Everyone around the NFL was shocked to learn of the shooting death of former NFL quarterback Steve McNair

July 4, 2009

(Philadelphia, Pa) — The Fourth of July around the United States is supposed to be a day of celebration, but this year the entire sports world has a heavy heart on this day as it was learned that former NFL great Steve McNair was found shot to death in Nashville, Tennessee.  The circumstances around McNair’s death  are still forthcoming, but Nashville police spokesman Don Aaron confirmed that authorities were called to a condominium and found McNair, 36, and a woman shot to death inside.

It is hard to believe little over one year after his retirement that McNair a two-time Pro Bowl player (selected four times) has passed away.  The 13-year career veteran was the 2003 co-MVP and he always played courageously during his career that spanned from the HBCU ranks to the NFL.  Everyone will always talk about McNair and Eddie George leading the Tennessee Titans within 1 yard of winning Super Bowl XXXIV against the Rams, but to me one word ”warrior” sums up the signal caller. 

No matter the injury or opponent, you always knew number #9 was going to give you everything he had for sixty minutes. The hard part of being warrior is sometimes toughness led McNair onto the field of battle when maybe taking a rest was a better option.  Often times McNair was a one-man Mash unit as he played through injuries including a separated shoulder, bruised sternum, broken fingers, broken ribs, ankle sprains, and many others to lead his teammates unto the gridiron.

 At the time of his retirement in April 2008, McNair said of his resilient play, “Over 13 years, I had a lot of injuries because I played the game physical, because I gave 110 percent every game”.  In looking back, the nation first got a glimpse of McNair’s greatness at Alcorn State where he followed in his older brother Fred’s footsteps earning the nickname “Air McNair”.  He was a unanimous All-American while putting the small HBCU school on the map and causing such a national sensation that ESPN scrambled to show his games on television.  McNair finished his stellar college career gracing the cover of Sports Illustrated and finishing 3rd in 1994 Heisman Balloting – still is the highest finish in the competition by a 1-AA player.  Air McNair didn’t leave ASU empty handed as he established NCAA records with 16,823 yards in total offense (14,496 yards passing and 2,327 yards rushing) and averaged an incredible 400.55 yards in total offense per game. 

McNair then took his game to the NFL, where some doubters questioned his selection as the third overall pick in the 1995 NFL Draft by the now defunct Houston Oilers.  Early in his career, Air McNair was stuck on the runway for his first couple years in the league as the Oilers wanted him to learn behind Chris Chandler – how crazy does that sound.  But McNair had his breakout season in 1998 leading the newly relocated Titans, starting 16 games and setting then career highs in attempts (492), completions (289), yards (3,228), and passing touchdowns (15). He went on to lead his team to the playoffs ten times finishing with a respectable 5-5 record and winning the aforementioned 2003 NFL Co-MVP award sharing the honor with Peyton Manning.  But it is McNair’s toughness that will be everlasting, highlighted by the season-ending stretch in 2002.  During that stretch McNair cemented his tougher than nails warrior image by starting five straight games to end the season and leading the Titans to the AFC championship game without practicing due to injury.

In the coming days people around the water cooler will spin yarns about the play of McNair and mourn him.  I am sure the uneasy and unnecessary debate over whether his career was Hall of Fame worthy will also come into play. To me the “Warrior” does deserve to get a look by the selection committee as he had the gumption and numbers including six 3,000 yards passing seasons on his outstanding resume. While bridging the gap between Randall Cunningham and today’s athletic quarterbacks, McNair’s career numbers were impressive with 161 games played, a regular season record of 91-62 as a starter, passing numbers of  2733 for 4544 (60.1 %), 31304 yards with 174 TDs and 119 INTs plus an additional 3590 yards rushing (5th all-time rushing for quarterbacks) and 37 touchdowns. 

I believe McNair’s greatest contribution to the game of football was showing how leadership can take many forms.  As a younger quarterback he was able to use his legs to get wins and then later in his career he matured into a winning pocket passer.  I know his legacy will live-on in his many beloved fans and teammates.  Former Ravens’ teammate Ray Lewis said it all about his comrade when he retired last year, “There is no greater warrior or player with a bigger heart than Steve McNair”.

Titans owner Bud Adams said in a statement of his former star player, “We are saddened and shocked to hear the news of Steve McNair’s passing today, he was one of the finest players to play for our organization and one of the most beloved players by our fans. He played with unquestioned heart and leadership and led us to places that we had never reached, including our only Super Bowl.”

Rest In Peace Warrior and we will never forget you.

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)

The NFL Hall of Fame. The second most venerated Hall, just behind Cooperstown, is also one of the most sought after by players. Located in Canton, Ohio both fans and players can feel the awesome power and history the building holds. The busts found in these Halls make no allusion to which team a person is most well known or more remembered for.  Simply the player’s accomplishments and reasons for their induction go. The greatest of the greats reside for eternity in these halls and they will be joined this year 6 stellar players to go down in history.

 Ron Woodson played with various teams but won a Super Bowl in his four year stint as a Baltimore Raven and in his 17 seasons went to 11 probowls, 7 first team All-Conference selections, a member of both the NFL 75th Anniversary All-Time Team and the NFL 1990’s All Decade team, and the 1993 NFL Defensive Player of the Year. 

Derrick Thomas played 11 seasons in the NFL, all with the Kansas City Chiefs, after being drafted fourth overall. He was a 9 time Pro Bowl selection, the 1989 NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year, 7 time First team AFC team and a member of the NFL 1990’s All decade Team. 

Bruce Smith was Drafted first overall by the Buffalo Bills and was a member of the Bills when they went to four straight Super Bowls. He racked up 11 Pro Bowl selections, 1 Pro Bowl MVP, an 8 time Defensive Player of the Year (2 AP, 2 NEA, and 4 UPI selections), and was a member of both the 1980 and 1990’s All Decade Teams. 

Bob Hayes joins Jim Thorpe as the only other Olympic gold medalist to enter the Hall. He brings in his 3 Pro Bowl selections, A Super Bowl VI champion, and 2 AP First Team selections in 1966 and 1968. 

Randall McDaniel enters the Hall as this year’s only offensive lineman. He enters with a streak of 202 starts in his 220 games started, 12 Pro Bowl Selections, and a member of the NFL 1990’s All Decade team.

Ralph C. Wilson is the year’s only non player to be inducted but is just as important to football as anyone who has played the sport. He is the founder, owner, and president of the Buffalo Bills and one of the founders of the AFL. His teams have claimed 2 AFL championships and won four straight AFC championships (1990-1993).

David Price of the Tampa Bay Rays is being heralded as the savior to the Rays pitching staff. Some have called him a “post season phenom”, some have called him “overrated”. After watching him last year in the ALCS he made it clear he had the right stuff to make his debut in the bullpen. But now the Rays are dropping Andy Sonnanstine to bring Scott Kazmir back into the lineup and keep Price in the rotation. This is the Rays showing desperation. Maybe they’re desperate to sell seats and they’re using Price as the new sensation (much as they used Evan Longoria last season). Maybe they’re desperate for the wins they hope he will produce. But with a 3.93 ERA and only a 2-2 record he hasn’t shown what he “should” producing. Some will point out his 37 strikeouts, but I would point out his ability to make it out of the 6th inning only once and that was a loss. The Rays should take a lesson from other teams and bring him into a position like Jonathan Pappelbon with the Boston Red Sox. The two are very similar in pitching style and what they have available in their repertoire of pitches. If the Rays were even to use him until the post-season as a bullpen guy first they would have a marked improvement.

With the passing of Farrah Fawcett and Michael Jackson Thursday and losing Ed McMahon earlier in the week marks a sad week in the media. We here at The Sports Explosion would like to take a moment to remember the lives lost yesterday and also the 19 service members that lost their lives 13 years ago yesterday in the Kohbar Tower Bombing in Saudi Arabia. Our thoughts are with the families of those that lost loved ones.

 In Sporting news however, the biggest headline to get eclipsed by all other news stories yesterday would have to be Shaq being traded to the Cleveland Cavaliers. It will once again put him in as part of a dynamic duo. Shaq going to the Cavs signals their willingness to do almost whatever it takes to show star Lebron James how serious they are about bringing in a major threat at center to bolster the entire team, offense and defense. This may be the reason Lebron makes it to the 2010 NBA Finals and could quite likely be the reason he gets his first ring.

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)

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

(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)

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)

Aplington-Parkersburg football coach Ed Thomas

Some things in the sporting world just make sense. Some people are actually meant to be great at what they do. Ed Thomas was someone the entire state of Iowa could respect. After a huge tornado leveled homes and killed 8 in the small town, he was the man that rebuilt the football field and restored faith and morale in the town, all at the same time going 10-0 and into the state semifinals.

He coached at Aplington-Parkersburg High School for 34 years. The murder of this man is a loss to that community that will always be remembered. Few things in high school athletics carry as much prestige as Coach Thomas. De La Salle winning 151 straight football wins in northern California. Brandon High School’s 459 straight matches over 34 years. Coach Thomas at Aplington-Parkersburg will be remembered as one of the most prominent, respected and loved mentors of thousands of people (not just his football players). The loss of Coach Thomas is not just a sad event for Iowa but for all of the country. Our hearts and prayers go out to his family. The world of sports lost a great man!

Vince Noble

LSU and Texas are playing in a huge 3 game series right now and I am pretty sure that just about the only people that know, outside of those two universities, are the people that flipped the television to the game last night and were surprised to see an extra innings game. This years College World Series has to be one of my favorites from the past years. There has been a 25 inning game, huge pitching performances, and clutch hitting. It is a shame thought that so few people seem to even realize whats going on.
The world of college baseball may be one of the last level of baseball that you could call untainted. In this day and age it is nice to not look at the players on the field and wonder if they juice it up. Watching last night you were able to see all the things that make baseball great. The fundamentals of hitting and running, power, speed, strategy, and none of the little hissy fits players make when the call doesn’t go exactly their way. I used to think the Minors were where the real fun in baseball was, but it clicked not to long ago watching the Cal State Fullerton and Arkansas game when all the players out there were just having fun. That’s where the MLB should be taking its lessons from.

Vince Noble

The Sports Explosion Morning Show