NFL Football Blogs

The Chicago Bears are 0-3 this pre-season.  Not that a record in pre-season means the regular season, but since they have not played well in the pre-season, one can make some assumptions:  The Bears will likely have a sub.500 season.

Continue reading "Bears Still In Hibernation"

The preseason is finally over! With the final game in the books (a 13-10 loss to the Browns, if you even care), the Bears have decisions to make before Saturday's 5:00 PM deadline to cut the roster to 53 players. Here's what I saw during this fairly lackluster contest.

Continue reading "Collins impresses in Bears' final preseason game"

 

Since I'm in a crunch for writing time tonight, this will be a speedy preview of the Bears' fourth and final preseason outing! If you actually like watching scrubs fight for jobs (purest form of competition if you ask me), be sure to tune in tonight and cheer for players you'll never see again! Here's what else to watch for tonight before the roster cuts on Saturday:

Continue reading "Joe's Preseason Preview: Bears at Browns"

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     Saints reserves flexed their muscles down the stretch Friday night, obvious bench-strength improvements on defense and running back certainly complement the NFL’ s most prolific offense looking toward the upcoming 2010 campaign. Leigh Torrence’ s and Chris Ivory’ s fourth quarter fireworks shattered the Chargers’ dreams of a happy Big Easy ending. That won’t be the case for the thousands of black leather clad visitors (accented by purple and powder blue feathers) prancing through the Vieux Carre this Labor Day weekend. Enterprising Marigny and Bywater lads who took advantage shake-weight TV offers will see the Fruits of Labor come to fruition during the annual Southern Decadence extravaganza. In this week’s edition the

Continue reading "Big Daddy Appreciates Roster Depth"

This team is the only team in the entire league with a team name.  I'm not making this up, the rest of the teams are sorted by their owner/coach, but not the self proclaimed Minnesota State Screaming Eagles.  So, what does this squad have in common with the rest of the state?  A:  They're losers.  Year in and year out.. even when they're close, they really aren't.  Brian managed to win 4 games last year.. in 14.  That means he also managed to lose double digit games which can be difficult to do in fantasy sports.  So, without further ado, lets take a look at this bottom feeder.

Continue reading "College Fantasy Football Preview ..."

When CB Terrence Wheatley walked off the Gillette Stadium field last Thursday with a couple of trainers, it crossed my mind it would be for the last time as a Patriot for Wheatley. But his chance of sticking around went up with CB Leigh Bodden going down.

Continue reading "Hours Before Kickoff: Preseason Four"

Well, if this third preseason game was any indication of how the regular season will look, Bears fans are in for a bumpy ride. The Bears' offensive woes continued against the Cardinals as the first-team unit failed to score any points. Here are my notes from Saturday night's 14-9 loss to the Cardinals.

Continue reading "Bears' offense can't finish against the Cardinals"

 

Tonight the Chicago Bears take on the Arizona Cardinals in what will really be their final tune-up before their regular season opens up on September 12th. The third preseason game is always the outing in which you can place the most weight on how the team will perform in later weeks, as the starters will play into the third quarter and the coaches usually attempt to make a gameplan. Here's what I'll be watching for later tonight after I get back from being social and rev up my DVR.

Continue reading "Joe's Preseason Preview: Cardinals at Bears"

     Big Daddy noticed that Superdome seats were filled nearly to capacity Saturday night for the preseason home opener against our closest NFL neighbor, Houston. If you have been following the 2010 NFL preseason like Big Daddy, you have observed half-empty stadiums all around the league, demonstrating how football fans in other NFL cities believe glorified practices are not worth their time. Do you know why Big Daddy loves the Big Easy so much? Besides the music, food, culture, and laid back lifestyle, evidently, we’ re the only Americans who understand that football at half-speed,

Continue reading "Big Daddy Measures Saints’ Fans Preparedness"

It’s the most important preseason game – the dress rehearsal. The starters will play three quarters as the players and coaches prepared for the game as if it is a regular season game.

Continue reading "Hours Before Kickoff: Preseason Three"

Genreally, horse racing fans make good NFL fans. Not only because NFL fantasy involves Math, which is the horse racing fan's forte, but also because both involve conditioning.

A look at 2010 NFL, and what looks to happen. I'll give some predictions, but fans know that close games, injuries, blown coverages, and psycological brekdowns occur any time.

Continue reading "NFL 2010 TO THE 2011 SPER BOWL ANALYSIS ..."

Fullbacks rarely have moments to shine. If one is lucky, they have a signature play to be remembered by.

 

Think back to 1994. It’s week 11, a home game against the Minnesota Vikings. QB Drew Bledsoe’s coming out party. After falling behind 20-0, Bledsoe rallied the Pats in the second half to tie the game at 20 before leading an overtime drive that ended with a 14-yard game-winning touchdown.

Continue reading "A Memory of Kevin Turner"

 

If you only managed to catch the first quarter or so of Saturday night's preseason game, you saw some pretty fugly football from Lovie Smith's Bears.  The offense was mediocre, the defense was bad and the special teams were awful. It's still a preseason game and therefore meaningless, but here's what I took from the Bears' 32-17 loss to the Oakland Raiders.

Continue reading "Bears hit early snags against Raiders"

 

Forgive the extremely abbreviated posting, but I'm in the midst of a crazy nerd-filled weekend at Chicago Comic-Con and simply don't have the requisite time to fully flesh out a preseason game with the Raiders. Never fear though, I will be live-tweeting the game and posting a recap for all of you. Now let's get to a few of the things I'm looking for during Saturday night's contest.

Continue reading "Joe's Preseason Preview: Raiders at Bears"

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     Big Daddy has been training rigorously over the past two weeks, getting ready for opening day, which is now only 20 days away. After a grueling off-season enduring the NBA Playoffs, World Cup Soccer, Major League Baseball, and the Chocolate City’ s unbearably hot, sticky Summer, lifting frosty cold longnecks gets easier every August. Both of Big Daddy’ s arms were in mid-season form before halftime of the New England preseason opener. In this week’s edition of the

Continue reading "Big Daddy Prepares For 2010, Doin 12oz. Curls"

Thankfully the NFL Network aired a replay of Thursday’s preseason game on Friday afternoon. I might not get to the game on my DVR now:

 

1. It brings me no comfort knowing the two best running backs are also injury-prone. On just 17 carries, Fred Taylor and Sammy Morris combined for 106 of the Patriots’ 120 rushing yards. They also missed 14 games combined last year. Owner Robert Kraft’s decision to build Brigham and Women’s/Mass General Health Care Center as part of Patriot Place looks smarter by the day. Hopefully there’s an express lane just in case for Taylor and Morris.

Continue reading "Pick Six: Preseason Game Two"

Before the first preseason game, the Patriots held a ceremony to induct RB Sam “Bam” Cunningham into the Patriots Hall of Fame. He was joined on stage by owner Bob Kraft and fellow HoFers LB Andre Tippett, QB Steve Grogan, CB Michael Haynes, K-WR Gino Cappelletti, LB Steve Nelson, and G John Hannah. Not only was I there, but I was fortunate enough to shake Cunningham’s hand and say congratulations to the newest member while wearing his throwback jersey (thanks to Bob Hyldburg for making that opportunity happen).

Continue reading "Pick Six: Preseason Game 1"

In the first game in the new meadowlands stadium the Giants defeated the Jets 31-16.  The problem for the Giants is that the final score of the first preseason game is not always the most important measuring stick for a team’s performance.  In the first half the Giants starters were outhustled and outplayed by the Jets starters.  The Jets played a more physical game, they sustained longer drives, ran the ball effectively, stopped the Giants on the ground (Bradshaw and Jacobs netted only a yard on the ground), and even bloodied Eli Manning.  Manning’s first half injury was one of the scarier moments for Giants fans.  He had his helmet knocked off and cut his head on a Jets player’s facemask.  Manning received 12 stitches for the gash on his forehead, though he said after the game that he could have returned if the Giants needed him. 

Continue reading "Review of Preseason game 1 - Jets vs Giants"

We're another weekend closer to the NFL kicking off for real! After my last look at the AFC South, this time around I'll be examining the teams in the NFC West, a division that is always up for grabs. (Unless you're the Rams.)

Continue reading "Joe's NFL 2010 Season Preview: NFC West"

 

Football is back baby! That means we get to watch our Bears in action! Here are my notes from tonight's 25-10 preseason loss to the Chargers:

Continue reading "Wright, Aromashodu stand out in Bears' ..."

Top of the morning to you sports fans!

 

The sun has yet to rise in the east, but your favorite sports junkie is up early getting in his fix.  I have no idea why I am up at 5:00 in the morning on a Saturday, but I felt it was appropriate to share my insomnia with whoever else might be up at the crack of dawn. 

Continue reading "Say "Goodbye" to Football as We Know it"

It's been too long since I've gotten to talk about live Chicago Bears football! On Saturday the Bears will be in San Diego to take on the Charges in their first exhibition game this year. While I'll go in-depth at each position in later blogs, I'll let you know what to look for if you're in the mood to watch some scrubs fight for jobs.

Continue reading "Joe's Preseason Preview: Bears at Chargers"

It was seven months ago that New England was blasted on their home field in a Wild Card loss to Baltimore. Now, with a few free agent additions and the arrival of a very intriguing draft class, we get our first glimpse of the 2010 Patriots.

Continue reading "First Look"

     Hey Saints fans: Leap onboard Big Daddy’s Section 645 Saints Beat, the season-long thrill ride will take loyal readers to higher levels than they ever imagined following the Saints. Big Daddy’s weekly column provides unique critiques of each game, noteworthy current (political) events, interesting trivia, and cool historical facts filtered through a native New Orleanian’s unabridged analysis.

Continue reading "Big Daddy Revisits Super Bowl Week"

The Patriots Hall of Fame needs a senior selection committee. Just like the Pro Football Hall of Fame has a separate group to induct players whose window of eligibility expired, the Patriots Hall could use a similar group.

Continue reading "A Hall Pass for Morris"

With the Hall of Fame game being played this past weekend, the 2010-2011 NFL season is on the horizon. With teams in training camp and rosters being formed, I'll take you around the league in the coming weeks to preview each division. This week we start with the AFC South, a division dominated by the Indianapolis Colts. Will their run continue this year or will someone else take the division title? We'll go in order from worst to first from last year's season standings. Let's get it on!

Continue reading "Joe's 2010 NFL Season Preview: AFC South"

The purpose of training camp is to sift through the roster and find players while discarding the ones that won’t cut it with the team. New England isn’t wasting time with that process this year, as two players are out, with a third pending, and camp hasn’t even been in session for a week!

Continue reading "Quick Cuts"

The freshmen are on campus (at least the ones who have all their admission papers completed and signed) and the upperclassmen are due to arrive on Thursday. Training camp is under way.

 

Continue reading "Starting 11"

Most of the rookies might already be in attendance, but training camp doesn't officially begin until the veterans show up on Thursday. In anticipation, I spoke with FootballOutsiders.com creator Aaron Schatz and got his take on what to look for during camp:

Continue reading "Training Camp Preview"

The Chicago Bears are about to come out of hibernation and start pre-season practice.  In recent years, the opening of camp has almost as much anticipation as the first game of the year.  This year, the expectations may be heightened more when Mike Martz, the offensive "gurui" takes over the Bears play book.  He will be in charge in getting the most out of Jay Cutler, the QB who wilted for much of the season, then showed how good he was in the Bears' last two games.

Continue reading "Bears Ready to Rumble?"

After the dust settled and all the trades were counted, the Patriots came away from the draft with a dozen selections. But not one of them was a running back. They could have a chance to select one July 15th.

Continue reading "In the Running for Unga?"

I thought Logan Mankins was going to be different. I believed he could conduct his contract negotiations privately. Because he kept a low profile after the season and through the draft, I figured Mankins would continue to keep his distance from the Patriots and let his agent and New England hammer out a new deal.

Continue reading "No Audience for Mankins' Moans"

I have a lot of expectations for this year’s rookie class. First round pick Devin McCourty will get a lot of run, maybe as high as the third corner. The two tight ends will contribute almost immediately. Brandon Spikes will become a two-down run-stuffing ILB. Zoltan Mesko will win the punting job.

Continue reading "Projecting Cunningham"

PatsPropaganda.com: You had to be excited for media access day at OTAs today, but no one could’ve predicted that Wes Welker would be on the field. Of course Michael Silver had plans of his own today, deciding to turn “talks between Pats and Brady are going slowly” into “this might possibly lead to something but it probably won’t” article that of course every member of the Boston media had to hop on.

Continue reading "Patriots Wednesday OTA Observation Huddle Up"

As we all know the Patriots still have a huge void in the defensive line left by Richard Seymour. Ray Rice is still running from holes created in the right part of the Patriots defense (see Gary Guyton Jr. and Jarvis Green fka Pass Rush Specialist) . Brandon Spikes or Tyrone McKenzie should be the run stopping fix for Guyton. But who will be lining up are our run stopping right defensive end?

Continue reading "The Replace Richard Seymour Beauty Pageant"

You would think with the lack of leadership in the Patriots locker room expressed from all angles that the more veteran presences the better. No so in the secondary. Surprisingly, CB Shawn Springs was released on Tuesday.

Continue reading "Shawn's Gone"

A day after the NFL Network revealed San Diego shopped OLB Shawn Merriman during the NFL Draft to New Orleans and two other teams, the Patriots re-signed DE Derrick Burgess. Knowing what is out there, Burgess’ return doesn’t excite the fan base much.

Continue reading "A "Lights Out" Alternative"

Being the omnipotent Patriots blogger that I am I was fortunate enough to get an early sneak peek at a transcript of the Wes Welker interview with Michael Felger and Tony Massarotti that will air on the Sports Hub 98.5 tomorrow (Thursday) at 11:30am. I’m secretly posting below, some really interesting stuff….

Continue reading "The Wes Welker Sports Hub Interview ..."

If your jaw dropped five feet from the amount of Jahri Evans’ new contract, understand a smile of equal distance stretched across the face of Logan Mankins’ agent Frank Bauer.

 

Continue reading "Market Value Set for Mankins"

According to published reports, fourth round steal, TE Aaron Hernandez, was excellent escaping press coverage during mini camp. He did not speak to the media at all. With the help of the Patriots staff, Hernandez was escorted off the field after every practice, away from the microphones, recorders, and a possible distraction.

Continue reading "Hernandez Up in Smoke?"

Welcome to the land of no guarantees. Once you cross the border from the third round into the fourth round, these unfortunate residents understand they have to perform well just for a chance to make the roster or hope for a position on the practice squad.

Continue reading "See For Yourself Part 2"

I needed a little decompression time after the draft to take a step back and see the whole picture. After pouring so much of my time tracking free agency, trades, monitoring player’s stock going up or down, and producing three mock drafts, I needed some time off and assimilate myself back into society.

Continue reading "See For Yourself Part 1"

In what seems to be a never-ending off-season for the Chicago Bears, Jerry Angelo brought a familiar face back to the Bears' secondary and gutted the Panther defense for another starter by trading for veteran strong safety Chris Harris. Harris was the odd man out three years ago in a crowded Chicago secondary and was dealt to the Carolina Panthers for a fifth round pick. Harris broke the news on his twitter account, saying goodbye to Carolina but later back-pedaled when he learned the trade wasn't "official" yet. It has since been finalized by the NFL. The Deal Chicago sent 5th year linebacker Jamar Williams to Carolina for sixth year safety Chris Harris, with whom the Bears immediately re-worked his existing contract. 

Continue reading "Bears reacquire safety Chris Harris ..."

Only two players that I listed as players of interest were selected by the Patriots during the three-day NFL Draft. But I will say I’m happy with the two they got.

 

Despite the number of trades executed, the Pats still made 12 selections. But what really draws attention is that New England now has two first round picks and two second round picks in 2011.

Continue reading "The Whole Draft"

With only one pick in the first two days of the NFL Draft, Jerry Angelo and the Chicago Bears made the most of their picks on day three... or did they?

Continue reading "Bears Draft Recap: Rounds 4-7"

I think Bill Belichick has the draft all wrong. You don’t win anything by having the most picks. As expected, the head coach of the Patriots traded down multiple times in the first round, and continued to do so in the second and third. But he did break the routine by going the aggressive route in the second. A quick look at the first two days of selections:

Continue reading "Quick Glance"

Following 74 picks, the Chicago Bears finally made their 2010 Draft debut by taking Florida Safety Major Wright in the third round Friday night. 

Continue reading "Bears take Florida safety Major Wright ..."

What will Jerry do? 

After their relaxing day off during round one of the draft, the Chicago Bears are expected to make their first pick later tonight at pick number 11 in the third round (75 overall).

Continue reading "Bears set to pick at 75, will they move up?"

Ladies and gents, I have returned....

 Lost in my own confused mind of rage and fury as I watched our Redskins foil a season into embarassment I took off the bag and lived amongst the mortals. I wandered around, wondering what i would do-

Continue reading "The Luchadore has returned!"

A theory:

  The NFL and its 32 teams knew before draft day what was going to transpire in Round one of the 2010 Draft.  The proof lies in the events that took place regarding college football golden boy Tim Tebow's draft.  Is it merely great predictions or coincidence that EVERY analyst on NFL network planted the seed that "perhaps" Tebow might "surprise" everyone by being taken in the first round and suddenly *gasp* he was?  It very well may be great predictions and a fantastically dramatic coincidence, but what if it wasn't?

Continue reading "Spontaneous Excitement in Round One ..."

After all the waiting and anticipation, the start of the 2010 NFL Draft went according to plan. Quarterback Sam Bradford went to the Rams, Ndamukong Suh to the Lions and Gerald McCoy to the Bucs. After the known occurred, there was plenty to discuss. Here's what caught my eye from day one.

Continue reading "Joe's Draft Recap: Day One"

 

It's finally here. The 2010 NFL Draft is upon us and I couldn't be more excited to hunker down for two nights and another day of coverage. With the new format, tonight will only cover the first round, bringing the drama of the top picks to primetime television. 

Continue reading "2010 NFL Draft: What to Watch for on Day One"

Friends and Countrymen,

 

I know that you have missed me so much over the last month or so and I want to apologize for my extended absence.  I have several ready made excuses for why I haven’t been actively blogging and I am sure that you will accept all of them at face value.  For one thing, there hasn’t been anything going on in the world of sports.  I mean other than the NBA playoffs, the NHL playoffs, the start of the MLB season, the return of Tiger Woods, the transgressions and subsequent suspension of Ben Roethlisberger (I did it! I spelled the damn thing), etc. 

Continue reading "The NFL Rock Draft!"

It’s not holiday-worthy like the first full Sunday of NFL games, but it’s almost as important. The NFL Draft begins Thursday as teams hope to find building blocks for years to come.

 

Continue reading "Dream Draft"

Patriot fans know there are three certainties in life: death, taxes, and Bill Belichick will trade down during the draft.

 

It’s not just a pattern; it’s as reliable as the seasons, the sun rising, and celebrity controversies.

Continue reading "Fear of Falling"

I've made no secret about the fact that I despise the new draft format. Partly because I will be sitting in my office, wrapped up in work while most of the first through third rounds take place, instead of sitting on my couch at home, relaxed with a beer, enjoying the drama as it unfolds. Yes, it's almost as if Roger Goodell has killed my off-season Christmas.

Continue reading "NFL Draft Viewership Already Down ..."

 

It's one of my favorite times of the year everyone! It's time for the freaking NFL Draft! I will be watching every minute of coverage, every minute of Todd McShay and Mel Kiper Jr. (And maybe even a little Mike Mayock). If you only want to see what the Bears do however, you can skip the first night and a half. 

Continue reading "Chicago Bears Draft Preview"

LB Brandon Spikes – Florida

Continue reading "The Visitors Part 5"

WR Dez Bryant – Oklahoma State

Continue reading "Ths Visitors Part 4"

DE/LB Sergio Kindle

Continue reading "Ths Visitors Part 3"

The Patriots are taking a serious interest with some of the available punters. This is something that is long overdue. Chris Hanson had a decent average in ’07 and ’08, but it dropped to 39.7 last year.

Continue reading "The Visitors Part 2"

About time! Finally the Miami Dolphins have a legitimate number one receiver in the recently acquired Brandon Marshall. The Denver Broncos traded the talented but troubled Marshall for Miami’s second round draft pick in this year and next year’s draft.

Continue reading "Miami Dolphins Acquire Brandon Marshall ..."

In an effort to track the Patriots’ actions leading up to the draft, The Boston Globe reports on players New England visited, invited to Gillette Stadium, or worked out. Not all of the prospects are the household names circulated over and over in the numerous mock drafts across the inernet.

Continue reading "The Visitors Part 1"

Continue reading "Count to 12"

I just completed the second edition of my mock draft, and just like the first, I project the Patriots selecting Penn State DT Jared Odrick. It makes practical sense, considering the need along the defensive line. But this choice goes against what I’d hope the Pats do, which is select Oklahoma TE Jermaine Gresham.

Continue reading "Need or Best Player Available?"

2009 Super Bowl MVP Santonio Holmes was traded to the New York Jets for a fifth round pick in this year’s draft. Holmes spent his first four years with the Pittsburgh Steelers and had one year left in his contract.

Continue reading "Pittsburg Steelers Santonio Holmes ..."

The 2010 NFL Draft in a couple of weeks will provide some interesting choices for the Miami Dolphins, especially in the needed linebacker position. With veterans Joey Porter leaving to the Arizona Cardinals and Jason Taylor still unsigned, the Dolphins are looking to the draft to fill those spots.

Continue reading "2010 NFL Draft Linebacker Options ..."

My obsession with Pro Football Focus continues...

Cromartie only had 2 good games in 2009, with a total season ranking of -5.5. But that still wasn't bad enough to beat Tomlinson who had only 1 good game in 2009 and came in with a total season ranking of -10.8. Although Cromartie did play a little worse in the Chargers playoff loss, maybe that's why they signed him first? Wait, what?

Continue reading "Which New Jet / Former Charger Was ..."

In anticipation of the NFL Draft, each position will be evaluated for the team’s need at that position. Each position will be rated for the Patriots’ need, with 1 not a need and 5 being urgent:

Continue reading "Draft Evaluation: Secondary"

For football fans another very exciting time is coming up soon.  The NFL Draft is mere weeks away and for many this begins another exciting NFL season.  This is when teams address needs that were evident last season or try to fill holes left by a retirement, trade, or losing a player to free agency.  This is when hope springs eternal and every team is destined for Super Bowl glory.  This is also the time of year when fans get to first guess (before their teams drafts) and then second guess (after their teams has drafted) the players that are available this year. 

Continue reading "Should the Patrots Draft Tim Tebow?"

What is Gary Wichard thinking? He is Jason Taylor’s agent and the person who convinced the 13-year veteran to head up to New York and talk to the Jets. Taylor, who is well known for his bitterness towards the Jets, has yet to be resigned by the Miami Dolphins but has made it known that he wants to stay with the team he has spent the majority of his career with. Miami’s General Manager, Jeffery Ireland, has said that the team won’t make a move to resign Taylor till after the upcoming draft.

Continue reading "Miami Dolphin's Unrestriced Free ..."

In anticipation of the NFL Draft, each position will be evaluated for the team’s need at that position. Each position will be rated for the Patriots’ need, with 1 not a need and 5 being ugent:

Continue reading "Draft Evaluation: Linebackers"

In anticipation of the NFL Draft, each position will be evaluated for the team’s need at that position. Each position will be rated for the Patriots’ need, with 1 not a need and 5 being ugent:

Continue reading "Draft Evaluation: Defensive Line"

In anticipation of the NFL Draft, each position will be evaluated for the team’s need at that position. Each position will be rated for the Patriots’ need, with 1 not a need and 5 being ugent:

Continue reading "Draft Evaluation: Wide Receivers/Tight Ends"

In anticipation of the NFL Draft, each position will be evaluated for the team's need at that position. Each position will be rated for their need, with 1 being not a need and 5 being ugent:

Continue reading "Draft Profile: Runningback"

It's a move that could change New England's approach to the draft. Yesterday the Patriots signed DT Damione Lewis. the 6-2 301-pound Lewis is expected to be a reserve at nose tackle and defensive end.

Continue reading "New Line of Thnking?"

I watched every game, analyzed the statistics a few times, and tracked the free agent signings. I believe in my conclusions about the Patriots’ needs.

 

So what did my evaluations tell me? I’ll break it down position by position with a scale measuring the need, with 1 being not a need and 5 being ugent:

Continue reading "Position by Position"

Because I’ve been immersed in my mock draft and inspired to write a few articles, I haven’t posted for a while. During this time, a lot of news regarding the Patriots crossed the news wire. I should had said a little something about every bit of news, but I was distracted.

Continue reading "Steps Behind"

Okay, after I posted that we haven't done anything in free agency, we made a little splash!

Offense:

It was no secret that we were going to release DA; it was just a matter of time. If the Browns would have kept him, they would have owed him bonus money. Also, I wish we would have gotten more for Brady Quinn. Peyton Hillis, FB, is a nice player, but how does he fit in our backfield? Furthermore, who will start at QB? If money talks, free agent, Jake Delhomme, will start over Seneca Wallace, who we got from Seattle in a trade. Delhomme spent two years in a West Coast Offense, while Wallace has six years of experience--all with Mike Holmgren.

Continue reading ""

I've been listening to the podcasts at MoveTheSticks.com where former scout Daniel Jeremiah gives a lot of good inside info about NFL scouting. In the latest installment Jeremiah talked about linebackers and what goes into scouting them for the transition to the pro game. Having worked in Baltimore and Cleveland, Jeremiah is familiar with both the Mike Nolan/Rex Ryan 3-4 as well as the Bill Belichick/Romeo Crennel 3-4.

Continue reading "Adalius Thomas: A Blitzer, Not a Rusher"

With this Chicago Bears offseason full of activity, there's been plenty to debate. This week is no different with news about the NFL overtime and two defensive mainstays being shown the door.

Continue reading "Chicago Bears Weekly Wrap-up"

By now you're probably reaching the saturation point for draft coverage and good news, we've still got a whole month to go. As we saw a couple days ago with the conflicting reports regarding Tim Tebow wanting to say a pre-Wonderlic prayer and being shot down with a firm STFU, we're reaching the point where alot of misinformation is being released. I have little doubt the Tebow story was exaggerated by a team hoping to see him fall to them on draft day. Because no one wants a prayer-leading rookie who doesn't know when to shut up on their team, right?

Continue reading "Four Different Ways the Patriots ..."

With a gaping hole at tight end, the Patriots decided not to wait until the draft to begin addressing the problem. They signed four-time Pro Bowler Alge Crumpler from Tennessee.

 

Unfortunately this is a signing that sounds better than it actually is. The 32-year-old Crumpler is three years from his last Pro Bowl season in 2006. Since then his receiving yards have steadily dropped year after year. Today Crumpler is a blocking TE with receiving skills well beyond the average blocking tight end.

Continue reading "A Block of Alge"

Shopping for free agents in the NFL is not much different from shopping for groceries at the grocery store.  You must make your grocery list based on what you need, while keeping an eye out for great deals.  You want to avoid overpaying for something that you either don’t need or won’t be satisfied with.  You need to keep you eye out for dropping prices.  It is also essential that you stay away from flawed products that have disappointed in the past.  These are all keys to being a smart shopper in the NFL free agent market. 

Continue reading "Let's Go (Free Agent) Shopping!"

The three months in between the end of the season and the draft always seem to drag out until you've done so much  research and seen so many mock drafts you tend to get attached to certain guys and lose sight of who the best player for your draft slot really is.

Continue reading "Odrick Isn't Seymour"

While the current tally for New England during free agency doesn’t include DE Julius Peppers or WR Anquan Boldin, I’d say the Pats are having a decent off-season. The only free agent they signed, LB Marques Murrell, isn’t a marquee free agent. But the Patriots had success keeping their free agents.

Continue reading "Can't Keep Them All"

I came upon a website today that breaks down every play of the NFL season and awards grades to each player accordingly: www.profootballfocus.com. What you get is an expansive database, with hard numerical data ranking player performance. While fans never get to break down the game film or know exactly how the coaches are grading out the players, this is a good resource with some really interesting stuff. I won't challenge their method or their football credentials, rather I looked at each player on the 2009 Patriots defense and found their season rankings. Here's the list from best to worst:

Continue reading "Pro Football Focus' Rankings of the ..."

Many Patriots fans seem to still be under the delusion that their defense is a mere pass rusher away from returning to an elite, Super Bowl-caliber squad. The reality is that the Patriots defense began a full on rebuild in 2009, making the AFC East title they won even more impressive considering it was done with such a young and inconsistent defense.

Continue reading "ReBuilding The New England Patriots Defense"

Free Agency just started on Friday, and the Jets and Dolphins have both made significant moves while the Patriots have stuck to signing their own guys, and it's become a popular article around the interwebs whether these moves have dethroned New England as the AFC East favorites.

Continue reading "And on the 4th Day of Free Agency ..."

As soon as I turned off my laptop and turned on my tv, I learned the Patriots reached an agreement with OG Stephen Neal. While not an elite player at his position, he's been solid for the Pats for years at right guard. Now New England has to get Logan Mankins signed.

Continue reading "Quick Update"

So, free agency began last Thursday, and we signed no one.

Defensively, what are our needs? Many believe that we need a safety, a cornerback, and a linebacker who could put some pressure on the QB. So, what was or is out there?

Continue reading "Cleveland Browns: Free Agency Begins..."

As I tweeted during the opening hour of NFL free agency: "I'm not sure who's in the Bears front office right now, but I like him." A day and a half later, I stand by that statement. My Chicago Bears ended up going "hog wild" in free agency after all, signing defensive end Julius Peppers, running back Chester Taylor and tight end Brandon Manumaleuna on Friday.

Continue reading "Bears open their wallets to sign ..."

Most fans dream of the free agents the Patriots can sign when open season starts. Usually those dreams don’t include the team’s free agents.

 

On an active opening day to free agency, the Patriots decided to take care of their own instead of shopping for new arrivals. They first re-signed OLB Tully Banta-Cain and later reached an agreement with NT Vince Wilfork.

Continue reading "Home Takes Priority"

The New York Jets acquired San Diego Chargers cornerback Antonio Cromartie in exchange for a third-round pick in the 2011 draft Thursday evening. 

In order to make room for Cromartie, the Jets released disappointing cornerback Lito Sheppard. 

Continue reading "On March 4, the New York Jets managed ..."

Not even an hour into NFL free agency, ESPN's Adam Schefter is reporting that big fish defensive end Julius Peppers and highly touted running back Chester Taylor will both visit the Chicago Bears on Friday. Brad Biggs is also reporting that tight end Brandon Manumaleuna will also pay a visit.

Continue reading "Peppers, Taylor and Manumaleuna visiting ..."

With less than five hours before free agency begins, let me get a few thoughts out of my mind:

 

Be sure to sign the Leigh Bodden thank-you card. He’s not coming back. He’s the second-best corner back available in free agency after Houston’s Dunta Robinson. It shouldn’t take him long to find an offer that he can’t pass up. His gamble to sign a one year deal with a promise from the Patriots that they wouldn’t franchise him will pay off. He erased his years with Detroit, including the 0-16 season, from everyone’s mind. Wish you luck at your next career stop, Leigh, as long as it’s not with an AFC East team.

Continue reading "Hours Away"

 

With NFL free agency kicking off at midnight on Thursday, the Chicago Bears need to make a huge splash. They have no first or second-round draft picks to spend money on and a salary cap-less year on the horizon, priming them to be major players in free agency for the first time I can remember. I'll take a look at a few positions and players the Bears should be targeting in free agency.

Continue reading "Free Agency Preview: Chicago Bears"

Okay, so I’m not reallyat the 28th annual NFL scouting combine but it sure feels like I am.  With the great live coverage of the event on NFL.com as well as the NFL network, I feel like a real pro scout.  I’ve also been very impressed with my ability to predict the unofficial 40 times of the athletes as they cross the finish line, but that is neither here nor there.  You want to know what can really be taken away from this year’s pre-draft extravaganza, don’t you?  Well let me give you my take on a few of the happenings over the last few days. 

Continue reading "Observations from the Combie"

The 2010 NFL Draft will commence on Thursday, April 22, at Radio City Music Hall in New York City. 

In tribute to the upcoming draft, below are the five best  number one overall selections made by franchises over the course of the past quarter-century.  

Continue reading "The Five Best NFL First Overall NFL Draft Picks"

It’s been a cold week for NFL runningbacks. After years of service, both San Diego’s LaDanian Tomlinson and Philadelphia’s Brian Westbrook were unceremoniously cut by their respective teams.

Continue reading "Remembering Mosi"