Owen Daniels, TE, Wisconsin
6.1 (170) - Wali Lundy, RB, Virginia
7.43 (251) - David Anderson, WR, Colorado St. (Supplemental Compensatory Selection)
Comments:
Yes, yes, yes, there has been a lot of ink spilled on how the Texans should have taken once in a lifetime player, Reggie Bush. But, if you’re a regular reader, you know how I feel. And besides, how come every few seasons we here about that “once in a lifetime” player? I doubt people are dying every few years and regenerating.
In any case, the Texans did not need Reggie Bush because they have Domanick Davis. The Texans did not need Vince Young, the hometown favorite, because they already have David Carr who hasn’t had a real chance to shine because the offensive line has been absolutely horrid. The Texans couldn’t draft D’Brickashaw Ferguson with the first pick overall because that just wouldn’t have jived with just about everyone, besides Ferguson and his agent.
So, the Texans went with Mario Williams, a defensive end compared to Julius Peppers with the upside for Reggie White. For a team that finished as badly as they did on defense, the Texans did the right thing for the team. And people hate it now, but I think they’ll like it later.
Ryans was an excellent choice and will instantly upgrade the defense even more. He is a smart player with very good leadership ability. Ryans comes to play and brings it every down. He should start on the weak or strong side. Spencer and Winston in the third round were excellent choices to upgrade their offensive line. Both have a very good shot at starting. Daniels is big, fast, and athletic. He won’t be pigeonholed as either a blocker or receiver because he has the tools to do both. Lundy could be a good back up or a good practice squad player. Anderson will likely be a special teams player.
ENDSCORE GRADE: B
AFC NORTH Draft Grade: Pittsburgh Steelers
Posted by Dennis Velasco Categories: Athletes, Drafts, Editorial, Front Office, NFL,
2005 Record: 11-5
Points For: 389
Points Against: 258
Rushing Yards PG: 138.9
Rushing Yards Allowed PG: 86.0
Passing Yards PG: 182.9
Passing Yards Allowed PG: 198.0
Drafted:
1.25 (25) - Santonio Holmes, WR, Ohio St. (from N.Y. Giants)
3.19 (83) - Anthony Smith, S, Syracuse (from Minnesota)
3.31 (95) - Willie Reid, WR, Florida St. (from Seattle through Minnesota)
4.34 (131) - Willie Colon, OG, Hofstra (Compensatory Selection)
4.36 (133) - Orien Harris, DT, Miami (FL) (Compensatory Selection)
5.32 (164) - Omar Jacobs, QB, Bowling Green
5.35 (167) - Charles Davis, TE, Purdue (Compensatory Selection)
6.32 (201) - Marvin Philip, C, California
7.32 (240) - Cedric Humes, TB, Virginia Tech
Comments:
Antwaan Randle El who? The Steelers traded up six spots in order to grab Holmes and why not? He should be as electric as Randle El was in the return game, but should be a lot better in the receiving game. Holmes has the speed to stretch the field, runs routes well, and definitely one of the best wide receivers, if not the best, wide receiver in a weak class. But that shouldn’t take away from Holmes, who is a legit playmaker.
Smith has great tools. He’s athletic, heady, has good ball skills, and doesn’t let many tackles slip him up. Smith has a ton of talent. He should start for the Super Bowl champs, which almost sounds impossible for rookie to do, but Smith just might. Reid was an excellent pick there at that position. He is another candidate to pick up the return duties left behind when Randle El joined the Washington Redskins.
Colon will be groomed to take over a guard or tackle spot on the offensive line, possibly in 2007. Harris is a solid player, but that’s about it. Jacobs was a very good QB last season at Bowling Green – throwing for 41 touchdowns versus four steals – but will be the backup’s backup in Steel City. Davis will try to become the next Antonio Gates – a college basketball player with athletic ability and soft hands. Phillip is kind of short, but does snap the ball quickly. Humes has some upside, but I wouldn’t count on him.
ENDSCORE GRADE: B
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