If I Were Roger Goodell for a Day

If I were NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell for a day, here is what I would do.

My first act as commissioner would be to suspend Michael Vick, Donte’ Stallworth, and Plaxico Burress for the entire 2009 season.

Second, I would have more Friday night games, have a game on Tuesday, and maybe Wednesday.

I would have more regular season games in Canada, Hawaii, London, and other cities that don’t get to see the NFL.

At the draft, I would make a team representative announce the pick, instead of me.

I would have the draft in a different city each year.

I would make a different playoff format where if you won your division, but your record was worse then a wild card team, they would get the home playoff game.

I wouldn’t fine players for celebrating unless it was extreme.

I would make sure each team had a game in prime time, so fans without NFL Sunday Ticket could watch all the teams play at least once a year.

I would make sure there is more security at games so fans don’t run on the field and stop the game.

These are the things I would do as the commissioner.

Former NFL QB Steve McNair Found Dead

Former Baltimore Raven and Tennessee Titan QB, Steve McNair, was found dead in his Nashville home this morning.

According to the reports, police said McNair suffered a fatal gunshot wound to the head in an apartment in downtown Nashville.

McNair, who retired in 2007, played 13 seasons in the NFL most recently with Baltimore in 2006 and 2007. He played his first 11 seasons with Tennessee, where he lead them to the Super bowl in 1999.

McNair was 36.

Atlanta Falcons: Possible Super Bowl Champions?

Every year we see a team win the Super bowl. It’s the ultimate accomplishment for an NFL team. It takes 16 games and then playoffs, one team gets it, 31 don’t.

Last year the Atlanta Falcons were one of the teams that didnt win. But that could change in 2009, for the first time in franchise history Atlanta could win the Super bowl.

Alot of things happened this year, and just recently did I believe Atlanta has a shot at the Super Bowl. One of the biggest moves Atlanta made was acquiring Tony Gonzalez from Kansas City, he comes to Atlanta as one of the best tight ends to ever play the game.

But one of the biggest moves the Birds made was getting rid of a player, and that player was Michael Vick. Close the chapter, close the book on the Micheal Vick era in Atlanta.

Matt Ryan is the man replacing the dog-fighter. And in his first season he accomplished more then most rookie quarterbacks do in there first three years. He led Atlanta to the playoffs.

Michael Turner, the 1699 yard rusher will need to be big if Atlanta wants to make it far in the playoffs. I believe him and running back partner Jerious Norwood will have a great season, and teams will have trouble trying to stop the speedy Norwood and the powerful Turner.

The wide receivers are solid with, Roddy White, Harry Douglas and Michael Jenkins, who will need to have a breakout season.

The defense is led by John Abraham, who recorded 16.5 sacks in ’08. Peria Jerry the 24th overall pick in the draft will need to put pressure on quarterbacks and also take away there time, this will help a young secondary.

I know not all of you think Atlanta has a shot at the Super Bowl, or even the playoffs. But you just have to believe, the Birds went from 4-12 to 11-5 in one season. So the Super Bowl is not out of the question.

Atlanta Falcons Special Teams Preview

In 2009, the Atlanta falcons and their special teams unit set a new NFL record for least amount of punt return yards against them in a single season, with 49 yards. This was thanks to punter Michael Koenen and the special teams crew.

In February, the falcons placed the franchise tag on Koenen worth $2.48 million.

The kicking duties are handled by 39-year-old Jason Elam, and in ’09 he was great, hitting 29 of 32 for 93.5 percent. In the 2008 offseason Atlanta signed the long time Denver bronco to a four year nine million dollar contract.

Jerious Norwood, the all-purpose running back handled the kickoffs,  gaining 1311 yards and a 25.7 yard average. Harry Douglas the punt returner gained 226 yards and a 61 yard touchdown against Carolina.

But this season Norwood will likely see less action on kickoffs and more touches on the offense. Last years starter Michael turner rushed 376 to Norwood’s 95. Atlanta would like to get Turners carries down and give more to Norwood.

The special teams unit looks solid with young players and depth. The only negative is Jason Elam’s age (39), Atlanta will need to find a kicker to replace him in two or three years.

A Day In The Life Of Adrian Peterson (Satire)

We all know Adrian Peterson—or AP or AD or even Purple Jesus—as one of the best running back’s in the NFL, but we don’t know what he does on a day off.

Here is everything he does on a day off:

8:56

Wakes up and turns the TV on. It’s on CBS and its one of their stupid shows, so after five minutes he turns the TV off.

 

9:03

He makes some coffee and reads the paper. He reads an interesting story about a kid who drank seven cups of Tim Horton’s coffee in two minutes. Makes him want Tim Hortons.

 

9:23

Arrives at Tim Hortons and gets some coffee and signs autographs for the workers.

 

10:13

After the coffee he goes for a jog around the block and almost gets hit by a car, the driver being Packers’ coach Mike Mccarthy.

 

11:34

After a long Jog he is hungry and remembers what the coach said “during game week only eat healthy food.” So he decides to go to Burger King.

 

12:12

He arrives at Burger King and orders four whoppers, eats them all and then goes to the bathroom.

 

12:45

Returns home and looks at some game film. He realizes that he is pretty good and decides to write about it on Facebook.

 

1:23

Chester Taylor phones and invites Adrian to watch “Hancock” with Tarvaris Jackson.

 

3:56

After the movie, Adrian decides to have a nap because the Whoppers are making his stomach feel bad.

 

5:42

Goes for supper at Dairy Queen and orders some more burgers and a cake. He eats it all in under 10 minutes and then runs around to burn it off.

 

6:30

Gets back home and watches some NFL Network, but only for 10 minutes because all they talk about is the Dallas Cowboys.

 

6:40

Works out on his Bo-Flex for only 15 minutes because that’s all you need.

 

7:00

Gets a prank phone call from Steve Hutchinson saying that Adrian got traded to the Lions.

 

7:30

Adrian goes to a therapist because he though about suicide after being traded to Detroit, Hutchinson phones back and tells him it was a joke.

 

8:30

Decides he has had a big day and goes to bed.

*This is an article I wrote about four months ago, but I don’t think I put in the Minnesota Vikings community. Also I’m not making fun of him in case some of you take this the wrong way, he’s one of the best players in the NFL and he’s a pretty sweet dude, I mean look what he does during a day off.

Atlanta Falcons’ Offence: Two Players That Need To Step up

Going into the 2008 football season, the Atlanta Falcons where a team looking for a leader, a coach, and an identity. The season was already labeled as “rebuilding” and several experts said they would be as bad as the 4-12, 2007 campaign.

Well, we all know the “Experts” were wrong.

And now, the 2009 version of the Atlanta falcons look to do something that no other falcon team has ever done: Make the playoffs in back-to-back seasons.

It’s possible, but it will come down to the defence playing solid and two players on offence stepping up. Those players are tackle Sam Baker and WR Michael Jenkins.

The reason I say they need to step up is because Michael Turner and Roddy White both had career seasons; Matt Ryan had an incredible rookie season and will be even better in year two; the offensive line was among the best in the league.

After Todd Weiner retired earlier this year, that gave 2007 first-round pick Sam Baker a chance to start at LT. Last year he was inconsistent and injured. He will need to step up his play and block the strong defensive ends in the NFC South. If he struggles, this will hurt Atlanta, who has a very strong running game.

Michael Jenkins, who had a career high 777 yards last season, needs to step up again. With Tony Gonzalez and Roddy White in the lineup, teams will need to double cover them. This leaves Michael with one-on-one coverage most of the time. As long as he doesn’t get injured I believe he could be a 1,000-yard receiver.

I believe this offence could accomplish a lot this year, with Ryan throwing to receivers like Roddy white and Michael Jenkins, tight end Tony Gonzalez, and 1,699-yard rusher Michael Turner. I believe for the offence, the sky is the limit.

The Atlanta Falcons’ Defense: The Predator Will Shut You Down

The Cheetah—the predator of the Jungle.
The Shark—the predator of the sea.
John Abraham—the predator of the NFL.

The Predator found his pray 16.5 times in ’08, more than any defensive end in the NFL. He uses size and elite speed to crush unsuspecting quarterbacks.

Abraham gets doubled teamed all the time and still breaks free. Jamaal Anderson is blocked one-on-one all the time, but still only has two sacks in 31 career starts.

Rookie Peria Jerry will look to take some pressure off the ‘Pred. Jerry is a big DT that can plug up the middle and cause teams to go one-on-one with the ‘Pred. This could result in the ‘Pred getting 20 sacks and maybe a damn Pro Bowl selection.

Linebackers Mike Peterson, Coy Wire, and second-year stud Curtis Lofton are a fast group of backers that will be able to get a lot of sacks. This is especially since longtime Falcon and fan favorite Keith Brooking, who was getting old and slower, is being replaced by Peterson.

The defense of the Atlanta Falcons was in the bottom 10 for some major NFL categories in ’08, but that was last year and with the additions of Mike Pete, Peria Jerry, William Moore, and Wa new swagger, the Atlanta Falcons defense is forgetting about ’08 and focusing on bringing the hunt to your team in ’09.

NFL Corners Get No Respect.

As I look through the headlines on NFL.com, I see articles on Terrell Owens, Chad Ochocinco, Donte Stallworth, and Plaxico Burress. I even see Brett Favre.

But I don’t see any mention of the guys who shut down these headline grabbers.

These guys are the cornerbacks. They get criticized for getting beat by one of these receivers, but when they shut them down they don’t get much respect.

Their jobs are hard. If they make one mistake they usually get beat. But if a wide receiver makes a mistake, then the quarterback doesn’t throw to him.

In my opinion its the hardest job in the NFL: Shut down the Drama Queens.

Look at some of the wide receivers in the game and how dramatic they are.

Chad Ochocinco: Was complaining about contracts all last year, and his mouth is always moving faster than his feet.

Plaxico Burress: Let me simplify it—he shot himself.

Donte’ Stallworth: He was driving under the influence, and hit and killed a pedestrian. He will spend 30 days in jail. What?

Anquan Boldin: Has been complaining about his contract for two years and requested a trade from Arizona on several occasions.

Terrell Owens: He is team killer who is always in the news for what he said, or his crazy antics.

Braylon Edwards: Wants out of Cleveland.

Brandon Marshall: Wants a new contract and demands a trade.

These are all high-profile players.

You never hear about Nnamdi Asomugha, Asante Samuel, or Cortland Finnegan. They just go out, shut these guys down, and shut them up.

Nnamdi Asomugha: The Best

Nnamdi Asomugha isn’t an in-your-face player, in fact, he rarely talks to opponents during a game. He doesn’t hold out or complain about contracts. He shows up to camp and plays the game he owns.

A 6’2″ Corner that runs a 4.38 is a rare find in the NFL, but the raiders found him 31st overall in 2003. Initially he was late first round pick who was being labeled a bust after two years of average play. After Starter Philip Buchanan was traded, Nnamdi got a shot at the starting job, and has started ever since.

He’s been called the Best Corner in the NFL, but a glance at his stats would have you think he’s just average. In fact he didn’t have an interception in ’08 and had only one in ’07.

He plays a bump-and-run style and plays one-on-one with almost every receiver. That’s crazy, because any guy who has played corner knows if you make even the smallest mistake, you’ll get beat. But Nnamdi barely ever gets beat, and when he does, he takes it like a man. 

Nnamdi signed a franchise tag in February worth over 18 million, or the average of the five highest paid. He donates money and has several foundations that provide shelter, food, and education for orphans and widows living in poverty in Nigeria.

Asomugha teamed with former President Bill Clinton and several others to discuss the importance of global service and student activism.

For his commitment to community service, Asomugha was named Home Depot Neighborhood MVP 2007.

He was also nominated for the 2008 Sportsman of the year.

New England coach Bill Bilichick said about Nnamdi, “He is as complete a cornerback I have ever seen.”

 

*If you think there is a Cornerback better than Nnamdi, comment and let me know.

 

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