Top Available Free Agents for NFL Training Camp 2009 by Lloyd Vance

With training camps set to open in late July there are still some quality players looking for work.  Unfortunately for most of the players currently not on NFL rosters, there seems to be distinct reasons (off the field issues, age, injuries, etc) why NFL teams are taking a wait and see view toward them.  Maybe some of the free agents will have to go the route of the UFL to get back into pro football, but we know injuries are a huge factor in the NFL.  It is only a matter of time before some unfortunate players go down in training camp and preseason which will necessitate some of the free agent players listed getting a call.

In studying this list there was one trend that I tended to see.  Despite an increasing salary cap — 2009 salary cap set for $127 million per team, which is $10.3 million higher than last year’s figure of $116.7 Million – and league CBA mandated cap relief for signing older players (Seven to Nine Year Veteran – $720,000 but only counts around $445, 000 on the salary cap), the National Football League outside of specialists (kickers, punters, and long snappers) continues to become a young players’ league.  Lately at cut time, NFL teams would rather keep a younger “developing” player around while telling a veteran (over 6 years in the league), “We don’t need you anymore.”  NFL head coaches in trying to fill, a too small in my opinion, 53-player roster seem to believe they can “coach-up” a younger player while they learn on special-teams rather then keeping an older guy who will only be able to contribute on about 20 or less snaps a game.  In looking at the rosters of the two Super Bowl XLII teams, the average ages on each squad was right around 27 years old with the Steelers having only five players over age 33 including their punter (Mitch Berger, 36) and conversely the Cardinals having even less with only four players over that mark.

Future Hall of Famer and former Pro Bowl defensive tackle Warren Sapp recently said of NFL veteran’s dilemma, “It’s not the same for the veterans anymore. The NFL doesn’t need us. In this NFL, the old vets don’t factor in”.  You hate to see a once quality veteran player trying to hang-on for one more season, but some of the older players on this list still can be a valuable resource to a team.  Nothing can replace the knowledge and leadership that some of these older players bring especially when most NFL lockerrooms are now filled with former college underclassmen.  Older players are “reliable” and are usually students of the game, just ask the Arizona Cardinals how glad they were when they had veteran quarterback Kurt Warner on their roster when 2006 first rounder Matt Leinhart imploded.  Warner, age 37, produced a season for the ages throwing for numbers 401-598, 4583 yards, and 30 TDs while leading the NFC West Champion Cardinal to their first Super Bowl.

LB Derrick Brooks, formerly of Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Hard to believe after 11 Pro Bowls, being named All-Pro six times, winning one Super Bowl (XXXVII ) and being named Defensive Player of the Year in 2002, that the former Tampa Bay Bucs linebacker cannot find a job.  Brooks has said “I committed myself to playing one more year”, so all he needs now is an opportunity to return for his 15th season.  Of course at age 36, Brooks is not the same tacking terror that led Tony Dungy’s vaunted defense but his leadership and savvy are immeasurable.  The former Florida State star is completely healed from a hamstring injury that dogged him in 2008 and I believe in the right system, he can reproduce his ’07 numbers of 84 tackles and 3 forced fumbles in 16 starts.  Maybe a team running the Tampa 2 defense (Colts or Bears) or a 3-4 team looking for a solid leader (Patriots) will give him a call before he makes his way to Canton.

WR Marvin Harrison, formerly of Indianapolis Colts – Another Canton bound player, who I believe can still get it done in the NFL.  It is surprising to me that other veteran receivers Torry Holt (Jags) and Joey Galloway (Patriots) found homes before Harrison.  The issue of an alleged gun discharge in Philly went away and Harrison even at age 36 is one of the best route runners in the NFL.  Despite battling through injuries and not looking like his old Pro Bowl self at times in 2008, the former 8-time Pro Bowl player 60 catches for 636 yards (10.6 ypc) and 5 TDs.  Though no longer a number one receiver, Harrison could help move the chains on 3^rd downs and help teach younger players.  I think he has at least two more years left in him to build on his impressive career numbers (1102 receptions for 14580 yards, 13.2 ypc and 128 TDs)

Look for one of the myriad of teams looking for a receiver (Vikings, Bears, Titans, Jets, Steelers and Ravens) to bring Peyton’s former main man in for a look.

RB Edgerrin James, formerly of Arizona Cardinals – This maybe a tough sell as the NFL is definitely “No For Long” for running backs over thirty years old, even if they are the 11^th All-time rusher in NFL History (12,121 yards).  The 4-time Pro Bowl player will be 31 in August and has 2982 carries on his odometer plus the Cardinals clearly pushed him to the background in ’08.  However when given opportunities, James showed flashes like in Week 17 (100-yard effort on 14 carries) and in the 2008 NFL Playoffs. The former back-to-back rushing title king (1999 and 2000) only rushed for 514 yards last season with a pedestrian average of 3.9 yards per rush.  However I still expect to see the ten-year veteran’s name called when another running back inevitably goes down. I was already surprised when the Eagles didn’t call when RB Brian Westbrook had ankle surgery.

OT Levi Jones, Cincinnati Benglas – When the Bengals drafted Alabama All-American offensive tackle Andre Smith in the first round, it spelled doom for Jones (6’5, 310).  After missing parts of the last three seasons and a high price tag (due to earn a base salary of $3 million this year), Jones was a goner.  Surprisingly after being set free from the strange world of the Bengals, Jones has taken his time in signing with another team.  I guess the stout tackle, who was once viewed as a cornerstone lineman, wants to see what opportunities will arise in training camp.  I also believe like most veterans, Jones wants no parts of two-a-days in the hot training camp sun.  With his long arms and good feet expect to see this 30-year old by the start of the season on someone’s roster real soon.  Hopefully to keep his image clean before signing, Jones will go the other way if he sees Dolphins LB Joey Porter and his boys in the casino again.

WR Matt Jones, formerly of Jacksonville Jaguars – This former 1st rd pick by the Jaguars in 2005 has never lived up to all of the “Freak” talk bantered around when he was drafted.  Jones has been an enigma during his short NFL career as has shown flashes of athleticism while not showing maturity off the field and having run-ins with members of the Jaguars coaching staff.  Jones (6-6, 240), was also arrested on July 10, 2008 for drug possession and eventually had his case sent to drug court with the NFL suspending him for 3 games at the end if the 2008 season.  Despite missing three games, Jones established a career-high for catches with 65 receptions for 761 yards ( 11.7 ypc) and 2 TDs.  However on March 9th, Jones was arrested for violating his probation due to drinking alcohol and the Jaguars cut ties with him March 14th.  Many have pointed to Jones as a player that just doesn’t get it, but at only 26 years old there may still be a team willing to bring him in.  It will be interesting to see if injuries cause any of the current receiver depleted teams to call Jones.

OT Jon Runyan, formerly of Philadelphia Eagles – Probably one of the toughest players I have ever seen.  This 13-year veteran is there every Sunday no matter what – 190 consecutive regular season games started. Runyan is a tough player, who will battle to the whistle and beyond sometimes.  There is nothing finesse about Big Jon as his nasty demeanor helps him maul opponents.  Unfortunately after playing through the pain for so long, Runyan’s body seems to be showing wear and tear.  Runyan had to have microfracture surgery on his right knee so no one is sure where he stands.  My prediction is if he can comeback healthy that some team looking for a versatile veteran on the offensive line will come calling.  By the way , even though the Eagles have several quality young offensive lineman they still have Runyan’s stall in their lockerroom.

DL Anthony Weaver, formerly of Houston Texans – This former 2nd Rd pick of the Baltimore Ravens in 2002 is a stout two way defensive end who has experience in the 4-3 and 3-4.  Though he is not a sack type pass rusher (only 15.5 career sacks), Weaver is a strong at the point of attack defensive lineman that excels at stopping the run.  At age 28 and with so many teams utilizing more defensive linemen rotations, I expect someone to give the former Notre Dame star a look.  Weaver started 16 games in ’08 for the Texans and even had an interception.

WR Plaxico Burress, formerly of NY Giants – Now that Burress’ gun case from November 2008 has been adjourned until September 23, 2009 there is speculation that some teams (Bears, Bucs, Ravens, and Jets) will take a look at the Giants former Super Bowl XLII hero. Though his actions caused the Giants’ 2008 season to go awry there is no doubt that Burress 6’6 frame gives smaller defensive backs fits.  In limited action, Plaxico had 35 catches for 454 yards and 4 touchdowns. But this big and athletic playmaker will need to show that he has growm up on and off the field.  There have been rumors that the Giants kept quiet on a lot of the problems that Burress caused, so I know teams looking to sign him will be doing their homework.  Even though there has been an adjournement eventually Burress will have to face the legal process in a trial or plea deal and then there is the little matter of NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell possibly suspending him.  There is no doubt if Burress can get his legal issues straight that he will be at the top of the free agent receiver list..

QB Michael Vick, formerly of Atlanta Falcons – After the Falcons recently released Vick, he could officially sign with any NFL team.  Of course no team is probably going to sign Vick until Goodell reinstates him from his indefinite suspension stemming from his federal dogfighting case.  Vick will leave federal custody on July 20^th and he will then have to meet with Goodell.  Let’s say that Goodell reinstates Vick with a 4-game or less suspension, at that time I believe there will be at least four teams (Rams, Cowboys, Raiders, and Jaguars) entering the race for the former Falcons star quarterback.  I know there are issues around protests, but I believe this man has been persecuted enough, so let him be.  As for those who believe that the 29-year old is done in the NFL…C’mon also-rans like SF 49ers Damon Huard, Bears Brett Basanez , Bengals JT O’Sullivan, Chargers Charlie Whitehurst, and others have jobs in the NFL.  Even after not throwing an NFL pass since December 2006, Vick is still a much better player  than those quarterbacks and others too — career passing numbers of 930-1730, 11505 yards, 71 TDs, 52 INTs, and a 75.7 rating in six years w/ the Falcons.  I know some NFL offensive coordinators cannot wait to get their hands on a player with Vick’s mobility in multiple offensive sets including the Wildcat — established quarterback records of 1039 rushing yards and an 8.4 ypr average in 2006.  After his release expect Vick to work with his former high school coach Tommy Reamon and his son Tommy Reamon Jr (Old Dominion QB) to get back into NFL shape.

DE Travis LaBoy, formerly of Arizona Cardinals –  It is only a matter of time before this 27-year old pass rusher is picked up.  LaBoy can play as a 3-4 outside linebacker or a hand-in-the-dirt 4-3 defensive end.  When healthy, this former  2^nd Rd pick by the Titans in 2004 from Hawaii terrorizes quarterbacks playing with get speed.  Right now the former Cardinals high-motor end is recovering from torn biceps surgery earlier this offseason.  Laboy (6-4, 250) was released on April 2009 by Cardinals, but his ability to rush the passer — 23.5 career sacks with four sacks in ’08 — will find him a new home. Even if there are not any injuries in camp, expect the Packers, Patriots, and possibly the Niners to take a look at Laboy.

Other Free Agents

QB Cleo Lemon, Jacksonville Jaguars

QB J.P. Losman, Buffalo Bills

QB Marques Tuiasosopo, Oakland Raiders

RB J.J. Arrington, Denver Broncos

RB Ron Dayne, Houston Texans

RB Reuben Droughns, NY Giants

RB Warrick Dunn, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

RB DeShaun Foster, San Francisco 49ers

RB Ahmad Green, Houston Texans

RB Rudi Johnson, Detroit

RB Deuce McAllister, New Orleans Saints

RB Chris Perry, Cincinnati Bengals

WR Drew Bennett, St. Louis Rams

WR Marty Booker, Chicago Bears

WR Joe Jurevicius, Cleveland Browns

WR Justin McCareins, Tennessee Titans

WR Shaun McDonald, Detroit Lions

WR Jerry Porter, Jacksonville Jaguars

WR Amani Toomer, New York Giants

WR Reggie Williams, Jacksonville Jaguars

WR/TE/H-Back Mike Williams, Tennessee Titans

TE Dan Campbell, Detroit Lions

OL Derrick Dockery, Buffalo Bills

OT Wayne Gandy, Baltimore Ravens

OL Kwame Harris, Oakland Raiders

OT Fred Miller, Chicago Bears

OL Edwin Mulitalo, Detroit Lions

OT John St. Clair, Chicago Bears

DL DeWayne Robertson, Denver Broncos

DL Kenny Peterson, Denver Broncos

LB Donnie Edwards, Kansas City Chiefs

LB Kalimba Edwards, Oakland Raiders

LB Morlon Greenwood, Houston Texans

LB Willie McGinest, Cleveland Browns

LB/ST Gary Stills, St. Louis Rams

DB Dre’ Bly, Denver Broncos

DB Adam “Pacman” Jones, Dallas Cowboys

DB Sammy Knight, NY Giants

DB Ty Law, New York Jets

DB Sam Madison, NY Giants

DB Ricky Manning, Tennessee Titans

DB Chris McAlister, Baltimore Ravens

DB Lawyer Milloy, Atlanta Falcons

DB Dwight Smith, Detroit Lions

CB Patrick Surtain, Kansas City Chiefs

DB Jimmy Williams, Houston Texans

PK Justin Medlock, St. Louis Rams

PK Matt Stover, Baltimore Ravens

Lloyd Vance is a Sr. NFL Writer for Taking It to the House and an award-winning member of the Pro Football Writers of America (PFWA)

2009 NFL Training Camp Dates by Lloyd Vance

Hang-in there, the longest break on the yearly NFL Calendar will be coming to an end soon in late July.  The first NFL training camp will open on July 24^th as Cleveland Browns’ rookies will report to the team’s training facility in Berea, OH.

2009 NFL Training Camp Dates & Locations

TEAM                      SITE                                                       LOCATION            ROOKIES              VETERANS

Arizona                   Northern Arizona University               Flagstaff, AZ          29-Jul                     29-Jul

Atlanta                    Falcons Training Facility           Flowery Branch, GA      31-Jul                    31-Jul

Baltimore              McDaniel College                                                Westminster, MD 27-Jul                     29-Jul

Buffalo                   St. John Fisher College                     Pittsford, NY          25-Jul                     25-Jul

Carolina                                Wofford College                                   Spartanburg, SC  2-Aug                     2-Aug

Chicago                 Olivet Nazarene University                 Bourbonnais, IL   31-Jul                     31-Jul

Cincinnati              Georgetown College                          Georgetown, KY   30-Jul                     30-Jul

Cleveland              Cleveland Browns Training Facility Berea, OH             24-Jul                     31-Jul

Dallas                    Alamodome                                          San Antonio, TX   29-Jul                     29-Jul

Denver                   Broncos Center                                   Englewood, CO   30-Jul                     30-Jul

Detroit                    Detroit Lions Training Facility           Allen Park, MI        31-Jul                     31-Jul

Green Bay             St. Norbert College                             De Pere, WI          31-Jul                     31-Jul

Houston                                Methodist Training Center                 Houston, TX          26-Jul                     31-Jul

Indianapolis         Rose-Hulman Institute of Tech       Terre Haute, IN      2-Aug                     2-Aug

Jacksonville          Jacksonville Municipal Stadium       Jacksonville, FL   2-Aug                     2-Aug

Kansas City          University of Wisconsin-River Falls River Falls, WI      31-Jul                     31-Jul

Miami                     Miami Dolphins Training Facility      Davie, FL               1-Aug                     1-Aug

Minnesota             Minnesota State Univ. Mankato        Mankato, MN         30-Jul                     30-Jul

New England       Gillette Stadium                                   Foxboro, MA          26-Jul                     29-Jul

New Orleans        Saints Training Facility                       Metairie, LA           30-Jul                     30-Jul

NY Giants              University at Albany                             Albany, NY             3-Aug                     3-Aug

NY Jets                  SUNY Cortland                                    Cortland, NY         27-Jul                     30-Jul

Oakland                 Napa Valley Marriott                            Napa Valley, CA   29-Jul                     29-Jul

Philadelphia         Lehigh University                                 Bethlehem, PA     26-Jul                     29-Jul

Pittsburgh             Saint Vincent College                         Latrobe, PA           31-Jul                     31-Jul

San Diego             Chargers Park                                     San Diego, CA     26-Jul                     31-Jul

San Francisco      Marie P. DeBartolo  Sports Center   Santa Clara, CA   28-Jul                     30-Jul

Seattle                   Virginia Mason Athletic Center          Renton, WA           30-Jul                     31-Jul

St. Louis                                Russell Training Center                    Earth City, MO       30-Jul                     31-Jul

Tampa Bay           One Buccaneer Place                        Tampa, FL            31-Jul                     31-Jul

Tennessee           Baptist Sports Park                             Nashville, TN        30-Jul                     30-Jul

Washington          Redskins Park                                     Ashburn, VA          29-Jul                     29-Jul

NFL Power Rankings – Pre Training Camp 2009 by Lloyd Vance

(Philadelphia, Pa) – We are almost to my least favorite time of the year when there is virtually no football.  Though the NFL Calendar is now packed it seems every month, most teams take a nice break after May and early June’s OTA’s to recharge for late July’s training camps.

The fun part of this time on the NFL Calendar is that hope has sprung eternal around the NFL, as every team is 0-0 heading into next season.  Yes even the 0-16 Detroit Lions believe they have positively tweaked their roster and drafted well enough that training camp can’t get here soon enough.

With rosters pretty much set for next season, I thought now was a good time to rank all 32 NFL Teams.

1. Steelers – The 2008 Super Bowl Champions still remain in my top spot until someone knocks them off their perch.  In order to be the man, you have to beat the man…wooo!!  The Steelers lost players that they believe already have replacements on their current roster.  Plus the Steelers’ weakest area, the offenisve line, will have another year together and the draft yielded Wisconsin OG Kraig Urbik and Penn State C A.Q Shipley. Theif defense is getting a little older along their front four, but Defensive MVP James Harrison shoulld be productive after signing a lucartive extension. It will be interesting see if quarterback Ben Roethlisberger continues to throw 25 to 30 times a game with RB’s Willie Parker and Rashard Mendenhall (shoulder) returning.  Will compete with the Raven for the AFC North title, but there are issues of complacency and a history of falling back after winning it all (record of 8-8 in ’06 after winning in Super Bowl XL).

2. Giants – The G-Men stumbled down the stretch after WR Plaxico Burress shot himself and the team’s playoff hopes.  But look for the Giants to return to contention at the top of the NFC.  In the NFC East, the Giants’ main competition will be the Eagles who knocked them out of the playoffs in 2008.  Quarterback Eli Manning who is looking for a Matthew Stafford type contract and guaranteed money this year will need to lean on his running game led by RB’s Brandon Jacobs, Ahmad Bradshaw, and Danny Ware.  Rookie pass catchers WR Hakim Nicks (North Carolina), TE Travis Beckum (Wisconsin), and WR Ramses Barden (Cal Poly) will try to replace Burress along with returning Super Bowl hero David Tyree (knee).  The Giants’ defensive pressure should also get a boost from the additions of Pro Bowl DE Osi Umenyiora (knee), DT Rocky Bernard (F\A – Seattle), LB Michael Boley (F\A – Falcons), DT Chris Canty (F\A – Cowboys) and rookie LB Clint Sintim (UVa) to last season’s menacing DE’s Mathias Kiwanuka and Justin Tuck.

3.  Patriots – After becoming only the second 11-5 team to not make the playoffs (Denver – 1985), head coach Bill Belichick is on a mission.  The Pats return QB Tom Brady from a devastating knee injury and they also made an emphasis of getting younger on defense this offseason.  Look for NT Vince Wilfork (playing for a contract), LB Adalius Thomas (finally comfortable in the system), and rookies CB Darius Butler (UConn) and S Patrick Chung (Oregon) to have a huge impact on defense.  Offensively the Patriots running game should be better with the addition of veteran RB Fred Taylor (playing the Corey Dillon role) and the return of RB Laurence Maroney (shoulder).  Also watch for deep throws from Brady to speedsters Randy Moss, Joey Galloway (F\A – Bucs), and Greg Lewis (Draft Day Trade – Eagles).

4.  Eagles – After a rollercoast type season where things went a little haywire in Weeks 10-12, the Birds rebounded to make some noise in the playoffs.  Any momentum gained from their playoff run was totally enhanced by arguably the NFL’s best offseason.  The Eagles obtained veterans CB Ellis Hobbs (Draft Day Trade – Patriots), Pro Bowl LT Jason Peters (Pre-Draft Trade – Bills), and OL Stacy Andrews (F\A – Bengals) plus drafted potential offensive differencemakers WR Jermey Maclin (Missouri),RB LeSean McCoy (PITT), and TE Cornelius Ingram (Florida).  QB Donovan McNabb (make or break contract season) has to like his team’s chances after the Birds’ front office made over a roster that was getting a little old at key positions. Areas to watch in training camp will be the health of RB Brian Westbrook (Ankle Surgery), the right tackle position where Shawn Andrews (back) is moving from his Pro Bowl right guard spot to battle his brother Stacy and free saftey where Quintin Demps and newcomer Sean Jones (F\A – Cleveland) will be competing to try and replace future Hall of Famer Brian Dawkins (Broncos).

5. Titans – Jeff Fisher’s team was the talk of the NFL after they went undefeated for the first 11 weeks of the 2008 season, but in the playoffs it was a totally different story as the Ravens shutdown the AFC’s No. 1 seed.  However with the Titans strong running game (LenDale White and Chris Johnson) and tough defense led by LB Keith Bullock and a  talented secondary (S Michael Griffin and CB Cortland Finnegan) expect them back near the top of the AFC South with the Colts and Texans.  However there are big question marks around QB Kerry Collins (age), C Kevin Mawae (age/retirement?), their receivers (still looking for a #1 guy) and a defense that lost number #1NFL free agent DT Albert Haynesworth (Redskins).

6.  Cardinals – The 2008 NFC Champs will not be sneaking up on anyone this season after a playoff run that included an impressive road stomping of the NFC top seeded Panthers.  The NFC West is definitely improving with the Niners (playing harder under Singletary) and Seahawks (getting healthier) expected to step-up, so the Cardinals will need to avoid the dreaded Super Bowl loser hangover syndrome — 7 of the last 8 Super Bowl losers failed to qualify for the post-season the following year.  The Cardinals will again lean on their offense led by a rejuvenated QB Kurt Warner (new contract), rookie RB Chris “Beanie” Wells (Ohio St), and All-World WR Larry Fitzgerald.  It will be interesting to see if the four 2009 defensive draft picks coming in can help a unit that allowed 26.6 points per game.  Also what are the Cards going to do to keep DT Darnell Dockett and WR Anquan Boldin happy over their contracts.

7.  Panthers – Everything seemed to be falling the Panthers way in ’08 as their “Double Trouble” running back combo of DeAngelo Williams and Jonathan Stewart and an opportunistic defense led the way into the playoffs.  After securing the NFC’s number one seed, the NFC South Champion Panthers imploded at home losing badly to the Cardinals.  Panthers Head Coach John Fox (hotseat) will need to get another stellar season from his running backs, but newly re-signed QB Jake Delhomme (arm and 6 turnovers in playoffs loss) is the big key to this team’s success.  The Panthers have a stellar offensive line, so look for a continued run heavy offense with about 8 to 10 passes a game going to gamebreaker WR Steve Smith.  The Carolina defense will need LB Jon Beason (labrum),  DT Damione Lewis (rotator cuff) and rookie DE Everett Brown (FSU) to stay on top of their games in case “franchised” defensive end Julius Peppers (career-high 14.5 sacks) holds out or becomes a distraction.  Look for a three-way race between the Panthers, Saints, and Falcons in the NFC South.

8.  Vikings –  A litany of things finally came together for the Vikes in ’08 as they won the NFC North for the first time since 2004.  Right now the Vikings with All-World RB Adrain Peterson and the NFL’s #1 Rush Defense are a sexy pick to represent the NFC in the Super Bowl this season.  However there are still too many lingering questions for my taste to move this team higher.  Who is the quarterback going to be? (Tarvaris Jackson – inconsitent in the playoffs against the Eagles, Sage Rosenfels – New to their system, or dare I say it…Brett Favre, who brings age and lockerroom chemistry issues, if he is signed).  Brad Childress’ team must also deal with DT’s Kevin and Pat Williams’ facing 4-game suspensions for Water Pills-gate.  In the 2009 draft, the Vikings looked to add more offensive firepower to Peterson and emerging WR Bernard Berrian by bringing in WR/KR/RB Percy Harvin (Florida).  So whomever the quarterback is in training camp there will be expectations to get the ball in the team’s many playmakers hands.  Expect the Vikings and Bears to fight it out for NFC North supremacy again.

9.  Colts – Another season, another 12-wins for Indy (NFL Record Six Consecutive).  The Colts are a regular season buzzsaw, but once again the playoffs were a different story.  QB Peyton Manning’s team lost in OT to the Chargers, but the game seemed little bit more organizational changing.  Super Bowl winning head coach Tony Dungy decided that ’08 would be his last season and now first time NFL head coach Jim Caldwell takes over.  Caldwell will also have to go into battle without franchise receiver Marvin Harrison (F\A), former offensive coordinatorTom Moore (Retirement), and former O-line coach Howard Mudd (Retirement).  With so much leadership lost on the coaching staff there is going to be even more pressure on veteran thrower Manning.  Expect the Colts to lean more on their running game as RB Joseph Adda is healthy and Indy picked RB Donald Brown in the first round.  On defense the Colts are still small and fast, but it will be interesting to see how they fare against larger offenses.  Expect the AFC South to be one of the NFL’s best with the Colts, Titans, Jags, and Texans all fighting it out for the top spot.

10.  Ravens – Led by Pro Bowl safety Ed Reed and upstart head coach John Harbaugh, the Ravens were the surprise of the AFC in ’08 going all the way to the AFC Championship Game.  Despite the loss of several Ravens (Def Coor. Rex Ryan, LB Bart Scott, S Jim Leonhard, and others) to Baltimore North (New York Jets) expect QB Joe Flacco and his defensive minded team to still be in the mix.  The Ravens defense kept their leader in LB Ray Lewis plus they added CB Domonique Foxworth (Falcons).  There should be much more firepower this year on offense as Flacco and RB Ray Rice return for their second seasons fully knowing the playbook and the team also added TE LJ Smith (F\A – Eagles), C Matt Birk (F\A – Vikings), and OT Michael Oher (Ole Miss – 1^st Rd).  Expect another black and blue season for the Ravens as they battle their hated rival, the Steelers, for the AFC North title.

11.  Bears –  Lovie Smith wanted a quarterback to compliment running back Matt Forte and management brought-in QB Jay Cutler in a blockbuster trade.  Now Smith needs a playoff run by Cutler as he is on a very hotseat in the Windy City.  All I want to know is where are the WR’s that Cutler is throwing to.

12.  Saints – Sean Payton’s team was too inconsistent in ’08 (only won two games in a row once), so they will need to equate their talent laden roster into wins this season.  Look for an improved running game led by NFL Surprise Player RB Pierre Thomas to help MVP candidate QB Drew Brees and an emphasis on defense of eliminating big plays.

13.  Chargers – The Bolts had a nice run in the playoffs to put an inconsistent regular season behind them.  But head coach Norv Turner needs a better effort by his running game (LT and Darren Sproles) to assist Pro Bowl QB Philip Rivers.  The Chargers are hoping a healthly return by LB Shawn Merriman (knee) will pick-up a defense that was sporadic without him.

14.  49ers – Under new head coach “Iron” Mike Singletary, the Niners proved to be one of the NFL’s best teams down the stretch going 5-2 in their last seven games under their former interim head coach.  In order to compete with the NFC Champion Cardinals, the Niners must find a passing game to go with Singletary’s new run emphasized offense and attacking defense.

15.  Texans –  After their second 8-8 season in a row, it is hotseat time for GM Rick Smith, head coach Gary Kubiak, and quarterback Matt Schaub.  The Texans must find ways to avoid injuries on offense and add consistency on defense to compete with the Colts, Titans, and Jaguars in the tough AFC South.

16.  Dolphins – Last season’s greatest turnaround from 1-15 to 11-5 AFC East Champs will be hard to duplicate for head coach Tony Sparano and GM Bill Parcells.  The ‘Phins will be marked team as the Patriots, Jets, and upstart Bills will try to bring them back to Earth.

17.  Broncos – Former head coach Mike Shanahan, QB Jay Cutler, and GM Ted Sunquist are all no longer with Denver.  A new regime led by young head coach Josh McDaniels and over 17 new players will try to improve a team that lost 3 straight games to finish the season.  An improved defense (drafted 4 defensive players) and a hard running game led by rookie Knowshon Moreno should help in the Broncos chase the Chargers for the AFC West crown.

18.  Falcons – Besides the Dolphins there was no great turnaround story in the NFL in ’08 than Falcons.  Head Coach Mike Smith and Rookie of the Year QB Matt Ryan returned this once downtrodden franchise back into the playoffs.  Ryan, RB Michael Turner, WR Roddy White, and new TE Tony Gonzalez will need to jell quickly and the Falcons defense will need bigger plays to catch the Panthers..

19. Cowboys – During the ’08 season, one of the NFL’s most talent laden rosters was pulled down again from drama in Big D.  The Cowboys will be moving on to their new billion dollar stadium hopefully without the problems created by former distractions (Pacman, T.O, Tank Johnson, and others).  But there are some lingering question marks regarding whether head coach Wade Wilson and/or QB Tony Romo can lead the ‘Boys passed the Eagles and Giants in the tough NFC East.

20.  Redskins – The ‘Skins in ’08 under first year head coach Jim Zorn were a non-cohesive and inconsistent team due to injuries and internal fighting.   But expectations will be a lot higher in 2009 as owner Dan Snyder opened his checkbook for a haul that included DT Albert Hayneswoth and other big ticket items.  Zorn and Snyder will need QB Jason Campbell make them forget why the Redskins tried to bring in Jay Cutler and Mark Sanchez this passed offseason.

21.  Jaguars – After a front office shakeup, all the pressure in ’09 will be squarely on head coach Jack Del Rio.  The Jags have some weapons in players like RB Maurice Jones-Drew and CB Rashaun Mathis, but they need more consistency from QB David Garrard and a defense that allowed 367 points in ’08.

22.  Jets –  With the AFC East title in their sights, the Jets underestimated the Dophins and were left home for the playoffs.  With new head coach Rex Ryan coming over from the Ravens along with several former players and staff, look for a new attitude by the J-E-T-S.  The keys will be settling a quarterback controversy (Kellen Clemens or Mark Sanchez) and getting their defense acclimated to Ryan’s attacking scheme.

23.  Raiders – After playing the “spoiler” role rather well in Tampa Bay during Week 17 in ’08, the Raiders and their new head coach Tom Cable will be looking for respect in ’09.  Cable will need to get more points from offensive weapons QB JaMarcus Russell, RB Darren McFadden, TE Zach Miller and rookie Darius Heyward-Bey (only 27 touchowns in ’08).  Plus in order to catch the Broncos and Chargers at the top of the AFC West, Al Davis’ team will need to get better on defense (allowed 388 pts).

24.  Buccaneers – Offseason changes were everywhere for the Bucs after an end of season meltdown where they were knocked from the playoffs in WK 17 by the Raiders.  New head coach Raheem Morris and a roster full of youngsters will attempt to get right in the NFC South mix, but the division is stacked with the Panthers, Saints, and Falcons near the top.

25.  Bills – Get your popcorn ready, because T.O was brought to town this offseason by soon to be Hall of Fame owner Ralph Wilson.  The new look Bills and their new weapon will attempt to climb out of the tough AFC East’s basement.  However the Bills may need more than Owens as they finished 0-6 in the stacked division in ’08.

26. Packers –  The Pack probably were one of the NFL’s Most Disappointing Teams in ’08, despite some solid play from new starting quarterback Aaron Rodgers.  With an emphasis of getting better on defense via the draft (NT BJ Raji),  the Packers will need to get pressure to cut down on opponent’s scoring (allowed 380 pts).

27.  Seahawks –  Even after an injury plagued season and head coach Mike Holgrem leaving the franchise, the Hawks still have a chance in the AFC West.  However it may take more than drafting LB Aaron Curry, QB Matt Hasselbeck returning (back) and signing WR T.J Houshmanzadeh to bring the Seahawks back to the top of the NFC West.  Hopefully Curry will help lift up a defense that allowed 392 points in ’08.

28.  Browns – The Dawgs didn’t have much bite in ’08, so after an organizational shake-up it is Eric Mangini time by the lake.  However the coach once dubbed “Man-genius” in NY has his work cutout for him as the Browns have a bad quarterback controversey, a malcontent receiver that wants out in Braylon Edwards, over 15 new players on their roster, a new system, a new GM, and an owner that wants to him now.   I guess it will be an Ohio affair at the bottom of the AFC North division.

29.  Chiefs – Herman Edwards and Carl Peterson are no longer with this team, but they left behind a mess in KC.  New head coach Todd Haley and GM Scott Pioli have their work cutout for them as the Chiefs have been a rudderless ship the last couple of years.  Any hope will need to start with a healthy and focused Larry Johnson at running back and new signalcaller Matt Cassel hitting the ground running in training camp.

30. Rams – After a season where things were bad under former head coaches Scott Linehan and Jim Haslett, the Rams have turned to former NY Giants defensive guru Steve Spagnuolo.  Spags will bring the G-Men way of doing things (running the ball and attacking on defense) to the Midwest. But it may take awhile to find the right players to execute at his former team’s level.

31.  Bengals –  HBO’s Hard Knocks will be fully entertained from a team that has some talent, but loads of questions marks and dysfunction.  Head Coach Marvin Lewis will be counting on recoverd quarterback Carson Palmer (elbow), new name receiver Chad Ochocinco (formerly Johnson), huge first rounder OT Andre Johnson (Alabama) and a host of other “characters” to get him off the hotseat.

32.  Lions – Just like the Super Bowl Champion Steelers, the lowly Lions have to start in the same spot they ended the ’08 season in.  After an NFL low 0-16 season, there is no place but up for the Lions.  New head coach Jim Schwartz and GM Martin Mayhew will be counting on over 20 new faces including first overall pick QB Matthew Stafford to turnaround the fortunes of one of the NFL’s worst teams ever.

Lloyd Vance is a Sr. NFL Writer for Taking It to the House and an award-winning member of the Pro Football Writers of America (PFWA)

UFL Draft yields some interesting names by Lloyd Vance

Even in the wake of these uncertain economic times and past National Football League defeated rivals the World Football League, the United States Football League and the XFL going by the wayside of the older more established league that has become an American Institution over almost 90 years of play.  The United Football League (UFL) led by Commissioner Michael Huyghue, a former NFL team executive, will try to provide a professional football alternative this fall.  The upstart league composed of four initial teams (New York/Hartford, Connecticut; Las Vegas/Los Angeles; San Francisco/Sacramento; and Orlando, Florida) will play a 16-game schedule on Thursday and Friday evenings starting in October 2009 with a championship game on Thanksgiving weekend at Sam Boyd Stadium in Las Vegas, NV.

The league billing itself with the motto, “Where the future stars come to play!” wants to provide some competition for NFL — I believe a more realistic goal is to serve as the NFL’s minor league.  The UFL has already secured a television contract with Versus network — the most important thing I believe in their survival — and signed former NFL head coaches Jim Haslett (Orlando), Dennis Green (San Francisco), and Jim Fassel (Las Vegas) along with veteran NFL coordinator Ted Cotrell (New York) to lead their teams for the 2009 season.    Plus investors including former investment banker Bill Hambrecht, Google Inc executive Tim Armstrong and Paul Pelosi, the husband of Nancy Pelosi, speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives have put up a combined $30 million into the league.  The UFL’s aggressive business plan calls for the league to turn a profit after 3 years and even though I believe it is much too premature, there has even been talk of the league expanding by at least two to four teams in 2010 with possibly Dallas Mavericks’ (NBA) owner Mark Cuban joining as an expansion owner.

Before moving ahead with all of its grandiose plans, the first order of business for the UFL was to find players to stock their four teams.  With that thought in mind, the UFL held its first player draft on June 19th as each team selected 24 players.  Of course everyone was hoping to hear the name “Michael Vick” called as recently league founder Bill Hambrecht had intimated that the suspended NFL quarterback was more than welcome to comeback in the UFL.  Hambrecht in trying to lure the former three-time Pro Bowl quarterback definitely went a little overboard by calling Vick, “probably the best football player in America” and then adding “(Vick) deserves a spot back in football”.  Unfortunately for the league trying to make a big media splash, no team called Vick’s name on Friday – perhaps maybe after we learn his NFL fate some time in late July after he meets with NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell.

Overall there were 96 players selected many of whom made even this hardcore NFL writer reach for an old media guide.  However in a hodgepodge of faceless players drafted there were a few former NFL players who I wouldn’t necessarily call  “Future Stars” selected.  This fall players like former Bengals RB Chris Perry (selected by Orlando), former Redskins “big ticket” free agent Safety Adam Archuleta (Las Vegas), former Patriots Super Bowl winning TE Jermaine Wiggins (Las Vegas), former Colts Safety Mike Doss (Orlando), former Jaguars RB LaBrandon Toefield (New York), and former Steelers QB Shane Boyd (San Francisco) – I guess Curtis Enis, Freddie Mitchell and Tim Couch were unavailable — could quite possibly be trying to resurrect their playing careers in the UFL.  Friday’s draft also yielded the names of players with famous relatives like RB John David Washington (Denzel’s son was selected by San Francisco), RB Quincy Wilson (son of former Chicago Bears LB Otis Wilson was selected by Orlando), DB David Lofton (son of Hall of Fame WR James Lofton was selected by New York) and WR Marcus Fitzgerald (brother of Pro Bowl WR Larry Fitzgerald was taken by San Francisco).

It will be interesting to see if the UFL can sign any of the players whose right they now hold or if the selected players will holdout hope for another shot in the NFL or play in the Canadian Football League (CFL) or the soon to be re-launched Arena Football League (AFL).  The remaining UFL roster spots on each of the four teams will be filled in July with players that coaches had previously identified, but were unable to attend UFL workouts.  If were a UFL official, I would make sure to try to scoop up former NFL players in mid-August that had just been visited by the “Turk”.

The complete list of players drafted by the UFL is below:

LAS VEGAS

DB   ARCHULETA, ADAM (ARIZONA STATE)

DE   AWASOM, ADRIAN (NORTH TEXAS)

P   BAUGHER, DANNY (ARIZONA)

OG   BOONE, JASON (UTAH)

NT   BRYANT, WENDELL (WISCONSIN-MADISON)

LB   BUTLER, EZRA (NEVADA)

DB   DADA, WALE (WASHINGTON STATE)

T   GAUSE, GEORGE (SOUTH CAROLINA)

DB   GAUSE, PAUL (SETON HALL)

K   JACAS, ANDREW (FORT VALLEY STATE)

TE   JACKSON, NATE (MENLO COLLEGE)

T   JOYCE, BRANDON (ILLINOIS STATE)

WR   KIRCUS, DAVID (GRAND VALLEY STATE)

TE   KUHN, SCOTT (LOUISVILLE)

NT   LONG, GABE (UTAH)

LB   MOORE, BRANDON (OKLAHOMA)

RB   PALMER, RONNIE (ARIZONA)

LB   STILLS, GARY (WEST VIRGINIA)

RB   THOMPSON, TYSON (SAN JOSE STATE)

WR   THURMAN, ANDRAE (SOUTHERN OREGON)

LB   TOAL, BRIAN (BOSTON COLLEGE)

DB   TURNBULL, NICK (FLORIDA INTERNATIONAL)

DB   WILLIAMS, CHAZ (OREGON)

RB   WHITEHEAD, TERRENCE (OREGON)

NEW YORK

QB   BACHER, CJ (NORTHWESTERN)

DB   BROWN, TREY (UCLA)

DB   CELESTIN, OLIVER (TEXAS SOUTHERN)

NT   CLEBERT, RICHARD (SOUTH FLORIDA)

DE   FOUNTAIN, MAURICE (CLEMSON)

TE   GHENT, RONNIE (LOUISVILLE)

RB   GROSS, TYRONNE (EASTERN OREGON)

T   GUTEKUNST, SAM (GERMANY)

C   HARVEY, JASPER (SAN DIEGO STATE)

QB   JOHNSON, BRIAN (UTAH)

WR   KINOSHITA, NORIAKI (JAPAN)

DB   LOFTON, DAVID (STANFORD)

LB   MAGRO, MARC (WEST VIRGINIA)

DB   MAZE, TERELL (SAN DIEGO STATE)

T   NORELL, RAY (BUFFALO)

T   PRUNEDA, RAMIRO (MONTEREY TECH)

RB   RUBIN, JOE (PORTLAND STATE)

WR   SANDERS, STEVE (BOWLING GREEN)

RB   SAPP, CECIL (COLORADO STATE)

NT   SAVE, BRYAN (COLORADO STATE)

DE   SPICER, MICHALE (WESTERN CAROLINA)

RB   TOEFIELD, LABRANDON (LSU)

LB   WILLIAMS, NATHAN (MURRAY STATE)

RB   WOODS, SHANNON (TEXAS TECH)

ORLANDO

NT   BLEDSOE, FRED (ARKANSAS)

QB   BOLLINGER, BROOKS (WISCONSIN)

FB   CRUZ, RONNIE (NORTHERN STATE-SD)

DB   DOSS, MIKE (OHIO STATE)

DB   FASSITT, GREG (GRAMBLING)

WR   GESSNER, CHAS (BROWN)

TE   HEINRICH, KEITH (SAM HOUSTON STATE)

NT   LONG, RIEN (WASHINGTON STATE)

DB   MASON, GRANT (MICHIGAN)

LB   MCGARIGLE, TIM (NORTHWESTERN)

RB   PERRY, CHRIS (MICHIGAN)

T   PETITTI, ROB (PITTSBURGH)

OG   PILLAR, ZACK (FLORIDA)

DE   POWELL, ERIC (FLORIDA STATE)

LB   SCHLEGEL, ANTHONY (OHIO STATE)

DE   SCHOBEL, BO (TCU)

WR   THOMPSON, DOMINIQUE (WILLIAM & MARY)

CB   TRIBBLE, DEJUAN (BOSTON COLLEGE)

NT   TRIPPLETT, LARRY (WASHINGTON)

DB   VINNETT, DARIUS (ARKANSAS)

T   WAND, SETH (NORTHWEST MISSOURI ST)

TE   WIGGINS, JERMAINE (GEORGIA)

RB   WILSON, QUINCY (WEST VIRGINIA)

DB   WRIGHT, TJ (OHIO UNIVERSITY)

SAN FRANCISCO

FB   ARMSTRONG, ODIE (NW OKLAHOMA ST)

RB   AYANBADEJO, FEMI (SAN DIEGO STATE)

QB   BOYD, SHANE (KENTUCKY)

WR   BRACKINS, LARRY (PEARL RIVER CC)

LS   BROWN, KAI (BROWN)

QB   DIETZ, BRETT (HANOVER)

WR   FITZGERALD, MARCUS (MARSHALL)

DE   GUNN, MARQUIES (AUBURN)

RB   HUTSONA, DARRELL (WASHINGTON STATE)

LB   KWATENG, PRINCE (NORTHWESTERN)

TE   LEDBETTER, BRANDEN (WESTERN MICHIGAN)

T   LEKKERKERKER, CORY (CALIFORNIA-DAVIS)

LB   MARTIN, JOE (SAN DIEGO STATE)

QB   O’HAGAN, LIAM (HARVARD)

T   RIMPF, BRIAN (EAST CAROLINA)

WR   SAMS, BJ (MCNEESE STATE)

T   STAMPER, BRIAN (VANDERBILT)

NT   STEWART, JASON (FRESNO STATE)

DE   SUGGS, DAMON (GEORGIA SOUTHERN)

DB   TREAUDO, AHMAD (SOUTHERN UNIVERSITY)

DB   UNDERWOOD, MARVIEL (SAN DIEGO STATE)

DB   UNERTL, JEREMY (WISCONSIN-LA CROSSE)

RB   WASHINGTON, JOHN DAVID (MOREHOUSE)

WR   WEST, JOE (TEXAS EL-PASO)

Lloyd Vance is a Sr. NFL Writer for Taking It to the House and an award-winning member of the Pro Football Writers of America (PFWA)

MLB Needs Uniformity in DH Rule

 

By: Ross Benjamin (The Ross Benjamin Show)

Every year when Interleague play takes place is when I get annoyed with the non-uniformity of the designated hitter rule. Isn’t it bad enough that we have to deal with this issue during the pinnacle of each season when something called the World Series takes place? Over the last decade with the advent of Interleague play this inability of both leagues to be uniformed on this subject borders on jeopardizing the integrity of the game.

The baseball purists would argue the point the National League has it right. Having your pitchers hit is the way the game was intended. In addition by implementing the designated hitter rule you have removed some of the strategy throughout the course of a game that has became part of its trademark. The simple fundamentals of a sacrifice bunt to move a runner over, pitching around the number 8 hitter in the lineup with 2 outs to get pitcher’s spot in the order, the decision of whether or not to pinch hit for a pitcher with men in scoring position despite him being in a midst of strong outing, or simply having to rely more on your bullpen throughout the course of the season.

The rebuttal to that argument pertains to a couple of key points. The designated hitter rule in the American League has allowed players with limited defensive ability to extend their careers because they can still produce at a high level offensively. Another key point is that starting pitchers no longer have to be pulled from a game prematurely due to the fact it’s their turn to bat with men in scoring position. In addition the argument can be made in any sport that fans would prefer more offense as opposed to the opposite.

Personally I don’t have a strong opinion for either side. My stance is quite clear. It needs to be one way or the other but not both. It amazes me that this particular subject doesn’t get more media attention nor does it seem to be a concern of Major League Baseball itself. Maybe it was an issue in its initial stages, maybe we have become so accustomed to it as a fan that it is a moot point, or maybe it reverts back to that old saying that you can’t fight city hall.

Can you imagine if the NFL had a similar type of scenario? What if the AFC and NFC had one rule that they couldn’t get together on? For instance what if defensive pass interference was a spot foul in the AFC and just a 15-yard penalty in the NFC. Imagine in non-conference games that whoever the home team was would determine which interpretation of that rule gets enforced. How about the effect it would have on the Super Bowl? Unlike the World Series the Super Bowl is played at a neutral site. Would the NFL alternate the rule for their premier game on an annual basis?

The bottom line is that’s why the NFL has taken over as the most popular sport in this country. They know how to get it right. There are no integrity issues as it applies to any of their rules while all are solidly uniformed. Major League Baseball needs to wake up and take a similar path one way or another. The designated hitter rule should be either used or not used in both leagues. It doesn’t matter which. What does matter is the integrity and ethics of the game remain intact. Under the current conditions those two characteristics are in question.

Lloyd’s Leftovers Email Bag

I reached into my email bag and pulled put one of my favorites.

Greg from Downingtown, PA asked some great questions and I wanted to share my answers on the potpourri of topics:

Greg wrote: What was up with the McNabb’s restructuring and What do you think of the Eagles chances in 2009?

LV’s response: The Birds have had a very good off-season, but I have to wonder how them talking out of both sides of their mouths in terms of business — giving McNabb his restructuring, but no new deals for long term signees like CB Sheldon Brown, DE Trent Cole, DT Mike Patterson, and others –  will affect team chemistry.  They didn’t change McNabb’s years (will still have 2 years to “win” a Super Bowl”), but if he fails after the time both sides can choose to walk.  Remember the Birds will probably not “franchise” a 34 to 35 year old QB in 2011.  I think impending problems with the salary cap (uncapped year in 2010 with the CBA expiring after the 2010 season) had a lot to do with them not extending Big 5.  At least McNabb is happy now and has an extra $6 Million to be paid in Ben Roethlisberger and Matthew Stafford’s neighborhood (BTW: Watchout for the money the NYG QB Eli Manning will get — over 40 Million Guaranteed).

There are a few question marks with the Birds going into Lehigh (Westbrook’s ankle, Team Chemistry over McNabb’s Signing, OT/OG Stacy Andrews knee, Can Sean Jones/Quintin Demps replace Dawkins, How is Kevin Curtis’ groin, and the rookies’ learning curve especially RB LeSean McCoy). But early indications are that the Eagles and Giants will be fighting it out for the top spot in the NFC East.  At least 10-6, but let me see more in training camp.

Greg wrote: Where is Cardinals WR Anquan Boldin going to be playing in 2009?

LV’s response: The Cardinals were never going to trade Boldin during the 2009 NFL Draft unless they got a 1st, 2nd, and possibly another 1st in another year (i.e. Ridiculous Offer).  Boldin will definitely be back now that he got rid of Rosenhaus, who the Cardinals didn’t like plus he is already under contract for 2 more years minimum.  Look for a possible restructuring/extension around mid-training camp if all goes well, but he better not be expecting Larry Fitzgerald type money.

Greg wrote: Is Brett Favre really coming back in 2009 with the Vikings and how will they fare?

LV’s response: Don’t believe any of the hype that Favre is not coming back.  The soon to be 40-year old already has ties to Vikings OC Darrell Bevel and the Vikes have bent over backwards for him.  The only thing is, which player the Vikings are getting at this point, the guy who looked like an MVP in 2007 for Green Bay or the NY Jets quarterback that threw an NFL-high 22 INTs and allowed his team to go 1-4 down the stretch in 2008.  I see Favre playing for the Vikings by training camp, but I am predicting a disaster in terms of team chemistry (see DE Ray Edwards comments) and the old graybeard wanting to mostly play for the Vikings for the wrong reasons (Ego plus revenge against the Packers and GM Ted Thompson).  Look for the Vikings to be 7-9 in 2009 with the Bears winning the NFC North.

Greg wrote: Will Michael Vick be back in the NFL and if so, will he be a “Wildcat” only in his return?

LV’s response: Michael Vick will be back in the NFL as a quarterback.  Of course he will take any opportunity he gets to comeback including playing Wildcat, slot receiver, returner, back-up quarterback, etc.  But if quarterbacks like SF 49ers Damon Huard, Bears Brett Basanez , Chargers Charlie Whitehurst, and other also-rans can have a job in the NFL then I know there is a place for a three-time Pro Bowl player.  The key will be whether Roger Goodell reinstates and/or possibly suspends Vick after he is released from his federal sentence on July 20^th.  I see Goodell handing down probably a 4-game suspension with some caveats thrown like Vick can practice with the team during his suspension.

I believe Vick will definitely get his chance again — enough with the protests… we just saw WR Donte Stallworth kill a man and he maybe back in the NFL after only 30 days in jail and meeting with Goodell to talk about his current indefinite NFL suspension.  Look for the St Louis Rams (former ties to GM Bill Devaney during Falcons Days), Oakland Raiders (Al Davis likes 2nd chances), Dallas Cowboys (Jerry Jones needs Romo Insurance), and Jacksonville Jaguars (need a better backup than Todd Bouman) to be in the mix for Vick

Thanks for the great email, Greg

I am asking my other loyal readers to please send over their questions/comments via an email me at lloyd@takingit2thehouse.com … Maybe your email will be answered in my column too.

Maurice Clarett Blog – Possible NFL Return? by Lloyd Vance

Remember Maurice Clarett? He’s the former running back phenom who stared as a freshman at Ohio State. After being drafted by the Denver Broncos, his life spiraled out of control and now he’s sitting in a jail cell. Or to be more specific, he’s blogging in his jail cell.

You can find Maurice Clarett’s blog at MauriceClarett.wordpress.com. It’s a surprisingly well written blog. If he doesn’t decide to become a writer when he comes out of jail, it appears as if Maurice Clarett hasn’t given up his dream of an NFL return.

From a recent blog entry by Maurice Clarett:

I can’t hold these feelings in anymore. I want to play football again. I have a deep desire to play. I love the game. I have so much penitentiary aggression pinned up inside of me. I want to hit someone. I want to run the ball. I want to tackle someone. I want to play. I am going to play somewhere. I cannot accept how things ended. I won’t accept how they ended. I am 220, rock solid. I am moving swift, running fast, and jumping high. My mind is right and my life is in order. I am 25 but I feel like I am 18. I am still young. Those who do support me deserve and want to see me out there playing again.

While it’s definitely a long-shot that he makes a return to the NFL, it’s not impossible. He will likely get released at some point in the next year. If he’s actually 220 pounds, that’s more than 30 pounds lighter than he was while with the Broncos.

Nobody thought Clarett could have that success at Ohio State so I’m not ready to close the door on him yet. After reading Maurice Clarett’s blog, it’s difficult to not root for him.

The Falcons release Michael Vick

The NFL is full of stories that constantly fuel water cooler talks and just won’t seem to go away (Brett Favre’s Return, Michael Vick’s release from prison, Plaxico Burress’ shooting case, etc).  The possible summer return of formerly imprisoned quarterback Michael Vick to the NFL took another turn on June 12^th as his former team, the Atlanta Falcons, finally pulled the plug on the Vick Era in the Atlanta, Georgia.  The former face of the Falcons franchise, who once received a 10-year, $130 million contract extension with $37 million in guaranteed bonuses in December of 2004, was quickly put on the market via a less than 100-word prepared team statement from Falcons GM Tom Dimitroff.

Even though the release of Vick was no surprise, after the Falcons vainly tried to trade him during the 2009 NFL Draft without any willing takers, Dimitroff was not critical of the deposed passer in his statement.  Even though the team didn’t badmouth Vick out the door, you couldn’t have blamed them if they did as their former star put a huge black-eye on the organization from his dogfighting case and lying about his actions including to team officials. But the young GM said of Vick, who has missed the last two seasons while serving a prison sentence, that their brief conversation “was upbeat” and that both sides were looking forward to moving on.   Dimitroff added, “Respect him as an individual and as an athlete in this profession. It was the right thing to do and I’m happy that we had a conversation today…it was about being positive. It was about moving forward “.

Releasing their former superstar allows the Falcons, Vick, and the Atlanta region, which still has many ardent Vick supporters “to have a clean slate going into the summer”.   Vick is now free to immediately sign with any NFL team even though NFL commissioner Roger Goodell has not reinstated him.  But unfortunately for the Falcons, they now have $7 million in dead money on their salary cap for the 2009 NFL Season.   In a side note, the parting of the former 3-time Pro Bowl quarterback from the Falcons will net the team $6.5-$7.5 million from a deal struck related to former guaranteed money and Vick’s suspension violating his contract with the team.

Now that Vick — career passing numbers of 930-1730, 11505 yards, 71 TDs, 52 INTs, and a 75.7 rating in six years w/ the Falcons — is free to talk to any of the NFL’s remaining 31 teams.  And with his expected July 20^th release from house arrest quickly approaching, the subject of his reinstatement is on the tip of everyone’s tongue.  Sure Commissioner Goodell has vehemently said he will not talk about Vick’s situation until his impending release, however you know a face-to-face meeting at the league’s offices in New York City is soon to come.  Goodell has always said the right things regarding Vick’s case including recently saying, “Does he regret what happened?, Does he feel he’s going to be a positive influence going forward?…those are the questions I would like to (ask) when I sit with him.”   Goodell has always been a stickler when it comes to player conduct, but he seems to also have a “second chance” mentality too as shown in his treatment of problem players like Adam “Pacman” Jones, Matt Jones, Tank Johnson, Chris Henry and others.

I had one of my loyal emailers, Greg from PA, ask me if the Vick case will be viewed any differently in light of the recent events surrounding Cleveland Browns receiver Donte Stallworth’s situation.  In case you have been on a deserted island, Stallworth recently copped a plea in Florida where he will be required to serve 30 days in jail for fatally striking Mario Reyes, 59, with his vehicle in a drunk-driving accident.  Even though Stallworth will have to pay the family in a settlement, he was suspended indefinitely by Goodell.  So you have to think the court of public opinion will definitely be weighing-in on Vick’s case versus the Stallworth case.  I know a large portion of the American populace are dog lovers, but I cannot fathom “how” many can vilify Michael Vick — received nearly two yeas in jail and an indefinite suspension from the NFL for his dogfighting acts — yet not be as passionate regarding the cases/punishments given Stallworth and Rams DE Leonard Little (90 days in jail for killing a St. Louis woman in 1998 while drunk driving).  No matter how heinous Vick’s acts were against his fighting dogs, and let’s not fool ourselves they were despicable, there were no dead human beings left in his wake.  I know Stallworth and Little do not stand alone as NFLers who have crossed the judicial line, but the Commissioner and the court of public opinion need to give Vick another chance.

Already former Super Bowl winning head coach Tony Dungy and others in NFL circles have echoed sentiments that Vick deserves his chance at redemption after serving his debt to society.  I say let the NFL teams and their owners decide on their own if the former first overall selection from the 2001 NFL Draft is worth the headache that he brings.  It won’t take long to figure out who is looking at Vick to play as the Jets, Browns, Saints, Colts, Seahawks, and Niners having already said they will not bring him in which is their prerogative.  Browns head coach Eric Mangini said of any interest in Vick, “I wish him well, but really I’m focusing on the guys we have here.”

But there still is interest in Vick as shown by comments by Dimitroff upon the release of the NFL single season leading rushing quarterback, “As we all know, Mike is an exceptional athlete and he has the ability to play in this league again and I’m sure he probably will”.   I truly believe if his anticipated meeting with Goodell goes well, that an NFL team will give Vick another shot, picketers or not.  Of course Vick will have to take any opportunity he gets to return to the NFL which could include duties as a Wildcat QB, slot receiver, returner, and back-up quarterback.

Look for the following teams to be to be in the mix to sign Vick: St. Louis Rams (GM Bill Devaney has former ties to Vick from their Falcons days and current starting quarterback Marc Bulger has not been playing at a Pro Bowl level lately); Oakland Raiders (Owner Al Davis, a maverick himself, believes in 2^nd chances); Dallas Cowboys (Owner Jerry Jones seems to be running the NFL’s version of a reform school lately and the charismatic leader of the Cowboys also needs better “Romo Insurance” than current back-up Jon Kitna) and Jaguars (need a better backup than Todd Bouman).

Lloyd Vance is a Sr. NFL Writer for Taking It to the House and an award-winning member of the Pro Football Writers of America (PFWA)

Loving the LPGA Tour at Bulle Rock

It is such a relaxing feeling to be able to report from the luxurious confines of one of the LPGA’s most challenging courses.  More importantly it is very nice when you don’t have to deal with bumper to bumper traffic getting to and from the event.  I say this jokingly because this weeks McDonald’s LPGA Championship presented by Coca-Cola at Bulle Rock is literally in my community.

When I say community I mean it.  The course is approximately 500 yards from my front door in the Bulle Rock community.  This is such a wonderful place that sometimes I too ask myself “do I really live here”.  I broadcast my daily radio show from within these community gates.  In the past I would commute 2 hours one-way to ESPN Radio to broadcast my drive time show.  Trust me when I say “there is no place like home.”  Ok enough of the love affair lets get back to the tournament.

The field in this year’s tournament has been exceptional.  As the third round of the tournament progresses the leader board consists of Anna Nordvquist, Nicole Castrale, Lindsey Wright and Katherine Hull.

Nordvquist, the LPGA Tour rookie from Sweden, is the overall leader at 8-under-par, after swinging to a 2-under-par 70 in yesterday’s second round.  Castrale, who yesterday overcame a double bogey and bogey on the third and fifth holes of this challenging course, remains one stroke back at 7-under-par.  Wright and Hull respectively are two strokes back each at 6-under-par.

Other notables at this course are the LPGA #1 ranked player in the world, Lorena Ochoa.  She is still in contention at 3-under-par.  Michelle Wei who is still looking for her first LPGA Tour win is +1.  Her two day totals were a 70 and 74.  Yani Tseng the 2008 LPGA at Bulle Rock winner who collected $300,000 is -1.

Stay tuned for tomorrow’s final round and find out who the eventual winner will be.

Lake Lewis, CEO and Founder of the Sports Journey Broadcast Network can be heard on his daily radio broadcast from 3-6pm, Monday-Friday on the Sports Journey Network and several other affiliates around the United States.

The Orlando Magic Define Resiliency

By: Ross Benjamin

Since the beginning of the 2009 calendar year and up until 2 weeks ago there was much anticipation for what seemed to be the inevitable NBA Finals. A meeting between the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Los Angeles Lakers seemed to be a foregone conclusion. The story lines surrounding this much anticipated and taken for granted series left some Hollywood scripts looking like an elementary student’s daily diary.

You had the two best players in the NBA that were going to be opposing each other in Kobe Bryant and Lebron James. One player was the 2009 MVP of the regular season and the other being arguably the best player in the world. These teams had the best records in the NBA during the regular season and were the overwhelming consensus of being the isolated elite pair due for a collision course in June.

Then along came the upstart Orlando Magic to spoil the party. This was a club that won 59 games during the regular season. Yet the pundits and experts still deemed them to be a year or two away and not ready for the big stage.

There was the unexpected struggle in the 1^st Round versus Philadelphia who entered the playoffs having lost 6 of their last 7 games to end the regular season. They proceeded to dispose of the Seventy-Sixers in 6 games. This series etched in stone the tag that has stuck with them throughout their playoff run and one that fits them like a glove. The Magic have defined resiliency in every sense of the word. It started in the close out Game 6 of this series when they won by 25 on the road without their suspended young superstar Dwight Howard.

Next up for the Magic was the defending World Champion Boston Celtics. Orlando held a 2-1 lead in the series with Game 4 being played at home. They were on the verge of taking a commanding 3-1 lead in the series only to see a buzzer beating shot by Glen “Big Baby” Davis seemingly pull their heart right out of their chest to even the series at 2-2 and in the process relinquishing their home court advantage. The Celtics ran with that momentum winning Game 5 in Boston and seemingly took the will to win away from Orlando. The Magic was sure to fold the tent up and most likely in Game 6 was the popular opinion of many. Even the eternal optimists concluded that if they were able to salvage that game at home there was no way they were going to win Game 7 on the road versus the most historic franchise in NBA history. They proceeded to win Game 6 overcoming a 4^th quarter deficit and then hammered the Celtics by 20 in Game 7 on the road.

The Magic had now advanced to the Conference Finals with the monumental task of having to face the Cleveland Cavaliers. Cleveland not only was the #1 overall seed in the NBA Playoffs, had lost only 2 games at home all season long, and had swept their first 2 playoff opponents winning by 10 points or more in all 8 contests. The popular opinion was Orlando might be able to crack through and win 1 game at home during the series and ride off into the sunset being complacent with the fact they had a successful 2008-2009 campaign. However the Orlando team and coaching staff never received that memo. Orlando ruined the party that the NBA Executives, media, and neutral observers had hoped to see. Orlando prevailed in 6 games and the dream series that many had anticipated between the Lakers and Cavaliers dissolved quicker than General Motors stock. If not for a miraculous 3-point shot at the buzzer in Game 2 by Lebron James you can make a legitimate case that Orlando should have swept the series. Orlando overcame a 16-point deficit in Game 1 to win. That was then followed in Game 2 by overcoming a 23-point deficit only to seemingly once again get their heart torn out on a buzzer beating shot. This series final story line was resiliency prevailed over invincibility.

At the time of this writing the Orlando Magic trail the Los Angeles Lakers 3-1 in the NBA Finals. The Magic’s resiliency has been put to a test and will continue to be put to a test for however long this series goes. Orlando dropped 2 of the 3 games in overtime. In Game 2 they rebounded with a great effort after being soundly beaten by 25 points in Game 1. They missed a golden opportunity to gain a split in the series when rookie Courtney Lee missed a lay-up at the end of regulation time. The Lakers then proceeded to prevail in overtime. Once again the pundits thought this would be too much heartbreak for the inexperienced Magic team to overcome versus a team with vast playoff experience. The resiliency continued in Game 3 with a Magic win. The Magic had Game 4 in the palm of their hands with their 23-year old superstar going to the foul line with 11 seconds to go and a 3-point lead. Dwight Howard proceeded to miss both free throws and leave the door ajar. The veteran Derek Fisher no stranger to hitting big shots at this time of year did exactly that. Fisher tied the game with 4 seconds to go by hitting a contested 3-pointer to tie the game and send it to overtime. The Lakers once again escaped from the brink of defeat to prevail in the extra session.

This resilient bunch looks like they finally may succumb. The overriding factor being that they are facing a team that is been on this big stage before. Their star player having won 3 NBA Championships already and was making his 7^th appearance in the NBA Finals. Their veteran guard who hit the 3-point tying shot to send the game to overtime in Game 4 also has 3 rings in his possession. Their head coach on the verge of winning an unprecedented 10^th World Championship.

Do the Magic have one more drop of resiliency left to continue on? Have they finally lost the will to fight back after another gut wrenching defeat? Has adversity finally slowed the heartbeat of a team that had the look of one that would survive for an infinite time? The answer to all of these questions might be yes but can you really blurt that response out confidently and emphatically? The story lives on for at least one more game. Good stories are always dominated by happy endings. This tale may be in the minority in regards to the last chapter. However that doesn’t take away from the quality of the book. You can rest assure of one thing. The next time you hear the word resiliency used to describe a sports team you can’t help but think of the 2008-2009 Orlando Magic. No matter win or lose that fitting description will be forever cast upon the memory of their remarkable ride.