NFL - Are You Ready For Some Football?! - 2010 Offseason

[Lord Avalon]

What? like two weeks after *****ing and moaning about how the Dolphins organization treats veteran players?

WTF are you talking about?

[Al B. Sure!]

Well his beef was with management; Bill Parcells and his crew:

http://espn.go.com/blog/afceast/post/_/id/12871/thomas-blasts-dolphins-over-taylor

Thomas, his decibel level rising throughout the interview, said he's "a Dolphin for life," but alleged Taylor deserved better treatment from general manager Jeff Ireland.

"I mean, all-time sack leader right now as an active player, and you're going to talk about him when you're asked in the media like he's a first- or second-year player?" Thomas said. "[Ireland] should know how to respect guys that's been great to the game. That's fine if you don't have a need for him, but you tell him up front."

Thomas didn't appreciate the way the Dolphins handled his exit after the 2007 season, either.

Shortly after Bill Parcells took over football operations and hired Ireland and head coach Tony Sparano, they released Thomas after a dozen highly decorated seasons.

Thomas said he had only one request as he cleaned out his locker, to say goodbye to Dolfans with a news conference at the team's facility. The request was denied.

"You've got to respect players that's been good to the game," Thomas said. "I don't like the organization to look bad that way."

[Lord Avalon]

Well, that dispute doesn't change his feeling like a Dolphin for life, and Ross at least did right by him.

[duke o' york]

The Vikings picked Everson Griffen in the draft, but his description refers to "despite his off-field issues", and I wondered if anyone here knew any more than his wiki page, which sounds like student tomfoolery but nothing more. He had a 'firm and frank exchange of views' with one of his teammates once, but this was years ago, and they made up very soon afterwards. The shenanigans at my other team makes this look like nothing....

So what are the issues they're referring to, or does wiki not refer to him organising dog fighting (not the WWI kind), running hooch and selling Colombian marching powder outside schools because it has been edited by his mates? He looks a really promising pick, although that description has been the kiss of death for many players in many seasons in the past. In fact, if any NFL teams want to pay me not to describe any of their players thus then I'm sure we can come to an agreement.

[SlowwHand]

But the real potential standout pick of the Vikes from Day 3 of the 2010 NFL Draft is Everson Griffen. For someone standing at 6' 3 3/8", weighing at 273 pounds, and who dominated the NFL Combine by ranking first amongst Defensive Ends in both the 40 yard dash (4.66) and bench press (32.0), according to ESPN.com, it's surprising that he didn't go higher. According to the talking heads chatting on ESPN Saturday, there has been concern over his inconsistent play and motivation. The good news is that he can get any needed "attitude adjustments" by being potentially "mentored" by such stars on the Vikings defense like DEs Jared Allen and Ray Edwards. Can those two veterans help bring this guy up to where he'll really contribute in the future to Minnesota's defense? Only
time will tell.

http://www.associatedcontent.com/art...n_griffen.html

[duke o' york]

Cheers Sloww.

I'd be surprised if any of the draft picks this year could make an impact without mentoring from seasoned pros - it's a vital part of any team. Fingers crossed he gets decent help and matures into an All Star.

[Lord Avalon]

NJ/NY Super Bowl XLVIII

I got your Super Bowl RIGHT HERE!!

Are you ****ing kidding me?!?!

[Al B. Sure!]

Ice (Super) Bowl!

[Al B. Sure!]

I know it's just Madden but it's still interesting nonetheless; initial team ratings for Madden 2011:

AFC EAST
New York Jets 89
New England 86
Miami 78
Buffalo 67

AFC NORTH
Baltimore 90
Cincinnati 86
Pittsburgh 84
Cleveland 70

AFC SOUTH
Indianapolis 91
Houston 78
Tennessee 77
Jacksonville 74

AFC WEST
San Diego 85
Denver 78
Kansas City 71
Oakland 71

NFC EAST
Dallas 87
New York Giants 81
Philadelphia 80
Washington 76

NFC NORTH
Minnesota 88
Green Bay 87
Chicago 77
Detroit 68

NFC SOUTH
New Orleans 92
Atlanta 83
Carolina 75
Tampa Bay 69

NFC WEST
Arizona 79
San Francisco 79
Seattle 75
St. Louis 66


The Eagles and Cards took some big hits. The Madden folks must not be too confident in either Kolb or Leinart. And interesting to see the Patriots fall down a bit from the top perch for the first time in Madden in years.

[Al B. Sure!]

Oh and Bizarro-World comment of the day:

"If character was such an issue, I don't think Cincinnati would have brought me in," (Terrell Owens) said.

Cincinnati... the same team that had a dozen players arrested a few seasons ago... the same team that has Tank Johnson, Pacman Jones, and Matt Jones... wouldn't have brought TO in if character was an issue?

Is TO smoking some of Ricky's stuff?

[Imran Siddiqui]

Cold weather Super Bowls

[Al B. Sure!]

Imran:

Are you still an Atlanta fan? And do you still think Mike Vick is a great QB?

[Al B. Sure!]

Panther's Steve Smith breaks arm playing flag football.

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=5311067

[Guynemer]

[Drake Tungsten]

I now expect Steve Smith to be traded to the Lions for Ndamukong Suh.