Mike Shanahan Signs On with the Washington Redskins: So, What Now?

Mike Shanahan has reportedly accepted the Washington Redskins’ offer to become their next head coach, agreeing to a five-year deal worth $7 million annually. 

So, what now? Who goes? Who stays? More importantly, what will happen to embattled quarterback Jason Campbell? 

Even money says that Campbell is out. Shanahan will want to bring in a new guy to mold, and Campbell has been far too ineffective to justify giving him a new contract. Besides, the kid could probably use a change of scenery.

It’s possible that the Skins will target either Sam Bradford or Colt McCoy in this year’s draft as either would fit the prototype that Shanahan loves.  Bradford’s shoulder is a concern, but in Shanahan’s system, the quarterback is protected by two elements: a good offensive line and a solid running game. 

As long as whomever he chooses can make that short to intermediate throw that is so key in a Shanahan run offense, then he should be fine. 

The offensive line is another animal altogether.

Plagued by injuries and poor play, the line could definitely use some retooling. I’m not sure where you would need to start to get things going in the right direction, but this is for sure: they need a better offseason training regimen. 

The line was piecemeal throughout the season, and that meant that guys never really gelled. 

If the line is going to get better, it will start with getting guys healthy first and figuring out who’s dispensable second. 

The run game should be fine—for now.

Clinton Portis is due a large sum of money this season, and he fits the running style that his new coach likes. Portis played for Shanahan in Denver and should have no trouble picking up any of the old schemes. 

Portis is closer to the end of his career than the beginning, and the Skins could be looking to find a relative steal in the draft without having to pay a pretty penny in free agency.

That said, if he’s looking to bring back some old blood, Mike Bell of the Saints will be a free agent at the end of the season, and he ran the ball well for Shanahan in 2006 as a Bronco. 

The arrival of Shanahan in the NFC should be interesting as the East is loaded with teams that all have Super Bowl aspirations and the players in place to get them there. However, the Skins have a long way to go to get where their new coach is likely to want them to be, and that means 2010 will be as much of a crap shoot as 2009. 

Even so, it will still likely bring a more focused and disciplined squad than this season did. By virtue of subtraction, the Skins already look like a much better team. Zorn was simply not the right guy for the job and that showed in the overall effort, or lack thereof, of his team. 

I expect to see a bit of housecleaning in Washington once Mike Shanahan is officially introduced, and that will be a very good thing.

Read more NFL news on BleacherReport.com

The 25 Most Captivating Sports Stories of 2009

2009 is nearly another footnote in sports history while 2010 is firmly kicking on our door, begging to come in and shine for it’s obligatory 365 days.

But, before we bid adieu to this mad capped year of scandal and heartbreak, I thought it fitting to remember the stories and the faces that made this 09′ sports year what it was.

The slides are in no particular order and I will no doubt miss a few but I expect my scope to be bolstered by the presence of you, the reader. I welcome your additions in the comments section and appreciate your time.

Enjoy and Happy New Year to you all!

Begin Slideshow

Ex-NFL Coach Mike Shanahan To Redskins Owner Dan Snyder—”No Thanks”

One thing is clear in Washington—the Jim Zorn era is over. Washington Redskins owner, Dan Snyder, has already tried to get ex-Denver Bronco Coach Mike Shanahan to take over this sinking 2-4 team; Shanahan is not willing to do so, stating: “there was little he could do in the middle of the season for them and that changing coaches during the season in the NFL rarely works”.

Can you blame him? The Skins look broken. All that money paid out to get the big free agents has amounted to a whole lot of nothing for the Skins—that’s par for the course for these Dan Snyder Skins .

Albert Haynesworth seems to spend more time on his knees, helmet in hand, than in his stance—anyone who is surprised by that should go back and look at the book on Haynesworth.

He had one truly stellar year in Tennessee and Dan Snyder pulled an Al Davis. He signed him based on what he thought he could do instead of what he has done. Haynesworth is lazy, undisciplined, and incapable of consistency.

$100 million paid to a guy that can’t guarantee you success is a whole lot of money down the drain.

Add to that the signing of the truly overrated cornerback, DeAngelo Hall, and you have a defense that looks good on paper, but is actually just the pretty outside wrapping for a very cheap Christmas gift.

Rattle off their great defensive stats if you like, here’s the true measure of their “greatness”—the only team they have played worth their salt was the New York Giants. Period.

Detroit? Tampa Bay? Kansas City? Carolina? Train wrecks.

The Redskins should be 5-1 at best and sitting pretty in the NFC East. Yet they struggled mightily against all of the above and any defensive superiority exhibited wasn’t validation, but rather expectation.

Even more depressing is the fact that the offense is so bad. Clearly they have no idea what they want to do on offense and even if they did, they appear to lack the personnel to get the job done—Jason Campbell is obviously holding a grudge after the Cutler fiasco.

That kid can’t seem to get his mind right long enough to be even a little bit consistent. He shows flashes of progress and then slips back into boring mediocrity. The Skins answer to that is to bench him for Todd Collins.

Wow.

If I’m a Redskins fan, I’m calling for Jim Zorn AND Dan Snyder’s head.

No one is playing well for this team and it doesn’t look like any of those high-dollar players are interested in being there.

Blame the latter on the poor coaching done by Jim Zorn, the obvious tension between Jason Campbell and the rest of the Redskins management, the inexcusable lack of offense, etc. The bottom line is this: the Redskins have a bunch of individuals running around in football jerseys—not a team.

Dan Snyder should get the NFL equivalent of a Razzie award for his truly awful management of this storied franchise and Mike Shanahan should take a permanent pass on this team—it’s just too big of a mess to clean up.

As for Jim Zorn—just resign. The way the Redskins are handling you right now is so disrespectful—they bring in a “consultant” to call the plays ?

Huh?

How about they just fire you altogether since that is essentially what this move implies? That would be the right thing to do.

Or, here’s a better idea. How about they hire a management “consultant” as well since it’s clear that Dan Snyder has no idea what the heck he’s doing either.

Just a thought.

Read more NFL news on BleacherReport.com

Michael Vick Isn’t Every Man’s Best Friend

Michael Vick killed dogs. Michael Vick tortured and killed dogs. Michael Vick endorsed the torture and killing of dogs. Michael Vick is a despicable human being for having done all of the above…Period.

Today, Nike showed that character means nothing where the business model is concerned by resigning him to an endorsement deal. It is for this reason that there is new uproar over the Eagles quarterback and his right to prosper post-incarceration.

Here’s the issue that most who support Vick’s right to return to the NFL don’t seem to understand: Not everyone embraces or believes that Vick is worthy of a second chance. Some actually feel that he should have been banned from the NFL for life.

They don’t care that he “served his time”. It doesn’t matter that he “apologized”. It makes no difference that he “is just trying to make a living”. All they see is a man who used his money to support the torture, maiming, and killing of innocent animals.

In my opinion, it is their right to believe that and no one should have any cause to berate them for doing so.

Furthermore, the reason so many people are able to expatiate the idea of “he deserves a second chance” is because most of them don’t hold animals in very high regard in the first place. They don’t see dogs as having anything close to human value and therefore don’t understand why Vick’s crime was such a big deal in the first place.

Honestly, though, the majority of the public’s inability to empathize with the animal lover’s point of view on this is not really the animal lover’s problem. That’s a Y-O-U, the public’s, problem and Y-O-U, the public, don’t have to get it because T-H-E-Y, the animal lover, don’t get Y-O-U either.

People have a right to their opinion and there exists a large contingency of people who don’t buy into the apology tour that Vick gave prior to signing on with the Eagles. They don’t wish him well in all his endeavors and they don’t feel he deserved a second chance.

He’s scum as far as they are concerned and he always will be. They have a right to that opinion. Just like you have the right to yours.

Michael Vick killed dogs. For some people that’s the beginning and the end of the story and it’s enough to condemn him and anyone who supports him for the rest of their life.

Y-O-U don’t have to get it; sometimes it just is what it is.

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NFL Week Two: Snap Judgments and Quick Reads

Another week in the books and another set of observations have been made, logged, and laid down in this blog.

The first week pointed out some potential duds in the making as this author took a swing at both Jay Cutler and Jake Delhomme. However, in week two, both found a bit of redemption as Cutler was on the winning end of a nail-biter and Delhomme, well, he didn’t throw four interceptions this time.

Denver managed to beat the living crap out of Cleveland—proving that the Browns really need to start praying for another number one pick, and Eric Mangini is still the same overrated head coach he always was—just with a worse team.

However, the benefit of saying these are “snap judgments” and “quick reads” is that it makes it clear that either can be changed. Nothing is set in stone.

That said, a few quick reads and judgments for week numero dos:

Steve Slaton…Where the heck are you?

The Texans managed to waltz into Tennessee and pull their best version of “We ain’t skeered” as they pounced and trounced all over the Titans for 34 points and a very impressive road victory.

Matt Schaub did his best Drew Brees impersonation as he made the Tennessee defensive backs look ridiculous to the tune of 357 yards and four touchdowns. It didn’t hurt that he had a little help from his previously missing wide receiver, Andre Johnson, as the big man from the “U” hauled in 10 catches for 149 yards and two touchdowns.

Tennessee had no answer for Johnson, and Schaub used that fact to abuse Tennessee’s tiny little secondary. All. Day. Long.

However, noticeably, missing from the fray was Steve Slaton. Come to think of it, Slaton has been MIA for two weeks in a row now.

The 5’9″, 215 pound wunderkind who spun and juked his merry way through the competition for 1,282 yards last season managed only 34 yards on 17 carries Sunday.

Huh? This is Steve Slaton, right? The same Steve Slaton who is supposed to match or better last season’s totals? Same guy?

Okay. Just checkin’ because the Steve Slaton from both weeks one and two looks like he couldn’t get to or through a hole if he had a post hole digger at his disposal.

Now, his fans will say that he got off to a slow start last season as well. That’s true. He only had one 100-plus yard game in his first 10 starts. However, that one 100-plus yard game came against an Albert Haynesworth led Tennessee defense in week two (18 carries, 116 yards, and a touchdown).

That said, Haynesworth is gone and Tennessee’s defensive line is not exactly better for his absence.

Snap Judgment: Slaton is headed for a second-year hangover.

The Patriots are starting to show some chinks in the armor

In week one, the Buffalo Bills very nearly marched right into Foxboro and laid the smack down on the Patriots to spoil the Tom Brady comeback train.

However, true to form, the Brady led Patriots rallied, remained poised, and escaped a loss courtesy of a poor decision by the Bills special teams.

This week, they faced a talented New York Jets team who has a head coach with a serious set of cajones and a penchant for saying precisely whatever is on his mind.

Brady, for his part said “talk is cheap” after hearing coach Rex Ryan’s comments about the Jets looking to gain a little AFC respect.

For Brady’s part, he looked pedestrian: overthrowing, under-throwing, or just not throwing to his receivers. The Jets defense harassed and harangued him into ineffectiveness and made Brady and his team look…well…beatable.

Now, to their credit, the Jets always play well against the Pats, and this could just be a case of a dog finally having his day. But Tom Brady clearly has yet to find his rhythm at quarterback and the Jets took advantage of that fact.

Snap Judgment: The Patriots reign as the untouchables of the AFC East is coming to an end.

The Lions could conceivably go 0-16 again this year

It has become alarmingly clear that even though the Lions have upgraded their management, coaches, player personnel, and defense, they are still not a very good football team.

Their defense has proved that it has the ability to play hard for two quarters of football. Problem is, they need to play all four to have a chance at winning.

In game one versus the Saints, Drew Brees erupted for six touchdowns in leading his Saints over the Lions. The first four of those scores came in the first two quarters. After half time, Detroit was able to minimize the damage a bit and hold Brees to just two touchdowns from (one in the third and fourth quarters respectively) the third quarter forward.

This past Sunday against the Vikes, the defense stood stout against Adrian Peterson, Brett Favre, and company for the first half—holding Minnesota to just seven points. However, after the half, they fell apart and allowed 20.

If the Lions don’t learn to finish the drill and play hard for 60 minutes instead of 30, they will lose every game this season. Again.

Quick Read: The Lions are still a long way from being relevant in the “wins” column.

The Seahawks are in trouble

Say whatever you have to in order to get yourself through to the next game, but the Seahawks are looking like a war-torn group of elder statesman.

Matt Hasselbeck looked good in last week’s return but, true to form, he is already saddled with an injury that is likely to last the whole season.

The Niners Patrick Willis was the man who put Matt out of the game on Sunday as the Seahawks suffered their first loss of the year at the hands of the Bay Area Bunch.

Even more embarrassing was the 207 yards that the Niners pasted on that lackluster defense that was able to shut down the Stephen Jackson led Rams the previous week.

What the heck happened? Was the win last week just a fluke?

Either way, this team sinks or swims on the success of it’s quarterback and, from the looks of it, they won’t be seeing much of him this season either.

Quick read: This season will bring more disappointment in Seattle.

Jacksonville looks bad. Just bad.

Maurice Jones-Drew: number one fantasy pick, break-out candidate, jack of all trades, etc., etc. Okay, for those of you who picked MJD over AP…you got punk’d.

Jacksonville looks inept on offense. I don’t know if they know what  a touchdown is supposed to look like or not, but their offense is anemic and Garrard is not the man he needs to be in order to inspire anyone to play well. 

It’s easy to say that Garrard could have been effective on Sunday if the line play had been better. Or, to point out the fact that he still managed to rack up 282 yards passing in spite of being on the ground or under pressure most of the day. 

But, here’s the problem, most of those 282 yards came after the Cardinals put a ton of points on the board—it was too little, too late.

Add to that, where is that great Jacksonville defense? They just let ol’ Kurt Warner stand back there and sip tea all day long while he connected with Steve Breaston and Anquan Boldin. Last time anyone checked, the Jags were supposed to be strong on defense if nowhere else.

Imagine what might have happened if coach Ken Whisenhunt hadn’t pulled Warner in the third quarter…that’s right…the third quarter.

Jacksonville needs to get it together fast if they expect to ever be taken seriously.

Snap Judgment: The Jags are fading from AFC relevance fast.

On to the next week.

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There Must Be Something In The Water…Yet Another Idiot Wide Receiver

There must be something in the water this offseason because NFL wide receivers have been off the chain in 2009.

Plaxico Burress, Donte’ Stallworth, Michael Crabtree, Roddy White, and now, Brandon Marshall.

It’s ridiculous the level of immaturity being shown by these “grown a– men”; it reminds me of that scene in Jerry Maguire when the guy is crying to Firestone about how “people just don’t understand the kind of pressure that $50 million come with”…Seriously?

Here’s the problem, these guys get paid to play a game that comes naturally to them. It’s not their fault that they are talented and well-respected for their skills. No, not at all, but some of these guys need a reality check.

Plaxico Burress: you shot yourself in the leg after carrying an unlicensed firearm into a public place. Did the security guard let you in? Yes. Did that make it any less illegal? No. The punishment is jail. It is what it is—you made your bed…

Donte’ Stallworth: you got behind the wheel while you were still loaded to the gills. Did the pedestrian jaywalk? Uh huh. Does it relieve you of the crime? No. Why? Because you were more in the wrong than he was simply by being behind the wheel. Did the NFL need to suspend you? Yep. Was it for too long? Nope—you made your bed….

Michael Crabtree: you played a couple nice years at Texas Tech. Your pass-happy offense gave you the benefit that players like A.J. Green of Georgia and Ryan Tannehill of Texas A&M don’t have in that you were the primary target on most every play.

You reaped the rewards of that by being a top 10 pick. Does that mean you are a future Hall of Fame candidate? No. It means you have a chance to prove you are not a fluke. Period.

That said, don’t be mad because you aren’t getting Top Five respect like Heyward-Bey.

Oakland wanted him, not you. Keep being a fool and you will be a free agent like former USC wide receiver Mike Williams—no jersey and no team to call your own.

Roddy White: glad you got your contract, big guy, but you are no Larry Fitzgerald. Never will be.

That said, now that you have your money, Falcons fans and brass alike will expect your best Fitzgerald impression.

That means no dropped passes…when you are wide open…in the end zone.

If you can’t manage to maintain or sustain your level of “greatness,” expect to be ridiculed and ostracized. Don’t be mad if that happens either because you made your bed…

Which brings me to Brandon Marshall.

What the hell?

All he hasn’t done is fall on the ground and rock back and forth in the fetal position. He is quickly becoming a lecherous commodity with no value whatsoever in the league.

He’s had a couple nice years with Jay Cutler throwing him the ball but even before that, he was getting into unnecessary trouble and making poor choices off the field.

Even Jay Cutler had to call him out on his idiocy at one point—this isn’t new behavior from Brandon. The difference now is that he is being a petulant child as opposed to just an immature adult.

I’m actually starting to feel a little sorry for Coach Josh McDaniels; he seems to be losing control over this team at a frenetic pace. It may be time for him to take another page from his former boss Bill Belichick and lay a firm hand down on these guys before it really gets out of hand.

Look at Randy Moss. Obviously Bill knows a little something about petulant wide receivers.

As for our boy Brandon, it’s obvious he’s feeling a little overwhelmed by a new playbook, a new coach, and a new quarterback. That’s okay. However, his refusal to act like a man about it has him looking like he may need some mental health attention.

To him, I say, it’s time for you to get your act together and do what’s best for your career because, despite what you might think, no one is irreplaceable in the NFL.

But on the other hand, if you choose to continue this stupidity and make yourself into a mockery of a man whom no team—not even the Cincinnati Bengals—would want to claim, well then, you made your bed…

Alex Smith Is a Bust: You Know It’s True; Don’t Kid Yourselves

Alex Smith rode the wave of Urban Meyer’s magical season at Utah. Let’s face it—we were all bamboozled by what this kid accomplished as a Ute.

In his senior year, he tallied 2,952 yards passing and 631 yards rushing. He made the Mountain West look silly all season, as the Utes rode his arm and his legs to a 12-0 record in 2004, as well as a “stunning” defeat over the Pittsburgh Panthers, 35-7.

Well, that was then and this is now.

Fact of the matter is, Pitt should never have been in the Fiesta Bowl; they were a subpar 7-3 team going into that game and proved their massive inferiority by laying that horrendous egg against the Utes.

The Big East is largely a fraud, and any attempt to prove otherwise is futile.

That said, Pitt was likely the best that conference had to offer at that time, but they, for the most part, have ranged between average and awful.

Need proof? Here it is: In the five years since that “stunning” BCS defeat, the Panthers have managed only one eight-plus-win season (2008) and zero BCS bowl appearances.

So, how “stunning” a victory was that Utah win, really?

After that, Smith took his intelligent mind and small hands to the NFL Draft, where the poor San Francisco 49ers saw fit to make him their first overall pick.

Who can blame them, really? Everyone drank the Alex Smith/Urban Meyer Kool-Aid—they bought into the idea that this kid was a great quarterback with a ton of potential to be the next big thing in the Bay.

All they have gotten for their troubles is a guy who can’t seem to stay healthy and, when he is, can’t seem to be consistent as a passer.

His short stint with the Niners thus far reads like a horror story: 11 wins, 19 losses, 31 interceptions, and no playoff appearances.

The closest the Niners have come to seeing a playoff game is a 7-9 season in 2006—hardly a ringing endorsement for what a healthy Alex Smith can do.

Of course, the apologists have reasons for his mediocrity. Multiple coordinators, multiple coaches, and multiple systems didn’t help his growth—after all, how can a guy be good if he doesn’t ever get comfortable with the playbook? Right?

No one denies the fact that he’s been challenged by the Niners and their revolving door of leadership, coaches, and players.

However, when you get on the field, playbook knowledge or not, you have to limit your mistakes. Smith simply doesn’t know how to do that. He’s a liability as a passer—plain and simple.

No matter your system, interceptions are interceptions. Smith has been awful when the line was good and horrific when it was bad. He’s just not good enough to start…anywhere. Stop fooling yourself if you truly think otherwise.

The best excuse out there comes when comparing Smith to Aaron Rodgers—Rodgers was drafted late in the first round, but in the same draft as Smith.

People like to say that if Smith had been given the same circumstances as Rodgers had in Green Bay (stable coaching, stable management, good receivers, legendary mentor, etc.), then he would be the same success as Rodgers is right now—by the same logic, Rodgers would be the bust now.

To that there is only one response: “If ands and buts were candy and nuts, then every day would be Christmas.”

Give me a break.

The fact is this, good quarterbacks thrive and make it work, no matter where they are or what hand they are dealt. Period.

For example, Jeff Garcia has been solid no matter where he’s been; he changed teams thrice from 2005-07. His record was 19-11, with 6,461 yards and 35 touchdowns against 12 interceptions.

Does that not count?

Guess since the teams Garcia played for were actually good (Tampa Bay and Philadelphia), that could make this an unfair comparison, right? Well, that’s fair enough.

So, let’s stay in-house then. Shaun Hill has been in San Francisco for the last two years. He has seen the same coaching carousel as Smith but has managed to play well in spite of it all—so, again, what’s Smith’s excuse?

There’s really no reason for the Niners to continue looking for Smith to become the uber quarterback who led the Utes to their storied 12-0 season. That player left the building the minute the Fiesta Bowl trophy was laid to rest in Salt Lake City.

This is the reality: Alex Smith is a bust.

Anything else is irrelevant.

Breaking Pro Football’s Color Line: The Story of Charles W. Follis

The name, Charles W. Follis (pictured center, holding football), may not ring any bells upon mention, but his place in sports history should be stated: He was the first black professional football player.

Born Feb. 3, 1879 in Cloverdale, VA, Follis’ parents moved to the City of Wooster, OH when he was a young boy.

He would take an early interest in the game of football and played a primary role in organizing his Wooster High School’s first varsity football team in 1899 while he was just a junior.

Serving, that season, as both his team’s starting halfback and its captain, Follis led the team to a perfect season as they were neither beaten nor scored upon in their debut.

Follis was recognized at that time for his great power and speed; breaking through defensive lines with ease and shedding tacklers like loose clothing.

Standing at 6’0″ feet and weighing 200 pounds, Follis was often bigger than his opponents, which gave him quite the advantage as a ball carrier—he simply ran over people.

Playing the game came with ease and he enjoyed it mightily.

After graduation, in 1901, he entered Wooster College in 1901. He chose to play football for the Wooster Athletic Association (WAA), rather than his college squad—it is there that he would earn the nickname “The Black Cyclone.”

Frank C. Schieffer was the manager of the Shelby A.A. team of Shelby, OH—they were the reigning champs of the Northern Ohio region. Hollis would catch the attention of Schieffer during a narrow 5-0 win by the Shelby Club—it was a game that featured Hollis not only as a devastating runner on offense but as a solid tackler on defense as well.

Schieffer, in an interview with the Wooster Republican is quoted as saying he “wanted Follis playing with his team, not against them.”

Following that interview, Schieffer approached Hollis with the idea of playing for his club in Shelby. Hollis agreed and Schieffer took it upon himself to secure employment for Hollis so that he could move to be near the team.

During the 1902 and 1903 seasons, Follis played for Schieffer and continued to dominate his opponents on the field.

In one of the team’s many convincing wins, Follis broke away for a 60-yard touchdown, in route to a 58-0 win over Fremont—in that game, he gave new meaning to the term “3-yards and a pile of dust” as he left all his defenders falling down behind him.

His play earned him the admiration and respect of not only the locals in Shelby, OH, but of his Shelby teammates as well. Unfortunately, Follis was not as respected in other places.

On many occasions he found himself at the pointy end of ignorance—both on and off the playing field.

Teammates recalled games where Follis was the target of excessively rough play. Opposing teams would single him out and try their best to make his life miserable—taking extra hits after he was down, kicking, and being generally unsportsmanlike during the games.

The referee would sometimes call the fouls, but so many of the offenses took place after the whistle was blown and out of the view of the referee that it was hard to know what was happening.

Fans were even harsher; in one notable game against Toledo in 1905, the crowd was screaming racial epithets at Follis in such a harsh manner that the team captain of Toledo interceded and asked the crowd to stop—stating Follis was “a gentleman and a clean player” and did not deserve such disrespect; the crowd didn’t bother Follis any further after that.

Despite the vitriol, however, Follis never stooped to the level of ignorance of many of his counterparts. He chose, instead, to focus on his play and the overall genuine respect and praise he received from those who admired him for his courage and his talents.

Follis signed a contract with Shelby in 1904 and his exceptional play was paramount to their attaining a stellar 8-1-1 record—their only loss coming to the eventual league champions.

He continued to play well through the ’05 season but by 1906 when the, up to that point half professional, Shelby team became the fully professional Shelby Blues, Follis had begun to show signs of wearing down.

At the beginning of the the ’06 season, he missed a number of games early due to injury and, though he would return later, he was no longer the dominant player that people had come to admire.

By the time he suffered his final football playing injury, on Thanksgiving Day in 1906, he as well as everyone else knew it was over—Follis had left the field for good.

Follis never played football again but he did play baseball. He excelled at that just as he had at football—making a solid name for himself as a top flight catcher for the Cuban Giants. He was as good a defensive player as he was an offensive one.

Many feel that had he been able, he could have been a great player in the major leagues.

Follis had garnered the respect of both football and baseball aficionados alike and his impact would not be understood for many years after his death from pneumonia at the young age of 31.

However, he did leave a mark. One that not even he could have ever thought possible.

One of Follis’ biggest fans was a teammate of his from the Shelby A.A. team—he admired the poise and class with which Follis handled the pressure of being the only black player on the team.

It showed him that the character of a man is so much more important than the color of his skin. That players name was future Dodger’s executive Branch Rickey.

Rickey was not only Follis’ teammate in football but, years earlier, he found himself in competition with Follis for the state’s top catching honors—Rickey knew Follis well and had always thought he was “a wonder.” He never forgot him even after they went their separate ways.

It is often thought that Follis’ poise and class under the pressures of such racial tension, as well as his exceptional play in spite of it, is what could have inspired Rickey to make a groundbreaking move of his own some 40-years later by signing Jackie Robinson.

Today, as a number of young, black pro players put on their pads and run out onto pro fields to hoards of cheering fans, they are not likely to know who Charles W. Follis was—he is nothing more than a deep footnote in sporting history; likely only to be remembered by Ohio football historians and Shelby locals.

He never played on the NFL. He never got his shot at major league baseball. He didn’t attend a big-time college or earn numerous trophies for his remarkable talents.

No. He was just a man who loved to play the game and, in his mind, he just happened to be black.

It was never for the individual glory. It was for the team. Accolades were nice but the satisfaction of winning was always primary for Follis.

No, Follis won’t likely ever appear on a commemorative coin or show up as an ovaled number attached to a pro player’s jersey.

He was just a man who played the game with a lot of heart who happened to be exceptional at doing so—praise and accolades were never necessary; just a field and a football.

It’s an attitude that, whether you are black or white, is hard not to applaud.

Fantasy Bargain Hunting: Working the Waivers, Stashing the Keepers

It’s never easy to predict a player’s season. After all, games aren’t played on paper, they are played on the field.

However, as a potential fantasy team owner, it’s necessary for you to assess players like a stock broker assesses stocks—research your guys and consider their potential.

What is that potential based on? Well, it depends on the owner quite frankly. There are those who draft solely based on a player’s resume—whether that resume be short or long in nature—they assume the numbers will be similar as long as that guy stays healthy.

Others, however, take a different approach. They look at the schedule, find the matchups that present a hiccup, and decide how many of those hiccups could turn a potential Pro Bowl season into a busted one.

It is that owner who makes the best decision because they actually have the ability to go in with their eyes wide open as opposed to riding a wing and a prayer.

All that said, there are a few players this season who are being overlooked. Some are old standby’s who are looking a little tread-worn whereas others are hiding under the rug waiting to be discovered by a very astute owner with a nose for uncovering the gems—the sleepers.

Chances are, if you play fantasy football on the regular, you have a few nuggets of wisdom to drop as well. Feel free to do so below.

Otherwise, the guys below are the ones who are potential sleepers, keepers, and bandwagon leapers.

Quarterbacks

Sage Rosenfels, Minnesota Vikings

For now it seems the quarterback battle is down to two; even money is on Rosenfel’s beating out the inconsistent Tarvaris Jackson for the job.

Rosenfels has been known to chuck the ball up at the wrong times, but his 62.5 completion percentage in 12 starts is promising—especially when you consider the stellar offensive line he will stand behind in Minnesota.

Kyle Orton, Denver Broncos

The perceived idiocy of Josh McDaniels aside, Orton did win nine games as the starting quarterback for the Chicago Bears last season. It’s a safe bet that he will have better production from Eddie Royal and Brandon Marshall than he did from Devin Hester and Greg Olsen. Honestly, there are worse options for a no. 2 guy.

Running Backs

Clinton Portis, Washington Redskins

This seems like a no-brainer for some; Portis is a Top 10 fantasy back after all—however, his average draft position (ADP) has him going late in the second-round in many formats.

Considering the Redskins will face some easy run defenses early, it seems odd to overlook a guy who has averaged 1300 rushing yards and 10 touchdowns a season over his career. Throw in his ability to catch the ball and Portis almost seems like a steal. 

T.J. Duckett, Seattle Seahawks

He isn’t likely to give you big yards but, if you need a guy who will get you touchdowns, T.J. is definitely your guy. He had eight touchdowns last season as the Seahawks primary red zone guy; that’s as many as Matt Forte and more than Marion Barber (seven).

He reunites with former offensive coordinator, Greg Knapp, and is likely to be the back of choice again inside the five.

Shonn Greene, New York Jets

Thomas Jones isn’t a happy camper, even if he were, the chances are good that the Jets drafted Greene for the near-future and not just show (they did trade up for him after all).

He is likely to get some shots on the field this season—most of which will come at or around the goal line. It wouldn’t be surprising to see him get six to seven scores this season. He’s definitely a keeper for the near-future.

James Davis, Cleveland Browns

Another keeper candidate, but, he could find some playing time this season. Jamal Lewis isn’t as young as he used to be and barely managed 1,000 last season. Jerome Harrison will get his share as well, but Davis is the explosive runner the Browns have been waiting to sign.

If Lewis falls prey to injury, Davis could find more opportunities than many think; he’s worth watching.

Wide Receivers

Earl Bennett, Chicago Bears

Two words: Jay Cutler. Bennett and Cutler were the dynamic duo at Vandy and an SEC connection like that one hasn’t disappeared. If Bennett proves his chemistry with Cutler is still golden, he could find himself sneaking in on a few plays this season. Will they be significant? Hard to say, but it’s worth watching.

Donnie Avery, St. Louis Rams

Torry Holt has moved onto to greener pastures and, considering the empty bin that is the Rams offense, that makes Avery numero uno for Marc Bulger this year.

If Bulger remembers how to throw a pass, and if Steven Jackson returns to his dominating form, and if the Rams can find someone, anyone, to be a legit No. 2, then Avery could have a nice season.

Robert Meachem, New Orleans Saints

It’s the final chance for Meachem to show what he’s made of; he’s no longer the chosen one in New Orleans and if he wants a piece of the playing time pie, he will have to prove that he is better than he’s been thus far.

That said, he’s got a ton of talent and upside if he can find his way onto the field. Watch to see what he does in the preseason, that will speak volumes. He’s a deep sleeper candidate.

 

If you enjoy talking fantasy football with other serious players, check out myfantasyplayers.com, it’s a phenomenal new site which allows you to debate, discuss, and offer your analysis on who is and isn’t on your draft board this season—in a REAL-TIME format.

It’s great for bouncing ideas around too, offering intelligent perspectives from others like you who play the games and live the fantasy football life 24/7/365. Give it a look.

Under Pressure: NFL Quarterbacks Who Need to Make it Happen in 2009

The NFL is not, necessarily, a league where your past accomplishments are enough to keep fan favor.

No. The NFL is about performance and execution and one, usually, dictates the other.

This year, there are a few quarterbacks who are finding that their good “favor” is beginning to run out with not only their die-hard fans but, in some cases, with management as well.

Guys like Tom Brady and Peyton Manning won’t be on this list for obvious reasons; neither of those two future Hall of Famer’s need worry about their Busts being tarnished—both have enough favor in the bank to last a long while.

The following guys, however, are on a shorter leash.

Donovan McNabb, Philadelphia Eagles

Last season saw the worst of McNabb’s career thus far. He found himself benched at one point for (gulp) Kevin Kolb.

Why? He seemingly forgot what a football was and how to throw one to a wide receiver—that two game stretch in November still boggles the mind.

He did manage to redeem himself and lead the Eagles to the NFC Championship Game—where they would lose to the Arizona Cardinals.

Despite the hot and cold nature of his play last season, McNabb managed to post the best numbers of his career (3,916 yards passing, 23 touchdowns, 11 interceptions) while also starting all 16 games—something he hadn’t done since 2003.

So, what’s the problem? Well, McNabb is in the twilight of his career at age 32 (despite what his 08′ numbers say) and the Eagles’ window to win a Super Bowl with him at the helm is closing fast.

McNabb feels the team isn’t that far away and can still contend for a title. He made his wish list and management responded by drafting Jeremy Maclin (WR) and Cornelius Ingram (TE) while also signing Jason Peters (LT).

The question now is, will he finally bring the Eagles to the promised land?

It’s now or never.

Jake Delhomme, Carolina Panthers

Last season had to be a big disappointment for the Panthers. They entered the NFC Divisional Championship with, arguably, the best rushing attack in the league and one of its better defenses.

However, they were rewarded with a horrendously poor performance by not only their defense, which truthfully was Jekyll and Hyde all season, but also from Delhomme who threw five interceptions in the Division Championship Game.

Credit Jakey for coming back from Tommy John to make it happen for the Panthers but it’s a head-scratcher to see him rewarded with a five-year deal at 34-years old while coming off such an ugly performance.

Warts and all, he still remains the team’s best option, at the moment, but if he is to live up to the faith the Panther’s have shown that they have in him, he’s gonna have to be more consistent than he was during last season.

Marc Bulger, St. Louis Rams

It’s a miracle that Bulger is still considered the starter for the Rams. He had one solid season and has been, fairly, mediocre since that time.

Charge it to injuries, rotating coaches, bad offensive line play, etc. Pick one and use that as the excuse for how and why Bulger went from a 12-3 Pro Bowl QB to a sub .500 one since—either way, he’s due to lose his player card any day now.

This year the Rams have upgraded their offensive line with the addition of stud left tackle, Jason Smith, but he won’t likely be starting at the position when the season begins (he is not yet the pass blocker he should eventually become) but that won’t keep the Rams from fielding a solid offensive line for Steven Jackson to run wild behind should he remain healthy.

That said, Bulger has lost Torry Holt and will be depending on a gimpy wide receiving corps to catch his passes. That can’t be good for Bulger’s comeback prospects.

Will he ever return to his 2006 form?

There are many who doubt he ever will.

Carson Palmer, Cincinnati Bengals

Remember when Carson Palmer wasn’t just a top five quarterback but a top three? Oh, how the memories wash away.

Palmer has been stellar when healthy but healthy is something he has not been in a good while.

He is poised to return to his old 4,000+ yard passing self this season, barring any further setbacks, but a shaky offensive line and the loss of T.J. Houshmanzadeh leaves some doubt that he will have the time or the targets to be effective.

If he can’t stay upright and on the field, does he start moving from bust-out to bust status?

True enough, he had solid seasons in 2006 and 2007 (despite the increased in interceptions in ’07), but that team had a fully-committed Chad Johnson, wait, OchoCinco, sorry, a great offensive line, and a respectable run game—all of those are question marks with this current team.

Add to that, there is nothing to keep anyone from believing that Palmer won’t injure his knee, elbow, or some other necessary moving part again this year—how good of an idea was passing on Tommy John surgery, really?

If he can rebound from his year-long stint away from the game, he is immediately a sleeper candidate for Comeback Player of the Year. If not, it’s likely to be a long season in Cincy.

Jason Campbell, Washington Redskins

Jason is a hard guy to figure. He’s not a typical No. 1. His numbers are largely average and he doesn’t do anything on the field to make you feel like he should be paid Brady, Brees, or Manning money.

Perhaps that’s why the Skins didn’t feel obligated to cast him a new contract this season.

Why bother? There are at least three backups who are capable of doing the same mediocre things that Campbell does on a weekly basis—play it safe, manage the game, don’t take chances deep.

On the other hand, one look at the receiving corps and, it’s hard not to see why he would want to take any chances in the passing game.

That said, if he wants to show that he is worthy of more than a side mention, he needs to step up and play like a big dog.

He will go into this year minus a long-term contract so, if he plays lights out, he may be able to punch a favorable ticket right out of D.C.—not that anyone is likely to miss him if he does. Personally, no offence but, I’ve seen statues with more personality. 

Campbell is not a bad quarterback. He won’t likely lose you any games but, the question with him is, does he have the killer instinct to win you the big one?

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