Monday, May 31, 2010

Randy Moss: You Can Go Your Own Way!

Moss ain't finished yet


Randy Moss has always had a great talent for speaking his mind at every turn, often saying the worst possible thing at the worst possible moment. But to his defense, he's his own man and always will be. And today, he's a little upset about persisting rumors that he's going to be hanging up the cleats anytime soon. He also canned his agent recently and he'll be an unrestricted free agent after this season. So he has a lot going on.

"The way it was brought to my attention was that it seemed like I'm retiring soon," Moss said. "I have no intention of retiring soon. What I did with firing an agent was, I thought time had run out. There were some things that couldn't be done that needed to be done."

Uncertain future


"Those things" probably have a lot to do with somebody finding him one more big payday and it's hard to knock his production - Oakland years aside, of course. Moss, now 33, has cracked 1,000 yards and pulled in 47 touchdowns over the last three years.

Oddsmakers have the Patriots set at +1200 to win the 2011 Super Bowl.

Saturday, May 29, 2010

NFL Weekend Notes: LenDale White, Patrick Crayton

Seahawks show LenDale White the door


LenDale White barely had a chance to get comfy in Seahawk green before the team waived him only 35 days after they picked him up through a trade on draft day. The team had little to say as to why White was released, but rumor has it that the big running back is facing a four-game suspension related to a possible breach of the league's drug policy. Seattle was hoping that White would regain his swagger with coach Pete Carroll -White's coach at USC - behind the bench. Evidently, that hasn't happened, even though there was talk that the big back had cut his weight to 220 pounds this year. White scored 24 touchdowns over four years with the Tennessee Titans.

Patrick Crayton wants out of Big D


Patrick Crayton found out the Dallas Cowboys may have been looking to trade him this offseason and now he wants the team to release him.

"If I'm going to be with another team, I need to get used to another city, another franchise, a new coach, a new quarterback, a new coordinator, everything," Crayton told Dallasnews.com. "Just a whole new environment. My wife and kids got to get settled in, got to get in schools and everything. I would love to have the opportunity to be able to compete with another team versus come here and come here for a numbers thing where they're like, 'Oh, we're not going to pay you that to be our fourth or fifth guy,' or whatever the situation is and you kept me the whole training camp because you need camp bodies. To me, you're messing with people's careers and people's lives."

Friday, May 28, 2010

Welcome back, Big Ben... sort of.

Ben Roethlisberger back at practice


Big Ben Roethlisberger took a step out of the doghouse today as the NFL lifted its ban partially, allowing the Steelers' quarterback to work out with the team. However, that doesn't necessarily mean that this is the first move in cutting his six-game suspension.

"The commissioner will continue to monitor Roethlisberger's progress as he begins the next phase of his recommended plan, and (Goodell) will meet with Roethlisberger again at an appropriate time," an official statement from the NFL said.

Much ado about nothing?


Now, Roethlisberger may be a dope and he definitely needs to get his act together. But a six-game suspension for what? For an accusation, that's what. I know the NFL is trying to get its image together, but come on guys.

The Pittsburgh Steelers are set at +1200 to win the 2011 Super Bowl.

Thursday, May 27, 2010

Report: Saints TE Shockey Hospitalized

Shockey in stable condition

Jeremy Shockey had an interesting day on Thursday. Reports out of New Orleans claim the New Orleans tight end collapsed in the weight room at the Saints' complex. New Orleans teammate Darren Sharper told media that Shockey suffered a seizure in the weight room and was rushed to the hospital in an ambulance. He is expected to stay overnight at least while undergoing more tests.

Who Dat?

Fortunately, it seems like Shockey's feeling a lot better, even though the entire incident has to be pretty concerning. Apparently, he tweeted "Who Dat?" from his hospital bed, so maybe things are looking up.

The Saints are set at +900 to win the 2011 Super Bowl.

Wednesday, May 26, 2010

NFL News and Notes: NYC Super Bowl and Dancing With the Stars

The Super Bowl is coming to the Big Apple


Bring on a Snow Bowl in 2014! For the first time ever, the NFL's Super Bowl will be hosted by a city that usually sees sub-50 degree weather in February. It was thought that New York's bid would be little more than a lay-up, but it took four rounds of voting to bring in the final decision.

This is just so overdue. Football's played in all sorts of elements all year long, so to settle it all without weather being a factor was a corporate joke. I'm actually a little surprised the bigwigs didn't drag their collective heels a little longer on this on.

Watch that first step, Ocho


Cincinnati Bengals WR Chad Ochocinco has been swooning all the ladies on Dancing With the Stars for the last little while, but reportedly sat out the series finale following a workout injury. Ocho tweeted that he didn't stretch before trying a 420-pound squat. Sounds like a whole lotta La Bamba, to me.

The Bengals are set at +4000 to win the 2011 Super Bowl.

Wednesday, May 19, 2010

The Brett Favre Retirement Watch: No News is Good News?

Brett Favre leaving Vikings in limbo



The Minnesota Vikings have no idea who their quarterback is going to be in Week 1 (does this sound familiar?) and according to recent reports, they don't even know if or when the ol' gunslinger is going to have surgery on that ankle that was giving him problems.



Apparently, this surgery (IF Favre decided to have it) would be a minor procedure, but that doesn't do much to set anybody in the Vikings organization at ease considering teams are opening minicamps this week.



Retirement?




Favre hasn't given any indication whether he's going to play another year or not, so for now, we wait. We wait for Favre to buckle that chin strap again, or usher in the next wave of Vikings quarterbacks - that means you, Tavaris Jackson/Sage Rosenfels/Marc Bulger/Kerry Collins. I'm not sure what would be worse.

Oddsmakers have the Minnesota Vikings set at +1500 to win the Super Bowl.

Monday, May 17, 2010

Is Darrelle Revis Worth $20 Million?

Darrelle Revis Looking to Get Paid

There’s no denying Jets cornerback Darrelle Revis had one heck of a year in 2009-2010, but should he really be one of the NFL’s highest-paid players? Seems as though that’s what he’s after.

The New York Jets had a terrible time getting his name on his rookie contract three years ago (he’s due $1 million this year) and now nobody would be surprised if he held out for the big money. Huge money, actually.

The $20 Million Club


The New York Post reports he’s looking for $20 million per season, which would put him in the same ballpark as Eli Manning, Philip Rivers, and Jay Cutler – the only three players in the league who crack the 20-million mark annually.

Then again, cornerback Dunta Robinson signed a $57-million, six-year deal with the Falcons this offseason, so Revis just might get what he wants from New York. And if the Jets won’t give it to him, somebody else will. Revis recorded 54 tackles, six interceptions, and 31 passes defended last season and made the Pro Bowl for the second time in his third year in the league.

Sunday, May 16, 2010

The JaMarcus Russell Watch

Now what?


The most inept organization in the National Football League made a step in the right direction by cutting ties with former No. 1 overall pick, JaMarcus Russell. Since then, Russell hasn't attracted much interested around the league, which is understandable considering his fitness and commitment issues. The Raiders threw away about $40 million over the last three years on this guy and it looks as though the rest of the league is hesitant to give him another shot right away.

Bengals say "thanks, but no thanks"


There were rumours circulating late last week about a possible fit with (who else?) the Cincinnati Bengals. Chad Ochocinco dropped a tweet about seeing Russell at minicamp, but the Bengals have backed off since then. Right now, it looks as though Russell's best option might be to play in the CFL. That's half a world away from his playboy days in Oakland.

Friday, May 14, 2010

Update: Ben Roethlisberger's Suspension

Big Ben takes first baby step


Ben Roethlisberger, suspended six games by the NFL late last month for violating the league’s code of conduct policy, has completed the first round of a series of mandated evaluations in an attempt to get back on the field with his teammates.

Don’t hold your breath though, Steelers fans.


NFL commissioner Roger Godell is going to take his time with this one, waiting for more information (and possibly more tests) before he allows Roethlisberger to take part in any team activities. It may seem like a hard stand, considering Roethlisberger hasn’t been convicted of anything, but it’s the right decision. Roethlisberger has had a reputation of dragging the NFL brand through the mud for a while now, so maybe this is what he needs to get on the straight-and-narrow.
NFL players can’t control what’s reported about them, but they can control their actions and who they’re associating with. Goodell has this one right.
Let Big Ben sit in the corner for a while until he learns how to act like an adult.

Wednesday, May 12, 2010

Sleeping With The Enemy: Another Eagle Eyes DC

First Donovan McNabb, now...


Of all people, Brian Westbrook visited with the Washington Redskins today, but left Redskins park without a contract. That doesn't necessarily mean the 'Skins are out of the hunt, but Westbrook was on his way to meet with the Denver Broncos, while St. Louis is also said to be interested in his services.
It shouldn't be surprising to see a few teams throw their hats in the ring for the Westbrook sweepstakes. The former Pro-Bowler had a terrible season last year as he battled through injuries (which are still a concern), but even with the early best-before date on NFL running backs, he's still only 30 years old. You need a stable of strong running backs to win in the NFL these days and Westbrook can definitely give a team a boost.

Say "No" to drugs... right?


UPDATE: Just to follow up on the Brian Cushing story from the other day. The Associated Press held a revote on the Defensive Rookie of the Year Award after Cushing tested positive for a performance-enhancing substance. Verdict: Cushing keeps the hardware. He received 18 first place votes this time around, compared to 39 first place votes in the initial poll.

Unbelievable. Yet another great message for the kiddies.

Monday, May 10, 2010

NFL News and Notes: Rookie of the Year Tests Positive

The Unfortunate Case of Brian Cushing



It's tough to break into the NFL as a rookie. Everything's so much faster, so much more violent, so much more professional - well, in some ways, anyway - that it isn't all that surprising that last season's Defensive Rookie of the Year, Brian Cushing, was busted for using some sort of performance-enhancing substance.

Of course, he says it's all a big mistake, that he never took steroids. The reality is the NFL isn't going to buy it and the Associated Press is holding another Defensive Rookie of the Year vote. Can't see him coming out on top this time, despite the 134 tackles, five sacks, and four picks for the Houston Texans.


ROY Steroid History



So now Cushing is just another name on the list of Defensive Rookies of the Year who also tested positive in recent memory. Two others? Chicago's big get of the offseason, Julius Peppers, and San Diego's Shawne Merriman.

I guess if you're want to look at the bright side, those two guys turned out all right, but this is a tough fall from grace for the 23-year-old Cushing.