Jevon Kearse, the Tennessee Titans Defensive End who returns to Nashville this year after a career hiatus in Philadelphia, has beeen arrested for DUI.
Kearse actually appeared on local radio last Thursday, where he made the grand claim that he will get double digit sacks in 2008/9. While there's no knock on his ability to get to the QB, his penchant for the physio room will likely rule out that achievement.
Sunday, 22 June 2008
Kevin Jones
The Detroit Lions cut starting RB Kevin Jones earlier this year. A multitude of injuries had left Jones's career looking about as stable as a CBS production meeting.
Jones worked out for reporters this week, and while the reports are impressive, a few quotes from the man himself are slightly worrying. Regarding contract offers from the Patriots and Titans, Jones says:
“I’m not trying to break the bank, but I’m not about to go anywhere just to go, just because there’s a team out there and I haven’t gotten picked up yet,” Jones said. “I know my worth. A lot of the teams know my worth, but they figure, ‘OK, you’re hurt right now. We’ll bring you in.’ They’re just going to lowball you. But that’s not happening with me."
While Kevin Jones is clearly talented enough to play somewhere, it's a ridiculous assumption on his part to think that he will get anywhere near starter money right now. We find it particularly interesting that if the Patriots offered him a deal of any sort, he rejected it. The Pats' pass happy offensive scheme has given perrenial backups like Kevin Faulk and Sammy Morris decent numbers, so a proven back like Jones could potentially ressurect his career behind Tom Brady.
Regardless of who is offering the deal though, we definately think Jones's hand is short. In fact, he's holding a Joker and 'The rules of Gin Rummy'. A solid one year deal (in the Jamal Lewis mould) would see Jones entering Free Agency next year aged just 26. For one thing, it's unlikely that any team will sign someone as injury-prone as Kevin Jones to a multi-year deal anyway.
If we were Jones, we'd take less money now and prove we could get it done next season, putting him in a very strong position this time next year.
Jones worked out for reporters this week, and while the reports are impressive, a few quotes from the man himself are slightly worrying. Regarding contract offers from the Patriots and Titans, Jones says:
“I’m not trying to break the bank, but I’m not about to go anywhere just to go, just because there’s a team out there and I haven’t gotten picked up yet,” Jones said. “I know my worth. A lot of the teams know my worth, but they figure, ‘OK, you’re hurt right now. We’ll bring you in.’ They’re just going to lowball you. But that’s not happening with me."
While Kevin Jones is clearly talented enough to play somewhere, it's a ridiculous assumption on his part to think that he will get anywhere near starter money right now. We find it particularly interesting that if the Patriots offered him a deal of any sort, he rejected it. The Pats' pass happy offensive scheme has given perrenial backups like Kevin Faulk and Sammy Morris decent numbers, so a proven back like Jones could potentially ressurect his career behind Tom Brady.
Regardless of who is offering the deal though, we definately think Jones's hand is short. In fact, he's holding a Joker and 'The rules of Gin Rummy'. A solid one year deal (in the Jamal Lewis mould) would see Jones entering Free Agency next year aged just 26. For one thing, it's unlikely that any team will sign someone as injury-prone as Kevin Jones to a multi-year deal anyway.
If we were Jones, we'd take less money now and prove we could get it done next season, putting him in a very strong position this time next year.
The Offseason
As any fan will tell you, the period after the football season finishes is often a time where grown men cry like little girls at the prospect of the NFL being taken from their lives for another 7 months. In fact, with the draft in April, there is actually something to focus on to break up the monotony of your stinking, Football-less life.
The real killer is this time we're entering into now. As Lovie Smith says, now is the time that even the front office, the coaches and players go on holiday or try to stay away from anything to do with football. We don't begrudge them it, especially not with the stress and pressure that comes with micro-managing franchises these days.
We'll be filling the time by previewing each team's chances next season. The vast majority of personel decisions have already been made now, and we feel confident that, despite the inevitable arrests and cuts that come in the next few months, that any huge trades and cuts are unlikely. As such, expect something approaching the Network's '32 teams in 32 days' piece, only not at all, and probably finishing up on the eve of the regular season opener.
We'll still be bringing our thoughts on all the inevitable fluff that the media manages to dredge up at this time of year. Lucky you.
The real killer is this time we're entering into now. As Lovie Smith says, now is the time that even the front office, the coaches and players go on holiday or try to stay away from anything to do with football. We don't begrudge them it, especially not with the stress and pressure that comes with micro-managing franchises these days.
We'll be filling the time by previewing each team's chances next season. The vast majority of personel decisions have already been made now, and we feel confident that, despite the inevitable arrests and cuts that come in the next few months, that any huge trades and cuts are unlikely. As such, expect something approaching the Network's '32 teams in 32 days' piece, only not at all, and probably finishing up on the eve of the regular season opener.
We'll still be bringing our thoughts on all the inevitable fluff that the media manages to dredge up at this time of year. Lucky you.
A True Sporting Hero
Once in a while we'll take the time to salute those who's dedication to sport is truly special, and we'll start this off today with an athlete beyond compare:
Me.
Sunday may be your 'day of res't, but it's also the day 50% of Wide-Right plays the rounder, gayer version of 'Football'. Inevitably, Sunday is also hangover day, and frankly I've had 3hrs sleep, the last of which was spent with my eyes wide open, whilst I lay muttering 'This cannot be happening, this CANNOT be happening!'
Still, I'm going, and I think that's the main thing. Half an hour before the game, and I've had 2 slices of cold pizza, a banana, and a couple of painkillers.
So I salute me. If only more athletes took their proffession so seriously.
Me.
Sunday may be your 'day of res't, but it's also the day 50% of Wide-Right plays the rounder, gayer version of 'Football'. Inevitably, Sunday is also hangover day, and frankly I've had 3hrs sleep, the last of which was spent with my eyes wide open, whilst I lay muttering 'This cannot be happening, this CANNOT be happening!'
Still, I'm going, and I think that's the main thing. Half an hour before the game, and I've had 2 slices of cold pizza, a banana, and a couple of painkillers.
So I salute me. If only more athletes took their proffession so seriously.
Saturday, 21 June 2008
Spygate: a stance
Senator Arlen Specter is still not giving up on this one just yet, so if we're going to have to talk about this INSANELY tedious story in the future, it's only right that you know which side of the fence we're on.
Now first of all let's clarify one thing: We're primarily football fans here. We aren't out to back up one side of the argument, merely to give opinions. If someone does wrong, we'll call them out on it, but at the same time, we have to be rational.
Wheras the Patriots are culpable - and this is not a defence of them - some of the media coverage has been atrocious. The most obvious and glaring example, John Tomase's Boston Herald article on the eve of the Superbowl was an obvious attempt by both writer and newspaper to grab the national headlines, especially at a time when the eyes of every beat writer in the U.S was on the Patriots. Tomase and the Herald will long be held responsible for what happened in the game, whether right or wrong, you should never put yourself in a position to be the scapegoat for someone else's failure.
My personal (and I won't include Fran in this, as he may have his own thoughts) opinion is that the issue should be left alone now. Regardless of whatever anyone says, the Patriots were punished. Imagine if Miami had lost it's first round pick this year? Does anyone think that wouldn't have been a punishment? I've read hundreds of comments that suggest that the Pats got off lightly regarding Spygate, simply because they already had a good team and had less need of the draft choice than some teams.
Rubbish.
If you'd have said to Belichick et al, that 3-4 years down the line this would blow up like it has, and they'd lose their first round pick in 2008, do you think they'd have carried on? Do you think they'd even have risked it even if they thought the chances of getting caught were slim? My opinion is that they wouldn't. The Patriots haven't built a dynasty out of throwing away draft choices, and I'm fairly certain that whatever was gleaned from those tapes was not as important as the ability to add first round talent down the line.
The effect on the Patriots' legacy is a big question. Of course, in time we may forget, but right now, every bitter fan in the country has all the ammunition they need to asterisk the Dynasty of the early 2000's. Do I blame them? No, not particularly. Like I say, I'm no Patriots fan and I don't mind seeing them lose.
But the fact is they didn't win those championships based on that film. We've all seen it now, and it's hardly anything that anyone with eyes couldn't second guess anyway. Most of the signals are blatant, signalling 4 fingers for 4-deep coverage is a prime example. Even players and coaches from the losing sides have been quick to say that blaming these tapes is a cheap get out clause for the way they played. As Mike Martz put it: "Let me make this clear: we lost to the New England Patriots in the Superbowl because we turned the ball over three times."
So my final thoughts? The Patriots did wrong, and in this situation they deserve to be punished, if only for having the sheer brass balls to send a man to videotape an ex-employee during a road game. On the other hand, it's over and done with (until the aforementioned Senator recovers from his Chemotherapy at least), and perhaps a better sign of class would be for opposing fans to stop using the tabloid slang - 'Belicheat' etc - that has become prevalent these days.
Now first of all let's clarify one thing: We're primarily football fans here. We aren't out to back up one side of the argument, merely to give opinions. If someone does wrong, we'll call them out on it, but at the same time, we have to be rational.
Wheras the Patriots are culpable - and this is not a defence of them - some of the media coverage has been atrocious. The most obvious and glaring example, John Tomase's Boston Herald article on the eve of the Superbowl was an obvious attempt by both writer and newspaper to grab the national headlines, especially at a time when the eyes of every beat writer in the U.S was on the Patriots. Tomase and the Herald will long be held responsible for what happened in the game, whether right or wrong, you should never put yourself in a position to be the scapegoat for someone else's failure.
My personal (and I won't include Fran in this, as he may have his own thoughts) opinion is that the issue should be left alone now. Regardless of whatever anyone says, the Patriots were punished. Imagine if Miami had lost it's first round pick this year? Does anyone think that wouldn't have been a punishment? I've read hundreds of comments that suggest that the Pats got off lightly regarding Spygate, simply because they already had a good team and had less need of the draft choice than some teams.
Rubbish.
If you'd have said to Belichick et al, that 3-4 years down the line this would blow up like it has, and they'd lose their first round pick in 2008, do you think they'd have carried on? Do you think they'd even have risked it even if they thought the chances of getting caught were slim? My opinion is that they wouldn't. The Patriots haven't built a dynasty out of throwing away draft choices, and I'm fairly certain that whatever was gleaned from those tapes was not as important as the ability to add first round talent down the line.
The effect on the Patriots' legacy is a big question. Of course, in time we may forget, but right now, every bitter fan in the country has all the ammunition they need to asterisk the Dynasty of the early 2000's. Do I blame them? No, not particularly. Like I say, I'm no Patriots fan and I don't mind seeing them lose.
But the fact is they didn't win those championships based on that film. We've all seen it now, and it's hardly anything that anyone with eyes couldn't second guess anyway. Most of the signals are blatant, signalling 4 fingers for 4-deep coverage is a prime example. Even players and coaches from the losing sides have been quick to say that blaming these tapes is a cheap get out clause for the way they played. As Mike Martz put it: "Let me make this clear: we lost to the New England Patriots in the Superbowl because we turned the ball over three times."
So my final thoughts? The Patriots did wrong, and in this situation they deserve to be punished, if only for having the sheer brass balls to send a man to videotape an ex-employee during a road game. On the other hand, it's over and done with (until the aforementioned Senator recovers from his Chemotherapy at least), and perhaps a better sign of class would be for opposing fans to stop using the tabloid slang - 'Belicheat' etc - that has become prevalent these days.
Hall of Fame 2013 class
With the retirements of a few marquee players this offseason, many outlets have questioned who the likely odd men out are in the equation. Every season five new inductees are voted into the Pro-Football Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio. There are also up to two members inducted via the 'Seniors committee' which, to put it simply, means that players who finished their careers 25 years or more ago aren't forever excluded.
So that's 7 Hall of Famers in total every year. Maximum.
Here's a list of finalists from this year (Bold denotes inducted this year)
Cris Carter – Wide Receiver – 1987-89 Philadelphia Eagles, 1990-2001 Minnesota Vikings, 2002 Miami Dolphins
Fred Dean – Defensive End – 1975-1981 San Diego Chargers, 1981-85 San Francisco 49ers
Richard Dent – Defensive End – 1983-1993, 1995 Chicago Bears, 1994 San Francisco 49ers, 1996 Indianapolis Colts, 1997 Philadelphia Eagles
Marshall Goldberg – Back – 1939-1943, 1946-48 Chicago Cardinals
Randy Gradishar – Linebacker – 1974-1983 Denver Broncos
Darrell Green – Cornerback – 1983-2002 Washington Redskins
Russ Grimm – Guard – 1981-1991 Washington Redskins
Ray Guy – Punter – 1973-1986 Oakland/Los Angeles Raiders
Bob Kuechenberg – Guard – 1970-1984 Miami Dolphins
Randall McDaniel – Guard – 1988-1999 Minnesota Vikings, 2000-2001 Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Art Monk – Wide Receiver – 1980-1993 Washington Redskins, 1994 New York Jets, 1995 Philadelphia Eagles
Andre Reed – Wide Receiver – 1985-1999 Buffalo Bills, 2000 Washington Redskins
Paul Tagliabue – Commissioner – 1989-2006 National Football League
Derrick Thomas – Linebacker – 1989-1999 Kansas City Chiefs
Emmitt Thomas – Cornerback – 1966-1978 Kansas City Chiefs Andre Tippett – Linebacker – 1982-1993 New England Patriots
Gary Zimmerman – Tackle – 1986-1992 Minnesota Vikings, 1993-97 Denver Broncos
A hefty list and one that contains some big names. However, we're not sure of a few things regarding this supossed stud batch of players in 2013. First, let's clarify: Brett Favre and Michael Strahan are locks in their first year of eligibility. Warren Sapp is almost certain to be in there too. He's been one of the most dominant interior DT's ever, and deserves to be mentioned as one of the primary catalysts in the Bucs' championship team.
The other two - Priest Holmes and Steve McNair - are trickier. Holmes had a relatively short career at the top, and despite his success, might struggle for votes. McNair is the real wild card. He was the face of a franchise for nearly 15 years, transcending the Houston and Tennessee Oilers, and eventually the Titans. He undoubtedly has big numbers, but he is missing a ring. Of course, Championships don't mean you're guaranteed anything, but put it this way: Would Strahan or Sapp be considered such locks without their rings? Sure they'd get in, but it's difficult to imagine McNair getting in in 2013.
Incidentally, a lot has been made of people like Ray Guy needing to be inducted - Guy will be eligible as a Senior member by the time Favre et al are up for nomination. In fact, three of the players in last year's list of finalists will have qualified for such entry to Canton by 2013.
Update: As a reader kindly points out, Larry Allen will likely retire, and what about Jonathan Ogden? Both have been rocks on their respective lines for the last decade, and would arguably supercede both Holmes and McNair in any Hall of Fame ballot.
So that's 7 Hall of Famers in total every year. Maximum.
Here's a list of finalists from this year (Bold denotes inducted this year)
Cris Carter – Wide Receiver – 1987-89 Philadelphia Eagles, 1990-2001 Minnesota Vikings, 2002 Miami Dolphins
Fred Dean – Defensive End – 1975-1981 San Diego Chargers, 1981-85 San Francisco 49ers
Richard Dent – Defensive End – 1983-1993, 1995 Chicago Bears, 1994 San Francisco 49ers, 1996 Indianapolis Colts, 1997 Philadelphia Eagles
Marshall Goldberg – Back – 1939-1943, 1946-48 Chicago Cardinals
Randy Gradishar – Linebacker – 1974-1983 Denver Broncos
Darrell Green – Cornerback – 1983-2002 Washington Redskins
Russ Grimm – Guard – 1981-1991 Washington Redskins
Ray Guy – Punter – 1973-1986 Oakland/Los Angeles Raiders
Bob Kuechenberg – Guard – 1970-1984 Miami Dolphins
Randall McDaniel – Guard – 1988-1999 Minnesota Vikings, 2000-2001 Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Art Monk – Wide Receiver – 1980-1993 Washington Redskins, 1994 New York Jets, 1995 Philadelphia Eagles
Andre Reed – Wide Receiver – 1985-1999 Buffalo Bills, 2000 Washington Redskins
Paul Tagliabue – Commissioner – 1989-2006 National Football League
Derrick Thomas – Linebacker – 1989-1999 Kansas City Chiefs
Emmitt Thomas – Cornerback – 1966-1978 Kansas City Chiefs Andre Tippett – Linebacker – 1982-1993 New England Patriots
Gary Zimmerman – Tackle – 1986-1992 Minnesota Vikings, 1993-97 Denver Broncos
A hefty list and one that contains some big names. However, we're not sure of a few things regarding this supossed stud batch of players in 2013. First, let's clarify: Brett Favre and Michael Strahan are locks in their first year of eligibility. Warren Sapp is almost certain to be in there too. He's been one of the most dominant interior DT's ever, and deserves to be mentioned as one of the primary catalysts in the Bucs' championship team.
The other two - Priest Holmes and Steve McNair - are trickier. Holmes had a relatively short career at the top, and despite his success, might struggle for votes. McNair is the real wild card. He was the face of a franchise for nearly 15 years, transcending the Houston and Tennessee Oilers, and eventually the Titans. He undoubtedly has big numbers, but he is missing a ring. Of course, Championships don't mean you're guaranteed anything, but put it this way: Would Strahan or Sapp be considered such locks without their rings? Sure they'd get in, but it's difficult to imagine McNair getting in in 2013.
Incidentally, a lot has been made of people like Ray Guy needing to be inducted - Guy will be eligible as a Senior member by the time Favre et al are up for nomination. In fact, three of the players in last year's list of finalists will have qualified for such entry to Canton by 2013.
Update: As a reader kindly points out, Larry Allen will likely retire, and what about Jonathan Ogden? Both have been rocks on their respective lines for the last decade, and would arguably supercede both Holmes and McNair in any Hall of Fame ballot.
Reactions in the press: Tommie Harris deal
The best takes on Harris's record deal with the Bears:
...Harris’ well-deserved contract extension provides a well-timed breath of fresh air that should carry into training camp in late July. Unlike teammate Brian Urlacher, Harris never considered holding out of training-camp activities due to contract concerns and even passively acknowledged the strong possibility that he could have been franchised down the road. - Pro Football Weekly
...Harris, 25, will hit free agency again at the age of 29. If he can avoid recurring knee injuries, Harris should get three huge contracts, including his rookie deal. It's also a good move for the Bears, who are locking up arguably the league's best "three technique" defensive tackle. - Rotoworld
Locking up Hester well beyond 2009, when his rookie contract expires, is paramount. The Bears have ongoing discussions with agent Eugene Parker, but nothing is imminent. It's a complicated matter. There never has been a returner like Hester, and his skills as a receiver remain unknown.
Hester, who has scored more touchdowns over the last two seasons than anyone else on the team, probably would like to work off the six-year, $42 million contract that Rosenhaus got for Bernard Berrian with the Minnesota Vikings.
- Brad Biggs, Chicago Sun-Times
Five years ago this month, Urlacher stood in the same room Harris did Friday and signed a similarly lucrative contract promising generational wealth of which most people only dream. Like Harris, Urlacher had just turned 25 and already had made three Pro Bowls.
Urlacher probably still has a few more Pro Bowls left to make and still deserves the relatively modest new contract he has lobbied for since last winter. But it's time, symbolically, to remove the crown that always fit a little awkwardly atop his helmet and let Harris wear it.
Harris was born to lead, a natural, national emblem for a Bears organization that wants to represent all that Harris stands for on and off the field. - David Haugh, Chicago Tribune
...Harris’ well-deserved contract extension provides a well-timed breath of fresh air that should carry into training camp in late July. Unlike teammate Brian Urlacher, Harris never considered holding out of training-camp activities due to contract concerns and even passively acknowledged the strong possibility that he could have been franchised down the road. - Pro Football Weekly
...Harris, 25, will hit free agency again at the age of 29. If he can avoid recurring knee injuries, Harris should get three huge contracts, including his rookie deal. It's also a good move for the Bears, who are locking up arguably the league's best "three technique" defensive tackle. - Rotoworld
Locking up Hester well beyond 2009, when his rookie contract expires, is paramount. The Bears have ongoing discussions with agent Eugene Parker, but nothing is imminent. It's a complicated matter. There never has been a returner like Hester, and his skills as a receiver remain unknown.
Hester, who has scored more touchdowns over the last two seasons than anyone else on the team, probably would like to work off the six-year, $42 million contract that Rosenhaus got for Bernard Berrian with the Minnesota Vikings.
- Brad Biggs, Chicago Sun-Times
Five years ago this month, Urlacher stood in the same room Harris did Friday and signed a similarly lucrative contract promising generational wealth of which most people only dream. Like Harris, Urlacher had just turned 25 and already had made three Pro Bowls.
Urlacher probably still has a few more Pro Bowls left to make and still deserves the relatively modest new contract he has lobbied for since last winter. But it's time, symbolically, to remove the crown that always fit a little awkwardly atop his helmet and let Harris wear it.
Harris was born to lead, a natural, national emblem for a Bears organization that wants to represent all that Harris stands for on and off the field. - David Haugh, Chicago Tribune
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