I really don't think that I'll ever understand negotiations. I didn't understand the labor negotiations between the players and the owners last year. I don't understand the labor negotiations between the officials and the NFL this year. In both, the respective parties want the same thing. The players and the officials just want to be on the field. The NFL want both on the field. Just meet in the middle somewhere on all of the sticky particulars. Sounds simple enough. Now, I'm losing my mind over the inability of Directv and the new Pac-12 Network to come to an agreement to televise the Pac-12 games this year. Most of the conference teams start their season this week. People with cable get to see those games. Directv subscribers will not get to see them. The Pac 12 and Directv both want to get this done. Really, they need to get this done as it surely benefits both. Both parties knew that the season starts this week. One would think that they'd make a point of agreeing well before this week. Directv prides themselves on being an extensive sports carrier. They are missing the mark on this one. Especially on the west coast. They are losing customers by the bushel right now. They'd be losing me if I wasn't so dependent on Directv's Sunday Ticket for Minnesota Vikings game. Imagine my dilemma. I hate Directv on Saturday when I can't see Cal games. I love them on Sunday when I'm watching the Vikings. It's a rough time right now.
Just when I don't think that this mess can get any more ridiculous, I hear Directv idiot spokesman Robert Mercer say that with all the channels currently available from Directv that fans should be able to see plenty of Pac-12 games. This guy is clueless. Directv may pride themselves on being an extensive sports carrier but they clearly know little about sports. They clearly know little about the football schedule on their own channels. If fans are to rely on networks other than the Pac-12 Network for Pac-12 games they will see very few games. For example, Cal's game against Ohio St. on Sept. 15 is on ABC. Their game against Washington on Nov.2 is on ESPN2. Those are the only Cal games televised on a network other than the Pac-12 Network. Two games out of twelve does not qualify as plenty. It certainly doesn't qualify as acceptable, Mr Mercer. Clown!
There is no way that this standoff can last. Both parties need each other. Directv is being torn apart in the social media and they are losing customers. They have to see that this needs to end. It's simply irresponsible that it has taken this long. Hopefully, this gets settled soon. Hopefully before Nevada takes the field at Cal's renovated Memorial Stadium tomorrow at noon. Tomorrow at noon!
Friday, August 31, 2012
Thursday, August 30, 2012
Throwback Thursday: Senior Nominees
Defensive tackle Curley Culp and linebacker Dave Robinson were named last week by the Pro Football Hall of Fame's Senior Committee as finalists for election into the Hall of Fame with the Class of 2013. They will join the 15 yet to be named modern-era candidates on the list of finalists from which the Class of 2013 will be selected.
First of all, I have some difficulties with football players from my lifetime being considered senior or pre-modern-era players. It just isn't right. More importantly, the selection committee continues to fail at getting the process right. I have no problem with the Hall of Fame qualifications of Culp and Robinson. They were exceptional football players. I especially applaud the selection of Culp. Not to take anything away from Robinson, I always figured that if another player from Lombardi's Packers made it this far that player would be Jerry Kramer. For years the reason for Kramer's exclusion has always been that there's enough of those Packers in Canton. This is a stupid reason for all sorts of reasons. Still, it kept being tossed out there. Now they bring in a Packer from that era that is not Kramer. I'd find room for both. Both players were that great and so was that team. My main issue with the senior portion of the selection committee is that as long as deserving players from the very early days of the NFL are out there they should concentrate on those players. Lavvie Dilweg, Al Wistert and Mac Speedie have been ignored too long. There are others. There was professional football long before the Super Bowl. Those times seem to be forgotten.
Despite all that, congratulations to Curley Culp and Dave Robinson on fantastic football careers and their selection by the senior committee. And good luck.
First of all, I have some difficulties with football players from my lifetime being considered senior or pre-modern-era players. It just isn't right. More importantly, the selection committee continues to fail at getting the process right. I have no problem with the Hall of Fame qualifications of Culp and Robinson. They were exceptional football players. I especially applaud the selection of Culp. Not to take anything away from Robinson, I always figured that if another player from Lombardi's Packers made it this far that player would be Jerry Kramer. For years the reason for Kramer's exclusion has always been that there's enough of those Packers in Canton. This is a stupid reason for all sorts of reasons. Still, it kept being tossed out there. Now they bring in a Packer from that era that is not Kramer. I'd find room for both. Both players were that great and so was that team. My main issue with the senior portion of the selection committee is that as long as deserving players from the very early days of the NFL are out there they should concentrate on those players. Lavvie Dilweg, Al Wistert and Mac Speedie have been ignored too long. There are others. There was professional football long before the Super Bowl. Those times seem to be forgotten.
Despite all that, congratulations to Curley Culp and Dave Robinson on fantastic football careers and their selection by the senior committee. And good luck.
Wednesday, August 29, 2012
Wilson's Promotion
Everyone expected rookie quarterbacks Andrew Luck and Robert Griffin III to be named starters for their teams. They were pretty much the starters the moment that they were drafted. Many expected fellow rookie Ryan Tannehill to compete and probably win the starting quarterback gig in Miami. Even Brandon Weeden was expected by many to be named the starter in Cleveland. He's a 28-year old rookie. He had to take the reins as soon as possible. All four rookie quarterbacks were taken in the first round of the draft. The hope for all four was for them to start early, preferably immediately. So far it has gone according to plan. All have been named starters. No one expected third round rookie Russell Wilson to be named the starting quarterback for the Seattle Seahawks. Head coach Pete Carroll has named a different starter each year he's been in Seattle. He signed Tarvaris Jackson to be the starter last year. That lasted one year as Jackson was just traded to Buffalo. Matt Flynn was signed this past offseason. The Seahawks outbid at least the Dolphins for Flynn's services. He was supposed to be the starter. Just when you think that the unpredictable Carroll is set with Flynn and Jackson competing for the starting job, the Seahwks draft Wisconsin's Russell Wilson. At the time I was surprised. It seemed a little odd to spend a high pick on a third string quarterback. Instead, Wilson is first string, Flynn second and Jackson is in Buffalo. The Seahawks are heading into the season with a quarterback crew that has two combined starts. It's a gamble.
I like Russell Wilson. I didn't see him play much at North Carolina St. but I saw several of his games after he transferred to Wisconsin. He's bright, athletic, seasoned despite his age, and he simply wins. Pretty much the only knock on Wilson is his 5'11" height. It's always a mistake to ignore a football player simply because he doesn't fit a particular mold. You can find talent in about any shape and size. Russell Wilson is a terrific football player. Each time that I saw him play in college I came away even more impressed. He makes plays and he wins. It's easy to cheer for Wilson. I just hope that Pete Carroll gives him a chance to succeed. He hasn't shown much patience with his quarterbacks.
I like Russell Wilson. I didn't see him play much at North Carolina St. but I saw several of his games after he transferred to Wisconsin. He's bright, athletic, seasoned despite his age, and he simply wins. Pretty much the only knock on Wilson is his 5'11" height. It's always a mistake to ignore a football player simply because he doesn't fit a particular mold. You can find talent in about any shape and size. Russell Wilson is a terrific football player. Each time that I saw him play in college I came away even more impressed. He makes plays and he wins. It's easy to cheer for Wilson. I just hope that Pete Carroll gives him a chance to succeed. He hasn't shown much patience with his quarterbacks.
Tuesday, August 28, 2012
Dez's Rules
Dallas Cowboys receiver Dez Bryant can be a dominant player in the NFL. One of the best. He may never give himself that chance. So far, he's been a disaster off the field. He's often been a little less than a peach on the field too. He's a loose cannon and there's no telling when he might go off. Deion Sanders has been a mentor to a lot of players. Often troubled players. He doesn't give up on anyone. That is until he caught up with Dez Bryant. Sanders was a mentor while Bryant was at Oklahoma St. It wasn't long before Sanders was through with the troubled but talented receiver. Perhaps still regretting passing on Randy Moss in the 1998 NFL Draft, the Dallas Cowboys decided to take a chance on Dez Bryant in the first round of the 2010 Draft. I wonder how they feel about it now. In the hope of protecting their investment and keeping their receiver on the field the Cowboys have given Bryant some rules to live by:
-Midnight curfew. If he's going to miss curfew, team officials must know in advance.
-no drinking alcohol
-He can't attend any strip clubs and can only attend nightclubs that are approved by the team and he has a security team with him.
-He must attend counseling sessions twice a week.
-A rotating three-man security team will leave one man with Bryant at all times.
-Members of the security team will drive Bryant to practices, games and team functions.
When asked if any previous Cowboys players had a set of rules more strict than that of Dez Bryant, Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones had this to offer:
"No, this is not the strictest at all."
This is pretty sad stuff.
-Midnight curfew. If he's going to miss curfew, team officials must know in advance.
-no drinking alcohol
-He can't attend any strip clubs and can only attend nightclubs that are approved by the team and he has a security team with him.
-He must attend counseling sessions twice a week.
-A rotating three-man security team will leave one man with Bryant at all times.
-Members of the security team will drive Bryant to practices, games and team functions.
When asked if any previous Cowboys players had a set of rules more strict than that of Dez Bryant, Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones had this to offer:
"No, this is not the strictest at all."
This is pretty sad stuff.
Monday, August 27, 2012
Irsay's Tweets
Indianapolis Colts owner Jim Irsay is a little nutty. In a good way. Mostly. While I don't particularly care for Twitter I don't mind a bit that Irsay uses it. Often in excess. He's likely the only owner that uses Twitter at all. There's a reason for that. Owners don't really need to dabble in that kind of stuff. Irsay's a little different kind of owner. He's just having fun. Last week he may have gone a little too far when he tweeted that the Colts were real close to completing a big trade. The Twitter world went nuts. Especially Colts fans. Everyone figured that the player to be traded was either Maurice Jones-Drew or Mike Wallace. Two big time players without a contract. Even though Irsay tweeted that the player was a cornerback everyone still focused on Jones-Drew and Wallace. That was the greatest mystery of all. Just another case of selective reading. Almost as mysterious was why Irsay was doing this at all. If the trade fell through Irsay's Twitter antics would be under even greater attack.
The tweeted trade finally went down yesterday. With visions of Wallace and Jones-Drew dancing in the dreams of Colts fans everywhere I wonder if they are disappointed with former Miami Dolphins corner Vontae Davis. They shouldn't be. Irsay said all along that the player was a corner. Davis is very talented. Much like his freakishly talented brother, San Francisco 49ers tight end Vernon Davis, he's been a bit of a pain during the early years of his football career. If he has a similar career path as his brother, Vontae Davis' Colts years should be his best years. Sometimes it just takes a little while for an NFL player to mature properly. For a second round pick and a conditional sixth, this is an excellent trade for the Colts. I just don't think that Jim Irsay had to tell the world about it on Twitter several days early. But it's his team. His call.
The tweeted trade finally went down yesterday. With visions of Wallace and Jones-Drew dancing in the dreams of Colts fans everywhere I wonder if they are disappointed with former Miami Dolphins corner Vontae Davis. They shouldn't be. Irsay said all along that the player was a corner. Davis is very talented. Much like his freakishly talented brother, San Francisco 49ers tight end Vernon Davis, he's been a bit of a pain during the early years of his football career. If he has a similar career path as his brother, Vontae Davis' Colts years should be his best years. Sometimes it just takes a little while for an NFL player to mature properly. For a second round pick and a conditional sixth, this is an excellent trade for the Colts. I just don't think that Jim Irsay had to tell the world about it on Twitter several days early. But it's his team. His call.
Sunday, August 26, 2012
It's Cuttin' Time
This is the worst time of the year for professional football. Roster cuts. Most fans don't care much. The media reports it with blinders. The coaches dread it. The players turning in their playbooks certainly hate it the most.
Teams have until Tuesday to trim their rosters from 90 players to 75. That's 480 players that were professional footbal players last week that are looking for something else this week. Many teams have already started the process. The Minnesota Vikings released 15 players yesterday. There weren't many real surprises in those choices but I thought that rookie free agents Tydreke Powell and Ernest Owusu were playing well. Some of these players could be signed to the practice squads of any of the teams. Although practice squad signings usually come from the last cuts. Those are next weekend when the rosters have to get down to 53. That's another 704 players. 1184 football players that are no longer full time football players. Those last cuts suck the most as the players are so close.
All of these football players walking away from the game (for now) have been busting their ass for months, even years, to make it in the NFL. All have been playing the game for most of their lives. All have been stars at every stop, until now. It's a rough business. Occasionally, a player, for whatever reason, makes it easy to cut them. They don't try, they don't care or they assume a spot should be handed to them because they were a star once. Those clowns are usually discovered much earlier than this. Sometimes a player simply doesn't fit with a team. Being cut could actually give the player the chance to find a team that's a better fit. Those are the good stories. The others aren't so great. This is the toughest time for those in the football world.
Teams have until Tuesday to trim their rosters from 90 players to 75. That's 480 players that were professional footbal players last week that are looking for something else this week. Many teams have already started the process. The Minnesota Vikings released 15 players yesterday. There weren't many real surprises in those choices but I thought that rookie free agents Tydreke Powell and Ernest Owusu were playing well. Some of these players could be signed to the practice squads of any of the teams. Although practice squad signings usually come from the last cuts. Those are next weekend when the rosters have to get down to 53. That's another 704 players. 1184 football players that are no longer full time football players. Those last cuts suck the most as the players are so close.
All of these football players walking away from the game (for now) have been busting their ass for months, even years, to make it in the NFL. All have been playing the game for most of their lives. All have been stars at every stop, until now. It's a rough business. Occasionally, a player, for whatever reason, makes it easy to cut them. They don't try, they don't care or they assume a spot should be handed to them because they were a star once. Those clowns are usually discovered much earlier than this. Sometimes a player simply doesn't fit with a team. Being cut could actually give the player the chance to find a team that's a better fit. Those are the good stories. The others aren't so great. This is the toughest time for those in the football world.
Saturday, August 25, 2012
Vikings Lineup 2 Weeks Early
The Minnesota Vikings offense didn't look so hot in Preseason Game #3. A goal line fumble after a terrific drive to start the third quarter was a disappointing way to end the night for the offensive starters. Joe Webb entered and led another great drive that ended in another fumble. Hopefully they got that kind of stuff out of their system before the season starts. No Adrian Peterson, John Carlson and little of Toby Gerhart and Jerome Simpson did hamstring the offense. I'm more concerned about the defense than the offense at this point and the defense was much improved. A depleted San Diego Chargers offensive line may have skewed that a bit. The Vikings got sacks by the bunches. Middle linebacker Jasper Brinkley played his best game of the preseason. His play and that position has been my biggest concern for the season. It was great to see Brinkley pick up his game.
Here's how I see the Vikings lining up against the Jacksonville Jaguars in a couple of weeks:
WR Percy Harvin
T Matt Kalil
G Charlie Johnson
C John Sullivan
G Brandon Fusco
T Phil Loadholt
TE Kyle Rudolph
WR Stephen Burton
QB Christian Ponder
RB Adrian Peterson
FB Jerome Felton
DE Jared Allen
DT LeTroy Guion
DT Kevin Williams
DE Brian Robison
LB Chad Greenway
LB Jasper Brinkley
LB Erin Henderson
CB Chris Cook
CB Antoine Winfield
S Harrison Smith
S Mistral Raymond
K Blair Walsh
P Chris Kluwe
KR Percy Harvin
PR Jarius Wright
Receiver Jerome Simpson is suspended for the first three games so he won't enter the starting lineup until week four against the Detroit Lions. He'll be missed but I'm hoping that Burton steps. He and Michael Jenkins are likely the first receivers up. The tight ends need to step up as well. Punt returner is possibly the only spot that is still wide open. I'm hoping that Wright can grab it. He can be explosive. He had a nice return last night.
One more practice game to go.
Also, from the preseason games that I'd seen I hadn't noticed too much of a drop off between the replacement officials and the official officials. That's not a compliment to the replacement officials. Last night in the Vikings-Chargers game I may have finally seen what apparently the rest of the country has seen. The replacement officials were horrible. That can't continue into the season. The officiating just seemed random. I'm not sure what they were seeing at all.
Here's how I see the Vikings lining up against the Jacksonville Jaguars in a couple of weeks:
WR Percy Harvin
T Matt Kalil
G Charlie Johnson
C John Sullivan
G Brandon Fusco
T Phil Loadholt
TE Kyle Rudolph
WR Stephen Burton
QB Christian Ponder
RB Adrian Peterson
FB Jerome Felton
DE Jared Allen
DT LeTroy Guion
DT Kevin Williams
DE Brian Robison
LB Chad Greenway
LB Jasper Brinkley
LB Erin Henderson
CB Chris Cook
CB Antoine Winfield
S Harrison Smith
S Mistral Raymond
K Blair Walsh
P Chris Kluwe
KR Percy Harvin
PR Jarius Wright
Receiver Jerome Simpson is suspended for the first three games so he won't enter the starting lineup until week four against the Detroit Lions. He'll be missed but I'm hoping that Burton steps. He and Michael Jenkins are likely the first receivers up. The tight ends need to step up as well. Punt returner is possibly the only spot that is still wide open. I'm hoping that Wright can grab it. He can be explosive. He had a nice return last night.
One more practice game to go.
Also, from the preseason games that I'd seen I hadn't noticed too much of a drop off between the replacement officials and the official officials. That's not a compliment to the replacement officials. Last night in the Vikings-Chargers game I may have finally seen what apparently the rest of the country has seen. The replacement officials were horrible. That can't continue into the season. The officiating just seemed random. I'm not sure what they were seeing at all.
Friday, August 24, 2012
Preseason Game #3
As NFL preseason games go, the third game is the big one. I don't recall when it started. It feels like a fairly recent thing. Teams decided to play their starters for the entire first half. Some even into the third quarter. It had to be a joint decision as it wouldn't work right if a team or two went rogue. Al Davis. Teams rarely agree on anything. Al Davis. So, I find it remarkable that all the teams would agree to give their starters extended playing time. Playing time matching that of the other team's starters. Next week's games are a whole other story. Few starters play. If they do, it's brief. The real games are only a week away. No one's taking any chances.
Here we are at preseason game #3. The big one. If you hate preseason games this is as close to a real game as you are going to get until the real games start for real. I actually like preseason games. Fotball is finally back and it affords a chance to see the rookies and other new players for the first time. I can see why some, season ticket holders in particular, hate the games. The tickets are priced for the games as if they really count. It's a cruel joke that a game in August costs the same as a game in December. My ticket for the Minnesota Vikings-San Francisco 49ers game two weeks was priced at $129. That's a steep price to pay. I can see why season ticket holders complain about paying it. There was a time when they played more than four preseason games. They played them everywhere too. Butte, Portland, Nashville, Timbuktu. You name it. Some teams likely played there. I think that four preseason games is a good number. Every team has a different approach to the four games. Every game but preseason game #3. The big one. It's also the only time that all 32 teams seem to agree. Teams actually game plan a bit for #3. That alone might be worth the real game price. Probably not.
Preseason game #3. A whole lot of fun. Better than the rest.
RIP Steve Van Buren (1920-2012)
2 NFL championships, 4 rushing titles. More importantly, he made Philadelphia fans a happy bunch which is an always, often impossible, thing to do.
Here we are at preseason game #3. The big one. If you hate preseason games this is as close to a real game as you are going to get until the real games start for real. I actually like preseason games. Fotball is finally back and it affords a chance to see the rookies and other new players for the first time. I can see why some, season ticket holders in particular, hate the games. The tickets are priced for the games as if they really count. It's a cruel joke that a game in August costs the same as a game in December. My ticket for the Minnesota Vikings-San Francisco 49ers game two weeks was priced at $129. That's a steep price to pay. I can see why season ticket holders complain about paying it. There was a time when they played more than four preseason games. They played them everywhere too. Butte, Portland, Nashville, Timbuktu. You name it. Some teams likely played there. I think that four preseason games is a good number. Every team has a different approach to the four games. Every game but preseason game #3. The big one. It's also the only time that all 32 teams seem to agree. Teams actually game plan a bit for #3. That alone might be worth the real game price. Probably not.
Preseason game #3. A whole lot of fun. Better than the rest.
RIP Steve Van Buren (1920-2012)
2 NFL championships, 4 rushing titles. More importantly, he made Philadelphia fans a happy bunch which is an always, often impossible, thing to do.
Thursday, August 23, 2012
Throwback Thursday: 1969 Kansas City Chiefs
The Minnesota Vikings went into Super Bowl IV feeling pretty optimistic.. They had one of the best defenses in league history. They had an opportunistic offense that could score points in bunches. Being the last Super Bowl before the complete merger of the AFL and the NFL, the Vikings also had the support of the old NFL teams and the desire to show the world that the New York Jets win in Super Bowl III was nothing but a fluke. After all, the Kansas City Chiefs, the Vikings' Super Bowl opponents were taken apart by the Green Bay Packers only three years before. Nothing worked as it was supposed to work. The Vikings walked into a buzz saw.
Whenever there's talk of the greatest teams in NFL history there's mention of Lombardi's Packers, the Chicago Bears of the early '30s, Paul Brown's Cleveland Browns, the '70s Pittsburgh Steelers, the '80s San Francisco 49ers, the 1985 Bears, the '90s Dallas Cowboys and the New England Patriots of a decade ago. No one ever mentions the 1969 Kansas City Chiefs. They should be part of that discussion. Their offense was terrific. Some called it "the offense of the '70s." Head coach Hank Stram did bring some innovations to the game but the talent on that offense is what really made it different from the rest. Len Dawson was a terrific thrower and one of the smartest quarterbacks around. He made it all go. Running back Mike Garrett was an explosive runner. Frank Pitts was solid at one receive spot. The other was a difference maker. Otis Taylor was the best receiver in football. His absence from the Pro Football Hall of Fame is one of the great mysteries. Fred Arbanas was excellent at tight end. The offenseive line was dominant. Tackle Jim Tyrer and guard Ed Budde were consistent All-Stars on the left side. Dave Hill was steady at right tackle. As was Mo Moorman at right guard. EJ Holub had been a star at linebacker but knee injuries had robbed him of his mobility. He was such a great football player that he was able to move to center and excel. While the Vikings defense got far more attention, the Chiefs defense was loaded. With Jerry Mays and Aaron Brown at ends and Curley Culp and Buck Buchanan inside, the Chiefs line rivaled the Vikings as the best in football. The linebacking trio of Bobby Bell, Willie Lanier and Jim Lynch was the best in football. It's also on of the best ever. The backfield of Emmitt Thomas and James Marsalis at corner and Johnny Robinson and Jim Kearney at safety completed an outstanding defensive unit. Even the kicking game was excellent with Jan Stenerud at kicker and Jerrel Wilson at punter. This was a great football team.
While noticed by the Hall of Fame, the 1969 Kansas City Chiefs aren't noticed enough. Stram, Dawson, Buchanan, Bell, Lanier, Thomas and Stenerud are all honored in Canton. Otis Taylor, Jim Tyrer, Curley Culp and Johnny Robinson should be. The Hall of Fame selectors moved to correct one of their many mistakes yesterday when they selected Culp as one of the 2013 senior nominees. It's a start but Otis Taylor has to be honored there as well. Every so often I have to check the list of Hall of Famers just to be sure that havent't missed something all these years.
I've given a decent amount of thought to this Chiefs team as they really thrashed my Minnesota Vikings in Super Bowl IV. I really think that the Vikings were surprised by the talent level that they faced that day. The entire NFL was surprised. Seeing film of the game now it's pretty obvious that they were ill-prepared. I assume that they figured that they were playing the same Chiefs team that folded before the Packers in the first Super Bowl. This was a different Chiefs team. The 1969 Kansas City Chiefs played football at a level that few teams ever have. They deserve consideration as one of the best. They may not be the best but they are most certainly in that discussion.
Whenever there's talk of the greatest teams in NFL history there's mention of Lombardi's Packers, the Chicago Bears of the early '30s, Paul Brown's Cleveland Browns, the '70s Pittsburgh Steelers, the '80s San Francisco 49ers, the 1985 Bears, the '90s Dallas Cowboys and the New England Patriots of a decade ago. No one ever mentions the 1969 Kansas City Chiefs. They should be part of that discussion. Their offense was terrific. Some called it "the offense of the '70s." Head coach Hank Stram did bring some innovations to the game but the talent on that offense is what really made it different from the rest. Len Dawson was a terrific thrower and one of the smartest quarterbacks around. He made it all go. Running back Mike Garrett was an explosive runner. Frank Pitts was solid at one receive spot. The other was a difference maker. Otis Taylor was the best receiver in football. His absence from the Pro Football Hall of Fame is one of the great mysteries. Fred Arbanas was excellent at tight end. The offenseive line was dominant. Tackle Jim Tyrer and guard Ed Budde were consistent All-Stars on the left side. Dave Hill was steady at right tackle. As was Mo Moorman at right guard. EJ Holub had been a star at linebacker but knee injuries had robbed him of his mobility. He was such a great football player that he was able to move to center and excel. While the Vikings defense got far more attention, the Chiefs defense was loaded. With Jerry Mays and Aaron Brown at ends and Curley Culp and Buck Buchanan inside, the Chiefs line rivaled the Vikings as the best in football. The linebacking trio of Bobby Bell, Willie Lanier and Jim Lynch was the best in football. It's also on of the best ever. The backfield of Emmitt Thomas and James Marsalis at corner and Johnny Robinson and Jim Kearney at safety completed an outstanding defensive unit. Even the kicking game was excellent with Jan Stenerud at kicker and Jerrel Wilson at punter. This was a great football team.
While noticed by the Hall of Fame, the 1969 Kansas City Chiefs aren't noticed enough. Stram, Dawson, Buchanan, Bell, Lanier, Thomas and Stenerud are all honored in Canton. Otis Taylor, Jim Tyrer, Curley Culp and Johnny Robinson should be. The Hall of Fame selectors moved to correct one of their many mistakes yesterday when they selected Culp as one of the 2013 senior nominees. It's a start but Otis Taylor has to be honored there as well. Every so often I have to check the list of Hall of Famers just to be sure that havent't missed something all these years.
I've given a decent amount of thought to this Chiefs team as they really thrashed my Minnesota Vikings in Super Bowl IV. I really think that the Vikings were surprised by the talent level that they faced that day. The entire NFL was surprised. Seeing film of the game now it's pretty obvious that they were ill-prepared. I assume that they figured that they were playing the same Chiefs team that folded before the Packers in the first Super Bowl. This was a different Chiefs team. The 1969 Kansas City Chiefs played football at a level that few teams ever have. They deserve consideration as one of the best. They may not be the best but they are most certainly in that discussion.
Wednesday, August 22, 2012
After Football
Having recently read The End of Autumn, by Michael Oriard, thoughts of football careers, the physical and mental impact of those careers, have been percolating in my head. Oriard is an English professor at Oregon St. He also had a four-year NFL career with the Kansas City Chiefs in the early '70s. He played professional football more because he could as he followed his true passion for literature and academia in the offseason. His thoughts on football are unique and thoughtful. He has written other books on football that have intrigued me and I now consider must reads. I look forward to them.
It always frustrates me when I hear people complain about the "high-priced athletes." Football players in particular. Mostly because these same people rarely acknowledge the often greater salaries of musicians and actors. They're all entertainers and we pay a hefty price to be entertained. Through our entertainment needs, some football players get rich and all NFL owners get even more wealthy. If we continue to value football as entertainment, those individuals will continue to rake in the money. I've never understood why football players making money is frowned upon when they are only getting what they can while they can. This was especially evident during the lockout last year. The owners are the ones really making the extreme piles of money and they can earn it for the rest of their lives. Unlike musicians and actors and even some other athletes, football players have a very small window to earn what they can. Some musicians and actors earn big money into and through their senior years. With an average career of just over four years, most football players don't even get to that second contract which is usually the first one to really involve big money. Not all of that contract is even guaranteed. If the player is released, he can say goodbye to that big money. Most football players do no get rich playing football. At the time of Oriard's playing days the life expectancy of an NFL player was 54 years. Not only were the careers relatively brief so were their lives. Nearly all of their adult years are spent dealing the health issues of a handful of football years. For all of the perks that fans, non-fans and the media see coming from playing football there are a whole lot of drawbacks. Some career and life threatening. Better nutrition, exercise and weight management awareness over the last forty years has expanded the life expectancy of former football players. Watching the Hall of Fame ceremonies each year shows that. The older former players look mostly fantastic. They may be living longer but most of those extra years are rarely spent in a great deal of comfort. Football thrashes the human body. We were not made for that kind of sustained brutality. Football players should be allowed to get what they can while they can.
It always frustrates me when I hear people complain about the "high-priced athletes." Football players in particular. Mostly because these same people rarely acknowledge the often greater salaries of musicians and actors. They're all entertainers and we pay a hefty price to be entertained. Through our entertainment needs, some football players get rich and all NFL owners get even more wealthy. If we continue to value football as entertainment, those individuals will continue to rake in the money. I've never understood why football players making money is frowned upon when they are only getting what they can while they can. This was especially evident during the lockout last year. The owners are the ones really making the extreme piles of money and they can earn it for the rest of their lives. Unlike musicians and actors and even some other athletes, football players have a very small window to earn what they can. Some musicians and actors earn big money into and through their senior years. With an average career of just over four years, most football players don't even get to that second contract which is usually the first one to really involve big money. Not all of that contract is even guaranteed. If the player is released, he can say goodbye to that big money. Most football players do no get rich playing football. At the time of Oriard's playing days the life expectancy of an NFL player was 54 years. Not only were the careers relatively brief so were their lives. Nearly all of their adult years are spent dealing the health issues of a handful of football years. For all of the perks that fans, non-fans and the media see coming from playing football there are a whole lot of drawbacks. Some career and life threatening. Better nutrition, exercise and weight management awareness over the last forty years has expanded the life expectancy of former football players. Watching the Hall of Fame ceremonies each year shows that. The older former players look mostly fantastic. They may be living longer but most of those extra years are rarely spent in a great deal of comfort. Football thrashes the human body. We were not made for that kind of sustained brutality. Football players should be allowed to get what they can while they can.
Tuesday, August 21, 2012
Good Works
Schools across the country are facing unfair situations due to budget constraints. When the Saginaw, MI Public Schools athletic department budget was cut, the school district opted to charge pay-to-participate fees for its middle school, junior high and high school athletes. For high school athletes, participation fees were $75 per school year.
Former Saginaw High School star and current Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker LaMarr Woodley stepped up and donated $60,000 to cover the participation fees for every Saginaw Public Schools student-athlete. Woodley never said a word about his wonderful generosity. He wants no attention. He just wants to help the kids. He sees a ridiculous situation at a place that means a great deal to him and wanted to make it right. The only reason anyone knows about this is because people in the school district wanted people to know. Woodley also actively hosts a free football camp at Saginaw High School. Unlike some of his peers, Woodley actually shows up at his own camp. Doing camps for free is becoming more and more rare. Not so with LaMarr Woodley.
The media and the public seem to get a sick satisfaction in seeing professional athletes do the wrong thing. When they do the right thing few seem to care. I care and I think that people should know about Woodley's generosity.
Nice work, Mr. Woodley.
Former Saginaw High School star and current Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker LaMarr Woodley stepped up and donated $60,000 to cover the participation fees for every Saginaw Public Schools student-athlete. Woodley never said a word about his wonderful generosity. He wants no attention. He just wants to help the kids. He sees a ridiculous situation at a place that means a great deal to him and wanted to make it right. The only reason anyone knows about this is because people in the school district wanted people to know. Woodley also actively hosts a free football camp at Saginaw High School. Unlike some of his peers, Woodley actually shows up at his own camp. Doing camps for free is becoming more and more rare. Not so with LaMarr Woodley.
The media and the public seem to get a sick satisfaction in seeing professional athletes do the wrong thing. When they do the right thing few seem to care. I care and I think that people should know about Woodley's generosity.
Nice work, Mr. Woodley.
Monday, August 20, 2012
Officials
I don't seem to find myself as worried about the NFL officials situation as I probably should be. The labor issue with the officials is certainly getting much less print than the ridiculous player lockout of last year. Still, this year's labor unrest has gotten quite serious. The officials need warmup games just as the players do. There's only two weeks of those games left. The officials could use them. My hunch is that the league and the officials reach an agreement this week. Mostly because the officials need those two weeks and the league really needs to get through these labor issues. They have enough to worry about without having to deal with unappreciated officials. My hunch is likely wrong but I'm positive that it is settled before the regular season. The officials would have to get up to speed while they cover the games that matter. It's a stupid way to start the season but nothing about this dispute is very smart. Not a lot of what the NFL has done lately can be considered very smart.
My lack of worries stems from my firm belief that that this will be settled soon. I'm also not too worried about the absence of NFL experience of the replacement officials. I really don't think that there is too much of a drop off in the quality of the officiating. Sure, there have been some real stupid moments this preseason like calling a penalty on a team not involved in the game. The fact is the officiating has been pathetic the past few seasons. I realize that it's a difficult job but the real officials have failed way too frequently. It's pretty sad that my lack of concern is mostly due to the fact that the officiating can't get any worse. For my entire life as an NFL fan I've felt that the officials should be employed full time. It made no sense to me as a child that they weren't. I'm even more convinced after watching the games for nearly forty years. There's really no reason not to have full time officials. The games are too important to have officials thinking about their day jobs as they are moonlighting on Sundays. It's a half-assed way to do business. Fortunately, I believe that making the officials full time employees has entered into the negotiations. If so, maybe something good will come from this stupidity.
My lack of worries stems from my firm belief that that this will be settled soon. I'm also not too worried about the absence of NFL experience of the replacement officials. I really don't think that there is too much of a drop off in the quality of the officiating. Sure, there have been some real stupid moments this preseason like calling a penalty on a team not involved in the game. The fact is the officiating has been pathetic the past few seasons. I realize that it's a difficult job but the real officials have failed way too frequently. It's pretty sad that my lack of concern is mostly due to the fact that the officiating can't get any worse. For my entire life as an NFL fan I've felt that the officials should be employed full time. It made no sense to me as a child that they weren't. I'm even more convinced after watching the games for nearly forty years. There's really no reason not to have full time officials. The games are too important to have officials thinking about their day jobs as they are moonlighting on Sundays. It's a half-assed way to do business. Fortunately, I believe that making the officials full time employees has entered into the negotiations. If so, maybe something good will come from this stupidity.
Sunday, August 19, 2012
Changes
Cal has a terrific two-part, for now, video of the return of Cal Football on their website. "Back in Berkeley" is very well done and gets my Cal blood bubbling. For some reason the housing of the football players for training camp in Bowles Hall surprised me. I'm not sure why it would surprise as Bowles is right next to the facilities and very close to the practices at Witter Field. Once I was over my ridiculous surprise I was excited to see my first glimpse of the sparkling new High Performance Center. It's for all the student athletes but the football team has obviously made it their home. Cal's facilities were so antiquated that they must have appeared as some kind of a joke to many recruits. "Ok, where's the real stuff at?" Compared to their Pac-12 foes, Oregon in particular, it was a joke. But the facilities sure were quaint in a 1920's kind of way. Now, they are spectacular. The recruiting playing field is a little more level. Cal's had some terrific recruiting classes under head coach Jeff Tedford. Future classes could be even better. More important, and the real reason for the new facilities, is better performance on the football field.
Another little nugget shown in the "Back in Berkeley" video was the custom helmets. In my day I was just tossed the next helmet on the pile. Obviously this is a different century and a much greater level of football but it was quite interesting to see the custom fitting of the helmets. The helmet itself was fitted and padded particular to the individual player. Then a facemask was selected from dozens on shelves. That incredible selection amazed me the most. Picking your own perfect facemask. Brilliant! Then of course you have to select the perfect chin strap. That wasn't as exciting as your own personal facemask but it was still pretty neat.
Cal really did put together a nice video of the football team getting started at training camp. The Flea Flicker says "check it out" if your a fan of Cal or a fan of college football in general. Nice stuff.
Another little nugget shown in the "Back in Berkeley" video was the custom helmets. In my day I was just tossed the next helmet on the pile. Obviously this is a different century and a much greater level of football but it was quite interesting to see the custom fitting of the helmets. The helmet itself was fitted and padded particular to the individual player. Then a facemask was selected from dozens on shelves. That incredible selection amazed me the most. Picking your own perfect facemask. Brilliant! Then of course you have to select the perfect chin strap. That wasn't as exciting as your own personal facemask but it was still pretty neat.
Cal really did put together a nice video of the football team getting started at training camp. The Flea Flicker says "check it out" if your a fan of Cal or a fan of college football in general. Nice stuff.
Saturday, August 18, 2012
No Touching 28
Adrian Peterson returned to the Minnesota Vikings practices this week. Some people, Jerry Rice, have questioned this but they aren't there. Haven't been there. Just another opinion that doesn't matter. The opinions that do matter, the Vikings training staff and coaches, have signed off on Peterson suiting up and running plays. He's back. He's ready.
Despite this, head coach Leslie Frazier didn't want his defense touching 28. He even stopped practice to approach the defense and make himself very clear. Do not touch 28. Not this week. This did not sit well with Peterson. When defenders dropped to the ground to avoid the hard charging back, Adrian Peterson was not happy. Not happy at all. He's been waiting nearly eight months for that first contact. He has to wait a few days longer. The problem with this no contact rule is that Peterson doesn't play that way. He brings contact. That's why the defense was dropping to the ground. Defensive end Jared Allen even went into a fetal position. The defense knows the brutality that Peterson brings to his running. He brings it to games. He brings it to practices. He's even brought it to Pro Bowl practices. No one brings effort to Pro Bowl practices. Few even brought effort to the actual Pro Bowl game last year. To his new NFC teammates, not used to his high effort in any practice, it was a real shock. Peterson wants to get back to that more than anything. It will happen next week.
I really don't understand the inability of so many people to accept Adrian Peterson's quick return. I don't remember a similar inability to accept the quick return from an ACL injury made by Wes Welker a few years ago. They just let him be. Maybe it's the difference in positions that Peterson and Welker play. I don't know. People just have to accept that Adrian Peterson is back. The people closest to him don't seem too surprised that he's back so quick. His trainers, coaches and teammates accept it just fine.Those that haven't been around the recovery procees should accept it as well.
Despite this, head coach Leslie Frazier didn't want his defense touching 28. He even stopped practice to approach the defense and make himself very clear. Do not touch 28. Not this week. This did not sit well with Peterson. When defenders dropped to the ground to avoid the hard charging back, Adrian Peterson was not happy. Not happy at all. He's been waiting nearly eight months for that first contact. He has to wait a few days longer. The problem with this no contact rule is that Peterson doesn't play that way. He brings contact. That's why the defense was dropping to the ground. Defensive end Jared Allen even went into a fetal position. The defense knows the brutality that Peterson brings to his running. He brings it to games. He brings it to practices. He's even brought it to Pro Bowl practices. No one brings effort to Pro Bowl practices. Few even brought effort to the actual Pro Bowl game last year. To his new NFC teammates, not used to his high effort in any practice, it was a real shock. Peterson wants to get back to that more than anything. It will happen next week.
I really don't understand the inability of so many people to accept Adrian Peterson's quick return. I don't remember a similar inability to accept the quick return from an ACL injury made by Wes Welker a few years ago. They just let him be. Maybe it's the difference in positions that Peterson and Welker play. I don't know. People just have to accept that Adrian Peterson is back. The people closest to him don't seem too surprised that he's back so quick. His trainers, coaches and teammates accept it just fine.Those that haven't been around the recovery procees should accept it as well.
Friday, August 17, 2012
"Hard Knocks"
I finally watched the first episode of the Miami Dolphins "Hard Knocks." The Olympics have always had a tendency to hack up schedules. It didn't start off so great for me when the first scenes focused on the impending release of rookie offensive lineman Derrick Dennis. My main issue, actually my only issue, with the "Hard Knocks" series is the showing, in all it's discomfort and sadness, the football players being cut. For some, there is appeal in this. For me, there is none. Shattering a person's dream is not something that I really care to see. I know that it's part of football. I just see it as something between the player and the coach. Sometimes being cut is for the best. If the player is talented enough for the NFL he now has a chance to find a team that might be a better fit. Still, it's not something that I need to see. They even made sure to show the shoulder pads that Derrick Dennis never got to wear. Nice.
Someting that does interest me is the better view of the holdout that this behind the scenes program shows. We saw it in past "Hard Knocks" seasons with the Kansas City Chiefs and running back Larry Johnson, the New York Jets and corner Darrelle Revis. This time it's the Dolphins and rookie quarterback Ryan Tannehill. Before this show the view of the disagreeing parties was that of pissy rich guys unable to divide their riches. Now, we see them as they really are. Football people that just want to get to work. Get the business crap out of the way so that the football can start. Sometimes it truly is pissy rich guys but there are fewer than we used to think.
The most memorable part of the first episode came from, of course, Chad Johnson. As he was leaving training camp for the team's first day off he tossed out the following:
"I promise I'm getting arrested while we're off."
He was a little early with his prediction but he sure was accurate.
Watching a happier Johnson play a soccer video game with Reggie Bush was a riot. Johnson's press conference was a riot. Johnson's a riot. I've always liked the guy. The football player and the person. I sure hope that he gets his stuff together.
The Dolphins quarterback group is a very interesting one. Tannehill was drafted to be "the guy" but I've always liked the potential of Matt Moore. He looked like he had the skills in college at Oregon St. He's shown nice talent when given the chance initially with Carolina and then Miami last year. Each time his team has responded to his potential by drafting a quarterback in the first round. Cam Newton in Carolina. Ryan Tannehill in Miami. David Garrard provides some veteran insurance. Even left in the dark Pat Devlin has some nice developmental potential.
There's some interesting things going on with the Dolphins. One of those left with Chad Johnson being cut. One that certainly remains is head coach Joe Philbin. Some of my favorite coaches are the long time assistants. Philbin certainly qualifies as one. I love that he has finally gotten his shot at leading a team. He's earned it. I also love that he's out of Green Bay. He may not have the entertainment value of Rex Ryan but he's a terrific football coach. I hope that he succeeds. I look forward to getting to know him better through "Hard Knocks."
Someting that does interest me is the better view of the holdout that this behind the scenes program shows. We saw it in past "Hard Knocks" seasons with the Kansas City Chiefs and running back Larry Johnson, the New York Jets and corner Darrelle Revis. This time it's the Dolphins and rookie quarterback Ryan Tannehill. Before this show the view of the disagreeing parties was that of pissy rich guys unable to divide their riches. Now, we see them as they really are. Football people that just want to get to work. Get the business crap out of the way so that the football can start. Sometimes it truly is pissy rich guys but there are fewer than we used to think.
The most memorable part of the first episode came from, of course, Chad Johnson. As he was leaving training camp for the team's first day off he tossed out the following:
"I promise I'm getting arrested while we're off."
He was a little early with his prediction but he sure was accurate.
Watching a happier Johnson play a soccer video game with Reggie Bush was a riot. Johnson's press conference was a riot. Johnson's a riot. I've always liked the guy. The football player and the person. I sure hope that he gets his stuff together.
The Dolphins quarterback group is a very interesting one. Tannehill was drafted to be "the guy" but I've always liked the potential of Matt Moore. He looked like he had the skills in college at Oregon St. He's shown nice talent when given the chance initially with Carolina and then Miami last year. Each time his team has responded to his potential by drafting a quarterback in the first round. Cam Newton in Carolina. Ryan Tannehill in Miami. David Garrard provides some veteran insurance. Even left in the dark Pat Devlin has some nice developmental potential.
There's some interesting things going on with the Dolphins. One of those left with Chad Johnson being cut. One that certainly remains is head coach Joe Philbin. Some of my favorite coaches are the long time assistants. Philbin certainly qualifies as one. I love that he has finally gotten his shot at leading a team. He's earned it. I also love that he's out of Green Bay. He may not have the entertainment value of Rex Ryan but he's a terrific football coach. I hope that he succeeds. I look forward to getting to know him better through "Hard Knocks."
Thursday, August 16, 2012
Throwback Thursday: Dutch Clark
"If Dutch Clark stepped on the field with Red Grange, Jim Thorpe and George Gipp, Dutch would be the general."
-a rival coach
"He is one sweet football player."
-AP Sports Editor Alan Gould in 1928
Earl Harry "Dutch" Clark has been one of my favorite early day football players ever since I first read about him. He did everything on the football field. While often listed as a quarterback Clark was actually a play-calling tailback in a single wing offense. He ran, pass, caught and blocked. He played safety on defense. He was the last of the dropkicking specialists and one of the best. He punted. He returned kicks. He was a player-coach. He established professional football in Detroit. After a handful of failed attempts at putting a team in Detroit, the excitement and success of the Lions in the mid-'30s solidified the Motor City as a football city. Dutch Clark, the man and the football player, was the main reason why. He may also have been the kindest, most humble football player to ever pass through the NFL.
Clark's incredible success at tiny Colorado College, he was an All-American in 1928, turned the attention of football people in the east to the football talents that lay west of the Rockies. Clark was always opening doors for others but he didn't enter the NFL easily. The professional league had only been around for a decade and was still struggling to gain some footing in the sporting world. Clark coached for a year before the financially shaky Portsmouth Spartans came calling. Dutch Clark was an immediate success in the NFL earning All-Pro honors in 1931 and '32. The Spartans might have been a strong team on the field but management wasn't too strong at paying their players. Needing financial security during a shaky time, Clark retired to become head coach at the Colorado School of Mines. The security was so much better that he missed the first playoff game in league history. The Chicago Bears and Portsmouth Spartans ended the season tied for the title. It was decided that the two teams would play a tie-breaking playoff game to decide the 1932 NFL Championship. Clark missed the impromptu game because he'd already made a commitment to the Colorado School of Mines. The Bears defeated the Clark-less Spartans 9-0 to win the title. Clark returned to professional football in 1934 rejoining his team, which had been sold and had become the Detroit Lions. Owner George Richards provided the financial support and guaranteed paychecks. That and his passion for football brought Dutch Clark to Detroit. The Lions had a very talented roster. Clark, Glenn Presnell, Ernie Caddell, Ace Gutowsky, Ox Emerson. Coach Potsy Clark had a contending team in Detroit immediately. Dutch Clark led the Lions to the 1935 NFL Championship and football in Detroit was firmly established.
Dutch Clark wasn't especially fast. He was pretty much blind. "Left-eye twenty-two hundred, right-eye twenty-one hundred," according to Clark. Yet, he was an incredible football player. Chicago Bears owner and coach George Halas called Dutch Clark "the greatest player in professional football." Clark was an incredibly smart football player. In play calling, in setting up his blocks, he was always several steps ahead of everybody else. He was always where he needed to be to make a play. I'd love to have been around to watch him play. He was magic on the football field.
Dutch Clark was one of the 17 members of the very first Hall of Fame class. He may not be as well known as Red Grange, Jim Thorpe, Don Hutson and others from that class. On the football field, he was at least their equal.
-a rival coach
"He is one sweet football player."
-AP Sports Editor Alan Gould in 1928
Earl Harry "Dutch" Clark has been one of my favorite early day football players ever since I first read about him. He did everything on the football field. While often listed as a quarterback Clark was actually a play-calling tailback in a single wing offense. He ran, pass, caught and blocked. He played safety on defense. He was the last of the dropkicking specialists and one of the best. He punted. He returned kicks. He was a player-coach. He established professional football in Detroit. After a handful of failed attempts at putting a team in Detroit, the excitement and success of the Lions in the mid-'30s solidified the Motor City as a football city. Dutch Clark, the man and the football player, was the main reason why. He may also have been the kindest, most humble football player to ever pass through the NFL.
Clark's incredible success at tiny Colorado College, he was an All-American in 1928, turned the attention of football people in the east to the football talents that lay west of the Rockies. Clark was always opening doors for others but he didn't enter the NFL easily. The professional league had only been around for a decade and was still struggling to gain some footing in the sporting world. Clark coached for a year before the financially shaky Portsmouth Spartans came calling. Dutch Clark was an immediate success in the NFL earning All-Pro honors in 1931 and '32. The Spartans might have been a strong team on the field but management wasn't too strong at paying their players. Needing financial security during a shaky time, Clark retired to become head coach at the Colorado School of Mines. The security was so much better that he missed the first playoff game in league history. The Chicago Bears and Portsmouth Spartans ended the season tied for the title. It was decided that the two teams would play a tie-breaking playoff game to decide the 1932 NFL Championship. Clark missed the impromptu game because he'd already made a commitment to the Colorado School of Mines. The Bears defeated the Clark-less Spartans 9-0 to win the title. Clark returned to professional football in 1934 rejoining his team, which had been sold and had become the Detroit Lions. Owner George Richards provided the financial support and guaranteed paychecks. That and his passion for football brought Dutch Clark to Detroit. The Lions had a very talented roster. Clark, Glenn Presnell, Ernie Caddell, Ace Gutowsky, Ox Emerson. Coach Potsy Clark had a contending team in Detroit immediately. Dutch Clark led the Lions to the 1935 NFL Championship and football in Detroit was firmly established.
Dutch Clark wasn't especially fast. He was pretty much blind. "Left-eye twenty-two hundred, right-eye twenty-one hundred," according to Clark. Yet, he was an incredible football player. Chicago Bears owner and coach George Halas called Dutch Clark "the greatest player in professional football." Clark was an incredibly smart football player. In play calling, in setting up his blocks, he was always several steps ahead of everybody else. He was always where he needed to be to make a play. I'd love to have been around to watch him play. He was magic on the football field.
Dutch Clark was one of the 17 members of the very first Hall of Fame class. He may not be as well known as Red Grange, Jim Thorpe, Don Hutson and others from that class. On the football field, he was at least their equal.
Wednesday, August 15, 2012
"It's Just Football"
Last week at the Minnesota Vikings training camp in the heat of Mankato, receiver Percy Harvin and rookie safety Harrison Smith had to be separated from each other. In a not really but sort of non-contact scrimmage, Smith wouldn't let Harvin out of a pseudo-grasp. Basically, a defensive player was trying to prevent an offensive player from scoring a touchdown. In other words, both players were doing their job. They were playing football. Harvin didn't take too kindly to the little rookie not letting him score. Words were exchanged. The rest of the players came to the aid of their guy. When asked about the brouhaha, Smith simply said, "It's just football."
I really like this Harrison Smith kid. Not only does he play a position of desperate need, he's an excellent football player. Tough, smart, instinctive. All three qualities have been missing from the back of the Vikings defense for far too long. The rookie Smith didn't back down from the veteran Harvin. Apparently, the two had exchanged some "friendly" words in an earlier practice. It's football players like Percy Harvin and Harrison Smith that are going to keep the Vikings from a repeat of last season. Serious football players. Football players that just want to win. The little "dust up" last week was also an indication that it was time to start hitting another team. Thankfully, games, even fake games, have now started against those other teams. The real games are close. "It's just football."
I really like this Harrison Smith kid. Not only does he play a position of desperate need, he's an excellent football player. Tough, smart, instinctive. All three qualities have been missing from the back of the Vikings defense for far too long. The rookie Smith didn't back down from the veteran Harvin. Apparently, the two had exchanged some "friendly" words in an earlier practice. It's football players like Percy Harvin and Harrison Smith that are going to keep the Vikings from a repeat of last season. Serious football players. Football players that just want to win. The little "dust up" last week was also an indication that it was time to start hitting another team. Thankfully, games, even fake games, have now started against those other teams. The real games are close. "It's just football."
Tuesday, August 14, 2012
Welcome Back Adrian Peterson
Adrian Peterson is back on the football field. The Minnesota Vikings' All-Everything running back is only about 8 1/2 months removed from tearing the ACL and MCL and various other tissues in his left knee. His is an incredible recovery from a terrible injury. It's a terrible injury for any football player. It's a game changer for a running back. I suppose that we can't call Adrian Peterson completely back until his knee survives real NFL games. The sick bastards, like New Orleans Saints corner Jabari Greer, had better cease their jolly fun of twisting Peterson's joints while he is already on the ground. Fortunately, the Saints aren't on the Vikings schedule this year. It's a stretch to say that Peterson's recovery is a miracle. I expected him to recover like this. Jerry Rice just popped up and said that Peterson is coming back to soon. I don't recall Rice being present during the rehab or any other part of the process. He's using his own experience recovering from an ACL injury to base this opinion. That was well over a decade ago. I'm not sure that Rice is in position to judge another player's recovery. Different time. Different circumstances. Rice should stick to his golf game rather than passing on medical advice. Under the expert guidance of Vikings trainer Eric Sugarman, Peterson was in good hands. Most importantly, Adrian Peterson is a beast. A genetic freak, if you will. His incredible athletic ability is matched, perhaps surpassed, by his desire and heart. He will not ever quit. My only concern was whether he would work too hard. This was the perfect combination for an excellent recovery. Besides, the Vikings absolutely will not be stupid about any part of this process. Their star running back is far too important to risk. I must admit that I will still cringe every time that Peterson is hit. I likely will cringe every play of his hopefully very long and productive career in Minnesota.
Adrian Peterson is an incredible football player. One of the best that I have ever seen. It's players like Peterson that make the NFL the breathtaking game that it can be. The anticipation of seeing something simply incredible keeps fans coming back. Peterson is among the best at providing something incredible. The Vikings need him. The NFL needs him. Welcome back, Adrian Peterson. Now, please stay on that field.
Adrian Peterson is an incredible football player. One of the best that I have ever seen. It's players like Peterson that make the NFL the breathtaking game that it can be. The anticipation of seeing something simply incredible keeps fans coming back. Peterson is among the best at providing something incredible. The Vikings need him. The NFL needs him. Welcome back, Adrian Peterson. Now, please stay on that field.
Monday, August 13, 2012
Training Camp Sites
I'm a little surprised, even saddened, by the number of teams that now hold their training camps at their own facilities. About half of the teams now host their own camps. There's certainly nothing wrong with that. I'm sure that it's much more cost effective. The football traditionalist in me prefers packing up the team and moving off to some secluded college campus. I loved reading about Lombardi's Packers at St. Norbert College. Plimpton's Lions at Cranbrook. Those tales of getting away were terrific. Hijinks in the dorms. It's awesome stuff. Sure, 300lb football players may not enjoy jamming themselves into dorm room bunks after a long, hot day of practice. It's just something that they had to do. Consider it part of the team bonding experience. Now teams are moving away from that. Both the Packers and the Lions are at spiffy new facilities. Nothing stays the same. I hear that the Minnesota Vikings players hate the spartan accomodations at Gage Hall on the campus of Mankato St. Apparently Gage is going to be demolished in the coming year as the players cheer. The Vikings tried to go the spiffy new facility route. In their quest for a new stadium they initially had an agreement with the city of Arden Hills to build a huge Vikings playground. It didn't work out that way as the new stadium was volleyed back to downtown Minneapolis. Some things stay the same. Mankato will likely remain the Vikings training camp home.
Currently half of the NFL teams host their own training camp. I'd imagine that number will only increase over the next few years. It's cheaper to stay at home and training camps have become a huge money maker. Fans are jumping at the chance to see their team train. Keeping everything at home means that the team doesn't have to share the profits. Traveling to a far away college campus just isn't economically wise. It really never was but it sure was fun.
Currently half of the NFL teams host their own training camp. I'd imagine that number will only increase over the next few years. It's cheaper to stay at home and training camps have become a huge money maker. Fans are jumping at the chance to see their team train. Keeping everything at home means that the team doesn't have to share the profits. Traveling to a far away college campus just isn't economically wise. It really never was but it sure was fun.
Sunday, August 12, 2012
Franchise QBs
Sitting in Candlestick Park Friday night, I noticed that the San Francisco 49ers are honoring their past. Always a great thing in my opinion. Around the rim of the stadium were the names of some of the 49ers' greats. One big one was missing. I could find Y.A Tittle, John Brodie, Joe Montana and Steve Young. Three of those four are honored in Canton. One came before them all and should be listed at the top of the stadium next to the rest. I was once at Candlestick in the mid '90s for a 49ers game against the Dallas Cowboys. It was a nice time for that terrific rivalry. I was well fueled and feeling a little punchy so I decided to take an informal poll. I started asking any who would listen. "Who was the greatest left-handed quarterback in 49ers history?" I knew that everyone would say Young but I was looking for another. I finally found my answer from a couple of older 49ers fans. Frankie Albert. After starring at Stanford, Frankie Albert was the first quarterback to lead the 49ers. Coached the team too. He was terrific. He was a magician with the football. Perhaps the best play action quarterback of all time. He led the 49ers to contention as the All America Football Conference closed. Largely due to the leadership and play of Albert, the 49ers were competitive enough and strong enough to join the NFL. To be honest, Steve Young was better but Albert really was great. My father regularly brought his fond memories of those early 49ers days to life for me. The absence of Albert from the top of Candlestick is an absolute mystery. He should be honored soon.
Every team is looking for that franchise quarterback. I hope, and all Vikings fans hope, that Christian Ponder is that type of quarterback. It's pretty much mandatory that a team has one if they are to have any hope in today's NFL. Ponder has the tools. Too often it's proven that it takes more than having the tools to be great at playing quarterback in the NFL. It takes having something that is so hard to find. The San Francisco 49ers have had little trouble finding it for most of the history. They are either exceptionally good at finding it or exceptionally lucky. A few frantic years in the '70s and about all of the last decade are the only times in which they have been missing that special football player under center. From Frankie Albert to Y.A. Tittle to John Brodie to Joe Montana to Steve Young, the 49ers experienced nearly 40 years of seamless quarterbacking excellence. A run never seen by any other team. Just incredible. I hope that Christian Ponder is the start of a similar run for the Minnesota Vikings. That would be pretty sweet.
Every team is looking for that franchise quarterback. I hope, and all Vikings fans hope, that Christian Ponder is that type of quarterback. It's pretty much mandatory that a team has one if they are to have any hope in today's NFL. Ponder has the tools. Too often it's proven that it takes more than having the tools to be great at playing quarterback in the NFL. It takes having something that is so hard to find. The San Francisco 49ers have had little trouble finding it for most of the history. They are either exceptionally good at finding it or exceptionally lucky. A few frantic years in the '70s and about all of the last decade are the only times in which they have been missing that special football player under center. From Frankie Albert to Y.A. Tittle to John Brodie to Joe Montana to Steve Young, the 49ers experienced nearly 40 years of seamless quarterbacking excellence. A run never seen by any other team. Just incredible. I hope that Christian Ponder is the start of a similar run for the Minnesota Vikings. That would be pretty sweet.
Saturday, August 11, 2012
Preseason Game #1
17-6 49ers.
Cold night at the Stick for the Flea Flicker, the Vikings and their fans.
No Adrian Peterson, Jared Allen, Percy Harvin, Kevin Williams or Antoine Winfield. I didn't see any of Frank Gore or Justin Smith for the red guys. Sounds like a preseason game to me. I did get to see good ole Randy Moss run about four half speed routes. That was treat. Sure was fun to be at game #1.
The 49er faithful seem a bit chippy for a team with one lonely winning record in about a decade. They may have been a couple of mistakes from the Super Bowl last year but they might want to win a little more before they bark so much. Most of the barkers looked like they weren't even born when their team last won a Super Bowl. I've gotten more love from the Black Hole across the bay. Those are some sweet fans over there.
For a preseason game there were surprisingly few turnovers and penalties from both teams. That was good to see. You could see the training wheels on the scabby officials but they did ok. The game was over in less than three hours. Not bad for a first preseason game for both teams.
The Minnesota Vikings run defense could sure use some work. Kevin Williams and Jared Allen had the night off and Letroy Guion left early with a balky knee but those that were playing were being gashed. That worries me the most and it needs to change. Hopefully Guion is ok. The Vikings need him.
Rookie Harrison Smith sure looks like he belongs out there. I think that the Vikings have finally found that long missing, play making safety. I like the way he plays the game. A lot!
Despite the touchdown that he put on the board, it was cool to see fellow Turlocker Colin Kaepernick go for about seventy, mostly untouched yards. I'd much rather see him do that to another team. The entire Vikings defense totally bought his fake and had nothing on the outside. He made Turlock proud.
Sept 23rd will be bad news for the 49ers. That game counts.
Next week it's the Buffalo Bills' turn. Unfortunately, I won't be there for that one.
Cold night at the Stick for the Flea Flicker, the Vikings and their fans.
No Adrian Peterson, Jared Allen, Percy Harvin, Kevin Williams or Antoine Winfield. I didn't see any of Frank Gore or Justin Smith for the red guys. Sounds like a preseason game to me. I did get to see good ole Randy Moss run about four half speed routes. That was treat. Sure was fun to be at game #1.
The 49er faithful seem a bit chippy for a team with one lonely winning record in about a decade. They may have been a couple of mistakes from the Super Bowl last year but they might want to win a little more before they bark so much. Most of the barkers looked like they weren't even born when their team last won a Super Bowl. I've gotten more love from the Black Hole across the bay. Those are some sweet fans over there.
For a preseason game there were surprisingly few turnovers and penalties from both teams. That was good to see. You could see the training wheels on the scabby officials but they did ok. The game was over in less than three hours. Not bad for a first preseason game for both teams.
The Minnesota Vikings run defense could sure use some work. Kevin Williams and Jared Allen had the night off and Letroy Guion left early with a balky knee but those that were playing were being gashed. That worries me the most and it needs to change. Hopefully Guion is ok. The Vikings need him.
Rookie Harrison Smith sure looks like he belongs out there. I think that the Vikings have finally found that long missing, play making safety. I like the way he plays the game. A lot!
Despite the touchdown that he put on the board, it was cool to see fellow Turlocker Colin Kaepernick go for about seventy, mostly untouched yards. I'd much rather see him do that to another team. The entire Vikings defense totally bought his fake and had nothing on the outside. He made Turlock proud.
Sept 23rd will be bad news for the 49ers. That game counts.
Next week it's the Buffalo Bills' turn. Unfortunately, I won't be there for that one.
Friday, August 10, 2012
Vikings vs 49ers
Preseason game #1 and the Flea Flicker will be at Candlestick(!) Park when the Minnesota Vikings visit the San Francisco 49ers. In person. In those seats! Preseason games are a funny thing. It's a chance to finally hit someone else. Which is actually a good thing as fuses are likely a little short after two weeks of training camp. Percy Harvin and rookie safety Harrison Smith showed just that a couple of days ago. Preseason games signal little outside of football being back. For players fighting for a roster spot these practice games are very important. Every snap is important. Out of the ninety players on each NFL roster right now about half are in that fight for a job. This particular preseason game is a little odd in that the 49ers visit Minnesota in the third week of the regular season. Teams rarely show much in the preseason. The Vikings and the 49ers will probably show even less. They might as well be playing tag out there tonight. Should still be a blast.
It'll be strange to see Randy Moss wear the 84 jersey of another team. His glory days in Minnesota are so long ago now that I'm mostly numb to his presence in foreign colors. His handful of games in his return to Minnesota in 2010 don't count. Never happened! Still, this will be the first time that I've ever seen Randy Moss in person. For that alone this night is special. He'll probably play little more than a snap but seeing the most physically gifted receiver to ever play the game will be a treat.
The 49ers have an excellent football team. Their defense might be the best in the league. They spent the offseason adding offensive playmakers. Quarterback Alex Smith was much better than decent last year. Now he has the weapons to be better than that. There will be critics but Moss will be terrific this time in the Bay Area. The 49ers are certainly in any conversation about Super Bowl contenders.
The Vikings aren't. So, they'll surprise. I'm looking forward to seeing Vikings quarterback Christian Ponder in his second season. He has a lot of the things that a quarterback needs to excel in this league. Tonight will be my first chance to see the Vikings young and improved offensive line and defensive secondary. Two very sad areas over the last two years. Vikings football is back and it's bad news for the 49ers in a preseason kinda way.
It'll be strange to see Randy Moss wear the 84 jersey of another team. His glory days in Minnesota are so long ago now that I'm mostly numb to his presence in foreign colors. His handful of games in his return to Minnesota in 2010 don't count. Never happened! Still, this will be the first time that I've ever seen Randy Moss in person. For that alone this night is special. He'll probably play little more than a snap but seeing the most physically gifted receiver to ever play the game will be a treat.
The 49ers have an excellent football team. Their defense might be the best in the league. They spent the offseason adding offensive playmakers. Quarterback Alex Smith was much better than decent last year. Now he has the weapons to be better than that. There will be critics but Moss will be terrific this time in the Bay Area. The 49ers are certainly in any conversation about Super Bowl contenders.
The Vikings aren't. So, they'll surprise. I'm looking forward to seeing Vikings quarterback Christian Ponder in his second season. He has a lot of the things that a quarterback needs to excel in this league. Tonight will be my first chance to see the Vikings young and improved offensive line and defensive secondary. Two very sad areas over the last two years. Vikings football is back and it's bad news for the 49ers in a preseason kinda way.
Thursday, August 9, 2012
Leaping to Conclusions
Earlier in training camp the media got a little pissy when San Francisco 49ers head coach Jim Harbaugh defended one of his players. Apparently the media was leaping to the conclusion that 49ers rookie receiver and top pick A.J. Jenkins was a bust due to his slow start in his first NFL training camp. Harbaugh was far from kind in his description of the media's football aptitude. Seems fair. I'm no fan of the majority of the media and it's real easy to side with the football coach on this one. Harbaugh knows his player. Beyond that, leaping to a conclusion on a rookie football player's career based on a handful of practices is ridiculous. Either good or bad, it's just not enough time to make any kind of judgement. Sometimes it even takes a couple of years before a player finally gets "it". Nothing should be determined after only a few practices in pads.
About a decade ago, in the Mike Tice era, the Minnesota Vikings had an undrafted free agent safety named Kyries Hebert. In offseason workouts he was an absolute beast. The next Joey Browner. An all-pro before he had even taken an NFL snap. The fans were drooling. The media was speechless. Impossible! Once training camp opened and the pads appeared Kyries Hebert disappeared. He didn't even make the team. You just never know what a football player is going to be until you see them perform in games that count and then see them do it again and again. And again.
It's easy to get excited about football players at this time of the year. A few decent practices can get even the most negative observer buzzing a bit. The opposite is equally true. A few poor practices naturally bring worries. It's just way too early to leap to any conclusions. The San Francisco media was wrong to label A.J. Jenkins as anything but a young football player adjusting to the top level of football. Jim Harbaugh was right to defend his young receiver and call out the media in the process.
About a decade ago, in the Mike Tice era, the Minnesota Vikings had an undrafted free agent safety named Kyries Hebert. In offseason workouts he was an absolute beast. The next Joey Browner. An all-pro before he had even taken an NFL snap. The fans were drooling. The media was speechless. Impossible! Once training camp opened and the pads appeared Kyries Hebert disappeared. He didn't even make the team. You just never know what a football player is going to be until you see them perform in games that count and then see them do it again and again. And again.
It's easy to get excited about football players at this time of the year. A few decent practices can get even the most negative observer buzzing a bit. The opposite is equally true. A few poor practices naturally bring worries. It's just way too early to leap to any conclusions. The San Francisco media was wrong to label A.J. Jenkins as anything but a young football player adjusting to the top level of football. Jim Harbaugh was right to defend his young receiver and call out the media in the process.
Wednesday, August 8, 2012
Good Vibrations
Despite the terrible knee injuries to rookie receiver Greg Childs there seems to be a nice vibe coming out of Mankato this summer. Not a lot is expected of the Minnesota Vikings this year. That probably triggers those good vibrations. It shouldn't take much to exceed the expectations that most have for Minnesota. In some ways it reminds me of the Vikings 1998 training camp. A change in ownership then brought about a feeling of a new beginning. A little bit of excitement. A rookie receiver named Randy Moss raised that excitement even higher. This offseason the Minnesota Vikings finally got approval on a new stadium. That long sought achievement has everyone walking taller. This Vikings team may not have a new football player as dynamic as Moss but there's a youth movement under way that's creating some buzz. Fox's Jay Glazer spent some time in Mankato this summer. He came away surprised at the talent on the Vikings. There's much more than he expected.
The youth movement since their last taste of success in 2009 has been remarkable. Corner Antoine Winfield, defensive tackle Kevin Williams and backup quarterback Sage Rosenfels are the only players over 30. Over half of the 90 players in camp are under 27. By the time the season starts the Vikings may have the youngest team in the league. This youth brings hope. Much of that hope depends on the development of second-year quarterback Christian Ponder. The Vikings have sought a franchise quarterback for nearly as long as they have sought a new stadium. Many, including me, feel that the team now has both. Hopefully, the building of Ponder takes less time than the building of the stadium. Whether Ponder's the long term answer really remains to be seen but his potential and leadership provide hope. General manager Rick Spielman, his personnel staff and head coach Leslie Frazier have done a great job of surrounding their young quarterback with some weapons. The offense will be much more dynamic than last year. The addition of Jerome Simpson nicely compliments the incredibly versatile Percy Harvin. Second-year tight end Kyle Rudolph is poised to be a star. Free agent tight end John Carlson pairs nicely with Rudolph and gives Ponder another big target. The loss of Childs to the receiver group hurts but second-year receiver Stephen Burton and rookie receiver Jarius Wright will provide some passing game diversity. Burton reminds me of Baltimore Ravens receiver Anquan Boldin, at least physically. That's a nice place to start. I think that Ponder likes throwing to Burton. That's a better place to start. Adding rookie tackle and top pick Matt Kalil and second year guard Brandon Fusco to the offensive line solidifies the entire offense. Everything starts up front and the Vikings line will be very young, very talented, a little nasty and much improved. Of course, the Minnesota Vikings offense starts with the running game. All-everything running back Adrian Peterson is coming off a terrible knee injury. He'll be back and he'll be as fantastic as ever. Even if the team takes it slow with Peterson early on Toby Gerhart can carry the load. The Vikings offense is capable of surprising this year and being very potent in a couple of years.
Last year the Vikings led the league in sacks. Good line play was often wasted by a secondary that was decimated by injuries at corner and simply horrible play at safety. Corner is now stocked with some youth and experience. Chris Cook, like Rudolph on offense, is poised to be a star. Safety was greatly improved when the Vikings traded back into the first round to draft Harrison Smith. His smarts, instincts, tackling, basically everything that he does will help. Improved play in the secondary greatly improves the entire defense. Getting the incredibly versatile Everson Griffen on the field more often will improve the defense even more. Drafted as a defensive end, the Vikings have moved Griffen to linebacker during camp. Seeing him as an every down starter there might be a stretch. Whether on the line or off the line, it's guaranteed that his playing time is going to greatly increase. He's a difference maker and needs to find more time on the field.
The 2012 Minnesota Vikings are a much improved football team. That alone has improved the feelings of Vikings fans everywhere. Good vibrations. 3-13 was no fun. Peterson, Harvin, Jared Allen, Ponder, Rudolph, Kalil, Simpson, Gerhart, Chad Greenway, Winfield, Smith, Cook. There's a lot to like about this team. The greatest obstacle to continued good vibrations through the season is the division in which the Vikings play. Despite a surprisingly porous defense the Green Bay Packers were 15-1 last year. A year removed from a championship. With Aaron Rodgers at quarterback, the Packers will always be a title threat. The Detroit Lions are incredibly explosive on offense. A healthy Jay Cutler now has Brandon Marshall and rookie Alshon Jeffery catching his passes in Chicago. The Vikings are looking up at three teams. The Vikings will surprise this year mainly because so little is expected from them. They'll have their opportunities. They just have to take advantage of them when they come. Seeing youthful improvement is reason enough to feel good about this Minnesota Vikings team.
The youth movement since their last taste of success in 2009 has been remarkable. Corner Antoine Winfield, defensive tackle Kevin Williams and backup quarterback Sage Rosenfels are the only players over 30. Over half of the 90 players in camp are under 27. By the time the season starts the Vikings may have the youngest team in the league. This youth brings hope. Much of that hope depends on the development of second-year quarterback Christian Ponder. The Vikings have sought a franchise quarterback for nearly as long as they have sought a new stadium. Many, including me, feel that the team now has both. Hopefully, the building of Ponder takes less time than the building of the stadium. Whether Ponder's the long term answer really remains to be seen but his potential and leadership provide hope. General manager Rick Spielman, his personnel staff and head coach Leslie Frazier have done a great job of surrounding their young quarterback with some weapons. The offense will be much more dynamic than last year. The addition of Jerome Simpson nicely compliments the incredibly versatile Percy Harvin. Second-year tight end Kyle Rudolph is poised to be a star. Free agent tight end John Carlson pairs nicely with Rudolph and gives Ponder another big target. The loss of Childs to the receiver group hurts but second-year receiver Stephen Burton and rookie receiver Jarius Wright will provide some passing game diversity. Burton reminds me of Baltimore Ravens receiver Anquan Boldin, at least physically. That's a nice place to start. I think that Ponder likes throwing to Burton. That's a better place to start. Adding rookie tackle and top pick Matt Kalil and second year guard Brandon Fusco to the offensive line solidifies the entire offense. Everything starts up front and the Vikings line will be very young, very talented, a little nasty and much improved. Of course, the Minnesota Vikings offense starts with the running game. All-everything running back Adrian Peterson is coming off a terrible knee injury. He'll be back and he'll be as fantastic as ever. Even if the team takes it slow with Peterson early on Toby Gerhart can carry the load. The Vikings offense is capable of surprising this year and being very potent in a couple of years.
Last year the Vikings led the league in sacks. Good line play was often wasted by a secondary that was decimated by injuries at corner and simply horrible play at safety. Corner is now stocked with some youth and experience. Chris Cook, like Rudolph on offense, is poised to be a star. Safety was greatly improved when the Vikings traded back into the first round to draft Harrison Smith. His smarts, instincts, tackling, basically everything that he does will help. Improved play in the secondary greatly improves the entire defense. Getting the incredibly versatile Everson Griffen on the field more often will improve the defense even more. Drafted as a defensive end, the Vikings have moved Griffen to linebacker during camp. Seeing him as an every down starter there might be a stretch. Whether on the line or off the line, it's guaranteed that his playing time is going to greatly increase. He's a difference maker and needs to find more time on the field.
The 2012 Minnesota Vikings are a much improved football team. That alone has improved the feelings of Vikings fans everywhere. Good vibrations. 3-13 was no fun. Peterson, Harvin, Jared Allen, Ponder, Rudolph, Kalil, Simpson, Gerhart, Chad Greenway, Winfield, Smith, Cook. There's a lot to like about this team. The greatest obstacle to continued good vibrations through the season is the division in which the Vikings play. Despite a surprisingly porous defense the Green Bay Packers were 15-1 last year. A year removed from a championship. With Aaron Rodgers at quarterback, the Packers will always be a title threat. The Detroit Lions are incredibly explosive on offense. A healthy Jay Cutler now has Brandon Marshall and rookie Alshon Jeffery catching his passes in Chicago. The Vikings are looking up at three teams. The Vikings will surprise this year mainly because so little is expected from them. They'll have their opportunities. They just have to take advantage of them when they come. Seeing youthful improvement is reason enough to feel good about this Minnesota Vikings team.
Tuesday, August 7, 2012
My-Time College Team
The training camp injuries post and thoughts got me depressed. To climb out of that depression I thought of the greatest college players that I've seen in my lifetime. That takes out college greats like Red Grange, Ernie Nevers and Sammy Baugh. I wish that I had seen them and so many others play. I didn't, so they don't count. It still left a bunch of great college football players. They sure impressed me. Here they are:
WR Anthony Carter, Michigan
T Anthony Munoz, USC
G Randall McDaniel, Arizona State
C Dave Rimmington, Nebraska
G Steve Hutchinson, Michigan
T Orlando Pace, Ohio St
TE Ken MacAfee, Notre Dame
WR Larry Fitzgerald, Pittsburgh
QB Aaron Rodgers, Cal*
RB Herschel Walker, Georgia
RB Earl Campbell, Texas
DE Lee Roy Selmon, Oklahoma
DT Steve Emtman, Washington
DT Warren Sapp, Miami
DE Reggie White, Tennessee
LB Hugh Green, Pittsburgh
LB Chris Spielman, Ohio St
LB Derrick Brooks, Florida St
CB Deion Sanders, Florida St
CB Ronnie Lott, USC
S Kenny Easley, UCLA
S Joey Browner, USC
* Although his play with the Green Bay Packers may justify it, picking Aaron Rodgers might be a bit of a Cal homer pick for me. Still, his game against USC in 2004 was the best passing I have ever seen from a college quarterback.
It's really strange that five of the players on my team spent a good chunk of their NFL career with the Minnesota Vikings. You can imagine my excitement when Anthony Carter, Randall McDaniel, Steve Hutchinson, Joey Browner and even Herschel Walker (at least initially) arrived in Minnesota.
I think that helped my depression.
WR Anthony Carter, Michigan
T Anthony Munoz, USC
G Randall McDaniel, Arizona State
C Dave Rimmington, Nebraska
G Steve Hutchinson, Michigan
T Orlando Pace, Ohio St
TE Ken MacAfee, Notre Dame
WR Larry Fitzgerald, Pittsburgh
QB Aaron Rodgers, Cal*
RB Herschel Walker, Georgia
RB Earl Campbell, Texas
DE Lee Roy Selmon, Oklahoma
DT Steve Emtman, Washington
DT Warren Sapp, Miami
DE Reggie White, Tennessee
LB Hugh Green, Pittsburgh
LB Chris Spielman, Ohio St
LB Derrick Brooks, Florida St
CB Deion Sanders, Florida St
CB Ronnie Lott, USC
S Kenny Easley, UCLA
S Joey Browner, USC
* Although his play with the Green Bay Packers may justify it, picking Aaron Rodgers might be a bit of a Cal homer pick for me. Still, his game against USC in 2004 was the best passing I have ever seen from a college quarterback.
It's really strange that five of the players on my team spent a good chunk of their NFL career with the Minnesota Vikings. You can imagine my excitement when Anthony Carter, Randall McDaniel, Steve Hutchinson, Joey Browner and even Herschel Walker (at least initially) arrived in Minnesota.
I think that helped my depression.
Monday, August 6, 2012
Training Camp Injuries
There's never a good time for an injury in football. Injuries in training camp just seem especially harsh. You get rocked just as you're getting started. This happened Saturday night during a Minnesota Vikings scrimmage in Mankato. Rooke receiver Greg Childs tore the patella tendons in BOTH knees while going up for a reception. That's just not right. This is especially scary as Childs suffered the same injury to only his right knee during his 2010 season at Arkansas. This injury has a nearly 2-year recovery estimate. Childs had just recovered from that first injury. Both knees. Incredible. The good news is that Vikings trainer Eric Sugarman and his staff is on the job. "Sug" could be the team's most valuable person. He's shown his importance in the incredible recoveries of Chad Greenway, Heath Farwell, EJ Henderson and now Adrian Peterson from serious injuries. Greenway's injury, in particular, comes to mind. He tore his ACL on the opening kickoff of the first preseason game of his rookie year in 2006. Just when he was getting started he was set back. It's rough. It's football. The good news with Greenway is that he's been 100% ever since. No loss in speed, quickness or movement. In 2006, the recovery from an ACL tear was thought to exceed one year. Greenway made the return in closer to eight months. Peterson is shaving time off of that schedule in his return from an even more extensive knee injury. Henderson's career was thought to be in jeopardy with a gruesome broken femur. He was back for his next training camp. Advances in medicine, procedures and rehabs have made recoveries more efficient and quicker. Those advances and Eric Sugarman are a nice place to start for Greg Childs. As important is the player himself. The dedication of Greenway, Farwell, Henderson and Peterson to get better brought it all together. Childs has to want this. I can not imagine the rehabilitation of significant injuries to both knees. It seems like you'd need one healthy knee to help get the other healthy. This could be a long one. Best of luck, Greg Childs.
The Vikings and Childs aren't the only ones to be rocked by injuries in training camp. It's unfortunately unavoidable. On the same day that Childs went down, Cleveland Browns linebacker Chris Gocong was lost for the season with a torn achilles tendon. Jason Peters and Terrell Suggs didn't even make it to training camp. Both of their 2012 seasons are in question, likely unlikely. I remember a few years ago that Browns center LeCharles Bentley was lost on, what I think was, the very first snap of training camp. He never completely recovered. It sucks. Part of football is bouncing back from injuries.
The Flea Flicker is wishing fast and complete recoveries for Greg Childs, Chris Gocong, Jason Peters, Terrell Suggs and anyone else that doesn't make it out of training camp. And, of course, to the continued recovery of the incredible Adrian Peterson. Also, here's hoping that all those football players still standing remain standing.
The Vikings and Childs aren't the only ones to be rocked by injuries in training camp. It's unfortunately unavoidable. On the same day that Childs went down, Cleveland Browns linebacker Chris Gocong was lost for the season with a torn achilles tendon. Jason Peters and Terrell Suggs didn't even make it to training camp. Both of their 2012 seasons are in question, likely unlikely. I remember a few years ago that Browns center LeCharles Bentley was lost on, what I think was, the very first snap of training camp. He never completely recovered. It sucks. Part of football is bouncing back from injuries.
The Flea Flicker is wishing fast and complete recoveries for Greg Childs, Chris Gocong, Jason Peters, Terrell Suggs and anyone else that doesn't make it out of training camp. And, of course, to the continued recovery of the incredible Adrian Peterson. Also, here's hoping that all those football players still standing remain standing.
Sunday, August 5, 2012
Hall of Fame Thoughts
I have to get to the Hall of Fame. I could spend a month there. Maybe more. I have to get to one of these Inductions. I'm just waiting for Cris Carter.
I know that this day is for the new guys but I still wish that the TV coverage did a better job of covering the introductions of the Hall of Famers in attendance. I love seeing all that football history sitting on the stage. The turnout next year could be huge with it being the 50th Anniversary of the Hall.
This Hall of Fame class is the first to have no championships among them. I'm actually more surprised that it hasn't happened before. Being part of a championship team isn't mandatory for induction but it certainly helps.
The Hall, or someone, really needed to raise the microphone for Willie Roaf. If he didn't have back problems before, he does now.
I love that Roaf mentioned fellow Pine Bluff High School Hall of Famer Don Hutson.
It was fantastic to see Jack Butler be able to accept his induction. A half century is a long time to wait. Recent inductees Les Richter, Benny Friedman and Fritz Pollard didn't survive their unnecessary wait.
"Heck, I'm thankful I'm here."-Jack Butler
So, am I.
Nice gesture by Chris Doleman to acknowledge the passing and impact of former Minnesota Vikings general manager Mike Lynn.
One of the best things about the induction of a former Minnesota Vikings player is the memories brought back in the speeches. The names, the games, the history. Oh my. Can't wait for the next one.
I liked Cortez Kennedy's speech. Kinda rambling. Kinda funny. I kinda like the speeches that don't feel completely scripted. They can either be a disaster or they can be like the one that Kennedy gave.
The Pittsburgh Steelers have been incredibly blessed at the center position over the last forty years. It was awesome to hear Dermontti Dawson describe the impact of Mike Webster on his career. Webster, then Dawson. Maurkice Pouncey is continuing that legacy today.
Well, I've never heard a speech like that of Curtis Martin. By the looks of the Hall of Famers, old and new, they hadn't either. Incredible.
It's interesting that Martin wasn't a fan of football until he came to Canton this week.
Welcome to the Hall of Fame Willie Roaf, Jack Butler, Chris Doleman, Cortez Kennedy, Dermontti Dawson and Curtis Martin.
I know that this day is for the new guys but I still wish that the TV coverage did a better job of covering the introductions of the Hall of Famers in attendance. I love seeing all that football history sitting on the stage. The turnout next year could be huge with it being the 50th Anniversary of the Hall.
This Hall of Fame class is the first to have no championships among them. I'm actually more surprised that it hasn't happened before. Being part of a championship team isn't mandatory for induction but it certainly helps.
The Hall, or someone, really needed to raise the microphone for Willie Roaf. If he didn't have back problems before, he does now.
I love that Roaf mentioned fellow Pine Bluff High School Hall of Famer Don Hutson.
It was fantastic to see Jack Butler be able to accept his induction. A half century is a long time to wait. Recent inductees Les Richter, Benny Friedman and Fritz Pollard didn't survive their unnecessary wait.
"Heck, I'm thankful I'm here."-Jack Butler
So, am I.
Nice gesture by Chris Doleman to acknowledge the passing and impact of former Minnesota Vikings general manager Mike Lynn.
One of the best things about the induction of a former Minnesota Vikings player is the memories brought back in the speeches. The names, the games, the history. Oh my. Can't wait for the next one.
I liked Cortez Kennedy's speech. Kinda rambling. Kinda funny. I kinda like the speeches that don't feel completely scripted. They can either be a disaster or they can be like the one that Kennedy gave.
The Pittsburgh Steelers have been incredibly blessed at the center position over the last forty years. It was awesome to hear Dermontti Dawson describe the impact of Mike Webster on his career. Webster, then Dawson. Maurkice Pouncey is continuing that legacy today.
Well, I've never heard a speech like that of Curtis Martin. By the looks of the Hall of Famers, old and new, they hadn't either. Incredible.
It's interesting that Martin wasn't a fan of football until he came to Canton this week.
Welcome to the Hall of Fame Willie Roaf, Jack Butler, Chris Doleman, Cortez Kennedy, Dermontti Dawson and Curtis Martin.
Saturday, August 4, 2012
Hall of Famer: Chris Doleman
Here we go. Minnesota Vikings defensive end Chris Doleman is headed to the Pro Football Hall of Fame today. He's the eleventh former Viking to be so honored. There should be more but that's for another day. Today belongs to Chris Doleman.
My favorite Chris Doleman moment is from the 1989 season. A season in which he led the NFL with 21 sacks. In the final game of the regular season the Vikings needed a win against the Cincinnati Bengals to make the playoffs. In the second half when his team needed it the most Doleman took over the game. In doing so he took apart Hall of Fame tackle Anthony Munoz. Doleman went through every Bengals player put in front of him. It was incredible. Like Lawrence Taylor and Reggie White, Doleman was always a threat to dominate like that but no one ever did that to Munoz. It was so impressive. A series of plays that I'll never forget.
Doleman was such a fantastic defensive end that I often forget that he spent his first year and a half in the league as a linebacker. He was so versatile and quick that he could have had an effective career standing up off of the line. He was just such a natural pass rusher that a move to the line had to be made. There was no looking back once Doleman started racking up the sacks. He never stopped.
My favorite Chris Doleman moment is from the 1989 season. A season in which he led the NFL with 21 sacks. In the final game of the regular season the Vikings needed a win against the Cincinnati Bengals to make the playoffs. In the second half when his team needed it the most Doleman took over the game. In doing so he took apart Hall of Fame tackle Anthony Munoz. Doleman went through every Bengals player put in front of him. It was incredible. Like Lawrence Taylor and Reggie White, Doleman was always a threat to dominate like that but no one ever did that to Munoz. It was so impressive. A series of plays that I'll never forget.
Doleman was such a fantastic defensive end that I often forget that he spent his first year and a half in the league as a linebacker. He was so versatile and quick that he could have had an effective career standing up off of the line. He was just such a natural pass rusher that a move to the line had to be made. There was no looking back once Doleman started racking up the sacks. He never stopped.
Friday, August 3, 2012
Hall of Famer: Curtis Martin
Curtis Martin is one of the bigger Hall of Fame puzzles for me. Certainly the biggest in this class. Despite leading the NFL in rushing once, 2004, he always struck me as an under the radar football player. He did some great things but he did them quietly. Some of the things that he accomplished were incredible. Some of his statistics are incredible. To start, he and Barry Sanders are the only backs in NFL history to start their careers with ten straight 1,000 yard seasons. That alone might warrant Hall of Fame induction. Curtis Martin is the NFL's fourth all-time leading rusher with 14,101 yards. That alone might warrant induction. He's ahead of the rushing totals of automatic Hall of Fame inductee LaDanian Tomlinson in careers of comparable lengths. All of his numbers are Hall of Fame worthy but one. His career average per carry of 4.0 bothers me. He even had a couple seasons in which he averaged far less than 4.0. I feel as if I'm doing football a disservice by viewing the career of Curtis Martin the way that I have. The 10 straight 1,000 yard seasons is a much greater indication of Martin's career than his average per carry. You expect a Hall of Fame back to be there every game. To be there to move the chains. Curtis Martin did just that. He deserves his spot in the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
Thursday, August 2, 2012
Hall of Famer: Willie Roaf
In his thirteen year career, tackle Willie Roaf missed the Pro Bowl only twice. His rookie season and an injury shortened 2001 season. The only thing that bothered me about his career was that he spent part of it with the Kansas City Chiefs. To me, Willie Roaf was always a New Orleans Saints football player. He was a fantastic football player. Teams are always looking for that left tackle that you plug into the lineup and not have to worry about that side of the field for the next decade. The Saints found that kind of tackle in the 1993 NFL Draft. Willie Roaf played his position exactly as it was always meant to be played. An efficient, excellent blocking technician.
Wednesday, August 1, 2012
Hall of Famer: Cortez Kennedy
I don't think that I properly respected the career of Seattle Seahawks defensive tackle Cortez Kennedy. I wrongly considered him a one season wonder. Kennedy was fantastic in 1992. I felt that one season brought him too much attention. I was just being a baby. I felt that all that attention should have been paid to Minnesota Vikings defensive tackle John Randle. I was a fool. Cortez Kennedy was fantastic his entire career but that 1992 season truly was incredible. His play that year brought about memories of defensive tackles Mean Joe Greene and Alan Page. Kennedy was the Defensive Player of the Year on a 2-14 Seahawks team. He had 14 sacks, 92 tackles, recovered one fumble and batted down two passes. 14 sacks and 92 tackles are phenomenal numbers for a defensive tackle. They are outstanding for any position. Like most terrific performances, numbers tell only part of the story. Often not even the best part of the story. They say nothing about beating double- and triple-teams. They say nothing of the plays that don't end with Kennedy making the tackle. Cortez Kennedy had a season that looked more like a non-stop highlight reel starting with the first game and not ending until that final game. This was with a 2-14 team that did so few things right. Kennedy may not have reached again the sustained heights of that season. Who could? He was close and he was no one season wonder.
RIP Korey Stringer
RIP Korey Stringer
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