NFL players to make case to Congress
As NFL owners and players resume talks on a new collective bargaining agreement, the new union chief and 20 current and retired players plan to meet with members of Congress Wednesday in hopes of building political support to head off a lockout. In an interview with The Associated Press Tuesday, the union head, DeMaurice Smith, said the group will remind lawmakers about the “gifts” Congress bestows on the league, such as an antitrust exemption for broadcasting contracts.
Suggs and the Ravens Appear Unable to Get a Deal Done Before the Deadline
With the deadline to sign franchise players Wednesday, it appears that one player that won’t be getting a deal is Ravens LB Terrell Suggs. He’ll play under his one-year deal worth $10.2 million. The Carroll County Times reports on the stalemate: Barring a major breakthrough in negotiations over the next two days, the Baltimore […]
With the deadline to sign franchise players Wednesday, it appears that one player that won’t be getting a deal is Ravens LB Terrell Suggs. He’ll play under his one-year deal worth $10.2 million. The Carroll County Times reports on the stalemate:
Barring a major breakthrough in negotiations over the next two days, the Baltimore Ravens are considered unlikely to sign Pro Bowl outside linebacker Terrell Suggs to a long-term contract extension prior to Wednesday’s NFL deadline governing franchise players.
Designated as the Ravens’ franchise player for the second consecutive year, Suggs is expected to play this season under a one-year, $10.2 million tender. The Ravens have entertained paying Suggs in the neighborhood of Minnesota Vikings defensive end Jared Allen, but that hasn’t bridged the gap.
Although that blockbuster offer sheet has been on the table for the past few months, Suggs and his agent, Gary Wichard, haven’t been inclined to sign off on it.
Suggs means even more to the Ravens now that Bart Scott has left to play for old defensive coordinator Rex Ryan and the Jets. He knows that, as do the Ravens, which is probably why both sides are simply not getting close to a deal.
Walter Jones, on the mend
For the first time since last season Seattle Seahawks offensive tackle, Walter Jones, worked out on the field with the team. Jones worked out for the first time since he opted to get micro fracture knee surgery, which shortened his 2008 season. Jones, who has been one of the NFL’s top offensive tackles for a decade, is […]
For the first time since last season Seattle Seahawks offensive tackle, Walter Jones, worked out on the field with the team.
Jones worked out for the first time since he opted to get micro fracture knee surgery, which shortened his 2008 season.
Jones, who has been one of the NFL’s top offensive tackles for a decade, is 35-years-old and nearing the end of a stellar career.
Jones is planning on being healthy for training camp, which starts at the end of July, but if he is unable to perform the Seahawks will have to turn to Plan B.
This would involve moving their right tackle, Sean Locklear over to left tackle and play Ray Willis at the right tackle.
According to reports, the Seahawks signed Locklear to a five year, $32 million deal, mainly because the team feels he will eventually replace Jones.
Chiefs Sign QB Cassel to a Multi-Year Deal
Despite not having played a down for them yet, the Chiefs have made quarterback Matt Cassel a very rich man. Reports say that the Chiefs have given Cassel, who was acquired from the Pats this offseason, a long-term deal. “We are excited to be able to reach a long-term agreement for Matt Cassel […]
Despite not having played a down for them yet, the Chiefs have made quarterback Matt Cassel a very rich man. Reports say that the Chiefs have given Cassel, who was acquired from the Pats this offseason, a long-term deal. “We are excited to be able to reach a long-term agreement for Matt Cassel to be a Kansas City Chief for many years to come,” stated Chiefs Chairman Clark Hunt. “His proven leadership on and off the field will be a tremendous asset to the organization.”
No details on the length of the deal have been released as of yet. Cassel has has played in 30 games during his four-year NFL career. He has completed 349 of 555 passes (62.9%) for 3,946 yards with 23 TDs and 13 INTs, good for an 88.2 rating. In addition, he has 85 carries for 298 yards with three TDs.
He was acquired from New England back on February 28th, and right away was considered to be the teams starting QB this upcoming 2009 season. He led New England to an 11-5 mark last year after Tom Brady went down in the season opener vs the Chiefs.
“We are happy to announce that the Chiefs and Matt have entered into a multi-year commitment,” said GM Scott Pioli. “Since Matt arrived in Kansas City, he has embraced the team and the community. His work ethic, his ability and competitive presence is what we expect from our players.”
These QB situations are ripe for controversy
From Oakland to Tampa — and, of course, Minnesota — there are QB controversies brewing. Our NFL Czar has some predictions.
2009 the Year of Redemption for Some Teams
Which team from 2008, that did not make the playoffs, have the best chance of going in 2009? Right off the bat I would guess that the New England Patriots have the best chance, since Tom Brady is healthy. And the rest of the team is stacked. But New England would probably be most people’s guess as […]
Which team from 2008, that did not make the playoffs, have the best chance of going in 2009?
Right off the bat I would guess that the New England Patriots have the best chance, since Tom Brady is healthy. And the rest of the team is stacked.
But New England would probably be most people’s guess as to who will return to the playoffs after not making it last year. But what other team has the best chance?
Some might guess the Cincinnati Bengals might have a shot, since Carson Palmer is back, but they question is: Will he return to his old form? And what about the Bengals defense, which ranked in the bottom half of the league defense last year?
Another team to consider is the Green Bay Packers. Aaron Rodgers has a season of starts under his belt and should improve. I also think that new defensive coordinator, Dom Capers, will help the young defensive improve.
It will be interesting to see how fast the defense transitions into the new 3-4 defense.
All of these teams are worthy and have a legitimate shot at the playoffs, but I think the New Orleans Saints have the best chance. The reason I think this can be summed up in two words.
Drew Brees.
Brees, if he stays healthy, will throw for well over 4,000 yards and 30 touchdowns. Look for the Saints to be scoring plenty of points once again this season.
The key to them making the playoffs lies in two areas: The defense and Reggie Bush.
The defense, especially the secondary, must improve. The team hopes that their first round draft pick, Malcolm Jenkins, will help improve the shaky secondary that has allowed 67 pass plays of 25 yards or more over the past two seasons.
The Saints front four did not play too well last year either and defensive ends Will Smith and Charles Grant are suspended the first four games, so it won’t be easy.
Offensively, Reggie Bush has to stay healthy this year if the Saints want to make it to the playoffs and go deep. His return game and running game is a nice complement to their explosive passing game. Not to mention Bush’s receiving ability.
In order to win in the tough NFC South, the Saints must do all of these things. And I believe they will and this is why they have the best shot, besides the patriots, to make a return to the playoffs after not making it last year.
2009 Gridiron Gab Team Previews: Cincinnati Bengals
Even Barack Obama would describe the Cincinnati Bengals as Change You Can‘t Believe In. Since their breakout AFC North division title in 2005, Cincy has posted records of 8-8 (’06), 7-9 (’07) and 4-11-1 (’08). Marvin Lewis arrived in 2003 and pulled this team out of the gutter, but instead of marching down the street, […]
Even Barack Obama would describe the Cincinnati Bengals as Change You Can‘t Believe In. Since their breakout AFC North division title in 2005, Cincy has posted records of 8-8 (’06), 7-9 (’07) and 4-11-1 (’08). Marvin Lewis arrived in 2003 and pulled this team out of the gutter, but instead of marching down the street, the Bengals have wound up sitting on the curb. America wouldn’t mind if it weren’t for the amount of talent being wasted here.
Fans saw potential in the Bengals, started to care and, like close family of someone with an addiction problem, they have been repeatedly disappointed. The Bengals, like any addict, have become well-versed in saying all the right things and cajoling people into believing in them. But now people are getting wise. Just for fun, let’s personify the Bengals and a fictitious NFL fan (call him Marty). Here’s how a conversation between the two might go:
Bengal: Marty, buddy, we feel real good about where we’re at right now. Lot of excitement around here. You should beat the crowd to the bandwagon.
Marty: Why? You guys won four games last year.
Bengal: Yeah, but we finished on a three-game win streak.
Marty: Two of those games were against the Browns and Chiefs.
Bengal: Hey, wins are wins. And besides, we weren’t ourselves last season. Our defense was banged up. Our O-line had injuries. And our star quarterback sat with a sore elbow.
Marty: How is Carson Palmer’s elbow, by the way?
Bengals: Oh it’s great––Carson’s elbow is great! He skipped Tommy John surgery, let it heal naturally. Says its 100 percent now.
Marty: That’s good.
Bengal: Yeah, yeah––it is good. You know, I’ll admit, between you and me, we really have no shot without him.
Marty: I don’t think that’s much of a secret, Bengal.
Bengal: I know, but….Hey, did you hear what Carson said a while back? Said this was by far the best offseason the team has had since he’s been here.
Marty: Every player says that.
Bengal: Yeah, but this time it’s true. This has been our best offseason! Our offensive coordinator, Bob Bratkowski, has rewritten virtually the entire playbook. Wants to get back to being a run-first club––you know, like we were with Rudi Johnson. That’s why we re-signed Cedric Benson.
Marty: Yeah?
Bengal: Yeah! Benson’s finally playing like a No. 4 overall draft pick, too. And we’ve reshaped our offensive line. Four spots up front will have a new starter in 2009. You won’t see us surrendering 51 sacks again.
Click HERE to read the rest of this Preview
Chiefs sign QB Cassel to long-term deal
A person close to the negotiations says the Kansas City Chiefs have signed quarterback Matt Cassel to a multiyear deal. The person, who requested anonymity because no official announcement had been made, did not describe terms of the deal to The Associated Press. The signing was first reported by the Kansas City Star. The 27-year-old Cassel was obtained from New England during the offseason along with linebacker Mike Vrabel for Kansas City’s second-round pick in 2010.
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