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Davis Hires Jackson Now What About Cable

Tuesday, January 26th, 2010

Will he or won’t he.   Oakland Raider’s owner Al Davis has to be used to being  an unpopular guy.   He doesn’t do what other NFL owners do. Ever.  For instance, generally before hiring assistant coaches, an NFL team would confirm or  even hire, their head coach.  And then allow the head coach to hire the offensive and defensive coaches.

Al Davis was reportedly going to fire Tom Cable.  Then he was reported to be interviewing possible replacements.  Then last Saturday, Davis confirmed Cable would stay out his contract. ESPN ran with that.  And then the Raiders declined to confirm.  So depending on which sports channel you get your news from…Cable is either staying, or he’s not.

The decision to hire Hue Jackson as offensive coordinator, certainly shows the Raiders are ready to deal with their lack luster JaMarcus Russell.  The #1 draft pick of 2007, Russell has yet to deliver the goods.  Can Jackson turn him around?  As the Raven’s quarterback coach, Jackson was impressive.   My bet is that Jackson likes a challenge.  And if he can turn Russell around, perhaps he’ll work his way into a top spot on the coaching staff next season.  Perhaps even taking Tom Cable’s spot?

So is JaMarcus Russell to blame for the Raider’s 9 -19 record this year?  Or do we hold Tom Cable responsible?   Hell, does Al Davis hold Cable responsible?  He seems willing to invest in support coaching staffers, hiring Jackson before his job interview with the Chicago Bears.   Now Al, do everyone a favor and take an affirmative stand on Tom Cable.  More in 2010 or no?

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Chris Henry of the Bengals Dies at 26

Thursday, December 17th, 2009

During his 2008 arraignment, the judge called Chris Henry a “one man crime wave.” That was the last straw for the Bengals, who released him the same day.  It was Henry’s fifth arrest on a variety of charges including marijuana possession and gun charges.  It’s hard to believe that his NFL career didn’t end there.

He’d been a loose cannon with the Bengals for a few seasons .  In 2007 he was suspended for half the season, as the NFL started cracking down on players who found trouble off the field.  In a move that shocked many, the Bengals had a change of heart and brought Henry back after his legal difficulties.

Henry had begun to put his life back together off the field, he was engaged and raising children with his fiancee.  His legal troubles seemed to be completely behind him.  Teammates reported he was in excellent shape, showing great resolve, and he was working out with the team, with a strong focus on his NFL career.

Police aren’t releasing enough details to clearly explain how the Bengals wide receiver was thrown from the back of a pick up truck, reportedly driven by his fiancee.  They are describing the incident as a domestic dispute.  What is clear is a promising young athlete, with a second chance at NFL glory was taken too soon, at 26.

The Bengals will wear stickers on their helmets this weekend as a tribute to Henry.

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Peyton Manning : Warming the Bench

Monday, December 14th, 2009

After the Indianapolis Colts celebrated an impressive 28-16 victory over the Denver Broncos, there’s speculation that Peyton Manning, in line to receive the NFL MVP title, may be warming the bench until mid-January when the Colts will play their first playoff game.

MVP votes will be cast January 4th, and some are wondering if Manning’s name will remain top of mind, if he doesn’t keep a high profile on the playing field.   While Manning has led the Colts to an amazing 13-0 start, you can bet that other contenders for the MVP title will be scrambling a bit harder than Manning to keep their teams’ SuperBowl dreams in within reach.

For instance, Brett Favre is sure to spend the next few weeks focused on a leading the Vikings towards the SuperBowl.  And what of Drew Brees?  These two stand outs are sure to have plenty of playing time in the next month.  Manning and the Colts have a full dance card to get through as well, with a match up against Jacksonville just a few days from now.

So if Manning warms the bench, will this affect the Colts drive to the SuperBowl?  Will he hurt his chance at receiving his fourth MVP title?  Or will the Associated Press, who will be casting their votes in early January,  remember his name, even from the bench?

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Al Davis:: Raider Nation Has Something to Say

Saturday, December 5th, 2009

Apparently seven straight horrific losing seasons by the Raiders has put at least some of the team’s fans over the edge.   A group of three longtime Raider diehards have gone so far as to set up a website, which currently claims to have over 32,000 signed and validated petitions, begging owner Al Davis to loosen his grip on decisions made for the Raiders’ organization.

The website, www.messagetoAl.com, has garnered enough support that the group has even put up a billboard for the month of December right next to the Oakland Coliseum, home of the Raiders, asking Mr. Davis to please hire a GM for the struggling franchise. In addition, plans are in the works to take out an ad in a major Bay Area newspaper to further state the group’s cause.

Davis, of course, has been the architect behind recent draft moves that included passing on Larry Fitzgerald (too slow for Al!) in favor of offensive lineman Robert Gallery, grabbing the speedy yet hands-deficient Darius Heyward-Bey far ahead of all projections at number seven this past draft, and perhaps the mother of all busts, QB JaMarcus Russell as the number one overall pick two years ago. Russell has performed so poorly that after two games of being booed at home, he was finally benched in favor of journeyman backup Bruce Gradkowski, who promptly delivered a win in his first start.

Will the fans get their wish?  They are, after all, keeping things respectable and truly want to see the once storied franchise return to its glory days.

But as long as Al is still capable of a mean overhead projector presentation, their efforts aren’t likely to sway the man in charge. That’s too bad for Raider fans.

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Dallas Cowboys:: A Win is a Win

Monday, November 23rd, 2009
Ok, I admit it. I did NOT watch the Cowboys game on Sunday. Now before y’all start throwing stuff at me and calling me all sorts of nasty names let me explain. It was the closing ceremonies for my 10 year olds softball season and she was getting an award. Some diehard fans are still screaming, “NO EXCUSE IS GOOD ENOUGH!” Get over it.
The real point of this is not whether or not I saw the game; it’s about a win being ugly. Since when do we rate the ‘beauty’ of a win? There were enough interesting things that occurred this past Sunday during the game to keep us riveted to the talking heads for days:
1.        “Never Miss” Suisham missed twice,
2.       10 minute delay while the refs argued about in bounds or out of bounds on Campbell,
3.       3 injuries in the first half,
4.       Newman’s loving pawing of Campo.
Just to name a few. See…it’s almost like I was there!
Fact of the matter is Dallas came from behind with barely a breath left in the game and pulled it off. Romo managed, hurt back and all, to eke out a 10 yard touchdown pass to Crayton and then Spencer pulled off his first ever interception. I bet Spencer’s thinking that was pretty darn gorgeous!
Bottom line is…DALLAS WON THE GAME…fair and square, matters not the ‘beauty’ of the win.
And isn’t beauty in the eye of the beholder, anyway?

Ok, I admit it. I did NOT watch the Cowboys game on Sunday.  Now before y’all start throwing stuff at me and calling me all sorts of names, let me explain.  It was the closing ceremonies for my 10 year olds softball season and she was getting an award.  Some diehard fans are still screaming, “NO EXCUSE IS GOOD ENOUGH!” Get over it.

The real point of this is not whether or not I saw the game;  it’s about a win being ugly. Since when do we rate the ‘beauty’ of a win?  There were enough interesting things that occurred this past Sunday during the game to keep us riveted to the talking heads for days:

1.        “Never Miss” Suisham missed twice,

2.       10 minute delay while the refs argued about in bounds or out of bounds on Campbell,

3.       3 injuries in the first half,

4.       Newman’s loving pawing of Campo.

Just to name a few.  See…it’s almost like I was there!

Fact of the matter is Dallas came from behind with barely a breathe left in the game and pulled it off.  Romo managed, hurt back and all, to eke out a 10 yard touchdown pass to Crayton and then Spencer pulled off his first ever interception. I bet Spencer’s thinking that was pretty darn gorgeous!

Bottom line is…DALLAS WON THE GAME…fair and square, matters not the ‘beauty’ of the win.

And isn’t beauty in the eye of the beholder, anyway?

Kelley Moore, a mom first, then football fan is the author of today’s post.  She’s a Certified Dream Coach® and Chief Possibilities Officer with See Your Possibilities .  Kelley is currently training for her next marathon, raising money for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.  You can tweet with Kelly on Twitter.

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Peyton One of the Greatest

Sunday, November 8th, 2009

Some call Peyton Manning one of the greatest quarterbacks of all time, but do you agree?  I mean yes, he’s a three time NFL MVP and greatness does run in the family with Dad, Archie Manning, and brother Eli Manning.  At just 33 years old, does he have another 5 years in him? Or if he is anything like Brett Favre, another 10 years?   Will he stay with the Colts?  Will he pull a Brett Favre and retire, comeback, retire, comeback?  With Favre the frontrunner for MVP of 2009, it will be interesting to see what homage, Manning gets at the end of 2009.  Is there room for more than one golden boy in the NFL?

Statistics speak for themselves and clearly Manning has an impressive record, as does current Viking’s sweetheart Favre.   So who is the NFL MVP title determined?  Does Manning deserve another MVP title, or will it go to Favre this year?

Who should be the 2009 MVP?

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All Roads Lead to Green Bay

Monday, November 2nd, 2009

Plodding along on the practice squad wasn’t exactly what Spencer Havner had in mind for his career in the National Football League.

But for the better part of his first three seasons removed from a celebrated career at UCLA, that’s where Havner called home. Toiling away on the scout squad, after going undrafted and being cut from the final 53-man roster by both the Washington Redskins and the Green Bay Packers, the former Nevada Union High School star was just another practice body.

As each training camp ended in disappointment, he annually answered the same question from his hometown newspaper:

How much longer are you going to chase the dream?

“I don’t mind the practice squad,” he said at the time. “The money is fine, but the thing about being on the practice squad is that you’re still on the team. You still have a chance to make the roster.”

Read the full article in the Union.

Brian Hamilton is sports editor at The Union newspaper in Grass Valley, CA. Contact him via e-mail at bhamilton@theunion.com or by phone at 530-477-4240.

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What Everyone Knows About Ohio States Coach Tressel

Tuesday, October 20th, 2009
How long will Coach Tressel play Tresselball? As long as he wants! Because no one can touch him! Or is Ohio State waiting for his $3 plus million per year contract to expire?
Coach Tressel must evolve to take Ohio State Football to the Top 5 level. Since he is incapable of this himself, he mustseek outside experience. Even R-Rod hired a defensive coordinator from the NFL. USC and Florida hired NFL experience like USC and Florida did. Not Tressel, because this doesn’t fit in with Tresselball and his ego!
We all know about Tressel’s inept play calling, time management issues, lack of innovation and inability to adjust. Why have we had a poor offensive line the last couple years? Who is responsible for that?
One feather in his scalp is his inability to manage players over the years. They seem to manage him. Pryor is no exception with his Mike Vick paint, the interview and subsequent comments in the press. Pryor’s childish comments in the press did not go unnoticed after the USC and Purdue games. Does he want street cred or respect?
However the latest Tressel miscue is inability to develop the QB position. His solution was to hire a Youngstown State-er as QB Coach, who has little expertise. This “34-year-old whose coaching career includes jobs with Oklahoma (assistant video coordinator), Youngstown State (tight ends), Urbana (offensive coordinator/offensive line) and North Carolina A&T (receivers and quarterbacks).” Reference: http://bit.ly/2nSUSM. Once more Coach Tressel had the opportunity to hire NFL experience but this concept is foreign to Tresselball.
By now Pryor’s development should be light years ahead of freshman QBs at USC and Michigan. Pryor’s poise, mechanics and reads have not changed since he came to Ohio State.
Coach Tressel has proven over and over that his vision is flawed. Tressel has a choice in front of him. He can either be a dictator and continue to loose fan support. Or he can prove to us that he is a manager who deserves $3+ Million per year by: (1) Hiring qualified assistants from the NFL and (2) Giving up direct control over the offense and play calling.
The game has changed since 2002, but Coach Tressell has chosen not to change.
Here is an eye-opening article: Deconstructing: The grisly demise of ‘Tressel Ball’  http://bit.ly/NUZDV

How long will Coach Tressel play Tresselball?  As long as he wants!  Because no one can touch him! Or is Ohio State waiting for his $3 plus million per year contract to expire?

Coach Tressel must evolve to take Ohio State Football to the Top 5 level. Since he is incapable of this himself, he must seek outside experience.  Even R-Rod hired a defensive coordinator from the NFL.  USC and Florida hired NFL experience.  Not Tressel, because this doesn’t fit in with Tresselball and his ego!

We all know about Tressel’s inept play calling, time management issues, lack of  innovation and inability to adjust.  Why have we had a poor offensive line the last couple years?  Who is responsible for that?

One feather in his cap is his inability to manage players over the years.  They seem to manage him. Pryor is no exception with his Mike Vick paint and his interviews about this.  Pryor’s childish comments in the press did not go unnoticed after the USC and Purdue games. Does he want street cred or respect?

However the latest Tressel miscue is inability to develop the QB position.  His solution was to hire a Youngstown State-er as QB Coach, who has little expertise.  This 3 4 year old whose coaching career includes jobs with Oklahoma (assistant video coordinator), Youngstown State (tight ends), Urbana (offensive coordinator/offensive line) and North Carolina A&T (receivers and quarterbacks).

Once more Coach Tressel had the opportunity to hire NFL experience but this concept is foreign to Tresselball.

By now Pryor’s development should be light years ahead of freshman QBs at USC and Michigan. Pryor’s poise, mechanics and reads have not changed since he came to Ohio State.

Coach Tressel has proven over and over that his vision is flawed. Tressel has a choice in front of him.  He can either be a dictator and continue to loose fan support.  Or he can prove to us that he is a manager who deserves $3+ million per year by: (1) Hiring qualified assistants from the NFL and (2) Giving up direct control over the offense and play calling.

The game has changed since 2002, but Coach Tressell hasn’t.  Here is an eye-opening article:   ‘Deconstructing: The grisly demise of ‘Tressel Ball‘

What do you think about Coach Tressell?

Our blogger, Robert Neff can be found on Twitter, talking about art, sports, and random things.  In his spare time,  Rob creates art, carves pumpkins shaped like Tressell, and when in season he crashes weddings.

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Brandon Marshall :: Headache for Broncos

Sunday, September 13th, 2009
Brandon Marshall ::  A headache for Broncos
Its no secret that Brandon Marshall and Denver Broncos coach Josh McDaniels aren’t good friends.  They have had a history of troubles but if Shanahan had his way, Marshall would have been cut last February after his ProBowl receiver appearance.  Shanahan didn’t hide his feelings, in fact he told then Quarterback Jay Cutler, Bronco’s Quarterback he was going to cut Marshall, but he was fired before he got the chance.
Love or hate Shanahan, he had some legitimate criticisms of Marshall.  His behavior off the field aside, his talents were slipping.  Even though he lead NFL receivers in catches and yards for two consecutive seasons, he had so-so blocking happening, his running had slipped, and he started dropping the ball. Literally.
Marshall has been trying to get himself traded, and he’s made no secret that he feels like he’s gone as far as he can with McDaniels.  Truthfully, the Broncos have been trying to offload this jackass just as badly as he’s been trying to ditch them.  He just isn’t a very attractive commodity on the open market.  Now it seems the Broncos have extended a negotiation to keep Marshall in Denver.    Can anyone explain how the hell this is going to go well for either the Broncos or Marshall?  Makes me really miss Shanahan.

Its no secret that Brandon Marshall and Denver Broncos coach Josh McDaniels aren’t good friends.  They have had a history of troubles but if Shanahan had his way, Marshall would have been cut last February after his ProBowl receiver appearance.  Shanahan didn’t hide his feelings, in fact he told then Quarterback Jay Cutler, Bronco’s Quarterback he was going to cut Marshall, but he was fired before he got the chance.

Love or hate Shanahan, he had some legitimate criticisms of Marshall.  His behavior off the field aside, his talents were slipping.  Even though he lead NFL receivers in catches and yards for two consecutive seasons, he had so-so blocking happening, his running had slipped, and he started dropping the ball.  Literally.

Marshall has been trying to get himself traded, and he’s made no secret that he feels like he’s gone as far as he can with McDaniels.  Truthfully, the Broncos have been trying to offload this jackass just as badly as he’s been trying to ditch them.  He just isn’t a very attractive commodity on the open market.  Now it seems the Broncos have extended a negotiation to keep Marshall in Denver.    Can anyone explain how the hell this is going to go well for either the Broncos or Marshall?  Makes me really miss Shanahan.

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