Showing posts with label Super Bowl. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Super Bowl. Show all posts

Tuesday, March 29, 2011

Terrell Davis: From Gridiron Hero to Personal Inspiration

Terrell Davis is known by many to be one of the greatest running backs in Denver Broncos history, the two-time Super Bowl winner and MVP once ruled the gridiron with his powerful running on the field and great personality off. His charming ways have made him a popular figure even now—long after his retirement.

However, many probably don't realize how much of an inspiration Davis has been to one young lady who nearly ended her life prematurely—if not for Davis' presence on her television screen in 1998.

The story, published by The Japan Times (h/t/ Bronco Talk), is about a young woman named Noriko Kokura. Kokura, who is now a 28-year old running back for the Sacramento Sirens of the Independent Womens Football League (IWFL), tells the story of how Davis changed her life forever during Super Bowl XXXII—the night the Broncos captured their first NFL Championship under John Elway.

Below is an excerpt from the story:
After the game, Noriko Kokura was going to end her life. 
But she stopped, because she found a ray of hope through the game of football.
Or more precisely, through a player.
While harboring that feeling (of taking her own life), she watched Super Bowl XXXII between the Denver Broncos and Green Bay Packers, sitting in front of a TV set along with her father, like they had done every year since she was in elementary school.
Kokura, then in her final year of junior high school, had an eye-opening experience.  She was intrigued by the Broncos’ ace running back, Terrell Davis. Her heart was moved to see Davis building such tight bonds with his teammates on the field.
“His game sent a ray of light into my heart,” Kokura said in an e-mail interview. “I’d seen so many games before, but I’d never seen a player believing in his teammates that much. And his teammates believed in him too.” 
From that moment on, she abandoned the idea of killing herself. (Kaz Nagatsuka, The Japan Times, 3/28/11)
Kokura, eventually, was able to overcome all of her disorders through the game of football and found success both on and off the field using her love of the game as a guide—a love inspired and awakened with the help of one very special player.




Monday, February 28, 2011

VIDEO: Hines Ward Has Happy Feet...

It is being reported that Hines Ward has signed on to be in the next installment of 'Dancing With The Stars', or DWTS.  You know that show that keeps punishing us with people who can't dance all that well, but have great personalities?

Yeah, that one...the one that dared give us "The Situation" (should've been canceled for that decision alone) and a really bad Buzz Aldrin—whose walk on the moon clearly didn't make him any lighter on his feet—ay, yi, yi.

Well, if Hines Ward is going to showcase some of his fancy footwork on the world's stage, perhaps we should have a preview of what we are in for...check out Ward showing off some of his dance moves below:




One thing is certain, the man has rhythm.

While I seriously doubt the 'Electric Slide' gets much play on DWTS, Ward gets a 10 in my book for execution, style, and overall ability to not look like a total tool on camera.

I may finally have a reason to watch that show this season...maybe.



Friday, February 11, 2011

NFL Draft: Cam Newton Is Making The Most of The Media Attention

Photo Credit: ROSS D. FRANKLIN/AP
Cam Newton won't be the No. 1 pick in this years NFL Draft—that's a certainty—however, that hasn't kept him or his father from pulling out all the stops to make him as attractive a prospect as possible.

Currently, depending on what mock draft you use, Newton could go as high as No. 13, or as low as No. 28. That said, the Newton's are banking on driving the former Auburn quarterback's stock a bit higher between now and draft day.

Reportedly, Cecil Newton has already arranged for his son to be groomed by the self-professed "quarterback builder", George Whitfield Jr—whose biggest claim to fame, at least in the pro ranks, is the work he did with Ben Roethlisberger at the start of the 2010 season, while the two-time Super Bowl winner was serving a four-game suspension.

Whitfield is the owner of Whitfield Athletix, a private quarterback training facility, which boasts such clientele as Akili Smith, Hunter Cantwell, and Chase Clement—among others. Whitfield is a former Arena Football quarterback who never seemed to find much success at the pro level as a player. At 32, he's dedicated himself to building the Whitfield Athletix brand and, so far, he's proven to be a better businessman than ball player.

Will all the publicity and media cow-towing pay off for the Newton's? Right now it's hard to say, but Cam is certainly turning a few NFL heads already just a week shy of the Combine and that has to be a reason to feel optimistic.




Thursday, February 3, 2011

The 10 Biggest Super Bowl Fiascos of All-Time

The Super Bowl is undoubtedly America's most hyped sporting and television event. Last season's big game, in which the once moribund New Orleans Saints defeated the Peyton Manning-led Indianapolis Colts, drew an audience of more than 106 million people, surpassing M-A-S-H as the most-watched program in US television history. 

Because there is so much at stake, whether it's the Lombardi Trophy, or money for FOX, NBC or CBS, every element of the event is magnified. Mass attention is bestowed upon both the players, and non-football performers, for their actions on and off the big stage. In the past, some reveled in it while others found it bothersome, but all of it contributed to a few memorable fiascos that added drama, horror or humor to an already exciting week.

Here are just a few of those wild moments:

1. Super Bowl XXIII—Stanley Wilson's Pregame Cocaine Binge:

The Bengals entered Super Bowl XXIII as heavy underdogs to the San Francisco 49ers, so the addition of an unnecessary distraction was the last thing they needed. Prior to their last team meeting, before the game, running back Stanley Wilson, who had been suspended for the 1985 and 1987 seasons for cocaine use, told teammates he'd forgotten his playbook and was going to retrieve it. Minutes later he was found on the bathroom floor of his hotel room, debilitated by a spontaneous cocaine binge. Consequently, he was left off the roster by coach Sam Wyche and because it was his third strike with the NFL, he was later banned for life. The Bengals narrowly lost the game, which culminated with the famous Montana-to-Taylor game-winning touchdown.

2. Super Bowl XXXVII—Barret Robbins Forgets Anti-Depressants, Goes MIA:



Barret Robbins is another would-be Super Bowl participant who fell victim to his own demons before the game. The Raiders' Pro Bowl center went missing two days before kickoff and resurfaced Saturday evening, disheveled and disoriented, incapable of playing in the game. His teammates claimed that Robbins went on a drunken binge in Tijuana—located just across the border from Super Bowl XXXVII's host city of San Diego. As a result, coach Bill Callahan left him off the roster and the Raiders offensive line suffered.  The Bucs defense sacked 2002 NFL MVP Rich Gannon five times, pressuring him into five interceptions, and stifled the Raiders run game—then finished with a total of 19 yards rushing. Robbins subsequently entered the Betty Ford Center and was diagnosed with bipolar disorder. His personal freefall continued during the following years as he was linked to BALCO, tested positive for steroids, and was involved in an incident in which he was shot three times, resulting in an attempted murder charge.

3. Super Bowl XXXIV—Ray Lewis's Supposed Murder Involvement:



Today, Ray Lewis is recognized as a Super Bowl champ and one of the most accomplished and intimidating linebackers in NFL history. In January of 2000, however, he was viewed by many NFL observers as just another professional athlete turned criminal. After a post-Super Bowl party, he was involved in a bloody fight that resulted in the stabbing deaths of two men, and the accusation that he had a role in their murders. Lewis avoided murder charges and jail time by testifying against his two co-defendants and pleading guilty to obstruction of justice. The episode delivered yet another hit to the NFL's reputation, coming just two months after Ray Carruth was accused of murdering his pregnant girlfriend.

4. Super Bowl XXXIII—Eugene Robinson's Awful Weekend:

The elaborate Super Bowl XXXIII festivities apparently weren't enough for Falcons Pro Bowl safety Eugene Robinson—he just wanted to engage in the XXX activities. Not a day after he was given the Bart Starr Award for exemplifying "outstanding character and leadership in the home, on the field and in the community," he was arrested for soliciting an undercover police officer for sex. He was bailed out by a team official and played a prominent role in the game, but in a bad way. He surrendered an 80-yard touchdown to Broncos receiver Rod Smith—which placed the Falcons in a two-touchdown hole—from which the Falcons never recovered. They lost the game 34-19.

5. Super Bowl XIII —Hollywood Disses Bradshaw, Pays the Price:

Trash-talking has long been a tradition of Super Bowl week. It adds to the anticipation of the game, especially if it involves two of the league's most prestigious teams, the Dallas Cowboys and the Pittsburgh Steelers. During the lead-up to Super Bowl XIII, colorful Cowboys linebacker, "Hollywood" Henderson, told reporters that Bradshaw was "so dumb he couldn't spell 'cat' if you spotted him the 'C' and the 'A'." The Steelers quarterback had never been viewed as the sharpest tool in the shed, nor the most emotionally composed person, but he didn't let the zinger get under his skin. In fact, he responded by putting forth the best Super Bowl performance of his career. He posted 318 yards and four touchdown passes, winning the game's MVP honors after the Steelers' victory.

6. Super Bowl XX—Irving Fryar's Fingers:

The two weeks that led up to Super Bowl XX were far more entertaining than the Bears' 46-10 thrashing of the Patriots. Bears quarterback Jim McMahon was the center of attention, most notably referring to the women of New Orleans as "sluts" and mooning a camera during a practice before the game. When the camera wasn't fixed on McMahon's mug, it was focused on Patriots Pro Bowl receiver Irving Fryar's two bandaged fingers, which he cut prior to the AFC Championship Game. The injury was initially explained as a freak accident with a kitchen knife, but it was later reported by the Boston Globe that it occurred during a fight between him and his wife. Fryar, a key component of the Patriots' offense and special teams, played anyway, catching the team's lone touchdown.


7. Super Bowl XXXVIII—Janet Jackson's Slippage:



One of the most dramatic games in Super Bowl history was overshadowed by the halftime show performance of Janet Jackson and Justin Timberlake. The two suggestively performed Timberlake's hit "Rock Your Body"—culminating with Timberlake's tearing off a piece of Jackson's clothing and revealing her partially-covered breast for a split second. Janet Jackson's infamous "wardrobe malfunction" created a flurry of controversy and elicited heated debates about indecency in broadcasting and the supposedly corrupted morality of America. The incident resulted in a record $550,000 fine levied by the FCC against CBS. The video above features the moment as it occurred on live television.

8. Super Bowl XLI—Prince's Pointy Profile:



Although it didn't garner as much attention as Janet Jackson's performance three-years earlier, Prince's halftime performance angered the slightly more conservative crowd. During his guitar solo for "Purple Rain," his shadow was projected onto a large sheet, forming a silhouette that combined the figure of his body and guitar. Some viewers claimed the instrument appeared phallic and complained to the FCC and CBS. Late night talk show hosts poked fun at the incident, but the minor controversy subsided rather quickly. Now, most people remember Prince's performance as the highlight of an otherwise anticlimactic night. (Note: advance to 9:45 in the above video to see what all the fuss was about).

In-Game Fiascos:

9. Super Bowl VII—Garo Yepremian and The Worst Pass in NFL History:



Garo Yepremian may be one of the most proficient kickers in NFL history, but he's best remembered for his fool-hardy pass attempt during Super Bowl VII. Up 14-0 with just more than two minutes remaining in the game, the Dolphins field goal unit took the field with the intension of sealing the victory. Instead, the attempt was blocked and the ball was immediately retrieved by Yepremian. He then attempted a pass, causing the ball to flutter just above his head, bounce into the air and end up in the hands of Redskins cornerback Mike Bass, who returned it for a touchdown. The Dolphins lead was cut in half in just a matter of seconds. Fortunately for Yepremian, the Dolphins won the game, accomplishing the goal of becoming the first undefeated team in NFL history, and the play became nothing more than a comic relief highlight for NFL Films.

10. Super Bowl XXVII—Leon Lett-down:



Former Cowboys defensive tackle Leon Lett, like Yepremian, enjoyed a very productive NFL career. And Lett, like Yepremian, will always be remembered for what he did wrong. Lett was responsible for two high profile blunders, the first of which occurred late in Super Bowl XXVII. With the game already in hand in the fourth quarter, Lett scooped up a fumble and ran it back 45 yards. As he neared the goal line, he slowed and held the ball with his arm outstretched in order to showboat, but karma bit him in the butt when Bills receiver Don Beebe ran Lett down and knocked the ball out of his hand before he reached the endzone, causing a touchback. Lett was noticeably embarrassed after the game, admitting that he was looking at the Jumbotron as the play unfolded. But, some people never learn and, at the end of the next season, he cost the Cowboys their Thanksgiving game versus the Dolphins when he attempted to recover a blocked kick in the waning seconds, enabling the Dolphins to regain possession and kick the game winner.


*This article is reprinted via permission of onlinedegree.net.







Tuesday, January 25, 2011

WATCH: Man Fired For Wearing Green Bay Packers Tie To Work

This would be funnier, if it weren't true.

 

While I can understand the intent behind the action, there is no explanation for this happening. Get a grip, your team lost, move on and stop making your city look like a bunch of sore losers.

This man was here to do his job and, unless wearing ties that support a particular sports team is unacceptable, he had every right to show Green Bay some love.

Wow...there are really no words for how silly some people truly can be.

Wednesday, August 11, 2010

The NY Jets Know There Is No 'I' in Team, But There Is Definitely One in Revis

The New York Jets are having a little trouble with their Pro Bowl cornerback, Darrelle Revis. According to the most recent report offered by MSNBC, the disgruntled star of the Jets secondary wants to get paid—big time. The contract talks between Revis and the Jets have stalled due to a gap in what the player wants and what the team is willing to give. The "gap" sits at $40 million—Revis wants $160 million, but the Jets are offering $120 million.

That's a pretty significant gap to cover and one wonders not what the Jets are thinking in offering ONLY $120 million, but what Darrelle Revis is thinking in expecting $160 million...seriously?!?

There is no denying that Revis is a shutdown corner who is capable of changing the landscape of a game, but I haven't met a cornerback yet who is responsible for taking his team to a Super Bowl. Corners are an important piece of the overall puzzle because they can keep the options of the opposing quarterback slim—particularly if they are fearful of throwing to one side of the field. Revis is that kind of player. He can shut one side of a field down and make life hell for a quarterback.

That said, Revis isn't a quarterback and his play, while phenomenal, isn't worth the $160 million he thinks its worth. His 37 passes defensed in  2009 was a big deal because it showcases just how dominant a force he is on the football field, but Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie of the Cardinals had 31—he also had as many tackles, interceptions, and touchdowns as Revis did last season.

Last I checked, Cromartie is in camp, practicing with his teammates, and being a leader.

Clearly, Revis has forgotten that no matter how good he thinks he is, he is still expendable. The Jets played this game of chicken with Leon Washington last year—Leon lost. Revis would do well to take that $120 million dollars, negotiate the guarantees, shut the heck up, and pray that he doesn't get injured or get exposed after pulling this stunt.

Jets fans are loyal to the guys on the field but this stunt isn't endearing Revis to anyone at the moment and he needs to figure out if it makes sense for him to holdout when he still has three-years left on his contract and the Jets have NO plans to trade him...is he prepared to stake his career and his skills to a three-year holdout?

The obvious answer would be "no", but these days, I can't say that the latter would surprise me. Darrelle, this ones for you:



Ahhhh, the "diva" is alive and well in the NFL.



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Tuesday, August 10, 2010

NFL Outlook 2010: 10 Bold, Slightly Insane, Predictions For The Coming Season

I'm into making the most of what I say. Sometimes, the words that roll out onto the screen can be interpreted as complete idiocy—but mostly it's just a rant gone wrong.

So, in the spirit of being completely off-the-cuff and minus a censor, it seemed fitting to start spouting off some bold predictions for the 2010 football season.

Why not?

At this point, no one can say for certain that any of these predictions will be proved wrong and, honestly, if I get called to the carpet, I can just plead insanity...right?


1. San Francisco will win the NFC West.

There, I said it. I'm not taking it back and, seriously, looking at the NFC West this season, I don't see a reason to.
Forget the chatter about not having a quarterback and all that, have you seen the Niners defense? If not, it's that unit on the field that was near the top of the league in points allowed per game last season (17.8). They have a ton of talent and a whole lot of attitude when they step on the field—with a player like Patrick Willis to call your own, why not?

That said, the Niners were also first in penalties received. They need to play a lot smarter on Sunday's if they expect to parlay that 8-8 season into the 11-5 one I easily see them achieving in 2010.

2. Speaking of the NFC West, look for the Cardinals to fall flat without Kurt Warner. 

Here's the thing, with both Kurt Warner and Anquan Boldin on the field in 2009, the Cardinals went 10-6—better than the year before when they rode a 9-7 record to the Super Bowl. However, that was in a weak division where their best competition was offered by San Francisco (a team that beat them twice).

This year they not only don't have Kurt Warner to lend both his veteran preference and his big arm to the equation, but they lost Anquan Boldin too—a key compliment to Larry Fitzgerald. Some might say that there is plenty of talent left in both Steve Breaston and Early Doucet, but, did I mention they no longer have Kurt Warner?

I'm not buying that the defense in 'Zona will be the difference and I am not a believer in Tim Hightower or Beanie Wells' ability to carry the offense on the ground. The Cardinals are about to do some slipping—7-9 will be the end result (if they're lucky).

3. The Green Bay Packers will win the NFC North.

Brett Favre may or may not change his mind and decide to take up residence in Minnesota—it won't matter if he does. Whether it be Brett Favre, Tarvaris Jackson, or Fran Tarkenton, the Vikings aren't going to win the north this season.

Green Bay got accustomed to the 3-4 rather quickly in 2009, and ended up fielding one of the best defensive units in the league. Aaron Rodgers showed that he is more than capable of filling the tremendously big shoes that Brett Favre left behind—despite the woodshed beat down that Favre put him through in both their meetings.

The one question mark was/is the offensive line. They had a tendency to let too many guys get through and that resulted in Rodgers seeing the turf a bit more than he should have—Bryan Bulaga will hopefully offer a cure for that problem.

If he can, the Pack should be one of the most well-rounded teams in the north and they should be the early favorite to win their division.

4. Terrell Owens won't make a difference in Cincinnati.

My feelings about Terrell Owens aside, the move to bring him into the Bengals organization won't make much difference as far as the production of Carson Palmer is concerned. Owens, along with Ochocinco, will make a lovely sideshow but the offensive line troubles me—they seemed to be off during the HOF Game on Sunday and, considering Carson Palmer's injury history, that's not a good thing.

The defense had some bright spots but, for the most part, there is still work to be done and that means the Bengals will likely lose more than they'd like and the T.O./Ochocinco Show will largely be a publicity stunt with little gas left by mid-season.

9-7 is believable, 10-6 is probable, but this team isn't going to the Super Bowl—not this season.

5. Chris Johnson will return to earth in 2010 and be happy to settle for a reasonable contract by season's end. 

Johnson is feeling himself right now. He thinks he's the most explosive offensive player in the league and he figures he's due a pretty big payday in the near-future. The Titans, obviously, don't share that same opinion and declined to offer him the big money deal he was looking for—much to his chagrin.

So, now he will play on a one-year contract and hope to blow the doors off the league yet again. Once he does, he will likely be looking to put himself on the market so he can get what's coming to him.

In my opinion, Johnson won't come close to the 2,000 yard mark. He'll top out at 1,300 yards and he'll get the contract that befits a guy of that caliber. 2009 was impressive but this is a new year and Johnson's day in the sun is about to see some cloud cover.

6. The Pittsburgh Steelers will miss the playoffs.

I like the Steelers. No, check that, I LOVE the Steelers, but I think all of the issues surrounding their slightly immature quarterback will be their undoing this season. Neither Byron Leftwich nor Dennis Dixon are going to be the answer for an absentee Ben this year (who will serve a four-to-six game suspension), and Charlie Batch is long overdue for his pension check.

The defense is still formidable, but it's older and the loss of Troy Polamalu for the better part of last season showed some chinks in the armor of that once stellar secondary unit. If the offense sputters and the defense is forced to carry the team, things could get tight for Mike Tomlin's crew pretty quick.

It's still the Steelers, though, and you almost expect them to find a way to come out on top but I see a 2-4 start at best and an uphill battle the rest of the way.


7. The Denver Broncos will lose more games than last season.

Everyone is so in love with the Broncos right now. They have Tim Tebow! They have talent at wide receiver! They have good running backs!...uhhhh, how about these points: THEY HAVE NO O-LINE!! THEY LOST BRANDON MARSHALL!!! THEY LOST EIGHT OF THEIR LAST TEN GAMES IN 2009!!...how about that?

*scratches head*

Listen to me, the Broncos might be the second-coming of the New England Patriots in about two years, but do not get caught up in the hype that's coming from the big name sitting on their roster. Tebow will play but he isn't ready to lead a team to victory. Kyle Orton is still average and now he won't have Marshall to throw it to anymore. Moreno and Buckhalter are both good but they are nothing without a strong offensive line—which the Broncos do not have.

Don't believe the hype, you'll be disappointed.

8. Neither the Colts nor the Saints will be making a return trip to the Super Bowl.

I like the Baltimore Ravens and the Green Bay Packers to go deep into the playoffs. Baltimore is, by far, one of the most balanced teams in the AFC—they have very few holes to speak of at this point. Green Bay is solid as well, if they can keep Rodgers upright, I like their chances to get back to the big game this season. If not them, then you have to figure this is the year that Tony Romo will finally lead his team to the promised land.

Either way, the love train for both the Saints and the Colts ends in 2010—mark it!


9. C.J. Spiller will be a candidate for Rookie of The Year.

The Bills are going to run the ball, that's a given, but whether or not the man toting the rock is C.J. Spiller or Fred Jackson will be the ultimate question. Spiller was a phenom at Clemson and is as dynamic as they come where the running game is concerned—he will battle Fred Jackson for the big time carries this season.

If he wins, expect him to produce and be quite the spark plug on a Bills team that has been mired in mediocrity for far too long—now, if they could just get that quarterback spot locked down.

10. The Oakland Raiders will win eight games this season.

Did I just make myself sound crazy? Well, that's okay (see intro). I don't think much of Jason Campbell but I think a lot more of him than I did JaMarcus Russell. I expect the soft-spoken QB who was tossed away by Washington to play with a renewed vigor this season as he attempts to lead the Raiders back to AFC significance.

The pieces are in place in Oakland and the only thing missing was a decent quarterback to lead the way. Look for Zach Miller to have his best season yet and watch both Louis Murphy and Darren McFadden mature into the players they were meant to become when they were brought to Oakland.

I sound insane again, right?...(again, check the intro).

Are you ready for some football?!?...I know I am.
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Monday, August 2, 2010

The Atlanta Falcons And Matt Ryan Are Flying Under The Radar in 2010

2009 was supposed to be a big year for Matt Ryan. By all accounts, his stellar rookie campaign (2008) set the bar high in Atlanta. Most predicted, at worst, a 10-6 season and a possible playoff berth. While others were pegging the team as a sleeper pick for the Super Bowl.

Well, as it turned out, the New Orleans Saints had a little more to say about that than most gave them credit for and they took the NFC South by storm. They rode their offense and that gigantic chip on their shoulders all the way to their first ever Super Bowl Championship.

The Saints are now the darlings of the south—leaving the Falcons looking like the little team that couldn't.

This offseason, there has been virtually no conversation about the Falcons or their multi-talented quarterback. People seem to be content to believe that the team will return to its usual level of mediocrity and the Saints will continue their dominance of the NFC behind the stellar coaching of Sean Payton and the talented arm and leadership of Drew Brees.

So, what happened to the Falcons? Why have they suddenly lost all of their luster again? Are they really doomed to fall back into the rut of being 'nothing special'? After all, it did take them more than 40-years to register back-to-back winning seasons.

That fact aside, bad breaks were a big part of why the Falcons didn't live up to expectations in 2009.

They drafted defensive tackle, Peria Jerry in the first round of the 2009 NFL Draft. He was supposed to be the guy who solidified the Falcons on the interior line while also becoming a much-needed compliment to John Abraham—the team's exceptional defensive end and 2008 sack leader. Jerry didn't make it through the second game of the season. He sustained a major knee-injury and was lost for the year.

Michael Turner was the workhorse in 2008, carrying the ball 376 times for 1,699 yards. He was expected to show that same type of production in his second full season with the team. However, he was slowed by injuries. Compound that with the fact that Turner would later admit that he was out of shape in 2009—causing him to lose a step.

A lackluster rushing attack meant more time to focus on the passing game. Defenses turned their attention to Ryan and the result was a Matt Ryan that seemed a lot more human.

Although he still put up respectable stats, the second-year QB found himself in a lot more situations where he was either hurried or pressured to make a play—which led to more interceptions and a lower completion percentage.

Add to that a toe injury, sustained in week 12, which seemed to linger, and you have the recipe for a team that appeared to collapse under the weight of their own hype.

2010 will not be the same ol' song.

Ryan is ready to get back to the business of being the leader of this team. He's focused and ready to be better than he was last year. He took the time to study tape of himself and find out where he needed to make improvements in 2010 and he feels that the foundation is in place to be a force in the NFC South. 

Michael Turner has slimmed down and, according to reports, he's back to his 2008 form. That bodes well for the Falcons as they will depend on his talents to open up the passing lanes that Ryan will need to make smarter plays on first and second down.

Ryan has taken his lumps. He went through his "sophomore slump" and he hit the proverbial "wall". This year he can focus on being the guy that no one is really talking about at all. Expectations, at least on a national level, are low. No one is looking for him or the Falcons to do much of anything and, as far as Ryan is concerned, that's just fine.








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Tuesday, July 20, 2010

Brett Favre, AKA 'Mr Indecision', Is Back To Spread NFL Joy To All...NOT!

These days it simply doesn't feel like an NFL offseason if we aren't wondering what the heck Brett Favre is going to do.

He's been pulling this "I don't know what I'm going to do" act for years now and, if you aren't sick of it yet, you are either a Brett Favre apologist or just not paying attention.

In the annual "kiss my backside because my name is Brett" play, Minnesota Viking's head coach, Brad Childress reprises his role as the "lips" and he is already racking up airline miles flying to wherever Brett's backside currently resides.

The question is simple, and the same as always, "are you going to come out and play?". As usual, Brett is indecisive and uncertain if he can do it again.

He's wondering if he has the energy, the motivation, and the ability to step onto the football field again and lead the team to victory. Even more, will he be able to erase the memory of that devastating loss to the New Orleans Saints in the 2009 NFC Championship game. After all, he did throw the ill-advised and ill-timed pass that eventually led to the Vikings seeing their Super Bowl dream fade to black?

However, the more important question in all of this is...why should any of us give a flip?

This story is old and it's been heard before. I don't know about anyone else, but, I'd like to read a new book, in another library, in a different state, and I'd like it if Brett weren't a character in the tale.

Before he unleashed his inner diva, he was a likeable guy. Now, he's just a pain in the rear that no football fan, outside the state of Minnesota, really cares all that much about—hell, not even his agent can stand him at this point and he gets paid to put up with him.

Plus, can we be honest about this situation, Favre is probably just stalling the decision until training camps near an end because who wants to, voluntarily, deal with the grind and heat of all of that when you can go play catch with high school boys?

Keep chucking those balls to teenage boys, Brett. We all know exactly what you are doing and, come first snap, I expect to see you wearing that No. 4 for the Vikings again—even your backup, Tarvaris Jackson is hip to your game.

I'd be surprised if that's not the case.

He's not fooling me and I seriously doubt he's fooling anyone else with half a brain—hence the annoyance with his delayed decision tactics.

Oh Brett, you're such a kidder, I just wish your jokes were funnier.






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