I really like the NFL Network's Rich Eisen. He brings a nice combination of silly and serious. Best of his talent is his remarkable rapport with the players, past and present. In his time with the Network, he has often latched onto some aspect of football and started politicking for a change. First it was the infamous "tuck rule". That's a good one. I actually think that the intention of the "tuck rule" is fine. It's the enforcement of it that's pathetic. The Flea Flicker will attack the "tuck rule" at another time. I'll probably combine it with the Calvin Johnson TD catch rule, another poorly enforced rule. For now, I'll deal with Rich Eisen's new favorite topic. For the past several years both the NFL Network's and ESPN's draft coverage have shown the team phone calls to the drafted players, both at the event and in some of the homes. Eisen hates this. He doesn't want the teams calling the players. He wants each selection to be a surprise for the audience and the players when Roger Goodell announces it. My first thought was that Eisen's crew is doing the televising. They are ruining the surprise to at least the audience. I'm all for surprises, but I have always liked that the teams are the ones to inform the players of their selection. I'd actually prefer that both networks kept their cameras away from the players special moment. Keep the cameras out of the Green Room and the homes. I'm fine with Goodell's announcement being a surprise to me and the rest of the audience. I don't need to see the players initial surprise. Seeing their resulting joy is enough.
I've always enjoyed Rich Eisen's fan's view of the NFL. This new platform of his just seems a bit much. You can surprise the audience but let the players be.
Tuesday, May 31, 2011
Monday, May 30, 2011
Camp Ponder
Today is the day that about a dozen Minnesota Vikings players gather in Florida to do some actual football work. Wow, professional football players actually playing some football? In a sign of impressive leadership at such a young age, rookie QB Christian Ponder has called this meeting. Fellow QBs Joe Webb and Rhett Bomar will be there, but Ponder seems to be taking the lead. The incredibly versatile Webb can still make a significant contribution to the offense even if Ponder is starting. His unique set of skills will give defensive coordinators headaches no matter where he lines up. This gathering of Vikings is such a promising sign. The most significant sign, possibly even greater than Ponder's leadership, is the expected presence of receiver Sidney Rice. Currently, Rice has no contract. Whenever this idiotic lockout ends, the Vikings first order of business is re-signing Rice. His being at these workouts is a pretty good indication that he is looking to remain with the team. Fellow receivers Percy Harvin and Emmanuel Arceneaux and tight ends Visanthe Shiancoe and rookie Kyle Rudolph will be there. I'm a little disappointed that I haven't seen Bernard Berrian's name on the guest list. He's had a somewhat rocky past two years. Injuries have played a role, but he needs to get it together. This would be a good place to start. When at the top of his game, Berrian completes a very dynamic trio with Rice and Harvin. I hope that Adrian Peterson and his backfield mates can be there. Centers John Sullivan, rookie Brandon Fusco and Jon Cooper would do well to be there. The center-QB exchange is always very critical to the success of an offensive play. I can't wait for Camp Ponder. Seeing Steve Hutchinson, Kevin Williams, Chad Greenway, Antoine Winfield, Jared Allen, EJ Henderson, Brian Robison and the rest at the camp would make it all better. Sure can't wait for this ridiculous labor mess to end.
Sunday, May 29, 2011
O' Canada
It's not aboot hockey. It's still all aboot football. The Flea Flicker is going international today. Not too far. Going to our neighbor up north, Canada. There was a time when many NFL quality players went north for some football. There were many reasons for this. The pay used to be much closer. If a player couldn't get that raise with his NFL club, he could find it in the Canadian Football League. In the late '70s, Warren Moon discovered that some in the NFL didn't much care for a black man throwing a football. He went north and did some crazy things with the passing game. Doug Flutie was way too short. He went north too. Both came back and proved that they had NFL skills. Moon showed that the color of his skin had no impact on his ability to throw the ball. He made it to the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Fewer and fewer players have taken the CFL route to the NFL. One player may have changed that pattern. The Miami Dolphins found a tremendous pass rushing linebacker in Canada. After two years with the British Columbia Lions, Cameron Wake has sent scouts sprinting across the border. Racking up 14 sacks in a season will open some eyes. The Philadelphia Eagles hope that defensive end Phillip Hunt will have a similar pass rush impact. They found him in Canada. The Eagles were at the front of a long line of teams pursuing Hunt. A couple pass catchers are joining the Canadian pass rushers this year. The Vikings signed BC Lions receiver Emmanuel Arceneaux to a 3-year contract. The length of the contract indicates a greater than passing interest in Arceneaux. The Bears beat out several teams to sign Saskatchewan Rough Riders receiver Andy Fantuz. The NFL is always on the lookout for talent. There are skilled football players everywhere. Even Canada has a few.
Saturday, May 28, 2011
LA Is Doin' Some Courtin'?
The people of Minnesota, the state legislature in particular, should start quaking in their mukluks. AEG CEO Tim Leiweke was in Minneapolis this week and met with Vikings owner Zygi Wilf and other team officials. AEG and Leiweke are searching the country for an NFL team to fill their proposed downtown Los Angeles stadium. Unlike Minnesota, Los Angeles actually seems to want an NFL team even though they have never been very successful at keeping one.
Leiweke did have business, other than kidnapping the Vikings, in the Twin Cities area. He also has a relationship with the Wilf family. The Vikings officials primarily were inquiring about the idea of developing an entertainment district around the hoped for Vikings stadium in Arden Hills. Leiweke has loads of experience with this sort of endeavor and the Vikings were simply getting some information. I don't really care how innocent this meeting was. I want it to scare the "powers that be" in Minnesota into action. They must realize how critical the Vikings stadium situation has become. The lease with the Metrodome ends after this season. This waffling has to end now. The Vikings could be gone this time next year and the team could be having an entirely different conversation with Leiweke. We are way past saying "time is running out". Time has run out.
Leiweke did have business, other than kidnapping the Vikings, in the Twin Cities area. He also has a relationship with the Wilf family. The Vikings officials primarily were inquiring about the idea of developing an entertainment district around the hoped for Vikings stadium in Arden Hills. Leiweke has loads of experience with this sort of endeavor and the Vikings were simply getting some information. I don't really care how innocent this meeting was. I want it to scare the "powers that be" in Minnesota into action. They must realize how critical the Vikings stadium situation has become. The lease with the Metrodome ends after this season. This waffling has to end now. The Vikings could be gone this time next year and the team could be having an entirely different conversation with Leiweke. We are way past saying "time is running out". Time has run out.
Friday, May 27, 2011
100
The Flea Flicker is 100 today. I really can't believe that I've done 100 of these already. Time flies when talkin' football, even with a lockout. I never would have it made it to 1 if not for Mrs. Flicker. My amazing wife got me started on this little adventure. Her support is all I need. She's the best.
I wonder what the next 100 brings. I hope that one somewhere short of 110 is about a new labor deal. I hope that 200 is about Christian Ponder being named the Minnesota Vikings opening day starting QB. I hope that somewhere around 300 I'm writing about the Vikings winning the NFC North, putting the Packers and Bears back where they belong. About 40 after that, I'll hopefully be writing a bunch about the Super Bowl Champion Minnesota Vikings. Good times. No matter what happens in the football world, the Flea Flicker will be there. Football's fun.
I wonder what the next 100 brings. I hope that one somewhere short of 110 is about a new labor deal. I hope that 200 is about Christian Ponder being named the Minnesota Vikings opening day starting QB. I hope that somewhere around 300 I'm writing about the Vikings winning the NFC North, putting the Packers and Bears back where they belong. About 40 after that, I'll hopefully be writing a bunch about the Super Bowl Champion Minnesota Vikings. Good times. No matter what happens in the football world, the Flea Flicker will be there. Football's fun.
Thursday, May 26, 2011
Throwback Thursday: Sue Wallen
The fans drive the league. The players and owners should think about that a bit more. Despite the importance of the fans, few make the pages of the NFL history books. No one is to blame for that as it is far too difficult to single them out. Sue Wallen did impact the early Green Bay Packers, and she is remembered. Until football salaries exploded, many football players spent the season in hotels. They just couldn't afford all the homes. With year to year contracts, they never knew where they might live each year. Many had to bolt town as soon as the season ended to start their offseason jobs. There was no home for many players during the season. Sue Wallen provided a little bit of home for many early Green Bay Packers at the Astor Hotel into the 1940s. Sue worked the front desk. She had seen every Packers game played since 1919. She knew all there was to know about every player. When coach Curly Lambeau needed to locate a player, he called on Sue. During World War II, she corresponded with dozens of players. Letters came in from all over the world. The first thing a Packer said when he ran into a teammate far from Green Bay was, "Have you heard from Sue?". She listened to their problems, sent them money, gave them advice and helped them all with warm affection. She was a fan, a friend, a receptionist, even a Mom. None of which was a part of her job description at the Astor. At one point, the hotel changed management and Sue was going to be let go. The Packers rose up in revolt and threatened to tear the new owner apart if Sue left.
It takes the "town team" atmosphere of little Green Bay to have a story like that of Sue Wallen. The quaint nature of the Green Bay Packers really annoys me as a Vikings fan. The Packers are hard to hate. Not like the Bears. There used to be more little town teams and more fans like Sue Wallen that truly were part of the team. Now, there's just the Packers.
It takes the "town team" atmosphere of little Green Bay to have a story like that of Sue Wallen. The quaint nature of the Green Bay Packers really annoys me as a Vikings fan. The Packers are hard to hate. Not like the Bears. There used to be more little town teams and more fans like Sue Wallen that truly were part of the team. Now, there's just the Packers.
Wednesday, May 25, 2011
DeSean Jackson, Crusader
Over the past several years, few players have been the target of my criticism more frequently than Eagles receiver DeSean Jackson. I have never been more disappointed in a player from my school, Cal. Jackson thrilled me for three years with his breathtaking football skills. His field vision is beyond compare. Players like former Lions back Barry Sanders can make defenders miss. Jackson can also make defenders miss, but he often doesn't have to. He can see his path to the end zone like no other that I have ever seen. He seems to see the defenders moves before they make them. Jackson is an unbelievable player, and an unbelievable jerk. I don't think that any college coach likes to see his players leave early. They still usually support the decision. Cal coach Jeff Tedford was at the press conferences for Aaron Rodgers and Marshawn Lynch to announce their early entry into the NFL draft. He supported them. Tedford wanted no part of Jackson's exit. Jackson destroyed the Cal locker room. All by himself, Jackson took apart a once promising season in 2007. He was a cancer at Cal. He's been a jerk in the NFL. He's also the first player that I have seen step out of bounds rather than take on a punter.
All that being said, I have to give Jackson some much deserved applause right now. DeSean Jackson has been incredible in taking a stand against school yard bullying. It's horrible to see children take on the hatred that we so frequently see in adults. If Jackson can change the views of even a few, he will have done more than most of us. The Flea Flicker salutes DeSean Jackson.
All that being said, I have to give Jackson some much deserved applause right now. DeSean Jackson has been incredible in taking a stand against school yard bullying. It's horrible to see children take on the hatred that we so frequently see in adults. If Jackson can change the views of even a few, he will have done more than most of us. The Flea Flicker salutes DeSean Jackson.
Tuesday, May 24, 2011
Goodell's Fantasy Fans
Sometimes I question Roger Goodell's version of reality. There are a couple, pretty significant, things that he claims to be the choice of the fans. No fans that I know want either. None. I'm certainly a fan, and I'd put both in a can to never see the light of day. Goodell claimed that a prime time draft was called for by the fans. I know of no fans that like it. None. Every fan I know preferred the weekend draft. With the Internet, the number of fans, of all teams, that I know is quite large. I will get used to the new format. It looks like I'll I have to seeing as it doesn't appear to be going away any time soon. Each year, Goodell claims that the fans love this format even more. I'd like to know who those fans are. Goodell claims that the fans want an 18 game schedule. They must be the same fans that love the new draft. No fan that I know wants an 18 game schedule. None. Some like the loss of two preseason games as part of this proposed change. Most of those are season ticket holders that have never liked having to pay regular season prices for preseason games. Teams have often linked high demand, single game tickets to a preseason game. No one has ever liked that. Fans, in general, do not like the price of preseason games, but at least the more informed see the importance of playing them. 18 games is really pushing the limits of the players. The fans see it, and are against it. Goodell's collection of make believe fans seem to be the only ones that are calling for it.
I wish that Goodell would be honest about both these changes. It is not the fans that are calling for it. It is the increase in profits that are calling for it. Basically, the owners are probably Goodell's fantasy fans. The draft has changed. The fans have to live it whether they like it or not. The 18 game season shouldn't happen and the fans don't want it to happen. Be honest, Roger.
I wish that Goodell would be honest about both these changes. It is not the fans that are calling for it. It is the increase in profits that are calling for it. Basically, the owners are probably Goodell's fantasy fans. The draft has changed. The fans have to live it whether they like it or not. The 18 game season shouldn't happen and the fans don't want it to happen. Be honest, Roger.
Monday, May 23, 2011
Moonlighting
It's reassuring to see football players doing whatever they can to make ends meet. The long dark days of the lockout can be tough. Two defensive players have turned to boxing. Likely former Vikings defensive end Ray Edwards and Ravens safety Tom Zbikowski are used to hitting opponents. Edwards has used boxing training as a supplement to his football training for a few years now. With some extra time on his hands, he has taken boxing a step further with an actual fight. The 6'5" Edwards defeated 5'9" TJ Gibson in a unanimous decision Friday night. Some of his likely former Vikings teammates were there to support him. Zbikowski, on the other hand, is a proven boxer. He had his first fight in 2006 while still at Notre Dame. He's currently 4-0 with his next fight set for early next month. Bengals receiver Chad Ochocinco has had a more colorful and more publicized lockout. He recently, a bit foolishly, took a stab at bull riding. Calling what Ochocinco did bull riding is a stretch. He barely made it out of the gate, lasting 1.5 seconds on Deja Blue. For his time, he pocketed $210,000. I'd fall off a bull for $210,000. Browns do-everything athlete Joshua Cribbs took a safer path. He turned to gambling. He decided to put $200 on the horse wearing his jersey number at the Kentucky Derby. Animal Kingdom wore #16 and Cribbs took home $4,380. Hopefully, football will cut into all this fun real soon.
Sunday, May 22, 2011
And The Young Shall Lead
I see these player-led workouts popping up across the country. I like it. I like seeing the players being proactive. I like seeing some football action. I'm tired of seeing nothing. The Saints had an amazing 40 players show up to work. That's a huge number pre-free agency. They may not even have that many under contract. I've been waiting, hoping to hear that the Vikings are getting together. Most of the workouts are organized by QBs like Drew Brees, Tony Romo and Michael Vick. Established QBs and leaders. Christian Ponder is in no position to bring veteran players together. Or is he? The young QB has made the call, or text. He's bringing the team together. He's doing this with an assist from a surprising source. Safety Mistral Raymond, the Vikings 6th round pick, is hosting the workouts at his alma mater South Florida. He's cleared the use of the school's facility with his former coach Skip Holtz. That's some heady stuff for a couple of kids. Ponder is doing all the right things, leading right out of the gate. Receiver Sidney Rice has even reached out to Ponder. He wants to play some catch with the young thrower. This is certainly a fantastic sign as Rice is a must re-sign free agent. Get this idiotic lockout over and let the players play.
Saturday, May 21, 2011
Labor Woes
I'm not sure how much more of this lockout I can take. It was ridiculous that nothing could get done in the four years since the owners broke their agreement. It is ridiculous that mediation during crunch time in March did nothing. We are far beyond ridiculous now.
I usually side with the players in most labor issues. The owners have taken advantage of the players since 1920. They see the players as expendable now as much as they did in the days of leather helmets. The Eddie DeBartolo owned San Francisco 49ers of the '80s and '90s were supposedly as player friendly as any team in history. Where did Joe Montana, Jerry Rice, Ronnie Lott and Roger Craig end their careers? As soon as stars, even legends, can be replaced, they are. There are always more players for the owners to call their own. My favor for the players is growing weak. The owners may be the reason for this mess, but I think that the players are the reason for it continuing. The players are bringing antitrust lawsuits that threaten the very existence of the NFL as we know it. The early years of the league prove that the NFL has no real future without the draft and revenue sharing. Without avenues for parity, the rich teams will get richer and the poor teams in small markets will fade away. Everyone knows that a solution to this battle will come at the bargaining table. There is no room for threats and lawsuits that ultimately serve no purpose. Stop playing games. Start finding solutions. The Flea Flicker is sick is this!
I usually side with the players in most labor issues. The owners have taken advantage of the players since 1920. They see the players as expendable now as much as they did in the days of leather helmets. The Eddie DeBartolo owned San Francisco 49ers of the '80s and '90s were supposedly as player friendly as any team in history. Where did Joe Montana, Jerry Rice, Ronnie Lott and Roger Craig end their careers? As soon as stars, even legends, can be replaced, they are. There are always more players for the owners to call their own. My favor for the players is growing weak. The owners may be the reason for this mess, but I think that the players are the reason for it continuing. The players are bringing antitrust lawsuits that threaten the very existence of the NFL as we know it. The early years of the league prove that the NFL has no real future without the draft and revenue sharing. Without avenues for parity, the rich teams will get richer and the poor teams in small markets will fade away. Everyone knows that a solution to this battle will come at the bargaining table. There is no room for threats and lawsuits that ultimately serve no purpose. Stop playing games. Start finding solutions. The Flea Flicker is sick is this!
Friday, May 20, 2011
What Might Have Been
In 1983, the Baltimore Colts made John Elway the top pick in the draft. The former Stanford QB didn't much care for that. He didn't want to play for the Colts. He even went so far as to say that he would rather play baseball for the New York Yankees. He actually did have that option. The pressure got too great for Colts owner Robert Irsay and he traded Elway to the Denver Broncos. The rest was history. I read that then Colts GM Ernie Accorsi was very close to changing Elway's mind. He was close to signing the future Hall of Famer and Super Bowl hero. Just imagine the different paths that the Broncos and the Colts would have taken if Irsay had waited and listened to his GM. For one, the Colts may have remained in Baltimore. I would expect more fan interest and overall team success with Elway at QB than Mark Hermann. Elway played until 1999. Perhaps, the Colts choose someone other than Peyton Manning in '98.
I always get a kick out of hearing about these "what might have been" situations. It's truly amazing how easily paths could have changed . I just read New York Jets' coach Rex Ryan's book. It's a very interesting read, if anyone is curious. Ryan mentioned one of these crossroads moments that really grabbed my attention. As the 2009 draft approached, Ryan and the Jets had fallen for USC QB Mark Sanchez. Unfortuantely for the Jets, they picked at 17. They would have to jump into the top 5 to have a shot at him. Of course, history tells us they made that trade and drafted Sanchez. They had a backup plan in case they couldn't move up in the draft. The Jets were going to draft Florida receiver Percy Harvin at 17. As soon as the draft ended Ryan was going to jump on a plane and visit Brett Favre. Wow. History tells us that Favre and Harvin helped make a magical Minnesota Vikings possible.
Little nuggets like these happen all the time, especially in the draft. We rarely hear about them, but when we do it can shocking. So many things that we just accept may have come so close to being so very different.
I always get a kick out of hearing about these "what might have been" situations. It's truly amazing how easily paths could have changed . I just read New York Jets' coach Rex Ryan's book. It's a very interesting read, if anyone is curious. Ryan mentioned one of these crossroads moments that really grabbed my attention. As the 2009 draft approached, Ryan and the Jets had fallen for USC QB Mark Sanchez. Unfortuantely for the Jets, they picked at 17. They would have to jump into the top 5 to have a shot at him. Of course, history tells us they made that trade and drafted Sanchez. They had a backup plan in case they couldn't move up in the draft. The Jets were going to draft Florida receiver Percy Harvin at 17. As soon as the draft ended Ryan was going to jump on a plane and visit Brett Favre. Wow. History tells us that Favre and Harvin helped make a magical Minnesota Vikings possible.
Little nuggets like these happen all the time, especially in the draft. We rarely hear about them, but when we do it can shocking. So many things that we just accept may have come so close to being so very different.
Thursday, May 19, 2011
Throwback Thursday: Senior Ryan
Drift back to Minnesota in the mid-70s. Former New York Jets defensive assistant Buddy Ryan is interviewing with Vikings legendary coach Bud Grant for the team's defensive line coach position.
Bud Grant: You have any dogs?
Buddy Ryan: Yes
about 5 minutes pass
Bud Grant: Do you hunt with them?
Buddy Ryan: No
about 5 minutes pass
Bud Grant: You got the job.
This little interview may be odd, but it does speak volumes about Bud Grant. He knew all along that Ryan had the job. Grant knew what he wanted, and knew what Ryan offered. He just wanted to make Ryan sweat. Buddy Ryan was many things as a football coach, good and bad. He was a fantastic, innovative defensive coach. He was also a jackass. He would probably take that as a compliment. From my first awareness of Ryan as the Vikings line coach in the '70s to the Bears defensive coordinator in the 80s to his somewhat failed head coaching gigs with the Eagles and Cardinals to his coordinator work with the Oilers in the 90s, I have had so many conflicting opinions of Ryan. It is impossible to ignore his genius but it is equally hard to ignore his narrow vision. He should not have been a head coach. He sees only defense and completely ignores offense. His narrow vision was evident early. He was fired from his first job as a high school football coach and athletic director because he spent the entire athletic budget on the football team. This pattern repeats throughout his career. As a defensive coordinator he fought with the offensive coaches. With the Chicago Bears, he never listened to or respected head coach Mike Ditka. F-bombs were standard features of his conversations with Ditka. With the Oilers a decade later, he literally fought with offensive coordinator Kevin Gilbride. Ryan gained perhaps his greatest attention by punching Gilbride, on camera, during a game. Classy. The Oilers ran the "run and shoot" offense. An offense Ryan called the "chuck and duck" for it's complete disregard for protecting the QB and repeatedly putting his defense in difficult spots. I always thought that Ryan's anger should have been directed at head coach Jack Pardee. After all, Pardee installed the offense. Gilbride simply acted on that direction. Ryan always had an "every one's out to get me" mentality that was only loosely based on reality. It's sad to see his defensive genius tainted in this way. Nearly every attacking defensive scheme run today pulls aspects of Ryan's ideas. Any team that has employed one of his sons, Rex and Rob, obviously carries the older Ryan's legacy. This number is growing rapidly. The Ravens, Patriots, Raiders, Browns, and now the Jets and Cowboys have all employed a junior Ryan. Rex Ryan says that his father's greatest influences were Weeb Ewbank, Bud Grant and George Halas. That's quite a trio of Hall of Famers. It's unfortunate that he didn't learn some of their head coaching skills, the ability to see the whole team. Rex, in his two seasons as head coach of the Jets, appears to have the big picture vision. He has a similar defensive genius as his father, but he sees the whole team. His first big move as head coach was to bargain a lot on a potential franchise QB in Mark Sanchez. Spending a ton on an offensive player doesn't sound like a Ryan move.
It's only a guess of mine, but I'll bet that Buddy Ryan's greatest moments in the NFL were a couple of acts by his players. His Bears defensive players sent a letter to Halas pleading with him to keep Ryan when the entire coaching staff was fired. This act influenced Halas enough to keep Ryan. It also ticked off Ditka when he had no say in his defensive coordinator. The second was when his defensive players carried him off the field following Super Bowl XX. This is the only time an assistant coach has ever been carried off the field. This probably ticked off Ditka too. I'd like to have seen what Buddy Ryan could have done if he had a better overall team view. Maybe we will through his sons.
Bud Grant: You have any dogs?
Buddy Ryan: Yes
about 5 minutes pass
Bud Grant: Do you hunt with them?
Buddy Ryan: No
about 5 minutes pass
Bud Grant: You got the job.
This little interview may be odd, but it does speak volumes about Bud Grant. He knew all along that Ryan had the job. Grant knew what he wanted, and knew what Ryan offered. He just wanted to make Ryan sweat. Buddy Ryan was many things as a football coach, good and bad. He was a fantastic, innovative defensive coach. He was also a jackass. He would probably take that as a compliment. From my first awareness of Ryan as the Vikings line coach in the '70s to the Bears defensive coordinator in the 80s to his somewhat failed head coaching gigs with the Eagles and Cardinals to his coordinator work with the Oilers in the 90s, I have had so many conflicting opinions of Ryan. It is impossible to ignore his genius but it is equally hard to ignore his narrow vision. He should not have been a head coach. He sees only defense and completely ignores offense. His narrow vision was evident early. He was fired from his first job as a high school football coach and athletic director because he spent the entire athletic budget on the football team. This pattern repeats throughout his career. As a defensive coordinator he fought with the offensive coaches. With the Chicago Bears, he never listened to or respected head coach Mike Ditka. F-bombs were standard features of his conversations with Ditka. With the Oilers a decade later, he literally fought with offensive coordinator Kevin Gilbride. Ryan gained perhaps his greatest attention by punching Gilbride, on camera, during a game. Classy. The Oilers ran the "run and shoot" offense. An offense Ryan called the "chuck and duck" for it's complete disregard for protecting the QB and repeatedly putting his defense in difficult spots. I always thought that Ryan's anger should have been directed at head coach Jack Pardee. After all, Pardee installed the offense. Gilbride simply acted on that direction. Ryan always had an "every one's out to get me" mentality that was only loosely based on reality. It's sad to see his defensive genius tainted in this way. Nearly every attacking defensive scheme run today pulls aspects of Ryan's ideas. Any team that has employed one of his sons, Rex and Rob, obviously carries the older Ryan's legacy. This number is growing rapidly. The Ravens, Patriots, Raiders, Browns, and now the Jets and Cowboys have all employed a junior Ryan. Rex Ryan says that his father's greatest influences were Weeb Ewbank, Bud Grant and George Halas. That's quite a trio of Hall of Famers. It's unfortunate that he didn't learn some of their head coaching skills, the ability to see the whole team. Rex, in his two seasons as head coach of the Jets, appears to have the big picture vision. He has a similar defensive genius as his father, but he sees the whole team. His first big move as head coach was to bargain a lot on a potential franchise QB in Mark Sanchez. Spending a ton on an offensive player doesn't sound like a Ryan move.
It's only a guess of mine, but I'll bet that Buddy Ryan's greatest moments in the NFL were a couple of acts by his players. His Bears defensive players sent a letter to Halas pleading with him to keep Ryan when the entire coaching staff was fired. This act influenced Halas enough to keep Ryan. It also ticked off Ditka when he had no say in his defensive coordinator. The second was when his defensive players carried him off the field following Super Bowl XX. This is the only time an assistant coach has ever been carried off the field. This probably ticked off Ditka too. I'd like to have seen what Buddy Ryan could have done if he had a better overall team view. Maybe we will through his sons.
Wednesday, May 18, 2011
"C"
I kinda like the NFL's adoption of the NHL's "C" patch signifying the team captains. Trotting out six captains for the coin toss, as the Vikings have done, seems a bit much. I also think that the captains should be decided by the players and not the coaches. Coaches tend to want to see the QB and middle linebacker as the captains. You can't force a player into the role of a captain. They are either a leader or they aren't, and the players know best who it is that leads them.
The Sporting News recently had a little column about leadership in their print edition. It's a sign of our times that you have to specify the print edition of a magazine. Anyway, they picked a player from each of the professional sports leagues that defines leadership. In football, Ray Lewis is the man. He's perfect. Players throughout the league look to him for leadership. He leads the Ravens. He leads the league. Watching Lewis play football is a treat to this generation as Dick Butkus, John Unitas, Sammy Baugh and Don Hutson were to previous generations. I hope that people realize his impact on the game. It's amazing that he is still playing linebacker at this level into his mid-30s. A special player that is made better by his preparation and leadership. With Ed Reed, the Ravens play defense with about 13 players.
Players lead in so many different ways. Some lead through words. Some lead through their play. Some lead through their preparation. Adrian Peterson is one of the Vikings leaders. His unbelievable talent draws his teammates respect and awe. He has become more vocal. His work ethic brings out his natural talent even more. I'm not sure if he will ever wear the "C". I'm sure that everyone around the Vikings want Christian Ponder to grab it and never let go. He has to earn it. Then his teammates will follow.
The Sporting News recently had a little column about leadership in their print edition. It's a sign of our times that you have to specify the print edition of a magazine. Anyway, they picked a player from each of the professional sports leagues that defines leadership. In football, Ray Lewis is the man. He's perfect. Players throughout the league look to him for leadership. He leads the Ravens. He leads the league. Watching Lewis play football is a treat to this generation as Dick Butkus, John Unitas, Sammy Baugh and Don Hutson were to previous generations. I hope that people realize his impact on the game. It's amazing that he is still playing linebacker at this level into his mid-30s. A special player that is made better by his preparation and leadership. With Ed Reed, the Ravens play defense with about 13 players.
Players lead in so many different ways. Some lead through words. Some lead through their play. Some lead through their preparation. Adrian Peterson is one of the Vikings leaders. His unbelievable talent draws his teammates respect and awe. He has become more vocal. His work ethic brings out his natural talent even more. I'm not sure if he will ever wear the "C". I'm sure that everyone around the Vikings want Christian Ponder to grab it and never let go. He has to earn it. Then his teammates will follow.
Tuesday, May 17, 2011
NFL's Top 100
The NFL Network has recently started showing the top 100 players, voted by the players. They are showing ten per week down to the #1 player in the league. I like these things. See how the players see it. Check it out. It's a peach. The Flicker will probably have a bunch to say about the Top 100 Players.
I have an issue already. I just don't see Tampa Bay receiver Mike Williams in the top 100. Certainly not at 83, most certainly not a few spots ahead of his own QB Josh Freeman. I think that Freeman is a dynamite football player. Right there with Matt Ryan and Joe Flacco as the young guns of the league. He may have a higher ceiling than both. Mike Williams had a fantastic rookie season. A season that was made possible by the rapid devoplment of Freeman. I like Williams. I think that he has a tremendous future, but I understand this list being the top 100 right now. Williams would have had to have a rookie season like Randy Moss in 1998 to make the list. He didn't.
I have an issue already. I just don't see Tampa Bay receiver Mike Williams in the top 100. Certainly not at 83, most certainly not a few spots ahead of his own QB Josh Freeman. I think that Freeman is a dynamite football player. Right there with Matt Ryan and Joe Flacco as the young guns of the league. He may have a higher ceiling than both. Mike Williams had a fantastic rookie season. A season that was made possible by the rapid devoplment of Freeman. I like Williams. I think that he has a tremendous future, but I understand this list being the top 100 right now. Williams would have had to have a rookie season like Randy Moss in 1998 to make the list. He didn't.
Monday, May 16, 2011
Prospect Evaluation Process
I was recently listening to Vikings VP of Player Personel Rick Spielman discuss the evaluation process of first round QB Christian Ponder. Podcasts sure are a delightful little thing. It is a very interesting process. Evaluating QBs is a little more involved, but it is pretty interesting for all players.
Throughout the Brad Childress years and this year with Leslie Frazier, the Vikings bring in their "top 30" players for a group dinner and visit. It's not always the top 30 players on their draft board, but it is 30 players that they want to look at in this setting. I always thought that it was an odd way of visiting with players. A bit too crowded. I later learned that this event has an underlying psychological or sociological purpose. The Vikings want to see how these players respond to this setting. How they interact. I have also heard that other teams have similar events. I have always found it interesting to compare this guest list, if I can find it, with the players that they actually draft. I don't recall if Ponder was part of this party. I do know that the Vikings visited with Ponder down in Talahassee. Spielman mentioned that in visits such as this that the team asks the player to pick out a restaurant and invite a guest. This too probes the thought process, actions, organization and responsibility of the prospect. He is judged on the restaurant and guest that he selects. I hope that the Vikings pick up the tab. I guess that since the team is sinking millions into the kid they need to know as much as possible.
I'm sure that all players are put up on the white board to diagram plays, breakdown schemes and draw nice little x's and o's. This little exercise is especially critical for QBs. Spielman mentions the Vikings process of having the offensive coordinator and position coach describe, diagram and breakdown four of the teams passing concepts. The young QB is expected to take it all in, take notes, then approach the board and regurgitate everything. I was very shocked to hear that some QBs took no notes. That kid won't last long in the league. I have a hunch that this is where Ponder sealed his selection in the first round. I was recently listening to Ponder's college coach, Jimbo Fischer, talk of Ponder's ability to not only understand the concepts of the offense, but the reason behind all of it too. If you understand the basis of something, why something is done, it is much easier to act and react instinctively.
Just listening to Spielman talk of how the Vikings came to decide on Ponder was interesting. As was the entire process that every draft eligible player goes through. Most of the time, we only see what happens on the field in the fall and winter. It's nice to see or hear some of what makes all of that possible.
Throughout the Brad Childress years and this year with Leslie Frazier, the Vikings bring in their "top 30" players for a group dinner and visit. It's not always the top 30 players on their draft board, but it is 30 players that they want to look at in this setting. I always thought that it was an odd way of visiting with players. A bit too crowded. I later learned that this event has an underlying psychological or sociological purpose. The Vikings want to see how these players respond to this setting. How they interact. I have also heard that other teams have similar events. I have always found it interesting to compare this guest list, if I can find it, with the players that they actually draft. I don't recall if Ponder was part of this party. I do know that the Vikings visited with Ponder down in Talahassee. Spielman mentioned that in visits such as this that the team asks the player to pick out a restaurant and invite a guest. This too probes the thought process, actions, organization and responsibility of the prospect. He is judged on the restaurant and guest that he selects. I hope that the Vikings pick up the tab. I guess that since the team is sinking millions into the kid they need to know as much as possible.
I'm sure that all players are put up on the white board to diagram plays, breakdown schemes and draw nice little x's and o's. This little exercise is especially critical for QBs. Spielman mentions the Vikings process of having the offensive coordinator and position coach describe, diagram and breakdown four of the teams passing concepts. The young QB is expected to take it all in, take notes, then approach the board and regurgitate everything. I was very shocked to hear that some QBs took no notes. That kid won't last long in the league. I have a hunch that this is where Ponder sealed his selection in the first round. I was recently listening to Ponder's college coach, Jimbo Fischer, talk of Ponder's ability to not only understand the concepts of the offense, but the reason behind all of it too. If you understand the basis of something, why something is done, it is much easier to act and react instinctively.
Just listening to Spielman talk of how the Vikings came to decide on Ponder was interesting. As was the entire process that every draft eligible player goes through. Most of the time, we only see what happens on the field in the fall and winter. It's nice to see or hear some of what makes all of that possible.
Sunday, May 15, 2011
Draft Fiasco II
Since the draft, there has been a great deal of talk about the little fiasco between the Baltimore Ravens and the Chicago Bears. Late in the first round, the Ravens were on the clock and had apparently agreed to swap spots with the Bears in exchange for a fourth round pick. The Bears wanted to jump up a few spots to insure the selection of Wisconsin tackle Gabe Carimi. The Ravens time ran out without the trade being confirmed by the league. The Chiefs jumped in and made their pick. The Ravens still got their player, Colorado cornerback Jimmy Smith, but they were livid about not getting the agreed upon fourth round pick. To be an official trade both teams must contact the league. The Bears never phoned in the trade. Sounds familiar. The Ravens did the very same thing to the Vikings in the 2003 draft. I really like Ravens GM Ozzie Newsome and owner Steve Bisciotti seems like one of the better, more reasonable owners. I dislike the Bears greatly. Sneaky shenanigans like this is typical of that crew. From their spineless QB to their shady management, the Bears deserve severe beatings. I'm not surprised by the Bears ridiculous stunt on draft day, or their "no harm, no foul" attitude since. Still, I have no sympathy for the Ravens. They ran from any blame in 2003 and scream for justice now. I hope that the Bears are penalized, but the Vikings should be awarded any compensation.
Saturday, May 14, 2011
Same Time Next Year
Philadelphia Eagles coach Andy Reid jokingly called it "a salary cap move" when he traded the 194th pick to the Patriots for the 193rd. A straight up trade to switch spots. Reid and the Patriots Bill Belichick had made a draft deal with each other for ten straight years. With all the draft day trades that Belichick makes, I'm surprised that he keeps track of the teams involved. Andy and Bill were sitting there in the 6th round without having made a trade. So, they got on the phone and Reid said, "Listen, our streak is in trouble". Bam! Stupid trade done. Both playful coaches took linebackers that the other team wouldn't have picked. Philadelphia drafted Ohio St's Brian Rolle, and New England picked Markell Carter from Central Arkansas. Can't wait to see what they do next year.
Friday, May 13, 2011
Arden Hills It Is
Super news from Minnesota this week. The Minnesota Vikings and Ramsey County reached an agreement on a new stadium in Arden Hills. 260 acres at the former Twin Cities Army Ammunition Plant site. I took a look at the plans for the development, and I must say that they look spectacular. The Vikings have never had a decent home. Certainly not one that approaches the high class outfit that they are. I noticed that there are two additional practice fields in the plans. So, I guess that the Vikings facilities would be moving from Eden Prairie. There are 21,000 parking spaces, so tailgating would be returning to Vikings games. There will be a Vikings Hall of Fame, a "main street" type shopping district, a cinema, offices, a festival plaza. If I lived in Minnesota, I'd never leave that place. A significant component to the plans is a retractable roof. The Vikings were really pushing for an open stadium, but that was never realistic. An all purpose, year round stadium in Minnesota needs a roof.
Some people are pissy that this agreement with Ramsey County takes the Vikings out of Minneapolis. It's about 10 miles away. The big city people simply assumed that the team would never leave the Metrodome site. When they heard that negotiations were heating up with Ramsey County, they threw together a package that was laughable compared to the Arden Hills plans. There is still one big obstacle. A bill needs to be passed in the state legislature for some state funding. That could be an issue. For a state that has lost it's basketball team, it's hockey team and nearly lost it's baseball team, I would think that people would take this a bit more seriously. The legislature has brushed the Vikings aside for over 10 years. It's time to get this done and insure the Vikings presence in Minnesota for a very long time.
Some people are pissy that this agreement with Ramsey County takes the Vikings out of Minneapolis. It's about 10 miles away. The big city people simply assumed that the team would never leave the Metrodome site. When they heard that negotiations were heating up with Ramsey County, they threw together a package that was laughable compared to the Arden Hills plans. There is still one big obstacle. A bill needs to be passed in the state legislature for some state funding. That could be an issue. For a state that has lost it's basketball team, it's hockey team and nearly lost it's baseball team, I would think that people would take this a bit more seriously. The legislature has brushed the Vikings aside for over 10 years. It's time to get this done and insure the Vikings presence in Minnesota for a very long time.
Throwback Thursday: Nagurski vs Hinkle
Football has changed greatly from the game of the 1930s. As much as it changes, you will always find blocking and tackling as the foundation. Few have ever blocked and tackled better than the Chicago Bears' Bronko Nagurski and the Green Bay Packers' Clarke Hinkle. The Bears and Packers have fought for a long time. In the 1930s, the championship ran through them. When Nagurski joined the Bears in 1930, the professional football world began to tilt towards Chicago. He effectively ended a Packer dynasty and started a new one in Chicago. He was too big. Too strong. Football was made for a player like Bronko Nagurski. His name just screams football. No team had an answer. That was until Clarke Hinkle entered the fray. On paper, it was a mismatch. Hinkle, 30 pounds lighter than Nagurski, was determined to hold his own with anyone on the football field. Hinkle's creed was "get to the Bronk before he gets to me". A tactic he used to perfection one day in 1934. Trapped on the sidelines by Nagurski, Hinkle escaped his tackle by driving directly into and over him. Nagurski was helped from the field with a broken nose and fractured rib. Nobody did this to Nagurski. Especially a "little guy" like Hinkle. Unlike players today, Nagurski and Hinkle never left the field. Each played fullback on offense and linebacker on defense. Each faced the other every time that they were on the field. Much has been made of the fantastic battles between Cleveland Browns runningback Jim Brown and New York Giants linebacker Sam Huff. They were fierce. Each got a nice breather when the Giants offense had the ball. Nagurski and Hinkle battled for 60 minutes. The two were great friends off the field. This was evident when Hinkle selected Nagurski to present him for induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1964. Imagine, a Packer and a Bear as fine friends. It's inconceivable.
I would have loved to see Clarke Hinkle and Bronko Nagurski play football. Two of the all time greats just getting after it. Playing football simply as it was always meant to be played. One other thing that has always struck me about Hinkle is that he was always smiling.
I would have loved to see Clarke Hinkle and Bronko Nagurski play football. Two of the all time greats just getting after it. Playing football simply as it was always meant to be played. One other thing that has always struck me about Hinkle is that he was always smiling.
Wednesday, May 11, 2011
Mark Herzlich
I was very disappointed to see the draft end without Boston College linebacker Mark Herzlich being called by any team. I was hoping that the Vikings might be that team. Too bad heart can't be measured at the scouting combine.
In 2008, Herzich was one of the best linebackers in the nation and the ACC defensive player of the year. Following that season, he experienced excruciating pain in his left leg. A battery of tests found nothing. An MRI finally led to the diagnosis: Ewings sarcoma. It is a bone cancer that afflicts mostly children and adolescents. Doctors told Herzlich that he'd never play football again. An opinion that he listened to as readily as he does now when 32 teams passed on him in the draft.
Treatment for Ewings sarcoma often includes removal of the diseased portion of the bone. Herzlich dismissed that because he would have never been able to run again, let alone play football. Instead, he chose to have the bone radiated. A titanium rod was inserted inside his left leg, running from his hip to just short of his knee, putting back the strength of the bone that the cancer stripped away. That rod, and the bolts that hold it in place, will remain in his leg forever. Herzlich returned to Boston College and the football field for the 2010 season. A miracle that he considers far from complete. The NFL is in his sites, and going undrafted is a far weaker opponent than cancer. Many teams will pursue him and only one will be lucky to have him.
In 2008, Herzich was one of the best linebackers in the nation and the ACC defensive player of the year. Following that season, he experienced excruciating pain in his left leg. A battery of tests found nothing. An MRI finally led to the diagnosis: Ewings sarcoma. It is a bone cancer that afflicts mostly children and adolescents. Doctors told Herzlich that he'd never play football again. An opinion that he listened to as readily as he does now when 32 teams passed on him in the draft.
Treatment for Ewings sarcoma often includes removal of the diseased portion of the bone. Herzlich dismissed that because he would have never been able to run again, let alone play football. Instead, he chose to have the bone radiated. A titanium rod was inserted inside his left leg, running from his hip to just short of his knee, putting back the strength of the bone that the cancer stripped away. That rod, and the bolts that hold it in place, will remain in his leg forever. Herzlich returned to Boston College and the football field for the 2010 season. A miracle that he considers far from complete. The NFL is in his sites, and going undrafted is a far weaker opponent than cancer. Many teams will pursue him and only one will be lucky to have him.
Tuesday, May 10, 2011
No Bling
Vikings nutty DE Jared Allen usually vanishes during the offseason. Hunting, safaris, visiting the troops, rodeos, country music concerts, etc. Those things take time. So, it is often a shock when he pops up. When he does make an appearance, he usually has something to say. This time he directed his aim at the draft prospects spending buckets of money on jewelry. None of the stuff that they are wearing comes cheap. Just ask Dallas idiot receiver Dez Bryant. He was sued for over hundreds of thousands of dollars in unpaid debts to jewelry stores. Some of the current rookies seem to have forgotten that they have been drafted into a lockout. No one's getting paid. I wonder how long their agents will continue to float them money. These kids could be following Bryant into court. Allen could be a little jealous as he is still bitter that he wasn't drafted until the fourth round. I still don't see Allen weighing himself down with too much bling. Nothing about his wardrobe or haircut screams success.
Monday, May 9, 2011
Lockout Losers
The media rarely surprises me anymore with their mind numbing stupidity. Every now and then they drop something like this. New Minnesota Vikings QB Christian Ponder was asked recently whether his last name implies that he can't make quick decisions on the field. Here was his reply...
"As crazy as it sounds, my Mom's maiden name is actually Superbowlwinner. All one word."
I really like this guy. He needs a playbook. He needs offseason workouts and practices. He needs to establish timing with Percy Harvin, hopefully Sidney Rice, Adrian Peterson, his linemen. It's not just Ponder. It's all the rookies, all the players. Coaches too. The kids that may be suffering the most are the nearly 400 players that went undrafted and can't be signed. They are stuck in this frustrating limbo. Unlike the drafted players, these kids have no idea if their dream continues. This lockout needs to end now. Both sides aren't doing enough. Just looking at the owners, seeing their actions makes it easy to still side with the players. It started in 1993 in the first collective bargaining agreement. In that deal the owners promised not to challenge any future decertification by the players association. The lockout is a clear indication that they had no intention of keeping that promise. The current labor situation is due entirely to the owners backing out of the most recent collectively bargained agreement. To insure continued riches in case of missed games, the owners illegally negotiated a four billion dollar safety net in the last TV contract. It's no wonder the players want to see the owners books. They can't trust anything the owners say or do.
It's so unfortunate that the rich players with contracts and the filthy rich owners are the only ones with a voice in this fiasco. The drafted players and especially the undrafted players are having the start of their dreams thrashed. They aren't being heard. As idiot owner extraordinaire Jerry Jones says "the owners aren't listening to the players". The fans certainly aren't being heard and have never had a voice. This had all better change soon.
"As crazy as it sounds, my Mom's maiden name is actually Superbowlwinner. All one word."
I really like this guy. He needs a playbook. He needs offseason workouts and practices. He needs to establish timing with Percy Harvin, hopefully Sidney Rice, Adrian Peterson, his linemen. It's not just Ponder. It's all the rookies, all the players. Coaches too. The kids that may be suffering the most are the nearly 400 players that went undrafted and can't be signed. They are stuck in this frustrating limbo. Unlike the drafted players, these kids have no idea if their dream continues. This lockout needs to end now. Both sides aren't doing enough. Just looking at the owners, seeing their actions makes it easy to still side with the players. It started in 1993 in the first collective bargaining agreement. In that deal the owners promised not to challenge any future decertification by the players association. The lockout is a clear indication that they had no intention of keeping that promise. The current labor situation is due entirely to the owners backing out of the most recent collectively bargained agreement. To insure continued riches in case of missed games, the owners illegally negotiated a four billion dollar safety net in the last TV contract. It's no wonder the players want to see the owners books. They can't trust anything the owners say or do.
It's so unfortunate that the rich players with contracts and the filthy rich owners are the only ones with a voice in this fiasco. The drafted players and especially the undrafted players are having the start of their dreams thrashed. They aren't being heard. As idiot owner extraordinaire Jerry Jones says "the owners aren't listening to the players". The fans certainly aren't being heard and have never had a voice. This had all better change soon.
Sunday, May 8, 2011
Probably Wrong
I'm probably wrong in speculating on the ridiculous delay in the 8th Circuit Court of Appeals decision on the NFL lockout. Circuit Court Judges Steven Colloton, Duane Benton and Kermit Bye are probably enjoying their time in the spotlight. Kicking off their loafers. They "temporarily stayed" Judge Susan Nelson's ruling against the lockout way back on April 29th. I kind of figured that a temporary stay meant, well, temporary. Like in short, before they made a final ruling. It's been over a week. I was probably wrong to think that "legal time" was anything close to real time. I've been wrong throughout this whole mess. I thought that the negotiation extensions back in February were promising. I was wrong. It simply gave both parties more time to get more pissed at each other. For the record, the trio of Appeals judges voted 2-1 in favor of the "temporary stay". Bye was the dissenting judge, and according to his strong wording against the NFL will remain against the lockout. I'm probably wrong, but the delay seems to be due to the other two debating their positions. If that is true, then they may not be as firmly on the side of the league as some may view their decision on the "temporary stay" to be. Only one needs to side with the players. I just want to see the business of the NFL move forward. That has not been happening. The draft gave us all a brief break. A bit of a positive in an otherwise brutal offseason. The draft was no break for Commissioner Roger Goodell. He was apparently quite shaken by the response of the fans at Radio City Music Hall. I don't understand why he would have expected anything else, but I think that their reaction towards him was a bit misguided. Goodell is hired by the owners and oversees the players, but he really has no official role in these negotiations. He can be a catalyst in negotiations, but he has no vote one way or the other. Pete Rozelle never got involved in labor negotiations. A decision that he later regretted. He advised Paul Tagliabue to take a more active role. There was relative labor peace throughout his time. Being a lawyer may have helped Tagliabue a bit. Goodell has tried to take the same active approach. It still comes down to the owners and the players and Goodell is neither.
I'd rather see the lockout lifted and the league year started while the owners and players resume negotiations on the 16th. If this doesn't happen soon, the level of football play in September will suffer. No one wants that. An NFL season doesn't just happen, spring to full bloom suddenly in the fall. It starts as soon as the Super Bowl ends, three months ago. I may spend too much time thinking about this crap. It just needs to end and I just can't understand why it hasn't.
I'd rather see the lockout lifted and the league year started while the owners and players resume negotiations on the 16th. If this doesn't happen soon, the level of football play in September will suffer. No one wants that. An NFL season doesn't just happen, spring to full bloom suddenly in the fall. It starts as soon as the Super Bowl ends, three months ago. I may spend too much time thinking about this crap. It just needs to end and I just can't understand why it hasn't.
Saturday, May 7, 2011
Arden Hills
The Vikings are inching closer to a new stadium. It's about time. The roof collapse at the end of last season was further evidence of how pathetic the Metrodome is. A bill for a new stadium has to be passed in the current legislative session. Not only is the dome a dump, the Vikings lease expires at the end of the coming season. A bill has been presented and discussed some, but there is still work to be done. The bill divides the financial responsibility between the Vikings, the state and a local partner equally. One difficulty that was immediately evident was the lack of a local partner. It is difficult to move forward without one. That problem may be moving to a solution. The St. Paul suburb of Arden Hills is reportedly close to an agreement with the Vikings to be that local partner. It has long been in the running. Now, it looks to be in the lead. Of the local possibilities, Arden Hills is the only one that will have the space for tailgating. Always a perk and already has many fans drunk with glee. The site is the old Twin Cities Army Ammunition Plant. 260 acres ready to be developed. Stadium construction in Arden Hills also has the added benefit of allowing the Metrodome to be used while the new stadium is being built. Like the labor situation, this stadium situation needs to be fixed now.
Update: This just in, the Vikings have upped their share to at least 40% of the total cost. I would love to see the Vikings pay for the whole thing just to keep the political crap that stalls everything out of the game. All the idiots at the capitol see the stadium as a football stadium, A Vikings stadium really. I doubt they see that the Vikings play there only 10 days out of the year, hopefully a couple of playoff games too. A new stadium is going to be used far more often for events other than football. Get it done, people.
Update: This just in, the Vikings have upped their share to at least 40% of the total cost. I would love to see the Vikings pay for the whole thing just to keep the political crap that stalls everything out of the game. All the idiots at the capitol see the stadium as a football stadium, A Vikings stadium really. I doubt they see that the Vikings play there only 10 days out of the year, hopefully a couple of playoff games too. A new stadium is going to be used far more often for events other than football. Get it done, people.
Friday, May 6, 2011
Punt Out
I figured that it might be time to step away from the draft. I'm sure that it'll be back soon. The draft is always filled with fantastic nuggets.
It is fascinating to see the evolution of football through the rule changes. It should be noted that the early NFL used the very same rules that college football used. Whatever the Intercollegiate Football Rules Committee decided were the rules of football-college, high school and pro. Only in 1931 did the NFL start looking into and changing rules on their own. Some of the early rules were, shall we say, nutty. The "punt out" rule definitely qualifies. It was thankfully eliminated in 1920, so it was never used in the NFL. Before then, the team that scored a touchdown had to "punt out" to determine where the point after touchdown would be attempted. The "punt out" rule required the scoring team to punt from its own goal to one of its players, who would then make a fair catch. The conversion would be attempted from the spot where the player caught the ball. Teams were now permitted to bring the ball out to any point, normally directly in front of the goalposts, to attempt the point after touchdown. All attempts still had to be done by a placekick. I completely miss any reason why the "punt out" would be a cool thing to do.
Up next: Passing game baby steps. Why on earth did the football decision makers decree that a pass had to be attempted from 5 yards behind the line of scrimmage?
It is fascinating to see the evolution of football through the rule changes. It should be noted that the early NFL used the very same rules that college football used. Whatever the Intercollegiate Football Rules Committee decided were the rules of football-college, high school and pro. Only in 1931 did the NFL start looking into and changing rules on their own. Some of the early rules were, shall we say, nutty. The "punt out" rule definitely qualifies. It was thankfully eliminated in 1920, so it was never used in the NFL. Before then, the team that scored a touchdown had to "punt out" to determine where the point after touchdown would be attempted. The "punt out" rule required the scoring team to punt from its own goal to one of its players, who would then make a fair catch. The conversion would be attempted from the spot where the player caught the ball. Teams were now permitted to bring the ball out to any point, normally directly in front of the goalposts, to attempt the point after touchdown. All attempts still had to be done by a placekick. I completely miss any reason why the "punt out" would be a cool thing to do.
Up next: Passing game baby steps. Why on earth did the football decision makers decree that a pass had to be attempted from 5 yards behind the line of scrimmage?
Thursday, May 5, 2011
Throwback Thursday: Mr. Irrelevant
I believe that the NFL falls behind the NHL in terms of cool traditions. You can't beat the Stanley Cup with the players names engraved. You certainly can't beat the players spending a day with the Cup. I also like the team handshakes at the end of each playoff series. I can do without the playoff beards unless all the players can grow a beard like the Steelers' Brett Keisel. One NFL tradition that has been in play for about 35 years is the Mr. Irrelevant Award going to the last player selected in the draft. This tradition is a keeper.
Former San Francisco 49ers and Baltimore Colts receiver Paul Salata started the tradition in 1976 by announcing the final pick in the draft. During the summer after that draft and every draft since, the new Mr. Irrelevant and his family is invited to spend "Irrelevant Week" in Newport, CA. They enjoy a golf tournament, a regatta and a roast giving advice to the new NFL player. He is then awarded the Lowsman Trophy. The trophy mimics the Heisman, but depicts the player fumbling the football.
Nearly 48 hours after Heisman Trophy winner Cam Newton was selected by the Carolina Panthers, DE Cheta Ozougwu of Rice University was the 254th selection by the Houston Texans. It is a tremendous honor to be selected in the draft. Few get even that chance. Mr. Irrelevant has a tough task to make an NFL roster. It's been done, but the odds are long. It's still nice to be the player in the sun for just a little while.
Former San Francisco 49ers and Baltimore Colts receiver Paul Salata started the tradition in 1976 by announcing the final pick in the draft. During the summer after that draft and every draft since, the new Mr. Irrelevant and his family is invited to spend "Irrelevant Week" in Newport, CA. They enjoy a golf tournament, a regatta and a roast giving advice to the new NFL player. He is then awarded the Lowsman Trophy. The trophy mimics the Heisman, but depicts the player fumbling the football.
Nearly 48 hours after Heisman Trophy winner Cam Newton was selected by the Carolina Panthers, DE Cheta Ozougwu of Rice University was the 254th selection by the Houston Texans. It is a tremendous honor to be selected in the draft. Few get even that chance. Mr. Irrelevant has a tough task to make an NFL roster. It's been done, but the odds are long. It's still nice to be the player in the sun for just a little while.
Wednesday, May 4, 2011
The U
I've had the University of Miami players in the NFL pegged as a Flea Flicker topic for some time now. The NFL Network's premiere episode of the 100 Greatest Players got me thinking about them again. It's not so much the talent that the school has sent to the NFL that I find remarkable, and they have certainly done that. Miami has 10 players on the list, more than any other school. It is the closeness of the group that intrigues me. They are like a family. Actually, they are a family, and it spans generations. It might have started in "the thug" days of the late '80s and early '90s when the school exploded on the college football scene. Perhaps, it was the criticism brought down on those players and teams that brought them together, strengthened their bond. Whatever it was, it stuck and it grew. From Michael Irvin to Warren Sapp to Ray Lewis to Andre Johnson, the family grew. I know of no other school where the membership means so much. It was never so apparent as after the tragic murder of Washington Redskins safety Sean Taylor. The Miami players, all the Miami players before, during and after Taylor, came together for him, his family and for each other. They were all there.
Talent has flowed out of the U for over 20 years now. From Frank Gore to Reggie Wayne to Devin Hester to Carlos Huerta to Bryant McKinnie to the incredible Ed Reed. Well, maybe not Huerta, he's a kicker. They are scattered all over the NFL. To be a Hurricane means something to the Hurricane players. As great as their talent is, their commitment to each other may be even greater.
Talent has flowed out of the U for over 20 years now. From Frank Gore to Reggie Wayne to Devin Hester to Carlos Huerta to Bryant McKinnie to the incredible Ed Reed. Well, maybe not Huerta, he's a kicker. They are scattered all over the NFL. To be a Hurricane means something to the Hurricane players. As great as their talent is, their commitment to each other may be even greater.
Tuesday, May 3, 2011
Draft Spin
I have always been amused by the glowing speeches coaches and GMs make about their draft picks, first round picks in particular. "They were at the top of our draft board." "We couldn't believe he was still there." They could very well be telling the truth. I'm sure that some of them are. I'm also sure that some of them are seething about the player taken one spot before them.
Since I follow much of the flood of draft information from January to April, I often have a decent idea who the Vikings may target. I certainly find some favorites of my own. I have often been fairly accurate. If not the very same player, I have at least picked the position. I often wonder if the Vikings actually select the player they most want of the players that they realistically expect to be available. In 2001, Vikings RB Robert Smith shocked the team and fans when he retired. The team went into the draft that year needing a new running back. Mississippi's Deuce McCalister and Wisconsin's Michael Bennett were the top backs expected to be available when the Vikings picked. McCalister, my favorite, was drafted by the Saints. The Vikings selected Bennett with the very next pick. Bennett's unreal speed made him a fine replacement for the nearly as fast Smith. I have always wondered if the Vikings would have still selected Bennett if both backs were available. The same thing happened with DEs in the 2004 draft. Ohio St's Will Smith and USC's Kenechi Udeze were the players. The Saints were once again the team. The Saints selected Smith one spot ahead of the Vikings. In both cases, the Vikings stated that they got the players they wanted. Stated that they were ecstatic both players were still available. Why would they say anything different. Sometimes I wonder too much.
Jump to this year and the Vikings new franchise QB, Christian Ponder. I liked Jake Locker from the beginning of the draft process. All along I felt that the Vikings did too. Locker just seemed like a player's QB. One that the entire team will follow. Head coach Leslie Frazier was a teammate of Jim McMahon with the Chicago Bears. He couldn't miss seeing a similar toughness in Locker. I had heard rumors that Locker and Ponder were choices 1 and 1a. They liked both with little separating them. Locker went to the Titans with the 8th pick, but Blaine Gabbert was still on the board at 10. I heard rumors that they looked into trading up from 12 to select Gabbert. They supposedly liked Ponder more than the price to trade up. Fair enough, but if their top choices were Locker and Ponder why would they trade up for Gabbert if Ponder was still available. I actually think that they were looking at trading up for Ponder. I probably shouldn't, but I can't help wondering who the Vikings would pick if Locker, Ponder and even Gabbert were all available to them. Of course, I hope that Ponder would be the choice because that's who they got.
Since I follow much of the flood of draft information from January to April, I often have a decent idea who the Vikings may target. I certainly find some favorites of my own. I have often been fairly accurate. If not the very same player, I have at least picked the position. I often wonder if the Vikings actually select the player they most want of the players that they realistically expect to be available. In 2001, Vikings RB Robert Smith shocked the team and fans when he retired. The team went into the draft that year needing a new running back. Mississippi's Deuce McCalister and Wisconsin's Michael Bennett were the top backs expected to be available when the Vikings picked. McCalister, my favorite, was drafted by the Saints. The Vikings selected Bennett with the very next pick. Bennett's unreal speed made him a fine replacement for the nearly as fast Smith. I have always wondered if the Vikings would have still selected Bennett if both backs were available. The same thing happened with DEs in the 2004 draft. Ohio St's Will Smith and USC's Kenechi Udeze were the players. The Saints were once again the team. The Saints selected Smith one spot ahead of the Vikings. In both cases, the Vikings stated that they got the players they wanted. Stated that they were ecstatic both players were still available. Why would they say anything different. Sometimes I wonder too much.
Jump to this year and the Vikings new franchise QB, Christian Ponder. I liked Jake Locker from the beginning of the draft process. All along I felt that the Vikings did too. Locker just seemed like a player's QB. One that the entire team will follow. Head coach Leslie Frazier was a teammate of Jim McMahon with the Chicago Bears. He couldn't miss seeing a similar toughness in Locker. I had heard rumors that Locker and Ponder were choices 1 and 1a. They liked both with little separating them. Locker went to the Titans with the 8th pick, but Blaine Gabbert was still on the board at 10. I heard rumors that they looked into trading up from 12 to select Gabbert. They supposedly liked Ponder more than the price to trade up. Fair enough, but if their top choices were Locker and Ponder why would they trade up for Gabbert if Ponder was still available. I actually think that they were looking at trading up for Ponder. I probably shouldn't, but I can't help wondering who the Vikings would pick if Locker, Ponder and even Gabbert were all available to them. Of course, I hope that Ponder would be the choice because that's who they got.
Monday, May 2, 2011
Other Teams Drafted Too
The Vikings are certainly a big part of the Flea Flicker, but all things football live here too. Other teams drafted this weekend. Here is how I feel about some of those teams.
Atlanta's jump from pick 27 to 6 to draft Alabama receiver Julio Jones was a bold move. I really like Jones. I think that he will be a dynamite pro football player. The Packers really exposed the Falcons defense in the playoffs. Atlanta gave up crucial draft picks that could have been used to patch those holes. The Falcons do have some good young defensive players, so the improvement could from within.
Tampa Bay may have had my favorite draft. They gambled and lucked into two players with health issues. DEs Adrian Clayborn and Da'Quan Bowers should be dominant if their health allows. Adding LB Mason Foster and S Ahmad Black to those DEs will significantly boost the Bucs defense. TE Luke Stocker will bring a huge smile to emerging QB Josh Freeman. Tampa Bay is improving fast. The NFC South will be tough with Atlanta, New Orleans and now Tampa Bay.
The Colts have had offensive line issues since Tarik Glenn retired. I think that they have changed that with this draft. Anthony Costanzo and Benjamin Ijalana are fantastic picks. It is difficult to defend Peyton Manning in any situation. He opens receivers with his throws. He takes pressure off his line with his quick release and decision making. He opens up the run game with his passing. He can do all this behind a poor line. It is scary to imagine him behind a strong line. This draft may have provided him with one.
Watching the Patriots draft is dizzying. Sometimes it seems that they make no picks because they trade so many of them. When the dust cleared this year, I found a nice draft. Nate Solder and Marcus Cannon could soon be strong contributors on the line. Corner Ras-I Dowling will pair nicely with last years solid rookie Devin McCourty. I enjoyed watching RB Shane Vereen for three years at Cal. He's a solid back. Ryan Mallett stopped his startling freefall in New England. He could be a great trading chip in a few years or the eventual replacement for Tom Brady. For a team that always has so many draft picks it was easy to take a chance on Mallett.
I really like what the Saints did in the first round in adding Cal DE Cameron Jordan and Heisman winning RB Mark Ingram. A strong team got better on both sides of the ball. They could have stopped there and been happy. They didn't and got happier. LB Martez Wilson improved the defense even more.
The Giants got lucky when corner Prince Amukamara dropped to them. His drop to 19 in the first was more surprising to me than Mallett's drop to the third. They found more luck in the second with DT Marvin Austin. Those are two players with top-10 talent. They added more quality with Troy WR Jerrell Jernigan. The Giants are quietly putting together a solid group of receivers. Hakeem Nicks, Steve Smith, Mario Manningham and now Jernigan stack up well with any four in the league. I like the selection of LB Greg Jones in the 6th. That is quite a drop for one of the best college linebackers over the past 3 seasons. I have no idea what caused the drop. The Giants found luck at the top of the draft and a bit more at the bottom. They got better this weekend.
Atlanta's jump from pick 27 to 6 to draft Alabama receiver Julio Jones was a bold move. I really like Jones. I think that he will be a dynamite pro football player. The Packers really exposed the Falcons defense in the playoffs. Atlanta gave up crucial draft picks that could have been used to patch those holes. The Falcons do have some good young defensive players, so the improvement could from within.
Tampa Bay may have had my favorite draft. They gambled and lucked into two players with health issues. DEs Adrian Clayborn and Da'Quan Bowers should be dominant if their health allows. Adding LB Mason Foster and S Ahmad Black to those DEs will significantly boost the Bucs defense. TE Luke Stocker will bring a huge smile to emerging QB Josh Freeman. Tampa Bay is improving fast. The NFC South will be tough with Atlanta, New Orleans and now Tampa Bay.
The Colts have had offensive line issues since Tarik Glenn retired. I think that they have changed that with this draft. Anthony Costanzo and Benjamin Ijalana are fantastic picks. It is difficult to defend Peyton Manning in any situation. He opens receivers with his throws. He takes pressure off his line with his quick release and decision making. He opens up the run game with his passing. He can do all this behind a poor line. It is scary to imagine him behind a strong line. This draft may have provided him with one.
Watching the Patriots draft is dizzying. Sometimes it seems that they make no picks because they trade so many of them. When the dust cleared this year, I found a nice draft. Nate Solder and Marcus Cannon could soon be strong contributors on the line. Corner Ras-I Dowling will pair nicely with last years solid rookie Devin McCourty. I enjoyed watching RB Shane Vereen for three years at Cal. He's a solid back. Ryan Mallett stopped his startling freefall in New England. He could be a great trading chip in a few years or the eventual replacement for Tom Brady. For a team that always has so many draft picks it was easy to take a chance on Mallett.
I really like what the Saints did in the first round in adding Cal DE Cameron Jordan and Heisman winning RB Mark Ingram. A strong team got better on both sides of the ball. They could have stopped there and been happy. They didn't and got happier. LB Martez Wilson improved the defense even more.
The Giants got lucky when corner Prince Amukamara dropped to them. His drop to 19 in the first was more surprising to me than Mallett's drop to the third. They found more luck in the second with DT Marvin Austin. Those are two players with top-10 talent. They added more quality with Troy WR Jerrell Jernigan. The Giants are quietly putting together a solid group of receivers. Hakeem Nicks, Steve Smith, Mario Manningham and now Jernigan stack up well with any four in the league. I like the selection of LB Greg Jones in the 6th. That is quite a drop for one of the best college linebackers over the past 3 seasons. I have no idea what caused the drop. The Giants found luck at the top of the draft and a bit more at the bottom. They got better this weekend.
Sunday, May 1, 2011
Vikings Draft 2011
Well, the Vikings signed off on the 2011 draft with the selection of West Texas A&M WR Stephen Burton with the 33rd pick of the 7th round. I had never heard of West Texas A&M or Burton. I had to read up on the kid. Big, fast receiver with return skills. All teams look for those. We'll see how he does.
Here is the Minnesota Vikings 2011 draft class:
Rd 1 Christian Ponder QB Florida St
2 Kyle Rudolph TE Notre Dame
4 Christian Ballard DT Iowa
5 Brandon Burton CB Utah
6a DeMarkus Love OL Arkansas
6b Mistral Raymond S S. Florida
6c Brando Fusco C Slippery Rock
6d Ross Holman LB Ohio St
7a D'Aundre Reed DE Arizona
7b Stephen Burton WR West Texas A&M
The success of this draft is dependent on the development of Chistian Ponder. Even if the remaining nine players make an impact, this draft will be a failure if Ponder doesn't. It's the nature of the QB position. The Vikings came into this draft handicapped. They had to come away with a QB, a good one. That need limits flexibility which is usually key to successful drafting. Not having a 3rd was brutal. It's difficult to go an entire round without a choice. 3rd round picks are also key bargaining chips in trades. It just limits the flexibility even more. Going into the draft, I felt that QB, offensive line and defensive secondary were the Vikings greatest needs. They covered those needs. I was hoping for the line help earlier, preferably in the 2nd, but Kyle Rudolph was tough to pass. He could be a star. The Vikings waited until the 6th for the line help, and they did well. Fusco could start this year. Love adds depth now, and could be the eventual replacement for Steve Hutchinson. I hope that is not for a while. Ballard and Brandon Burton should provide immediate help in certain defensive situations. Both Burtons, Raymond and Homan could make an impact on special teams. Homan has a real shot at LB with the possible, and unfortunate, departure of Ben Leber. Raymond should be in the mix at safety. He'll have to beat out Eric Frampton. Raymond's experience at corner could give him the edge. Reed may have the longest odds, but with the likely departure of Ray Edwards the door may be open. I see Ponder, Rudolph, Ballard, Brandon Burton and Fusco making immediate contributions. Again, the draft depends on Ponder. I really hope that he is allowed to start. Smart guy, with the mental makeup to deal with the rocky road of a rookie QB. There are rumors of Donovan McNabb coming in. I would hate that. I have had enough of the stop gaps. Watching McNabb hack his way through the season with the Redskins didn't look a whole lot different than a rookie. I really like this draft, but the real judgement is a few years away.
Here is the Minnesota Vikings 2011 draft class:
Rd 1 Christian Ponder QB Florida St
2 Kyle Rudolph TE Notre Dame
4 Christian Ballard DT Iowa
5 Brandon Burton CB Utah
6a DeMarkus Love OL Arkansas
6b Mistral Raymond S S. Florida
6c Brando Fusco C Slippery Rock
6d Ross Holman LB Ohio St
7a D'Aundre Reed DE Arizona
7b Stephen Burton WR West Texas A&M
The success of this draft is dependent on the development of Chistian Ponder. Even if the remaining nine players make an impact, this draft will be a failure if Ponder doesn't. It's the nature of the QB position. The Vikings came into this draft handicapped. They had to come away with a QB, a good one. That need limits flexibility which is usually key to successful drafting. Not having a 3rd was brutal. It's difficult to go an entire round without a choice. 3rd round picks are also key bargaining chips in trades. It just limits the flexibility even more. Going into the draft, I felt that QB, offensive line and defensive secondary were the Vikings greatest needs. They covered those needs. I was hoping for the line help earlier, preferably in the 2nd, but Kyle Rudolph was tough to pass. He could be a star. The Vikings waited until the 6th for the line help, and they did well. Fusco could start this year. Love adds depth now, and could be the eventual replacement for Steve Hutchinson. I hope that is not for a while. Ballard and Brandon Burton should provide immediate help in certain defensive situations. Both Burtons, Raymond and Homan could make an impact on special teams. Homan has a real shot at LB with the possible, and unfortunate, departure of Ben Leber. Raymond should be in the mix at safety. He'll have to beat out Eric Frampton. Raymond's experience at corner could give him the edge. Reed may have the longest odds, but with the likely departure of Ray Edwards the door may be open. I see Ponder, Rudolph, Ballard, Brandon Burton and Fusco making immediate contributions. Again, the draft depends on Ponder. I really hope that he is allowed to start. Smart guy, with the mental makeup to deal with the rocky road of a rookie QB. There are rumors of Donovan McNabb coming in. I would hate that. I have had enough of the stop gaps. Watching McNabb hack his way through the season with the Redskins didn't look a whole lot different than a rookie. I really like this draft, but the real judgement is a few years away.
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