NFL Jabber 6/10/07

So Chad Johnson ran a race with a horse...and won. A feat that Cris Collensworth could not pull off in 1993.

"Floyd Mayweather, you're next," Johnson said. "I want to fight you. I'd like to take Kobe and LeBron one-on-one. Jeff Gordon, we can take a couple laps. ... Now it's my time to take over the race world."

The Jon Kitna is sweet on the new kid in school.

"No question," quarterback Jon Kitna said after Friday's practice at DetroitRenaissanceHigh School. "The kid is as good as everybody said he was, or better. Every play was designed for Calvin," Kitna said. "He handled it great. He seems to be fine. He's the first one on the field. He takes care of his body."

Drew Brees is Batman. He will be doing a good deed in your town soon.

With the additions of Randy McMichael and Drew Bennett, the St. Louis media is starting to hype the O, comparing to the "Greatest Show on Turf." Could have been fueled by Steven Jackson saying he wants to get 2500 total yards this season.

The players in San Diego are getting giddy with Norv Turner's Offense.

Technorati : bengals, calvin johnson, chad johnson, chargers, drew Brees, football, jail, lions, nfl, offense, rams, saints, sports
Ice Rocket : bengals, calvin johnson, chad johnson, chargers, drew Brees, football, jail, lions, nfl, offense, rams, saints, sports

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NFL Jabber 5/29/07

The "Left" Conspiracy and Michael Vick from Pacifist Viking.

Joey Harrington and his wife love Atlanta. Who could be leaving those dog fight schedules in Mike Vick's locker?

Mike Nolan's first draft class led the way in 2006.

Shawne Merriman "The Best?" Len Pastabelly thinks he is the guy to start a franchise with of all NFL players.

Cam Cameron wants to remind everyone that they used the #9 pick on a kick returned and not a WR as they await the arrival of Ted Ginn Jr.

"He's allowed to have playbooks and that kind of stuff," Cameron said. "He's coming here as a returner first. He'll need to do a lot of studying for that. And then a receiver and he'll learn. Like I said, we've been through this with other guys."

Chris Chambers is ready to get back at it this year after a bomb of a year in 2006.  

"There were so many things -- you just can't pinpoint one or two,'' Chambers said after a weekend workout at the Dolphins' practice facility. ``But there was no chemistry. Nothing really ever connected. I've had a pretty good career until this point. I know I'm not coming off my best season. But with some of these changes, I'm going to be able to get back to doing what I normally do.''

Kevin Walter seems to have the #2 WR job in Houston.

Randy Hill at Fox Sports has his list of impact rookies.

Technorati : 49'ers, cameron, chambers, chargers, dolphins, espn, falcons, football, fox, ginn, nfl, nolan, pacifist viking, randy hill, sports, texans, vick, walter

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NFL Jabber 5/8/07

Philip Rivers and Norv Turner seem to have a mutual man-crush on each other.

“After being on the field, I'm even more excited,” Rivers said following one of Saturday's workouts. “We think a lot alike. He's just a ball coach. He just coaches guys. He's just out there.

“It's my style – just take it and throw it to him. Yeah, all the technique is there, and it gets coached up, but it's a real simple approach. That's how I've always played.”

Although not a glamorous pick, the Browns Joe Thomas fills a long time need on the O-line.

Jamarcus Russell is pleasing Lane Kiffen in Oakland.

"We're pleased where he's at and as soon as we can get him back here, we've got a lot of work to do with him,'' Kiffin said.

The Colts have given the boot to LB Gilbert Gardner.

Trent Green is still awaiting his fate in Kansas City.

Lovie Smith waits along with the rest of the football world to see if Lance Briggs will show for minicamp in two weeks.

"I have no idea," Smith said at the conclusion of the weekend's rookie mini-camp. "That's the first thing we've done that's mandatory, so I assume he'll be there. But if not, we'll go from there."

tag: nfl, trade, football, sports, chargers, bears, chiefs, dolphins, raiders, browns, colts,jamarcus russell, trent green, lance briggs, philip rivers, joe thomas

NFL Jabber 4/28/07-Draft Day

The best move for the Lions could be to grab Calvin Johnson if he is there at #2 and look for teams to make offers that want him. Worst thing that could happen is they end up with the best player in the draft.

It's reported the 49'ers are close to a deal for Seahawks WR Darrell Jackson.

The Titans are kicking up the effort to snag Chargers RB Michael Turner today.

"On Friday the Titans and Chargers discussed scenarios including a swap of first-round picks today, with the Titans also giving up a fourth-round pick. The Titans are scheduled to pick 19th overall, the Chargers 30th.

But the Titans might have competition for Turner. ESPN reported an unidentified team offered San Diego a first-round pick in the 2008 draft, and that the Chargers thought it was an acceptable offer."

Unless that trade for Lance Briggs goes through, the Redskins are expected to stay where they are at #6, which is a pretty good spot to be in considering their needs.

The Cowboys seem content where they are but are in a good position to make a move up or down.

The Seahawks are looking at going "Best Player Available" today. "

How he plays on Saturdays, how he performs in big games, how he performs against higher-level competition, that is really what matters most," vice president of player personnel Ruston Webster said this week. "The guy's résumé is the film."

The trade talks of Kris Jenkins going from the Panthers to the Rams looks like it will come down to the wire if it happens on draft day.

The Lions are in a great position to stay where they are or move back. either way, they will get a player that can make an immediate impact.

Dolphins GM Randy Mueller will move up to get Brady Quinn or back if he is gone according to Armando Salguero of The Miami Herald.

The Vikings are picking at #7 for the fourth time in six years.

Because of the breakout season by Saints WR Marques Colston, the later rounds may be found more interesting for some people this weekend. Common headlines this year have included "Small School Sleepers."

The Texans are looking for immediate help and shouldn't have a problem getting it where they sit.

tag: nfl, draft, trade, football, vikings, saints, texans, dolphins, panthers, rams, lions, seahawks, cowboys, redskins, bears, chargers, titans, 49'ers, calvin johnson, michael turner, darrell jackson, lance briggs, kris jenkins, brady quinn, marques colston

If I could watch one game a week Part I

Ahhh, the NFL schedule release. The time when we football fans can visualize the upcoming season...almost touch that it's real. So as the mandatory move of anyone who puts sports print on the net I'm going to go through and list my "must see" games. If I could watch one game per week (that is not just my team) these would be the games at this point. If I had to set my DVR now, this would be the list...


Week 1


The Super Bowl that should have been. The Saints will head north to face the defending Champion Colts. This game is likely going to be the hardest game of the season for the Saints. I say likely because I don't like the look of going to Chicago in week 17...brrrr.

Anyway, you have the Super Bowl Champions playing their first home game against the team that everyone wanted to see succeed last year, (If you didn't your a Falcon, Buc, Panther, fan or just plain evil.) Time for the Saints to show if they are for real or not and they have the national stage in the first game of the season.

My early pick: As much as I would like to see the Saints win, it's not often the Colts start the season with a loss. Colts




Week 2


San Diego and New England ended on a sour note in the playoffs. You know things are bad when the soft spoken class act LT says that your classless you should step back and take a look at yourself. Here is the chance for the Chargers to show if they can get mean.

Another interesting thing to watch here is how all the offseason moves of the Patriots translates to the field.

My early pick: Chargers...want to see them win, think they will win.




Week 3

Reggie Bush vs. Vince Young. Texans fans have to cringe watching this game. The two that got away. This game has excitement written all over it. These two have faced off in the Heisman race, NCAA Championship and now the NFL stage.

The Titans had some momentum rolling at the end of 2006. By now, three weeks in to the season we will have an idea if they still have it going.

My early pick: Saints will have too much for the Titans D.



Week 4
Seattle at San Francisco

This isn't the most attractive game on the schedule. The reason I have this as my game to watch is because I feel that the 49'ers are going to make the move to unseat the Seahawks as the sure thing in the NFC West.

This game can be telling as to which way the NFC West begins to take shape.

My early pick: I'm going to say that the Niners may not win the division but are going to start people taking by taking this game.


tag: nfl, football, sports, saints, colts, chargers, patriots, 49'ers, seahawks, titans, schedule

NFL Jabber 4/5/07

There is more and more talk of the Raiders taking Calvin Johnson with the #1 pick. Peter King at SI.com throws out the scenario that this blogger suggested sometime ago. Take Johnson #1 and Drew Stanton at the top of round two.

Michael Turner's visit with the Bills was postponed. Said to be an airline problem. Could it be things are heating up with the Titans? Was there a Wizzinator involved? A trap door in a water bottle? Likely lost luggage...

Ten run-ins with the law later Pacman sucks up to the Titans.

"Whatever the punishment is, I am going to be a man and I am going to take responsibilities and own up,'' Jones said. "Hopefully it won't be that long or nothing that could jeopardize my career."

"I have put myself in some bad situations as far as picking my places where to go and picking who to take with me, so I take total responsibility for that,'' Jones said. "But you live and you learn and if it keeps on happening, then you can point the finger and be like, 'Well, he still ain't learning.' … Trust me, I have hit the wall.''

The other NFL bad boy, Chris Henry isn't expected to get as big of a smack.

In the year 2007 it is still headline news when a woman gets a big gig. The Packers appointed Viki Vannieuwenhoven (say that one time fast) is the new VP.

tag: nfl, draft, free agency, trade, football, sports, raiders, bills, titans, chargers, bengals, packers, calvin johnson, drew stanton, michael turner, pacman jones, chris henry, viki vannieuwenhoven

NFL Jabber 4/4/07

So the pissing match with the Redskins and Bears over Lance Briggs continues. The Skins shot down the Bears counter offer. First the Skin offered to swap 1st rounders (Bears get 6th for 31st) and Skins get Briggs. The Bears counter and want LB Rocky McIntosh too because he has such a cool name...Skins say no way. I'm not thinking they are done yet, stay tuned...


Like watching hot, sweaty, competitive women? The Charger Girls auditions would have been the place for you. More than 400 showed up for 28 spots.


Top news in Dallas is that Terrell Owens is going to join the rest of the team in learning the new offense this season.

Brodie Croyel is set to get started on winning the Chiefs QB job.

“It makes you even more eager and more excited about what’s fixing to happen,” Croyle said. “They’re not guaranteeing me anything. They’ve just said they’re going to give me a shot. If I’m ready to go, I’m ready to go. My whole thought is that I’m going to be ready to go and have the best offseason and minicamp and training camp I can possibly have. I want to give them no reason to think anything but that I’m ready to go.”

Speaking of QB's ready to go with a new job, Matt Schaub is going to start playing catch with Andre Johnson in Houston today. The two have already began to form the QB/WR bond and Johnson already seems sweet on Schaub.

"Just from looking at him and looking at the way he walks around the locker room and things like that, you can tell he's a leader," Pro Bowl receiver Andre Johnson said. "That's something you want to have at the quarterback position."

tag: nfl, football, trade, sports, texans, chiefs, cowboys, chargers, bears, redskins, babes, cheerleaders, lance briggs, rocky mcintosh, terrell owens, brodie croyel, andre johnson, matt schaub

NFL Jabber 3/31/07

Michael Turner is on the list of some teams for RB. The Packers and Bills have been mentioned. Now the Titans are showing interest. The Chargers may get a hell of a payday for their backup RB.

Kevin Faulk has no doubt that he and Lawrence Maroney can carry the load in New England.

"If he has to take more of the load, there is no doubt in my mind he can do it," Faulk said of Maroney, who had offseason shoulder surgery. "The thing about it is that he wants to be that guy for you. He is a competitor.

"Change happens all the time, but I don't see the group being different. Sammy seems like a great guy, so the thing will be finding how we all fit in, seeing what our niche will be as a running back group."

Pete Prisco has JaMarcus Russell at #20 on his list of draft prospects.

Have to chuckle at the response Tommie Harris gave when asked about Lance Briggs. I know reporters have to ask what is going on with the hot topic but come on...go to the source.

"I have talked to Lance, and Lance is doing fine," Harris said during the start of this weekend's Bears Fan Convention. "Lance is downstairs if you guys want to talk to him."

Keeping their backfield stocked, the Jags have re-signed LaBrandon Toefield.

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tag: nfl, draft, free agency, football, sports, patriots, bears, packers, bills, chargers, jaguars, kevin faulk, lawrence maroney, michael turner, pete prisco, jamarcus russell, tommy harris, lance briggs

PFT TURD WATCH Update

What's missing from this picture? The NFC East has goose eggs all around! Keeping with the East Coast theme...the AFC East would have a score of Zero as well if Joey Porter could handle losing at Black Jack better.

To get a list of the Police Beat click HERE to go to PFT.

clipped from www.profootballtalk.com PFT TURD WATCH LAST UPDATED: MARCH 27, 2007 STANDINGS AFC EAST Miami 3 AFC NORTH Cincinnati 14 Pittsburgh 3 AFC South Tennessee 30 Jacksonville 20 Indianapolis 6 AFC WEST Oakland 7 Denver 6 San Diego 2 Kansas City 1 NFC North Chicago 1 NFC South New Orleans 10 Atlanta 7 Carolina 6 NFC West St. Louis 3 Arizona 3 ABOUT TURD WATCH Turd Watch is a device for tracking and publicizing player arrests and convictions. Though some might find the name to be unpleasant, NFL scouts, coaches, players, and agents commonly use the term "turd" in reference to guys who are, well, turds.

tag: nfl, sports, football, dolphins, bengals, steelers, titans, jaguars, colts, raiders, broncos, chargers, chiefs, bears, saints, falcons, panthers, rams, cardinals, police, turd, watch, pro football talk

Why We Look the Otherway

I clipped this one for a couple reasons. First, I think that's a really cool picture below. And B, I enjoy Chuck's writing since reading Fargo Rock City.

The article is going to be in ESPN Magazine so it's lengthy but a good read. Give it a click and check it out.

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tag: nfl, football, sports, chargers, steriods, drugs, shawn merriman, jerry rice, espn magazine

clipped from sports.espn.go.com Where's The Rage? clipped from sports.espn.go.com By Chuck Klosterman ESPN The Magazine This article appears in the March 26 issue of ESPN The Magazine Shawne Merriman weighs 272 pounds. This is six pounds less than Anthony Muñoz, probably the most dominating left tackle of all time. Shawne Merriman also runs the 40-yard dash in 4.61 seconds. When Jerry Rice attended the NFL draft combine in 1985, he reportedly ran a 4.60; Rice would go on to gain more than 23,000 all-purpose yards while scoring 207 career touchdowns. You do not need Mel Kiper's hard drive to deduce what these numbers mean: As an outside linebacker, Shawne Merriman is almost as big as the best offensive tackle who ever played and almost as fast as the best wide receiver who ever played. He is a rhinoceros who moves like a deer. Common sense suggests this combination should not be possible. It isn't.

NFL Jabber 3/16/07

In an unusual situation, the Bucs are going to meet today with Saints franchise player, DE Charles Grant.

Speaking of Saints, they are moving in on selling out 137 luxury boxes and 68,000 season tickets for the first time in team history.

"We are extremely appreciative of the support we received from fans and local businesses last season and are very encouraged with the response so far in 2007," said Rita Benson LeBlanc, the Saints' owner and executive vice president of administration. "We are hard at work to make sure the Saints are successful, both on and off the field, and look forward to announcing any team milestones when they are achieved."

Georgia Tech WR Calvin Johnson put on a show at his "pro day" workout. 75 scouts showed up to take it in. "Whatever they wanted to see," said Johnson, "I think I showed them."



The Chargers put on a fashion show to display the new uni's.

The Eagles landed WR Kevin Curtis.

Tank Johnson got 4 months for violating his probation.

Rumors fly about the Jets trading away Jonathan Vilma.

Chiefs gave a four-year deal to DT Ron Edwards.

Dolphins kicker, Olindo Mare doesn't know that people don't care about kickers feelings.

Marcus Pollard says he doesn't "feel" 35. Maybe because he played flag football in college instead of getting hit?

"I played flag football at Bradley," said Pollard, who had been a tight end and defensive end in high school. "I was the most famous flag football player in the world."

Forget about the Rams losing Shaun McDonald and Kevin Curtis. The air show will be just fine with the addition of Drew Bennett and Randy McMichael.

Adam Schien at Foxsports.com feels that this season is a tryout for Mike Vick with the new staff in town.

The Browns keep on going by signing Robaire Smith to a four-year deal.

Jerry Jones doesn't feel that the Cowboys have any needs going into the draft.

"I don't think we're locked in at any position to come out with," Jones said. "I can see us going secondary, offensive line, whole gamut, and maybe even a young quarterback."

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tag: nfl, draft, free agency, football, sports, browns, texans, eagles, vikings, rams, dolphins, bears, jets, cowboys, chargers, georgia tech, saints, bucs, calvin johnson, tank johnson, jail, charles grant, uniforms, chiefs, adam schein, jerry jones

Sneak Peak of Chargers New Uniforms

PFT has the following story listed on their website. Never seen powder blue look so mean. Not a bad move and they really do have a nice mix of the older and recent uniforms.

clipped from www.profootballtalk.com ANOTHER SNEAK PEEK AT THE CHARGERS UNIS A glitch in the Chargers' official web site last week allowed an image of the team's new home jersey and logo to be leaked onto the Internet. The next day, the team unveiled the new home jersey early, acknowledging that its hand had been forced by the computer error. The official date for pulling the curtain off of the new togs is Wednesday, March 14. But, on Monday, new images of the full home uniform -- and the new/old powder blue alternate uni -- surfaced, apparently after the images were loaded onto a live page that snoopers located by typing in the correct address. Here they are: Apparently, the Chargers will wear the new uniforms at six homes games per year and the new/old powder blues twice per year. So why not go powder blue full time? Well, that would leave Chargers fans with a maximum of only two jerseys styles to purchase, instead of three.

Ernie "Big Cat" Ladd/1938-2007

When I read the headlines of Ernie "Big Cat" Ladd dieing, I have to admit I don't think of his football career. Ladd played in the early sixties before I was born. No, I thought of Ernie Ladd the Pro Wrestler. When I was a youngster I was a big wrestling buff. Back when it wasn't so outlandish that a person may actually think it was real. Well, at least a 6th grader.

A majority of Ladd's wrestling career was before my time as well but I was into the history of the "sport" as well so I was well aware of his past achievements. The long list includes two separate "Brass Knuckles" championships among other titles.


The dude was just scary looking, perfect for a wrestling villain. I mean when you put this scary character in the ring against the most Plain Jane wrestling champion of all time, Bob Backlund, you have to think there is no way the champ can pull it off. Which looking back on it now, Backlund was such an amazing champion because the script could call for him beating a guy that is 6'9", 325 with a size 18D shoe.



On the football field he brought real fear to opponents.

Boston Patriots center Jon Morris once said Ladd was so big he blocked out the sun: “It was dark. I couldn't see the linebackers. I couldn’t see the goalposts. It was like being locked in a closet.”

“He was second to none,” said Paul Lowe, a Chargers contemporary as the club's stellar running back. “No one could block him when he wanted to really play, and he was a motivator for the defense. He would growl at you and talk bad to you. That was 'Red.' That was his nickname to us.”

Ernie Ladd lost his battle with cancer, dieing at age 68. Here's to ya Big Cat!

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tag: nfl, football, chargers, chiefs, pro, wrestling, erine ladd, wwf

Chiefs Get Stud LB in Edwards

Donnie Edwards is just plain a stud. The guy is a monster. One who has wanted out of San Diego for a while and now is getting his wish. He stays in the AFC West and now gets to chase the ultimate stud in former teammate LT.

TINO's Bloghouse
tag: nfl, free, agent, free agency, chargers, afc, chiefs

clipped from sports.espn.go.com Chiefs land veteran LB Edwards By Len Pasquarelli ESPN.com Veteran linebacker Donnie Edwards, who wore out his welcome in San Diego despite being one of the Chargers' most productive defenders, is being welcomed back by the team with which he began his NFL career. One of the more sought after defenders remaining in the unrestricted free agent pool, Edwards on Saturday reached agreement with the Kansas City Chiefs on a three-year contract worth about $14 million. Edwards, 33, is the second standout linebacker added by the Chiefs in recent days. Last week, Kansas City signed unrestricted free agent Napoleon Harris to a six-year contract. Clearly, coach Herm Edwards is determined to overhaul his linebacker corps in the offseason, after a 2006 campaign in which the Chiefs' defense statistically ranked 16th in the league.