FREENEY INJURY UPDATE, MARTZ + CUTLER = EGO'S R US & NUMBER 18 RETURNS HOME
Indianapolis Colts coach Jim Caldwell disclosed today that All-Pro defensive end, Dwight Freeney, has a 3rd degree ankle sprain. ESPN's Adam Schefter reported Freeney has a torn ankle ligament. There's no way he can be even 75% on Sunday & a speed rusher like Freeney will be greatly affected by such an injury. Since being drafted in the first round in 2002, Freeney has 92 sacks, which ranks him 3rd in the league during this period, he's also third in the league in tackles for a loss & he's 1st in forced fumbles with 37. Here's a surprising stat: the Colts are 9-3 without Freeney, so I don't see the Colts in a panic.
I told you yesterday about Cincinnati middle linebacker Rey Maualuga & his attempt to become the Bengals latest knucklehead dealing with law enforcement up close & personal. He was cited for DUI & reckless driving(he hit 2 parked cars & a parking meter) Friday. Maualuga had two teenage girls in the car with him at the time of his arrest. He issued the usual apology, in the Bengals' case it's probably a form apology, just change the name. Maualuga has already been thru alcohol counseling(time well spent apparently) & anger management, while at USC.
Buffalo Bills # 1 draft pick Eric Wood revealed as of Monday, he is walking again. Wood suffered one of the worst looking injuries I've ever seen, a compound fracture of his lower left leg. It was such a disturbing image, CBS refused to show the replay of the injury or him writhing around in excruciating pain. Wood said Monday he was in a wheel chair since the being released from the hospital following two surgeries. He was injured against Jacksonville on November 22nd. It is doubtful Wood will be ready by week one of the regular season. The Bills other 1st round pick, Aaron Maybin, was a dud in his rookie year, so the '09 draft hasn't been the elixir Buffalo needed so badly.
The Chicago Bears announced Monday they had signed Mike Martz as offensive coordinator. The former Rams' head coach was also a coordinator for Detroit & most recently, San Francisco. It will be interesting to see massive egos collide as Bear QB, Jay Cutler, hasn't gotten along with anybody for any extended periods of time since he was drafted out of Vanderbilt. Martz hasn't exactly been a 'people person' either.
Denver Pro-Bowl wide receiver Brandon Marshall had a good night at the Pro Bowl Sunday. During the game he was interviewed on the sidelines about the trouble he has had with Denver management & coaches. Marshall said "I think we're past that, I love the city of Denver. I started there & would love to finish there." After the game last night, Denver teammate Champ Bailey, himself a Pro Bowl performer, stated "I'll put it like this, the way things have gone, I'd be surprised if he's back with us." Marshall is one of the league's best at his position, he's also one of the league's major PITA's(pain in the ass). Let the bidding begin for his services, but buyer beware.
We've had the East-West Shrine & the Senior Bowl college all-star games, now there's one more this Saturday. You won't be able to see the Texas vs. Nation Challenge unless you have CBS College HD on your cable or DirecTV. You'll also have to be somewhat of a draft geek like me to watch the game as you won't see any household names in this game. But there 25 players in this game that were drafted last year. Recent participants in this contest include Bengals' RB Bernard Scott, Bears' WR Johnny Knox, Cardinal RB Tim Hightower, Colts' WR Pierre Garcon & Chiefs' LB Andy Studebaker. There are a few prospects worth watching in this game, I'll let you know if any of them jumped off the screen come Saturday afternoon.
Number 18 has come home. The Chiefs signed Pro Football Hall of Fame cornerback Emmitt Thomas to become their defensive backfield coach. Thomas came back to the only team he ever played for, their all-time leader in interceptions with 58. His #18 was retired before his HOF induction in 2008. Thomas coached for 26 years in the NFL including 3 stints as a defensive coordinator. Thomas earned 3 Super Bowl Championship rings with Kansas City & 2 with the Redskins while on their coaching staff. Thomas was originally signed as an undrafted free agent out of Bishop College in Dallas. After two unimpressive seasons, he made 5 Pro Bowls for the AFC. Thomas & Oakland's Willie Brown were the consummate 'shutdown corners' of their era. As the new DB coach with the Chiefs, he has his work cut out for him, while Brandon Flowers is developing into a fine cornerback, the Chiefs had some of the worst safety play in the entire league. Welcome back to Kansas City Emmitt, good luck.
I told you yesterday about Cincinnati middle linebacker Rey Maualuga & his attempt to become the Bengals latest knucklehead dealing with law enforcement up close & personal. He was cited for DUI & reckless driving(he hit 2 parked cars & a parking meter) Friday. Maualuga had two teenage girls in the car with him at the time of his arrest. He issued the usual apology, in the Bengals' case it's probably a form apology, just change the name. Maualuga has already been thru alcohol counseling(time well spent apparently) & anger management, while at USC.
Buffalo Bills # 1 draft pick Eric Wood revealed as of Monday, he is walking again. Wood suffered one of the worst looking injuries I've ever seen, a compound fracture of his lower left leg. It was such a disturbing image, CBS refused to show the replay of the injury or him writhing around in excruciating pain. Wood said Monday he was in a wheel chair since the being released from the hospital following two surgeries. He was injured against Jacksonville on November 22nd. It is doubtful Wood will be ready by week one of the regular season. The Bills other 1st round pick, Aaron Maybin, was a dud in his rookie year, so the '09 draft hasn't been the elixir Buffalo needed so badly.
The Chicago Bears announced Monday they had signed Mike Martz as offensive coordinator. The former Rams' head coach was also a coordinator for Detroit & most recently, San Francisco. It will be interesting to see massive egos collide as Bear QB, Jay Cutler, hasn't gotten along with anybody for any extended periods of time since he was drafted out of Vanderbilt. Martz hasn't exactly been a 'people person' either.
Denver Pro-Bowl wide receiver Brandon Marshall had a good night at the Pro Bowl Sunday. During the game he was interviewed on the sidelines about the trouble he has had with Denver management & coaches. Marshall said "I think we're past that, I love the city of Denver. I started there & would love to finish there." After the game last night, Denver teammate Champ Bailey, himself a Pro Bowl performer, stated "I'll put it like this, the way things have gone, I'd be surprised if he's back with us." Marshall is one of the league's best at his position, he's also one of the league's major PITA's(pain in the ass). Let the bidding begin for his services, but buyer beware.
We've had the East-West Shrine & the Senior Bowl college all-star games, now there's one more this Saturday. You won't be able to see the Texas vs. Nation Challenge unless you have CBS College HD on your cable or DirecTV. You'll also have to be somewhat of a draft geek like me to watch the game as you won't see any household names in this game. But there 25 players in this game that were drafted last year. Recent participants in this contest include Bengals' RB Bernard Scott, Bears' WR Johnny Knox, Cardinal RB Tim Hightower, Colts' WR Pierre Garcon & Chiefs' LB Andy Studebaker. There are a few prospects worth watching in this game, I'll let you know if any of them jumped off the screen come Saturday afternoon.
Number 18 has come home. The Chiefs signed Pro Football Hall of Fame cornerback Emmitt Thomas to become their defensive backfield coach. Thomas came back to the only team he ever played for, their all-time leader in interceptions with 58. His #18 was retired before his HOF induction in 2008. Thomas coached for 26 years in the NFL including 3 stints as a defensive coordinator. Thomas earned 3 Super Bowl Championship rings with Kansas City & 2 with the Redskins while on their coaching staff. Thomas was originally signed as an undrafted free agent out of Bishop College in Dallas. After two unimpressive seasons, he made 5 Pro Bowls for the AFC. Thomas & Oakland's Willie Brown were the consummate 'shutdown corners' of their era. As the new DB coach with the Chiefs, he has his work cut out for him, while Brandon Flowers is developing into a fine cornerback, the Chiefs had some of the worst safety play in the entire league. Welcome back to Kansas City Emmitt, good luck.
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