You are currently browsing the Blog category.

View articles from MacTalksNFL

This year’s Free Agency period has started, and players are on the move big time already. Here are some of the moves that have caught our eye so far…

Nate Burleson to the Lions. This is either a stroke of genius or a real stretch, but Stafford needs receiving options. They’ve also added Kyle Vanden Bosch to their defensive line.

Karlos Dansby is now a Dolphin. Miami have made several changes already on the defensive side but Dansby would be a good addition in any case. They’ve also signed Chad Pennington for another year who is a good option as a backup.

In New York, the Jets and Giants have both improved their secondaries with Antrel Rolle joining the Giants and Antonio Cromartie heading to the Jets. Rolle becomes the highest paid safety in NFL history in the process.
… More

Myron Rolle – An honorary Brit to look out for next season?

There is an Oxford student who we may well see on the field next season – Myron Rolle. The budding neurosurgeon previously played strong safety for Florida State and looks to be a great prospect for the draft.
… More

OK, so this is not a surprise. As a Redskin fan we’re practically forced to shout up London’s name whenever we talk about great linebackers. Mainly, it has to be said, as he seems to be continuously overlooked for recognition… as his nine Pro-Bowl Alternates show.

Why do we think that? There are many reasons…

Having played in a Division III college team, despite being named Linebacker Of The Year and setting a school record for tackles Fletcher was an undrafted free agent and was picked up by the Rams. … More

The NFL combine is coming up this weekend in Indianapolis. Invited players will be measured, weighed and then run through a variety of drills and exercises, while NFL scouts and staff look on and take notes.

It’s worth noting that going into the combine, most teams already have their draft boards about 90% done. A big combine workout performance shouldn’t affect a player’s draft stock. This is a change from the past, mainly because there are a lot of workout wonders who just don’t make it in the NFL. Teams are starting to realise that if you base your draft decision on workouts that actually have little to do with playing football, you are dooming yourself to failure.

Look at Vernon Gholston. A workout wonder at the combine, he was talked about possibly going first overall to the Miami Dolphins or second overall to the St.Louis Rams, but ended up going sixth to the NY Jets. In his first two years, Gholston has played 379 snaps and blitzed on 207 of those. Out of those 207 blitzes he has just 11 QB pressures and one QB hit, with no sacks. Effectively he is only getting pressure once every 18 or so times he rushes the QB. That’s just terrible, especially for such a high draft pick.
… More

In a move that surprised precisely no-one, the San Diego Chargers have released LaDanian Tomlinson. This saves them a $2M roster bonus that was due last month and with Sproles becoming a free agent after being Franchised last year… we all new this was coming.

To me there are fewer things sadder in the NFL than the way Running Backs deteriorate so suddenly. Sure, it happens in other positions but these guys are often key and important players that are highly visible. … More

There’s been a lot of redemption and second chances right across the league for a long time, but morese – it seems – than ever recently. Someone who probably does deserve it (because he’s not been that bad really…) is Matt Jones, previously of the Jacksonville Jaguars.

Jones was released at the end of the 2008 season by the Jacksonville Jaguars when two ’substance abuse-related’ arrests. These were the cherry on top of a string of offences and poor discipline and all sorts of issues about his character.

The mind really boggles at players who have chances most would dream of, who then try their hardest to mess it up completely. The Cincinnati Bengals have managed their fair share of troubled players and will be hoping that they’ve got a bargain for next season here. Jones, who turned down the Titans, will be looking to play well, keep his nose clean and then get paid the year after.

And let’s face it… if Michael Vick can find a place and not be booed too much in Phili, then there’s hope for every player who’s trying to carve something out.

Image credit: micheal e finley

Well… it was the result that we all wanted, but that none of us thought would happen. The game itself was so close, so tense, and so professionally played that it was a joy to watch it swing back and forth.

Both teams left it all on the field, and you can’t ask for a lot more than that. Both teams, on all aspects of play were really impressive and there were some bold calls all across the game. Peyton Manning, interception aside, was amazing to watch – yet again – as he read the Saints D. And both QBs put on a passing clinic.

All in all it was a good season. We’re going to take a couple of weeks off to look forward to the draft and Free Agency, and to do some maintenance on the site (we know there are some things that don’t work as well as they might), but rest assured that we’ll be back soon!

Thanks for reading.

Image Credit: Cayusa

So here we are then, the Super Bowl! 32 teams started, and a lot of them had a good chance of getting here; some did not but had the dreams, so did not and knew it.

It was back on September 10th 2009 that Graham and I took our Final Look, going out on a limb on who would be here, and neither of us mentioned the Saints and we only put the Colts into a Wildcard spot. So yeah, that shows what we knew back then. The Saints have shown some real steel in their play, as have the Colts. Both teams are offensive juggernauts who have been good enough (though not fearsome) defensively. But that they are the two best teams cannot be disputed – well, it can, but you know what I mean – and for the first time in too long for me to bother checking, the two top seeded teams will take to the pitch for the big game.

What do we think…

Andrew – I think it’s fair to say that all of us here feel a certain affection for the Saints. Not only did they come and play in London, but they put on one heck of a great game that we still remember fondly. As a franchise they’ve been a bit downtrodden over the years and it’s great to see them doing so well at last. There is also the Katrina factor – to be doing so well for a city that has suffered so much does warm the heart.
On top of that is that they feature some extremely watchable players: Drew Brees, of course, Reggie Bush, Jeremy Shockey, Darren Sharper, Tracy Porter, Jonathan Vilma and Mac Favourite Will Smith to name but some of this exciting and talented squad.

The Colts though… they have possibly one of the finest QBs ever to play the game in Peyton Manning. Watching him learn, adjust and then shred the Jets was yet another masterclass from this pro. On top of that he seems like a truly nice guy, and I enjoy most of his adverts. With Austin Collie and Pierre Garcon giving him options when Reggie Wayne is covered, Dallas Clark a big part of the passing game and a fair running game and good offensive line… you know that this is a team that can put up serious points.

Defensively, they might not feature many ‘big’ names but as a unit they can play and produce results. They’ll be hoping to get Freeney ready to play, and the signs are that he’ll be ready. Doug Farrar has a good article here about the Colts’ ‘underappreciated’ front 7 that is worth a read. These guys do come in under the radar, but shouldn’t be ignored.

After resting for the end of the regular season, the Colts have been impressive in dismissing the Ravens and Jets and that decision – to rest and be ready for the playoffs rather than chase 16-0 could well be vindicated come Super Bowl Sunday.

But this remains a very difficult game to call. The odds-makers have the Colts as narrow favourites, and I think that’s fair. Whilst the Saints will have many neutrals, me included, supporting them, I think the Colts are an opponent too far and too strong. So I’m calling a Colts win.

Craig - Not the Superbowl i wanted, but a good game it will be. Andrew has basically hit all the points that need to be hit so i’ll get right down to the predicting. I want a Saints win, but i’m going for a Colts win.

Graham - OK, I’ll get right to it, I want the Saints to win the Super Bowl. There done. Now, would I put money on it? Well not for a win bet no. On paper this is the Colts game, but as we know the Super Bowl doesn’t always work like that does it. Cast you mind back to the ‘They will never win it’ NY Giants v the ‘Nobody can beat them’ Patriots a couple of years ago and you will see what I mean.

I think it would be great if we had 2 Super Bowl winners from the last 3 Wembley games and for that reason (notice I am putting all logical thought aside for this one). I am picking the Saints.

The long and short of it is I don’t really mind who wins. I am going to sit back and relax with a beer enjoy the game and The Who and be thankful that we are getting a live broadcast on TV and have yet another regular season game to look forward to in London this October.

Official Mac Prediction:

The most important question is – Who do you think will win?

Image Credits:
Will Trade Husband… Chopfinger
Our wives (and fiancée) would not hold this sign up. For that we’re both grateful, and a little saddened.

Championship Ring… briser50

Well this is a piece of good news.

I’ve always liked Alex Smith (In fact my first though on hearing this years’ Wembley game teams was “I’ll get to see Alex Smith!”) for reasons I can’t fully define. He’s an OK player, but seems to have a great attitude to the game and the team. He restructured his contract after injury and has willingly competed for his place and I think it’s that attitude that I can get behind.

After spending his first two seasons as the youngest QB in the league, he’s grown into the role and I hope to see him do well next year. Certainly at Wembley, where they 49ers are likely to see strong support.

How good he is as a pundit remains to be seen! But we wish him well and hope he enjoys his trips to the UK.

Source: Yahoo! Sports
Image Credit: story.jackie

Pete Townsend has announced that The Who will be performing a medley (yeah, I refuse to use the so-called term ‘mashup’) of some of their most well known songs during the Superbowl halftime show.

These aren’t really a surprise to anyone.

But anyway, it should be good! But hopefully not so good that it stops us doing the regular halftime activities of visiting the bathroom, topping up beer and grabbing a hotdog.

Source: Billboard

Image Credits: PT: birzir
RD: Thomas Kjær