Is Willie Willing to Adjust? posted by Randolph Charlotin

Remember how Willie McGinest was irked when Junior Seau signed with the Patriots and was allowed to wear “55” right after Willie left for Cleveland? Well it sounds like McGinest wants to erase the years the fraud wore his number.

While speaking with The Boston Herald, McGinest said, “Yeah, I’ve talked to (quarterback) Tom (Brady), (defensive end Richard) Seymour and some other guys there. Those guys are lifelong friends, and I’ve heard some people say that it’d be a good fit. Why wouldn’t you want to be a part of that? And with all the history I have, what we accomplished in the playoffs, that wouldn’t be a bad way to finish up.”

This is the first indication I’ve heard that Willie wants to play one more year. After the Browns released him, McGinest was contemplating retirement. Whether it’s an itch he must scratch for one more season or more about joining a championship-caliber team that he has a long history with for one more run at a ring, McGinest wants to play with the Pats in ’09. He wants his 55 back.

Calling Seau a fraud is harsh language, but don’t take me seriously. Remember it’s because of Seau that McGinest wore 55 in the first place. As a marquee LB at USC, the worthy ‘backer earns the right to wear the number. Seau did it before McGinest did. And when they reached the pros, they continued to wear it for their respective teams.

So when the 17-year veteran came out of retirement to play with New England back in 2006, out of respect he got the 55 McGinest made famous with the Pats for the last 12 years.

Jaguars "Rebuilding" posted by Kevin James

           The word of the day is rebuilding. rebuilding is when a team, in a sense, starts with a clean slate. it is most often characterized by releasing players, acquiring new, mostly younger, players and often involves coaching changes. several sources include members of the jaguars staff, bloggers, and even nfl.com have implied or directly stated that the jags are in a rebuilding stage. this is supported by the fact that some keys veterans have been cut (i.e fred taylor, paul spicer) and that younger players are being added to the roster. this means that as fans we must remain patient as our players begin to grow and develop into a team in title contension. that is great news but i don't really like the concept of a team trying to rebuild. when a team states that they're rebuilding, they're telling the world that they are lowering their standards for the next couple of years. they're saying that they will be satisfied with a 9-7 year and maybe  make  the playoffs only to be eliminated in the first round. i'm not saying that i wont be satisfied with that. it's better than last year. what i'm saying is that we can't aim that low. if Jack Del Rio was in an interview or at a press conference it would be better for him to say that they "...are trying a new approach" then saying that they're rebuilding. but all in all i'm excited for a new year and another chance for the cats to bring home the lombardi. maybe thats just me.

  hit me up on facebook, myspace, or twitter for feedback or just to chat.

My interview with 710 ESPN Seattle's, and The John Clayton Show's producer Liz Mathews posted by Brad VanFossan

I recently had a chance to talk sports, working in sports, and even a little Arod with 710 ESPN Seattle’s Liz Mathews. Liz is “The Professor” John Clayton’s producer on The John Clayton show on 710 ESPN Seattle, an avid Seattle Seahawk fan, and she practices law. Liz was nice enough to take the time to answer every question I had for her, and did a great job in doing so.

I got a chance to stream John’s show this past Saturday, and I can honestly say I thought it was very good. My readers know I tell it like it is, so I wouldn’t just say this. Not only was the NFL insight great, but it was very cool to hear John talk about baseball and other sports as well. And not to mention the great music Liz plays coming in and out of the breaks! Overall, the show is very well done, informative, easy to listen to, and fun! Without further ado, here are the questions I had for Liz and her answers:

1. What days and time does the John Clayton show air?

The John Clayton Show airs live every Saturday morning from 9-Noon PST, on 710 ESPN Seattle.

2. You are based out of Seattle, does the show reach out of the area as well and if so how far?

710 ESPN Seattle broadcasts over a huge signal. The show can be heard locally from the Canadian to the Oregon borders and everywhere in between.

3. Where can someone from the Midwest like myself tune into The John Clayton show?

The show streams live on MyNorthwest.com at: http://mynorthwest.com/?nid=5. In addition, podcasts are available on the web shortly after each hourly segment at:

Last Call for Bruschi in 2010? posted by Randolph Charlotin

Last week LB Tedy Bruschi expressed the possibility of playing beyond this season. Before kicking off the “Tee Off with Tedy” golf event, Bruschi said is attention is on this season and he won’t look beyond 2009. But after he finishes this season, he will check how he feels and decide then.

However he decides, I doubt Tedy will make it a long and drawn out process like former Green Bay/New York Jets quarterback Brett Favre. He’ll figure it out soon and get back to the coaching staff.

The good news for the Patriots is Bruschi is his own agent. With this being the final year of his contract, if Bruschi decides to play another year, he is unlikely to shop around looking for the highest bidder. Money isn’t what drives Tedy. He appreciates the Pats taking that chance on him in the 1996 NFL Draft and cherishes the moments associated with the three Super Bowl championships. If Bruschi plays an additional year, he wants it to be with New England.

The bad news for Bruschi, though, is will he be considered useful enough to the team? You don’t win championships by being sentimental. Bruschi witnessed that approach first hand.

Head coach Bill Belichick, while expressing how difficult the decisions were, still released safety Lawyer Milloy, traded linebacker Mike Vrabel, and already replaced safety Rodney Harrision well before Harrision announced his retirement.

This year Bruschi’s roster spot is safe. He will start next to emerging LB Jerod Mayo. But already Tedy is being phased out. Bruschi predominantly plays on run downs. When it’s an obvious passing down, Gary Guyton replaces Bruschi.

Conversation with Kerry Byrne of Cold Hard Football Facts posted by Randolph Charlotin

I had the opportunity to sit and talk with Kerry Byrne, the creator of ColdHardFootballFacts.com. We talked a little about his site and what's coming, as well as a little about the Patriots. If the video doesn't open, just follow the link below:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gxd_8JnOxWM

Best NY Jets Player posted by Brad Coole

I was having a debate with a friend of mine about the best player of different NFL teams. It was agreed on big names like Aikman and Smith for the Cowboys or Jim Brown for Cleveland but when it came to talking about the NY Jets we started bumping heads. I will not even mention the person he picked as the best Jet but he said I was a lunatic to think Namath was! Now anyone who knows anything about NY Jets football knows that Namath is legendary. The man is a hall of famer...4 x AFL star...a pro bowl selection...3 x 1st team AFL star team...NEED I GO ON!! Am I crazy to think he is the best NY Jets?Continue reading "Best NY Jets Player"

Being a Jacksonville Jaguars fan posted by Kevin James

The word of the day is fanship. Fanship is the act or state of being a fan. I participate in fanship. You participate in fanship. We all participate in it. Personally, I participate in it in relation to different teams in different leagues. Among these are the Jacksonville Jaguars. I live in Jacksonville. There is much pride for the Big Cats and much scrutiny of them in this city. You’d be hard-pressed to hear me scrutinizing the jags. The jags will always be held dear to me. In fact I was a jaguars fan before I liked football. I began playing football in the 6th grade and was a fan since the 2nd. I remember people talking bad about the jags right before they fired Tom Coughlin. I stood up for the jaguars. I remember the hype about the new coaching change and the negative opinions of Del Rio. I stood up for him. I told them he would do a good job. And now even as I have grown, I carry the same mentality. When I’m at the mall, I can hear a stranger standing thirty feet away say something bad about the jaguars as he passes Football Fanatics and I will began to ball my fists up. Or when I’m at school and I see a Titans shirt, I began to grind my teeth. In fact, if you were to ask my friends, they’d say I tell non-jaguar fans to move out of Jacksonville. This is because I am a fan. If you’ve ever been a fan of anything in your life, you know this feeling. That is fanship.

Now that you’ve learned the meaning of fanship, it’s time for to let you know more about my feelings about the jags, feelings that can only be expressed through ALL CAPITAL LETTERS AND EXCLAMATION POINTS BABY!!!!!! GO JAGS!!! WHOO!!! 19-0 THIS YEAR!!! F*** PEYTON MANNING, MARVIN HARRISON, ANTHONY GONZALEZ, DALLAS CLARK, BOB SANDERS, DWIGHT FREENEY, ANDRE JOHNSON, STEVE SLATON, MATT SCHAUB, KERRY COLLINS, VINCE YOUNG, AND KEITH BULLUCK!!!! JAGS BABY!!!!

NFL Summer Fun posted by Brady Fredericksen

Long time no see! While this 65 degree sunny-sometimes summer has been upon us, I haven’t forgotten about my valued 6 and a half readers! Ha, getting back on topic, we’ve had quite the start to an exciting summer in the sporting world. Whether it be baseball, football, or basketball there’s been something to talk about.

Stallworth-y Punishment?
What a surprise, athletes and drunk driving, whoda’ thunk? Sure, most people have driven drunk, but for Cleveland Browns receiver Dante Stallworth a little more then swerving went down that night. Stallworth, whose known more for his blazing speed and iffy hands in the NFL, has recently been sentenced to 30 days in jail, loss of his drivers license for life and following his release from jail, he must serve two years of house arrest and spend eight years on probation.
My first thought is I want that lawyer if I ever get into trouble.
My second thought would be how does anyone pull that off?
Plea deal or not, the killing of a human being should be punished a little bit harder then that. I think most of us could deal with house arrest while being a receiver in the NFL. For some reason, athletes can get a free pass in many serious incidents like this. St. Louis Rams defensive end Leonard Little did the EXACT same thing in 1998, and after serving just 90 days in jail, Leonard Little went on to become one of the top pass rushers in the league.
Had you or I killed someone while driving drunk our goose would have been cooked… but hey, what can you do? Sadly, I don’t have a snappy joke to end that because there really isn’t an excuse for this.
Continue reading "NFL Summer Fun"

The Arm is Healthy or Not So Much? posted by Coleman Dieger

Attn VIKING Faithful!!!  Up until now, Chilly has been talking in code when it comes to Favre.  But yesterday he said "  I have 1st hand knowledge Brett is throwing now with NO pain".  Fans, that means it's not a matter of IF, but WHEN Favre gets signed.  This FAN is not in favor of it, because any objective fan can already see it's dividing the locker room, however if Favre doesn't require a separate locker area it might be ok.  If this all blows up for Chilly and Spielman, bye bye gentlemen...Zigi won't stand for failure if this ends that way.....I think with Favre, the NFC Champsionshp game has to be an automatic expectation....Now the question is what media outlets are being honest and what one's are simply seeing what BS can stick with thrown to the Favre wall.  Until the next development.Continue reading "The Arm is Healthy or Not So Much?"

Deep Thoughts posted by Randolph Charlotin

Earlier this week the Patriots further streamlined the linebacking corps by releasing rookie free agent ILB Antonio Appleby. Released before the University of Virginia product was OLB Angelo Craig.

That leaves Eric Alexander, Tedy Bruschi, Tully Banta-Cain, Vinny Ciurciu, Shawn Crable, Gary Guyton, Jerod Mayo, Pierre Woods, Vince Redd, Paris Lenon, and Adalius Thomas as the roster LBs (rookie Tyrone McKenzie is on injured reserve for the year).

In the short term, I sense one more veteran addition before the season starts. But I believe New England is thinking further than that.

There are two things on my mind. First off it’s those two 2010 second round picks they traded for during the NFL Draft. If I’m right, that gives N.E. three second round picks along with their first rounder. With all those early picks in stock, they have at their disposal the tools needed to trade up in the draft if need be.

I still look at the OLB situation as questionable since, as of right now, there isn’t a starter opposite Thomas. Whether one of the young guys steps in, the Pats bring in a veteran to man the position, or they fill the hole based by using the ‘backers based on situations, nothing seems definite as of right now. Performance in 2009 will determine whether the problem as been solved or if New England must address a better long term solution.

A little voice inside my head makes me believe the Patriots have already targeted a player for next year. Maybe he’s a top-10 pick in the draft. Or maybe there’s a restricted free agent they will try to pry away from another team.

NFL coaches visit troops in Iraq (AP)

The soldiers expressed their gratitude over and over to the NFL coaches who made the trip to Iraq. "They kept thanking us," said the Tennessee Titans' Jeff Fisher. "We kept thanking them." Fisher, the New York Giants' Tom Coughlin, the Baltimore Ravens' John Harbaugh, former Pittsburgh Steelers coach Bill Cowher and former Tampa Bay Buccaneers coach Jon Gruden are... [read full article]

From Yahoo! Sports

Saints lose money in tax credit deal (AP)

At least 16 people associated with the New Orleans Saints, including coach Sean Payton, quarterback Drew Brees and Hall of Famer Archie Manning, are among investors who lost $1.9 million. Kevin Houser, cut Monday as the team's long snapper after eight years, said Thursday he and at least 26 others bought what they thought were state film industry tax credits from Louisiana Film Studios in... [read full article]

From Yahoo! Sports

Jury awards DE Taylor, partners $1.5M (AP)

A jury in the U.S. Virgin Islands has awarded Miami Dolphins defensive end Jason Taylor and two partners the return of a $1.5 million deposit from the botched sale of a private island. The NFL star, who recently signed a $1.5 million, one-year contract to come back to the Dolphins, will be given his share of the deposit, plus expenses, after a jury determined that the seller breached a 2004... [read full article]

From Yahoo! Sports

Leaf case in Washington state dismissed (AP)

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From Yahoo! Sports

Judge refuses to release Stallworth crash video

A Miami judge is refusing to release surveillance video of a fatal drunk-driving crash involving Cleveland Browns wide receiver Donte' Stallworth.Circuit Judge Dennis Murphy ruled Thursday that making the video public would violate the privacy of victim Mario Reyes' family.News organizations wanted the judge to order the video's release by prosecutors. The family and prosecutors wanted the video sealed despite Florida's strong public records laws. [read full article]

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