The Arizona Cardinals granted running back Edgerrin James' wish to be released on Tuesday and cut two others who played significant roles in the team's run to the Super Bowl.
While James' move was anticipated, the release of cornerback Rod Hood and defensive end Travis LaBoy was not.
The moves clear salary cap space for the Cardinals, who want to sign new deals with linebacker Karlos Dansby and safety Adrian Wilson, and eventually with unhappy wide receiver Anquan Boldin.
James, Hood and LaBoy combined were to have made $10 million next season, but because of the $7.5 million signing bonus given to LaBoy a year ago, the cap savings will be several million dollars less than what the three would have earned. Still, it gives spending room to a franchise that had been just below the salary ceiling.
"Edgerrin James had a great run in Arizona and now it is time for him to continue his Hall of Fame career elsewhere," James' agent Drew Rosenhaus told ESPN.com's John Clayton. "One of his goals was to help the Cardinals get to a Super Bowl and he is eager to help another team get to that same level. Edgerrin is excited about signing with a new team. So far, several teams have expressed interest and we may have a deal in place in the very near future."
James had 794 carries for 2,895 yards and 16 touchdowns in his three seasons in Arizona. He topped 1,000 yards in 2006 and 2007, and his resurgence during last season's playoffs gave Arizona the running game it had sorely lacked.
He was benched for seven games earlier in 2008, the first time that's happened in his career, and he asked the team to release him then. The Cardinals refused, and he was reinserted into the lineup late in the season.
Despite it being such a difficult year, it led to James' only Super Bowl.
James had sought his release early in the free agency period, but the Cardinals held off until after last weekend's draft, where they chose Ohio State running back Chris "Beanie" Wells in the first round, the No. 31 pick overall. Wells and second-year pro Tim Hightower are expected to be Arizona's featured backs in the coming season.
James, 30, had one year left, at $5 million, on the four-year, $40 million deal he signed with Arizona before the 2006 season. He recently experienced a personal tragedy with the death of his longtime girlfriend, and mother of his four children, of leukemia at age 30.
In his 10-year career, James has rushed for 12,121 yards, 11th on the NFL career list and first among active players.
Hood appeared in 31 games, 30 as a starter, since signing with Arizona as a free agent in 2007. He had 105 tackles and six interceptions. The Cardinals added a cornerback in free agency by signing Bryant McFadden, then drafted Greg Toler out of tiny St. Paul's College of Virginia in the fourth round on Sunday.
Wednesday, April 29, 2009
Saturday, April 25, 2009
I hope the Titans land Boldin today!
Maybe the Arizona Cardinals will deal wide receiver Anquan Boldin Saturday. A potention trade partner, according to Scout.com, might be the Tennessee Titans. The web site reports the Cardinals have been gathering information on Tennessee running backs LenDale White and Chris Henry according to the report.
The Titans have interest in WR Anquan Boldin so Arizona's potential interest in either back could signal that trade discussions could intensify over the next 24 hours.
White, who led the NFL in rushing touchdowns last season, is on the final year of his contract. Henry, who was selected in the second round of the 2007 season and created a lot of pre-draft buzz two years ago because of his speed and size, only played in one game last season and only in eight over his first two seasons.
The Titans have interest in WR Anquan Boldin so Arizona's potential interest in either back could signal that trade discussions could intensify over the next 24 hours.
White, who led the NFL in rushing touchdowns last season, is on the final year of his contract. Henry, who was selected in the second round of the 2007 season and created a lot of pre-draft buzz two years ago because of his speed and size, only played in one game last season and only in eight over his first two seasons.
Lions will select Stafford at #1 after deal reached!
The Detroit Lions reached an agreement Friday night with Georgia quarterback Matthew Stafford to make him the first pick in the NFL draft on Saturday.
According to a source, Stafford will receive a six-year, $72 million deal with $41.7 million guaranteed. The contract could be worth as much as $78 million if Stafford achieves all of his playing incentives. The guaranteed money tops the $41 million in guarantees Albert Haynesworth received from the Washington Redskins earlier this offseason.
Stafford said he was out to dinner with his parents in Manhattan when he got the news from his agent. "I'm pretty pumped," he told ESPN's Rachel Nichols. Now he just wants to "get that playbook and learn it as fast as possible."
The Lions intensified negotiations for Stafford the past three days, knowing they also could reach a less expensive deal with Wake Forest linebacker Aaron Curry. After Curry's agents visited Detroit's minicamp during the weekend, Lions president Tom Lewand focused on Stafford.
The Stafford deal is the richest given to a draft choice in history, topping the five-year, $57.5 million contract the Dolphins gave to tackle Jake Long last season, and the six-year, $72 million contract Matt Ryan received from the Atlanta Falcons.
The language of the contract must still be agreed upon and approved by the management council.
As the week began, the Lions were down to three choices -- Stafford, Curry and Baylor tackle Jason Smith, but the team was insistent on having a contract in place with the first-round pick before the draft started Saturday.
Detroit desperately needs a quarterback to help turn around the NFL's first 0-16 team, and is turning to Stafford after he was a starter in each of his three seasons at Georgia.
Stafford will not be able to fix all of the problems associated with a franchise that has gone 31-97 since 2001 in what has been the worst eight-year stretch by an NFL team since the Chicago Cardinals won 23 percent of their games from 1936 to 1943.
But the Lions can't afford to draft another bust.
According to a source, Stafford will receive a six-year, $72 million deal with $41.7 million guaranteed. The contract could be worth as much as $78 million if Stafford achieves all of his playing incentives. The guaranteed money tops the $41 million in guarantees Albert Haynesworth received from the Washington Redskins earlier this offseason.
Stafford said he was out to dinner with his parents in Manhattan when he got the news from his agent. "I'm pretty pumped," he told ESPN's Rachel Nichols. Now he just wants to "get that playbook and learn it as fast as possible."
The Lions intensified negotiations for Stafford the past three days, knowing they also could reach a less expensive deal with Wake Forest linebacker Aaron Curry. After Curry's agents visited Detroit's minicamp during the weekend, Lions president Tom Lewand focused on Stafford.
The Stafford deal is the richest given to a draft choice in history, topping the five-year, $57.5 million contract the Dolphins gave to tackle Jake Long last season, and the six-year, $72 million contract Matt Ryan received from the Atlanta Falcons.
The language of the contract must still be agreed upon and approved by the management council.
As the week began, the Lions were down to three choices -- Stafford, Curry and Baylor tackle Jason Smith, but the team was insistent on having a contract in place with the first-round pick before the draft started Saturday.
Detroit desperately needs a quarterback to help turn around the NFL's first 0-16 team, and is turning to Stafford after he was a starter in each of his three seasons at Georgia.
Stafford will not be able to fix all of the problems associated with a franchise that has gone 31-97 since 2001 in what has been the worst eight-year stretch by an NFL team since the Chicago Cardinals won 23 percent of their games from 1936 to 1943.
But the Lions can't afford to draft another bust.
Thursday, April 23, 2009
Tony Gonzalez is on the move!
The Atlanta Falcons obtained tight end Tony Gonzalez from the Kansas City Chiefs on Thursday for a draft pick next year.
The Falcons will send a second-round pick in 2010 to Kansas City in exchange for Gonzalez, the only tight end in NFL history selected to 10 Pro Bowls, the Chiefs announced.
Gonzalez caught 96 passes for 1,058 yards and 10 touchdowns in 2008. He owns NFL career records for tight ends with 916 receptions, 10,940 yards receiving, 76 TDs receiving and 26 100-yard receiving games.
Chiefs chairman Clark Hunt called Gonzalez "one of the finest players in Chiefs history."
A person with knowledge of the negotiations said the Falcons have reached agreement with Gonzalez on a new contract. The person requested anonymity because the agreement has not been announced.
"It's somewhat bittersweet," Gonzalez told FOXSports.com. "I love Kansas City. I grew up in Kansas City. The city means a lot to me. I got there when I turned 21. It will be sad to leave a city I love.
But I'm looking forward to making a Super Bowl run in Atlanta every year for the next three or four years. With Matt Ryan, Michael Turner, Roddy White and now myself, we have the chance to be in the top five in the league in offense every year. How could I not be excited to join that team?"
The 33-year-old Gonzalez asked to be traded last October. But then-general manager Carl Peterson said no team Gonzalez was willing to go to made a good enough offer.
General manager Scott Pioli said it wasn't easy to trade the star, who played in 188 regular-season games for Kansas City.
"From an organizational as well as personal standpoint there are mixed emotions," Pioli said. "I have the highest personal and professional respect for Tony and consider him to be a future Pro Football Hall of Famer."
The Falcons will send a second-round pick in 2010 to Kansas City in exchange for Gonzalez, the only tight end in NFL history selected to 10 Pro Bowls, the Chiefs announced.
Gonzalez caught 96 passes for 1,058 yards and 10 touchdowns in 2008. He owns NFL career records for tight ends with 916 receptions, 10,940 yards receiving, 76 TDs receiving and 26 100-yard receiving games.
Chiefs chairman Clark Hunt called Gonzalez "one of the finest players in Chiefs history."
A person with knowledge of the negotiations said the Falcons have reached agreement with Gonzalez on a new contract. The person requested anonymity because the agreement has not been announced.
"It's somewhat bittersweet," Gonzalez told FOXSports.com. "I love Kansas City. I grew up in Kansas City. The city means a lot to me. I got there when I turned 21. It will be sad to leave a city I love.
But I'm looking forward to making a Super Bowl run in Atlanta every year for the next three or four years. With Matt Ryan, Michael Turner, Roddy White and now myself, we have the chance to be in the top five in the league in offense every year. How could I not be excited to join that team?"
The 33-year-old Gonzalez asked to be traded last October. But then-general manager Carl Peterson said no team Gonzalez was willing to go to made a good enough offer.
General manager Scott Pioli said it wasn't easy to trade the star, who played in 188 regular-season games for Kansas City.
"From an organizational as well as personal standpoint there are mixed emotions," Pioli said. "I have the highest personal and professional respect for Tony and consider him to be a future Pro Football Hall of Famer."
Tuesday, April 21, 2009
Torry Holt disappoints me....
I was hoping he would sign with my Titans, but alas he did not!
Former St. Louis Rams wide receiver Torry Holt agreed to a three-year deal with the Jacksonville Jaguars on Monday that could be worth as much as $20 million.
The 32-year-old Holt agreed to a creative contract that grows financially based on the way he plays. The deal, a source told ESPN.com's John Clayton, calls for three years with base salaries totaling $13 million. While there is no signing bonus, the first year of the contract is guaranteed.
The Jaguars worked a similar deal with left tackle Tra Thomas that rewards him with bigger salaries based on his playing time and his performance.
Holt chose the Jaguars over the Tennessee Titans, among other teams that were interested. He was released by the Rams and was considered one of the top receivers available via free agency.
The deal lessens the need for Jacksonville to get a receiver early in this weekend's NFL draft and gives the franchise its biggest weapon at the position since Jimmy Smith retired in 2006.
The Jaguars still might select a receiver with the No. 8 pick, especially since Holt will be 33 years old this summer and has been slowed by knee problems in recent years. Texas Tech's Michael Crabtree and Missouri's Jeremy Maclin are expected to be top-10 picks.
Jacksonville has been searching for a No. 1 receiver since Smith's retirement. The team selected Reggie Williams (2004) and Matt Jones (2005) in the first round in consecutive years, but parted ways with the troubled receivers this offseason. The Jaguars chose not to re-sign Williams after five disappointing seasons and released Jones after he violated a plea agreement stemming from a drug charge.
Jacksonville also got rid of Jerry Porter in February. The Jags paid Porter $11 million last season, but he finished with 11 catches and got blamed for chemistry issues in the locker room.
Without those three, the team's top returning receivers were Dennis Northcutt, Mike Walker and Troy Williamson.
Northcutt has never shown he could be a go-to receiver. Walker hasn't been fully healthy during his two years in the league. And Williamson, a former first-round pick, played sparingly last season after getting trading to Jacksonville following three miserable years in Minnesota.
Holt certainly boosts the Jaguars' wideout position. The seven-time Pro Bowler ranks 11th on the NFL's career list with 869 receptions. He caught 64 passes for 796 yards and three touchdowns for St. Louis last season. The Rams released him in March days before he was due a $1.25 million roster bonus.
Former St. Louis Rams wide receiver Torry Holt agreed to a three-year deal with the Jacksonville Jaguars on Monday that could be worth as much as $20 million.
The 32-year-old Holt agreed to a creative contract that grows financially based on the way he plays. The deal, a source told ESPN.com's John Clayton, calls for three years with base salaries totaling $13 million. While there is no signing bonus, the first year of the contract is guaranteed.
The Jaguars worked a similar deal with left tackle Tra Thomas that rewards him with bigger salaries based on his playing time and his performance.
Holt chose the Jaguars over the Tennessee Titans, among other teams that were interested. He was released by the Rams and was considered one of the top receivers available via free agency.
The deal lessens the need for Jacksonville to get a receiver early in this weekend's NFL draft and gives the franchise its biggest weapon at the position since Jimmy Smith retired in 2006.
The Jaguars still might select a receiver with the No. 8 pick, especially since Holt will be 33 years old this summer and has been slowed by knee problems in recent years. Texas Tech's Michael Crabtree and Missouri's Jeremy Maclin are expected to be top-10 picks.
Jacksonville has been searching for a No. 1 receiver since Smith's retirement. The team selected Reggie Williams (2004) and Matt Jones (2005) in the first round in consecutive years, but parted ways with the troubled receivers this offseason. The Jaguars chose not to re-sign Williams after five disappointing seasons and released Jones after he violated a plea agreement stemming from a drug charge.
Jacksonville also got rid of Jerry Porter in February. The Jags paid Porter $11 million last season, but he finished with 11 catches and got blamed for chemistry issues in the locker room.
Without those three, the team's top returning receivers were Dennis Northcutt, Mike Walker and Troy Williamson.
Northcutt has never shown he could be a go-to receiver. Walker hasn't been fully healthy during his two years in the league. And Williamson, a former first-round pick, played sparingly last season after getting trading to Jacksonville following three miserable years in Minnesota.
Holt certainly boosts the Jaguars' wideout position. The seven-time Pro Bowler ranks 11th on the NFL's career list with 869 receptions. He caught 64 passes for 796 yards and three touchdowns for St. Louis last season. The Rams released him in March days before he was due a $1.25 million roster bonus.
Thursday, April 16, 2009
Anquan Boldin on the move!!!
If a team's looking for a young, legitimate number one receiver, they certainly have options right now. The Browns are looking to trade Braylon Edwards, and now the Cardinals are open to offers for Anquan Boldin. Both are relatively young, both are very good, and maybe most importantly for a wide receiver, neither appears to be clinically insane.
So where might they end up? Let's look at the contenders:
• Philadelphia Eagles. Naturally. Anytime a receiver's available -- and I mean absolutely any receiver -- the Eagles are always the first team anyone mentions. This makes sense, because the Eagles don't have very good wide receivers, and they haven't for some time.
But here's why I'd bet against Philadelphia: Because it never, ever happens. The best predictor of future behavior is past behavior, and the Eagles past behavior indicates that they just don't care about adding a big-time wideout. They don't think it's worth the price they'd have to pay. History says the Eagles might pretend to be interested, but they won't be pulling the trigger.
• New York Giants. They were in the Braylon Edwards business, and that deal isn't quite done yet. I'm sure they'll give Arizona a call, kick the tires on Anquan, and compare prices. Clearly, they're after a new number one receiver after the departure and possible incarceration of Plaxico Burress. Both guys would fit the bill perfectly.
• Baltimore Ravens. Joe Flacco needs targets, and Derrick Mason isn't going to last forever (I don't think). They can try to snag one in the draft, but this year's class is not thought of as one that's particularly good for receivers, and the Ravens don't pick until pretty late in the first round. Whatever receiver they get there isn't likely to be tremendously productive in his rookie year.
• Tennessee Titans. They need the help at receiver, and there have been indications that they know it and are willing to go get it.
So where might they end up? Let's look at the contenders:
• Philadelphia Eagles. Naturally. Anytime a receiver's available -- and I mean absolutely any receiver -- the Eagles are always the first team anyone mentions. This makes sense, because the Eagles don't have very good wide receivers, and they haven't for some time.
But here's why I'd bet against Philadelphia: Because it never, ever happens. The best predictor of future behavior is past behavior, and the Eagles past behavior indicates that they just don't care about adding a big-time wideout. They don't think it's worth the price they'd have to pay. History says the Eagles might pretend to be interested, but they won't be pulling the trigger.
• New York Giants. They were in the Braylon Edwards business, and that deal isn't quite done yet. I'm sure they'll give Arizona a call, kick the tires on Anquan, and compare prices. Clearly, they're after a new number one receiver after the departure and possible incarceration of Plaxico Burress. Both guys would fit the bill perfectly.
• Baltimore Ravens. Joe Flacco needs targets, and Derrick Mason isn't going to last forever (I don't think). They can try to snag one in the draft, but this year's class is not thought of as one that's particularly good for receivers, and the Ravens don't pick until pretty late in the first round. Whatever receiver they get there isn't likely to be tremendously productive in his rookie year.
• Tennessee Titans. They need the help at receiver, and there have been indications that they know it and are willing to go get it.
Wednesday, April 15, 2009
NFL schedules are released...
1. Tough flying for Falcons
Maybe I missed it, but the Atlanta Falcons must have done something to tick off the guy who makes the schedule. A year after a stunning worst-to-contender season, they face a difficult climb.
They start with back-to-back home games against 2008 playoff teams and a road trip to New England before taking an earlier-than-needed bye. After playing the Dolphins, Panthers and Pats, the Falcons could have two weeks to stare at a record of 1-2 or worse.
In contrast, the 2008 Falcons built confidence with homes games against the Lions and Chiefs in the season's first three weeks—between them, Detroit and Kansas City had two wins for the season.
And it gets worse. The Falcons play four teams coming off bye weeks: the Bears, Cowboys, Redskins and Giants. As to three of those games, the Falcons play on the road in the week before playing the team that has had a week off.
2. Quinn's potential homecoming
Amid rumors that Cleveland Browns quarterback Brady Quinn is on the trading block and in light of the fact that the Vikings still need a good one, a trade of Quinn to Minnesota would give interesting flavor to Week 1.
On Sept. 13, the Vikings play in Cleveland. It would make for an interesting homecoming, to say the least.
Even without Quinn playing for the Vikes, the Browns face another possible 0-3 start, with the home game against the defending NFC North champs followed by trips to Denver and Baltimore.
3. Not much respect for the Cardinals
Apparently, the NFL doesn't think that the Arizona Cardinals' Super Bowl run has transformed the long-suffering franchise into a national attraction.
After the first Super Bowl appearance in franchise history, the Cardinals have one Monday night game, on Dec. 14 at San Francisco. The Cardinals also have two Sunday night games—at home against the Colts and on the road against the Giants. Both games land before the annual "flex schedule" feature launches, which means that Arizona's potential blowout losses in each of the games is guaranteed to be seen by a national audience.
4. Lions get early crack at a win
During their historic 0-16 season, the Detroit Lions had near-miss games against their NFC North nemesis—the Vikings.
This season, the Lions get a crack at the Vikings in Week 2 at Detroit.
So the Lions could be at .500, a year after their finished at .000.
But it won't be their only shot at getting that elusive victory. With games from last season against AFC South and NFC South teams replaced by games with AFC North and NFC West teams, the Lions get a crack at 2008 also-rans the Browns, Bengals, Seahawks, Rams and 49ers.
5. Merry Christmas from NFLN
This year, Christmas lands on a Friday. And Christmas night will feature a special gift from the NFL.
But you'll need access to the NFL Network in order to unwrap the prime-time present between the San Diego Chargers and Tennessee Titans in Nashville.
In other words, Comcast customers will be getting a lump of coal in their stockings.
Though it would be nice to see the NFL and Comcast (and every other major cable company) work out their differences by Dec. 25, there's a greater chance of Santa Claus sliding down the chimney, pulling up a seat next to you on the couch and chugging Coronas while taking in the game via satellite.
6. ESPN's schedule still leaves much to be desired
As ESPN enters the fourth season of a deal that pays the league $1.1 billion for the privilege of airing the Monday night package, the folks in Bristol continue to get games that are less than stellar.
One of the 17 games features two playoff teams from 2008. Two of the games involve two teams that didn't make it to the playoffs last season.
There aren't many appearances from the teams that carry a rabid national following. The Patriots appear twice. The Cowboys, once. The Steelers and Colts land on ESPN one time each. Also, the New York teams—the Jets the Giants—play on Monday night one time each as well.
Meanwhile, the NBC schedule has eight games featuring two 2008 playoff teams and three games featuring the Cowboys, Giants, Colts and Steelers.
And the flex scheduling.
NBC is paying roughly half the amount that ESPN forks over.
7. NFL still fears baseball
One of my major pet peeves regarding the NFL schedule is the inevitable October open Sunday night, coinciding with a World Series game.
Why won't the NFL go toe-to-toe with baseball? Even the most humdrum NFL regular-season game would draw more eyeballs than postseason baseball.
Maybe it's a professional courtesy. Or maybe the NFL wants the baseball folks to continue to fall under the grossly mistaken impression that their sport is still the national pastime.
It isn't, and the folks who run baseball seem to be the only ones who have yet to figure that out.
8. Bye weeks could see several teams saying "buh-bye" to their coaches
Every year, a stumbling team considers the possibility of dumping a coach on the Monday before their bye week.
This season, several bye weeks could result in one or more coaches bidding farewell to their employment.
After five weeks, Cowboys owner Jerry Jones could decide to send Wade Phillips packing. In the days preceding Week 8, the Redskins could cut short the Jim Zorn experiment.
Week 9 could be the worst. Depending on how their respective teams finish the season's first half, Brad Childress of the Vikings, Dick Jauron of the Bills and Tom Cable of the Raiders could be in trouble.
Then there's Gary Kubiak of the Texans, who could be in serious danger of being bumped if his team is stuck in the AFC South basement after nine games.
9. Several key teams don't have to fret "bye" weeks
With the Falcons facing four teams who'll have two weeks to prepare, several franchises won't play a single team coming off a bye week.
The list includes the participants in Super Bowl 43—the Steelers and Cardinals.
The Eagles, Vikings, Colts and Patriots also get the benefit of playing no teams whose prior week involved no game.
Though the league is taking steps to make the schedule more equitable, this is one area that requires immediate and meaningful attention.
10. Dawkins' homecoming could be anticlimactic
One of the most anticipated games on the 2009 schedule features safety Brian Dawkins' return to Philadelphia.
But the game comes late in the season—in Week 16 to be precise, the Eagles' regular-season home finale.
A cynical mind might wonder whether the Eagles asked the league to delay the game. In late December, there's a greater chance that Dawkins will be injured and unable to play than if the game had been set for September.
Also, the passage of time could make the home crowd less inclined to make a huge fuss.
Besides, if it's really cold out that day, all those orange Broncos jerseys will be covered by winter coats.
Maybe I missed it, but the Atlanta Falcons must have done something to tick off the guy who makes the schedule. A year after a stunning worst-to-contender season, they face a difficult climb.
They start with back-to-back home games against 2008 playoff teams and a road trip to New England before taking an earlier-than-needed bye. After playing the Dolphins, Panthers and Pats, the Falcons could have two weeks to stare at a record of 1-2 or worse.
In contrast, the 2008 Falcons built confidence with homes games against the Lions and Chiefs in the season's first three weeks—between them, Detroit and Kansas City had two wins for the season.
And it gets worse. The Falcons play four teams coming off bye weeks: the Bears, Cowboys, Redskins and Giants. As to three of those games, the Falcons play on the road in the week before playing the team that has had a week off.
2. Quinn's potential homecoming
Amid rumors that Cleveland Browns quarterback Brady Quinn is on the trading block and in light of the fact that the Vikings still need a good one, a trade of Quinn to Minnesota would give interesting flavor to Week 1.
On Sept. 13, the Vikings play in Cleveland. It would make for an interesting homecoming, to say the least.
Even without Quinn playing for the Vikes, the Browns face another possible 0-3 start, with the home game against the defending NFC North champs followed by trips to Denver and Baltimore.
3. Not much respect for the Cardinals
Apparently, the NFL doesn't think that the Arizona Cardinals' Super Bowl run has transformed the long-suffering franchise into a national attraction.
After the first Super Bowl appearance in franchise history, the Cardinals have one Monday night game, on Dec. 14 at San Francisco. The Cardinals also have two Sunday night games—at home against the Colts and on the road against the Giants. Both games land before the annual "flex schedule" feature launches, which means that Arizona's potential blowout losses in each of the games is guaranteed to be seen by a national audience.
4. Lions get early crack at a win
During their historic 0-16 season, the Detroit Lions had near-miss games against their NFC North nemesis—the Vikings.
This season, the Lions get a crack at the Vikings in Week 2 at Detroit.
So the Lions could be at .500, a year after their finished at .000.
But it won't be their only shot at getting that elusive victory. With games from last season against AFC South and NFC South teams replaced by games with AFC North and NFC West teams, the Lions get a crack at 2008 also-rans the Browns, Bengals, Seahawks, Rams and 49ers.
5. Merry Christmas from NFLN
This year, Christmas lands on a Friday. And Christmas night will feature a special gift from the NFL.
But you'll need access to the NFL Network in order to unwrap the prime-time present between the San Diego Chargers and Tennessee Titans in Nashville.
In other words, Comcast customers will be getting a lump of coal in their stockings.
Though it would be nice to see the NFL and Comcast (and every other major cable company) work out their differences by Dec. 25, there's a greater chance of Santa Claus sliding down the chimney, pulling up a seat next to you on the couch and chugging Coronas while taking in the game via satellite.
6. ESPN's schedule still leaves much to be desired
As ESPN enters the fourth season of a deal that pays the league $1.1 billion for the privilege of airing the Monday night package, the folks in Bristol continue to get games that are less than stellar.
One of the 17 games features two playoff teams from 2008. Two of the games involve two teams that didn't make it to the playoffs last season.
There aren't many appearances from the teams that carry a rabid national following. The Patriots appear twice. The Cowboys, once. The Steelers and Colts land on ESPN one time each. Also, the New York teams—the Jets the Giants—play on Monday night one time each as well.
Meanwhile, the NBC schedule has eight games featuring two 2008 playoff teams and three games featuring the Cowboys, Giants, Colts and Steelers.
And the flex scheduling.
NBC is paying roughly half the amount that ESPN forks over.
7. NFL still fears baseball
One of my major pet peeves regarding the NFL schedule is the inevitable October open Sunday night, coinciding with a World Series game.
Why won't the NFL go toe-to-toe with baseball? Even the most humdrum NFL regular-season game would draw more eyeballs than postseason baseball.
Maybe it's a professional courtesy. Or maybe the NFL wants the baseball folks to continue to fall under the grossly mistaken impression that their sport is still the national pastime.
It isn't, and the folks who run baseball seem to be the only ones who have yet to figure that out.
8. Bye weeks could see several teams saying "buh-bye" to their coaches
Every year, a stumbling team considers the possibility of dumping a coach on the Monday before their bye week.
This season, several bye weeks could result in one or more coaches bidding farewell to their employment.
After five weeks, Cowboys owner Jerry Jones could decide to send Wade Phillips packing. In the days preceding Week 8, the Redskins could cut short the Jim Zorn experiment.
Week 9 could be the worst. Depending on how their respective teams finish the season's first half, Brad Childress of the Vikings, Dick Jauron of the Bills and Tom Cable of the Raiders could be in trouble.
Then there's Gary Kubiak of the Texans, who could be in serious danger of being bumped if his team is stuck in the AFC South basement after nine games.
9. Several key teams don't have to fret "bye" weeks
With the Falcons facing four teams who'll have two weeks to prepare, several franchises won't play a single team coming off a bye week.
The list includes the participants in Super Bowl 43—the Steelers and Cardinals.
The Eagles, Vikings, Colts and Patriots also get the benefit of playing no teams whose prior week involved no game.
Though the league is taking steps to make the schedule more equitable, this is one area that requires immediate and meaningful attention.
10. Dawkins' homecoming could be anticlimactic
One of the most anticipated games on the 2009 schedule features safety Brian Dawkins' return to Philadelphia.
But the game comes late in the season—in Week 16 to be precise, the Eagles' regular-season home finale.
A cynical mind might wonder whether the Eagles asked the league to delay the game. In late December, there's a greater chance that Dawkins will be injured and unable to play than if the game had been set for September.
Also, the passage of time could make the home crowd less inclined to make a huge fuss.
Besides, if it's really cold out that day, all those orange Broncos jerseys will be covered by winter coats.
Friday, April 3, 2009
Chicago Bears acquire Jay Cutler from Denver!
The Chicago Bears acquired disgruntled Denver Broncos quarterback Jay Cutler in a trade on Thursday afternoon, giving up quarterback Kyle Orton and first-round picks in 2009 (18th overall) and 2010, along with a third-round pick (84th overall) in 2009 to do it.
To complete the trade, the Broncos had to give back a fifth-round pick (140th overall) in 2009. That pick was acquired by the Broncos from the Seattle Seahawks in a trade for wide receiver Keary Colbert.
The Bears beat out the Redskins, Buccaneers, Lions, Titans and other teams to land the 25-year-old Pro Bowl quarterback. The Broncos had made it clear they were asking for at least two first-round choices.
Cutler had asked to be traded when he found out first-year Denver coach Josh McDaniels tried to acquire Matt Cassel in a trade with the Patriots.
"I don't have any concerns," Bears general manager Jerry Angelo said. "[Coach Lovie Smith] and I talked about that. We did, like a lot of people who were interested in Jay, a lot of work going back to not just when he was with Denver [but] but going back to his days at Vanderbilt."
Angelo said area scout Rex Hogan lives in the Nashville area and developed a "great rapport" with Cutler coming out of Vanderbilt in 2006.
"We felt that [Cutler] is a very good person, a good leader," Angelo said. "He had some things that happened in Denver. We recognized those, but we treated them as just speed bumps, part of the growing process. He's highly competitive, he's highly emotional. That just comes with the territory."
Although Cutler is 17-20 as a starter, he's been victimized by dismal defenses in Denver, and he was an impressive 13-1 when the Broncos held opponents to 21 points or fewer.
Last year, Cutler threw for a franchise record 4,526 yards, 25 touchdowns and 18 interceptions. In his 37-game career in Denver, he completed 62.5 percent of his passes for 9,024 yards, 54 TDs and 37 interceptions.
Bears linebacker Brian Urlacher, upon hearing that Cutler was now his teammate, was stunned by the news.
"I guess the Bears felt like we needed another quarterback, so they made a move," Urlacher told the Chicago Tribune. "They gave up a lot. Cutler must be pretty good."
"I guess we got better as a team," Urlacher added, according to the newspaper. "You get a quarterback who is a Pro Bowl guy. But I will say this: I think Kyle Orton is a good quarterback. He's a great teammate. I hope he does really well in Denver."
Cutler is scheduled to travel to Chicago, where he must pass a physical exam before the trade becomes official. He could not be immediately reached for comment. But Bus Cook, Cutler's agent, told ESPN that Cutler is pleased that the team he followed while growing up in northern Indiana had acquired him.
"I know Jay's choices would have been Chicago and Tennessee simply because that's where he grew up and went to school,'' Cook said. "It's unfortunate from one standpoint, but once it got to the point where a trade had to happen, it couldn't have turned out better for Jay, and I think the Broncos got a great compensation package for him.''
Cook said the Bears have not made Cutler any promises about renegotiating his contract. "That wasn't what this was about,'' Cook said. "This was not about a new deal. It was never mentioned to Denver, never suggested, and that wasn't part of this. It was a matter of some personalities that weren't going to get along too well. It was not about a new contract.''
On Tuesday, Broncos owner Pat Bowlen released a statement saying both he and McDaniels had been unable to get Cutler to call them back during the past 10 days. Cutler also had been staying away from the offseason program.
As a result, the Broncos decided to trade Cutler, whom they were convinced "no longer has any desire to play for the Denver Broncos."
According to NFL senior analyst Chris Mortensen, however, Cutler replied, "No," in a text message when asked whether Bowlen had directly tried to contact him.
Cook said the Broncos first got in touch with him on Tuesday.
"The perception that they've been burning the phone lines the last 10 days is wrong," Cook said. "In fact, the other day, I asked Jay if he had heard from them and he said, 'No.' I didn't hear from them until yesterday [Tuesday] morning when [GM] Brian Xanders called me and said that Mr. Bowlen needs to speak with Jay now. I told him all I can do is leave Jay a message.
"I didn't reach Jay directly -- I don't know what he was doing -- but I left a message. Then Brian called at the end of the day and asked me if I had heard from him. I hadn't. I heard from Jay when he called to tell me he just saw on TV he was being traded. They can spin it the way they want to spin it."
To complete the trade, the Broncos had to give back a fifth-round pick (140th overall) in 2009. That pick was acquired by the Broncos from the Seattle Seahawks in a trade for wide receiver Keary Colbert.
The Bears beat out the Redskins, Buccaneers, Lions, Titans and other teams to land the 25-year-old Pro Bowl quarterback. The Broncos had made it clear they were asking for at least two first-round choices.
Cutler had asked to be traded when he found out first-year Denver coach Josh McDaniels tried to acquire Matt Cassel in a trade with the Patriots.
"I don't have any concerns," Bears general manager Jerry Angelo said. "[Coach Lovie Smith] and I talked about that. We did, like a lot of people who were interested in Jay, a lot of work going back to not just when he was with Denver [but] but going back to his days at Vanderbilt."
Angelo said area scout Rex Hogan lives in the Nashville area and developed a "great rapport" with Cutler coming out of Vanderbilt in 2006.
"We felt that [Cutler] is a very good person, a good leader," Angelo said. "He had some things that happened in Denver. We recognized those, but we treated them as just speed bumps, part of the growing process. He's highly competitive, he's highly emotional. That just comes with the territory."
Although Cutler is 17-20 as a starter, he's been victimized by dismal defenses in Denver, and he was an impressive 13-1 when the Broncos held opponents to 21 points or fewer.
Last year, Cutler threw for a franchise record 4,526 yards, 25 touchdowns and 18 interceptions. In his 37-game career in Denver, he completed 62.5 percent of his passes for 9,024 yards, 54 TDs and 37 interceptions.
Bears linebacker Brian Urlacher, upon hearing that Cutler was now his teammate, was stunned by the news.
"I guess the Bears felt like we needed another quarterback, so they made a move," Urlacher told the Chicago Tribune. "They gave up a lot. Cutler must be pretty good."
"I guess we got better as a team," Urlacher added, according to the newspaper. "You get a quarterback who is a Pro Bowl guy. But I will say this: I think Kyle Orton is a good quarterback. He's a great teammate. I hope he does really well in Denver."
Cutler is scheduled to travel to Chicago, where he must pass a physical exam before the trade becomes official. He could not be immediately reached for comment. But Bus Cook, Cutler's agent, told ESPN that Cutler is pleased that the team he followed while growing up in northern Indiana had acquired him.
"I know Jay's choices would have been Chicago and Tennessee simply because that's where he grew up and went to school,'' Cook said. "It's unfortunate from one standpoint, but once it got to the point where a trade had to happen, it couldn't have turned out better for Jay, and I think the Broncos got a great compensation package for him.''
Cook said the Bears have not made Cutler any promises about renegotiating his contract. "That wasn't what this was about,'' Cook said. "This was not about a new deal. It was never mentioned to Denver, never suggested, and that wasn't part of this. It was a matter of some personalities that weren't going to get along too well. It was not about a new contract.''
On Tuesday, Broncos owner Pat Bowlen released a statement saying both he and McDaniels had been unable to get Cutler to call them back during the past 10 days. Cutler also had been staying away from the offseason program.
As a result, the Broncos decided to trade Cutler, whom they were convinced "no longer has any desire to play for the Denver Broncos."
According to NFL senior analyst Chris Mortensen, however, Cutler replied, "No," in a text message when asked whether Bowlen had directly tried to contact him.
Cook said the Broncos first got in touch with him on Tuesday.
"The perception that they've been burning the phone lines the last 10 days is wrong," Cook said. "In fact, the other day, I asked Jay if he had heard from them and he said, 'No.' I didn't hear from them until yesterday [Tuesday] morning when [GM] Brian Xanders called me and said that Mr. Bowlen needs to speak with Jay now. I told him all I can do is leave Jay a message.
"I didn't reach Jay directly -- I don't know what he was doing -- but I left a message. Then Brian called at the end of the day and asked me if I had heard from him. I hadn't. I heard from Jay when he called to tell me he just saw on TV he was being traded. They can spin it the way they want to spin it."
Thursday, April 2, 2009
Jay Cutler on the move again....
This could be the scenario Rex Ryan and the New York Jets were waiting for – not to mention several other teams that have been silently circling the Jay Cutler/Denver Broncos duel.
While he couldn’t speak specifically about Cutler, Ryan went to great lengths to downplay media reports that the Jets were in the running for the disgruntled Pro Bowler. And while much of his time was spent talking up his current quarterbacks, he failed to close the door when asked directly if he would consider adding a veteran to that mix. Instead, Ryan opted for the tried and true fallback of saying he’d consider “all options.”
He’s not alone. Several teams have failed to squash the Cutler speculation, hiding behind league tampering rules when all it truly would have taken is six definitive words: “We won’t trade for a quarterback.” And now that Broncos owner Pat Bowlen has officially put Cutler back on the market, most of the league’s quarterback-needy teams will be thrust back into the mix. According to multiple league sources, six teams have shown previous interest and are expected to take part in talks again: the Jets, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Detroit Lions, Chicago Bears, Cleveland Browns and San Francisco 49ers.
While he couldn’t speak specifically about Cutler, Ryan went to great lengths to downplay media reports that the Jets were in the running for the disgruntled Pro Bowler. And while much of his time was spent talking up his current quarterbacks, he failed to close the door when asked directly if he would consider adding a veteran to that mix. Instead, Ryan opted for the tried and true fallback of saying he’d consider “all options.”
He’s not alone. Several teams have failed to squash the Cutler speculation, hiding behind league tampering rules when all it truly would have taken is six definitive words: “We won’t trade for a quarterback.” And now that Broncos owner Pat Bowlen has officially put Cutler back on the market, most of the league’s quarterback-needy teams will be thrust back into the mix. According to multiple league sources, six teams have shown previous interest and are expected to take part in talks again: the Jets, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Detroit Lions, Chicago Bears, Cleveland Browns and San Francisco 49ers.
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