Posted on: March 5, 2009 1:12 pm










Posted on: March 3, 2009 3:47 pm

Off-the-wall Offseason!




T.J. Houshmandzadeh signs with Seattle

Albert Haynesworth signs with Washington

Chris Canty signs with New York Giants

Posted on: February 25, 2009 3:37 pm

Blue and White 88 no more


The once quintessential triple-threat in the NFL is now officially disbanded. While Edgerrin James left Indianapolis a couple years ago, we still had the pleasure of watching the tandem of Peyton Manning and Marvin Harrison. Now, even that, however, is history.

The Colts, stuck between a rock and a hard place, were for all intents and purposes forced to release Harrison Tuesday. Comprised of several former first round picks that have not disappointed the eternal bending of the salary cap finally snapped, and as any logic would follow, the veteran got the boot.

On Tuesday, when they announced the release. The press conference turned into a tribute of sorts to the career Harrison had with the blue and white. A tribute where the same men releasing him were at times choked up with emotion. Such a scene made a shocking story mix with a pinch of bizarre. Watching the likes of an NFL owner red-eyed over his own decision was kind of like seeing a boyfriend crying over his ex-girlfriend (no offense, Marvin) when he initiated the break up. Hopefully they'll skip the awkward "not returning each other's calls" phase.

But as wierd as yesterdays events were, they should be remembered moer for their significance. With the era of trades and free agency that we're in. It's rare that we see such a vivacious anchor on a team. A superstar that rarely complains about money, never has off-field issues, and year-in-and-year-out wears the same jersey. Only a handful comes to mind in recent history: Brett Favre, Mike Alstott, Donovan McNabb, Ray Lewis, Zach Thomas, Emmitt Smith, Steve Young.

What do all of these guys have in common? When they left a team, it made headlines. Not because they were stars (I mean, sure, there's that) but because they were icons; icons for a franchise not just on a local level, but on a national level. They went beyond the Rock Cartwright's (if you don't get the reference, you're only furthering my point), they represented their team on a national level. It doesn't take much a fan to know who Marvin Harrison is, and to picture him in the Colts' blue and white I guess is what I'm trying to say.

So what does this mean for Harrison? Will he retire? Will he go and learn the ins and outs of the free agency market? My guess is that he's not done. Guys like Harrison feel that they always have more in the tank than they tend to show. Unfortunately however, chances are his days on SportsCenter are past him.

If there was a person you could most closely compare him to, it might be Jerry Rice (another one of those home-team-favorite-superstars). A future hall of fame receiver who felt that his career with his primary team was cut short, and that he had more to offer the league. So he goes to Oakland and plays there for a few years. When his short shelf life in Oakland ran out, he tried Denver. But when he was told he'd be the number three wide receiver, he opted to hold onto his pride and retire.

If I had to bet, I would say that that is what will happen with Harrison. Play another three or four seasons with another team, someone looking for a veteran who not only can still play, but can mentor their young receiving corps., and then ultimately retire.

It'll be strange next season, if Harrison plays, that is, to see him in anything but that painfully tame royal blue and ivory white jersey. But if we learned anything from las toffseason with the Favre fiasco, it's that these things have to happen at some point. And for Marvelous Marv, that time was now.

Posted on: September 27, 2008 9:03 pm

NFL Week 3 In Review (Transcribed from 9/25 post)

I know, it's Wednesday but it has just taken me so long to digest what exactly happened this weekend. The Bills are 3-0. The Patriots were swallowed whole by the Dolphins. Brett Favre played like the last Jets QB. And, no, say it ain't so...Gus Frerotte won a game. If the NFL was in any way like Wall Street, there would be analysts leaping to their deaths right now.
Let's start with Monday night. The last time Favre and Rivers met, Favre showed his legendar status. This time? Not exactly the same story. Rivers was slinging passes left and right, up and down. Favre, on the other hand, slung passes to the Chargers. But it wasn't all Favre's fault out there two nights ago. In fact, I have a bone to pick with his coach, Eric Mangini. Despite how much I wish it were so sometimes, I am, sad to say, not an NFL coach. But I'd like to think I would know what to do in some situations. Like if I was going for a two point conversion and, after three Charger penalties, the ball was exactly 9 inches off the goaline. Would I line up 5 receivers with my QB in the shotgun? No, I don't think I would. And like I said, I'm not even a coach, so Mr. Mangini, why did you do such a thing? I mean, for crying out loud, Brett Favre could've blown the ball over the goaline from where it was sitting!
But Monday night's game was only the awkward period at the end of a very confusing sentence that was the third week in the NFL. The Patriots lost 38-13 to the Miami Dolphins, the team that has won as many game as the Patriots have lost since the start of last year: one. But five Ronnie Brown TD's later, the Patriots looked like they were on the receiving end of the second Boston Massacre (On side note: If you started Ronnie Brown this weekend and picked up those points in your Fantasy League, you should know you have wisdom beyond your years).
So with the traditional dynasties falling left and right, there is however, one prediction holding true: the beast that is the NFC East. I have not seen a more impressive division in such a season in recent history. Two losses among all four teams, and the two losses were within the division. Sure we expected the Cowboys to be 3-0, but the the Giants? And the Eagles and Redskins at 2-1? Based on the way they've played so far, I would go so far as to say if these four teams were spread out through the four NFC division, we would have our four division winners. We knew this year that the NFC East would be a monster division, but this early domination over the league is unheard of.
And while we're talking about impressive divisions, it's just as easy to talk about the unimpressive ones. Say the AFC North? Cleveland's 0-3. Cincy's 0-3. Baltimore has a win, but it came over Cleveland. In fact the only silver lining on this gloomy cloud are the Steelers, and they were handled this week by the Eagles. The Steelers undoubtedly will wint he division but don't expect an AFC wild card out of the remaining three and I don't see the Steelers going very far in the playoffs.
Now don't get me wrong, there are dangerous teams in the AFC. The Colts? No. The Patriots? Not anymore. No, how about the Bills? Or the Titans? Even the Broncos? All three are undefeated and looking to stay that way. But can the three early Cinderellas stay dancing past the stroke of midnight. I wouldn't go that far. The Titans should win their division. I mean, who's going to stop them? The Colts? It doesn't appear that way so far. And the Jaguars and Texans have even less of a chance. But can the Bills finish on top of the Patriots. Why not? So far they have handedly destroyed team after team, while the Patriots squeaked by the Jets and lost to the Dolphins (at home, mind you). Buffalo is fast, sleek, and exciting while it seems like the Patriots have yet to do anything impressively, much less win. So then about the Broncos? They are certainly exciting so far and there is no doubt they have one hell of an offense. They may even pick up a wild card, but I don't see them winning the division. While the Denver is 3-0, San Diego should be. They lost on one good pass to Carolina and they were cheated out of a win with Denver. Now that they're back to their winning ways, I don't see them stopping anytime soon.
So, as the pieces fall, the picture so far looks nothing like what we expected. But it is, of course, only Week 3. We have 14 more weeks to go. The only question is are those weeks going to be ones of normalcy or chaos?
Posted on: September 16, 2008 11:48 am

NFL Week 2 In Review

Posted on: March 7, 2008 11:58 pm

Career Advice for Brett: Stay Retired!

Congratulations Brett on 17 mostly spectacular seasons. But may I suggest a little advice? Don't come back. You got chewed out by the press in the last years of your career by the press for being too old, past your prime. This season you shut everyone up, don't go back and give them something to talk about. And really, Brett, you can't go back. Not after that teary-eyed farewell. I think that's the secret to Roger Clemens and his endless going back and forth like Anne Heche on her sexual preferences: He was never dramatic. You made a point to leave, so stay left.

For references on this advice, see Jerry Rice. A man who didn't quit when he was ahead. He didn't leave at the end of a great season. He left when the Broncos, who picked him up, told him he wasn't going to start. His old teammate Steve Young knew when to hang up the cleats. The result? Steve Young made it as a talking head and Jerry Rice went on Dancing With The Stars. You decide Brett what's best for you?

And I know there's pressure for the greats like you to come back, but seriously, don't. It's decisions like that that make us remember two Michael Jordans best summed up in two images. The first Michael Jordan: MJ mid air ball over his head and in his palm, appearing to be in flight like a legend. The second MJ: An old man playing for the Washington Wizards walking around after games with bags of ice strapped to his knees. Don't paint a second picture, Brett, stick to what you've got.

But I understand that you love the game and you'll want to be strapping up in the fall when everyone else is. Football is a part of you, but there are ways to handle that love without coming back. The past greats have all done it in different ways. John Elway-he bought himself a football team. Granted, an AFL team, but nonetheless a football team. Cal Ripken did the same when he got himself his own minor league team. The logo was a jet with his orange #8 and characteristic deep blue eyes. Come on Brett, doesn't Green Bay need an AFL team? But if that doesn't float your boat, you could do the more practical choice and land yourself a sweet job as a commentator with one of the football crews. Who can't see Brett knocking Jimmy Johnson into television retirement?

But whatever you do Brett, stay retired. Make sure a bad day for you is getting stuck in the water hazards, not being sacked ten times. You are a textbook case of quitting while your ahead. Make sur eyou keep it that way.
Posted on: March 4, 2008 5:25 pm

Fire Sale in New England

About 10 or 11 months ago, a perfect storm was forming in New England. An acqusition here, a trade there. Finally, when Randy Moss got sent to the Patriots during the NFL draft, it became clear: A new dynasty was in the works.

From there, most people know what happens. Not to be a spoiler, but they lost the Super Bowl as they were stunned by the wild card team that some argued wouldn't break .500 that season.

For a second, the world held their breath. What happens after 18-1? Do we just wait for next season? Is it wrong to laugh at this point? Then about a month ago, talk began. Talk about Patriots leaving. People wanted out of New England. Was there a bad taste in their mouth still? Was the bad PR of Spygate enough to drive them away? No one really knows. One thing's for sure, they didn't leave for a better team. If a free agent wanted to sign with a team that had the best chance to make it to the Super Bowl, it seems clear the Patriots were just that. Yeah, they had lost the Super Bowl, but guys, shit happens. And the fact of the matter was no one was retiring, no one was leaving, and they had a top pick in the upcoming draft. They were in prime shape to make another run at the title. But alas, players, critical ones at that, began to bail.

Asante Samuel got the ball rolling, as he left for the Eagles. Than Randall Gay and Stallworth. Names that defense and offenses of the NF: feared in New England were leaving, and in record pace. It was a fire sale, all acquired talent must go. For a time there was a real scare that they would lose Randy Moss.

Yes, Moss stayed, but is that something to celebrate? Whose gonna line up opposite of him? Wes Welker? Please. The guy is a slot receiver, nothing else. And whose left to scare people into not passing the ball? Rodney Harrison? A beast sure, but the old veteran defensive backs are a dying breed. The young, potent weapons are what the Patriots needed to hold onto, and they couldn't.

Alas, the once high-octane, high-powered football vehicle that was the New England Patriots crashed just short of the finish line. And now, instead of salvaging it, it is being stripped for parts. Parts named Samuel and Stallworth and Gay. Parts that, while not the biggest, most beautiful pieces of the Patriots, will be sorely missed come next season. That much is for sure.
Category: NFL