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DeMaurice Smith Takes a Stand
It doesn’t take a hundred men or even ten great ones to challenge the powerful. All we need is a little D. Smith. He is a man of principles and intrigue. The only question to ask is if he can pass on the buck to actually make a difference?
DeMaurice Smith, the executive director of NFL Players Association, came awfully close to suggesting that NFL owners are working together to hold down salaries during a radio interview on Wednesday.
Smith said during an appearance on ESPN Radio’s “Mike and Mike in the Morning” that the union will be “aggressive” in ensuring that the league lives up to the terms of the collective bargaining agreement between the parties, even as NFL owners have opted out of the agreement for 2010, leaving this season as an uncapped year.
Smith noted many thought without a cap to restrict pay, that some teams would pay exorbitant salaries to certain players. Instead, none of the 32 players chosen in the first round of April’s draft have been signed as training camps begin later this week and next. Not to mention, veteran quarterbacks Peyton Manning And Tom Brady, each in the final year of their respective deals, have yet to reach agreement with Indianapolis and New England on new contracts. Read More >>
Dez Bryant, Who’s Next for the Cowboys?
It is always good to see rookies singing contracts because that means a chance at a break-out player or to see a high paid poster boy get swallowed. Whatever this next NFL brings us, we are sure to find new favorites and fantasy sleepers.
If somebody had asked you which NFL first-round draft pick would be the first to sign, you might have needed 32 guesses. The answer turns out to be wide receiver Dez Bryant, the 24th overall pick, who earlier this week seemed to be hinting at a holdout but instead signed his deal with the Dallas Cowboys on Thursday and will be in camp when it opens this weekend. Bryant’s is a five-year, $11.8 million contract that includes $8.5 million in guarantees.
“This was very important to me, to be able to get this done in time for the first practice,” Bryant said in a statement released by the Cowboys. “I want to help this team, I want to compete. I can’t wait to start playing football again.” Read More >>
A Bust in the NFL, In More Ways Then One
Fans Should Reward The Players Who Deserve The Praise
It seems that people who are in the position to be role models have an inherent mountain to climb that the one’s with weak principles never summit. From Michael Vick to JaMarcus Russell we see grown men throw away opportunities to help the youth of our world for selfish reasons that usually land them in jail or constant public ridicule.
The former Oakland Raiders quarterback JaMarcus Russell had his lawyer enter a not guilty plea to a felony narcotics charge on his behalf at a Mobile, Ala., courtroom on Tuesday.
Russell”s court appearance came two weeks after undercover sheriff’s deputies raided the home of the former No. 1 overall pick’s house where they found a bottle of codeine syrup, a controlled substance. Read More >>
Surprising Events from the NFL Draft
For football fans across the country, the NFL Draft is a welcome reprieve from the nonstop coverage of baseball, basketball and hockey that dominates the offseason. While the draft used to attract only the most devout fans, most people with even a fleeting interest in the sport will tune in to see what the future holds for their favorite collegiate stars and how the landscape in the professional game will change in the coming year. Certain aspects of the draft are painfully predictable, but a few surprises always popup and shock the players and expert analysts.
A few seasons ago, Brady Quinn sunk like a rock on the draft board while he was forced to wait in the green room trying to conceal his apprehension. This year’s biggest draft surprise was in the same vein, as the Broncos picked the mechanically challenged Tim Tebow in the first round and Jimmy Clausen dropped all of the way to the Panthers at pick 48. This may not be too bad for Clausen though, as expectations will be lower and fans won’t be purchasing his Panthers jerseys in droves.
Building for the Future
As the 2009 NFL regular season comes to a close, it is time for teams to start prepping for the playoffs, while the less fortunate will begin rebuilding for next year. While most teams who missed the playoffs will be looking to rebuild and start from scratch, others have more reason to be optimistic for the future. One of these teams that may be poised to make a run next season is the Cleveland Browns.
The Browns have already made several moves throughout the course of the year, including trading Braylon Edwards and hiring Mike Holgrem as the President of Football Operations, in an effort to prep for next season. Despite their mediocre record, the Browns showed signs of life at the end of the season, reeling off a string of wins to closeout the season. There are ample reasons for Cleveland fans to begin investing in Browns jerseys for next season, including a top five pick.
Buccaneers Struggling to Stay Afloat
I have always agreed with the famous Herm Edwards quote “you play to win the game,” but when your team is 1-10, it is difficult not to be eyeing the number one pick in next year’s draft. It is hard to believe that just last season the Tampa Bay Buccaneers were a legitimate playoff contender before they tanked it in the final month and a half. After some house cleaning, the Bucs are an aberration of their old self.
Although some fair-weather fans have hung up their Buccaneers jerseys for the year, I am staying loyal to the team. Since Josh Freeman began starting a few weeks ago, the Bucs have had some signs of life. Building towards the future, they also have a solid o-line and a hard-running tailback in Cadillac Williams. With a potential number one pick, the Bucs could be a contender again in a couple of seasons.
Hop on the Bandwagon
Everyone has heard the stories about fair-weather and bandwagon fans, but there are a few teams that boast faithful fans throughout the country. Some teams even have monikers for their coast-to-coast fan base, such as “Raider Nation” and “Red Sox Nation”—they aren’t too original. Although these fans label themselves as “loyal,” I have a hard time buying into the steadfastness of their commitment.
One of the newest editions to his fraternity of professional organizations with a widespread fan base is the Pittsburgh Steelers. Now I know, the Steelers are one of the oldest teams and people have nostalgic memories of the classic teams from the 70’s, but there seems to be a lost of people jumping on the bandwagon in recent years. Turn on any Steelers road game and you are sure to see a high density of Steelers jerseys in the crowd. I’m sure this trend won’t last long though, as it appears there will be a new Superbowl Champion this year and a new bandwagon for people to chase.
NFL Crackdown on Failure to Comply
In what appears to be an effort to lay the hammer down on anything the league can catch up with the NFL has finally decided to fine the Jets $75,000 for not disclosing Brett Favre’s shoulder injury late in the season.
“We have been fully cooperative with the league throughout this investigation and respect their decision,” the team said in a statement.
The head coach at the time, Eric Mangini, however has obviously placed the situation behind him as he has since moved on.
“I have worked with the league on this matter and now consider it closed,” he said in a statement. “My focus is on our preparations for the Broncos.”
Not to mention Jets GM Mike Tannenbaum whom both were been assessed individually as well in the amount of $25,000 dollars each for their direct roles in not adding Favre to the injury report due to a torn biceps tendon, bringing the incident cost to a total of $125,000.
First Active NFL players to Join the CTE Study
In the latest of 3 NFL players whom join the more the 150 former athletes on the Brain Donation Registry for the Center for the Study of Traumatic Encephalopathy at Boston University School of Medicine. Matt Birk of the Baltimore Ravens, Lofa Tatupu of the Seattle Seahawks and Sean Morey of the Arizona Cardinals have become the first active NFL players to join the study and will be interviewed on an annual basis throughout their lives and have opted to donate their brain for examination once they have passed on.
“These active NFL players have admirably ignored concerns held by many athletes that by participating in this research, they could be perceived as having a concussion history that could negatively affect their career and contract negotiations,” Chris Nowinski, co-director of the Center for the Study of Traumatic Encephalopathy, said.
Repeated brain trauma has been shown to cause everything from early memory impairment to depression and eventually can progress into full blown dementia according the the university. The progressive disease known as Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy.
Madden is Back Advising in These Dire Times
John Madden now filling the void that once was managing this NFL seasons’ chaos as a volunteer adviser to commissioner Roger Goodell. Goodell has to be looking forward to the insight as he has many things unfolding all at once including blackout games and the ever present threat of a player lockout.
“John Madden still has tremendous passion for the game and offered to continue to play a constructive role for the league,” Goodell said in a statement. “It was an offer we couldn’t refuse. His experience, deep knowledge and unique perspective will be a major asset to our game.”
Working along side commissioner Goodell, Madden will chair the Coaches Subcommittee to the Competition Committee as well as work along side the NFL Executive Vice President of Football Operations, Ray Anderson, and and participate in the General Managers Advisory Committee in a continued attempt dedicate involvement with his beloved sport.
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