BADGERS LAND TRANSFER QB, T.O. PROBABLY FINISHED & WHO SHOULD THE CHIEFS PURSUE IN FREE AGENCY?
It's been a few days, there's not a lot of important news, especially over the weekend, but I dug up enough for a quick post. I'll tell you the NFL & it's player reps are going to meet again this week, but no one knows when, where or for how long. We're getting near the point of no return, free agency will be stalled by 8-10 days after the CBA is signed, then we need the camps to open in time for the preseason. Owners could lose as much as $22 million per game if they have to cancel any preseason contests. We have hundreds of free agents who will have to make almost instant decisions regarding the team they plan to play for in 2011. Unlike players under existing contracts, unrestricted free agents could receive sizable signing bonuses the day they ink a deal with any team, including the one they played for last season. Let's get it in gear guys, time to start burning the midnight oil, no more days off. My prediction of an agreement in principle by June 30th is pretty well out the window by now.
Bret Bielema's Wisconsin Badgers landed the most coveted college transfer this off-season, quarterback Russell Wilson. He played QB for North Carolina State & was in the minor league system for the Colorado Rockies. Tho the Badgers have always been a run-first team under Bielema, Wilson could change that, he's easily the best quarterback prospect to play in Madison since Bielema took the reins. He's extremely athletic & has a powerful, accurate arm. Couple this transfer to the woes Ohio State currently finds itself in, Wisconsin is hands-down the BIG-TEN favorite IMO. Sorry Huskers.
I know some of you are growing weary of my rants against the college cheaters, but I have more ammunition. I told you of the North Carolina players with their parking issues. Greg Little, 2nd round draft pick of the Cleveland Browns, had 93 parking tickets during his time at Chapel Hill. Those 93 tickets were issued to 5 different cars with 9 different license plates......all registered to a local car dealer. Little was suspended for the entire 2010 season & along with 2 or 3 teammates, Little will leave the Tar Heel program in tatters. I'm sure he's very sorry.
Last week, I brought the brewing Oregon story to your attention. I thought it wasn't that serious, I could be wrong. The University has hired the law firm of Bond, Schoenick & King & retained it's most feared attorney, Michael Glazer, nicknamed "The Cleaner" for his ability to fend off the NCAA. Glazer was successful helping Ohio State & Kansas State deal with internal financial issues. Both schools paid Glazer's firm over $500,000 for his legal magic. The Eugene Register-Guard said in Friday's edition:
"The reality is when you retain the law firm of Bond, Schoenick & King, you're plenty concerned. In hiring Michael Glazer, "The Cleaner" as some call him, Oregon signaled that this NCAA inquiry is a very significant matter."
I dumped on Vikings' running back Adrian Peterson for not appearing at a football named after him, one that charges teenagers $199 for two days of personal coaching. Enough about his selfish behavior. Packer wide receiver James Jones had a free 2-day football camp in his hometown of San Jose. Jones said he remembered "pay camps" when he was young & his family was in & out of homeless shelters. "I'll never charge kids to come to our camp, I know how painful it can be, knowing you can't go because of the money" Jones said. The Saints' Pierre Thomas sponsored "Free Football Skills Day" in his native Lansing Illinois. Dallas running back Felix Jones had a free 2-day camp in his hometown of Tulsa. Jones got 5 other NFL players to participate. These unselfish players should be applauded for their effort to bring the game to as many kids as possible.
James Jones Pierre Thomas Felix Jones
Terrell Owens NFL career could be over after undergoing surgery on a torn ACL over the weekend. Exactly how he suffered the injury isn't known, one version is he was auditioning for a TV reality show, the other was during a personal workout. But the surgery was confirmed. T.O. was going to be released by the Cincinnati Bengals whenever the new CBA is signed. He's played for 5 different teams & each one of them was more than glad to see him go. Now as he nears his 38th birthday, seemingly unable to play this year with his pending rehab. Owens' NFL pass catching days are probably finished. No one was urgently wanting his services, his trouble-making history is extensive & well-known in league circles. Owens has Hall of Fame stats & one day he'll get in, but there are other wide receivers, Tim Brown, Cris Carter, Marvin Harrison, Andre Reed, Isaac Bruce, etc., to be considered. They don't have the cancerous reputation Owens has. He'll get there, but it might not be as soon as he wants, so be prepared for his yearly whining.
Steeler safety Ryan Clark recently said "social media sites like Twitter are ruining the world." Donovan McNabb took it one step further last Friday, when during a radio interview the Redskin quarterback said "as an athlete, I think you need to get off of Twitter. It's one that athletes should leave to the fans & let them comment on certain things, but athletes need to get off Twitter." He's right, but as long as many of these selfish, narcissistic "unaccountables" can reach one more person to worship them, they'll never stop.
According to Daniel Kaplan of The Sports Business Journal, there's word the NFL has already begun shopping an extended Thursday night package to begin in 2012. Even tho they would take 8 additional games away from CBS & FOX on Sunday afternoon, they can charge almost twice as much for the 8 games if they're played in prime time. Those initially interested are Turner & Comcast. Turner would telecast the games on TNT, already synonymous with the NBA & NASCAR. Comcast would elevate VERSUS to the big time with 8 NFL games. Either would be welcomed by millions of football fans who don't get The NFL Network on their cable or satellite system. The starting number is $500 million for the 8-game package. I expect ESPN will enter into the fray very soon.
With the current lockout in place, there will be no rookie symposium this summer. It has been mandatory for all draftees & undrafted signees to attend the 3-day event. Now the NFLPA will stage their own this week, it's not mandatory but most of April's drafted players are expected to attend. Most of Saturday's docket will be about financial planning. Hall of Fame coach Joe Gibbs & former Pro Bowl defensive tackle Luther Ellis will speak to the rookies. Ellis earned approximately $20 million over his 11-year career & recently claimed bankruptcy. The married father of 11 children said players must resist spending a large amount of money the first two years in the league. He said "You've worked & sacrificed for years to get to the NFL. Put the same effort into guarding your financial future." Ellis related tales of shaky business deals he entered into with friends & hangers-on. The NFLPA is going to provide an outline rookies can use to decline investment opportunities, at least for the first two years. If more players were disciplined enough to avoid spending 100-150% of their signing bonuses & first 2-years salaries, we wouldn't be hearing about players taking out 20% loans for $250,000.
Free agency will be upon us within days after the CBA is signed, so who could be available & help the Chiefs? Since Scott Pioli was significantly under the 2009 salary cap last year(in an uncapped yr.), I have to believe he will have to spend a bunch of cash to get close to the new salary cap which will be required in the new labor agreement. I have just 4 names for you, at 4 positions the Chiefs need help. All four have clean off-field records & have shown excellent effort during their careers. Signing one would be a step toward repeating a 10-win season, signing two would make the Chiefs a legitimate contender right now. Here they are in no particular order:
Marshall Yanda - Baltimore Ravens - offensive tackle & guard
He's played right guard & right tackle. He's a bruising mauler-type of run blocker & fundamentally sound pass blocker. The 4-year vet out of Northern Iowa is definitely an overachiever.
Aubrayo Franklin - San Francisco Forty-Niners - nose tackle
An 8-year vet who does what you want from a nose tackle, he occupies blockers & clogs interior running lanes. The Chiefs drafted Jerrell Powe in April, but he won't be ready to start right away, Franklin could hold down the middle for now & be part of a good rotation later.
Barrett Ruud - Tampa Bay Buccaneers - inside linebacker
The 6-year vet has recorded over 100 tackles in each of the past four seasons, I could picture Ruud inside next to Derrick Johnson. He has the size, strength & smarts required to play inside.
Cullen Jenkins - Green Bay Packers - defensive end
He's slightly taller than Glenn Dorsey, but he's quicker off the edge rushing the passer. The 7-year vet had 7 sacks last season & 29 in his 6 full seasons. Solid tackler vs. the run.
Bret Bielema's Wisconsin Badgers landed the most coveted college transfer this off-season, quarterback Russell Wilson. He played QB for North Carolina State & was in the minor league system for the Colorado Rockies. Tho the Badgers have always been a run-first team under Bielema, Wilson could change that, he's easily the best quarterback prospect to play in Madison since Bielema took the reins. He's extremely athletic & has a powerful, accurate arm. Couple this transfer to the woes Ohio State currently finds itself in, Wisconsin is hands-down the BIG-TEN favorite IMO. Sorry Huskers.
I know some of you are growing weary of my rants against the college cheaters, but I have more ammunition. I told you of the North Carolina players with their parking issues. Greg Little, 2nd round draft pick of the Cleveland Browns, had 93 parking tickets during his time at Chapel Hill. Those 93 tickets were issued to 5 different cars with 9 different license plates......all registered to a local car dealer. Little was suspended for the entire 2010 season & along with 2 or 3 teammates, Little will leave the Tar Heel program in tatters. I'm sure he's very sorry.
Last week, I brought the brewing Oregon story to your attention. I thought it wasn't that serious, I could be wrong. The University has hired the law firm of Bond, Schoenick & King & retained it's most feared attorney, Michael Glazer, nicknamed "The Cleaner" for his ability to fend off the NCAA. Glazer was successful helping Ohio State & Kansas State deal with internal financial issues. Both schools paid Glazer's firm over $500,000 for his legal magic. The Eugene Register-Guard said in Friday's edition:
"The reality is when you retain the law firm of Bond, Schoenick & King, you're plenty concerned. In hiring Michael Glazer, "The Cleaner" as some call him, Oregon signaled that this NCAA inquiry is a very significant matter."
I dumped on Vikings' running back Adrian Peterson for not appearing at a football named after him, one that charges teenagers $199 for two days of personal coaching. Enough about his selfish behavior. Packer wide receiver James Jones had a free 2-day football camp in his hometown of San Jose. Jones said he remembered "pay camps" when he was young & his family was in & out of homeless shelters. "I'll never charge kids to come to our camp, I know how painful it can be, knowing you can't go because of the money" Jones said. The Saints' Pierre Thomas sponsored "Free Football Skills Day" in his native Lansing Illinois. Dallas running back Felix Jones had a free 2-day camp in his hometown of Tulsa. Jones got 5 other NFL players to participate. These unselfish players should be applauded for their effort to bring the game to as many kids as possible.
James Jones Pierre Thomas Felix Jones
Terrell Owens NFL career could be over after undergoing surgery on a torn ACL over the weekend. Exactly how he suffered the injury isn't known, one version is he was auditioning for a TV reality show, the other was during a personal workout. But the surgery was confirmed. T.O. was going to be released by the Cincinnati Bengals whenever the new CBA is signed. He's played for 5 different teams & each one of them was more than glad to see him go. Now as he nears his 38th birthday, seemingly unable to play this year with his pending rehab. Owens' NFL pass catching days are probably finished. No one was urgently wanting his services, his trouble-making history is extensive & well-known in league circles. Owens has Hall of Fame stats & one day he'll get in, but there are other wide receivers, Tim Brown, Cris Carter, Marvin Harrison, Andre Reed, Isaac Bruce, etc., to be considered. They don't have the cancerous reputation Owens has. He'll get there, but it might not be as soon as he wants, so be prepared for his yearly whining.
Steeler safety Ryan Clark recently said "social media sites like Twitter are ruining the world." Donovan McNabb took it one step further last Friday, when during a radio interview the Redskin quarterback said "as an athlete, I think you need to get off of Twitter. It's one that athletes should leave to the fans & let them comment on certain things, but athletes need to get off Twitter." He's right, but as long as many of these selfish, narcissistic "unaccountables" can reach one more person to worship them, they'll never stop.
According to Daniel Kaplan of The Sports Business Journal, there's word the NFL has already begun shopping an extended Thursday night package to begin in 2012. Even tho they would take 8 additional games away from CBS & FOX on Sunday afternoon, they can charge almost twice as much for the 8 games if they're played in prime time. Those initially interested are Turner & Comcast. Turner would telecast the games on TNT, already synonymous with the NBA & NASCAR. Comcast would elevate VERSUS to the big time with 8 NFL games. Either would be welcomed by millions of football fans who don't get The NFL Network on their cable or satellite system. The starting number is $500 million for the 8-game package. I expect ESPN will enter into the fray very soon.
With the current lockout in place, there will be no rookie symposium this summer. It has been mandatory for all draftees & undrafted signees to attend the 3-day event. Now the NFLPA will stage their own this week, it's not mandatory but most of April's drafted players are expected to attend. Most of Saturday's docket will be about financial planning. Hall of Fame coach Joe Gibbs & former Pro Bowl defensive tackle Luther Ellis will speak to the rookies. Ellis earned approximately $20 million over his 11-year career & recently claimed bankruptcy. The married father of 11 children said players must resist spending a large amount of money the first two years in the league. He said "You've worked & sacrificed for years to get to the NFL. Put the same effort into guarding your financial future." Ellis related tales of shaky business deals he entered into with friends & hangers-on. The NFLPA is going to provide an outline rookies can use to decline investment opportunities, at least for the first two years. If more players were disciplined enough to avoid spending 100-150% of their signing bonuses & first 2-years salaries, we wouldn't be hearing about players taking out 20% loans for $250,000.
Free agency will be upon us within days after the CBA is signed, so who could be available & help the Chiefs? Since Scott Pioli was significantly under the 2009 salary cap last year(in an uncapped yr.), I have to believe he will have to spend a bunch of cash to get close to the new salary cap which will be required in the new labor agreement. I have just 4 names for you, at 4 positions the Chiefs need help. All four have clean off-field records & have shown excellent effort during their careers. Signing one would be a step toward repeating a 10-win season, signing two would make the Chiefs a legitimate contender right now. Here they are in no particular order:
Marshall Yanda - Baltimore Ravens - offensive tackle & guard
He's played right guard & right tackle. He's a bruising mauler-type of run blocker & fundamentally sound pass blocker. The 4-year vet out of Northern Iowa is definitely an overachiever.
Aubrayo Franklin - San Francisco Forty-Niners - nose tackle
An 8-year vet who does what you want from a nose tackle, he occupies blockers & clogs interior running lanes. The Chiefs drafted Jerrell Powe in April, but he won't be ready to start right away, Franklin could hold down the middle for now & be part of a good rotation later.
Barrett Ruud - Tampa Bay Buccaneers - inside linebacker
The 6-year vet has recorded over 100 tackles in each of the past four seasons, I could picture Ruud inside next to Derrick Johnson. He has the size, strength & smarts required to play inside.
Cullen Jenkins - Green Bay Packers - defensive end
He's slightly taller than Glenn Dorsey, but he's quicker off the edge rushing the passer. The 7-year vet had 7 sacks last season & 29 in his 6 full seasons. Solid tackler vs. the run.
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