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.

The Ravens have signed Anquan Boldin, adding much needed depth to their passing game.

But Off-Season Champions so far (the ‘Skins haven’t got going yet ) are the Bears, who are making waves like they did last year. As well as snagging Julius Peppers to a monster contract, they’ve picked up Chester Taylor and Brandon Manumaleuna.

A number of teams have resigned players and made tenders, and we’ll be watching what happens with a lot of those. A good number have also been released and we’ll be talking about them seperately later on.

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.

Rolle keeps himself in shape during his time at Oxford by getting involved playing Rugby and putting himself through punishing early morning training sessions. Add to that talents for acting, music and writing and it seems there is little that this man is not capable of.

While he is not the most ‘usual’ student, he is also not the most ‘usual’ football player. His commitment to medicine and helping people makes him a likeable and interesting character to follow.

Will his high level of intellect be seen as an asset or a hindrance? Well, we will have to wait and see, but we here at Mac are hoping that he gets his chance and that we get the chance to see him bring his unique outlook and work ethic to the NFL.

His combine results as follows –

• 6′2″ 215
• 4.59 – 40
• 10″4 – broad jump
• 4. 15 – 20 yard pro shuttle
• 6.94 – 3 cone drill
• 21 – reps of 225
• 36 – vertical

For more information on Myron you can visit his website at http://myronrolle.com

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. He then won the starting MLB spot at camp and has not looked back. When the Redskins left the field at the end of the 2009 season, London Fletcher was completing his 184th straight game – a streak that covers his entire career and doesn’t look like stopping anytime soon, even as he enters his 12th season.

But there’s more than simply turning up… you have to go back to the 2003 season before London is not in the top 6 for tackles made. The last 6 years he ranks 2nd, 6th, 6th, 3rd, 3rd and 5th. That is the model of consistency, and of a player at the top of his game.

When he looks back, he can remember that he’s always been The Man in the D. He has the respect of his teammates, peers and fans even if he does fly under the radar at times. If all else fails, he can look back on his approach to the game as a Ram, Bill and now ‘Skin as well as his Super Bowl ring and take pride in all these things.

Previous Favourite Linebackers
Ray Lewis
Joey Porter

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.

Longhorn Colt McCoy

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.

Both the Dolphins and Rams effectively ignored the combine (although both Jake and Chris Long had very good workouts, they weren’t as good as Gholston) instead deciding on who to pick as a result of watching tape and the interviews with the players.

Jimmy Clausen

Gholston isn’t the first workout wonder though. Mike Mamula, a defensive end from Boston College, was not thought to be a first round draft pick prior to the 1995 draft. A strong combine showing propelled him up draft boards, so much so that the Eagles traded their first rounder (12th overall) and two second round picks to Tampa Bay to move up to 7th overall to take him. Mamula never managed much of a career, retiring due to injuries after the 2000 season, but only recording 31.5 sacks in that period. On the other hand, Tampa Bay used its first rounder, now at number 12 overall, to select Warren Sapp. Of course Sapp ended his career with 96.5 sacks, 7 Pro Bowl selections and one Defensive Player of the Year award. The next defensive end taken in the draft was Hugh Douglas, by the New York Jets. Douglas also became a Pro Bowl player, although funnily enough this only occurred once he was traded from the Jets to the Eagles for another two draft picks.

The most important part of the combine for the teams are the player interviews and medicals. Here they will get to talk to the players about their football knowledge and get an understanding of their attitude and personality. Rey Maualuga, a standout linebacker at USC, was thought by some to be the best MLB in the 2009 draft. Maualuga slipped to the second round, apparently due to concerns over his character and football knowledge. During his rookie year, Maualuga struggled to read plays and ended up having a poor year in comparison to fellow rookie linebackers Brian Cushing, Clay Matthews and James Laurinaitis. The character concerns were also revealed to be true when Maualuga was arrested for drunk driving late in January. Players with strong character concerns could be removed from NFL Draft boards altogether by some teams.

This year, the combine medicals will be very important for the top QBs in the class. Sam Bradford of Oklahoma, Jimmy Clausen of Notre Dame and Colt McCoy of Texas are all unable to throw at the combine due to injuries, and the three were expected to be the first three QBs off the board during the draft. This could change if the medical reports are bad. The one that could be hurt most by this is McCoy. Sam Bradford has already dropped from being a consensus first overall pick due to his major shoulder injury that kept him on the sidelines for the majority of his junior year. But reports are that he has been healing well from the injury. McCoy suffered a relatively minor injury in his last game at Texas, and was thought to be healed by now. The fact he is unable to throw will lead to some questions regarding the severity of the injury, and also McCoy’s ability to recover from injury. Injury concerns from McCoy could see him drop from his spot as the third best QB in the draft and replaced by a player like Dan LeFevour, Tony Pike or Zac Robinson, all of whom performed well at the Senior Bowl.

Sam Bradford

Another important part of the combine for NFL scouts is the weighing and measuring of the players. Some strange measurements are considered important for certain positions. For example, arm length is considered very important for Left Tackles, and hand size is important for positions like Running Back and Quarter Back where fumbling could be an issue. The height of the QB is important, as he needs to be able to see over the Offensive Line and pass rushing defenders. While short QBs have been able to succeed in the NFL (see Drew Brees), a team could be unwilling to draft a short QB as high. Jimmy Clausen is one QB where the height measurement will be important. Listed at 6’3 while at Notre Dame, he could see himself drop down the draft if he measures in shorter.

As for player weights, I doubt anyone will be more scrutinised than Alabama NT Terrence Cody. With the 3-4 defence becoming more common, and true Nose Tackles being a rarity (just look how many were franchised tagged this offseason), a big NT like Cody could find himself taken quite high on draft day. The problem with Cody is he weighed a massive 370 lbs at the Senior Bowl, and he was quite a blubbery 370 too. Another issue is that he appears to put on weight easily, weighing in at 355 lbs just 16 days before the Senior Bowl measurement was taken. If he weighs in around 350 lbs at the combine, and keeps his weight at that level, he could end up as a first round pick.

In all, the combine is nothing more than a media event. Its fun for the fans to discuss the results, and makers of mock drafts will shift their positional rankings as a result. But NFL teams will almost pay no attention to the results of combine workouts. Unless they are the Raiders, where Al Davis will presumably get his spreadsheet of combine results and sort by 40 time.

Image Credits:
Colt McCoy – speedye
Jimmy Clausen – jim.cassady
Sam Bradford – SD Dirk

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. Then, a few years later, they’re shadows of their former selves. The League is dotted with cases like this with Shaun Alexander being the most recent example – cut just over 2 years after signing a record-breaking deal. I watched Clinton Portis and Ladell Bett’s form this year with that same near-30 sinking feeling.

However, the whole affair seems to have been managed with some class and that’s something. The fact is that if he wants it, there’ll be a place for him on a team. No, he’s not an every down back, and his cuts and pace have slowed with his age, but there are plenty of teams who would be happy to have him as an impact player for a year or two.

Here at Mac, we’re wishing him luck whatever he turns his mind to.

Image Credit: SD Dirk

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

Who Dat? Super Bowl Champs.

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…

Will Trade Husband for SB Tickets

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.

Superbowl 41 Championship Ring

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

Alex Smith, 49ers' Quarterback

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.

Pete Townsend

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