NFL Jabber 4/8/07

Go figure. Barry Sanders says that you need to build a team with the O-Line. Maybe if that advice was taken years ago he would have kept playing.

"I don't know that much about who we have right now," Sanders said in a telephone interview the other day. "I've always liked just football players -- guys who are football; players with overwhelming physical talent, in most cases.

"Obviously, there are some exceptions. The game, it's not an easy game, but I think some of the concepts are pretty obvious, especially on the professional level. You have to have some kind of protection. The guys on defense up front are just too fast and too strong and too good not to have a good, solid offensive line.

"I think, every year, when you look in the playoffs and Super Bowl, that fact is made even more obvious. You always have to shore up your line of scrimmage."

Lincoln Kennedy is using the Arena Football League to gear up for a potential NFL comeback. I have wondered what his motive was for going to the AFL rather than shooting straight to the NFL.

"When I put my mind toward something, I like to see it through," Kennedy said in a phone interview Thursday. "When I came into the league, my goal was to play 12 years. I burned out after my 11th year. Staying near the game in the media helped me stay surrounded by the sport, and when my body started feeling better, I decided I wanted to go back and get that 12th year."

Jon Akerman of NBCsports.com feels that the #11 pick is the best to land a star player. He pegs the worst spot as #6.

So apparently the Raiders are in talks with the Lions about a trade for Josh McCown.

tag: nfl, free agency, trade, football, sports, lions, raiders, barry sanders, lincoln kennedy, josh mccown, arena, afl

Another Former NFL Backup QB to Start in AFL

Rohan Davey is the latest former NFL player to continue with the love of the game starting in the Arena League.

“I learned from guys like Tom Brady and coach Bill Belichick that preparation is the key,” said Davey. “The more you prepare, the more you know about the other team and their tendencies. I’ll know more about the coverage and where I should put the football. It puts you in a better position to win the football game.”

clipped from www.arenafootball.com Dragons name Rohan Davey as starter Courtesy: New York Dragons New York Dragons head coach Weylan Harding has named Rohan Davey his starting quarterback for Sunday’s game in Chicago and for the foreseeable future. The 6-2, 240-pound Davey has two Super Bowl rings from three seasons as the New England Patriots’ backup quarterback to Tom Brady from 2002-2004. From 2005-2006 Davey was on the roster of the Arizona Cardinals. This is Davey’s first season in the Arena Football League. He started the second half in the Dragons’ season-opening loss to Dallas on March 4 and was 12-22 with 131 yards and a fourth-quarter touchdown pass to Mike Horacek.

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tag: arena, nfl, patriots, football

7 Points in an Arena game?

Alot of regular football fans balk at the Arena league, one of the reasons being the "unrealistic" high scoring. (I want to add here that it IS realistic for Arena football...that's what it is...Arena football).

Laughing stock of a league that gets laughed at. That is what the New York Dragons are in week one.

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TAGS: arena, afl, new york, dragons, dallas, desperados

clipped from www.arenafootball.com

Desperados crush Dragons, 60-7

Courtesy: Arena Football League

“This will never happen again,” said Dragons head coach Weylan Harding. “I’m confident about that. It was a hard lesson and we learned early. We’re going to have to fight. Any loss is frustrating, but I’m more than confident that the next time we face them we will be a different group. We’re going to work harder, make a couple of changes and correct the mistakes.”

ESPN and the AFL

I'm glad to see they are putting some work into their association with the Arena League. This can be huge for the league if ESPN viewers will give it a chance. Best quote from the article, "The AFL hasn't tried to be the NFL." I think alot of people don't give it a chance because they think that the Arena League IS trying to be the NFL.

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clipped from www.dfw.com

ESPN idea for AFL is 'Brilliant!'

RAY BUCK

ESPN is taking seriously its new contract to telecast Arena Football League games through 2011.

The 24/7, all-sports network conglomerate has picked Mike Greenberg and Mike Golic, of the popular Mike & Mike in the Morning ESPN radio show and ESPN2 simulcast, to be its No. 1 broadcast team of AFL games this season.

Sports radio's "Odd Couple" in the TV booth for the top AFL game of week is "Brilliant!" - except that ad campaign has been taken.

The AFL hasn't tried to be the NFL. Smart move.

Said senior executive Jay Rothman: "Mike and Mike have unbelievable chemistry. They're a fun listen. We weren't looking for the traditional play-by-play/analyst [booth]."

So far, mission accomplished.

Former NFL Stars Suiting Up in the Arena League

With the Arena season kicking off this weekend there are some names that NFL fans would recognize suiting up. Although it is common for alot of practice squad guys to give the Arena League a shot, some of these name surprised me. Here are some former NFL players that will be playing on the short field this year.

Shaun King-Shaun King led the Tampa Bay Bucs to the NFC Championship in his rookie season in the NFL. now he is going to be playing for the Las Vegas Gladiators.

Peter Warrick-4th overall pick in 2000 by the Bengals, Warrick joins King in Vegas.

Lincoln Kennedy-Pro Bowl lineman surprised me when he signed to play with the Dallas Desperados.

Troy Edwards-13the overall pick in 1999 by the Steelers, Edwards signed to play for the Grand Rapids Rampage.

Adrian McPherson-He couldn't avoid a mascot on a full sized field and now is going to be on a smaller one. My first exposure to McPherson was when he was the rookie of the year with Indian a few years back. Now he is starting for the Austin Wranglers.

Micheal Bishop-Not a big name in the NFL when he was a backup in New England but he is one of the premiere QB's in the Arena League. He returns to the Kansas area to play for the Kansas City Brigade.

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TINO's Friggen Football Links

A links page has been added to TINO. Tons of football links and NFL Mock Draft links are now at your disposal. CLICK HERE to check them out.

Arena League Set to Kickoff!

Yes, the NFL's ugly little sister is back. The Arena Football League is getting set to start it's 2007 season on March 4th on ABC. The opening cerimonies will feature a duet with Philadelphia Soul Co-owner Jon Bon Jovi and country guys Big and Rich.

“Jon Bon Jovi has become a symbol of Arena Football, and his band remains one of the most popular on the planet, so it’s only fitting that their music be part of ESPN’s presentation of the AFL this season,” said Norby Williamson, executive vice president, studio and remote production, ESPN.

Bon Jovi added: “I couldn't be happier that our song is kicking off ESPN’s AFL games this season. My passion for the game is no secret, and this song conveys the passion and energy that the players and fans put forth every game.”

I love this game. NBC and now ESPN/ABC have done alot to bring it into the mainstream. When The Quad City Steamwheelers of the AF2 were brought into my area I fell in love with the game. I'm a football fan, I take what I can get. When I moved further north I still trekked to Moline to catch the games on a summer night. Tailgating outside The Mark of the Quad Cities on the Mississippi River. Bands playing, food and beer everywhere. Fun for the whole family.

When I moved to Austin, TX I began going to the Wrangler games, upgrading my viewing to the AFL. It amazes me how the game is so affordable. For $15 you can get a cheap seat and some food.

The game still does not get the respect it deserves. I don't care if it becomes huge, I just think that real football fans should give it a chance if they haven't. you may be surprised. It's much better than what you see on the TV. Especially if you have kids. There is plenty going on between plays and periods. Fans are often taken onto the field to participate in contests, both fun and embarrassing. My old boss and his buddies even had a reoccurring gig dancing with the Wrangler Girls.

If you have not given it a try, watch a game this weekend. If you have the luxury of a team near you, take the kids or some buddies (your experience will vary on who is with you-both good times though) and put down a couple bucks on some tickets.

Welcome to the Bloghouse!

Come on in! This is the first post here for the new Bloghouse. Let me introduce myself. I'm Lee and what I do here is take a look around the world of football to see what's happening, what makes me laugh and what ticks me off.

The Bloghouse turned a year-old this week but this is the first post here. to check out some of the old Bloghouse content, CLICK HERE.

There is no guy named Tino. That is short for There is No Offseason, our Football Fansite. The site just turned a year old (as you can see with the young ladies on the below). We are in the process of revamping the home page so if you check it out look past that please.

Things you will find at TINO...
***A group of knowledgeable guys who love the game.
***The Forums. Forums are free so just sign up! Of course this covers football but you will also just have guys hanging out talking about whatever comes to mind. We nominate and vote for the TINO Cheerleader of the Year and currently have the 2007 Tournament of Babes voting going on. If interested you can jump in on these at anytime.
***The Bloghouse: A daily (when possible) blog where we take a look at what is going on around the football world and pass it on to you. Filled with football related links.
*** The Sports Bar Directory: Ever travel and not know where to go to catch the game? Our vision is to compile a list of Sports Bars that can help the rabid fan out. As you know, we live in a big country so it's a huge help to have people submit their favorite places.
***Fantasy Games. We currently run a Re-Draft, Dynasty, Dynasty with IDP's Fantasy football leagues based at TINO. We are forming a Auction/Keeper league as you read this so if your interested look for the Auction/Keeper forum in the message boards. For the "offseason" we have our first year of Fantasy NASCAR running to pass the time. We will have a NCAA BB Bracket. During the season we also have NFL Pick'em, NCAA Pick'em, and an NFL Survivor game.


So stick around and enjoy your stay at TINO!