Jasmine Moore
It is official Peyton Manning is the new QB for the Denver Broncos. So where does this leave former starting QB Tim Tebow, who led his team to an 8-8 season and ended as the AFC West Champions? Not only did he lead his team to the AFC Wildcard game & Divisional Round, but threw the game-winning pass in overtime to beat the Pittsburgh Steelers. Tebow was told he would be the starting QB for the Broncos during training camp and from the looks of things he will not be around when camp begins. After Manning agreed to negotiate a deal with the Broncos, word traveled fast that Tebow would be either cut from the team or traded. Some feel that Tebow is worthy of a 2nd round draft pick while some others believe he is not worth anything higher than a 5th round pick. The question now is WWTD- What would Tebow do? Would he go to the Jacksonville Jaguars to be paired up with Maurice Jones-Drew whose QB Garrard has stated he was taking a trip to visit Miami? Or would he fit with the Cleveland Browns? Most experts feel that the Cleveland Browns are not sure of their current QB Colt McCoy. There is also the option of Miami, who has been getting the short end of the stick trying to land a big-name coach and QB only to be turned down and is being forced to make alternate plans. Where will “TebowMania” spread next?
Well after Peyton Manning and John Elway announced that Manning will be the new QB for the Denver Broncos all wondered what would happen to Tim Tebow, would he be cut or would he be traded? Not even a week later we all found out the new fate of Tebow; he was traded to the New York Jets for 4th and 6th round draft picks. This was a big move, being that the Jets had just signed a contract with QB Mark Sanchez for a 3 – year extension. We all know of the issues surrounding the Jets last season on the field. Even more issues brewed in the locker room and some can only imagine that this trade would cause even more problems. Right after the trade was announced Jets CB Antonio Cromartie made his feelings apparent on Twitter saying “We don't need Tebow.” But the Jets organization made it official in a statement saying that Sanchez would there starting QB and Tebow would be a back-up used to shake up there offense. Days later Cromartie back tracked his statements on Tim, now calling Tebow a winner and saying with him as the #2 it will push Sanchez. With the dysfunction going on in N.Y it is believed that if Sanchez slips up just a little the fans and maybe even some of the players will be chanting,” TEBOW! TEBOW!” I guess we will all have to just wait and see if Sanchez and Tebow can co-exist or will one get the upper hand on the other. There is a controversy brewing here….
Tuesday, April 3, 2012
Saturday, March 10, 2012
The Team Who Would've Benefited the Most from Robert Griffin III
There are a lot of teams interested in the services of Robert Griffin III. Honestly speaking, I feel he has the largest ceiling of any player in the NFL draft. There is one team, though that can benefit from Robert Griffin more than any other team. Who is that team?
The San Francisco 49ers.
Let’s really play this scenario out. Alex Smith played well, but he is NOWHERE near the player that Robert Griffin can be. Griffin has the arm and the intelligence to play right away in Harbaugh’s system. The 49ers lacked a consistent passing game (29th in the NFL) with above average WRs and a really good TE. Tom Brady had 2 really good TEs and average WRs; this shows you just how important QB play is in the NFL. Crabtree hasn’t lived up to his potential, Ted Guinn was hurt a good portion of the year, as well as Braylon Edwards. Vernon Davis is a matchup nightmare. Another good thing that he 49ers can give Griffin is a RB in Frank Gore that will keep the defenses off of him and a very solid offensive line.
Griffin will also benefit in this system will be because of the coaching of Jim Harbaugh. Hands down he was the best coach in the NFL last year. The job he did with Alex Smith was a thing of beauty. Can you imagine what he can do with a QB that has a ceiling as high as RGIII? There is no doubt in my mind that with a good QB, the 49ers can become the team to beat in the NFC. Why; because unlike Green Bay, Philadelphia, and New Orleans, San Francisco has a defense that is one of the best in the league (ranked 4th in the NFL). They are fast, physical, and in my opinion is the best tackling team in the NFL. If you put a good offense opposite them on the field, this team can build on the 13-3 season that the 49ers had under Alex Smith. The sky is the limit for this team with consistent and solid QB play.
But what do you give up for him to ensure that you get him before the other teams that are licking their chops to get him? I say this year’s first and third, next year’s first. I think this is a risk that a team that has the talent level of the 49ers to take on a player of this caliber. Robert Griffin took a Baylor team that was for the longest time the laughing stock of the Big XII to finish 3rd in the conference. The previous high in wins for Baylor was 7. This year they won 10 games and a bowl game. There is no question of the kid’s character as well. He is very well spoken, smart (graduated in 3 years), and stays out of the headlines except for his positive deeds. This kid can be the face of a franchise, and the San Francisco 49ers need a new face since there hasn’t really been one there at QB since Steve Young.
It’s tough to say who will be and who won’t be a good NFL player. Heisman trophy candidates haven’t had the best track record in the NFL as of late. Robert Griffin is one of those athletes that don’t come along too often. So take your shot on him, San Francisco. Is Alex Smith really the long term answer at QB? Based on the job that Harbaugh is doing, it doesn’t look like you are going to be getting high draft picks. Take your chances now. Maybe Griffin can follow in Cam Newton’s footsteps in continuing his dominance in his rookie season.
The San Francisco 49ers.
Let’s really play this scenario out. Alex Smith played well, but he is NOWHERE near the player that Robert Griffin can be. Griffin has the arm and the intelligence to play right away in Harbaugh’s system. The 49ers lacked a consistent passing game (29th in the NFL) with above average WRs and a really good TE. Tom Brady had 2 really good TEs and average WRs; this shows you just how important QB play is in the NFL. Crabtree hasn’t lived up to his potential, Ted Guinn was hurt a good portion of the year, as well as Braylon Edwards. Vernon Davis is a matchup nightmare. Another good thing that he 49ers can give Griffin is a RB in Frank Gore that will keep the defenses off of him and a very solid offensive line.
Griffin will also benefit in this system will be because of the coaching of Jim Harbaugh. Hands down he was the best coach in the NFL last year. The job he did with Alex Smith was a thing of beauty. Can you imagine what he can do with a QB that has a ceiling as high as RGIII? There is no doubt in my mind that with a good QB, the 49ers can become the team to beat in the NFC. Why; because unlike Green Bay, Philadelphia, and New Orleans, San Francisco has a defense that is one of the best in the league (ranked 4th in the NFL). They are fast, physical, and in my opinion is the best tackling team in the NFL. If you put a good offense opposite them on the field, this team can build on the 13-3 season that the 49ers had under Alex Smith. The sky is the limit for this team with consistent and solid QB play.
But what do you give up for him to ensure that you get him before the other teams that are licking their chops to get him? I say this year’s first and third, next year’s first. I think this is a risk that a team that has the talent level of the 49ers to take on a player of this caliber. Robert Griffin took a Baylor team that was for the longest time the laughing stock of the Big XII to finish 3rd in the conference. The previous high in wins for Baylor was 7. This year they won 10 games and a bowl game. There is no question of the kid’s character as well. He is very well spoken, smart (graduated in 3 years), and stays out of the headlines except for his positive deeds. This kid can be the face of a franchise, and the San Francisco 49ers need a new face since there hasn’t really been one there at QB since Steve Young.
It’s tough to say who will be and who won’t be a good NFL player. Heisman trophy candidates haven’t had the best track record in the NFL as of late. Robert Griffin is one of those athletes that don’t come along too often. So take your shot on him, San Francisco. Is Alex Smith really the long term answer at QB? Based on the job that Harbaugh is doing, it doesn’t look like you are going to be getting high draft picks. Take your chances now. Maybe Griffin can follow in Cam Newton’s footsteps in continuing his dominance in his rookie season.
Sunday, January 15, 2012
Raven's Come Home for the Playoffs
Jasmine Moore
This weekend brings in the Divisional Match-up Weekend
in the NFL Postseason with the Saints at 49ers and Broncos at
Patriots on Saturday and on Sunday Texans at Ravens and Giants at
Packers. On Sunday the Ravens will host their first home playoff game
since 2006. The players and coaches are excited but not as excited as
the fans here in Baltimore. In Baltimore along the grass of City Hall
and Federal Hill are spray painted Ravens Heads to show the support
for the team. All over the city there has been spray painted stencils
on the ground of the Ravens head and the Ravens phrase of the season
RELENTLESS. Just about every car that passes has the Relentless sticker
on the back or Ravens flags flying from the windows. The fans are not
going to go easy on the Texans either, they will have a hard time
hearing any plays being called on Sunday with the amount of noise that
will be generating throughout M & T Bank Stadium with fans going wild
in support of the home team. Everyone here is overjoyed and determined
to kick some Texan butt this weekend. The fans are not worried about
the other games going on around the NFL this weekend because the goal
here is to take care of the Texans and then worry about whoever we
have to play in the AFC Championship game. Real Ravens fan have faith
in their team O-Line, D-Line, Special Teams and of course no doubt in
QB Joe Flacco, who has taken the Ravens to the play-offs for 4 years
straight since the start of his rookie year. Many critics overlook Joe
Flacco and find the smallest things to say about him but the fact
still remains that he is a damn good QB as he has already stated in
the beginning of the 2011 season. The goal here is Indianapolis and
as LB Ray Lewis would say the Texans are in our way! Fan who have been
here since the drafting of Lewis and Ogden to watching J. Smith and T.
Smith being drafted are waiting for another ring, another celebration,
another parade and another Lombardi trophy in the Baltimore Ravens
Trophy case.
This weekend brings in the Divisional Match-up Weekend
in the NFL Postseason with the Saints at 49ers and Broncos at
Patriots on Saturday and on Sunday Texans at Ravens and Giants at
Packers. On Sunday the Ravens will host their first home playoff game
since 2006. The players and coaches are excited but not as excited as
the fans here in Baltimore. In Baltimore along the grass of City Hall
and Federal Hill are spray painted Ravens Heads to show the support
for the team. All over the city there has been spray painted stencils
on the ground of the Ravens head and the Ravens phrase of the season
RELENTLESS. Just about every car that passes has the Relentless sticker
on the back or Ravens flags flying from the windows. The fans are not
going to go easy on the Texans either, they will have a hard time
hearing any plays being called on Sunday with the amount of noise that
will be generating throughout M & T Bank Stadium with fans going wild
in support of the home team. Everyone here is overjoyed and determined
to kick some Texan butt this weekend. The fans are not worried about
the other games going on around the NFL this weekend because the goal
here is to take care of the Texans and then worry about whoever we
have to play in the AFC Championship game. Real Ravens fan have faith
in their team O-Line, D-Line, Special Teams and of course no doubt in
QB Joe Flacco, who has taken the Ravens to the play-offs for 4 years
straight since the start of his rookie year. Many critics overlook Joe
Flacco and find the smallest things to say about him but the fact
still remains that he is a damn good QB as he has already stated in
the beginning of the 2011 season. The goal here is Indianapolis and
as LB Ray Lewis would say the Texans are in our way! Fan who have been
here since the drafting of Lewis and Ogden to watching J. Smith and T.
Smith being drafted are waiting for another ring, another celebration,
another parade and another Lombardi trophy in the Baltimore Ravens
Trophy case.
Thursday, January 12, 2012
A Slap in the Face
Kerry R. Thompson, Sr.
Monday night, we watched a combination of one of the best defensive performances combined with one of the worst offensive performances in BCS history. Alabama stifled LSU from start to finish as LSU could not muster a drive against the best defense in the land. Les Miles and Steve Kragthorpe did not properly prepare for this game, and called it too conservatively. But even more so they are to blame for Jordan Jefferson staying in this game as long as he did.
Now, we all know the documented struggles of Jarrett Lee against Alabama. In his games against Alabama, he has 1 TD to 7 INTs. But after the way Jordan Jefferson looked last night, he should have had a chance to lead his team to victory just as well as Jordan Jefferson did down in Tuscaloosa. At times in this game, Jefferson looked like a Garrett Gilbert against Alabama in 2009. Jarrett Lee led LSU to a 9-0 record and quality wins against Oregon and West Virginia. He did an excellent job managing the game during this stretch and only had one turnover during that stretch. Albeit none of his numbers jump out at you as astounding, Lee took care of the ball and got the ball to receivers in critical points in the game and threw a pretty good deep ball. Alabama had Jordan Jefferson confused the entire game. After the first series of the 3rd quarter, Lee should have had his chance to get this team going. Jordan Jefferson does offer certain things that Jarrett Lee didn’t, such as his athletic ability and his ability to escape the pocket. But Jarrett Lee would have at least taken the chance to throw the ball down the field. The fans had to agree with me, because each time that Jefferson entered the game, he did so with a chorus of boos all around him.
It was very disrespectful and belittling to see him standing on the sideline while Jefferson was in the game stinking it up. I was appalled to watch Jefferson continue to go back in series after series of ineffective quarterbacking. The LSU offensive line struggled all night with an aggressive Alabama pass rush. Gentry completely dominated the LSU front line. I will admit that. But after what Lee did for LSU this year in a starting role, he deserved the opportunity to get his team back in the game and at least attempt to lead a drive that would have put LSU in position to make this a contest again; maybe even motivate the crowd and this team. Maybe he could have done what he did all year long and what Jordan Jefferson didn't do the whole night. Be a leader. This was his last game as a LSU Tiger. Les Miles and Steve Kragthorpe will have a rough offseason attempting to clean up this mess. Now Miles will never know just how good Lee could’ve done in his last game.
Monday night, we watched a combination of one of the best defensive performances combined with one of the worst offensive performances in BCS history. Alabama stifled LSU from start to finish as LSU could not muster a drive against the best defense in the land. Les Miles and Steve Kragthorpe did not properly prepare for this game, and called it too conservatively. But even more so they are to blame for Jordan Jefferson staying in this game as long as he did.
Now, we all know the documented struggles of Jarrett Lee against Alabama. In his games against Alabama, he has 1 TD to 7 INTs. But after the way Jordan Jefferson looked last night, he should have had a chance to lead his team to victory just as well as Jordan Jefferson did down in Tuscaloosa. At times in this game, Jefferson looked like a Garrett Gilbert against Alabama in 2009. Jarrett Lee led LSU to a 9-0 record and quality wins against Oregon and West Virginia. He did an excellent job managing the game during this stretch and only had one turnover during that stretch. Albeit none of his numbers jump out at you as astounding, Lee took care of the ball and got the ball to receivers in critical points in the game and threw a pretty good deep ball. Alabama had Jordan Jefferson confused the entire game. After the first series of the 3rd quarter, Lee should have had his chance to get this team going. Jordan Jefferson does offer certain things that Jarrett Lee didn’t, such as his athletic ability and his ability to escape the pocket. But Jarrett Lee would have at least taken the chance to throw the ball down the field. The fans had to agree with me, because each time that Jefferson entered the game, he did so with a chorus of boos all around him.
It was very disrespectful and belittling to see him standing on the sideline while Jefferson was in the game stinking it up. I was appalled to watch Jefferson continue to go back in series after series of ineffective quarterbacking. The LSU offensive line struggled all night with an aggressive Alabama pass rush. Gentry completely dominated the LSU front line. I will admit that. But after what Lee did for LSU this year in a starting role, he deserved the opportunity to get his team back in the game and at least attempt to lead a drive that would have put LSU in position to make this a contest again; maybe even motivate the crowd and this team. Maybe he could have done what he did all year long and what Jordan Jefferson didn't do the whole night. Be a leader. This was his last game as a LSU Tiger. Les Miles and Steve Kragthorpe will have a rough offseason attempting to clean up this mess. Now Miles will never know just how good Lee could’ve done in his last game.
Monday, January 9, 2012
BCS Title Game: Alabama vs. LSU 2
Kerry R. Thompson, Sr.
Is there really anything different between these two teams this go round? Alabama vs. LSU; Armageddon part two. LSU is still LSU. Alabama is still Alabama. Alabama felt like they won the first game. They did outgain LSU in yardage. They would be the first team that won a game with less points than the other team. LSU stepped up when it mattered the most. Let’s go over what is going to be different this time.
Adjustments
LSU could bring Jordan Jefferson off the bench. This forced Alabama to have to prepare for 2 potential QBs and not just one. The option was Alabama’s undoing the first go round and I just don’t see that really being effective this time. I am more than positive Nick Saban has been preparing for this over the entire break with his team. The last time we saw LSU was in the SEC Championship game. LSU started off very slow against a pretty good Georgia defense. They only scored 7 points the first half. LSU can’t come out playing like that. The difference is that the flood gates opened up and LSU scored 35 straight points against Georgia. They will NOT score 35 straight against Alabama. Their defense is just too good. Alabama special teams struggles have been well documented, but they have excellent kick coverage. Tyrann Mathieu won’t be able to put his team in a position to score or to dominate the game in the Punt game. Alabama didn’t challenge LSU’s secondary much. This was because their primary deep threat Marquis Maze hurt his ankle in the previous game and was a non-factor after that. Look for Maze to make his mark on this game with either a dynamic return or a great catch.
The last time we saw Alabama, they were beating up on Auburn, making them just look awful. The last matchup against LSU, Trent Richardson gained 169 of Alabama’s 295 yards. He led the team in rushing yards and receiving yards. But look for LSU to make some adjustments. When it came to Richardson, they really didn’t start tackling him until the 4th quarter. I am sure that Les Miles showed all the PISS POOR tackling efforts that LSU showed throughout the game. They will fix the tackling problem and come up to put a hat on Richardson. Last game LSU made plays when Alabama just didn’t. Especially on that trick play that Eric Reid picked off. AJ McCarron did not play particularly well against LSU; most of his passing yardage came from the YAC (Yards After the Catch). For some reason, Chavis kept giving that up to Alabama. I know he will correct that. That is what was killing LSU. That is why they were outgained. Last game LSU’s front line had a VERY hard time blocking Alabama’s blitz packages. Hebert and company are going to have to step their game up in order to give Jefferson time to find his WRs. Last game DeAngelo Peterson had NO effect on the game. Look for Les Miles to get him the ball more. Also Les Miles was conservative with his play calling. I look for Les to open it up for the home crowd in New Orleans. LSU should also stack the box and force McCarron to have to make the throws to beat them. This would give an advantage LSU.
Advantages
LSU’s secondary is the best in the land. Alabama has a pretty good one as well, but honestly if Kirkpatrick was a lockdown corner, he would have been up for the Thorpe. If McCarron misses a pass, this opportunistic group will take full advantage. Alabama’s WRs and TEs are just not at ANY advantage in this game. I also give the QB experience to LSU. McCarron is just not the QB that is going to dominate a game.
Alabama’s front 7 was clearly more dominant up the middle of the field. They had problems with the option with LSU. LSU could NOT move the ball up the middle of the field. The offensive line struggled on almost every snap blocking the front seven of Alabama. If this trend continues, Jordan Jefferson won’t have time to find an open WR. Trent Richardson is definitely an advantage. He is the best RB in this game. He is going be a factor.
My Pick
In 2009, it was just Alabama’s year. Everything bounced their way. I think the same thing about this LSU team. Everything is just bouncing and happening for LSU this year. I just think they have more playmakers on defense than Alabama does. I think it will be 20-17 LSU. I think that LSU will prove once and for all that they are the best team in the country.
Is there really anything different between these two teams this go round? Alabama vs. LSU; Armageddon part two. LSU is still LSU. Alabama is still Alabama. Alabama felt like they won the first game. They did outgain LSU in yardage. They would be the first team that won a game with less points than the other team. LSU stepped up when it mattered the most. Let’s go over what is going to be different this time.
Adjustments
LSU could bring Jordan Jefferson off the bench. This forced Alabama to have to prepare for 2 potential QBs and not just one. The option was Alabama’s undoing the first go round and I just don’t see that really being effective this time. I am more than positive Nick Saban has been preparing for this over the entire break with his team. The last time we saw LSU was in the SEC Championship game. LSU started off very slow against a pretty good Georgia defense. They only scored 7 points the first half. LSU can’t come out playing like that. The difference is that the flood gates opened up and LSU scored 35 straight points against Georgia. They will NOT score 35 straight against Alabama. Their defense is just too good. Alabama special teams struggles have been well documented, but they have excellent kick coverage. Tyrann Mathieu won’t be able to put his team in a position to score or to dominate the game in the Punt game. Alabama didn’t challenge LSU’s secondary much. This was because their primary deep threat Marquis Maze hurt his ankle in the previous game and was a non-factor after that. Look for Maze to make his mark on this game with either a dynamic return or a great catch.
The last time we saw Alabama, they were beating up on Auburn, making them just look awful. The last matchup against LSU, Trent Richardson gained 169 of Alabama’s 295 yards. He led the team in rushing yards and receiving yards. But look for LSU to make some adjustments. When it came to Richardson, they really didn’t start tackling him until the 4th quarter. I am sure that Les Miles showed all the PISS POOR tackling efforts that LSU showed throughout the game. They will fix the tackling problem and come up to put a hat on Richardson. Last game LSU made plays when Alabama just didn’t. Especially on that trick play that Eric Reid picked off. AJ McCarron did not play particularly well against LSU; most of his passing yardage came from the YAC (Yards After the Catch). For some reason, Chavis kept giving that up to Alabama. I know he will correct that. That is what was killing LSU. That is why they were outgained. Last game LSU’s front line had a VERY hard time blocking Alabama’s blitz packages. Hebert and company are going to have to step their game up in order to give Jefferson time to find his WRs. Last game DeAngelo Peterson had NO effect on the game. Look for Les Miles to get him the ball more. Also Les Miles was conservative with his play calling. I look for Les to open it up for the home crowd in New Orleans. LSU should also stack the box and force McCarron to have to make the throws to beat them. This would give an advantage LSU.
Advantages
LSU’s secondary is the best in the land. Alabama has a pretty good one as well, but honestly if Kirkpatrick was a lockdown corner, he would have been up for the Thorpe. If McCarron misses a pass, this opportunistic group will take full advantage. Alabama’s WRs and TEs are just not at ANY advantage in this game. I also give the QB experience to LSU. McCarron is just not the QB that is going to dominate a game.
Alabama’s front 7 was clearly more dominant up the middle of the field. They had problems with the option with LSU. LSU could NOT move the ball up the middle of the field. The offensive line struggled on almost every snap blocking the front seven of Alabama. If this trend continues, Jordan Jefferson won’t have time to find an open WR. Trent Richardson is definitely an advantage. He is the best RB in this game. He is going be a factor.
My Pick
In 2009, it was just Alabama’s year. Everything bounced their way. I think the same thing about this LSU team. Everything is just bouncing and happening for LSU this year. I just think they have more playmakers on defense than Alabama does. I think it will be 20-17 LSU. I think that LSU will prove once and for all that they are the best team in the country.
Sunday, January 8, 2012
Divisional Playoffs
Jasmine Moore
With the 1st day of 2012 came the end of the regular season and the beginning of the 2011-2012 NFL postseason.
AFC
AFC East: Division Champs are the New England Patriots, leading the AFC East with a winning record of 13-3. With their last regular season game against the Buffalo Bills, the Patriots fell behind in the first half 21-0 only to come back to win with 49 unanswered points. The Patriots locked up the #1 Seed in the AFC and secured a bye week and home-field advantage throughout the play-offs. AFC North: Division Champs are the Baltimore Ravens. The Ravens are one of two teams to sweep their entire division ( Packers) and one of three to be undefeated at home (Packers, Saints). But the Ravens were neck and neck with the Steelers both ending the season with 12-4 record, the AFC North came down to the Week 17 games the Ravens at Bengals and the Steelers at Browns. The Ravens needed a win to become the AFC North Champions. They pulled out a win in Cincinnati, 24-16 making them the #2 Seed in the AFC and securing a bye week and the divisional match-up in Baltimore. AFC South: Division Champs are the Houston Texans who were the first in the AFC to secure their place as division champs in Week 14 with a last minute win with the help of their Third String QB T.J Yates against the Cincinnati Bengals. They also ended the season locking in the #3 Seed in the AFC entering them into a Wild-card rematch against the Bengals. AFC West: Division Champs are the Denver Broncos who got lucky after the Raiders lost to the Chargers in Week 17. With the Raiders and the Broncos neck and neck the Broncos lucked out after the Raiders lost to get #4 Seed in the AFC entering into the Wild-card match-up against the Pittsburgh Steelers.
NFC
NFC East: Division Champs are the New York Giants, with a win over the Dallas Cowboys in Week 17 showdown to seal their fate. The Giants ended their season with a 9-7 record and of those 9 wins only 3 were division wins. The Giants struggled to become the #4 Seed in the NFC to enter into a wild-card showdown against the Atlanta Falcons. NFC North: The Division Champs are none other than the 15-1 Green Bay Packers. Undefeated at home and in the NFC North, the former Super Bowl Champs only had one lost this season to the Kansas City Chiefs but locked up the #1 Seed in the NFC with a bye week and home-field advantage throughout the play-offs with their win in Week 16 against the Chicago Bears. NFC South: Division Champs are the New Orleans Saints with a winning season of 13-3, going undefeated at home and QB Drew Brees breaking Dan Marino's single passing season records. The Saints locked in the #3 Seed in the NFC to go on to face the Detroit Lions in a Wild-card rematch of Week 13. NFC West: Division Champs are the San Francisco 49ers locking in the #2 Seed in the NFC with a bye week and the divisional match-up being played in San Francisco. The 49ers ended their season with a 13-3 with a Week 17 win over the St. Louis Rams.
With the 1st day of 2012 came the end of the regular season and the beginning of the 2011-2012 NFL postseason.
AFC
AFC East: Division Champs are the New England Patriots, leading the AFC East with a winning record of 13-3. With their last regular season game against the Buffalo Bills, the Patriots fell behind in the first half 21-0 only to come back to win with 49 unanswered points. The Patriots locked up the #1 Seed in the AFC and secured a bye week and home-field advantage throughout the play-offs. AFC North: Division Champs are the Baltimore Ravens. The Ravens are one of two teams to sweep their entire division ( Packers) and one of three to be undefeated at home (Packers, Saints). But the Ravens were neck and neck with the Steelers both ending the season with 12-4 record, the AFC North came down to the Week 17 games the Ravens at Bengals and the Steelers at Browns. The Ravens needed a win to become the AFC North Champions. They pulled out a win in Cincinnati, 24-16 making them the #2 Seed in the AFC and securing a bye week and the divisional match-up in Baltimore. AFC South: Division Champs are the Houston Texans who were the first in the AFC to secure their place as division champs in Week 14 with a last minute win with the help of their Third String QB T.J Yates against the Cincinnati Bengals. They also ended the season locking in the #3 Seed in the AFC entering them into a Wild-card rematch against the Bengals. AFC West: Division Champs are the Denver Broncos who got lucky after the Raiders lost to the Chargers in Week 17. With the Raiders and the Broncos neck and neck the Broncos lucked out after the Raiders lost to get #4 Seed in the AFC entering into the Wild-card match-up against the Pittsburgh Steelers.
NFC
NFC East: Division Champs are the New York Giants, with a win over the Dallas Cowboys in Week 17 showdown to seal their fate. The Giants ended their season with a 9-7 record and of those 9 wins only 3 were division wins. The Giants struggled to become the #4 Seed in the NFC to enter into a wild-card showdown against the Atlanta Falcons. NFC North: The Division Champs are none other than the 15-1 Green Bay Packers. Undefeated at home and in the NFC North, the former Super Bowl Champs only had one lost this season to the Kansas City Chiefs but locked up the #1 Seed in the NFC with a bye week and home-field advantage throughout the play-offs with their win in Week 16 against the Chicago Bears. NFC South: Division Champs are the New Orleans Saints with a winning season of 13-3, going undefeated at home and QB Drew Brees breaking Dan Marino's single passing season records. The Saints locked in the #3 Seed in the NFC to go on to face the Detroit Lions in a Wild-card rematch of Week 13. NFC West: Division Champs are the San Francisco 49ers locking in the #2 Seed in the NFC with a bye week and the divisional match-up being played in San Francisco. The 49ers ended their season with a 13-3 with a Week 17 win over the St. Louis Rams.
Never a Right Way to Get a New Deal
Kerry R. Thompson, Sr.
DeSean Jackson and Chris Johnson say to themselves, “You know what, I ain’t about to go out there and injure myself. I have to look out for my body. If I don’t look out for my money, who is? This is a business; and I am handling my body in a business way.” The media as well as fans look at it as a slap in the face to the organization. Where is the loyalty they say? Why not honor their contract with their John Hancock on it? They are made to be villains, robbing the organization? They deserve more money? Why? I only make 35 a year fans say. It looks ungrateful.
Then you have Matt Forte’. He says, “I am going to put the organization first. I am going go out and run hard, block hard, and give 100% to my organization and my team mates. They need me. I know they are going to take care of me.” Matt goes out there for 12 games, 997 yards and 52 receptions later. Things are looking great. Then Derrick Johnson comes free and tackles Matt Forte’; Grade 2 MCL sprain. Now he is on the sideline, wondering did he ruin his chances of getting a long term deal.
Is there ever a right way to handle this?
DeSean Jackson has been a game breaker for the Eagles. He made an IMMEDIATE impact for the Eagles. One of the only reasons he didn’t go in the first round was because of off the field questions. DeSean has had his hot dog moments, but he has not be involved with drugs or been caught up with being a crime kingpin. No play has been more memorable than the punt return against the Giants that sealed the division for Eagles and eliminated a bitter division rival. DeSean Jackson opens this offense up. Without him as a deep threat, the Eagles can’t open up Bren Celek underneath or Jeremy Maclin on crossing routes and underneath routes. It will allow for a safety to play up in the box, and hamper LeSean McCoy’s ability to run. The Eagles have built this team around speed. DeSean Jackson has a flat salary of $565,000 this year. Jackson in his 4 years at Philly has 229 yards for 4,085 yards and 21 TDs. As a punt returner, he has 116 returns for 1,226 yards and 4 TDs. He is averaging 10.6 yards per return. And this guy didn’t deserve a raise?! Yet he was called selfish and Vince Young made more than him this year in 3 games along with a GANG of other guys. How do you NOT resent an organization for that? How can you go out there and give everything you have and you just signed Mike Vick to a 100 million dollar contract?
Chris Johnson has been one of the best backs in the NFL since he has arrived. CJ 2K. If I put his numbers up, there is no need to even talk about why he wanted a new contract. In four seasons he has been the crown jewel of that offense; 5, 645 yards, 38 TDs, 194 receptions, 1,426 receiving yards, and countless highlight reel runs. Chris Johnson’s work speaks for himself. Each year, the Titans have put him off until finally he held out, not only to protect his body, but to protect what he worked so hard for. His money! Not to mention that he plays for a mediocre team in the Titans that has been doing nothing over the years to get better offensively.
These are the harsh realities that these NFL players have to go through each time they tie up those cleats, and put on that team’s jersey. You can have your family settled in a city that you think you are going to spend the rest of your life in. You then get a phone call saying that you have been traded and you have to be up and out of the city within 24 hours. Or over the offseason you get cut because of the salary cap. The NFL is a business first; and players who regard their bodies as that as well. So when the media portrays these guys as being greedy, it is not always the best choice of words. Put yourself in this situation. You come to work EVERYDAY and you out work your peers, yet your peers are getting paid more than you are. Most of us feel that way anyhow. But you actually have the leverage as a player to say, I deserve more money; and you can sit out of your job until they pay you what you feel you deserve. Chris Johnson continued to sit out. Jackson decided to go ahead and come to camp.
But you saw what it did to both.
Chris Johnson got his payday and rushed for 1,047 yards. Mike Munchak wasn’t really giving Johnson the ball this year either. Over the past 2 seasons Johnson tallied over 300 carries. This year he was at 262. But he was still a thousand yard rusher and he didn’t have a mini camp. DeSean Jackson had 58 catches for 961 yards and 4 TDs. He was suspended a game, and clearly didn’t give his all this year. He didn’t have a game over 6 receptions and he only had 2 one hundred yard receiving games. This season didn’t help Jackson’s claim for the big money he felt he deserved.
If the NFL does what’s best for their team financially, then these players should have the same opportunity. I applaud the players that go out there and give their all, even though they are unhappy with their contract. But to the players that hold out and get their money, I agree with everything you are doing. If you don’t care about your family, your body, your contract who else will? Because the NFL is looking out for what’s best for them; paying you the LEAST amount possible.
DeSean Jackson and Chris Johnson say to themselves, “You know what, I ain’t about to go out there and injure myself. I have to look out for my body. If I don’t look out for my money, who is? This is a business; and I am handling my body in a business way.” The media as well as fans look at it as a slap in the face to the organization. Where is the loyalty they say? Why not honor their contract with their John Hancock on it? They are made to be villains, robbing the organization? They deserve more money? Why? I only make 35 a year fans say. It looks ungrateful.
Then you have Matt Forte’. He says, “I am going to put the organization first. I am going go out and run hard, block hard, and give 100% to my organization and my team mates. They need me. I know they are going to take care of me.” Matt goes out there for 12 games, 997 yards and 52 receptions later. Things are looking great. Then Derrick Johnson comes free and tackles Matt Forte’; Grade 2 MCL sprain. Now he is on the sideline, wondering did he ruin his chances of getting a long term deal.
Is there ever a right way to handle this?
DeSean Jackson has been a game breaker for the Eagles. He made an IMMEDIATE impact for the Eagles. One of the only reasons he didn’t go in the first round was because of off the field questions. DeSean has had his hot dog moments, but he has not be involved with drugs or been caught up with being a crime kingpin. No play has been more memorable than the punt return against the Giants that sealed the division for Eagles and eliminated a bitter division rival. DeSean Jackson opens this offense up. Without him as a deep threat, the Eagles can’t open up Bren Celek underneath or Jeremy Maclin on crossing routes and underneath routes. It will allow for a safety to play up in the box, and hamper LeSean McCoy’s ability to run. The Eagles have built this team around speed. DeSean Jackson has a flat salary of $565,000 this year. Jackson in his 4 years at Philly has 229 yards for 4,085 yards and 21 TDs. As a punt returner, he has 116 returns for 1,226 yards and 4 TDs. He is averaging 10.6 yards per return. And this guy didn’t deserve a raise?! Yet he was called selfish and Vince Young made more than him this year in 3 games along with a GANG of other guys. How do you NOT resent an organization for that? How can you go out there and give everything you have and you just signed Mike Vick to a 100 million dollar contract?
Chris Johnson has been one of the best backs in the NFL since he has arrived. CJ 2K. If I put his numbers up, there is no need to even talk about why he wanted a new contract. In four seasons he has been the crown jewel of that offense; 5, 645 yards, 38 TDs, 194 receptions, 1,426 receiving yards, and countless highlight reel runs. Chris Johnson’s work speaks for himself. Each year, the Titans have put him off until finally he held out, not only to protect his body, but to protect what he worked so hard for. His money! Not to mention that he plays for a mediocre team in the Titans that has been doing nothing over the years to get better offensively.
These are the harsh realities that these NFL players have to go through each time they tie up those cleats, and put on that team’s jersey. You can have your family settled in a city that you think you are going to spend the rest of your life in. You then get a phone call saying that you have been traded and you have to be up and out of the city within 24 hours. Or over the offseason you get cut because of the salary cap. The NFL is a business first; and players who regard their bodies as that as well. So when the media portrays these guys as being greedy, it is not always the best choice of words. Put yourself in this situation. You come to work EVERYDAY and you out work your peers, yet your peers are getting paid more than you are. Most of us feel that way anyhow. But you actually have the leverage as a player to say, I deserve more money; and you can sit out of your job until they pay you what you feel you deserve. Chris Johnson continued to sit out. Jackson decided to go ahead and come to camp.
But you saw what it did to both.
Chris Johnson got his payday and rushed for 1,047 yards. Mike Munchak wasn’t really giving Johnson the ball this year either. Over the past 2 seasons Johnson tallied over 300 carries. This year he was at 262. But he was still a thousand yard rusher and he didn’t have a mini camp. DeSean Jackson had 58 catches for 961 yards and 4 TDs. He was suspended a game, and clearly didn’t give his all this year. He didn’t have a game over 6 receptions and he only had 2 one hundred yard receiving games. This season didn’t help Jackson’s claim for the big money he felt he deserved.
If the NFL does what’s best for their team financially, then these players should have the same opportunity. I applaud the players that go out there and give their all, even though they are unhappy with their contract. But to the players that hold out and get their money, I agree with everything you are doing. If you don’t care about your family, your body, your contract who else will? Because the NFL is looking out for what’s best for them; paying you the LEAST amount possible.
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