Gridiron Gang

Search Called Off For Missing NFL Players

noreply@blogger.com (Gridiron Gang) — Wed, 04 Mar 2009 22:47:00 +0000

The search for missing Oakland Raider, Marquis Cooper, and Detroit Lion, Corey Smith, was called off yesterday at 6:30 PM EST. The two men along with two college friends from South Florida were deep sea fishing in the Gulf Coast when their boat capsized. Nick Schulyer was the only survivor and said after the boat capsized the players swam underneath the boat to retrieve life vests. At some point, everyone except Schulyer were separated from the boat. After a three day search none of the other three were found and all search efforts were called off.

Chiefs Acquire Cassel From Pats; Winslow Traded to Bucs

noreply@blogger.com (Gridiron Gang) — Sat, 28 Feb 2009 21:08:00 +0000

The New Enlgnad Patriots have traded QB Matt Cassel to the Kansas City Chiefs for the Chiefs 2009 2nd round draft pick. Cassel started 15 games in place of injured Tom Brady last year. He completed 63 percent of his passes, throwing for 3,693 yards and 21 touchdowns. He will battle with incumbent starter Tyler Thigpen for the Chiefs starting QB job. If Cassel can have the same type of year with the Chiefs as he did last season with the Patriots, look for the Chiefs to be strong contenders in the AFC West this season.

In other news, Cleveland traded talented TE Kellen Winslow to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers for undisclosed draft picks. Kellen Winslow has all the talent in the world, but has been hampered by injuries. He made the Pro Bowl in 2007 when he had career highs in receptions, yards, and touchdowns.

Haynesworth Cashes In

noreply@blogger.com (Gridiron Gang) — Sat, 28 Feb 2009 21:01:00 +0000

Free-agent defensive tackle Albert Haynesworth cashed in with the Washington Redskins signing a 7 year $100 million contract. He joins an exclusive list of NFL players who have received $100 million contracts. Of that $100 million, $41 million is guaranteed. Does he deserve all that money playing DT? Only time will tell.

Grossman Done In Chicago; Detroit or Houston Next?

noreply@blogger.com (Gridiron Gang) — Thu, 26 Feb 2009 22:00:00 +0000

QB Rex Grossman's tenure in Chicago is over. He never became what many thought he would become, the next great QB. His time in Chicago was up and down, many more down's than up's, and he lost his starting job last year to Kyle Orton.

What's next for Grossman? Both Houston and Detroit are possibilities. Houston is looking for a new back-up to Matt Schaub since current back-up Sage Rosenfels will surely be traded. Detroit needs a whole new team and Grossman might just get a chance to start for the Lions.

What about Dallas? Sure they have Tony Romo, but who else do they have? Brad Johnson? We saw the mess the Cowboys made with Johnson starting in place of injured Tony Romo. So could the new back-up to Romo be Grossman? Grossman has expressed interest in backing up Romo, which could either help Grossman or put him farther behind the curve than he already is. Romo's style is reckless at best and Grossman probably would learn nothing from the current Cowboy starter. The Cowboys do have a good offensive coordinator in Jason Garrett who has made Romo look like a year in and year out Pro Bowler, can he do the same for Grossman? We shall see what lies ahead for Tyrannosaurus Rex when the free agency period starts tonight!

Dolphins Sign S Wilson

noreply@blogger.com (Gridiron Gang) — Thu, 26 Feb 2009 21:49:00 +0000

The Miami Dolphins have signed safety Gibril Wilson to a multiyear contract. The five-year vet was released by the Oakland Raiders after only one year of service after spending the previous four seasons with the New York Giants and starting at free safety for their 2007 Super Bowl championship team.

Giants Sign RB Jacobs to Multi-Year Deal

noreply@blogger.com (Gridiron Gang) — Thu, 26 Feb 2009 21:31:00 +0000

The New York Giants re-signed running back Brandon Jacobs to a 4 year/$25 million contract just two weeks after placing the franchise tag on him. He is guanranteed $13 million and will make $15 million over the first two seasons. The big, bruising back has been the focal point of the Giants offense the last two seasons and led the team in rushing yards (1,089) and touchdowns (15) despite missing three games due to a knee injury. Jacobs is only the third Giants RB to rush for 1,000 yards in consecutive season and looks to continue that success this next season. This is a big move by the Giants to lock up one of the league's best and most productive backs. Check out this video of Jacobs running over Washington Redskins safety, Laron Landry, to see just how powerful Jacobs is.

Is This Tim Tebow's Girlfriend?

noreply@blogger.com (Gridiron Gang) — Thu, 26 Feb 2009 01:21:00 +0000

If this is Tim Tebow's girlfriend, I must say...DAAAAMMMMMNNNN!!!! Get it Tebow!!! It has been reported that he is seeing this woman!!!! He's not though...it's completely false...it's Lucy Pinder! And as far as I know...SHE'S SINGLE!!!

Who Do You Want Your Team To Draft?

noreply@blogger.com (Gridiron Gang) — Wed, 25 Feb 2009 19:57:00 +0000

With the NFL draft about two months away, let's see who you want your team to draft in the first round! Comment below with your team's needs and who you think they should go after with their first pick.

NFL Humor: Tonya Harding vs. Nancy Kerrigan

noreply@blogger.com (Gridiron Gang) — Wed, 18 Feb 2009 22:37:00 +0000

With the NFL Combine right around the corner, who do you think would win a 40-yard dash sprint between Tonya Harding and Nancy Kerrigan? We think Nancy would beat Tonya, she looks like she is in better shape than Harding.

Jaguars Show Fred Taylor The Door

noreply@blogger.com (Gridiron Gang) — Wed, 18 Feb 2009 22:20:00 +0000

Fred Taylor, the longtime running back of the Jacksonville Jaguars, was released Monday ending his 11-year tenure with the team. Taylor was drafted 9th overall in 1998 by Jacksonville and hoped to end his career there. The last couple years he has shared running duties with Maurice Jones-Drew and both have been successful. Last year he was injured and finished with only 556 yards rushing and a career-low 3.9 yards per carry average. Both he and the team realized that Jones-Drew offered the best future for the team and it was time to move on.

Jaguars head coach Jack Del Rio offered some encouraging words for other teams that may be interested in Taylor's services, "You don't turn 33 without losing a step, but he's clearly worked hard. He's worked hard to allow himself to play at a high level. To hold off youngsters, you've got to do that, and he's worked his tail off to have that be the case." Taylor ranks 16th on the all-time rushing list with 11,271 yards.

Vick to SF?

noreply@blogger.com (Gridiron Gang) — Wed, 18 Feb 2009 22:06:00 +0000

According to early reports San Francisco 49ers head coach, Mike Singletary and team President, Jed York were interested in pursuing Michael Vick to become the team's new starting QB when he is released from prison and reinstated to the NFL. Although those reports are true, a team spokesperson told ESPN that they will not try to acquire Vick.

On a side note, the 49ers are looking to restructure QB Alex Smith's current contract and bring him back to compete with Shaun Hill during training camp. They also have not ruled out bringing Jeff Garcia back to the Bay to also compete for the starting quarterback's job.

2009 NFL Mock Draft

noreply@blogger.com (Gridiron Gang) — Tue, 17 Feb 2009 07:30:00 +0000

ESPN draft expert Todd McShay from Scouts Inc. has posted his latest mock draft. Here’s how he see things shaking down for the top ten picks.

1. Detroit Lions (Record: 0-16): Matthew Stafford, QB, Georgia
2. St. Louis Rams (2-14): Jason Smith, OT, Baylor
3. Kansas City Chiefs (2-14): Aaron Curry, LB, Wake Forest
4. Seattle Seahawks (4-12): B.J. Raji, DT, Boston College
5. Cleveland Browns (4-12): Everette Brown, DE, Florida State
6. Cincinnati Bengals (4-11-1): Andre Smith, OT, Alabama
7. Oakland Raiders (5-11): Michael Crabtree, WR, Texas Tech
8. Jacksonville Jaguars (5-11): Eugene Monroe, OT, Virginia
9. Green Bay Packers (6-10): Malcolm Jenkins, DB, Ohio State
10. San Francisco 49ers (7-9): Jeremy Maclin, WR/RS, Missouri

Favre to Retire

noreply@blogger.com (Gridiron Gang) — Wed, 11 Feb 2009 18:10:00 +0000

Brett Favre has retired, again. According to reports Favre had informed the New York Jets that he is retiring. Favre played one season in New York after the Jets acquired the future Hall of Fame quarterback in an offseason trade with the Green Bay Packers. After a tremendous start with the Jets last season, Favre and the team collapsed down the stretched and failed to make the playoffs. After the season, the team fired coach Eric Mangini, and Thomas Jones publicly criticized Favre’s play. In his final NFL season, Favre threw 22 touchdown passes and a league-high 22 interceptions, but did lead the Jets to a 9-7 record, a five game improvement over the year before.

NFC wins 2009 Pro Bowl

noreply@blogger.com (Gridiron Gang) — Mon, 09 Feb 2009 01:46:00 +0000

Larry Fitzgerald played the Pro Bowl like he was playing in the Super Bowl. Fitzgerald caught five passes for 81 yards and two touchdowns on his way to becoming the game’s MVP, as the NFC rallied to a 30-21 victory over the AFC. The last Pro Bowl being played at Honolulu was also the first game where the quarterbacks were brothers. Eli Manning, making his Pro Bowl debut beat his big brother Peyton.

National Signing Day 2009

noreply@blogger.com (Gridiron Gang) — Thu, 05 Feb 2009 06:36:00 +0000

Today is national signing day for high school seniors to sign letter of intent to play college football at respective universities. Rivals.com has rated Nick Saban and the University of Alabama the national recruiting champion. The Tide finished just ahead of LSU, USC, Ohio State and Texas. Scout.com has Ohio State leading the pack followed by LSU and Alabama.

SIXburgh Celebrates Super Bowl Win

noreply@blogger.com (Gridiron Gang) — Wed, 04 Feb 2009 05:13:00 +0000

More than 300,000 black and gold Steelers fans pack the streets of Pittsburgh on Tuesday for a parade celebrating the storied franchise’s unprecedented sixth Super Bowl title. Fans filled parking garages, skyscraper windows, balconies and even climbed trees to get the best view of the team they love.

Steelers win Super Bowl XLIII

noreply@blogger.com (Gridiron Gang) — Mon, 02 Feb 2009 05:34:00 +0000

Congratulations to the Pittsburgh Steelers for winning Super Bowl XLIII. What a terrific and exciting game we had just witnessed. The Steelers are the first franchise in NFL history to win six Super Bowls.

Roethlisberger to prove he is BIG BEN

noreply@blogger.com (Gridiron Gang) — Fri, 30 Jan 2009 06:05:00 +0000

Ben Roethlisberger last trip to the Super Bowl wasn’t a good trip as he would like to be, and his team won. Three years ago, Big Ben helped Pittsburgh win Super Bowl XL, but he had a passer rating of 22.6, worst ever for a winning quarterback. The MVP of that game was Hines Ward. Willie Parker had a 75-yard TD run, and Antwaan Randle El had an option pass to Ward.

Roethlisberger being a 23-year old playing in his first Super Bowl admitted that he was “overwhelmed”. This time he is older and wiser, just enjoying his time. He might not be the most accurate passer or the fastest quarterback, but he just wins. He can make a play last when you think its over and he going to be sacked, as evident by the 65-yard TD connection to Santonio Holmes in the AFC Championship game against the Ravens. No matter what kind of game he has on Sunday, he will enjoy it this time around, until the opening kickoff that is.

Raiders pick Cable?

noreply@blogger.com (Gridiron Gang) — Thu, 29 Jan 2009 04:56:00 +0000

ESPN reports that Tom Cable will be the head coach of the Oakland Raiders for the 2009 season. Cable served as interim head coach in 2008 after the in-season firing of Lane Kiffin. Cable has been considered the front-runner ever since he helped the Raiders finish the season with consecutive victories while winning three of their last six games. No official news from the Raiders have confirmed the report.

Super Bowl takes a hit

noreply@blogger.com (Gridiron Gang) — Thu, 29 Jan 2009 04:46:00 +0000

Super Bowl XLIII will be played in Tampa this year. In years past Super Bowl has been much more than just a game, the glitz and the glamour that comes with the largest sporting event in the county. But in these tough economic times, the Super Bowl is taking a hit too. Numerous corporations including General Motors and FedEx have pulled their TV ads, even though NBC has lowered the price. Ticket prices have also fallen for the big game. Many individuals cannot afford to pay $5,000 to just go to a game.

NFL Trivia and Fun Facts 01/28/2009

noreply@blogger.com (Gridiron Gang) — Wed, 28 Jan 2009 22:37:00 +0000

Trivia
What year did the Cardinals win their last NFL Championship?
Answer revealed 01/29/2009.

Fun Fact
In 1944 the Chicago Cardinals and Pittsburgh Steelers merged to create the Car-Pitts due to WWII.

Dan Reeves

noreply@blogger.com (Gridiron Gang) — Sat, 24 Jan 2009 08:33:00 +0000

According to multiple sources the San Francisco 49ers and head coach Mike Singletary has interviewed Dan Reeves for the open offensive coordinator position. Reeves was a head coach for 23 seasons in the NFL with Denver, the Giants and Atlanta. But he has been out of coaching since being replaced by Wade Phillips with three games left in the 2003 season with the Falcons.

New Jets coach wants Favre back?

noreply@blogger.com (Gridiron Gang) — Sat, 24 Jan 2009 08:15:00 +0000

According to John Clayton of ESPN, new head coach of the Jets Rex Ryan wants Brett Favre back. This is what he had to say.

Priority No. 1: Rex Ryan's biggest recruiting task will be trying to talk Brett Favre into not retiring. The Jets would save Favre's $13 million salary if he retires, but they would have to enter the market for a quarterback and may not find one as talented as Favre. The Jets went 9-7 last season with an easy schedule, but they had a great quarterback. Going into next year's tough schedule with uncertainty at quarterback could lead them to a losing record.

Kiper on Draft

noreply@blogger.com (Gridiron Gang) — Fri, 23 Jan 2009 11:05:00 +0000

ESPN's Mel Kiper Jr break down the top 10 picks.

Boldin run-in with Haley

noreply@blogger.com (Gridiron Gang) — Fri, 23 Jan 2009 10:46:00 +0000

Arizona wide receiver Anquan Boldin laughed when asked about his run-in with offensive coordinator Todd Haley, calling it “hilarious.” Boldin was seen shouting with the coach on the sideline during Arizona’s 32-25 victory over Philadelphia in the NFC championship game.

Bolting Boldin left after the game insteading of celebrating with teammates. While the media is making a big deal of this situation, Boldin and his teammates think nothing of it. Unhappy with his contract situation, the last game Boldin might play for the Cardinals could be the upcoming Super Bowl.