PATS-JETS HYPE, BLACKOUT REPORT & VINCE YOUNG MAKES HIS MARK
The Patriots-Jets matchup this Sunday in the Meadowlands is shaping up nicely. Without the media artificially hyping the game, it's building up steam daily. When new Jets coach Rex Ryan was signed his first quote was "I'm not here to kiss Belichick's rings". Today, Ryan & the Jets marketing department got together & recorded a conference call for all season ticket holders asking the fans to come Sunday & be loud, his team needed the fans' help to beat the Patriots. Jet DT Kris Jenkins said the Jets were "preparing for this game like it was the Super Bowl". Jets safety Kerry Rhodes said it was their desire "to try & embarrass the Patriots". Also today, New England quarterback Tom Brady responded with "talk is cheap". Kinda lame, sounds like a 60's drag racing commercial. Anyway, this could be a very early statement game for Ryan's Jets. The Pats have whipped New York 8 straight at the Meadowlands & after their near-miss Monday night, they could use a "statement game" of their own.
An update on my blurb about Michael Crabtree yesterday. I neglected to mention that if Crabtree decides to re-enter the 2010 draft, he is still the property of the 49ers until the day before the draft. Because of that, he wouldn't be able to workout at the scouting combine or in private sessions. He can't have private interviews with any team other than the Niners. Limiting his availability to all other teams makes it very difficult to risk drafting him. As I said yesterday he will be 20 months between live game action & 16 months from his last game played to the 2010 draft. Can anyone remember USC's Mike Williams? He sat out a year after challenging the NFL's rule about draft eligibility, he was picked in the 1st round by Detroit & was a total bust. It's tough for underclassmen, who haven't played in that many games, to thrive in the NFL & way tougher if they miss an entire year of practice & playing.
Another update from yesterday. Buffalo Police have identified two juveniles as the vandals who spray painted a score & an obscenity on the front lawn of Bills kick returner, Leodis McKelvin. McKelvin, in a very classy gesture, declined to press chargers against the youths. He said "I'm willing to forgive & forget, I don't want to see anybody be arrested". Neither of the 16-year olds has ever been in trouble.
*UPDATE at 10:30 PM CDT: WBEN in Buffalo is reporting tonight McKelvin has had a change of heart & has filed charges against the guys who trashed his lawn. So much for "forgive & forget".
The Chiefs claimed former Arizona Cardinal wide receiver Lance Long. The undrafted Free agent from Mississippi State spent the season on the Cards practice squad. Apparently his potential or work ethic impressed former Cardinal offensive coordinator, Todd Haley, because the Chiefs grabbed him. He's never played in an NFL game.
The Detroit Lions & San Diego Chargers had to ask for a blackout extension today as they still had tickets to sell but they were very close to the sellout figure that would allow local TV broadcasts. Jacksonville didn't bother to ask for an extension, they're 17,000 shy of a sellout.
USC phenom, Matt Barkley, hasn't practiced all week because of a sore shoulder. The true freshman might be replaced by sophomore Aaron Corp, for their game at Washington. All-American safety Taylor Mays has also missed practice all week with a sprained knee.
Ohio State right tackle Jim Cordle, a 3-year offensive line starter, will miss 3-4 weeks with an ankle injury.
Georgia running back, Caleb King, will return to the starting backfield this weekend after missing 3 weeks of camp & the 1st two regular season games.
New Tennessee coach Lane Kiffin has made a lot of cracks about beating Florida since being hired by the Vols. He even said it again this week, rankling Gator QB Tim Tebow. Be careful what you wish for Coach Kiffin, your time has come. Florida is a 29 1/2 point favorite for their matchup with Tennessee this Saturday in the swamp. It's on CBS at 2:30 CDT, if you want to watch the carnage.
Another one to watch Saturday morning, if you have the time, is the Cal Bears at Minnesota in their new stadium. Keep an eye out for Cal running back Jahvid Best. He's #4, he's the most dangerous running back in the country. His uncanny open field running reminds me of Gale Sayers. His 4.22 world class speed makes him something very special. He had 7 runs of over 60 yards last season & in this year's season opener vs. Maryland he broke off a 73-yard run the first time he touched the ball. He's my Heisman dark horse. Check him out on ESPN at 11 AM CDT.
The two youngest sons of the late Steve McNair, Tyler & Trenton, thought they weren't going to be able to participate in the "Dear Dads Breakfast" sponsered by their school, St. Paul's Christian Academy. Imagine their surprise when Titan QB Vince Young pulled into their driveway this morning to take them to the breakfast. Young considered McNair as his mentor & made a pledge to his 4 sons that he would be a part of their lives from here on out. Nice to see he backed up those words with action. Good job Vince.
Today's real name of the day; Quantavious Leslie, wide receiver, Callaway High School, Hogansville, Georgia
An update on my blurb about Michael Crabtree yesterday. I neglected to mention that if Crabtree decides to re-enter the 2010 draft, he is still the property of the 49ers until the day before the draft. Because of that, he wouldn't be able to workout at the scouting combine or in private sessions. He can't have private interviews with any team other than the Niners. Limiting his availability to all other teams makes it very difficult to risk drafting him. As I said yesterday he will be 20 months between live game action & 16 months from his last game played to the 2010 draft. Can anyone remember USC's Mike Williams? He sat out a year after challenging the NFL's rule about draft eligibility, he was picked in the 1st round by Detroit & was a total bust. It's tough for underclassmen, who haven't played in that many games, to thrive in the NFL & way tougher if they miss an entire year of practice & playing.
Another update from yesterday. Buffalo Police have identified two juveniles as the vandals who spray painted a score & an obscenity on the front lawn of Bills kick returner, Leodis McKelvin. McKelvin, in a very classy gesture, declined to press chargers against the youths. He said "I'm willing to forgive & forget, I don't want to see anybody be arrested". Neither of the 16-year olds has ever been in trouble.
*UPDATE at 10:30 PM CDT: WBEN in Buffalo is reporting tonight McKelvin has had a change of heart & has filed charges against the guys who trashed his lawn. So much for "forgive & forget".
The Chiefs claimed former Arizona Cardinal wide receiver Lance Long. The undrafted Free agent from Mississippi State spent the season on the Cards practice squad. Apparently his potential or work ethic impressed former Cardinal offensive coordinator, Todd Haley, because the Chiefs grabbed him. He's never played in an NFL game.
The Detroit Lions & San Diego Chargers had to ask for a blackout extension today as they still had tickets to sell but they were very close to the sellout figure that would allow local TV broadcasts. Jacksonville didn't bother to ask for an extension, they're 17,000 shy of a sellout.
USC phenom, Matt Barkley, hasn't practiced all week because of a sore shoulder. The true freshman might be replaced by sophomore Aaron Corp, for their game at Washington. All-American safety Taylor Mays has also missed practice all week with a sprained knee.
Ohio State right tackle Jim Cordle, a 3-year offensive line starter, will miss 3-4 weeks with an ankle injury.
Georgia running back, Caleb King, will return to the starting backfield this weekend after missing 3 weeks of camp & the 1st two regular season games.
New Tennessee coach Lane Kiffin has made a lot of cracks about beating Florida since being hired by the Vols. He even said it again this week, rankling Gator QB Tim Tebow. Be careful what you wish for Coach Kiffin, your time has come. Florida is a 29 1/2 point favorite for their matchup with Tennessee this Saturday in the swamp. It's on CBS at 2:30 CDT, if you want to watch the carnage.
Another one to watch Saturday morning, if you have the time, is the Cal Bears at Minnesota in their new stadium. Keep an eye out for Cal running back Jahvid Best. He's #4, he's the most dangerous running back in the country. His uncanny open field running reminds me of Gale Sayers. His 4.22 world class speed makes him something very special. He had 7 runs of over 60 yards last season & in this year's season opener vs. Maryland he broke off a 73-yard run the first time he touched the ball. He's my Heisman dark horse. Check him out on ESPN at 11 AM CDT.
The two youngest sons of the late Steve McNair, Tyler & Trenton, thought they weren't going to be able to participate in the "Dear Dads Breakfast" sponsered by their school, St. Paul's Christian Academy. Imagine their surprise when Titan QB Vince Young pulled into their driveway this morning to take them to the breakfast. Young considered McNair as his mentor & made a pledge to his 4 sons that he would be a part of their lives from here on out. Nice to see he backed up those words with action. Good job Vince.
Today's real name of the day; Quantavious Leslie, wide receiver, Callaway High School, Hogansville, Georgia
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