Hope so.
There were two interesting, and contradictory, announcements coming out of southern California on Friday. First, it was announced that the San Diego Chargers and Los Angeles Rams had come to an agreement on sharing a proposed mega-stadium in Los Angeles. Rams owner Stan Kroenke is planning to build a monster of an entertainment complex and he's putting a monster of a stadium somewhere inside of that complex. The Chargers apparently agreed to become a tenant. Both teams would share the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum until the monster stadium is built. Second, not long after news of that somewhat expected agreement was released Chargers owner Dean Spanos announced that he was planning on keeping his team in San Diego for the 2016 NFL season and hopes to come to a long term stadium solution in the city. In the span of what seemed like minutes the Chargers went from San Diego Chargers to Los Angeles Chargers back to San Diego Chargers. It was all so "what the what?" It was nutty. It was very confusing.
But it really wasn't.
Dean Spanos has been trying to get a new stadium in San Diego for years. Every NFL owner that doesn't already have one wants a new stadium. Some owners that have a new stadium want a newer stadium. They see it as the only way to compete in today's NFL since so many teams play in these stadium marvels. When Spanos wasn't getting what he wanted in San Diego he saw the opportunity to get what he wanted in Los Angeles. So did the St. Louis Rams. And so did the Oakland Raiders. The funny thing about all three teams trying to get into Los Angeles is that all three were once in Los Angeles. That little bit of trivia means nothing but the fact that the Rams were in Los Angeles for just about a half century means something. It actually means a great deal to me. The Rams were the obvious choice if one of those teams had to move back to Los Angeles. I feel terrible for the fans in St. Louis just like I felt terrible for the fans in Los Angeles when the Rams moved twenty years ago. It's a damn shame but I think that the Rams ticket out of St. Louis was stamped the day that Kroenke bought the team even though he's from there. The Rams have to find a home and stay there. They have moved way too much. So have the Cardinals. Two teams that once called St. Louis home. But that's another story. The story here is southern California and the Chargers place in it.
I feel like I grew up with the Rams in Los Angeles. I did grow up with the Rams in Los Angeles. Just when I got used to them being in St. Louis they are back in Los Angeles. I could understand the NFL need for one team in Los Angeles but I never understood the need for two. If so many teams found that they had to leave the city once before why force two back into it now? Money of course. The NFL was charging each team a $550 million relocation fee. The league would get $1.1 billion if two teams moved. That's probably why the league's relocation committee recommended the joint stadium proposal between the Raiders and Charges in Carson rather than Kroenke's mega-complex in Ingelwood. In the past, this committee of owners carried so much weight that their proposals are usually rubberstamped when voted upon by the rest of the owners. That's why it is was such a shock that Kroenke's proposal was the one that still stood when the dust cleared. The proposal that orignally wasn't chosen. Spanos wasn't happy about it. Neither was Raiders owner Mark Davis. Personally, I never liked the Raiders-Chargers proposal from the start because I didn't like the idea of division foes sharing a stadium. Despite not getting a relocation fee from two teams, Roger Goodell and his suits must still be thrilled with Kroenke in Los Angeles. He has so much cash that he's likely building his ridiculous city of fun out of his own pocket. The league gets this amazing venue on it's stadium roster. And they get this shiny new building in the sun, glitz, and glamour of Los Angeles. And now they might get the Chargers and their relocation fee too. Win. Win. Win! For the league.
But Spanos might not play that way.
Spanos might be getting tired of these stadium defeats. He's been trying and failing to get a new stadium in San Diego for years. Now, his plans for Los Angles that he thought were a done deal were given the boot by his fellow owners. His only option in Los Angeles was to become Kroenke's sad little tenant. It was all enough to make him try again in San Diego. Big football stadiums partially built with public cash are a touchy thing. The public has to decide how much they want an NFL team of their own. If they don't want a football team bad enough to help pay for a stadium they don't get a football team. It's as simple as that. People often bitch about building stadiums for billionaire owners. In reality there are probably only a handful of owners that actually have the cash to build one of these beauties on their own. In my opinion these stadiums should be joint ventures because they are going to be jointly used. An NFL team plays in their stadium, at most, 13 days out of the year. These stadiums are used far more often than that and the city that helped build them benefit from that. I think that the public should chip in because I'm a football fan. I'd rather have a team to support than not have a team to support. I'd pay damn near any tax to keep my team. I'm not willing to pay that tax so much to build a fancy stadium as I'm willing to pay that tax to keep my team. That might be a minority opinion. If it is there's a real good chance that I won't have a home team to call my own. There are a lot of fans in San Diego that feel the same way. Dean Spanos probably hopes that those fans are now greater in numbers. The contradictory announcements on Friday were a power play by Spanos. He has a very real option to move to Los Angeles in a year. An option so real that he actually has an agreement to do so. San Diego has a few months to keep their team. That's an opportunity that they didn't think that they had as late as last Friday.
Sunday, January 31, 2016
Saturday, January 30, 2016
"...Last Rodeo"
With Super Bowl 50 fast approaching, the media had to find something for their headlines. I guess that the game wasn't enough. Well, they found something.
"Hey, listen, this might be my last rodeo. So, it sure has been a pleasure."
-Denver Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning
First of all, this was a private conversation between Manning and New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick following the Sunday's AFC Championship game. It should have stayed private but nothing is really private these days. Belichick's response wasn't caught on camera so reporters went scurrying to get his side of the conversation. Leave it to Belichick to squash those attempts.
"Don't have anything to share," Belichick said Monday. "I shared it with Peyton."
Nice. Bill Belichick is the best.
I just don't get this great need for a prying media and a thirsting public to know everything. Private conversations should be just that. We don't have to know everything. A little mystery can be fun.
Second of all, Manning's comments have ignited a big debate as to whether Super Bowl 50 will be his last football game. Anyone that didn't think that was a possibility before he embraced Belichick hasn't been paying attention. Manning's wonderful career has been winding down but why are we so quick to put it in the ground. He still has a game and it's a pretty big game. Why can't we just sit back and enjoy his unique quarterbacking presence one more time? People get so worked about athletes not being around that they fail to enjoy them while they are. Besides, it's his decision to make. Why are we fretting over his decision? We should let him make it when it's time for him to make it. He's not done yet.
"Hey, listen, this might be my last rodeo. So, it sure has been a pleasure."
-Denver Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning
First of all, this was a private conversation between Manning and New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick following the Sunday's AFC Championship game. It should have stayed private but nothing is really private these days. Belichick's response wasn't caught on camera so reporters went scurrying to get his side of the conversation. Leave it to Belichick to squash those attempts.
"Don't have anything to share," Belichick said Monday. "I shared it with Peyton."
Nice. Bill Belichick is the best.
I just don't get this great need for a prying media and a thirsting public to know everything. Private conversations should be just that. We don't have to know everything. A little mystery can be fun.
Second of all, Manning's comments have ignited a big debate as to whether Super Bowl 50 will be his last football game. Anyone that didn't think that was a possibility before he embraced Belichick hasn't been paying attention. Manning's wonderful career has been winding down but why are we so quick to put it in the ground. He still has a game and it's a pretty big game. Why can't we just sit back and enjoy his unique quarterbacking presence one more time? People get so worked about athletes not being around that they fail to enjoy them while they are. Besides, it's his decision to make. Why are we fretting over his decision? We should let him make it when it's time for him to make it. He's not done yet.
Friday, January 29, 2016
Super Bowl 50 Golden Team
Yesterday the "Super Bowl 50 Golden Team" was announced. It's a team honoring the best players from the previous 49 Super Bowls as voted on by the Pro Football Hall of Fame selectors.
Here is the "Super Bowl 50 Golden Team"
Quarterback
Joe Montana, 49ers
Running backs
Franco Harris, Steelers
Emmitt Smith, Cowboys
Receivers
Jerry Rice, 49ers/Raiders
Lynn Swann, Steelers
Tight end
Jay Novacek, Cowboys
Tackle
Art Shell, Raiders
Forrest Gregg, Packers
Guards
Larry Allen, Cowboys
Gene Upshaw, Raiders
Center
Mike Webster, Steelers
Defensive end
Charles Haley, 49ers/Cowboys
Reggie White, Packers
Defensive tackle
Joe Greene, Steelers
Randy White, Cowboys
Outside linebacker
Lawrence Taylor, Giants
Jack Ham, Steelers
Inside linebacker
Jack Lambert, Steelers
Ray Lewis, Ravens
Cornerback
Mel Blount, Steelers
Deion Sanders, 49ers/Cowboys
Safeties
Ronnie Lott, 49ers
Jake Scott, Dolphins
Kicker
Adam Vinatieri, Patriots/Colts
Punter
Ray Guy, Raiders
Kick returner
Desmond Howard, Packers
Coach
Chuck Noll, Steelers
A fine team.
Adam Vinatieri was the only unanimous selection.
The selections that probably generate the greatest debate are at quarterback and coach. Joe Montana is an excellent selection but there are surely fans of the TB12s. Terry Bradshaw and Tom Brady. There are fans that probably prefer the Bills at coach rather than Chuck Noll. Bill Walsh and Bill Belichick. Any combination of those choices isn't wrong.
It's tough to argue any of the other selections.
Ray Lewis, Jake Scott, Adam Vinatieri, and Desmond Howard are the only selections that have not been inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Ray Lewis will be soon. Adam Vinatieri should join Jan Stenerud as the only kickers so honored. This is a pretty good indication that the greatest players often played at that level in the biggest game. Sometimes it's even those performances in big games that propel players into the Hall of Fame (Lynn Swann).
Here is the "Super Bowl 50 Golden Team"
Quarterback
Joe Montana, 49ers
Running backs
Franco Harris, Steelers
Emmitt Smith, Cowboys
Receivers
Jerry Rice, 49ers/Raiders
Lynn Swann, Steelers
Tight end
Jay Novacek, Cowboys
Tackle
Art Shell, Raiders
Forrest Gregg, Packers
Guards
Larry Allen, Cowboys
Gene Upshaw, Raiders
Center
Mike Webster, Steelers
Defensive end
Charles Haley, 49ers/Cowboys
Reggie White, Packers
Defensive tackle
Joe Greene, Steelers
Randy White, Cowboys
Outside linebacker
Lawrence Taylor, Giants
Jack Ham, Steelers
Inside linebacker
Jack Lambert, Steelers
Ray Lewis, Ravens
Cornerback
Mel Blount, Steelers
Deion Sanders, 49ers/Cowboys
Safeties
Ronnie Lott, 49ers
Jake Scott, Dolphins
Kicker
Adam Vinatieri, Patriots/Colts
Punter
Ray Guy, Raiders
Kick returner
Desmond Howard, Packers
Coach
Chuck Noll, Steelers
A fine team.
Adam Vinatieri was the only unanimous selection.
The selections that probably generate the greatest debate are at quarterback and coach. Joe Montana is an excellent selection but there are surely fans of the TB12s. Terry Bradshaw and Tom Brady. There are fans that probably prefer the Bills at coach rather than Chuck Noll. Bill Walsh and Bill Belichick. Any combination of those choices isn't wrong.
It's tough to argue any of the other selections.
Ray Lewis, Jake Scott, Adam Vinatieri, and Desmond Howard are the only selections that have not been inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Ray Lewis will be soon. Adam Vinatieri should join Jan Stenerud as the only kickers so honored. This is a pretty good indication that the greatest players often played at that level in the biggest game. Sometimes it's even those performances in big games that propel players into the Hall of Fame (Lynn Swann).
Thursday, January 28, 2016
Throwback Thursday: Minnesota Vikings All-Time Team
Here's one look at a Minnesota Vikings All-Time Team.
Quarterback
Fran Tarkenton
There's really no debating this one.
Running backs
Adrian Peterson
Chuck Foreman
Some might have Robert Smith instead of Foreman. There was a 2-3 year stretch in the mid-1970s in which Foreman was the best back in the NFL. Certainly the most versatile. Smith was great for a few years and he was probably the ideal runner for that incredible 1998 offense.
Receivers
Cris Carter
Randy Moss
Cris Carter might have been the best pass catcher in the history of the league. Randy Moss was one of the most physically gifted football players ever.
Tight end
Steve Jordan
If Joe Senser had played longer he might get the nod.
Tackles
Ron Yary
Gary Zimmerman
Both are in the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
Guards
Randall McDaniel
Steve Hutchinson
Both are among the best guards to ever play. McDaniel is in the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Hutchinson should join him soon.
Center
Mick Tingelhoff
He was finally enshrined in Canton last summer
Defensive ends
Carl Eller
Chris Doleman
Hall of Famers.
Defensive tackles
Alan Page
John Randle
Another pair of Hall of Famers. Defensive line is probably the most stacked position in Vikings franchise history.
Linebackers
Matt Blair
Jeff Siemon
Chad Greenway
He just finished his second season but Anthony Barr will probably be in this group real soon. Linebacker is probably the most debated position in Vikings history. Blair is the only one that I'd consider an automatic pick. Some might have Scott Studwell or even Lonnie Warwick ahead of Siemon at middle linebacker. Wally Hilgenberg, Roy Winston, and Ed McDaniel might get consideration at the outside spots. I think that Siemon is an historically underrated middle linebacker. He was one of the best in the league for a few years in the 1970s and he looked like the only Vikings player that showed up for Super Bowl XI.
Cornerbacks
Antoine Winfield
Carl Lee
I go back and forth with Lee and Bobby Bryant. Hopefully, Xavier Rhodes takes one of these spots in a few years.
Safeties
Paul Krause
Joey Browner
Krause is in the Hall of Fame. Browner probably would be if injuries hadn't thrashed his career. This position will be hotly debated in a couple of years. Harrison Smith is well on his way to making it a hot debate.
Kicker
Fred Cox
And he invented the Nerf football!
Punter
Chirs Kluwe
It's probably a toss-up between Kluwe, Greg Coleman, and Mitch Berger.
Returner
Cordarrelle Patterson
This spot could probably go to Patterson, Percy Harvin,, David Palmer, even Marcus Sherels. I'll go with Patterson for now. If he could keep his head in the game he'd be more than just a returner. He's such a gifted, and frustrating, football player.
Coach
Bud Grant
An automatic choice until a Vikings coach does what Grant never could do. Win a Super Bowl.
Quarterback
Fran Tarkenton
There's really no debating this one.
Running backs
Adrian Peterson
Chuck Foreman
Some might have Robert Smith instead of Foreman. There was a 2-3 year stretch in the mid-1970s in which Foreman was the best back in the NFL. Certainly the most versatile. Smith was great for a few years and he was probably the ideal runner for that incredible 1998 offense.
Receivers
Cris Carter
Randy Moss
Cris Carter might have been the best pass catcher in the history of the league. Randy Moss was one of the most physically gifted football players ever.
Tight end
Steve Jordan
If Joe Senser had played longer he might get the nod.
Tackles
Ron Yary
Gary Zimmerman
Both are in the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
Guards
Randall McDaniel
Steve Hutchinson
Both are among the best guards to ever play. McDaniel is in the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Hutchinson should join him soon.
Center
Mick Tingelhoff
He was finally enshrined in Canton last summer
Defensive ends
Carl Eller
Chris Doleman
Hall of Famers.
Defensive tackles
Alan Page
John Randle
Another pair of Hall of Famers. Defensive line is probably the most stacked position in Vikings franchise history.
Linebackers
Matt Blair
Jeff Siemon
Chad Greenway
He just finished his second season but Anthony Barr will probably be in this group real soon. Linebacker is probably the most debated position in Vikings history. Blair is the only one that I'd consider an automatic pick. Some might have Scott Studwell or even Lonnie Warwick ahead of Siemon at middle linebacker. Wally Hilgenberg, Roy Winston, and Ed McDaniel might get consideration at the outside spots. I think that Siemon is an historically underrated middle linebacker. He was one of the best in the league for a few years in the 1970s and he looked like the only Vikings player that showed up for Super Bowl XI.
Cornerbacks
Antoine Winfield
Carl Lee
I go back and forth with Lee and Bobby Bryant. Hopefully, Xavier Rhodes takes one of these spots in a few years.
Safeties
Paul Krause
Joey Browner
Krause is in the Hall of Fame. Browner probably would be if injuries hadn't thrashed his career. This position will be hotly debated in a couple of years. Harrison Smith is well on his way to making it a hot debate.
Kicker
Fred Cox
And he invented the Nerf football!
Punter
Chirs Kluwe
It's probably a toss-up between Kluwe, Greg Coleman, and Mitch Berger.
Returner
Cordarrelle Patterson
This spot could probably go to Patterson, Percy Harvin,, David Palmer, even Marcus Sherels. I'll go with Patterson for now. If he could keep his head in the game he'd be more than just a returner. He's such a gifted, and frustrating, football player.
Coach
Bud Grant
An automatic choice until a Vikings coach does what Grant never could do. Win a Super Bowl.
Wednesday, January 27, 2016
Pro Bowl Roster Overhaul
There's been some changes to the Pro Bowl rosters since they were originally announced about a month ago. I can count 37 changes. Only Russell Wilson remains from the original six quarterbacks. Only Tamba Hali remains from the original six outside linebackers. The league had to expect an annual overhaul of the original Pro Bowl roster when the game was moved to the weekend before the Super Bowl. That schedule immediately eliminates the players taking part in the Super Bowl. Which is usually a pretty significant number.
Here's the Pro Bowl rosters. Those players that were originally selected and those that replaced them.
Here's the Pro Bowl rosters. Those players that were originally selected and those that replaced them.
2016 Pro Bowlers
QUARTERBACKS (6)
Tom Brady, New England (replaced by Jameis Winston, Tampa Bay)
Cam Newton, Carolina (replaced by Tyrod Taylor, Buffalo)
Carson Palmer, Arizona (replaced by Teddy Bridgewater, Minnesota)
Aaron Rodgers, Green Bay (replaced by Derek Carr, Oakland)
Ben Roethlisberger, Pittsburgh (replaced by Eli Manning, New York Giants)
Russell Wilson, Seattle
Tom Brady, New England (replaced by Jameis Winston, Tampa Bay)
Cam Newton, Carolina (replaced by Tyrod Taylor, Buffalo)
Carson Palmer, Arizona (replaced by Teddy Bridgewater, Minnesota)
Aaron Rodgers, Green Bay (replaced by Derek Carr, Oakland)
Ben Roethlisberger, Pittsburgh (replaced by Eli Manning, New York Giants)
Russell Wilson, Seattle
RUNNING BACKS (6)
Adrian Peterson, Minnesota
Devonta Freeman, Atlanta
Jonathan Stewart, Carolina (replaced by Latavius Murray, Oakland)
Todd Gurley, St. Louis
Doug Martin, Tampa Bay
LeSean McCoy, Buffalo (replaced by Chris Ivory, New York Jets)
Adrian Peterson, Minnesota
Devonta Freeman, Atlanta
Jonathan Stewart, Carolina (replaced by Latavius Murray, Oakland)
Todd Gurley, St. Louis
Doug Martin, Tampa Bay
LeSean McCoy, Buffalo (replaced by Chris Ivory, New York Jets)
TIGHT ENDS (4)
Tyler Eifert, Cincinnati
Rob Gronkowski, New England (replaced by Gary Barnidge, Cleveland)
Travis Kelce, Kansas City
Greg Olsen, Carolina (replaced by Delanie Walker, Tennessee)
Tyler Eifert, Cincinnati
Rob Gronkowski, New England (replaced by Gary Barnidge, Cleveland)
Travis Kelce, Kansas City
Greg Olsen, Carolina (replaced by Delanie Walker, Tennessee)
WIDE RECEIVERS (8)
Odell Beckham, Jr., New York Giants
Antonio Brown, Pittsburgh
Larry Fitzgerald, Arizona (replaced by T.Y. Hilton, Indianapolis)
A.J. Green, Cincinnati
DeAndre Hopkins, Houston
Calvin Johnson, Detroit (replaced by Allen Robinson, Jacksonville)
Julio Jones, Atlanta
Brandon Marshall, New York Jets (replaced by Amari Cooper, Oakland)
Odell Beckham, Jr., New York Giants
Antonio Brown, Pittsburgh
Larry Fitzgerald, Arizona (replaced by T.Y. Hilton, Indianapolis)
A.J. Green, Cincinnati
DeAndre Hopkins, Houston
Calvin Johnson, Detroit (replaced by Allen Robinson, Jacksonville)
Julio Jones, Atlanta
Brandon Marshall, New York Jets (replaced by Amari Cooper, Oakland)
TACKLES (6)
Tyron Smith, Dallas
Joe Staley, San Francisco
Joe Thomas, Cleveland
Andrew Whitworth, Cincinnati
Trent Williams, Washington
Jason Peters, Philadelphia (replaced by Kyle Long, Chicago)
Tyron Smith, Dallas
Joe Staley, San Francisco
Joe Thomas, Cleveland
Andrew Whitworth, Cincinnati
Trent Williams, Washington
Jason Peters, Philadelphia (replaced by Kyle Long, Chicago)
GUARDS (6)
David DeCastro, Pittsburgh
Mike Iupati, Arizona (replaced by Richie Incognito, Buffalo)
Josh Sitton, Green Bay
Trai Turner, Carolina (replaced by Logan Mankins, Tampa Bay)
Marshal Yanda, Baltimore
Zack Martin, Dallas
David DeCastro, Pittsburgh
Mike Iupati, Arizona (replaced by Richie Incognito, Buffalo)
Josh Sitton, Green Bay
Trai Turner, Carolina (replaced by Logan Mankins, Tampa Bay)
Marshal Yanda, Baltimore
Zack Martin, Dallas
CENTERS (4)
Travis Frederick, Dallas
Ryan Kalil, Carolina (replaced by Eric Wood, Buffalo)
Mike Pouncey, Miami
Alex Mack, Cleveland
Travis Frederick, Dallas
Ryan Kalil, Carolina (replaced by Eric Wood, Buffalo)
Mike Pouncey, Miami
Alex Mack, Cleveland
DEFENSIVE ENDS (6)
Ezekiel Ansah, Detroit
Michael Bennett, Seattle
Chandler Jones, New England
Khalil Mack, Oakland
J.J. Watt, Houston (replaced by Everson Griffen, Minnesota)
Muhammad Wilkerson, New York Jets (replaced by Carlos Dunlap, Cincinnati)
Ezekiel Ansah, Detroit
Michael Bennett, Seattle
Chandler Jones, New England
Khalil Mack, Oakland
J.J. Watt, Houston (replaced by Everson Griffen, Minnesota)
Muhammad Wilkerson, New York Jets (replaced by Carlos Dunlap, Cincinnati)
INTERIOR LINEMEN (6)
Geno Atkins, Cincinnati
Calais Campbell, Arizona
Fletcher Cox, Philadelphia
Aaron Donald, St. Louis
Gerald McCoy, Tampa Bay
Kawann Short, Carolina (replaced by Jurrell Casey, Tennessee)
Geno Atkins, Cincinnati
Calais Campbell, Arizona
Fletcher Cox, Philadelphia
Aaron Donald, St. Louis
Gerald McCoy, Tampa Bay
Kawann Short, Carolina (replaced by Jurrell Casey, Tennessee)
INSIDE/MIDDLE LINEBACKERS (4)
Navorro Bowman, San Francisco
Luke Kuechly, Carolina (replaced by Derrick Johnson, Kansas City)
Clay Matthews, Green Bay
Bobby Wagner, Seattle
Navorro Bowman, San Francisco
Luke Kuechly, Carolina (replaced by Derrick Johnson, Kansas City)
Clay Matthews, Green Bay
Bobby Wagner, Seattle
OUTSIDE LINEBACKERS (6)
Jamie Collins, New England (replaced by Anthony Barr, Minnesota)
Thomas Davis, Carolina (replaced by Elvis Dumervil, Baltimore)
Tamba Hali, Kansas City
Justin Houston, Kansas City (replaced by Sean Lee, Dallas)
Von Miller, Denver (replaced by Julius Peppers, Green Bay)
DeMarcus Ware, Denver (replaced by Lavonte David, Tampa Bay)
Jamie Collins, New England (replaced by Anthony Barr, Minnesota)
Thomas Davis, Carolina (replaced by Elvis Dumervil, Baltimore)
Tamba Hali, Kansas City
Justin Houston, Kansas City (replaced by Sean Lee, Dallas)
Von Miller, Denver (replaced by Julius Peppers, Green Bay)
DeMarcus Ware, Denver (replaced by Lavonte David, Tampa Bay)
CORNERBACKS (8)
Chris Harris, Jr., Denver (replaced by Vontae Davis, Indianapolis)
Josh Norman, Carolina (replaced by Desmond Trufant, Atlanta)
Marcus Peters, Kansas City
Patrick Peterson, Arizona (replaced by Adam Jones, Cincinnati)
Darrelle Revis, New York Jets
Richard Sherman, Seattle
Aqib Talib, Denver (replaced by Brent Grimes, Miami)
Malcolm Butler, New England (replaced by Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, New York Giants)
Chris Harris, Jr., Denver (replaced by Vontae Davis, Indianapolis)
Josh Norman, Carolina (replaced by Desmond Trufant, Atlanta)
Marcus Peters, Kansas City
Patrick Peterson, Arizona (replaced by Adam Jones, Cincinnati)
Darrelle Revis, New York Jets
Richard Sherman, Seattle
Aqib Talib, Denver (replaced by Brent Grimes, Miami)
Malcolm Butler, New England (replaced by Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, New York Giants)
FREE SAFETIES (3)
Tyrann Mathieu, Arizona (replaced by Malcolm Jenkins, Philadelphia)
Reggie Nelson, Cincinnati (replaced by Reshad Jones, Miami)
Earl Thomas, Seattle (replaced by Harrison Smith, Minnesota)
Tyrann Mathieu, Arizona (replaced by Malcolm Jenkins, Philadelphia)
Reggie Nelson, Cincinnati (replaced by Reshad Jones, Miami)
Earl Thomas, Seattle (replaced by Harrison Smith, Minnesota)
STRONG SAFETIES (3)
Eric Berry, Kansas City
Kam Chancellor, Seattle (replaced by Mike Adams, Indianapolis)
Charles Woodson, Oakland
Eric Berry, Kansas City
Kam Chancellor, Seattle (replaced by Mike Adams, Indianapolis)
Charles Woodson, Oakland
PLACEKICKERS (2)
Dan Bailey, Dallas
Stephen Gostkowski, New England (replaced by Josh Brown, New York Giants)
Dan Bailey, Dallas
Stephen Gostkowski, New England (replaced by Josh Brown, New York Giants)
SPECIAL TEAMERS (2)
Justin Bethel, Arizona
Matthew Slater, New England (replaced by Cedric Peerman, Cincinnati)
Many people have bitched about this "diluted" roster. They are probably the same people that bitched about several players being snubbed in the voting process. Now those snubbed players are in the game. When the Pro Bowl was moved to the Sunday before the Super Bowl everyone knew that 10-20, maybe more, players were going to be skipping the exhibition game simply because they are playing the big game. Why is it suddenly a problem now? I guess that some people just want to bitch. This is an exhibition game. It's supposed to be fun. I always found it mind-numbing that anyone could possibly expect the Pro Bowl to be anything but a fun exhibition game.
The Minnesota Vikings originally had only one player tapped for the Pro Bowl. Adrian Peterson. A single player is a pretty light number for a team that finished 11-5 and won the NFC North. After the flurry of replacements the number of Vikings players has jumped to 5.
Adrian Peterson, RB
Teddy Bridgewater, QB
Everson Griffen, DE
Anthony Barr, LB
Harrison Smith, S
The Pro Bowl nod for Bridgewater is a little early but what the hell. It's supposed to be fun. Smith, Barr, and Griffen are deserving. Smith has been deserving for a couple of years. Defensive tackle Linval Joseph should be going to Hawaii with the above teammates. He's probably the most deserving Vikings player not named Peterson.
The Pro Bowl is fun. And it's in Hawaii.
Justin Bethel, Arizona
Matthew Slater, New England (replaced by Cedric Peerman, Cincinnati)
Many people have bitched about this "diluted" roster. They are probably the same people that bitched about several players being snubbed in the voting process. Now those snubbed players are in the game. When the Pro Bowl was moved to the Sunday before the Super Bowl everyone knew that 10-20, maybe more, players were going to be skipping the exhibition game simply because they are playing the big game. Why is it suddenly a problem now? I guess that some people just want to bitch. This is an exhibition game. It's supposed to be fun. I always found it mind-numbing that anyone could possibly expect the Pro Bowl to be anything but a fun exhibition game.
The Minnesota Vikings originally had only one player tapped for the Pro Bowl. Adrian Peterson. A single player is a pretty light number for a team that finished 11-5 and won the NFC North. After the flurry of replacements the number of Vikings players has jumped to 5.
Adrian Peterson, RB
Teddy Bridgewater, QB
Everson Griffen, DE
Anthony Barr, LB
Harrison Smith, S
The Pro Bowl nod for Bridgewater is a little early but what the hell. It's supposed to be fun. Smith, Barr, and Griffen are deserving. Smith has been deserving for a couple of years. Defensive tackle Linval Joseph should be going to Hawaii with the above teammates. He's probably the most deserving Vikings player not named Peterson.
The Pro Bowl is fun. And it's in Hawaii.
Tuesday, January 26, 2016
Minnesota Vikings Coaches
Minnesota Vikings head coach Mike Zimmer has led the team to considerable improvement in his two seasons. From a mess to 7-9 to 11-5 and the NFC North title. Enough improvement that he could sit back and deal solely with improving the talent level and performance of the team. It looks like he's doing much more than that. He's looking for improvement everywhere. And he started with his coaching staff.
Two weeks ago the Vikings decided not to renew the contract of offensive line coach Jeff Davidson. The Vikings offensive line performance has been sporadic, at best, and tragic, at worst, over the past couple of seasons and Davidson paid the price for it. Improving the offensive line is priority #1 this offseason and this was the start. The Vikings hired Tony Sparano to replace Davidson. Sparano is probably best know for his head coaching days with the Miami Dolphins and his interim head coach stint with the Oakland Raiders. He was on the Dallas Cowboys coaching staff with Vikings head coach Mike Zimmer from 2003-06. The next change was forced upon Zimmer. New Cleveland Browns head coach Hue Jackson looked to the Vikings coaching staff to fill one of his assistant coach positions. He dressed up the the running backs coach position with a coordinator handle, called it a promotion, and offered it to Kirby Wilson. That shiny new position was appealing enough to Wilson for him to bolt Minnesota for Cleveland. Browns owner Jimmy Haslam's patience with his coaches might make Wilson regret that decision in about a year. Zimmer made his most bold coaching move over this past weekend. The Vikings hired former Browns head coach and longtime offensive coordinator/quarterbacks coach Pat Shurmur. Some speculated that his addition could come at the expense of current Vikings offensive coordinator Norv Turner. It looks more like Zimmer had the opportunity to add a proven offensive coach, and proven quarterback coach in particular, to a team that needs improvement on offense. He saw an area of need and did something about it. As interesting as the hire itself was the position that Shurmur was brought in to fill, he was hired to coach tight ends. A position that he has coached. Kevin Stefanski, the most tenured Vikings coach and current tight ends coach, will now coach the running backs. A position that he hasn't coached.
It's too often assumed that improved play on the football field comes only from better playing talent. Improved play can also come from improved coaching talent. Mike Zimmer has the defense in very good working order. He'll never be satisfied and there's still room for improvement but the reason the Vikings aren't playing for Super Bowl 50 isn't the defense. The offense has to improve. Pretty much everywhere. Quarterback Teddy Bridgewater often looks like the franchise-changing quarterback that he was drafted to be but he has moments in which he doesn't. The offense often sputtered in the red zone. They settled for far too many field goals when they were within reach of the end zone. The offensive line was a wreck more often than not. Zimmer attacked all of those issues in the two weeks since the end of the Vikings 2015 season. The offense wasn't where it needed to be. The coaches that remain, Tony Sparano, and Pat Shurmur are charged with getting it to where it needs to be.
Here are the coaches that will be teaching and leading the Minnesota Vikings in 2016.
Two weeks ago the Vikings decided not to renew the contract of offensive line coach Jeff Davidson. The Vikings offensive line performance has been sporadic, at best, and tragic, at worst, over the past couple of seasons and Davidson paid the price for it. Improving the offensive line is priority #1 this offseason and this was the start. The Vikings hired Tony Sparano to replace Davidson. Sparano is probably best know for his head coaching days with the Miami Dolphins and his interim head coach stint with the Oakland Raiders. He was on the Dallas Cowboys coaching staff with Vikings head coach Mike Zimmer from 2003-06. The next change was forced upon Zimmer. New Cleveland Browns head coach Hue Jackson looked to the Vikings coaching staff to fill one of his assistant coach positions. He dressed up the the running backs coach position with a coordinator handle, called it a promotion, and offered it to Kirby Wilson. That shiny new position was appealing enough to Wilson for him to bolt Minnesota for Cleveland. Browns owner Jimmy Haslam's patience with his coaches might make Wilson regret that decision in about a year. Zimmer made his most bold coaching move over this past weekend. The Vikings hired former Browns head coach and longtime offensive coordinator/quarterbacks coach Pat Shurmur. Some speculated that his addition could come at the expense of current Vikings offensive coordinator Norv Turner. It looks more like Zimmer had the opportunity to add a proven offensive coach, and proven quarterback coach in particular, to a team that needs improvement on offense. He saw an area of need and did something about it. As interesting as the hire itself was the position that Shurmur was brought in to fill, he was hired to coach tight ends. A position that he has coached. Kevin Stefanski, the most tenured Vikings coach and current tight ends coach, will now coach the running backs. A position that he hasn't coached.
It's too often assumed that improved play on the football field comes only from better playing talent. Improved play can also come from improved coaching talent. Mike Zimmer has the defense in very good working order. He'll never be satisfied and there's still room for improvement but the reason the Vikings aren't playing for Super Bowl 50 isn't the defense. The offense has to improve. Pretty much everywhere. Quarterback Teddy Bridgewater often looks like the franchise-changing quarterback that he was drafted to be but he has moments in which he doesn't. The offense often sputtered in the red zone. They settled for far too many field goals when they were within reach of the end zone. The offensive line was a wreck more often than not. Zimmer attacked all of those issues in the two weeks since the end of the Vikings 2015 season. The offense wasn't where it needed to be. The coaches that remain, Tony Sparano, and Pat Shurmur are charged with getting it to where it needs to be.
Here are the coaches that will be teaching and leading the Minnesota Vikings in 2016.
Head Coach: Mike Zimmer
Offense
Offensive Coordinator: Norv Turner
Quarterbacks: Scott Turner
Running backs: Kevin Stefanski
Receivers: George Stewart
Assistant Receivers: Drew Petzing
Tight ends: Pat Shurmur
Offensive line: Tony Sparano
Assistant Offensive line: Hank Fraley
Quality Control: Andrew Janocko
Defense
Defensive Coordinator: George Edwards
Defensive line: Andre Patterson
Assistant Defensive line: Robert Rodriguez
Linebacker: Adam Zimmer
Defensive backs: Jerry Gray
Assistant Defensive backs: Jonathan Gannon
Defensive Assistant: Jeff Howard
Special Teams
Special Teams Coordinator: Mike Priefer
Special Teams Assistant: Ryan Ficken
Strength & Conditioning
Assistant: Jeff Hurd
Assistant: Chaz Mahle
There was a time when the Vikings head coach had a sparse budget for assistant coaches. Times have changed. Owners Zygi and Mark Wilf aren't going the cheap route. They are giving Mike Zimmer the means for the coaching staff that he needs. This is a strong coaching staff. It's probably the strongest coaching staff seen in Minnesota since those of Bud Grant in the 1970s. Certainly since some of Dennis Green's coaching staffs in the 1990s.
One coaching change that has flown silently under the radar is that of strength and conditioning head coach. Evan Marcus has held the position since Zimmer hired him in 2014. The Minnesota Vikings website was the first with the scoop. He's been missing from the coaching roster on the site for two weeks. The media finally got wind of it last week. The Vikings had suffered a blistering run of pectoral injuries in the two years that Marcus had been in charge of the strength program. It may have been coincidence but Zimmer apparently wasn't taking any chances.
Monday, January 25, 2016
Championship Game Thoughts
Super Bowl 50 is now set.
Denver Broncos vs. Carolina Panthers. Santa Clara. Two weeks.
AFC Championship
Denver Broncos 20
New England Patriots 18
It was all Peyton Manning vs Tom Brady over the past week. The 17th time that the two quarterbacking greats had met in a game. That really is a remarkable number of games. For comparison, Dan Marino and John Elway were on the opposing sidelines only three times. We can thank realignment and the current scheduling formula for the large number of Manning-Brady games.
While it was fun seeing Manning and Brady on the same field this game was more about the defenses. It looked like a defensive dual between Broncos linebacker Von Miller and Patriots linebacker Jamie Collins. Each were all over the field. Each wrecked much of what the respective offenses were trying to do. Miller had five total tackles, 2.5 sacks, and an interception. It was the first time that a player had sacked and intercepted Brady in the same game. Collins had 8 total tackles and 2 sacks. Both players were incredible all game.
Miller and Collins weren't the only defensive players that flashed in this game. There were many terrific defensive performances on both teams. Malcolm Butler, Dontae Hightower, and Alan Branch stood out for the Patriots. Derek Wolfe, Malik Jackson, Chris Harris, and Aqib Talib stood out for the Broncos.
The Broncos defense was outstanding all game. About the only thing that they didn't do right was keep their safeties healthy. Neither T.J. Ward nor Darian Stewart finished the game. Brady threw for over 300 yards but they were hard earned yards. Many of those yards were gained in the final minutes of the fourth quarter. Brady was running for his life from his first drop back to his last. He even led the Patriots in rushing with 13 yards. That says a lot. Miller was a pass rushing nightmare for most of the game. When the Patriots put more resources on him DeMarcus Ware took over. There was always a Broncos defender or more in his face.
The defense put the Broncos in the Super Bowl. The Patriots had the ball in the red zone three times in the final seven minutes. They only scored six points. They finally scored that touchdown on the third trip to the red zone. The Broncos defense kept the Patriots from scoring the 2-pt. extra point that they needed to force overtime. The Broncos actually intercepted Brady's pass on the 2-pt. attempt.
The more I think about the Broncos defensive performance the better it gets. They did it by pass rush. They did it by scheme. Defensive coordinator Wade Phillips called a brilliant game. They were in a dime defense the majority of the game. Brady was harassed all game and he had to fit the ball in itty-bitty windows while being harassed. A great defensive game.
The Broncos offense did most of their good work in the early part of the game. Peyton Manning had two touchdown tosses to tight Owen Daniels by the time the game was a little more than a quarter old. The Broncos managed to end the first half with a long field goal and 17-9 half time lead. They managed a fourth quarter field goal and the defense did the rest.
The Patriots defense was nearly as outstanding as the Broncos defense after they gave up those two Broncos touchdowns. Unfortunately they gave up those two Broncos touchdowns.
This was an entertaining football game. For those that are fans of defense this was a great game.
NFC Championship
Carolina Panthers 49
Arizona Cardinals 15
This game might have been a gas for Panthers fans but it was a disaster for just about everyone else.
It was 17-0 Panthers before the Cardinals seemed aware that they were involved in a football game. Cardinals running back David Johnson looked like the only player in red that was engaged in the game. When he scored to make it 17-7 the rest of the Cardinals woke up. The defense forced the Panther to go three-and-out and it looked like the Cardinals had something going. Momentum and the ball. Until Patrick Peterson muffed the punt. The Panthers recovered and the game was soon no longer a game.
There's the game summary but that summary really isn't fair to the Panthers.
Panthers quarterback Cam Newton was great. Passing the ball, running the ball, controlling the game. He made it all look so easy. Newton has been a very good football player since his rookie season. He's been much better than that this season. He's the MVP. He deserves to be the MVP. This game might have been his best game. He did miss high on a deep pass that ended up in the hands of Cardinals corner Patrick Peterson. That was the only hiccup that I recall. He just made the rest of the game look so damn easy.
You know things are going well for the Panthers when Ted Ginn makes an impact on offense. He had a nifty 22-yard run for the first touchdown of the game. He also caught two passes for 52 yards. His best play might have been the one in which he tackled Peterson on the interception return. Ginn might have saved a touchdown on the play. A touchdown that might have turned this runaway into a game. He chased Peterson for about 80 yards.
The Panthers defense was great. They played most of the game without linebacker Thomas Davis and safety Roman Harper. They played all of it without defensive end Jared Allen. Hopefully all three are back for the Super Bowl in two weeks. That Broncos-Panthers matchup could be an incredible defensive display.
Cardinals quarterback Carson Palmer had a rough postseason. He made it through the Divisional game against the Green Bay Packers but couldn't get past the Panthers defense. He was playing through a finger injury and it really showed. All season Palmer made throws that few quarterbacks can make. He made throws that he hasn't made since his early days with the Cincinnati Bengals. It was disappointing to see him struggle so much in the playoffs. He really had a rough day yesterday. Four interceptions. 2 fumbles. It's a real shame after the great season that he had.
Cam Newton poses a unique challenge to any defense. I look forward to see what Broncos defensive coordinator Wade Phillips has planned for him.
Congratulations to the Denver Broncos and Carolina Panthers.
The finalists for the Walter Payton Man of the Year Award were announced yesterday.
Anquan Boldin, San Francisco 49ers
Eli Manning, New York Giants
Benjamin Watson, New Orleans Saints
Congratulations to the finalists.
Congratulations also to the 29 other nominees. All 32 nominated players, and so many players that weren't, are doing deeds in the community that are deserving of this honor.
Denver Broncos vs. Carolina Panthers. Santa Clara. Two weeks.
AFC Championship
Denver Broncos 20
New England Patriots 18
It was all Peyton Manning vs Tom Brady over the past week. The 17th time that the two quarterbacking greats had met in a game. That really is a remarkable number of games. For comparison, Dan Marino and John Elway were on the opposing sidelines only three times. We can thank realignment and the current scheduling formula for the large number of Manning-Brady games.
While it was fun seeing Manning and Brady on the same field this game was more about the defenses. It looked like a defensive dual between Broncos linebacker Von Miller and Patriots linebacker Jamie Collins. Each were all over the field. Each wrecked much of what the respective offenses were trying to do. Miller had five total tackles, 2.5 sacks, and an interception. It was the first time that a player had sacked and intercepted Brady in the same game. Collins had 8 total tackles and 2 sacks. Both players were incredible all game.
Miller and Collins weren't the only defensive players that flashed in this game. There were many terrific defensive performances on both teams. Malcolm Butler, Dontae Hightower, and Alan Branch stood out for the Patriots. Derek Wolfe, Malik Jackson, Chris Harris, and Aqib Talib stood out for the Broncos.
The Broncos defense was outstanding all game. About the only thing that they didn't do right was keep their safeties healthy. Neither T.J. Ward nor Darian Stewart finished the game. Brady threw for over 300 yards but they were hard earned yards. Many of those yards were gained in the final minutes of the fourth quarter. Brady was running for his life from his first drop back to his last. He even led the Patriots in rushing with 13 yards. That says a lot. Miller was a pass rushing nightmare for most of the game. When the Patriots put more resources on him DeMarcus Ware took over. There was always a Broncos defender or more in his face.
The defense put the Broncos in the Super Bowl. The Patriots had the ball in the red zone three times in the final seven minutes. They only scored six points. They finally scored that touchdown on the third trip to the red zone. The Broncos defense kept the Patriots from scoring the 2-pt. extra point that they needed to force overtime. The Broncos actually intercepted Brady's pass on the 2-pt. attempt.
The more I think about the Broncos defensive performance the better it gets. They did it by pass rush. They did it by scheme. Defensive coordinator Wade Phillips called a brilliant game. They were in a dime defense the majority of the game. Brady was harassed all game and he had to fit the ball in itty-bitty windows while being harassed. A great defensive game.
The Broncos offense did most of their good work in the early part of the game. Peyton Manning had two touchdown tosses to tight Owen Daniels by the time the game was a little more than a quarter old. The Broncos managed to end the first half with a long field goal and 17-9 half time lead. They managed a fourth quarter field goal and the defense did the rest.
The Patriots defense was nearly as outstanding as the Broncos defense after they gave up those two Broncos touchdowns. Unfortunately they gave up those two Broncos touchdowns.
This was an entertaining football game. For those that are fans of defense this was a great game.
NFC Championship
Carolina Panthers 49
Arizona Cardinals 15
This game might have been a gas for Panthers fans but it was a disaster for just about everyone else.
It was 17-0 Panthers before the Cardinals seemed aware that they were involved in a football game. Cardinals running back David Johnson looked like the only player in red that was engaged in the game. When he scored to make it 17-7 the rest of the Cardinals woke up. The defense forced the Panther to go three-and-out and it looked like the Cardinals had something going. Momentum and the ball. Until Patrick Peterson muffed the punt. The Panthers recovered and the game was soon no longer a game.
There's the game summary but that summary really isn't fair to the Panthers.
Panthers quarterback Cam Newton was great. Passing the ball, running the ball, controlling the game. He made it all look so easy. Newton has been a very good football player since his rookie season. He's been much better than that this season. He's the MVP. He deserves to be the MVP. This game might have been his best game. He did miss high on a deep pass that ended up in the hands of Cardinals corner Patrick Peterson. That was the only hiccup that I recall. He just made the rest of the game look so damn easy.
You know things are going well for the Panthers when Ted Ginn makes an impact on offense. He had a nifty 22-yard run for the first touchdown of the game. He also caught two passes for 52 yards. His best play might have been the one in which he tackled Peterson on the interception return. Ginn might have saved a touchdown on the play. A touchdown that might have turned this runaway into a game. He chased Peterson for about 80 yards.
The Panthers defense was great. They played most of the game without linebacker Thomas Davis and safety Roman Harper. They played all of it without defensive end Jared Allen. Hopefully all three are back for the Super Bowl in two weeks. That Broncos-Panthers matchup could be an incredible defensive display.
Cardinals quarterback Carson Palmer had a rough postseason. He made it through the Divisional game against the Green Bay Packers but couldn't get past the Panthers defense. He was playing through a finger injury and it really showed. All season Palmer made throws that few quarterbacks can make. He made throws that he hasn't made since his early days with the Cincinnati Bengals. It was disappointing to see him struggle so much in the playoffs. He really had a rough day yesterday. Four interceptions. 2 fumbles. It's a real shame after the great season that he had.
Cam Newton poses a unique challenge to any defense. I look forward to see what Broncos defensive coordinator Wade Phillips has planned for him.
Congratulations to the Denver Broncos and Carolina Panthers.
The finalists for the Walter Payton Man of the Year Award were announced yesterday.
Anquan Boldin, San Francisco 49ers
Eli Manning, New York Giants
Benjamin Watson, New Orleans Saints
Congratulations to the finalists.
Congratulations also to the 29 other nominees. All 32 nominated players, and so many players that weren't, are doing deeds in the community that are deserving of this honor.
Sunday, January 24, 2016
Championship Game Picks
Patriots-Broncos. Cardinals-Panthers. The top four seeds. This is a terrific final four. I wouldn't mind any combination of teams that might come out of today's games. Here's a stab at the games.
AFC Championship
New England Patriots @ Denver Broncos
Pick: Patriots
The Broncos would be best served if their pass catchers catch passes today. There were way too many drops last week against the Pittsburgh Steelers and the offense sputtered. I sure would like to see Peyton Manning in another Super Bowl. His last appearance wasn't so super. It's real hard to pick against Bill Belichick and Tom Brady.
NFC Championship
Arizona Cardinals @ Carolina Panthers
Pick: Panthers
Both teams have to play better than they played in the Divisional round. Cardinals quarterback Carson Palmer didn't play well and it took receiver Larry Fitzgerald putting the team on his back to get past the Green Bay Packers. The Panthers took their foot off the peddle in the second half against the Seattle Seahawks and they watched their huge lead disappear. These two teams were probably the two best teams in the league all year. It's great that they are playing each other now. That doesn't always happen. I sure hope that Panther corner Josh Norman follows Fitzgerald all game. That potential matchup would be a blast.
So, I'm picking a rematch of Super Bowl XXXVIII but I'm really just hoping for three more fantastic football games.
AFC Championship
New England Patriots @ Denver Broncos
Pick: Patriots
The Broncos would be best served if their pass catchers catch passes today. There were way too many drops last week against the Pittsburgh Steelers and the offense sputtered. I sure would like to see Peyton Manning in another Super Bowl. His last appearance wasn't so super. It's real hard to pick against Bill Belichick and Tom Brady.
NFC Championship
Arizona Cardinals @ Carolina Panthers
Pick: Panthers
Both teams have to play better than they played in the Divisional round. Cardinals quarterback Carson Palmer didn't play well and it took receiver Larry Fitzgerald putting the team on his back to get past the Green Bay Packers. The Panthers took their foot off the peddle in the second half against the Seattle Seahawks and they watched their huge lead disappear. These two teams were probably the two best teams in the league all year. It's great that they are playing each other now. That doesn't always happen. I sure hope that Panther corner Josh Norman follows Fitzgerald all game. That potential matchup would be a blast.
So, I'm picking a rematch of Super Bowl XXXVIII but I'm really just hoping for three more fantastic football games.
Saturday, January 23, 2016
A Ranking of the Vikings Free Agents
The Minnesota Vikings have 17 players that are scheduled to enter free agency in some fashion.
Unrestricted Free Agents
Chad Greenway, LB
Terrence Newman, CB
Rhett Ellison, TE
Mike Harris, OL
Andrew Sendejo, S
Matt Asiata, RB
Audie Cole, LB
Marcus Sherels, CB/PR
Justin Trattou, DE
Robert Blanton, S
Josh Robinson, CB
Kenrick Ellis, DT
Casey Matthews, LB
Jason Trusnick, LB
Restricted Free Agents
Zach Line, FB
Exclusive Rights Free Agents
Adam Thielen, WR
Carter Bykowski, OT
17 is a significant number of free agents. The interesting thing about that number is that Rhett Ellison is the only player that I feel is a must-sign free agent. And he's coming off a significant injury in the season finale. A torn patellar injury that has an expected rehab of at least six months. That time frame has Ellison back in time for training camp but it probably throws a twist in a contract extension. I'd like to see most of these free agents but that's not always possible. I'm assuming that the Vikings will bring back their restricted and exclusive rights free agents and it shouldn't cost much to do so. Zach Line and Adam Thielen have established roles with the team and they are roles that could expand moving forward. Injuries have kept Carter Bykowski off the field but he has some intriguing potential. Here's how I'd prioritize the Vikings unrestricted free agents.
1. Rhett Ellison, TE
2. Chad Greenway, LB
3. Terrence Newman, CB
4. Mike Harris, T
5. Marcus Sherels, CB
6. Audie Cole. LB
7. Matt Asiata
8. Justin Trattou
9. Andrew Sendejo
10. Josh Robinson
11. Robert Blanton
12. Casey Matthews
13. Jason Trusnick
14. Kenrick Ellis
Rhett Ellison is so important to so many things that the Vikings do on offense. He doesn't get credit for much because not much that he does shows up on stat sheets. He does the dirty work so that others can fill the stat sheets. Chad Greenway and Terrence Newman are veteran players that are at the year-to-year point of their careers. Each had a strong year last year and the same can be expected next year. Greenway isn't an every down linebacker now with the emergence of young linebackers Anthony Barr and Eric Kendricks but he can still make plays. Newman could make a move to safety next year as last year's top pick Trae Waynes should be ready to take on a starting cornerback role. Greenway and Newman are important players on and off the field for the Vikings. Either or both could retire but I think each still has some football left and I'd like to see them play that football with the Vikings. Mike Harris started at right guard all season and was mostly solid. The Vikings #1 priority this offseason is improving the offensive line. Whether Harris is expected to be part of that improvement will be revealed in the contract that he may/may not be offered by the Vikings. The remaining free agents are special teams players and back-ups. Marcus Sherels is an excellent punt returner so that should be reason enough to bring him back for another camp battle. Andrew Sendejo started at safety last year but he seems to be at his ceiling as a full-time player and the Vikings need a player that can offer more than that ceiling. He provides decent depth and solid special teams play. As does Audie Cole and Justin Trattou. Each could be brought simply because the Vikings know what they have with them. Josh Robinson is fast, has some talent, and has starting experience. He also missed nearly all of last season with a torn pectoral injury. The Vikings know what they have with him and that probably isn't better than fourth or fifth on the depth chart at this point. That's the sort of depth that they will probably find from a younger player and he'll probably look for more than that from another team. Robert Blanton is probably in the same spot as Sendejo with less starting experience. Casey Matthews spent the entire season, and most of training camp, on injured reserve. Jason Trusnick, and Kenrick Ellis came to the Vikings as street free agents during the season. The team was desperate for them at the time.
There shouldn't be any tough negotiating battles with anyone from this group of free agents. The Vikings might spend more time working on contract extensions for players like Harrison Smith and Matt Kalil.
Unrestricted Free Agents
Chad Greenway, LB
Terrence Newman, CB
Rhett Ellison, TE
Mike Harris, OL
Andrew Sendejo, S
Matt Asiata, RB
Audie Cole, LB
Marcus Sherels, CB/PR
Justin Trattou, DE
Robert Blanton, S
Josh Robinson, CB
Kenrick Ellis, DT
Casey Matthews, LB
Jason Trusnick, LB
Restricted Free Agents
Zach Line, FB
Exclusive Rights Free Agents
Adam Thielen, WR
Carter Bykowski, OT
17 is a significant number of free agents. The interesting thing about that number is that Rhett Ellison is the only player that I feel is a must-sign free agent. And he's coming off a significant injury in the season finale. A torn patellar injury that has an expected rehab of at least six months. That time frame has Ellison back in time for training camp but it probably throws a twist in a contract extension. I'd like to see most of these free agents but that's not always possible. I'm assuming that the Vikings will bring back their restricted and exclusive rights free agents and it shouldn't cost much to do so. Zach Line and Adam Thielen have established roles with the team and they are roles that could expand moving forward. Injuries have kept Carter Bykowski off the field but he has some intriguing potential. Here's how I'd prioritize the Vikings unrestricted free agents.
1. Rhett Ellison, TE
2. Chad Greenway, LB
3. Terrence Newman, CB
4. Mike Harris, T
5. Marcus Sherels, CB
6. Audie Cole. LB
7. Matt Asiata
8. Justin Trattou
9. Andrew Sendejo
10. Josh Robinson
11. Robert Blanton
12. Casey Matthews
13. Jason Trusnick
14. Kenrick Ellis
Rhett Ellison is so important to so many things that the Vikings do on offense. He doesn't get credit for much because not much that he does shows up on stat sheets. He does the dirty work so that others can fill the stat sheets. Chad Greenway and Terrence Newman are veteran players that are at the year-to-year point of their careers. Each had a strong year last year and the same can be expected next year. Greenway isn't an every down linebacker now with the emergence of young linebackers Anthony Barr and Eric Kendricks but he can still make plays. Newman could make a move to safety next year as last year's top pick Trae Waynes should be ready to take on a starting cornerback role. Greenway and Newman are important players on and off the field for the Vikings. Either or both could retire but I think each still has some football left and I'd like to see them play that football with the Vikings. Mike Harris started at right guard all season and was mostly solid. The Vikings #1 priority this offseason is improving the offensive line. Whether Harris is expected to be part of that improvement will be revealed in the contract that he may/may not be offered by the Vikings. The remaining free agents are special teams players and back-ups. Marcus Sherels is an excellent punt returner so that should be reason enough to bring him back for another camp battle. Andrew Sendejo started at safety last year but he seems to be at his ceiling as a full-time player and the Vikings need a player that can offer more than that ceiling. He provides decent depth and solid special teams play. As does Audie Cole and Justin Trattou. Each could be brought simply because the Vikings know what they have with them. Josh Robinson is fast, has some talent, and has starting experience. He also missed nearly all of last season with a torn pectoral injury. The Vikings know what they have with him and that probably isn't better than fourth or fifth on the depth chart at this point. That's the sort of depth that they will probably find from a younger player and he'll probably look for more than that from another team. Robert Blanton is probably in the same spot as Sendejo with less starting experience. Casey Matthews spent the entire season, and most of training camp, on injured reserve. Jason Trusnick, and Kenrick Ellis came to the Vikings as street free agents during the season. The team was desperate for them at the time.
There shouldn't be any tough negotiating battles with anyone from this group of free agents. The Vikings might spend more time working on contract extensions for players like Harrison Smith and Matt Kalil.
Friday, January 22, 2016
Jeremiah's Top 50
This might be a bit early for draft stuff seeing as the Conference Championship games and the Super Bowl have yet to be played. The Pro Bowl too. However, the march to the NFL Draft waits for no one. NFL Media Analyst Daniel Jeremiah released his first ranking of the Top 50 Prospects for the 2016 NFL Draft. Jeremiah's take on the players and the draft is interesting. He sees both through a scout's eye since he was a scout for the Baltimore Ravens and Cleveland Browns. Now he shares his experience and knowledge with us. I highly recommend the Move the Sticks podcast that he does with fellow NFL Media Analyst, former NFL player, and former scout Bucky Brooks.
Here's Daniel Jeremiah's first, and certainly not last, Top 50 Rankings for the 2016 NFL Draft.
1. Laremy Tunsil, OT, Mississippi
2. Jalen Ramsey, S, Florida St.
3. Myles Jack, LB, UCLA
4. Joey Bosa, DT, Ohio St.
5. DeForest Buckner, DT, Oregon
6. Ezekial Elliott, RB, Ohio St.
7. Carson Wentz, QB, North Dakota St.
8. Jared Goff, QB, Cal
9. Jaylon Smith, LB, Notre Dame
10. Reggie Ragland, LB, Alabama
11. Vernon Hargreaves, CB, Florida
12. Leonard Floyd, LB, Georgia
13. Jarran Reed, DT, Alabama
14. Eli Apple, CB, Ohio St.
15. Ronnie Stanley, OT, Notre Dame
16. Corey Coleman, WR, Baylor
17. A'Shawn Robinson, DT, Alabama
18. Laquon Treadwell, WR, Mississippi
19. Mackensie Alexander, CB, Clemson
20. Robert Nkemdiche, DT, Mississippi
21. Paxton Lynch, QB, Memphis
22. Kevin Dodd, DE, Clemson
23. Darron Lee, LB, Ohio St.
24. Shaq Lawson, DE, Clemson
25. Jack Conklin, OT, Michigan St.
26. Taylor Decker, OT, Ohio St.
27. Sheldon Rankins, DT, Louisville
28. Kyler Fackrell, LB, Utah St.
29. Kamalei Correa, LB, Boise St.
30. Andrew Billings, DT, Baylor
31. Noah Spence, DE, Eastern Kentucky
32. Austin Johnson, DT, Penn St.
33. Miles Killebrew, S, Southern Utah
34. Frank Clark, DT, UCLA
35. Ryan Kelly, C, Alabama
36. Hunter Hnery, TE, Arkansas
37. Vernon Butler, DT, Louisiana Tech
38 Derrick Henry, RB, Alabama
39. Karl Joseph, S, West Virginia
40. Jonathan Bullard, DT, Florida
41. Cody Whitehair, OG, Kansas St.
42. Connor Cook, QB, Michigan St.
43. Michael Thomas, WR, Ohio St.
44. Sheldon Day, DT, Notre Dame
45. Will Fuller, WR, Notre Dame
46. Braxton Miller, WR, Ohio St.
47. Josh Perry, LB, Ohio St.
48. Deion Jones, LB, LSU
49. Su'a Cravens, LB, USC
50. Artie Burns, CB, Miami (Fla.)
If a team is looking for a defensive tackle it looks like this is the draft to find one. 12 make Jeremiah's Top 50.
If I have a preference for the Minnesota Vikings at #23 I like the player that Jeremiah has at #23. Ohio State linebacker Darron Lee. After Anthony Barr in 2014 and Eric Kendricks last year, spending another high draft pick on another linebacker might be a little much. I still wouldn't mind. Barr, Kendricks, and Lee flying around would be a beautiful sight to see. An offensive lineman or a big receiver would address greater needs. Mississippi receiver Laquon Treadwell in the first and Kansas St. guard Cody Whitehair in the second would be nice. Especially since both could be gone before the Vikings even make a selection.
There will be a lot of draft talk in the coming months and this is the start of it.
Here's Daniel Jeremiah's first, and certainly not last, Top 50 Rankings for the 2016 NFL Draft.
1. Laremy Tunsil, OT, Mississippi
2. Jalen Ramsey, S, Florida St.
3. Myles Jack, LB, UCLA
4. Joey Bosa, DT, Ohio St.
5. DeForest Buckner, DT, Oregon
6. Ezekial Elliott, RB, Ohio St.
7. Carson Wentz, QB, North Dakota St.
8. Jared Goff, QB, Cal
9. Jaylon Smith, LB, Notre Dame
10. Reggie Ragland, LB, Alabama
11. Vernon Hargreaves, CB, Florida
12. Leonard Floyd, LB, Georgia
13. Jarran Reed, DT, Alabama
14. Eli Apple, CB, Ohio St.
15. Ronnie Stanley, OT, Notre Dame
16. Corey Coleman, WR, Baylor
17. A'Shawn Robinson, DT, Alabama
18. Laquon Treadwell, WR, Mississippi
19. Mackensie Alexander, CB, Clemson
20. Robert Nkemdiche, DT, Mississippi
21. Paxton Lynch, QB, Memphis
22. Kevin Dodd, DE, Clemson
23. Darron Lee, LB, Ohio St.
24. Shaq Lawson, DE, Clemson
25. Jack Conklin, OT, Michigan St.
26. Taylor Decker, OT, Ohio St.
27. Sheldon Rankins, DT, Louisville
28. Kyler Fackrell, LB, Utah St.
29. Kamalei Correa, LB, Boise St.
30. Andrew Billings, DT, Baylor
31. Noah Spence, DE, Eastern Kentucky
32. Austin Johnson, DT, Penn St.
33. Miles Killebrew, S, Southern Utah
34. Frank Clark, DT, UCLA
35. Ryan Kelly, C, Alabama
36. Hunter Hnery, TE, Arkansas
37. Vernon Butler, DT, Louisiana Tech
38 Derrick Henry, RB, Alabama
39. Karl Joseph, S, West Virginia
40. Jonathan Bullard, DT, Florida
41. Cody Whitehair, OG, Kansas St.
42. Connor Cook, QB, Michigan St.
43. Michael Thomas, WR, Ohio St.
44. Sheldon Day, DT, Notre Dame
45. Will Fuller, WR, Notre Dame
46. Braxton Miller, WR, Ohio St.
47. Josh Perry, LB, Ohio St.
48. Deion Jones, LB, LSU
49. Su'a Cravens, LB, USC
50. Artie Burns, CB, Miami (Fla.)
If a team is looking for a defensive tackle it looks like this is the draft to find one. 12 make Jeremiah's Top 50.
If I have a preference for the Minnesota Vikings at #23 I like the player that Jeremiah has at #23. Ohio State linebacker Darron Lee. After Anthony Barr in 2014 and Eric Kendricks last year, spending another high draft pick on another linebacker might be a little much. I still wouldn't mind. Barr, Kendricks, and Lee flying around would be a beautiful sight to see. An offensive lineman or a big receiver would address greater needs. Mississippi receiver Laquon Treadwell in the first and Kansas St. guard Cody Whitehair in the second would be nice. Especially since both could be gone before the Vikings even make a selection.
There will be a lot of draft talk in the coming months and this is the start of it.
Thursday, January 21, 2016
Throwback Thursday: All-Time Cal Team in the NFL
Here's one look at an All-Time NFL Team made up of players from the University of California.
Quarterback
Aaron Rodgers
This is a pretty automatic pick but it should be pointed out that Cal has had a few quarterbacks lead teams to the Super Bowl. Joe Kapp, Craig Morton, Vince Ferragamo, and Rodgers. Gale Gilbert made it to an incredible five consecutive Super Bowls as a member of the Buffalo Bills and San Diego Chargers.
Running backs
Marshawn Lynch
Chuck Muncie
I really wanted to have Johnny Olszewski on this team. Johnny O! He was a great player at Cal and had a nice NFL career, mostly with the Chicago Cardinals, but I have to go with Lynch and Muncie. If it wasn't for some personal demons Muncie might have been one of the best backs to ever play. He could do it all. Jackie Jensen might have been the greatest athlete to ever compete at Cal and he might have made this team if he had chosen football over baseball as his professional pursuit.
Receivers
Wesley Walker
DeSean Jackson
There's some speed there.
Tight end
Tony Gonzalez
Not much needs to be said here.
Tackles
Tarik Glenn
Bob Reinhard
Glenn kept Peyton Manning safe for nine years. Reinhard was one of the best linemen in the four-year history of the All-America Football Conference. He played a single season in the NFL with the Los Angeles Rams in 1950 so it might be a stretch to put him on an All-Time NFL team but he was great.
Guards
Ed White
John Welbourn
White's an easy choice. He was an excellent guard for the Minnesota Vikings and San Diego Chargers. He was part of each of the Vikings Super Bowl teams. Welbourn was an integral part of a very good Kansas City Chiefs offensive line.
Center
Alex Mack
Mack's one of the best centers in the game today.
Defensive ends
Andre Carter
Sherman White
Carter was one of the top pass rushers in the league for most of his 13-year career. White was a solid player for 12 years for the Cincinnati Bengals and Buffalo Bills.
Defensive tackles
Brandon Mebane
Chidi Ahanotu
Each is/was a run-stopping force in the middle of a couple of the best defenses in recent memory. Mebane for the current Seahawks and Ahanotu for the Buccaneers in the 1990s and Mebane on the current Seahawks.
Linebackers
Les Richter
Hardy Nickerson
Ken Harvey
This might be the most competitive position. Richter is an automatic pick. He's currently the only Cal player that has been inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Nickerson is an easy choice as well. He was a leader of the great Buccaneers defenses of the late 1990s. Harvey was a terrific player for the Phoenix Cardinals and Washington Redskins. Despite playing only six seasons for the team he was voted one of the 70 Greatest Redskins. It's tough to leave players like Matt Hazeltine, Gary Plummer, and Ron Rivera off of this team.
Cornerbacks
Nnambi Asomugha
Deltha O'Neal
Asomugha was one of the best corners in the game for several years. O'Neal was a solid corner and punt returner for the Denver Broncos and Cincinnati Bengals.
Safeties
Herman Edwards
Thomas DeCoud
This might be the least competitive position. Edwards was more corner than safety in the NFL but he's a safety on this team. He's needed there. DeCoud was a solid player for most of his six seasons with the Atlanta Falcons.
Kicker
Ryan Longwell
Longwell wins a battle with Ray Wersching.
Punter
Bryan Anger
Anger is one of the best punters in the league.
Cal's greatest football teams were Andy Smith's "Wonder Teams" of the early 1920s and that was a time when a professional football career was barely a thing. The football success in Berkeley since those glory teams has been spotty at best. That can be seen in the quality of this All-Time team. There are some great players. Les Richter will be joined soon by Tony Gonzalez in the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Five years after he retires from the game Aaron Rodgers will follow them to Canton. An argument will be made for the inclusion of Marshawn Lynch and Nnambi Asomugha. Most of the players on this All-Time team fall into the good-to-very good category in terms of their NFL careers. That's pretty good for a school that has seen the football success that Cal has seen.
Quarterback
Aaron Rodgers
This is a pretty automatic pick but it should be pointed out that Cal has had a few quarterbacks lead teams to the Super Bowl. Joe Kapp, Craig Morton, Vince Ferragamo, and Rodgers. Gale Gilbert made it to an incredible five consecutive Super Bowls as a member of the Buffalo Bills and San Diego Chargers.
Running backs
Marshawn Lynch
Chuck Muncie
I really wanted to have Johnny Olszewski on this team. Johnny O! He was a great player at Cal and had a nice NFL career, mostly with the Chicago Cardinals, but I have to go with Lynch and Muncie. If it wasn't for some personal demons Muncie might have been one of the best backs to ever play. He could do it all. Jackie Jensen might have been the greatest athlete to ever compete at Cal and he might have made this team if he had chosen football over baseball as his professional pursuit.
Receivers
Wesley Walker
DeSean Jackson
There's some speed there.
Tight end
Tony Gonzalez
Not much needs to be said here.
Tackles
Tarik Glenn
Bob Reinhard
Glenn kept Peyton Manning safe for nine years. Reinhard was one of the best linemen in the four-year history of the All-America Football Conference. He played a single season in the NFL with the Los Angeles Rams in 1950 so it might be a stretch to put him on an All-Time NFL team but he was great.
Guards
Ed White
John Welbourn
White's an easy choice. He was an excellent guard for the Minnesota Vikings and San Diego Chargers. He was part of each of the Vikings Super Bowl teams. Welbourn was an integral part of a very good Kansas City Chiefs offensive line.
Center
Alex Mack
Mack's one of the best centers in the game today.
Defensive ends
Andre Carter
Sherman White
Carter was one of the top pass rushers in the league for most of his 13-year career. White was a solid player for 12 years for the Cincinnati Bengals and Buffalo Bills.
Defensive tackles
Brandon Mebane
Chidi Ahanotu
Each is/was a run-stopping force in the middle of a couple of the best defenses in recent memory. Mebane for the current Seahawks and Ahanotu for the Buccaneers in the 1990s and Mebane on the current Seahawks.
Linebackers
Les Richter
Hardy Nickerson
Ken Harvey
This might be the most competitive position. Richter is an automatic pick. He's currently the only Cal player that has been inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Nickerson is an easy choice as well. He was a leader of the great Buccaneers defenses of the late 1990s. Harvey was a terrific player for the Phoenix Cardinals and Washington Redskins. Despite playing only six seasons for the team he was voted one of the 70 Greatest Redskins. It's tough to leave players like Matt Hazeltine, Gary Plummer, and Ron Rivera off of this team.
Cornerbacks
Nnambi Asomugha
Deltha O'Neal
Asomugha was one of the best corners in the game for several years. O'Neal was a solid corner and punt returner for the Denver Broncos and Cincinnati Bengals.
Safeties
Herman Edwards
Thomas DeCoud
This might be the least competitive position. Edwards was more corner than safety in the NFL but he's a safety on this team. He's needed there. DeCoud was a solid player for most of his six seasons with the Atlanta Falcons.
Kicker
Ryan Longwell
Longwell wins a battle with Ray Wersching.
Punter
Bryan Anger
Anger is one of the best punters in the league.
Cal's greatest football teams were Andy Smith's "Wonder Teams" of the early 1920s and that was a time when a professional football career was barely a thing. The football success in Berkeley since those glory teams has been spotty at best. That can be seen in the quality of this All-Time team. There are some great players. Les Richter will be joined soon by Tony Gonzalez in the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Five years after he retires from the game Aaron Rodgers will follow them to Canton. An argument will be made for the inclusion of Marshawn Lynch and Nnambi Asomugha. Most of the players on this All-Time team fall into the good-to-very good category in terms of their NFL careers. That's pretty good for a school that has seen the football success that Cal has seen.
Wednesday, January 20, 2016
Bolting Early
Here's the unofficial list of underclassmen that have applied for early entry in the 2016 NFL Draft. The official list will be released by the NFL on January 22.
» Bralon Addison, WR, Oregon
» Roberto Aguayo, K, Florida State
» Dominique Alexander, LB, Oklahoma
» Mackensie Alexander, CB, Clemson
» Eli Apple, CB, Ohio State
» Demarcus Ayers, WR, Houston
» Peyton Barber, RB, Auburn
» Vonn Bell, DB, Ohio State
» Caleb Benenoch, OL, UCLA
» Andrew Billings, DT, Baylor
» Travis Blanks, LB, Clemson
» Joey Bosa, DE, Ohio State
» Tyler Boyd, WR, Pittsburgh
» Daniel Braverman, WR, Western Michigan
» Zac Brooks, RB, Clemson
» Beniquez Brown, LB, Mississippi State
» Artie Burns, CB, Miami
» Kenny Clark, DT, UCLA
» Corey Coleman, WR, Baylor
» Shon Coleman, OL, Auburn
» Alex Collins, RB, Arkansas
» Maliek Collins, DT, Nebraska
» Jack Conklin, OL, Michigan State
» Pharoh Cooper, WR, South Carolina
» Kamalei Correa, DL, Boise State
» Su'a Cravens, LB, USC
» Kevin Dodd, DE, Clemson
» Thomas Duarte, WR, UCLA
» Ezekiel Elliott, RB, Ohio State
» Eric Enderson, P, Delaware
» Leonard Floyd, LB, Georgia
» Kendall Fuller, CB, Virginia Tech
» Will Fuller, WR, Notre Dame
» Jared Goff, QB, Cal
» T.J. Green, S, Clemson
» David Grinnage, TE, North Caolina State
» Glenn Gronkowski, FB, Kansas State
» Christian Hackenberg, QB, Penn State
» Vernon Hargreaves, CB, Florida
» Jerald Hawkins, OL, LSU
» Derrick Henry, RB, Alabama
» Hunter Henry, TE, Arkansas
» Willie Henry, DT, Michigan
» Rashard Higgins, WR, Colorado State
» Austin Hooper, TE, Stanford
» Jordan Howard, RB, Indiana
» Xavien Howard, CB, Baylor
» Germain Ifedi, OT, Texas A&M
» Myles Jack, LB, UCLA
» Quinton Jefferson, DL, Maryland
» Austin Johnson, DT, Penn State
» Cardale Jones, QB, Ohio State
» Cayleb Jones, WR, Arizona
» Chris Jones, DL, Mississippi State
» Damontae Kazee, CB, San Diego State
» Jayron Kearse, DB, Clemson
» Denver Kirkland, OT, Arkansas
» Darius Latham, DL, Indiana
» Kenny Lawler, WR, Cal
» Shaq Lawson, DE, Clemson
» Darron Lee, LB, Ohio State
» Roger Lewis, WR, Bowling Green
» Steve Longa, LB, Rutgers
» Paxton Lynch, QB, Memphis
» Jalin Marshall, WR, Ohio State
» Keith Marshall, RB, Georgia
» Alex McCalister, DE, Florida
» Brett McMakin, LB, Northern Iowa
» Keanu Neal, S, Florida
» Yannick Ngakoue, DL, Maryland
» Robert Nkemdiche, DL, Ole Miss
» Marquez North, WR, Tennessee
» Emmanuel Ogbah, DL, Oklahoma State
» Paul Perkins, RB, UCLA
» Tyvis Powell, safety, Ohio State
» C.J. Prosise, RB, Notre Dame
» Jalen Ramsey, DB, Florida State
» Alex Redmond, OL, UCLA
» Hassan Ridgeway, DT, Texas
» A'Shawn Robinson, DT, Alabama
» Demarcus Robinson, WR, Florida
» Rashard Robinson, CB, LSU
» KeiVarae Russell, CB, Notre Dame
» Zack Sanchez, CB, Oklahoma
» Isaac Seumalo, OL, Oregon State
» Wendell Smallwood, RB, West Virginia
» Jaylon Smith, LB, Notre Dame
» Noah Spence, DE, Eastern Kentucky
» Ronnie Stanley, OT, Notre Dame
» Kelvin Taylor, RB, Florida
» Michael Thomas, WR, Ohio State
» Ron Thompson, DE, Syracuse
» Corey Tindal, CB, Marshall
» Laquon Treadwell, WR, Ole Miss
» Laremy Tunsil, OT, Ole Miss
» Vincent Valentine, DL, Nebraska
» Nick Vigil, LB, Utah State
» Cleveland Wallace III, CB, San Jose State
» Dwayne Washington, RB, Washington
» Stephen Weatherly, LB, Vanderbilt
» Jonathan Williams, RB, Arkansas
» De'Runnya Wilson, WR, Mississippi State
» Daryl Worley, CB, West Virginia
» Scooby Wright, LB, Arizona
» Avery Young, OL, Auburn
105. If this total becomes official it would top the record of 98 set in 2014. Of those 98 in 2014, 36 weren't drafted. That's a pretty high failure rate for a bunch of kids leaving college early for a shot at the draft and the NFL.
Here are the early entry numbers of the last ten years.
2006: 52
2007: 40
2008: 53
2009: 46
2010: 53
2011: 56
2012: 65
2013: 73
2014: 98
2015: 74
Last year's 74 looks like an anomaly as there was a steady increase in the six years prior to it. And now there's an unofficial 105.
There's even a kicker. Florida State's Roberto Aguayo is among the group. And a punter. Delaware's Eric Enderson. And three Henrys. Alabama running back Derrick Henry, Arkansas tight end Hunter Henry, and Michigan defensive tackle Willie Henry.
Ohio State was hardest hit with nine early departures.
It would probably be good for the players and the colleges if the early entry numbers start a decline over the coming years.
» Bralon Addison, WR, Oregon
» Roberto Aguayo, K, Florida State
» Dominique Alexander, LB, Oklahoma
» Mackensie Alexander, CB, Clemson
» Eli Apple, CB, Ohio State
» Demarcus Ayers, WR, Houston
» Peyton Barber, RB, Auburn
» Vonn Bell, DB, Ohio State
» Caleb Benenoch, OL, UCLA
» Andrew Billings, DT, Baylor
» Travis Blanks, LB, Clemson
» Joey Bosa, DE, Ohio State
» Tyler Boyd, WR, Pittsburgh
» Daniel Braverman, WR, Western Michigan
» Zac Brooks, RB, Clemson
» Beniquez Brown, LB, Mississippi State
» Artie Burns, CB, Miami
» Kenny Clark, DT, UCLA
» Corey Coleman, WR, Baylor
» Shon Coleman, OL, Auburn
» Alex Collins, RB, Arkansas
» Maliek Collins, DT, Nebraska
» Jack Conklin, OL, Michigan State
» Pharoh Cooper, WR, South Carolina
» Kamalei Correa, DL, Boise State
» Su'a Cravens, LB, USC
» Kevin Dodd, DE, Clemson
» Thomas Duarte, WR, UCLA
» Ezekiel Elliott, RB, Ohio State
» Eric Enderson, P, Delaware
» Leonard Floyd, LB, Georgia
» Kendall Fuller, CB, Virginia Tech
» Will Fuller, WR, Notre Dame
» Jared Goff, QB, Cal
» T.J. Green, S, Clemson
» David Grinnage, TE, North Caolina State
» Glenn Gronkowski, FB, Kansas State
» Christian Hackenberg, QB, Penn State
» Vernon Hargreaves, CB, Florida
» Jerald Hawkins, OL, LSU
» Derrick Henry, RB, Alabama
» Hunter Henry, TE, Arkansas
» Willie Henry, DT, Michigan
» Rashard Higgins, WR, Colorado State
» Austin Hooper, TE, Stanford
» Jordan Howard, RB, Indiana
» Xavien Howard, CB, Baylor
» Germain Ifedi, OT, Texas A&M
» Myles Jack, LB, UCLA
» Quinton Jefferson, DL, Maryland
» Austin Johnson, DT, Penn State
» Cardale Jones, QB, Ohio State
» Cayleb Jones, WR, Arizona
» Chris Jones, DL, Mississippi State
» Damontae Kazee, CB, San Diego State
» Jayron Kearse, DB, Clemson
» Denver Kirkland, OT, Arkansas
» Darius Latham, DL, Indiana
» Kenny Lawler, WR, Cal
» Shaq Lawson, DE, Clemson
» Darron Lee, LB, Ohio State
» Roger Lewis, WR, Bowling Green
» Steve Longa, LB, Rutgers
» Paxton Lynch, QB, Memphis
» Jalin Marshall, WR, Ohio State
» Keith Marshall, RB, Georgia
» Alex McCalister, DE, Florida
» Brett McMakin, LB, Northern Iowa
» Keanu Neal, S, Florida
» Yannick Ngakoue, DL, Maryland
» Robert Nkemdiche, DL, Ole Miss
» Marquez North, WR, Tennessee
» Emmanuel Ogbah, DL, Oklahoma State
» Paul Perkins, RB, UCLA
» Tyvis Powell, safety, Ohio State
» C.J. Prosise, RB, Notre Dame
» Jalen Ramsey, DB, Florida State
» Alex Redmond, OL, UCLA
» Hassan Ridgeway, DT, Texas
» A'Shawn Robinson, DT, Alabama
» Demarcus Robinson, WR, Florida
» Rashard Robinson, CB, LSU
» KeiVarae Russell, CB, Notre Dame
» Zack Sanchez, CB, Oklahoma
» Isaac Seumalo, OL, Oregon State
» Wendell Smallwood, RB, West Virginia
» Jaylon Smith, LB, Notre Dame
» Noah Spence, DE, Eastern Kentucky
» Ronnie Stanley, OT, Notre Dame
» Kelvin Taylor, RB, Florida
» Michael Thomas, WR, Ohio State
» Ron Thompson, DE, Syracuse
» Corey Tindal, CB, Marshall
» Laquon Treadwell, WR, Ole Miss
» Laremy Tunsil, OT, Ole Miss
» Vincent Valentine, DL, Nebraska
» Nick Vigil, LB, Utah State
» Cleveland Wallace III, CB, San Jose State
» Dwayne Washington, RB, Washington
» Stephen Weatherly, LB, Vanderbilt
» Jonathan Williams, RB, Arkansas
» De'Runnya Wilson, WR, Mississippi State
» Daryl Worley, CB, West Virginia
» Scooby Wright, LB, Arizona
» Avery Young, OL, Auburn
105. If this total becomes official it would top the record of 98 set in 2014. Of those 98 in 2014, 36 weren't drafted. That's a pretty high failure rate for a bunch of kids leaving college early for a shot at the draft and the NFL.
Here are the early entry numbers of the last ten years.
2006: 52
2007: 40
2008: 53
2009: 46
2010: 53
2011: 56
2012: 65
2013: 73
2014: 98
2015: 74
Last year's 74 looks like an anomaly as there was a steady increase in the six years prior to it. And now there's an unofficial 105.
There's even a kicker. Florida State's Roberto Aguayo is among the group. And a punter. Delaware's Eric Enderson. And three Henrys. Alabama running back Derrick Henry, Arkansas tight end Hunter Henry, and Michigan defensive tackle Willie Henry.
Ohio State was hardest hit with nine early departures.
It would probably be good for the players and the colleges if the early entry numbers start a decline over the coming years.
Tuesday, January 19, 2016
New Coaches
There were seven NFL head coaching openings this offseason. All seven are now filled. Here they are.
Miami Dolphins: Adam Gase
Cleveland Browns: Hue Jackson
New York Giants: Ben McAdoo
San Francisco 49ers: Chip Kelly
Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Dirk Koetter
Tennessee Titans: Mike Mularkey
Philadelphia Eagles: Doug Pederson
It's an interesting group of new head coaches. Chip Kelly isn't really a new head coach as he moved straight from the Eagles to the 49ers. There was only a single game in between in which he was unemployed.
Mike Mularkey isn't a new head coach either. This is his third shot at a head coaching gig. The surprising thing about his previous two shots is the great lack of an opportunity that he had to do anything. He got two years from the Buffalo Bills (2004-05) and a single season from the Jacksonville Jaguars (2012). That's ridiculous. I've always found Mularkey to be a very creative coach and I hope that he's given a reasonable shot to do something this time.
Hue Jackson also had a ridiculously short previous head coaching gig. He was the Oakland Raiders head coach for a single season in 2011. Browns owner Jimmy Haslam hasn't shown much patience with coaches in his short time running the team. He'd be wise to find some.
Unless something goes terribly wrong with the team I really don't understand how any NFL decision-maker can give a head coach a single season.
The other four new head coaches are newbies. They were all also offensive coordinators last year. All seven are considered offensive football coaches. Dirk Koetter is the one NFL head coaching newbie with previous head coaching experience at some level. He was the Boise St. head coach from 1998-2000 and the Arizona St. head coach from 2001-06. He started his coaching career as the head coach at Pocatello (ID) High School in 1983.
If I had to pick a favorite head coaching hire it'd be the Cleveland Browns hiring of Hue Jackson. He's been ready for years. Actually, he should still be the Raiders head coach.
I'd tap Ben McAdoo as the new head coach with the best shot at early success. The Giants should have won more than they did last year. He knows the team. He definitely knows the offense. It should be a smooth transition.
Good luck to the new NFL head coaches.
Miami Dolphins: Adam Gase
Cleveland Browns: Hue Jackson
New York Giants: Ben McAdoo
San Francisco 49ers: Chip Kelly
Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Dirk Koetter
Tennessee Titans: Mike Mularkey
Philadelphia Eagles: Doug Pederson
It's an interesting group of new head coaches. Chip Kelly isn't really a new head coach as he moved straight from the Eagles to the 49ers. There was only a single game in between in which he was unemployed.
Mike Mularkey isn't a new head coach either. This is his third shot at a head coaching gig. The surprising thing about his previous two shots is the great lack of an opportunity that he had to do anything. He got two years from the Buffalo Bills (2004-05) and a single season from the Jacksonville Jaguars (2012). That's ridiculous. I've always found Mularkey to be a very creative coach and I hope that he's given a reasonable shot to do something this time.
Hue Jackson also had a ridiculously short previous head coaching gig. He was the Oakland Raiders head coach for a single season in 2011. Browns owner Jimmy Haslam hasn't shown much patience with coaches in his short time running the team. He'd be wise to find some.
Unless something goes terribly wrong with the team I really don't understand how any NFL decision-maker can give a head coach a single season.
The other four new head coaches are newbies. They were all also offensive coordinators last year. All seven are considered offensive football coaches. Dirk Koetter is the one NFL head coaching newbie with previous head coaching experience at some level. He was the Boise St. head coach from 1998-2000 and the Arizona St. head coach from 2001-06. He started his coaching career as the head coach at Pocatello (ID) High School in 1983.
If I had to pick a favorite head coaching hire it'd be the Cleveland Browns hiring of Hue Jackson. He's been ready for years. Actually, he should still be the Raiders head coach.
I'd tap Ben McAdoo as the new head coach with the best shot at early success. The Giants should have won more than they did last year. He knows the team. He definitely knows the offense. It should be a smooth transition.
Good luck to the new NFL head coaches.
Monday, January 18, 2016
Divisional Round Thoughts
The #1 and #2 NFC seeds will meet in both conference championship games.
New England Patriots 27
Kansas City Chiefs 20
Someone once said that you make your own luck. The Patriots had luck on their side on one of the last plays of the game. The Patriots needed one final first down to run the clock to zero. Instead of running the ball Tom Brady threw. His pass ricocheted off of Chiefs linebacker Tamba Hali into the hands of Patriots receiver Julian Edelman. First down. Patriots win.
It really shouldn't surprise that the Patriots threw the ball. When most teams run. They throw. A lot. They had no runs on their opening possession. A possession that ended with a touchdown. 11 passes. They only ran the ball 14 times the entire game. Brady threw the ball 42 times.
"Steven Jackson moves like two skyscrapers come to life."
-Chris Wesseling of NFL.com's Around the League
That's funny.
The Patriots first run of the game came on their second possession. Center Bryan Stork was injured on the play. His return to the game was called questionable but he did return.
Chiefs receiver Jeremy Maclin played but he was slowed by the ankle injury that he suffered last week. He had two catches for 23 yards but he was more decoy than weapon.
The Patriots did a fantastic job on Chiefs explosive tight end Travis Kelce. He caught six of the nine passes thrown his way but he gained only 23 yards on those catches. Nearly all of his receptions were close to the line of scrimmage and the Patriots got him to the ground for little or no gain on each.
Without Maclin and Kelce limited by the Patriots defense the Chiefs offense was handicapped all game.
Chiefs quarterback Alex Smith still made some things happen. He made some brilliant plays and throws to receiver Jason Avant. One of which involved some Houdini-esque scrambling ending with a beautifully placed throw along the sideline.
Patriots rookie corner Justin Coleman had some nice coverage and made some plays. The Minnesota Vikings signed Coleman as an undrafted free agent last May. I'm kinda disappointed that he's in New England rather than Minnesota. He didn't look fazed by the grand stage of the NFL playoffs and he looks he has a future in the league.
Some of these intentional grounding-no calls are absurd. Russell Wilson got away with one last week. Tom Brady got away with one yesterday. Brady even threw his left-handed.
I think that announcer Dan Fouts was watching a whole other game.
The clock management of the Chiefs seemed a little shaky. They used about 50 seconds of the final two minutes inside of the Patriots 10-yard line. There seemed to be no sense of urgency. They scored a touchdown to move within a single score, 27-20, with about a minute to play. They also had all three time outs left. It might not have been such poor clock management after all. They were even in a position in which they didn't have to go for an onside kick. They did. The defense just couldn't give up a first down. They did. And that was the end of it for the Chiefs.
The Chiefs defense really missed linebacker Justin Houston. He was dressed but barely played. He's one of the best pass rushers in the league and the Chiefs never did get to Brady.
The Chiefs were one of the best stories in the league this season. They turned around a 1-5 start to the season with an incredible 11-game win streak.
Rob Gronkowski is a beast. No news there. When he's healthy he might be the most difficult to defend player in the league. Despite reports saying otherwise before the game he looks healthy.
The Patriots are really good.
5 straight AFC Championship game for the Patriots. 10 in the last 15 years. They have won 6 of those 10. Going for 7. Incredible.
Arizona Cardinals 26
Green Bay Packers 20
Overtime, Hail Mary passes, fluky touchdowns, big plays negated. A botched coin toss.
This game had it all. It wasn't the cleanest played game but it sure was entertaining.
The Cardinals found a way to win it. Receiver Larry Fitzgerald was a big reason for that. If not the reason the Cardinals won.
Fitzgerald has been an outstanding football player for all of his 12 years in the league. He's been even better in the playoffs. His run in the 2008 playoffs was one of the best I've ever seen. Especially from a receiver. His play against the Packers on Saturday was more of the same. He was great. 8 catches 176 yards. He gained all of the 80 yards that the Cardinals gained in overtime. He took the first play in overtime, a short pass from Carson Palmer, 75 yards to the Packers 5-yard line. It was a brilliant piece of running. A saving tackle from Packers corner Casey Hayward kept it from being an 80-yard, single-play, walk-off, overtime touchdown. Fitzgerald capped the scoring, the game, and ensured the Cardinals presence in the NFC Championship game with a 5-yard touchdown on a nicely run shovel pass.
Fitzgerald put a struggling Cardinals offense on his back and refused to lose. Much like he did in 2008.
One of the reasons that the Cardinals struggled was the Packers defense. The best I've seen this defense play all season has been in the past two playoff games. That's a good time kick up the play. The Cardinals had issues running the ball (40 yards) and Palmer was harassed throughout the game. He never looked comfortable and passes that he made look so easy all season looked difficult. His second touchdown toss to Michael Floyd was more luck than skill, talent, or execution. It was intended for Fitzgerald, ricocheted off of Packers corner Damarious Randall, and ended up in the hands of Floyd.
The Cardinals have to get back to their more efficient offensive ways if they want to make their Super Bowl dreams a reality.
Until the eye-popping plays at the end of the game it looked like the game's biggest plays were going to be a couple that were negated by penalties. Packers receiver Randall Cobb made a terrific, diving catch to complete a 51-yard play at the end of the first quarter. Offsetting penalties negated the play. An injury on the play took Cobb out of the game. The Cardinals had a big play of their own taken away on the very same Packers possession. Cardinals corner Patrick Peterson intercepted an Aaron Rodgers pass on the goal line and returned it 100 yards for a Cardinals touchdown. An illegal use of the hands penalty on defensive lineman Frostee Rucker negated that big Cardinals play. Even though both plays technically never happened we still got to see them. So there is that.
The Packers were without Jordy Nelson all season. They were without Davante Adams for this game. They were without Randall Cobb for three quarters of this game. Patrick Peterson effectively removed James Jones from this game with his coverage. That left unheralded second-year receivers Jeff Janis and Jared Abbrederis as the Packers outside, pass-catching threats. Both are very talented receivers and each has a bright future in Green Bay. The Packers just seem to reload at the position. They routinely draft receivers outside of the first round, develop them, and then turn them loose. Necessity brought Janis and Abbrederis to the stage a little early but they sure looked ready for it. They kept getting open. They kept making plays. 11 catches for 200 yards between them.
It was Janis that shone the brightest. Seven catches for 145 yards and two touchdowns. His first touchdown, an eight-yarder, in the third quarter gave the Packers their first and only lead of the game. It was the second touchdown that had everyone talking.
Another Hail Mary.
A quarterback might have two Hail Mary touchdown passes in his career. Aaron Rodgers had two this season. He threw one in prime time, in front of the nation, against the Detroit Lions earlier in the season. He threw another against the Cardinals to force overtime. 41 yards to Jeff Janis as time expired. The Cardinals pass rush forced Rodgers to scramble. He did. And lofted a beauty to his guy. Janis had it, bobbled it, and finally secured it while on the ground. A thrilling end to regulation.
Janis' 60-yard catch a few plays before the Hail Mary catch made it all possible. 4th-and-20 from their own four-yard line, the Packers were just about done. Then they weren't when Rodgers found Janis wide open at the Cardinals 36-yard line. Just like that the Packers had a chance.
The Coin Toss.
It's simply stunning that an NFL game can have an issue with the coin toss. The Coin Toss. Come on! Referee Clete Blakeman tossed the coin rather than flipping it. It never turned over as it landed just as it had started in his hand. Very strange. Rodgers called tails. It landed heads. Blakeman, perhaps embarrassed by his ridiculous toss, grabbed the coin and actually flipped it the second time. He flipped it without giving Rodgers a chance to call again. The rules don't say a thing about giving a team a second opportunity to call a second toss because the rules don't say a thing about a second toss. Whether legitimate or not, this stupid toss did play a role in the game as the Packers offense never saw the ball in overtime.
This was a crazy, fun game.
Carolina Panthers 31
Seattle Seahawks 24
Considering that this game was 31-0 at the half this turned into quite a game. It took an onside kick recovery by Thomas Davis to seal the game for the Panthers.
The Panthers jumped all over the Seahawks early. It was 14-0 before the game was four minutes old.
A quick opening touchdown drive and then Panthers all-everything middle linebacker Luke Kuechly returned an interception 14 yards for the second score. The Panthers defense dominated the first half. The offense scored on each of their possessions of the first half except for the last one when they were just trying to drain the clock.
Who knows if the Panthers just cruised through the second half but it sure looked like they did. They played with such energy and aggressiveness at the start of the game. They played like they wanted to win in the first half. They played like they were just trying not to lose in the second half. They played like they were simply watching the clock.
Maybe the Seahawks energy in the second half was the difference. It's a good thing for the Panthers that they scored 31 points in the first half.
Seeing as the Seahawks often toss out excuses for losses and shaky wins they will probably point to early issues with their footing on the turf in the coming days. There was some slipping and several Seahawks were seen changing cleats on the sideline. Checking the turf and the footing on the turf is one of the things that teams usually do during warmups. BEFORE the game. Not having the right cleats during the game is entirely on them.
The announcers of Seahawks games, especially late in the season, have frequently stated that the team has been surprised with the impact that rookie receiver Tyler Lockett has made on offense. The Seahawks, apparently, drafted him for his return skills and hoped that he would eventually develop on offense. I find this amazing. Anybody that watched Lockett play at Kansas St. had to see his receiving skills. He was a great returner but he was and is an excellent receiver. If the Seahawks didn't see those skills while scouting him they don't deserve him now.
Lockett had a 33-yard touchdown on a Wilson prayer yesterday.
"Luke Kuechly is a sneaky athletic, high football IQed, high motored monster."
-Colts punter Pat McAfee
McAfee may be a punter but he's right. Kuechly is an awesome football player. So much fun to watch. He's the standard for the middle linebacker position. His interception return early in the game can be considered the difference in a seven-point win.
The Panthers gained 144 yards rushing. Running back Jonathan Stewart had 106 of those yards. 59 of those yards came on the first play of the game. I really like the play design of the Panthers running plays. There's a lot of misdirection. It's fun to watch. Having the tremendously versatile Cam Newton at quarterback gives offensive coordinator Mike Shula a lot of options.
Seeing as I didn't think that the Seahawks had any business being part of the Divisional round of the playoffs it was great to see the Panthers hold on for this win.
Denver Broncos 23
Pittsburgh Steelers 16
For a team heading to the AFC Conference Championship game the Broncos had some difficulties moving the ball. They were set up with excellent field position on several occasions and could only manage field goals. Five field goals in all. They looked like the Vikings.
The lone Broncos touchdown came with just over three minutes to play. It was set up by linebacker DeMarcus Ware's recovery of Steelers running back Fitzgerald Toussaint's fumble. The fumble stopped a promising Steelers drive that might have sealed the game and gave the Broncos the ball and some much needed momentum. In that light it was the play of the game for the Broncos.
The Steelers looked like the more potent offensive team most of the game. Despite the absence of receiver Antonio Brown, and running backs Le'Veon Bell and DeAngelo Williams. The absence of those playmakers opened the door for receiver Martavis Bryant. He responded with nine catches for 154 yards. He also added 40 yards on a couple of runs.
Cincinnati Bengals idiot linebacker Vontaze Burfict played too much a role in this game. His ridiculous play last week knocked Brown of this game with a concussion. He ended Bell's season during the regular season. While he was at it he also injured quarterback Ben Roethlisberger last week. Although Roethlisberger was effective this game.
The Broncos offensive issues were due in part to drops by receivers. Peyton Manning put the ball on target more often than not but his receivers didn't do him many favors. There were at least five drops in the first half alone. Most of which would have moved the chains. Maybe some of those five field goals would have ended up as touchdowns if those catches were made.
Whatever the Broncos offensive problems are they better figure them out in the next week. 23 points probably won't be enough to take down the Patriots.
As a Minnesota Vikings fan it's difficult to accept their absence in this divisional round. They had the Seahawks on the ropes in the Wild Card round. All they had to do was make a 27-yard field goal. A 27-yard field goal! Every field goal that I see is painful and there were a bunch this weekend. 19 were attempted. 18 were made. The only miss was the 55-yard attempt by Seahawks kicker Steven Hauschka at the end of the first half. All 18 that were made looked so easy. So easy. So damn easy.
Congratulations to the four teams that have moved on in the playoffs. The top two in each conference.
Here's what we have next weekend:
AFC: New England Patriots @ Denver Broncos
NFC: Arizona Cardinals @ Carolina Panthers
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