Getting a Break: Eli Stays Out of the Spotlight This Offseason

Ever since the initial shock of the Giants’ loss to the Eagles in the NFC Divisional Playoffs wore off, the focus of those following the New York Giants has shifted away from the usual center of attention for the Giants.

The wide receiver position, a major coaching change on the defensive side of the ball, and regaining that magical pass rush have moved to the forefront of the consciousness for the Giants over the offseason thus far.

For once in his career, New York quarterback Eli Manning is not the center of attention.

The pressure has always been placed squarely on Manning’s shoulders during his five years with Big Blue. Manning was finally able to thrive under the intense spotlight of the New York media for most of last season after earning MVP honors in the Giants’ 17-14 victory over the previously undefeated New England Patriots in Super Bowl XLII.

Manning’s performance may not have been exactly what New York fans were looking for in his last game of the 2008 season when the Giants were eliminated by the Eagles in the Divisional Playoffs. Manning went 15-for-29, passing for only 169 yards and two costly interceptions.

Much of the blame for the loss was put on Manning’s shoulders because of his poor play, but since that day, Manning has fallen out of the spotlight in New York.

Some of Manning’s struggles could stem from the fact that his primary target, Plaxico Burress, was suspended for the final four games of the season and released by the team during the offseason.

The drama that went along with Burress’ exit contributed to the absence of Manning from the forefront of the Giants’ offseason talk.

The primary concern for New York is no longer the consistency of their leading man under center, but rather ensuring that Manning has viable targets to throw to when the season begins in September.

Steve Smith and Domenik Hixon were the primary targets for Manning at the end of last season, but things could change when the Giants take the field again.

A trade that would bring Braylon Edwards to New York from the Cleveland Browns seemed imminent around draft day, a move that would have solved most of New York’s problems at the wide receiver position.

Instead, the Giants looked to their own picks to help at wide receiver with Hakeem Nicks, from North Carolina, and Ramses Barden, from Cal Poly.

Perhaps Manning is reveling in his chance to take a backseat for at least the time being. There is no doubt this won’t last once Manning throws his first interception or touchdown pass in the 2009 season.

But for right now, Manning can just sit back and focus on football like he used to before all the craziness of being the starting quarterback for the New York Giants began in his life.

Heisman Trophy Winner Matt Leinart Could Be Bumped to Third String

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After the Arizona Cardinals won the 2008 NFC Championship, Matt Leinart was quoted as saying he could have led the team just as far as Kurt Warner.

Now, head coach Ken Whisenhunt has said, during 2009 training camp, Leinart will have to compete with Brian St. Pierre for the No. 2 spot behind Kurt Warner.

Confidence is key, but Leinart’s chances of becoming something in the NFL are hindered by his delusional self image.

How in his right mind could he think his game is as good as Kurt Warner’s?

The answer lies in the question. Leinart is not right in the head. For fun, let’s just compare Warner and Leinart.

The body of Kurt Warner’s work speaks for itself. It’s debated whether or not he will end up in the Hall of Fame, but in my mind he’s a shoe-in.

Warner had all of those great performances with the Rams (the greatest show on turf), throwing to one of the most exciting and dominant receiving tandems in Torry Holt and Isaac Bruce. Also, Marshall Faulk was a dual threat, and at one time he could not be stopped.

What Warner has done for the Cardinals is impressive in a different way because he had to gain his proper place as a starter back from Leinart. Larry Fitzgerald and Anquan Boldin have emerged as the best receiving tandem in the NFL, with Warner throwing them the ball.

Warner has played in three Super Bowls and currently holds the record for pass yards in the big game. His overall career stats are 28,581 yards, 182 touchdowns, 114 interceptions, and a 65 percent completion rating.

Matt Leinart’s NFL career is most remembered for being on the losing end of one of the biggest second half comebacks in Monday night history in 2006 against the Bears. Up 23-3 at the half, Matt Leinart and the Cardinals somehow found a way to lose it.

Leinart’s career stats are 3,458 yards, 14 touchdowns, 17 interceptions, and a 56 percent completion rating.

It might not be fair to compare Leinart and Warner in this way. Leinart hasn’t had that many chances.

I’d like to point to a single game in which Leinart played the first half and Warner played the second. This is the best comparison because they played against the same defense in the same conditions.

It was against the Baltimore Ravens in 2007.

Leinart’s first half was abysmal. He completed nine passes on 20 attempts for 53 yards—no interceptions though, which is good. Leinart’s passer rating for the game was 52.1.

This wasn’t his worst outing.

Warner’s second half was amazing. He completed 15 passes on 20 attempts for 258 yards, two touchdowns, and no interceptions. Warner’s passer rating was 150.0.

The Cardinals lost the game, but it was not Warner’s fault.

Warner came into the game with a fire, and he trusted himself like he always does. Warner and his quick release was threading balls to his receivers, moving the ball down the field with authority against a good Ravens defense.

In comparison, Leinart’s first half was emotionless. He was lofting balls up to no one. It was never more evident that he lacked the decision making skills of a good NFL quarterback than in that game.

Personality-wise, Warner and Leinart couldn’t be more different. When Warner is a backup, he’s always engaged in the game trying to help his team. Leinart at times pouts on the sideline as a backup, feeling sorry for himself that he’s not playing.

Warner got his status in the NFL through unadulterated work progress starting in the Arena Football League and at one time bagging groceries.

Leinart appears to want his spot as a starter handed to him.

He’s not the first QB to achieve greatness at the college level and fail professionally, and he won’t be the last.

Just look at the list of QB Heisman Trophy winners. It’s a list of who’s who in NFL flops with just a few exceptions.

I’d say the Cardinals should trade Leinart, but I don’t think anyone wants him. If he wants to remain the number two guy with a shot at potentially playing down the road for the Cardinals, Leinart has to work harder.

That still might not be enough.

Jets Must Boldly Go to the Stars for a Big Time Receiver

Bud Abbott and Lou Costello once had a famous skit titled, “Who’s on First?” in which the comic duo struggled to identify the name of a first baseman on a baseball team lineup.

Flash forward a half century and more, and it just so happens that Jets fans are finding themselves imitating this famous skit when it comes to the wide receiver position on their own team.

With the departure of Laveranues Coles shortly after the season in a salary cap saving move, the team has struggled to fill the vacancy. There have been constant rumblings that the team was either interested in signing former Giant Plaxico Burress, or trade running back Thomas Jones to Cleveland for Braylon Edwards, but—so far, it is all rumors with nothing looking imminent.

Looking at the Jets wide receiver corps can cause agitation in even the most placid personality. In a division where the New England Patriots will be fully healed, in a conference that is loaded with good football teams and offensive talent, the Jets have little to show that inspires confidence in their ability to put points on the board in a big way.

Jerricho Cotchery returns as the lone ranger of this inexperienced group.

Last season, Cotchery proved to be a versatile receiver, possessing a great ability to stretch the field into big game-changing catches. Yet, Cotchery had only 71 catches for 858 yards and five touchdowns by season’s end. So what appeared to be a breakout season for him in the opening weeks of the 2008 season, went for naught.

Cotchery will play a huge role in the Jets’ offense this season, especially if Jets management can’t snag a top flight receiver to complement him. He will be the team’s No. 1 target this year, and if Mark Sanchez should win the starting quarterback job late this summer, then Cotchery’s presence will be manifold since his hands will be the pair that Sanchez will trust most.

Therefore, Cotchery will likely be double teamed. Opposing teams will play bump and run coverage on him with a corner and bring in the free safety to block off any possible throwing lanes.

That leaves Rex Ryan and offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer with a huge question: Who can catch the ball?

David Clowney enjoyed a great preseason last year highlighted by a 75 yard touchdown against the Browns, but that came against Cleveland’s third string secondary. No one really knows how good Clowney can be; he has played in only two career games with one catch for 26 yards.

Before that, Clowney was a practice squad player for the Green Bay Packers for a year. If the preseason can tell anything, it is that Clowney commands very good speed and his height, 6’0″, are pluses, especially if he can execute plays down the middle on slants and crossing routes.

Chansi Stuckey, whom the Jets drafted in the seventh round of the 2007 draft, is expected to become a legitimate No. 2 receiver.

In 2008, Stuckey staked a claim on 32 receptions for 359 yards and three touchdowns. He proved to be great down the middle or on the left, making 17 catches for 206 yards and a touchdown. The best that can be said about Stuckey is that he is a nice third down receiver.

On the other hand, Stuckey might become the next Santana Moss. In 2003, Moss redeemed his terrible rookie season, snatching in 74 balls for 1,105 yards and 10 touchdowns in his second year.

Will Stuckey become this good? Only time will tell.

Finally, for your consideration: Brad Smith and Dustin Keller.

Ever since being drafted in 2006, Smith, a slash player who plays both quarterback and receiver, caused the Jets to hope that Smith would be their version of Antwaan Randle El, a solid third receiver famous for throwing a touchdown to Pittsburgh’s Hienes Ward in Super Bowl XL in 2005.

Nonetheless, Smith failed to develop into that kind of player. Last year, Smith hauled in only 12 catches for 64 yards, coming off a breakout year in 2007, when he caught 32 balls for 325 yards and two touchdowns.

As a quarterback, Smith, given fewer opportunities, never took to the deep water.

Keller is the Jets’ second best option after Cotchery. He broke onto the scene at midseason as a tight end, making 48 catches for 535 yards and three touchdowns.

Once last year, Keller became Brett Favre’s go-to-guy down the middle of the field in coverage with a linebacker or nickel-corner. Keller won most of those battles but was thrown into Eric Mangini’s dog house at the end of the year because of key dropped passes.

If Keller develops into a solid pass catching tight end, then the Jets will possess something that is very difficult for defenses to guard against. Many compare Keller to Colts tight end Dallas Clark; so far, Keller is not only bigger than Clark, he is possessed of a stronger ability to get down field as a wide receiver.

Still, with so much uncertainty at this important skill position, the Jets must make a move and quickly. The team failed to recruit a big receiver in April’s draft; with training camp on the horizon, the dawn of the 2009 season looms near, leaving the Jets without a quality receiver.

Ever since the departure of Keyshawn Johnson before the 2000 season, Gang Green struggles to find a tall, powerful receiver who can stretch the field and make the tough catches in the corner of the end zone.

Coles and Moss were okay, but neither had the size required to be a top flight wide receiver in the NFL.

Thus, the Jets must boldly strike a deal with either the Arizona Cardinals for Anquan Boldin or the Cleveland Browns for Braylon Edwards, subjects of many journalistic and fan speculation for months.

Forget Plaxico Burress. His future hangs under a cloud of legal uncertainty. Even though adding Burress is the easy call since he is a free agent, Burress’ off field antics might prove to be a poison pill.

Edwards or Boldin are the real deal.

In 2007, Edwards had a career with 80 catches for 1,289 yards and 16 touchdowns. Those stats eclipse the entire Jets’ receiving corps of last season. Edwards’ height is not an issue; at 6’3″ the Jets would possess a legitimate threat to move deeply down the sidelines or jump for a ball in the back of the end zone. 

Of the receivers that are potentially available, Edwards would be the best addition the Jets could make at this position. And, if all it takes is Thomas Jones and maybe a draft pick or two in the 2010 draft, then so be it.

The Jets must get it done.

As for Boldin, some worry about his personality…and for good reason.

First, he demands over $8 million a year from the Cardinals, a franchise not known for paying anybody well; furthermore, he screams at his coaches on the sidelines.

Remember the verbal spat he had with then offensive coordinator Todd Haley? Apparently, Boldin, upset over his removal for a few plays from the NFC title game against the Eagles, skipped out on the team’s party afterwards.

Not exactly sterling team temperament.

If the Jets refuse to risk too much to get a guy with that kind of attitude, no one can blame them. But the stats are there: 89 catches for 1,038 yards and 11 touchdowns.

Boldin is one of the more dynamic receivers in the league. Against the Falcons in the wild card game last January, Boldin snared an 81 yard catch and ran for a touchdown to help Arizona triumph. Consequently, some argue that a deal with the devil could be worth it.

In the end, the Jets have a choice: stick with the group on the roster, which is not a terrible decision, especially if they want young Mark Sanchez to grow with a collection of young receivers with potential. Or to be bold; to bring in a guy who can give the offense instant credibility.

The choice is obvious.

Five Plays the New Look Chiefs Offense Will Run in 2009.

The 2008 Kansas City Chiefs’ offense was catered around inexperienced quarterback Tyler Thigpen.

The “Pistol” formation made Thigpen more comfortable and the Chiefs actually moved the ball at times to make the best out of a dire situation. 

Former tight end Tony Gonzalez was the focal point of the offense and was once again the best player at his position in the NFL.

In 2009, the Chiefs will have a completely new look on offense under new head coach Todd Haley. 

Haley was the offensive coordinator for the NFC champion Arizona Cardinals last year.

The Chiefs also traded for franchise quarterback Matt Cassel and signed wide receivers Bobby Engram and Terrance Copper to bolster their aerial attack. 

Although Thigpen played surprisingly well when pressed into duty, he either didn’t have the ability or the coaching staff didn’t trust him to make every NFL throw. 

Cassel should allow the Chiefs to vastly expand their playbook in the upcoming season. 

Here’s a list of five plays you will see in 2009 that you didn’t in ’08:

 

Wide Receiver Screen Pass:  Haley and the Cards used this play as an extension of the running game.  Dwayne Bowe is no Anquan Boldin, but he does have good RAC (run after catch) capability.

 

Running Back Draw (4-Wide):  Considering that Devard Darling and Jeff Webb were the teams number three and four receivers just might explain why the Chiefs didn’t go four-wide very often in ’08.   The Cards ran this play a lot with Edgerrin James and Tim Hightower last season.  Larry Johnson and Jamaal Charles are every bit as talented. 

 

Flee Flicker:  Kurt Warner touched up a few defenses for big plays with this one in the past.  If “LJ” were to get it rolling, don’t be surprised if he were to flick it back to Cassel for the deep bomb.

 

Deep Seem Pass:  This play was a staple of Arizona’s run to the Super Bowl.   Larry Fitzgerald may have been the reason why, but the only time the Chiefs went to the seem last season was when Thigpen chucked it up to a double-teamed Gonzalez.  Cassel has the arm for the pass, but will he have a receiver to run the route? 

 

Deep Out:  The deep out is considered the true mark of an elite NFL quarterback.  The Chiefs probably didn’t have that last season, but they do now.  After taking over for an injured Tom Brady ironically against the Chiefs in week one, Cassel proved he can make all the throws while leading the Patriots to 11 victories.

 

Position Battles on Defense Will Be Key to Atlanta Falcons Success in 2009

The success of the Falcons in 2009 will largely depend on how they piece together their defense.  There are spots available for the taking and the competition will be intense in camp. 

On the defensive front John Abraham is locked in at one defensive end.  The question is how many chances will Jaamal Anderson get to be an effective, every down, defensive end?  Twenty-seven tackles and two sacks last year is just not going to cut it.

Chaunsey Davis could challenge for that spot, and I can’t help but think that the coaches are hoping that fourth round draft pick Lawrence Sidbury makes a case for playing time as well.

At minimum Sidbury should make the rotation.  Anderson is clearly on the hot-seat because they need someone opposite Abraham that can bring pressure and not be a liability against the run.

The Falcons didn’t draft Peria Jerry in the first round for him to be a back-up.  Jerry fits what Mike Smith wants from his defensive tackles.  He is a workman like one gap penetrator capable of blowing up running plays.

Jerry’s style is perfect for what they need.

Jonathan Babineaux figures, at least for now, to be the other starting defensive tackle, unless he gets beat out by Trey Lewis.  Lewis is coming off of knee surgery so it will be interesting to see how he responds. At minimum he will be in the rotation. 

Atlanta is really counting on their first round draft pick panning out to make their 4-3 more effective.

The Falcons are pretty set at middle linebacker with Curtis Lofton.  Taken in the second round in 2008, Lofton made 108 tackles, which was second among all rookies in the NFL.

He is the only starter returning at linebacker, and he looks primed to be more of a difference maker and a leader.  Mike Peterson comes over with his eleven years experience to line up on the weak side with Lofton.

Peterson was coached by Mike Smith in this system when he was with Jacksonville, so he is ready to play and should be able to help any of the other linebackers with the scheme.

The third year linebacker from South Florida, Stephen Nicholas should win the strong side position, but will be pushed by Coy Wire.  With Peterson in the fold this should be a good group and will have to be the strength of the defense, at least starting out.

The defensive backfield is the biggest question mark.  Layer Malloy is gone and Domonique Foxworth signed with Baltimore so there will be some new blood in the secondary.

Defense coordinator Brian VanGorder will have his work cut out for him here.  Chris Houston will be one starting corner-back, but after that it is anyone’s guess.  There will be plenty of competition which is what VanGorder wants, but there is no clear cut favorite.

Von Hutchins and Chevis Jackson are potential candidates for the job.  Hutchins speed may decide things here.  William Middleton was drafted in the fifth round and if he performs well will be in line for a back-up/nickel or dime back. 

This will be the most important battle because teams will pick on whoever they put out there because of the lack of starting experience.  Mike Smith and his staff will have to find creative ways to get to the quarterback so as not to expose their corners, especially when they are in man-to-man coverage.

At free safety, the job is Eric Coleman’s to lose.  He has the experience and the ability to lead the secondary.  Thomas DeCoud will compete with second round pick William Moore at strong safety.  Antoine Harris will add depth, but doesn’t figure to start.

There will be a good infusion of youth in the secondary, which is good, but the growing pains will be there as well.  Overall I believe they will get better as the season goes on. 

Derrick Ward: One Giant Loss

One of the big free agency moves this off-season that has not gotten much attention is the Tampa Bay Buccaneers signing Derrick Ward. How did this happen?

Ward, an extremely talented football player who, although he was the Giants’ No. 2 back, is capable of starting in many other places. With this being said, it seems a no-brainer that the G-Men would accept almost any from him in order to keep him in New York. They should have been begging for him to return.

This, however, is not what happened. Ward offered to sign a multi-year contract, but the Giants rejected him. This gave him reason to begin talk with other teams, eventually signing with the Bucs. Why is this such a big deal?

Last season, Ward rushed for 1025 yards with a 5.6 average- pretty good for backup. He was also the team’s top receiver out of the backfield, something they are sure to miss.

A sure handed backup, Wind, as he is known, was a reliable option to spell Brandon Jacobs, and probably determined the outcome of a few games. When Jacobs went down with injuries, Ward was right there to pick up slack. He has earned the right to be called one of the league’s elite backs.

Although the two backs differ in style—Jacobs with his physical, smash-mouth approach, Ward with his elusive and face-paced demeanor—the production was similar (in terms of yardage at least).

It may have been that the Giants didn’t want to pay him big bucks or that they were confident in veterans Ahmad Bradshaw (who has also proven to reliable) and Danny Ware. Also an option is fifth round pick Andre Brown out of North Carolina State.

Whatever it may be, it is the reason that the Giants will be without the second head of their three-headed monster and probably a less productive offense in 2009. The last a great guy and a fantastic player. I wish Ward the best of luck in Tampa and let’s hope he has a great career.

Fantasy Football Roundtable: A Look at the NFC South

Now that we are a week into May, it is time to really start gearing up for the up-and-coming 2009 fantasy football season. Over here at Bruno Boys headquarters that means discussions of events happening around the NFL are in full force.

Today, Bruno Boys Cavigs and Bruno Boys Ziza are discussing the NFC West as the Bruno Boys will be breaking down the NFL division-by-division during the next eight weeks, so remember to check back next week.

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NFC South Burning Questions!

1. The NFC South had plenty of fantasy football firepower in 2008 led by the likes of Drew Brees, DeAngelo Williams, Michael Turner, and Roddy White. Do you see that continuing into 2009 and who will be the best of the bunch from this division?   

 

Bruno Boys Ziza: Do I see that continuing into next season?…yes and no.

 

I think all four are going to be very solid players next year but the only ones that I see performing as possible top fives at their relative positions are Drew Brees, who has so many weapons and now has a healthy Marques Colston, as well as Roddy White, who’s addition of Tony Gonzalez can only help keep defenses more honest.

 

Why don’t I think that will help his teammate Michael Turner? I do! But let’s be honest, the Atlanta Falcons passing game should attempt to go to the next level this year and with them already wanting to keep Turner a little healthier, there is a very good chance that Jerious Norwood will see increased repetitions at the running back position.

 

DeAngelo Williams has a pretty tough schedule and because he has to mix it up with Jonathan Stewart, his carries and production are most likely to go down. So if I were to tab who would be the best from this division, I would lean more towards Brees, White, and Gonzalez.

Bruno Boys Cavigs:  As you can see, the division is full of playmakers and I truly feel this will be the case in 2009. Both Michael Turner and DeAngelo Williams will be first round fantasy football picks, Drew Brees is the top overall quarterback, and Roddy White, Steve Smith, and Marques Colston will be among the first 10 wide receivers drafted.

 

And how you can forget about the newest acquired member of the division in Atlanta Falcons tight end Tony Gonzalez? For over a decade, Gonzalez has been an All-Pro performer as a member of the Kansas City Chiefs, but now he joins an Atlanta offense that was one of the most efficient in the NFL last season. 

 

Overall, there is enough talent in the division to create a fantasy squad that could compete for a championship in any league.

2. New Orleans Saints wide receiver Marques Colston finished the season with a bang, averaging just over 100 yards per game during his last three games last year while catching four touchdowns. Is Colston finally healthy and ready to ascend to a tier one wide receiver?

 

Bruno Boys Cavigs: I wish I could sit here and tell you that Marques Colston is finally healthy and ready to play 16 games in 2009, but I can’t because I’m no fortune teller.

 

What I can tell you is that when healthy, Colston is a top 10 fantasy football wide receiver and has the talent and supporting cast to produce as a No. 1 WR.

 

After a sluggish start after returning from injury last season, he turned it on down the stretch and showed the NFL that his 2007 season was no fluke. It’s evident that QB Drew Brees likes throwing to his physical wideout and if Colston can avoid injury, you can expect anywhere between 1,200 to 1,300 receiving yards and 10+ TDs. Now that’s what we call top tier!

Bruno Boys Ziza: Let’s put it this way; I don’t really believe in the strategy of double-dipping, but Drew Brees and Marques Colston may remind some of the great combinations of years past such as Peyton Manning and Marvin Harrison or Tony Romo and Terrell Owens.

 

Colston ended last season with a bang and I really feel like that will continue into 2009. If Colston can be anywhere close to his 2007 season and the end of 2008, we will definitely have a special receiver on our hands in the fantasy football world and would easily deem him a tier one wide receiver.  He is someone that I would be more than proud to have on my squad.

Fantasy Football Preference—NFC South (Based on 12-team, Standard Scoring Leagues)

1. Michael Turner vs. DeAngelo Williams

Bruno Boys Cavigs: BURNER TURNER.

 

You really can’t go wrong with either option, but you have to give the edge to Turner. He not only has the better supporting cast but his style of play is better-suited to repeat his success than that of DeAngelo Williams. Turner is a big body who uses his size to break tackles and get the extra yardage, while Williams’ counts on the big play and tries to beat opponents with a speed-and-slash running style.

 

Plus, Turner is the better goal line back and don’t expect Jerious Norwood’s increase in touches to be around the end zone. That is “Burner Turner” territory.

Bruno Boys Ziza:  TURNER. Both of these running backs had stellar 2008 numbers but neither have a very promising schedule this season and both are expected to lose some playing time to their backfield partners this year.

 

That being said, although Michael Turner should touch the ball less this year, the addition of tight end Tony Gonzalez should help spread the field just enough to where defenses won’t be able to stack the box every play. That should allow Turner to have many more reps in which he will have an easier time getting through the line.

 

Look for a dip in numbers for Turner, but he should still be productive enough to eclipse DeAngelo Williams as the running back to have in this division.

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TO READ THE FULL ARTICLE CLICK HERE…

Fantasy Football Roundtable: A Look at The NFC South

CBS Mock Interview: Ed Reed, the Soul of the Baltimore Ravens

Notice how Ed Reed’s left hand is resting gently upon Ray Lewis’s shoulder. This picture was taken during last year’s AFC championship game.

To me, there is no greater display of team unity than the two leaders of the vaunted Raven’s defense leaning upon each other in times of need.

The first person ever mentioned when asked the question, “which Baltimore player would you interview if you were given the chance,” is almost always Ray Lewis. It’s not that I wouldn’t jump at the chance to do exactly that.

It just comes down to a personal choice. I believe that although Ray-ray is the heart and the face of the Raven’s franchise, Ed Reed, the captain of the defensive backs and perhaps the single best safety in the NFL today, is often overlooked when it comes down to who people want to interview.

Just like he was overlooked for the Defensive Player of the Year award last season.

Well If I was given the chance to interview Mr. Reed, which would be about the best present someone could ever give me, this is along the lines of how it would go.

Interviewing Ed Reed

Me: A pleasure to meet you Mr. Reed, it’s been an honor to watch you play for the Baltimore Ravens for the past seven seasons. I have been given the great pleasure of interviewing you for BleacherReport.com.

ER: Thanks, you can call me Ed.

Me: Ok, Ed. Shall we get right down to the questions?

ER: Sure, fire away. Uh.. what was your name again?

Me: Michael, sorry about that. Sometimes I just get a little bit flustered when I’m in the presence of a hometown icon.

ER: Ha ha, it’s alright. I love playing for Baltimore and have been blessed to play with so many great athletes, especially on the defensive side of the ball. It’s not just me, you know.

Me: Yeah, I noticed. Well I don’t want to take too much of your time, so I’m going to dive right in.

1. First of all, I took a look at your game statistics last season and was just staggered by it all: 41 tackles, 16 passes def., 9 int., 1 sack, 1 fumble and 2 TDs . Why is it, at least in your opinion, do you believe you were snubbed for the AP Defensive Player of the Year award?

ER: Honestly, I don’t really pay attention to those kind of things. Anyone who is playing in the NFL today has won a bunch of awards along the way. It’s just up to some vote that I don’t understand to decide who deserves the award in any given season.

Me: Understandable, I just don’t see how you didn’t even finish second in the voting.

ER: The guy wasn’t even drafted and look at where he is today. He’s considered one of the best defensive ends in the league and showed his big-play ability in the Super Bowl. He deserved it.

Me: I think that’s just being incredibly humble but yeah, maybe he does deserve ‘some’ recognition for all the hard work he’s put in. It’s just hard for me as a Ravens’ fan to come to terms or even acknowledge anything coming out of the Steel City.

ER: Ha ha, yeah, I get it.

Me: okay, let’s move on to the next question.

2. Often when people think of the Baltimore Ravens, the first person to come to mind is Ray Lewis, your close friend and one of the best LBs of all time. He is often mentioned as the heart and soul of the franchise, how do you feel about that?

ER: Well, again, I can’t say that Ray doesn’t deserve all that he has gotten. Think about how he entered the league. He comes from the same college as I did and was also picked in the first round.

The major difference is that he was considered a high risk draft-pick, a ton of people said he was either too small or too slow to play in the NFL.

Now look what he has become. Now people are saying he is getting slower. I think, if anything, he’s just getting bigger and stronger. I’m glad that I don’t have to play against him and even happier that he decided to re-sign during free-agency.

As for being the heart and soul of the franchise, I don’t think anyone of us is exactly that. We work as a team and we win and lose as a team. Without him and the rest of our incredible defensive line/linebackers, we wouldn’t have nearly as much success.

Me: I totally agree. His entire career he’s been scrutinized and told that he was just not fit the prototypical mold of a middle LB. That didn’t change a thing, just look at his incredible production.

Even at the age of 34, look at his production last year: 117 tackles, 9 passes def., 3.5 sacks and 3 int.

ER: Yeah, he just turned 34! His birthday was May 15, I think we’re supposed to go out and celebrate sometime this week.

Me: What do you guys think your gonna do to celebrate it?

ER: It’s all up to him. Personally, I’m probably just gonna take him out to eat somewhere, spend some time just hanging out and talking about things other then football.

Me: Sounds good. Let him know that I said happy birthday and that I’m glad he came back to Baltimore. Anyways, let’s move on.

3. Before you were drafted 24th out of the University of Miami in 2002, you were born and raised down south. Whether it was in Louisiana, where you were first named to the All-State team, or in Florida, where you won a National Championship with the Hurricanes, all you ever knew of the country was living in the south. How is it different living up here, near the Eastern Shore and straddling the Mason-Dixon line, far away from the only home you’ve ever known?

ER: Actually, it’s not ‘that’ different. The adjustment period wasn’t too long, Miami was just a lot warmer but still was near the shore. I spend a lot of time just working on extending my professional career by training and watching film-sessions so I don’t usually go sight-seeing, except for our annual team trip to Ocean City.

Me: That’s right, now I remember, some good friends of mine actually do the catering for you guys, the barbecue stand, while you all are up 50 in Ocean City.

ER: Really? That’s crazy, I never really thought about who did the team’s catering. Anyways, I really like it up here. It doesn’t really get too hot or too cold throughout the season, which helps us stay consistent on the field.

Me: Yeah but at the same time, wouldn’t harsh weather, either like the burning hot sun of Miami or the near polar temperatures up in Buffalo, actually be helpful? Kind of like home-field advantage.

ER: We don’t really need the weather to give us an advantage.

(At this point, Ed Reed smiles widely.)

We’ve got you guys, perhaps the loudest and most devoted fans in the entire world.

Me: I know, we’re pretty loud and according to other team’s fans, obnoxious. We don’t play when it comes to cheering on our team. Sometimes you just feel like you can actually affect the play single-handedly with your voice.

ER: Two things. One, keep up the good work. We really appreciate yo guys each and every game. Two, you should encourage your friends, the guys sitting in your section, to at least try to limit yourselves while the offense is on the field. Joe’s just a rookie, you know?

Me: You got it. Anything for you, Ed. Alright, moving on.

4. You have been a part of some of the best defenses ever to grace the NFL. You have practiced and played with Chris McAllister, who left the team this year and Samari Rolle, both of which have been and perhaps still are great NFL corners. If anyone in the league knows talent in defensive backs, it would probably be you. How do you see the Baltimore corners and safeties shaping up this off-season and of all of them, which player or players do you think will be the most productive?

ER: This is a very difficult question to answer, Michael. First of all, I am just like any other player in the league. C-Mac is still capable of playing at a very high level, I was just as sad as the rest to see him leave the team.

Samari is a good friend and a great player, I think that as long as he doesn’t get injured, he’s still got a lot to offer on the field and in the locker room.

As for our current roster of defensive backs, I really enjoy watching Fabian Washington on the field. He always seems to play with a chip on his shoulder and makes up for his lack of size and height with excellent quickness and recovery speed.

If he continues to work on his tackling and learning the playbook, he will certainly be a great asset to the team this season.

The rest of our defensive backs are athletic, young and willing to learn. Besides myself, I am excited about Dawan Landry returning to the starting lineup.

Hopefully his injury will be a thing of the past, allowing him to continue his productive career. If not, we have great depth at safety, even with Leonhard deciding to go to the Jets.

I’m also glad we signed Domonique Foxworth. He is extremely talented and his world-class speed and excellent coverage skills will hopefully mesh well in our defensive scheme.

Chris Carr, signed from Tennessee will hopefully be an upgrade from recently-released corner Corey Ivy…at least in coverage.

Even if he doesn’t pan out in the nickel and dime packages, his Pro Bowl talent returning kick-offs and punts will certainly provide a boost to our special teams.

Me: Wow. You sure had a lot to say about the current and former Baltimore defensive backs.

ER: Yeah, I guess you can say I’m very passionate about my teammates.

Me: Well, I think that’s all the time we have today, I can’t thank you enough for helping us answer a few questions, Ed.

ER: Not a problem, Michael. Good luck with your website.

 

-Michael, Wong_83@hotmail.com

Vikings: 5-11 Or 15-1? Ten Plays That Shaped the 2008 Season

Last season was one of twists and turns for the Minnesota Vikings, with some fans forgetting that this was a team that won a division title for the first time since 2000.

Minnesota started off 1-3, but behind more steady quarterback managements and some game-changing plays, they reeled off nine wins in their final 12 games and won the NFC North.

Along the way, there were many big plays in crucial moments as well as some plays that seemed to turn the tide for the opposition.

Here are some of the plays of the 2008 Vikings season that might have cost the team some games or pushed the Vikings over the top to get a “W.”

Plays That Stopped the Vikings From Wins

1.Visanthe Shiacoe’s Dropped Touchdown: Week Two vs. Colts

In the first quarter of the Vikings’ home opener, Shiancoe dropped a touchdown pass in the corner of the end zone from quarterback Tarvaris Jackson.

The fans let Shiancoe hear it going back to the bench and Jackson lost his starting job later in the week after the 18-15 loss in which the Vikings could only muster five field goals.

What Could Have Happened: Who knows? With a Shiancoe catch in the end zone, the Vikings put more pressure on Peyton Manning in the second half and get their first win of the season. Jackson probably keeps his job under center. Instead, the team is led by Gus Frerotte to keep the season from falling apart.

 

2. Charles Gordon’s Muffed Punt, Special Teams Touchdown for Bears: Week Seven at Bears

In a shootout in the Windy City in week seven, the Vikings made a couple blunders on special teams that gave Chicago 14 points. The first? Vikings cornerback Charles Gordon was going to let a punt go into the endzone, but the ball bounced up and hit his arm. Bears cornerback Zack Bowman fell on top of it for the touchdown. The Bears won 48-41.

What Could Have Happened: With the recovery in the endzone, the Bears went up 24-17 and led the rest of the way in a much-needed win to stay ahead of the Vikings in the division. If the ball doesn’t take a funny bounce and hit Gordon in the arm, the Vikings go on offense in a tie game. Special teams was the name of the game week seven in Chicago.

 

3. Incompletion on 4th-and-1 in the Second Half: Week 11 at Buccaneers

In the second half at Tampa Bay, the Vikings were tied with the Buccaneers and were lining up on a 4th-and-1 play on their own 49 yard line. Vikings head coach Brad Childress elected to go through the air instead of giving the ball to Adrian Peterson. Quarterback Gus Frerotte rolled to the right and threw a nice ball to Peterson who was running a streak and had a step on Bucs linebacker Derrick Brooks. Brooks, who appeared to grab Peterson’s arm before the ball got to him, made the play and turned the ball over to the Tampa Bay offense in a 19-13 Bucs win.

What Could Have Happened: There is no reason to think Peterson wouldn’t have scored had he caught the ball with a step on Brooks. In that case, the Vikings go up by seven and could have won a much-needed game to put them on top of the NFC North by a game.

 

4. Falcons Recover Own Fumble in Endzone for Touchdown: Week 16 vs. Falcons

In the third quarter of a game against the Atlanta Falcons later in the season at the Metrodome, the Vikings were down by seven with the defense looking to make a play and get the offense back on the field. Falcons rookie quarterback Matt Ryan dove toward the goal line and was hit low and the ball popped loose in the endzone. Both cornerback Cedric Griffin and safety Darren Sharper had shots at picking up the loose ball but neither could, as Falcons tackle Justin Blalock fell on top of it and gave the Falcons a 24-7 lead. The Falcons won 24-17.

What Could Have Happened: If the Vikings fall on top of the ball, they give the ball back to the offense only down by 10 with much of the second half to go. And judging by how they finished the game, the Vikings had enough fire power left to come back and win the game to clinch the division title.

 

5. Jackson’s Interception That Was Returned For a Touchdown: Wild Card Playoffs vs. Eagles

In the first round of the playoffs, the Vikings were playing a Philadelphia Eagles team that was not supposed to be there in the first place, but got help the previous week along with blowing out the Dallas Cowboys to win an NFC Wild Card spot.

In the second quarter with the Eagles holding a two-point edge, Tarvaris Jackson threw a terrible pass to the right that was intercepted by Asante Samuel and returned for a touchdown to put the Eagles up 16-7. The Eagles won 26-14 to end the Vikings’ season.

What Could Have Happened: If Jackson simply holds the ball and takes a sack, the Vikings can punt the ball away and give quarterback Donovan McNabb and company a longer field. That would have given the Vikings defense an advantage and with a turnover or two, put them in a position to score points and move on to the NFC Divisional Playoffs.

 

Plays That Helped the Vikings Win the NFC North

1. Peterson’s Touchdown Run to Beat Green Bay: Week 10 vs. Packers

With both the Vikings and Packers sitting at 4-4 in a week 10 border battle, quarterback Gus Frerotte had already thrown three interceptions, one for a touchdown, and the offense was not getting much done.

With less than five minutes, Adrian Peterson provided the spark that the offense needed. With just over two minutes left in the game, Peterson took a handoff to the right and with some good blocking, scampered 29 yards for the tying touchdown. Ryan Longwell kicked the extra point to give the Vikings the lead 28-27 and Minnesota won to move up a game over Green Bay in the NFC North.

What Could Have Happened: The Vikings offense could have been stopped or turned the ball over, which would have resulted in a devastating loss for the purple. Minnesota would have dropped to 4-5, making their road to the NFC North title an uphill battle the rest of the season.

 

2. Antoine Winfield’s Sack, Scoop, and Score against Carolina: Week Three vs. Panthers

With the Vikings 0-2 and down 10-3 at home against the Carolina Panthers in week three, the smallest guy on the field might have made the biggest play of the game.

With a little over a minute left in the first half, Panthers quarterback Jake Delhomme dropped back to pass. Winfield came on a delayed blitz and smacked Delhomme to force the ball out. He had great awareness to see the ball, pick it up, and run 19 yards to tie the game at 10 going into halftime.

What Could Have Happened: If the Panthers get down the field and kick a field goal or even go into halftime with a seven-point lead and momentum, the Vikings have an uphill battle to avoid an 0-3 start to the season.

 

3.Winfield’s Blocked Field Goal Return for a Touchdown: Week Five at Saints

In the first quarter, Saints quarterback Drew Brees had be tearing apart the Vikings secondary already up 7-0 and was moving the ball into Minnesota territory when the drive stalled and the field goal unit came on the field for New Orleans. The Vikings blocked the kick and the ball fell perfectly in cornerback Antoine Winfield’s hands behind the play and he took it back 59 yards for the touchdown to tie the game. Minnesota won 30-27.

What Could Have Happened: If the Vikings don’t block the field goal and kicker Martin Gramatica converts, the Saints go up 10-0. That hole would not be impossible to overcome, but difficult with the way the secondary was playing against Brees and the Saints’ passing attack.

 

4. Tarvaris Jackson’s Touchdown Pass to Visanthe Shiancoe: Week 14 at Detroit

With a trip to Detroit after a huge win against Chicago in week 13, the game against the winless Lions seemed like the ideal trap game.

Well, it started out that way, with quarterback Gus Frerotte throwing two interceptions and being knocked out of the game in the first half. Enter Tarvaris Jackson, who struggled badly in the first two games of the season and lost his job. Jackson came in and managed the game well.

With the Vikings down by four with a little over 11 minutes left and the ball at the Lions’ 11, Jackson ran a bootleg to the right and hit tight end Visanthe Shiancoe for the go-ahead touchdown. The Vikings won 20-16 to keep their lead on the NFC North heading into week 15.

What Could Have Happened: The Vikings’ offense could have settled for a field goal at that moment to come within one of Detroit, but at that point all bets are off. Getting that lead took some pressure off of Jackson to score more points and the Vikes held on.

 

5. Vikings Goal Line Stand against Chicago on Sunday Night: Week 13 vs. Bears

With the top spot in the NFC North on the line in a nationally televised game in week 13, the Bears were at the Vikings’ one yard line with a 7-3 lead.

After three consecutive tries, the Bears were still at the one. Head coach Lovie Smith decided to keep the offense on the field. Quarterback Kyle Orton handed the ball off to Matt Forte, who was smacked on the right side of the line by many Viking defenders, led by defensive tackle Pat Williams.

On the next play, Frerotte threw a 99-yard touchdown to former Bears wide receiver Bernard Berrian and the Vikings took a 10-7 lead. Minnesota went on to win 34-14 and take sole possession of first place in the NFC North.

What Could Have Happened: The Bears take a 14-3 lead if they put the ball into the end zone with Forte. This puts pressure on Frerotte and the Vikings’ passing game to make plays, something that wasn’t a strength last season. The game could have very well been put away early without this momentum-changing play and the Bears go on to take the lead in the division.

Harrison And Foote: Putting the “I” in Linebacker

Just under four months ago, we were seeing footage of another great Steeler team bringing home a sixth Lombardi. They called themselves a “band of brothers,” and their unity was evident, as they all worked as a team to reach their lofty goal.

So this spring, I was shocked to hear the report that Larry Foote wanted out of Pittsburgh. Yes, an employee’s work environment is so important to their happiness, but it seemed that Foote had it all.

Foote was reportedly well-liked by his Steeler team mates. He and Farrior went through their pre-game drills with synchronized precision; they looked to be genuine friends, and such a bond doesn’t form in every job.

Of course, other elements play into career satisfaction; one that can create a disgruntled employee is bad management. Having spent my life working for family-owned organizations, I know that family businesses may be quirky, but again and again, the Steeler-owning Rooneys are cited as a clan that conducts their business in an exemplary fashion.

What on earth could have possessed Larry Foote to decide to force his way out of Pittsburgh just one year after digging in to fight for his starting job as the Steelers’ mack linebacker?

I am left only with my best guess as to why he would choose to free-fall from the top team in the league to the bottom of the pile. I can only point to family priorities as the reason that Foote would target Detroit as a work destination, as Motown is the man’s hometown.

Good luck to him. He did well as a Steeler, and I will really miss seeing him in the lineup. I am sure the rest of Pittsburgh will miss him as well; I have read enough reports that indicate that the Steelers wanted him to remain in Pittsburgh already.

I think that the move was motivated by Foote’s personal interest. It is a hard fact that the shelf life of an athlete’s productivity is a short one. Time will tell the entire story, but I think that Foote underestimated the value of being a part of a strong team. He wants more playing time for himself and he will get it, but at what cost?

 

Meanwhile, James Harrison spent this offseason in pursuit of a contract that will secure his position as the Steelers’ outside linebacker for the next several years. He knew his value to the Steelers, and he was rightly rewarded in the form of a large stack of bills.

The Rooneys’ team had extended multiple opportunities to Harrison, and Harrison had delivered, elevating his level of play to become the first undrafted player to win Defensive Player of the Year.

But now James is back in the news regarding his decision to opt out of the visit to the White House, an honor bestowed to the Super Bowl champions on an annual basis. Citing the lack of special distinction that prompts the visit and the fact that if the Cardinals would have won that they would have gone, Harrison will do what he did the last time the Steelers visited the White House: stay home.

Now, convictions are a personal matter, and I respect that people live by their own code, but I would like to know if James Harrison also refused the two giant diamond-studded hunks of hardware that the Steelers got as a result of their victories.

The Super Bowl ring, like the White House visit, is an honor, bestowed every year on the winner of the game. Yes, like the visit to the White House, had the Cardinals won the Super Bowl, they would be receiving rings.  

With the magnitude of winning a Super Bowl comes a multitude of honors bestowed on the winning team. Receiving an enormous jewel-encrusted memento is one of many rewards. I sincerely doubt, however, that Harrison considered passing up this honor in order to uphold his rock-solid conviction that the Steelers should be the only team to be distinguished in this manner.

Given the Rooneys’ relationship with Obama, I do not feel that it should be a difficult decision for Harrison to join his team for a visit to the White House. A true professional sucks it up and tows the party line now and then in order to present a united front to the world. How much more should this be the case in the pinnacle of world of competitive team sports, the NFL?

I am sad to see any division on the team that I so admire. We have already lost Foote because he felt himself more valuable than what was deemed by his coaches. My only hope that James Harrison may give some more thought to what it means for a high profile player to opt out of a high-profile team event.   

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