Team News
Favre Back, Harvin Out For Now
Aug 20th
We’re sure you’ve heard that Brett Favre is back, almost certainly for his final year (his words, we’re not hanging our collective hats on that bet). He joined training camp earlier this week and will be a Viking until a last minute interception puts them out of the playoffs.
More seriously, after making it back to training after condolence leave Percy Harvin left the field yesterday in an ambulance after suffering a heavy migraine. Harvin has struggled with migraines for a long time now, and it’s speculated that they have been brought on by stress but the fact is that there can be many causes that start them.
Percy Harvin is an exciting young player to watch and the Vikings and the NFL as a whole are better when he’s playing so we with wish him all the best and hope to see him back soon.
NFL International Series 2010: Wembley Watch – 11 Weeks to Go
Aug 16th
So pre-season is underway and last night the 49ers beat a soft Colts and the Broncos lost against the Bengals. Both games were away, so the rookies won’t get their first taste of Candlestick Park or Mile High until next week.
With just 11 weeks until these NFL teams grace the UK’s shores we’re still watching with interest. But apart from the first games, what else has happened?
San Francisco 49ers
I spoke last week about the rookies coming good in the offensive line. Not such good news it that centre Eric Hietmann has broken his leg and could miss up to 8 weeks.
On the other side of the ball Scott McKillop is probably out for the season after tearing his ACL. Rookie NaVorro Bowman will hope to continue to improve to get play time with Takeo Spikes and Patrick Willis, who was last season’s Alumni Linebacker of the Year. Staying on Defence, Taylor Mays has been moving slowly up the depth chart and may break the first team in the next few weeks. He’s one to watch in the pre-season games.
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No New Deal For Revis… Yet
Aug 10th
The saga continues as Darrelle Revis continues to sit out of training camp demanding a new deal to make him the highest paid cornerback in the NFL. I can’t help but think Revis is throwing his dummy out of the pram a little here.
He is still in his rookie contract, which he signed and had no problem signing at the start. He is guaranteed $1million this year, and apparently by sitting out he has waived a clause in that contract guaranteeing him a hefty $20million over the last 2 years of his contract. If reports are to be believed he is currently getting fined $16,523 a day for every sit out. Surely he is the one worse off here? More >
NFL International Series 2010: Wembley Watch – 12 Weeks to Go
Aug 9th
What’s been happening this week for the two NFL teams bound for the UK later this year?
Denver Broncos
Elvis Dumervil
If he is lost for that long, then he’s a massive loss to the Broncos who will miss his pass rush, and the situation is further compounded by the injury that’s so far kept lineman Darrell Reid out of training. Hopefully it’s not as bad as it seems.
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Brett Favre… Might Be Coming Back This Time
Aug 5th
Seriously, is there anyone who is not completely fed up with him at this point?
Here at Mac, we certainly are. If he’s there on the 9th in New Orleans then great. If he’s not, then great.
Brett Favre… Not Coming Back This Time
Aug 3rd
It was the beginning of June when I took my First Look at the NFC North and said this about Favre:
…that’s all I’ll talk about him until we get a “Yes” or “No” from the man. Sometime in late July, I guess.
So he’s a week late, but it does sound pretty final and I’m sticking with that assumption for now. Of course, I won’t be at all surprised to see him turning out in September.
The Vikes will have to go forward with Tavaris Jackson now, and as harsh as this seems based on a single player change, I’m moving the Vikings behind the Packers in the North. They were close in my mind, and Favre was the difference based on his 2009 play. Without him they will struggle, and nothing against T-Jack, but he’s younger and less experienced and won’t make things happen in the same way. It is still close though, and the Vikes still have a great defense and one of the best running games in the league. I’m still watching…
Predictions (made 3rd August 2010)
| # | Team |
| 1 | Green Bay Packers |
| 2 | Minnesota Vikings |
| 3 | Chicago Bears |
| 4 | Detroit Lions |
Image Credit: shgmom56
Welcome To The Greatest Show On Reality TV
Jul 30th
Ego Number One
So I’m sure you’d have heard about this, but on the off-chance… Terrell Owens has agreed terms with the Cincinnati Bengals and has joined up with them for training. He’s signed a one-year deal and Antonio Bryant has handed him his favoured #81 shirt (in exchange for a donation to one of little leagues) so the Chad and Terrell (and Antonio!) era begins. The CO/TO show.
Owens is 36 now, and not the number 1 option that he was, but he won’t be asked to be. He’ll need to contribute when called on, and be a good team member. You can’t really use last year’s stats as an indicator of his performance as the Bills were pretty bad. What you can look at is that he was a good soldier – the model of a quiet (for him) professional who just got on with it. If he can bring that attitude in, then he should do fine. And it’s difficult to imagine him taking verbal pops at Carson Palmer and have the team stand for it – their QB has proved himself again and again and is a popular leader there.
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JaMarcus Russell Cut by the Raiders
May 6th
JaMarcus carefully lines up an interception
Really, you at the back? You thought they’d keep him on the books and pay that $6.45 bonus he’s due to warm the bench? Admittedly, he can warm a lot of bench, but still…
Less than two weeks after trading for Washington’s Jason Campbell, the Raiders have released Russell. The #1 selection from the 2007 draft leaves them after taking $39 million for a total of 7 wins.
It’s hard to imagine any team taking any sort of a chance on him now, though I guess stranger things have happened, which means we’ve seen the last of him in the NFL. I, for one, won’t miss him though I guess I do feel for the guy. A bit.
Anyway, wherever he his (my guess is comfort eating in an IHOP) he’s free of the Raiders and they’re free of him.
Image Credit: sgrace
This Dez Bryant Hullabaloo
May 4th
You must have heard the story by now. During a formal interview of draft candidates – which without fail throws up an eye-raiser or two each year – Jeff Ireland, the General Manager of the Miami Dolphins asked Dez Bryant if his mother was a prostitute. According to Yahoo! Sports’ Michael Silver – who put this out in the world – Dez was ‘really mad’ but managed not to show it.
I think there’s little arguing that it was a crass thing to ask to anyone, but moreso given Dez’s – and his mother’s – background and struggles over the years. However, can I see why it was asked? Absolutely. Here was a guy, of questionable character, being sounded out for a big contract. I’m sure in every interview to every draftee there were questions designed to raise their ire to see how the respond to it and how they handle it. The drafting process is lengthy and thorough. Also pretty unpleasant at times, it seems.
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Redskins Review – Offseason Progress So Far
May 2nd
Back in early January I took at look at what new coach Mike Shanahan would need to address during the off-season. Now that the draft has been and gone, let’s take a look and see where we are.
Each in turn…
The Offensive Line
Chris Samuels retirement left a gaping hole on the left side of the line. And let’s be kind, this was a porous line at the best of times. Once the position at draft-time was sorted (see Quarterback, below) then there was very little doubt that the line would be bolstered with the #4 pick and sure enough, it was. Trent Williams comes in to protect McNabb’s blindside. The 7th round also saw us pick up Erik Cook (C, but versatile) and Selvish Capers (G) to give depth in the future. McNabb isn’t the scamperer that he was in years past, so he and our running backs (again, see below) are going to need a solid line.
More >