Atlanta Falcon’s Ovie Mughelli is Flying High

Ovie Mughelli of the Atlanta Falcons

The sky’s the limit for Ovie Mughelli and the Atlanta Falcons and today is a new day for the team. Overcoming a dismal 4-12 season in 2007 as well as low expectations in the preseason, the Falcons beat the odds by completing the 2008 season with an unexpected 11-5 record, earning the fifth seed in the NFC Playoffs. The Falcons have truly put the drama of the past few years behind them. Under the direction of new head coach Mike Smith, Ovie Mughelli and the Falcons continue to move forward. Recently I interviewed Mr. Mughelli and we spoke of the Falcons successful season as well as his plans during the off season.

The Atlanta Falcons had a stellar season in 2008 by making it to the playoffs, what do you accredit to the team’s success?

I accredit the team’s success to the team’s unity. We played together as opposed to going in our own directions.  We took a page from the NewEngland Patriots of the past. We didn’t worry about contracts or super stardom.

Would you consider yourself a team leader and if so what steps do you take to boost the team’s moral before and during a game?

Yes, I am a team leader.  I’m in my 7th year in the NFL now and with Warrick Dunn leaving, for the 1st time I am one of the oldest guys on the team.  My responsibility is to “show” not only thru my work but by example as well.

NFL’s Rookie of Year & Falcon’s Quarterback Matt Ryan had a great season in 2008 and has been compared to Peyton Manning, what are your thoughts of the young QB?

First of all, I think I need to get more props because I said that Matt Ryan is like Peyton Manning on my radio show and on Comcast last year.  They’re both tall, goofy looking, and amazingly talented. Lol

Do you hang out with any of your teammates during the off season?

For me, the off season is time to spend alone away from the guys because during the season you’re forced to spend time with your teammates.  When the pre-season begins we spend a lot of time doing bonding exercises.  I’ve seen at least a dozen of my teammates out at events such as the super bowl, award shows, Pro Bowl, etc… so we always end up hanging out anyway.

What is your relationship like with Mike Smith?

It’s great.  We all have a good relationship with him because he treats us like real people and not just like some guys that play for him.  He lets me know when I make a good play and when it’s not such a good play. Because of the relationship we have, I respect that.

Now, that the season is over, how have you been spending your time off?

I travel, relax, visit family, and work on improving myself in preparation for life after the NFL. I’m also currently taking Business Classes.

Where do you spend most of your time?

I spend a lot of time on my couch in Atlanta watching my DVR and catching up on Lost, Heroes, 24, American Idol, and Smallville.

You’re known for doing a lot of community service, so tell me about “The Ovie Mughelli Project”. Also, what other community initiatives are you involved in?

My foundation’s goals are to empower kids thru education, health awareness, and learning about the environment. We want to help them be the best version of themselves possible. This will be our 4th annual football camp and clinic in my hometown of Charleston, SC.  Every year I push myself to make the next year bigger and better.

Are you involved in any community work in your native Nigeria? And are you Igbo or Yoruba?

Actually, I’m an Urhobo. We’re a people of Southern Nigeria.  Community service in my native land of Nigeria is definitely one my goals once I get more established.

How often do you go back to your homeland of West Africa?

I’ve only been once when I was a younger but I plan on going back soon.

Speaking of Nigeria, Soccer (aka football) is really big in your culture, do you play Soccer? And how did you become involved in American Football?

Several members of my family play soccer.  I happened to be better with both my hands and feet, Lol.  I don’t have the soft touch or finesse that it takes to handle the soccer/football.  I got into American football around the 4th or 5th grade.  We’d play football behind the building and I was always the best.  We played touch when the teachers were looking and tackle when they weren’t.  As the years went on people started to beg me to play on their teams and I just stuck with it.

What other extra curricular activities are you involved in during your spare time?

I’m very competitive so I take on every opportunity to compete in bowling, ping- pong, pool, and lots of video games.

In 2007 you had the opportunity to preside over the opening bell for NASDAQ. How did that opportunity present itself? And with the current financial state of the US, how do you invest and protect your assets during this economy?

I was in town for the NFL draft and they were looking for an athlete to ring the bell. The fact that I had just finished 2 Masters Degrees from the NFL’s Business Program, they thought I was worthy.  As far as protecting my money, you just have to be smart and understand that what you have right now will most likely have to last for the rest of your life.  Meaning you can’t spend beyond your means.

Last year you took part in Essence Magazine’s “Do Right Men”, how did you become involved with that and what was the outcome? Did you go out on any dates or meet any of the women who wrote in and voted for you?

I was already being honored by Essence for my work in the community and they asked me if I wanted to be one of the “Do Right Men”.  I didn’t get a change to formally meet any of the ladies but I have had numerous fans that voted approach me when I’m out in public.  I am still very humbled by the response.

In the Essence article it states you enjoy cooking. What is your signature dish?

Rosemary chicken with either mashed potatoes, asparagus, broccoli, or macaroni & cheese.

You are among many athletes that interact with their fans thru Blogging (i.e.-Ovie has his own personal page yardbarker.com). How important is it for you to stay connected with the fans and why?

It’s one of the most important things to do as an athlete because they’re the reason that we play the game.  We do it for the fans!  I don’t think that any player should feel like they’re too big for their fans.  Shaking hands, signing autographs, taking pictures, and being cordial to fans should be things that we always take the time to do.  However, there are times that we really want privacy when we are with our families and the fans should understand that as well.

Recently, you had a contest on your Blog where you were given the name “The Drill”, what prompted you to start the contest?

My publicist set that up.  We wanted to see how the fans felt.  Being a fullback I really didn’t have a nickname.  The contest prompted hundreds of entertaining and outrageous suggestions.  I still laugh about some of the names that were submitted.

I understand you enjoy Reporting and conducting interviews (the Espy’s, etc.). Is a career in Broadcast Journalism on the horizon for you after football?

Definitely, because I’m already a pretty outgoing person and I’ve never been afraid of a camera or a microphone. I think that I’d really enjoy a career in Broadcasting and I’d definitely consider it after my football career.

I read in another article you are a huge fan of gospel music and you recently performed in the 10th Anniversary Superbowl Gospel Celebration. So tell me what is your favorite Gospel Song and why is it your favorite song? Also, who is your favorite gospel artist?

My favorite song is “Never Would Have Made It” because it reminds us that in life if you choose greatness, you still cannot make it with just your strength, intellect, and skills alone. You couldn’t make without the Lord. My favorite gospel singer is Marvin Sapp.

Finally, what can we expect from the Falcons next year?

This past year was just a warm up of what the Falcons can do. With a new coach, quarter back, and system we will be unstoppable. You can expect to see the Falcons go to the Super Bowl this year. Miami here we come!

Ovie Mughelli is represented by Destined for Success Management, LLC a strategic marketing and personal management company which operates on the cutting edge of business in the world of sports. Destined for Success Management assists professional athletes in business, economically, socially, and in the community.

Jarvis Green’s Wine Tasting to Benefit Single Mothers

New England Patriots defensive end Jarvis Green will host his 2^nd Annual Wine Tasting at the Johnson & Wales Inn in Seekonk, MA this Saturday to benefit single mothers. The Louisiana native has made it his mission to help some of the victims affected by Hurricane Katrina. Green will be joined by his teammates, and other local celebrities to help raise money for the Jarvis Green Foundation. Green promises an unforgettable event, “filled with friends, fine hors d’ oeuvres, and of course fine wine”, he states.

 

I had the opportunity to sit down with Jarvis Green the other day and we discussed his philanthropic endeavors. We also discussed everything from his favorite wine to this week’s important game against the Jets. The defensive end had plenty to talk about.

 

So, tell me about your foundation and why you chose to have a Wine Tasting?

The foundation is the Jarvis Green Foundation and we help single mothers of Hurricane Katrina. We also help single mothers of any natural disaster. I live here in the Boston area so we look for single mothers who are struggling in the Boston and Providence area as well. We usually get the info. from the state because they help us find Recipients that needs the most help. I went with The Wine Tasting because I am into Fine Wine and also because I own a restaurant back home in Donaldsville LA. I love social gatherings, cocktail parties and events like that so I thought it would be something different and fun to do. Not to mention it’s for a good cause.

 

Do you have a goal of how much money you’d like to raise at this event?

Well we don’t have a set goal of how much money we want to raise at this particular event.  The Wine Tasting is the sixth event we had for the foundation this year. We are just trying to raise as much money as possible to help the people that really need it. Since we’ve started we’ve raised about $170,000. Personally, I don’t make anything from doing this; it’s not about me making money, it about helping someone in need. I don’t do it for popularity or to say that I have the biggest foundation. I do it to help people.

 

I commend you on your efforts and I think it is great what you are doing to help single mothers. Aside from the charitable work assisting single mothers, are you involved in any other charitable activities?

I do a few other things in the Boston area for low income families and for Network Health Group. I am actually the spokesperson for them this year. I also have a partnership with Dave’s supermarket a grocery store in the Boston area. They plan to match whatever amount we raise and that starts up in December.

 

You say you’re into Wine, so what’s your favorite?

Meritage is my favorite wine. I’ve never been too crazy about white wines before but recently I’ve been drinking Pinot Grigio. I just try different wines now because of my restaurant back home. I am really into wine and Wine Tastings. It’s a great way to raise money and also introduce people to different wines.

 

What wine companies sponsor your events?

 Right now we work with Chris Gasbarro’s Fine Wine & Spirits in Providence. They have taught me a lot about wines and what to look for when buying wine.

 

A lot of Athletes don’t give back as much as they can to their community. How important is it for you to give back, and do you feel obligated to do so?

I think so because God has blessed me with the tools that I have. The income we make as professional players we should be able to take some of what we earn and help those in need. I mean a player doesn’t have to have a foundation but he should at least go out and lend a hand. Whether it is a local church, YMCA, Boys & Girls clubs, whatever it is, we should help in some way. A lot of people need help out there so as players we should feel obligated to help those who are less fortunate.

 

What other Business Opportunities are you currently involved in outside of football?

Well like I said earlier, I own a restaurant in Donaldsonville, LA. I opened The Capitol Restaurant in my hometown a few months ago. It’s something that I’ve been putting together for about three years and it’s like a dream come true for me. I also own a liquor store on the outskirts of Louisiana. One day I’d like to open a franchise to both of those businesses.

 

What type of cuisine does your restaurant specialize in?

It’s more of a sports bar but very nice and elegant. We serve Po Boys, burgers, wings, and a lot of southern food. We serve a lot of different desserts. We usually have a choice of 20 different cheesecakes similar to the Cheesecake Factory. We have a martini bar also, so we have a lot to offer the locals in my hometown.

 

How is business thus far?

Business is great. We’ve only been open two months and when Hurricane Gustav came, we had to shut down for a few weeks but other than that business has been going pretty smooth. The restaurant business is one of the hardest businesses to run. I have learned a lot and I’m just taking my time with everything so it’s coming along. Hopefully in the near future I can branch out and open up another one in Baton Rouge.

 

When did you start thinking about lines of business outside of football and what advice would you give to younger players?

I thought about it right away. I started getting involved in different things to see what I really wanted to do around my second year in the league. My advice to guys is to start planning within the first and second year because a lot of times guys start on the back end when it’s really too late. I know the normal life span in football is only 6-7 years, so I started interning my second year to get involved in different things and to learn what it was I really wanted to do after football.

 

Why did you decide to do the Wine tasting during the middle of the season?

Well during the off season a lot of my teammates are gone. A lot of the fans come out and spend money on our events so they want to see my teammates and get to hang out, interact, and talk to them on a one on one basis and get to see how they really are. So that’s why I do it during the season. Yes it’s hard because we all have our hectic schedule but this year it worked out perfectly because we play the Jets on Thursday and then have the rest of the weekend off. So having all that time off will be great and more of the guys will come out and support.

 

Speaking of the Jets, Thursday’s game is a crucial win for both teams because you are tied for first place in the division. What do the Patriots need to do in order to come out with the win?

The biggest thing will be handling Brett Farve because he’s having such a great year and also stopping Running back Thomas Jones. If we can’t stop the run, it’s going to be a tough game. So we got to stop the run and make them one dimensional. We got to put the pressure on Brett Farve.

 

Matt Cassel is really proving himself as a young Quarterback. Did you expect him to have such an exceptional year?

Yeah, he’s been playing great and learning really fast. I mean he’s been coached by Tom Brady since he’s been there and watched that guy. So he’s very comfortable and is getting a swagger. And if anybody needs to have a swagger on a team, it needs to be the quarterback because that makes the whole team better.

 

Should Brady be concerned about having the number one spot next year?

(Laughing) No, not at all. 

 

How are you recovering from the ankle injury?

It’s doing well, it’s coming along. I can’t complain. A high ankle sprain, that’s a tough injury but I just take it one day at a time and try to get better.

 

Are you going to play on Thursday against the Jets?

Yeah, I’ll be ready on Thursday and will try to make some plays for the team.

 

How can people get information about this weekend’s event?

You can get more information and purchase tickets on the website at: www.jarvisgreen.com.  The tickets for the event are $100. Again the event is on Saturday November 15th at 7PM. It’s at Johnson & Wales Inn; 213 Taunton Ave; Seekonk, MA 02711

“Who’s Dat Dude?”

Former NFL Player Marcellus Wiley Discusses Why He’s “Dat Dude”.

Marcellus Wiley

 Yesterday, I had the opportunity to interview Marcellus Wiley and the first question I asked him was: Who is Dat Dude?

“My teammates named me that because I was everywhere; I was connected and always networking,” explains Wiley. The catchy phrase has definitely stuck with Wiley over the years on and off the field. Wiley, who played 10 years in the NFL with 4 different teams, ended his professional football career last year. But, retirement from the NFL has not slowed Marcellus Wiley aka “Dat Dude” down at all.

In fact, Wiley has found his second calling as an NFL analyst on ESPN. Life after football has been good thus far for this multitalented personality. I asked Wiley if he was going to pull a Brett Farve and come out of retirement and his response was, “Never”. “When it’s time to move on, it’s just time to move on,” he added. When asked about his thoughts regarding The Brett Farve saga, Wiley said, “I’m just glad my man gets to play” We both agreed the Packers could have handle things a little better especially with a legend like Farve. “But at the end of the day, Green Bay had to do what’s best for the future of the team”, Wiley replies.

Marcellus Wiley is undoubtedly becoming one of the most outspoken analysts on ESPN. He’s definitely not afraid to say exactly what’s on his mind. “I was a player, so I know what I’m talking about because I lived it”, states a confident Wiley. He’s becoming known for making eye-opening comments especially against his former peers.  A few weeks ago Wiley was very vocal in response to comments Wes Walker made about his former teammate Asante Samuel. “I thought Wes was wrong for calling out Asante. Wes broke the rules; you don’t hate on another player saying this guy is chasing money and not a championship, when you (Wes) just signed a 5 year $18 million dollar contract yourself. I mean to say he’s chasing paper, and not a championship? Asante has two championship rings already? Wes is the one with no championship ring”, states Wiley. “Dat Dude” also made his opinion known when he spoke out against a controversial article renowned columnist Jason Whitlock wrote titled the “Black KKK” about the senseless murder of the Washington Redskin’s Sean Taylor. “I made my comments because I felt the point he was trying to make about the black athlete was totally false and the timing for such an article was inappropriate,” Wiley responds.

Wiley represents his fellow athletes well by leading by example and proves there is life after football. Smartly, he made a lot of good investments during his career and keeps busy with new and existing endeavors like Prolebrity. Prolebrity is a website for professional athletes to network, advertise their businesses, charities, and set up their own personal page. It’s the only one of its kind and is a huge success for Wiley.

Another business Wiley is extremely passionate about is La Tik’ Boutique. La Tik’ is a female clothing boutique he opened with his sister a few years ago. “My sister has always been there for me. She’s done so much for me during my football career by making sure my finances and home were in order, so investing in her vision is the least I could do as a thank to her for having my back”.

Mr. Wiley is no where near slowing down. When asked where he sees himself in the next 5 years, Wiley says “I hope to expand my businesses, to DJ here and there (Marcellus loves music and has hosted a few parties as a celebrity DJ for “Dat Dude Entertainment), and continue to be a role model for my daughter. I just want to continue to get better within my own skin and continue to win. I just want to come out on top of my own inner battles and become a better person from it”.

- For more information on Marcellus Willey, log onto www.wileyent.com or www.prolebrity.com.

 

Off the Field with Marcus Washington

 

Marcus Washington

The past few years have been trying years for Marcus Washington of the Redskins. Washington, who is clearly one of the most energetic players on the team, had to deal with his fair share of adversity and injuries in the past two seasons. The Defensive leader continues to bounce back. Whatever the challenge is, he is always able to respond. In 2007, Washington was awarded the Ed Block Award for maintaining a high level of sportsmanship & professionalism on and off the field. And as we look ahead toward the 2008 season, this powerhouse on defense is looking forward to a new year full of endless possibilities. Last week, I had the opportunity to speak with the Redskins linebacker and we discussed what he’s been up too during the off-season.

So what is a typical day like for you during the off season?

I usually watch a lot of TV (mainly Sports Center) and play PlayStation. Depending on what’s going on thru out my day; I may go fishing. I like to fish, so I do that toward the evening. I hang out with my family and friends a lot. If something good is playing at the movies, I may go check out a movie. I love to watch movies; if I’m not going to the movies, I’ll rent a couple of DVD’s and just kick it at the house. I don’t do anything too extravagant; I’m just a pretty laid back, chill guy.

During the off season, what is your typical work-out and diet regimen?                               

I’ve been training down in Pensacola, FL at the Andrews Institute. When I’m training, I normally get up early & go to Starbucks. I love Starbucks (laughing)…then I’ll go to the facility where they’ll have breakfast (an omelet & nuts) ready for me. Then I’ll go out on the field and do speed & agility work. After that, we’ll do conditioning, and Pre-Hab which is just stretching and taking care of my problem areas. I had surgery on my hip, so I’m doing a lot of hip flexibility, movements, and things like that. Finally, I’ll do about two hours of weight training. I normally finish up around 5pm. The next day, I’ll start that whole process all over again.

When do you start preparing for the Upcoming season? And how do you prepare your mind for Training Camp?

I don’t think you can ever prepare for training camp (laughing)…but with me, I usually try to watch all the games from the past year and try to keep a list of my problem areas as well as keep track of the good things I did in the past year. I focus on getting my weight down to the weight that I’m most comfortable playing at. Getting your mind right for training camp is pretty tough because it’s hard getting back into football shape.

Where do you spend most of your time during the off-season; In the DC area or Alabama?

During the off-season I spend a lot of my time in Alabama. This year, I got to spend a lot of time at home because I didn’t have any serious injuries that required surgery or rehab.  I try to go home during the off-season as much as I can because a lot of times you don’t really get to see your family quite as much during the season.

Aside from football, what does Marcus Washington do for fun?

I love music. I’m always downloading the latest songs and burning CDs. I can spend a couple hours doing that. I love to play PlayStation. I always have the latest version that’s out. I like to fish. My Pops and I go fishing a lot…and I like to do a little bit of traveling here and there. I try to get to the beach as much as I can. Even if I don’t get in the water, just being around the water is very relaxing to me. I also like to play pool in my spare time.

What’s the most exciting thing you’ve done during your break? (trips, charity work, etc.)

I went to Puerto Rico during the off-season and that was pretty neat. The water was so clear and blue; it was beautiful. I got to visit a few casinos even though I am not really a big gambler. It was just fun to watch everyone else. As for charity work, I donate to the Boys and Girls Club in the Lee County area of Alabama.  Every year I host a basketball game and have a few of my friends from different teams come out. It has a big impact on the kids. Most of the time, they use the money for field trips to get the kids out of the neighborhood. They do things like take them to the Aquarium & the Zoo.

Speaking of charity work, do you have a foundation?

No, I don’t have a foundation. I just like giving back by donating to a good cause. Anytime you can donate, I think it is a good thing.

You’ve been playing professional football now for 8 years; at what point in an athlete’s career should they start thinking about life after their respective sport?

Well in football the average career really isn’t that long. So you really need to start thinking about it as soon as you start playing. You want to definitely start putting money away so that you won’t have to work as hard when you’re done playing. In this profession, you have to start thinking ahead as soon as you enter the league. The average career is so short; you definitely want to be prepared.

Where do you see yourself in 5 years?

I don’t know. I just try to take it one year at a time. I know that when I finish playing, I don’t want to do a whole lot; I’m really interested in History. I don’t know if I’ll ever teach it but I think it would be fun to join a History Club or something like that and expand my knowledge a little more. Maybe I’ll coach on the high school level, but not on the collegiate or pro level.

Do you hang out with any of your teammates during the off-season? And if so, who?

Yeah…I hang out with Ladell Betts, Fred Smoot, Demetric Evans and some of those guys. I normally hang out with the guys that crack jokes all the time because I like to laugh a lot. So most of the time, I hang out with the silly guys and spend time with them.

What type of things do you all do?  

We go out to clubs, go out to eat, or we’ll just go to someone’s house and just kick it. A lot of times it’s about building that camaraderie and just being able to spend time with each other off the field because as we saw in this past year with loosing Sean, you just never know when it’s going to be your last time seeing someone. So you definitely want to take advantage of the time you guys have and create good memories.

Speaking of the late Sean Taylor, how is the team coping with his lost and moving forward from this point on?

The guys are coping with it pretty well. Of course we’ll always remember him, whether it’s passing his locker or watching film from last year’s games. We’re constantly reminded of him, but that’s a good thing. We definitely hold on to those good memories. I think everybody can take something away from that, you really want to take advantage of the time you have with your friends, family, and teammates because you just never know when it’s going to be your last time.

Do you keep in touch with his family?

I haven’t really kept in touch with his family but I know some of the guys speak with his dad a lot. Clinton and Santana know his father really well because they all went to Miami together. They tend to keep in touch with him more than the rest of the guys.

Last year was a very disappointing year for the Redskins. What can we expect from the Redskins in 2008, and what do you think you guys can do this year to make the team better?

Last year was last year, and everything we get this year we’re going to have to earn as we start over. It will be nice to start off winning games early this year. We need to play on the same type of level we played last year during the last four games of the season. We’re going to have to really work for it this year. We have to learn from the mistakes that we made and improve on those things. We have to give it everything we got this year.

What are your thoughts of Coach Zorn thus far?

I like Coach a lot. He’s not really a screamer; he’s very calm and mellow. He has sort of a quiet confidence about himself, and I like that. It kind of makes us more confident. He does things in such a way where he doesn’t have to curse or scream, you can just look in his eyes when he’s talking about the game and see how excited he is about football. As a football player, I can tell that he really loves the game and he knows what he’s talking about.

Do any of the rookies stand out in your opinion?

As a matter of fact Curtiss Gatewood, who’s a rookie in the linebacker position, stands out to me. He’s a kid that kind of reminds me of myself when I first came into the NFL. He’s a guy who went from a Defensive End to a Linebacker and he goes full speed in everything. You definitely don’t have to slow him down and that’s a really good thing for a rookie. Justin Tyron is also doing very well; he has a little swagger about himself. We definitely need that at Defensive Back. I can tell he’s a competitor; he’ll compete. Not a real big kid, but very feisty.

Have you taken any of the rookies under your wing? And what advice have you given to the younger guys?

I talked to Gatewood a little bit. I try not to talk to them too much because I don’t want to over coach a guy. You kind of just want them to use what God gave them. To be a success in the NFL you only get out of it what you put into it. When you first get into the league, as a young guy you want to party and do all the things that don’t pertain to football off the field, but that time you spend in the film room watching tape, the time you spend asking your coaches questions, the time you spend conditioning, and eating right; that’s what’s going to show up on the field. And that’s exactly what I tell them.

People have so many nice things to say about your character; with so many players being caught up in the hype & getting into trouble these days, how do you stay grounded?

I don’t take myself too seriously. I think that is one of the main things…I try to lead by example. It’s easy to talk about stuff, but it’s hard to be a Doer. I try to go hard when I play, work hard in the weight room etc. Don’t just talk about it; be about it. That’s my motto and that’s how I try to live my life. The younger guys tend to listen more when they can see your actions. They’re not going to listen to the guy who’s just talking but not going hard in the weight room or working hard in practice giving it everything he got. It’s all about setting an example thru your actions.

And Finally, How do you plan on spending the remainder of your time off?

I’m going to continue to work out; training camp is right around the corner. I may try to take one more vacation before we start up. We’re one of the teams reporting to training camp early this year; so I’ll just continue to get ready, continue to train, and continue to work out hard and get my body in the best possible shape I can. I’ll probably do something with my family right before camp starts so that I can be ready to hit it full speed.  And that’s about it. 

Osi Umenyiora Host 2nd Annual “Strike 4 A Cure” Celebrity Weekend in Atlanta

                 

 May 16- 18th 2008                                                                                                      

         Defensive End Osi Umenyiora of the Superbowl Champion New York Giants recently hosted his 2^nd annual “Strike 4 a Cure” Charity Weekend in Atlanta, GA. Last year, Umenyiora teamed up with Terrell Owens for the inaugural launch of the event to raise money for Alzheimer’s and HIV awareness for minorities. Mutually, both causes are dear to both NFL players; Umenyiora has an uncle that died from AIDS in Africa and Owens has a grandmother that battles Alzheimer’s disease. But this year, Owens’s did not participate and his presence was missed as the event was not an overall success for Umenyiora compared to last year’s event.  With a number of lavish events and parties, full of athletes and local celebrities, Osi’s foundation had hoped to raise $1 million for his foundation. Instead, the Atlanta Journal Constitution reports his efforts raised less than $10,000.

             NFL players Adewale Ogunleye of the Chicago Bears, Shawne Merriman of the San Diego Chargers, Julian Peterson of the Seattle Seahawks, Takeo Spikes, Carlos Emmons, and LaVar Arrington came out to support Umenyiora’s event. The weekend kicked off on Friday with a Black Tie Affair at the new W Hotel downtown Atlanta. U.S. Senate hopeful and local city official Vernon Jones gave a speech at this year’s event. Radio personality Ramona Debreaux of Atlanta’s V-103 FM co-hosted the event and was on hand to give out the first award from “Make Plays for Africa” (Osi’s foundation) to rapper T.I.’s Grand Hustle’s Organization for their community work. Then on Saturday Umenyiora and friends headed over to 300 Bowling Alley for a celebrity bowling challenge. The event wrapped up on Sunday. A private event was scheduled to be held for invited guest and sponsors at Umenyiora’s mansion in Atlanta however it was canceled for undisclosed reasons. Throughout the weekend Osi and his celebrity friends hosted many parties at the hottest nightspots around Atlanta, but at the end of the day all of the events and celebrity guest failed to raise money for the cause; how disappointing.

             Osi Umenyiora and his brother Jim Umenyiora founded the event 2 years ago and wanted it to become one of the most reputable charities to raise money for AIDS and Alzheimer’s research & awareness programs. The brothers spent more than $40,000 on the event this year and were dissatisfied with the outcome. Seemingly, the brothers’ goal was to raise money for a great cause but instead they wasted thousands of dollars on lush events that turned out uneventful. The goal now, an apparently censured Jim Umenyiora said, is to refocus on good works, not good times. “The parties did nothing. They didn’t help anybody,” said Jim Umenyiora, a 31-year-old financial planner. Jim Umenyiora said in a statement to AJC that he and his brother have canceled future charity events as they plan to regroup. He said the charity eventually is going to succeed. “Hopefully in the next three years, we will get there,” he said. “My brother and I want this to work.” The brothers donated all money raised to the Georgia chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association and to the National AIDS Education & Services for Minorities Inc..Both organizations are based in Atlanta. 

Tia B.’s Divisional Playoffs Preview

One of the things I learned from last weeks Wildcard games is that it’s anyone’s game, anything can happen, and anyone can win regardless of how great their Stats are in the regular season. Last week I was 2-2 w/ my predictions; hopefully I’ll do better this week.

Packers vs. Seahawks

And the Winner is: I predict the Packers

Reason: Predicting this game is extremely difficult because both teams are very evenly matched on both sides of the ball. But since I have to choose, I am going to go with the Packers. Their winning is mainly dependent on Brett Farve having a good game; if Brett has a good game and doesn’t throw a bunch of interceptions, Green Bay will win this game regardless of what Matt Hasselbeck does. Another key factor is going to be Defense, Defense, and more Defense. Even though both teams have tight defense, if I had to lean toward one I’d have to go with the Packers. The Packers Cornerbacks are going to be far more effective on Seattle’s Receivers than the Seahawks Corner’s on theirs.

What to Expect: Expect Green Bay to control the clock and the ball on the ground. And expect for Brett Farve to have a solid game.

Jaguars vs. Patriots

And the Winner is: I predict the Patriots

Reason: Even though I’d love to see the Jaguars upset New England, I have to be realistic and go with the undefeated Patriots. They have too much experience and far too many weapons to loose this game. The Jaguars would have to be dominant on both offense & defense to beat the Patriots and that’s highly unlikely.  Tom Brady is unstoppable and the only way the Jaguars have a chance of stopping him is by keeping the ball out of his hands. The Jags have struggled putting pressure on Quarterbacks, and that will be their downfall in this game.

What to Expect: Tom Brady and The Patriots to be well prepared.

Chargers vs. Colts

And the Winner is: I predict the Colts

Reason: The Colts have Marvin Harrison back; a key factor in their Offense. With that being said, the Chargers are not going to be able to keep up with Manning and his Star Wide Receiver. And Joseph Addai is also going to be a major factor in this game as well.

What to Expect: Expect Manning to find big plays down the field against The Chargers Defense.

Giants vs. Cowboys

And the Winner is: I predict the Cowboys

Reason: Dallas is going to win their 3^rd straight game against the Giants for the following reasons: if Barber catches passes out of the back field , Whitten catches passes in the middle, T.O. catches passes down the field and if Romo can scramble outside of the pocket, Dallas will spread the field too much for Giants defense to cover. And with them playing at home with an extremely loud crowd may also give Dallas a slight advantage.

What to Expect: Terrell Owens to play.

3rd Time’s a Charm for Eli Manning

  Eli Manning silenced all his naysayer’s with his performance on Sunday, including me. Last week I predicted the Buccaneers would beat the Giants because I didn’t feel he could match up to Garcia. Well he definitely proved he can match up to Garcia endearing his first Playoff Win.

The Giants Quarterback stepped up and led his team to a playoff victory. With two touchdowns and zero interceptions, Manning was very impressive. While Jeff Garcia on the other hand, was a huge disappointment. He played how most assumed Manning would play. The Bucs had three turnovers, and Garcia had two Interceptions and only one TD. He clearly had an off day. He played well the first few minutes of the game but then he lost his momentum and Eli Manning took over from there. Manning played Error free while Garcia just couldn’t get it done. He was outplayed by Manning and the Giants. After the early touchdown from the Bucs, the Giants scored the next 24 points ending the Buccaneers season with a 24-14 win. This is the 2^nd time in three years the Bucs were ousted from the playoffs in the first round after winning the NFC South title. “It was a frustrating day,” Garcia said. “A frustrating game”, he added.

Garcia, who has proven to be a consistent quarterback in previous games, was hammered by the Giants Defense. Michael Strahan led the defense putting the pressure on Garcia the entire game. He had nine tackles, a sack, and a forced fumble. While Strahan carried the defense, Giants veteran Amani Toomer helped out on offense. He led the offense with seven catches and a key touchdown and the end result was near perfection for the Giants. This is their first postseason playoff win since they played against Minnesota in 2000.

The Giants are now 8-1 on the road this season and have made skeptics like Ronde Barber eat their words. Earlier in the week Barber declared Manning “Can Be Had”. The Bucs cornerback later recanted his statement after the game saying his comments were “hypothetical” and added that Manning took what the Buccaneers gave him and “That’s what good players do”. I’m sure Manning won’t disagree with Barbers later statement. He did everything right and did nothing wrong, causing the Giants to win Big.

 

 

 

It’s Playoff Time – Tia B.’s Wildcard Weekend Preview

It’s that time of year again when I, like most football fans eagerly anticipate which Wildcard teams will be good enough to move forward into the playoffs.  Here are my picks, we’ll see next week how many I got right, lolJ : 

Redskins vs. Seahawks

And the Winner is: I predict the Redskins

Reason: Even though the Seahawks have home field advantage and are 7-1 at home, I’m going with the underdogs- the Redskins. The Redskins are a much better team than they were last year when they lost to the Seahawks 20-10. Since the untimely passing of their beloved teammate Sean Taylor, the Redskins have become very focused. They’re coming off of a four game winning streak and Quarterback Todd Collins is on a role giving them the edge over the Seahawks who suffered an embarrassing lost to the Atlanta Falcons last week. The Skins defeated the Cowboys last week in a must win game so they are very motivated. They’ll need the same type of motivation this week in order to defeat the Seahawks at home. It’s going to be an emotional day for the Redskins but if they stay focused I believe they can beat the Seahawks in what will most likely be a very close game.

What to Expect: Expect the Redskins defense to shut down the Seahawks just like they did the Cowboys last week.

Giants vs. Buccaneers

And the Winner is: I predict the Bucs

Reason: In my opinion, Jeff Garcia is a better Quarterback than Eli Manning and he’s going to lead his team to victory. The Giants haven’t won a playoff since 2001 and with so many injuries going into the playoffs I don’t think they have enough to win this game against a well rested Bucs team. Also keep in mind they don’t have Tiki Barber running the ball like they have in the past. Besides that, the Giants are 0-2 in the playoffs under Eli Manning.

What to Expect: Anticipate for Garcia to have the same poise he had last year in Philadelphia and expect for Osi Umenyiora and the Giants to try and limit him.

Jaguars vs. Steelers

And the Winner is: I predict the Jaguars

Reason: The Steelers are simply going to have a hard time stopping the Jaguars. Offensively the Steelers are banged up and I don’t think their O-Line will be able to protect Roethlisberger against the Jags Defense. The Jags defeated the Steelers in Week 15 and I predict the same outcome in this game.

What to Expect: The Steelers are without key player Willie Parker so expect them to go more to the passing game. Also expect the Jaguar’s Fred Taylor to have an exceptional game.

Titans vs. Chargers

And the Winner is: I predict the Chargers

Reason: Despite all the criticism Norv Turner has endured during the season, he has managed to get his team together and now their Playoff bound. If the Chargers Defense can play as well as they did against the Titans in Week 14, they should have no problem winning this weekend especially if Vince Young doesn’t play. As of today he is still a game-time decision.

What to Expect: Expect LT to run the ball and for the Chargers Defense to play well.

The Dolphins Get Tuna and 1st Win in Week 15

The Sun was finally shining again in South Florida as the Miami Dolphins get their first win of the 2007 season against the Baltimore Ravens.

Finally a sigh of relief could be heard in the Dolphins locker room as the Dolphins got their first win on Sunday. The guys were so hyped up after the win and Joey Porter lead the way with his cheers. This was more than just a regular game for the Dolphins; it was a major victory, saving them from what potentially could have been an embarrassing win-less season. It ended the speculation that this team would be the first in NFL history to finish 0-16. That’s a record no team wants to have.  As the 2007 Dolphins celebrated their 1st win, the members of the great 1972 Dolphins team were on hand to celebrate the anniversary of their perfect 17-0 season. Go figure….But at least now these guys have hope for next week’s game against the Patriots even though that hope is not going to last long against New England. I predict a blowout as the Dolphins just don’t have enough weapons to get at the Patriots.   

I’m sure the Ravens never imagined being the team to loose to the Dolphins, how embarrassing. At halftime it looked like the Ravens had the game at 13-3 but the Dolphins came back and got the job done in overtime. The Ravens  clearly had the advantage with the coin toss and sett up a Matt Stover field goal. But, when Stover pushed the kick left, Miami then needed only three plays before Cleo Lemon dumped a short pass to Greg Camarillo and the wideout sprinted 64 yards for the win. Camarillo finished with three catches for 109 yards & a touchdown, the first of his two-year NFL career.

Aside from the win, the now 1-13 Dolphins are also celebrating a new addition to their faculty as the Big Tuna, Bill Parcells accepted a 4 year deal with the Dolphins football operations.  Next year, Tuna will play a key role in attempting to turn the struggling Dolphins back into a playoff worthy team. If anyone can do it Parcells can; much like he did when he went to the Giants, The Jets, the Patriots, and the Cowboys. It would have been great to see Parcells come in as head coach but he insists he will not coach in Miami. Parcells said he would assist the new coach from the front office, whoever that will be.

Initially, on Wednesday many believed Parcells would be headed to Atlanta but the deal fell thru and the Dolphins quickly closed in on a contract with Parcells. Apparently the Dolphins were already in negotiation with Parcells when the Falcons contacted him and the Dolphins were able to make a better offer. “I’m honored to join such an illustrious franchise as the Miami Dolphins and to work for one of the best owners in the league in Wayne Huizenga”, Parcells said. “He shares my same commitment to winning, and I told him I would do everything I can to help turn around the team’s fortune”.

Parcells will get in there and make a lot of changes just like he has done in the past with other teams. It’s going to be a massive undertaking but I’m sure he’ll make the changes needed to benefit the team in the long-run. We all know of Huizenga’s desire to get the Dolphins back to being a playoff team and if anyone can do it, it’s Parcells aka “ The Tuna”.

 

*Rumor Mill has it owner Wayne Huizenga was considering selling his team due to the frustrating season. He has confirmed he’s been talking with potential buyers since April of last year. But to down play the rumors Huizenga made a statement to the Associated Press. He said, “Most recently, we have had conversations dating back to April with several similarly interested parties. My viewpoint however, has always been the same. I am not actively looking to sell the Miami Dolphins, but I know there will always be individuals who are interested in becoming involved in some capacity in the teams’ ownership”.

**In  other Dolphin  News: Defensive End Jason Taylor was the only Dolphin selected to the Pro Bowl this year. He finished this weeks’ game against the Ravens with two sacks and a blocked field goal for the Dolphins.  Is he deserving of this honor? I question the Pro Bowl selection process when players like Mario Williams (who clearly had a better season than Jason Taylor) aren’t selected.

 

The Saints Go Marching in Atlanta

 New Orleans defeat the Atlanta Falcons 34-14 and manage to stay in the Playoff race.

The pressure was on the Saints this week. Monday’s game was an important win for them as they become one step closer to gaining the final NFC Wildcard spot. The 6-7 Saints trail the Vikings by one game for the final slot with only three games left in the season.

The Saints were able to run the ball and win without two of their key players, Reggie Bush and Deuce McAllister. They have a tendency of playing better when their in a position to run. They had a total of 145 rushing yards, better than any of their previous 12 games this season. New Orleans scored late in the first quarter when Drew Brees threw a 25-yard TD to David Patten. Atlanta responded with a 33-yard TD pass from Chris Redman to Roddy White to tie the game. NO then regained the lead with a field goal. Marques Colston then scored big with two key touchdowns. But the game was over when Roman Harper intercepted a Redman pass & returned it 31 yards for a touchdown. Olindo Mare’s field goal sealed the game for the Saints. Overall, Drew Brees passed 328 yards & three touchdowns for the win.

As for the struggling Falcons, they are now 3-10. This was just a week of bad news for the Atlanta Falcons. On top of the loss to the Saints, the Falcons Star QB was sentenced to 23 months in federal prison and their head coach Bobby Petrino resigned with only three games left in the season. I’m sure the Falcons are looking forward to bidding the 2007 season goodbye as they can began to look ahead to next year. It has been a rough run for Arthur Blank’s Falcons and the nationally televised Monday Night Football loss to the Saints sure haven’t helped matters any.

* The Falcons named Assistant Coach Emmitt Thomas Interim Head Coach for the final three games of the season. He has been a coach with the Falcons since 2002. The players have excitedly embraced their new head coach. The Falcons play Tampa Bay on Sunday.