We are not sure whether we should aplogize for our server crashing yesterday or thank you for your support. Maybe its both.
Due to the significant increase in traffic since our re-launch, our server blew up. The NFL Draft Bible would like to thank the all of you for putting us on the map!
Please continue to send the feedback (positive & negative). You can contact me at:
ric@nfldraftbible.com
-Rick Serritella
NFLDB Founder
Saturday, August 4, 2007
Thursday, August 2, 2007
PRO FOOTBALL NEWSLETTER EXCLUSIVE
FALCONS NOT UP THE CREEK
By Walter Anaruk, NFL Draft Bible/Field Position
Atlanta Head Coach Bobby Petrino has options. It may not seem that way on the surface. Just about every recognized news outlet is asking, “What will the Atlanta Falcons do?”
Falcons starting quarterback Michael Vick is embroiled in a federal dog fighting case that involves 3 federal indictments and superceding indictments forthcoming. Vick was ordered by NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell not to participate in Atlanta’s training camp until the NFL finishes its own probe into the investigation to see if the evidence against Vick is strong enough to warrant a Personal Conduct suspension. Not that it matters since the judge has decreed that Vick is no longer allowed to travel outside of the federal prosecutor’s jurisdiction. This restriction means Vick is not allowed to travel to games played on opponents fields.
As if Vick wasn’t enough of a concern and distraction for the Dirty Birds, a key injury and more criminal conduct once again put them in the headlines.
Warrick Dunn, the featured running back in the Atlanta offense has been diagnosed with herniated disks in his back. Dunn must undergo surgery and will miss most, if not all of training camp. Now 32 years old, Dunn is that rare player that improves late in an already solid career. Dunn quietly rushed for over 1,000 yards in each of the last three consecutive seasons.
To make matters worse, Falcon’s cornerback Jimmy Williams was arrested and charged with misdemeanor charges of marijuana possession.
While these distractions and Dunn’s injury may make owner Arthur Blank’s head spin, they do not add up to the collapse of the Falcons’ season. Usually, the prospect of losing your starting running back and quarterback is an absolute nightmare. For the Falcons, several mitigating factors will work against conventional wisdom to such a degree that the Falcons may actually benefit.
Warrick Dunn is a terrible loss. However, the timetable set up for Dunn’s return puts him back on the field in time for the start of the regular season. Even though Dunn will miss all of training camp and the preseason, Dunn is a consummate professional with an excellent work ethic and understanding of the game. It is unlikely that he’ll require extensive study and coaching before he can be productive in Petrino’s new offensive scheme.
Dunn’s time away will most likely mean that backup running back Jerious Norwood will enter the season as the starter regardless of Dunn’s medical status. However, Norwood was exceptionally productive in his rookie season. Norwood is almost 25 pounds heavier than Dunn with home-run speed. Norwood amassed 633 yards and 2 touchdowns on 99 carries last season for a whopping 6.4 yards per carry. Not afraid to lower his shoulder and pound on defenses, Norwood runs hard between the tackles. While he is a bit smaller than the bruisers Petrino likes to use in his offense, Norwood’s style should compensate for his stature.
The real issue for the Falcons is the quarterback situation. With Michael Vick’s future uncertain, Petrino has anointed free agent acquisition Joey Harrington as the starter. Harrington has not found success to justify his lofty third-overall draft status. He suffered through four terrible seasons on a Lions team that may have been the worst team of its era and then endured a year of the Nick Saban Experience in Miami last season.
All of these points are not to say Joey Harrington is an All Pro in Bust’s clothing. However, Harrington may not be any worse for the implementation of Petrino’s offense than Vick. In fact, Harrington may be a better fit.
Petrino’s system is a spread offense using three and four receiver sets. It’s a quarterback friendly offense that requires the passer to drop back, read and throw.
Mike Vick made his living as both an NCAA and NFL quarterback on the strength of his speed and quickness. His ballyhooed status as the first NFL quarterback to rush for over 1,000 yards in a season is not relevant to the position as it is played in Petrino’s offense.
Harrington, just like every other quarterback in the NFL bar none, does not have Mike Vick’s speed and quickness. However, Harrington has made his living dropping back and passing. Unfortunately, a majority of his six years were spent dropping back into collapsing pockets. There is no doubt that Harrington is a bit shell-shocked. Players like David Carr can speak to how severely that kind of abuse can affect a player.
Harrington (55.2%) also has a better career completion percentage than Vick (53.8%). While that difference seems negligible, it is instructive to note that while Vick has thrown only 1,730 pass attempts in six seasons, Harrington has thrown 2,190 times in five seasons.
While Vick was enjoying protection from one of the leagues more consistent offensive lines, Harrington was shelled by pass rushers during his career. Harrington had to play in forced passing situations, late in games, as the Lions tried to come from behind. Those type of situations tend to have an influence on a quarterback’s completion percentage and interception total.
Until the arrival of Roy Williams, Harrington never had any reliable receivers. Even Williams did not find consistency in the NFL until offensive coordinator Mike Martz arrived and whipped the receivers’ work ethic up to snuff. By then, Harrington was no longer there to benefit.
I am not lauding Harrington as the franchise savior. I am not saying he’ll be n All-Pro. I am saying that Harrington will not be any worse than Vick for the Falcon’s at quarterback. His experience as a drop back passer will more than likely benefit the system. Even if he maintains his career completion percentage, the Falcons will not be any worse off than they were with Vick’s completion percentage.
Bobby Petrino once said that any quarterback could play in his system. He said he expected Vick to complete 65% of his passes. If he could be so bold about Vick, a running quarterback, why not about Harrington, a drop back passer?
Petrino has options. The Falcons world does not have to end if Vick never again dons a Falcons uniform. Petrino can lean on the existing depth. Who knows, he may even reach into his past and pull his former stand out Louisville quarterback Stefan LeFors out of the Arena 2 League. There’s certainly no reason to spend millions on a Daunte Culpepper or trade away draft futures for a poor value quarterback. Petrino has options. The best part is that they are already on his roster.
For more on Walter Anaruk, check our "Press Releases" section on the homepage of nfldraftbible.com to learn about our working relationship with fieldposition.com
By Walter Anaruk, NFL Draft Bible/Field Position
Atlanta Head Coach Bobby Petrino has options. It may not seem that way on the surface. Just about every recognized news outlet is asking, “What will the Atlanta Falcons do?”
Falcons starting quarterback Michael Vick is embroiled in a federal dog fighting case that involves 3 federal indictments and superceding indictments forthcoming. Vick was ordered by NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell not to participate in Atlanta’s training camp until the NFL finishes its own probe into the investigation to see if the evidence against Vick is strong enough to warrant a Personal Conduct suspension. Not that it matters since the judge has decreed that Vick is no longer allowed to travel outside of the federal prosecutor’s jurisdiction. This restriction means Vick is not allowed to travel to games played on opponents fields.
As if Vick wasn’t enough of a concern and distraction for the Dirty Birds, a key injury and more criminal conduct once again put them in the headlines.
Warrick Dunn, the featured running back in the Atlanta offense has been diagnosed with herniated disks in his back. Dunn must undergo surgery and will miss most, if not all of training camp. Now 32 years old, Dunn is that rare player that improves late in an already solid career. Dunn quietly rushed for over 1,000 yards in each of the last three consecutive seasons.
To make matters worse, Falcon’s cornerback Jimmy Williams was arrested and charged with misdemeanor charges of marijuana possession.
While these distractions and Dunn’s injury may make owner Arthur Blank’s head spin, they do not add up to the collapse of the Falcons’ season. Usually, the prospect of losing your starting running back and quarterback is an absolute nightmare. For the Falcons, several mitigating factors will work against conventional wisdom to such a degree that the Falcons may actually benefit.
Warrick Dunn is a terrible loss. However, the timetable set up for Dunn’s return puts him back on the field in time for the start of the regular season. Even though Dunn will miss all of training camp and the preseason, Dunn is a consummate professional with an excellent work ethic and understanding of the game. It is unlikely that he’ll require extensive study and coaching before he can be productive in Petrino’s new offensive scheme.
Dunn’s time away will most likely mean that backup running back Jerious Norwood will enter the season as the starter regardless of Dunn’s medical status. However, Norwood was exceptionally productive in his rookie season. Norwood is almost 25 pounds heavier than Dunn with home-run speed. Norwood amassed 633 yards and 2 touchdowns on 99 carries last season for a whopping 6.4 yards per carry. Not afraid to lower his shoulder and pound on defenses, Norwood runs hard between the tackles. While he is a bit smaller than the bruisers Petrino likes to use in his offense, Norwood’s style should compensate for his stature.
The real issue for the Falcons is the quarterback situation. With Michael Vick’s future uncertain, Petrino has anointed free agent acquisition Joey Harrington as the starter. Harrington has not found success to justify his lofty third-overall draft status. He suffered through four terrible seasons on a Lions team that may have been the worst team of its era and then endured a year of the Nick Saban Experience in Miami last season.
All of these points are not to say Joey Harrington is an All Pro in Bust’s clothing. However, Harrington may not be any worse for the implementation of Petrino’s offense than Vick. In fact, Harrington may be a better fit.
Petrino’s system is a spread offense using three and four receiver sets. It’s a quarterback friendly offense that requires the passer to drop back, read and throw.
Mike Vick made his living as both an NCAA and NFL quarterback on the strength of his speed and quickness. His ballyhooed status as the first NFL quarterback to rush for over 1,000 yards in a season is not relevant to the position as it is played in Petrino’s offense.
Harrington, just like every other quarterback in the NFL bar none, does not have Mike Vick’s speed and quickness. However, Harrington has made his living dropping back and passing. Unfortunately, a majority of his six years were spent dropping back into collapsing pockets. There is no doubt that Harrington is a bit shell-shocked. Players like David Carr can speak to how severely that kind of abuse can affect a player.
Harrington (55.2%) also has a better career completion percentage than Vick (53.8%). While that difference seems negligible, it is instructive to note that while Vick has thrown only 1,730 pass attempts in six seasons, Harrington has thrown 2,190 times in five seasons.
While Vick was enjoying protection from one of the leagues more consistent offensive lines, Harrington was shelled by pass rushers during his career. Harrington had to play in forced passing situations, late in games, as the Lions tried to come from behind. Those type of situations tend to have an influence on a quarterback’s completion percentage and interception total.
Until the arrival of Roy Williams, Harrington never had any reliable receivers. Even Williams did not find consistency in the NFL until offensive coordinator Mike Martz arrived and whipped the receivers’ work ethic up to snuff. By then, Harrington was no longer there to benefit.
I am not lauding Harrington as the franchise savior. I am not saying he’ll be n All-Pro. I am saying that Harrington will not be any worse than Vick for the Falcon’s at quarterback. His experience as a drop back passer will more than likely benefit the system. Even if he maintains his career completion percentage, the Falcons will not be any worse off than they were with Vick’s completion percentage.
Bobby Petrino once said that any quarterback could play in his system. He said he expected Vick to complete 65% of his passes. If he could be so bold about Vick, a running quarterback, why not about Harrington, a drop back passer?
Petrino has options. The Falcons world does not have to end if Vick never again dons a Falcons uniform. Petrino can lean on the existing depth. Who knows, he may even reach into his past and pull his former stand out Louisville quarterback Stefan LeFors out of the Arena 2 League. There’s certainly no reason to spend millions on a Daunte Culpepper or trade away draft futures for a poor value quarterback. Petrino has options. The best part is that they are already on his roster.
For more on Walter Anaruk, check our "Press Releases" section on the homepage of nfldraftbible.com to learn about our working relationship with fieldposition.com
Tuesday, July 31, 2007
NFLDB EXCLUSIVE: PFN
WELCOME TO THE PRO FOOTBALL NEWSLETTER
“THE INSIDE SLANT”
By Dr. Bill Chachkes- Sr. Advisor and Contributor
We mean that when we say it too! We want you the fan to have the best, most up to date information we can provide you with. To us here and the NFL Draft Bible you are the reason we do this. But let me tell you a bit more about me for a moment. My name is Bill Chachkes, and I’ve dedicated a major portion of my life to the sport of football. Some who know me would say that if there were a “Football-acholics anonymous” that I would be its founder and president. I have spent over a decade as a coach at various levels of the sport, and over 20 years as a football writer and independent scout specializing in preparing people for the NFL draft. In 2006 I finished work on my doctorate of professional studies (Dp.s) in Education Technology, where my dissertation was on technologies in use that aid football coaches. I guess that makes me a “Sports-Tech-Geek.” I have attended all but three NFL drafts since 1974, and the last 21 with a press credential.
Besides NFLDB, I also have a website with two other fellow football writers called the Fieldposition (www.fieldposition.com), where we discuss the NFL and it’s impact on fantasy play. My partners Walter Anaruk and Mark Cuebas also contribute here at NFLDB as well, and I would dare say that there are few people who know more about Fantasy Football then they do (although our CEO might put up a good fight on that one!) My other football writing association comes through my close friend Zennie Abraham, the CEO of Sports Business Simulations, Inc, where I contribute to two of his Blogs on football, the NFL business Blog, the NFL draft Magazine Blog, (nflbiz.blogspot.com & nfldraftmag.blogspot.com).
In future weeks, we will have all the up to date news for you, and more inside info then you can snap a locker room towel at. For now, here is some news in brief. Several weeks ago we had various reports of a rift between Cowboys owner Jerry Jones and new head coach Wade Phillips. The gap between them might be even wider, as reports have surfaced that Jones wants to pay quarterback Tony Romo an extension and bonus package that would keep him comfortable. Phillips wants to wait and see how he does this year in Jason Garrett’s new scheme (even though it isn’t much different then the old scheme).
Every summer players hold out for one reason or another, but this summer there are more unsigned or holdout players then usual. Elsewhere on our site you will find an article on this, but I couldn’t pass on the chance to mention one player who reported to camp anyway, NY Jets offensive lineman Pete Kendall, who is asking for a raise from 1.7 million to 2.7 million. Kendall expects to be traded or released before the season.
I can’t let this first installment close without some words about the passing earlier this week of the brilliant former coach Bill Walsh.
It’s been well documented that Coach Walsh had been sick for quite some time, and that he was losing his fight to Leukemia. Everyone focuses on the “Walsh” tree or the “Parcells” tree of coaching. Walsh came from a tree as well. He was a student of the late Paul Brown, who led the Cleveland Browns to numerous Titles during the “Golden Age” of pro football. One of Brown’s assistants for a short time at the end of Brown’s career, another assistant on the staff had an impact on Walsh. He was Blanton Collier. Never heard of him you say? Well, you have football highlights and game study footage because of Blanton Collier. Walsh took much of Collier’s development of film study and molded it into his own planning. Walsh was a master of planning going back to his days as head coach of the Stanford Cardinal. Walsh served as an assistant with Brown in Cincinnati before resigning to become an assistant to Tommy Prothro in San Diego. Then it was on to Stanford for Walsh, where he made wine out of water, until the NFL came calling again.
Walsh would say years later that he never wanted to come back to the NFL, but he loved a challenge, and the 49ers were just that. He was 47 when he took over in the bay area, and in just a decade the Niners went from the bottom to the top, winning 3 Super Bowls, including two over one of his pupils, Sam Wyche in Cincinnati. His Quarterback in San Francisco was Joe Montana, who would say, “Outside of my own dad he was the closest person to me, the most influential person in my life. I am going to miss him.”
The most prolific quote however comes from Seattle head coach Mike Holmgren who says, “He was an Artist, the rest of us were Blacksmiths.”
Some had said that Walsh was falling behind the times when the 49ers lost to the Giants 49-3 in a 1986 playoff game. Walsh Just shrugged it off and reloaded the Niners again. Many will miss him, but all loved him.
Thanks for reading……….. Bill
Email: bill@nfldraftbible.com
“THE INSIDE SLANT”
By Dr. Bill Chachkes- Sr. Advisor and Contributor
We mean that when we say it too! We want you the fan to have the best, most up to date information we can provide you with. To us here and the NFL Draft Bible you are the reason we do this. But let me tell you a bit more about me for a moment. My name is Bill Chachkes, and I’ve dedicated a major portion of my life to the sport of football. Some who know me would say that if there were a “Football-acholics anonymous” that I would be its founder and president. I have spent over a decade as a coach at various levels of the sport, and over 20 years as a football writer and independent scout specializing in preparing people for the NFL draft. In 2006 I finished work on my doctorate of professional studies (Dp.s) in Education Technology, where my dissertation was on technologies in use that aid football coaches. I guess that makes me a “Sports-Tech-Geek.” I have attended all but three NFL drafts since 1974, and the last 21 with a press credential.
Besides NFLDB, I also have a website with two other fellow football writers called the Fieldposition (www.fieldposition.com), where we discuss the NFL and it’s impact on fantasy play. My partners Walter Anaruk and Mark Cuebas also contribute here at NFLDB as well, and I would dare say that there are few people who know more about Fantasy Football then they do (although our CEO might put up a good fight on that one!) My other football writing association comes through my close friend Zennie Abraham, the CEO of Sports Business Simulations, Inc, where I contribute to two of his Blogs on football, the NFL business Blog, the NFL draft Magazine Blog, (nflbiz.blogspot.com & nfldraftmag.blogspot.com).
In future weeks, we will have all the up to date news for you, and more inside info then you can snap a locker room towel at. For now, here is some news in brief. Several weeks ago we had various reports of a rift between Cowboys owner Jerry Jones and new head coach Wade Phillips. The gap between them might be even wider, as reports have surfaced that Jones wants to pay quarterback Tony Romo an extension and bonus package that would keep him comfortable. Phillips wants to wait and see how he does this year in Jason Garrett’s new scheme (even though it isn’t much different then the old scheme).
Every summer players hold out for one reason or another, but this summer there are more unsigned or holdout players then usual. Elsewhere on our site you will find an article on this, but I couldn’t pass on the chance to mention one player who reported to camp anyway, NY Jets offensive lineman Pete Kendall, who is asking for a raise from 1.7 million to 2.7 million. Kendall expects to be traded or released before the season.
I can’t let this first installment close without some words about the passing earlier this week of the brilliant former coach Bill Walsh.
It’s been well documented that Coach Walsh had been sick for quite some time, and that he was losing his fight to Leukemia. Everyone focuses on the “Walsh” tree or the “Parcells” tree of coaching. Walsh came from a tree as well. He was a student of the late Paul Brown, who led the Cleveland Browns to numerous Titles during the “Golden Age” of pro football. One of Brown’s assistants for a short time at the end of Brown’s career, another assistant on the staff had an impact on Walsh. He was Blanton Collier. Never heard of him you say? Well, you have football highlights and game study footage because of Blanton Collier. Walsh took much of Collier’s development of film study and molded it into his own planning. Walsh was a master of planning going back to his days as head coach of the Stanford Cardinal. Walsh served as an assistant with Brown in Cincinnati before resigning to become an assistant to Tommy Prothro in San Diego. Then it was on to Stanford for Walsh, where he made wine out of water, until the NFL came calling again.
Walsh would say years later that he never wanted to come back to the NFL, but he loved a challenge, and the 49ers were just that. He was 47 when he took over in the bay area, and in just a decade the Niners went from the bottom to the top, winning 3 Super Bowls, including two over one of his pupils, Sam Wyche in Cincinnati. His Quarterback in San Francisco was Joe Montana, who would say, “Outside of my own dad he was the closest person to me, the most influential person in my life. I am going to miss him.”
The most prolific quote however comes from Seattle head coach Mike Holmgren who says, “He was an Artist, the rest of us were Blacksmiths.”
Some had said that Walsh was falling behind the times when the 49ers lost to the Giants 49-3 in a 1986 playoff game. Walsh Just shrugged it off and reloaded the Niners again. Many will miss him, but all loved him.
Thanks for reading……….. Bill
Email: bill@nfldraftbible.com
"THE KICKING TEE": VOL. I
FANTASY FOOTBALL
By The 52X
The Game has returned to us. Replete with all the trials and tribulations we have come to expect. Who puts on a better show then the NFL?
This season The Grazianimal will be writing full time for NFL Draft Bible. Keep it tuned right here for all the coverage you need to maintain a handle on the madness that is pro football. A little about myself: I am the man.
Where to begin? The biggest story on the Fantasy landscape is not Mike Vick (more on that later), it is not Mike Strahan, it is not Pac Man Jones, it is not even L.T. who will go first in almost every draft and will be hard pressed to repeat his record breaking 2006 season.
The biggest story right now in Fantasyland is the holdout of Larry Johnson. Johnson is the definition of a first round back. 2,199 total yards last year, 416 attempts, he got the ball early and often and produced at a Hall of Fame level. Now he is nowhere to be found and looking for cash.
The Chiefs depended on Johnson for over 40% of their offense last year on a 9 and 7 team that made the playoffs. That would make me think that LJ and his agent could rake K.C. over the coals looking for this new contract. The Chiefs will fine him $14,000 or so a day. That kind of behavior could lead to long and contentious negotiations and a player that will not be ready or playing in week 1.
What does all that mean to fantasy owners? Uncertainty. The exact thing that you do not need in a #1 pick. The game is brutal enough that considerations of bad attitude and hurt feelings should not be part of the equation. Combine that with a huge workload last season and a coach in Herm Edwards that is not exactly innovative in his play calling and we could see a dramatic decline in Larry Johnson’s numbers this year. If he signs next week forget what I said. If he does not…
Still, Johnson probably does not see round two in your draft even with a contract war in Kansas City. This year there is more flux at running back then in recent memory. A much-heralded rookie in Marshawn Lynch looking at a full time job in Buffalo, Jamal Lewis looking to return to form in Cleveland and Brandon Jacobs stepping to the forefront in New York just to name a few. Many people all around the league are going to be trying to do what they have not done before on the football field. From a draft standpoint, I think that means that a savvy owner will redouble their efforts to secure running backs at the top of their draft. Three of your first five picks, maybe even three of your first four should be running backs.
A lot of question marks at the most difficult position to staff tells me to stock up. You will need to fight the urge to bite on that flashy wide receiver sitting in front of you in round two. Rookies and veterans on new teams can implode with extreme prejudice. If you do not a have a legit back to plug in at that point, your season could implode shortly thereafter. If you draft well at running back, then you will have the trade bait to fortify your team when the time is right. You’ll also have a three or four game window of stats to make an informed decision.
The Vick situation begs comment. He was on my squad last season and it was nice to have running backs stats in the quarterback line week after week. This year he was a top-five quarterback pick. Still, when the Feds are portraying you as the head of a criminal conspiracy that includes gambling and animal abuse and you are facing six years in the can, it is just not what you are looking for in a draft pick. He might have to beat the rap, assuage the league, get a new uniform tailored and get up to speed on the playbook all to see snap one this season. That makes him the ultimate risk/reward player.
Right now I would not waste a pick, but he has the ability to be that player who shows up in week 12 and drives his team to the promise-land. Let some other sucker draft him. He probably sees the waiver wire at some point or could be a throw in of a trade for more productive players. If it looks like Vick will play NFL football again and you need quarterback help, consider acquiring him. If it does not turn your stomach.
Camp is in session. We are just getting started. There is plenty more to discuss as the preseason plays out. Keep it locked on NFLDraftBible.com for all the info and analysis you need to kick [butt] in your league.
The views and comments of 52X aka The Grazianimal are completely independent. The NFL Draft Bible and 4th & Goal are not responsible for anyone who may be offended.
Electrocute The 52X at grazianimal@nfldraftbible.com
By The 52X
The Game has returned to us. Replete with all the trials and tribulations we have come to expect. Who puts on a better show then the NFL?
This season The Grazianimal will be writing full time for NFL Draft Bible. Keep it tuned right here for all the coverage you need to maintain a handle on the madness that is pro football. A little about myself: I am the man.
Where to begin? The biggest story on the Fantasy landscape is not Mike Vick (more on that later), it is not Mike Strahan, it is not Pac Man Jones, it is not even L.T. who will go first in almost every draft and will be hard pressed to repeat his record breaking 2006 season.
The biggest story right now in Fantasyland is the holdout of Larry Johnson. Johnson is the definition of a first round back. 2,199 total yards last year, 416 attempts, he got the ball early and often and produced at a Hall of Fame level. Now he is nowhere to be found and looking for cash.
The Chiefs depended on Johnson for over 40% of their offense last year on a 9 and 7 team that made the playoffs. That would make me think that LJ and his agent could rake K.C. over the coals looking for this new contract. The Chiefs will fine him $14,000 or so a day. That kind of behavior could lead to long and contentious negotiations and a player that will not be ready or playing in week 1.
What does all that mean to fantasy owners? Uncertainty. The exact thing that you do not need in a #1 pick. The game is brutal enough that considerations of bad attitude and hurt feelings should not be part of the equation. Combine that with a huge workload last season and a coach in Herm Edwards that is not exactly innovative in his play calling and we could see a dramatic decline in Larry Johnson’s numbers this year. If he signs next week forget what I said. If he does not…
Still, Johnson probably does not see round two in your draft even with a contract war in Kansas City. This year there is more flux at running back then in recent memory. A much-heralded rookie in Marshawn Lynch looking at a full time job in Buffalo, Jamal Lewis looking to return to form in Cleveland and Brandon Jacobs stepping to the forefront in New York just to name a few. Many people all around the league are going to be trying to do what they have not done before on the football field. From a draft standpoint, I think that means that a savvy owner will redouble their efforts to secure running backs at the top of their draft. Three of your first five picks, maybe even three of your first four should be running backs.
A lot of question marks at the most difficult position to staff tells me to stock up. You will need to fight the urge to bite on that flashy wide receiver sitting in front of you in round two. Rookies and veterans on new teams can implode with extreme prejudice. If you do not a have a legit back to plug in at that point, your season could implode shortly thereafter. If you draft well at running back, then you will have the trade bait to fortify your team when the time is right. You’ll also have a three or four game window of stats to make an informed decision.
The Vick situation begs comment. He was on my squad last season and it was nice to have running backs stats in the quarterback line week after week. This year he was a top-five quarterback pick. Still, when the Feds are portraying you as the head of a criminal conspiracy that includes gambling and animal abuse and you are facing six years in the can, it is just not what you are looking for in a draft pick. He might have to beat the rap, assuage the league, get a new uniform tailored and get up to speed on the playbook all to see snap one this season. That makes him the ultimate risk/reward player.
Right now I would not waste a pick, but he has the ability to be that player who shows up in week 12 and drives his team to the promise-land. Let some other sucker draft him. He probably sees the waiver wire at some point or could be a throw in of a trade for more productive players. If it looks like Vick will play NFL football again and you need quarterback help, consider acquiring him. If it does not turn your stomach.
Camp is in session. We are just getting started. There is plenty more to discuss as the preseason plays out. Keep it locked on NFLDraftBible.com for all the info and analysis you need to kick [butt] in your league.
The views and comments of 52X aka The Grazianimal are completely independent. The NFL Draft Bible and 4th & Goal are not responsible for anyone who may be offended.
Electrocute The 52X at grazianimal@nfldraftbible.com
"THE FANTASY BUZZ": VOL. I
THE FANTASY BUZZ
By Phil Eletto, NFL Draft Bible
Welcome to the off-season edition of the NFL Draft Bible’s Fantasy Buzz (I’ll spare you from the “buzz-killing” NFLDBFA acronym). August 1st brings a familiar realization for football fans everywhere- we better BBQ at every possible moment, and the certainty that football is only a month away! Training camps are underway and we have plenty of (canine-cruelty free) news to fuel your buzz:
“LARRY JOHNSON- What Does It Take To Make Him Happy?”
I guess Dick Vermiel’s exit wasn’t enough- supposedly LJ was no fan of Vermeil’s, so now he has Herm “You Play to Win the Game” Edwards. Now he is looking for more dough or else. Not a good start for the all-world back. Is Damon Huard the guy to get it done over the whole season? Add to the mix the continual eroding of the Kansas City offensive line with the retiring of Will Shields and the return of former NFL touchdown record holder Priest Holmes and this should make for one interesting season of “Hard Knocks”, which begins August 8th, 9pm on HBO.
“DONOVAN McNABB- It Always Seems He Is Recovering From Something”
The early reports are good and he is full steam ahead. He was having a great season before going down last year. Third-year wide out Reggie Brown oozes with talent, Kevin Curtis was a strong addition, Hank Basket can get it done in the Red Zone and then there is the game-breaking-when-playing Brian Westbrook. My gut says he flies somewhat under the radar this year and provides serious value to fantasy owners not obsessed with (Peyton) Manning, Palmer or Brady.
“MARC BULGER- The Rams Locked Up Their QB With A Fat Contract But It Didn’t Stop There.”
They also added wide receiver Drew Bennett, tight end Randy McMichael and wide receiver/return man Dante Hall. With Steven Jackson coming off a 90-catch season, look for a re-emergence from Bulger in ‘07.
“KEVIN JONES- Currently On The PUP But Eligible To Come Off At Any Time.”
The word from Jones’ mouth is he will be ready in time to start the season. Our inside sources tell us that Rod Marinelli may have other plans. Offensive Coordinator Mike Martz has apparently taken a liking to the newly acquired Tatum Bell and it is rumored that the team will start Bell week one regardless of Jones status. The enigmatic T.J. Duckett remains the number three and could certainly take away scoring opportunities from the aforementioned backs.
“RANDY MOSS- Early Reports Have Been Nothing But Positive.”
Isn’t this how things started in his initial days with the Raiders? Please don’t get caught overdosing on the Patriot Kool-Aid. Moss is long on talent and I believe you can count on him improving on last year (and probably even his stats from two years ago), but keep a few things in mind. He isn’t the only free-agent wide receiver addition there: Donte Stallworth & Wes Welker came aboard, joining talented tight end Ben Watson. Starting running back Laurence Maroney will get his looks but has been nagged by the injury bug. Finally, one of the things that make Tom Brady great is his ability to spread the ball.
“JERIOUS NORWOOD- Satisfying The Falcons News Quota.”
Norwood is the only player with any upside. Along with Alge Crumpler and Michael Jenkins, the Falcons also added Joe Horn. Warrick Dunn is expected to be out three-four weeks and while he was still quite useful last year, your comfort level using him should decline with each flip of the calendar- but at least his ESPN commercial is funny.
“THE RB CAROUSEL- Instead Of Quarterbacks, The Running Back Position Seemed To Be A Game Of Musical Chairs”
a. JAMAL LEWIS to Cleveland (ok, so one canine related item, but certainly not the one you were expecting). The Browns, like the Bills have sought to fortify their offensive line and while there is plenty of wear on his tires, a season or two as a number two or three running back for your fantasy squad is not out of the question for Lewis.
b. WILLIS McGAHEE to Baltimore- in this humble insiders opinion, this is the hottest opportunity created out of the running back relocation frenzy. I really cannot see any downside to him and would gladly take him as my number one back.
c. TRAVIS HENRY to Denver- Second only to the McGahee move, Henry has been a stud before and has a style built to succeed in Mike Shannahan’s offensive scheme. You may need to practice some restraint as teams may stack the line until Jay Cutler (who’s looked good in camp) proves he can beat teams on his own, throwing to Javon Walker, Brandon Stokely and Brandon Marshall. You may have thought Rod Smith retired, but he is merely rehabbing his chronic hip injury.
d. REUBEN DROUGHNS- from Cleveland to the New York Giants, where he offers insurance for Brandon Jacobs.
e. THOMAS JONES from Chicago to the New York Jets, where he will be the starting running back with Leon Washington serving as the backup/change of pace back.
“DRAFT EFFECT- Offensive Rookies Expected To Make An Impact”
f. CALVIN JOHNSON- Unsigned. Will only help add to what should be a surprisingly good season for Jon Kitna. It seems like we have said this the last two years about the Detroit offense, but how can it possibly go wrong?
g. ADRIAN PETERSON- In, but Minnesota is taking it slow- no reason not to with Chester Taylor good to go and Mewelde Moore hanging by a thread.
h. MARSHAWN LYNCH- In and signed. Buffalo poured $75 million into the offensive line. Let’s not get too crazy, but being in camp and having ancient Anthony Thomas and Dwayne Wright in the rearview mirror doest exactly instill any job security concerns.
i. BRANDON JACKSON- In but Vernand Morency has the early leg up, which ensures little from here out.
If you don’t know Phil Eletto, you will by season’s end. Find out what you need to know on all the hot topics around the league. We don’t sleep so you win!
Email: phil@nfldraftbible.com
By Phil Eletto, NFL Draft Bible
Welcome to the off-season edition of the NFL Draft Bible’s Fantasy Buzz (I’ll spare you from the “buzz-killing” NFLDBFA acronym). August 1st brings a familiar realization for football fans everywhere- we better BBQ at every possible moment, and the certainty that football is only a month away! Training camps are underway and we have plenty of (canine-cruelty free) news to fuel your buzz:
“LARRY JOHNSON- What Does It Take To Make Him Happy?”
I guess Dick Vermiel’s exit wasn’t enough- supposedly LJ was no fan of Vermeil’s, so now he has Herm “You Play to Win the Game” Edwards. Now he is looking for more dough or else. Not a good start for the all-world back. Is Damon Huard the guy to get it done over the whole season? Add to the mix the continual eroding of the Kansas City offensive line with the retiring of Will Shields and the return of former NFL touchdown record holder Priest Holmes and this should make for one interesting season of “Hard Knocks”, which begins August 8th, 9pm on HBO.
“DONOVAN McNABB- It Always Seems He Is Recovering From Something”
The early reports are good and he is full steam ahead. He was having a great season before going down last year. Third-year wide out Reggie Brown oozes with talent, Kevin Curtis was a strong addition, Hank Basket can get it done in the Red Zone and then there is the game-breaking-when-playing Brian Westbrook. My gut says he flies somewhat under the radar this year and provides serious value to fantasy owners not obsessed with (Peyton) Manning, Palmer or Brady.
“MARC BULGER- The Rams Locked Up Their QB With A Fat Contract But It Didn’t Stop There.”
They also added wide receiver Drew Bennett, tight end Randy McMichael and wide receiver/return man Dante Hall. With Steven Jackson coming off a 90-catch season, look for a re-emergence from Bulger in ‘07.
“KEVIN JONES- Currently On The PUP But Eligible To Come Off At Any Time.”
The word from Jones’ mouth is he will be ready in time to start the season. Our inside sources tell us that Rod Marinelli may have other plans. Offensive Coordinator Mike Martz has apparently taken a liking to the newly acquired Tatum Bell and it is rumored that the team will start Bell week one regardless of Jones status. The enigmatic T.J. Duckett remains the number three and could certainly take away scoring opportunities from the aforementioned backs.
“RANDY MOSS- Early Reports Have Been Nothing But Positive.”
Isn’t this how things started in his initial days with the Raiders? Please don’t get caught overdosing on the Patriot Kool-Aid. Moss is long on talent and I believe you can count on him improving on last year (and probably even his stats from two years ago), but keep a few things in mind. He isn’t the only free-agent wide receiver addition there: Donte Stallworth & Wes Welker came aboard, joining talented tight end Ben Watson. Starting running back Laurence Maroney will get his looks but has been nagged by the injury bug. Finally, one of the things that make Tom Brady great is his ability to spread the ball.
“JERIOUS NORWOOD- Satisfying The Falcons News Quota.”
Norwood is the only player with any upside. Along with Alge Crumpler and Michael Jenkins, the Falcons also added Joe Horn. Warrick Dunn is expected to be out three-four weeks and while he was still quite useful last year, your comfort level using him should decline with each flip of the calendar- but at least his ESPN commercial is funny.
“THE RB CAROUSEL- Instead Of Quarterbacks, The Running Back Position Seemed To Be A Game Of Musical Chairs”
a. JAMAL LEWIS to Cleveland (ok, so one canine related item, but certainly not the one you were expecting). The Browns, like the Bills have sought to fortify their offensive line and while there is plenty of wear on his tires, a season or two as a number two or three running back for your fantasy squad is not out of the question for Lewis.
b. WILLIS McGAHEE to Baltimore- in this humble insiders opinion, this is the hottest opportunity created out of the running back relocation frenzy. I really cannot see any downside to him and would gladly take him as my number one back.
c. TRAVIS HENRY to Denver- Second only to the McGahee move, Henry has been a stud before and has a style built to succeed in Mike Shannahan’s offensive scheme. You may need to practice some restraint as teams may stack the line until Jay Cutler (who’s looked good in camp) proves he can beat teams on his own, throwing to Javon Walker, Brandon Stokely and Brandon Marshall. You may have thought Rod Smith retired, but he is merely rehabbing his chronic hip injury.
d. REUBEN DROUGHNS- from Cleveland to the New York Giants, where he offers insurance for Brandon Jacobs.
e. THOMAS JONES from Chicago to the New York Jets, where he will be the starting running back with Leon Washington serving as the backup/change of pace back.
“DRAFT EFFECT- Offensive Rookies Expected To Make An Impact”
f. CALVIN JOHNSON- Unsigned. Will only help add to what should be a surprisingly good season for Jon Kitna. It seems like we have said this the last two years about the Detroit offense, but how can it possibly go wrong?
g. ADRIAN PETERSON- In, but Minnesota is taking it slow- no reason not to with Chester Taylor good to go and Mewelde Moore hanging by a thread.
h. MARSHAWN LYNCH- In and signed. Buffalo poured $75 million into the offensive line. Let’s not get too crazy, but being in camp and having ancient Anthony Thomas and Dwayne Wright in the rearview mirror doest exactly instill any job security concerns.
i. BRANDON JACKSON- In but Vernand Morency has the early leg up, which ensures little from here out.
If you don’t know Phil Eletto, you will by season’s end. Find out what you need to know on all the hot topics around the league. We don’t sleep so you win!
Email: phil@nfldraftbible.com
"THE GRID": VOL. I
FAMILIAR FACES IN NEW PLACES
By Bryan Palmese
The coaching carousel that went around this past off-season has yielded some new faces pacing the sidelines. Usually, you would hear teams that have struggled and are fed up with their current coaches were the ones making changes. Not so much this year. Seven new coaches were brought in to right the proverbial ships in Arizona (Ken Whisenhunt), Atlanta (Bobby Petrino), Dallas (Wade Phillips), Miami (Cam Cameron), Oakland (Lane Kiffin), Pittsburgh (Mike Tomlin) and San Diego (Norv Turner). Of these seven, two made the playoffs last year in Dallas and San Diego respectively. Atlanta and Pittsburgh were just on the outside looking in. Not your usual list of teams looking for improvement per se.
So which guys will have an easier path to success? Which ones will be mired in the rut that was occupied by their predecessor?
The coach that jumps out immediately for success is Norv Turner in San Diego. Prior to his stint calling the shots by the bay in San Francisco, Turner was the offensive coordinator for the ‘Bolts back in ’01. Something kind of big happened to that team in 2001, and it goes by the moniker LT. That was the year he was drafted by the Chargers and he has been looking at defenders in his rear-view mirror ever since. Turner built his offense around LT back then and should have no problem picking up right where he left off, taking over the reigns this season as head honcho.
Wade Phillips should do well with an excellent defense to compliment their strong offensive attack. Question marks arise with Romo at quarterback and the always entertaining show that is T.O. However, if Phillips can keep the troops focused in the battleground NFC East, they shouldn’t lose a step from the ’06 campaign.
A sleeper (or maybe not as much recently) pick for success is in the desert and Ken Whisenhunt. He inherits a stud wide receiver core and a young quarterback with All Pro written all over his future in Matt Leinart. An aging Edge is still in the backfield, but he still has a few treads left on his tires and should help take the load off of Leinart if the offensive line decides to show up. The defense boasts some young speedy talent and hopefully a change at the head of the totem pole will be all that this organization needs to pull itself from the dungeon of the NFC West.
The rest of the “newbies” have their hands full with trying to bring their respective teams back to the top. Tomlin is trying to return the city of Pittsburgh back to its glory days. The burden lies on the shoulders of Big Ben and we will see if that motorcycle accident was just a blip on the radar or if it is something more. Cam Cameron brought in the veteran Trent Green to link up with their mediocre-at-best wide out core of Chris Chambers and Miami’s draft day sensation and fan favorite Ted Ginn, Jr. Their defense will keep them in games and maybe Ronnie Brown will alleviate the pressure thrust on Green and take them to the post-season.
The final two coaches are in the two least enviable slots of the thirty-two teams. Bobby Petrino takes over in “Hotlanta” amid the Ron Mexico circus. Add Joe Horn to the soap opera and a very competitive NFC South race and you have a recipe for a migrane. Boy, I bet Rich McKay and Arthur Blank wish they would’ve held onto Matt Shaub now. For now, Joey Harrington is the man in the ATL. Have fun Mr. Petrino.
Lastly, is Raider Nation. The youngest of the new coaches will take a stab at fixing this once proud organization. A severely under-appreciated defense will keep them in games, but the offense is horrid. If #1 overall pick JaMarcus Russell is the starter, he will be thrown into the fire and take his lumps. This is good in the long run, but will pretty much have them on the clock come draft day next year. Kiffin comes from a great bloodline of intelligent coaches with his father Monty in Tampa.
Catch Bryan Palmese all season long on NFL Draft Bible’s 4th & Goal as he will be covering the landscape of the NFL in his weekly column “The Grid”.
Email: bryan@nflraftbible.com
By Bryan Palmese
The coaching carousel that went around this past off-season has yielded some new faces pacing the sidelines. Usually, you would hear teams that have struggled and are fed up with their current coaches were the ones making changes. Not so much this year. Seven new coaches were brought in to right the proverbial ships in Arizona (Ken Whisenhunt), Atlanta (Bobby Petrino), Dallas (Wade Phillips), Miami (Cam Cameron), Oakland (Lane Kiffin), Pittsburgh (Mike Tomlin) and San Diego (Norv Turner). Of these seven, two made the playoffs last year in Dallas and San Diego respectively. Atlanta and Pittsburgh were just on the outside looking in. Not your usual list of teams looking for improvement per se.
So which guys will have an easier path to success? Which ones will be mired in the rut that was occupied by their predecessor?
The coach that jumps out immediately for success is Norv Turner in San Diego. Prior to his stint calling the shots by the bay in San Francisco, Turner was the offensive coordinator for the ‘Bolts back in ’01. Something kind of big happened to that team in 2001, and it goes by the moniker LT. That was the year he was drafted by the Chargers and he has been looking at defenders in his rear-view mirror ever since. Turner built his offense around LT back then and should have no problem picking up right where he left off, taking over the reigns this season as head honcho.
Wade Phillips should do well with an excellent defense to compliment their strong offensive attack. Question marks arise with Romo at quarterback and the always entertaining show that is T.O. However, if Phillips can keep the troops focused in the battleground NFC East, they shouldn’t lose a step from the ’06 campaign.
A sleeper (or maybe not as much recently) pick for success is in the desert and Ken Whisenhunt. He inherits a stud wide receiver core and a young quarterback with All Pro written all over his future in Matt Leinart. An aging Edge is still in the backfield, but he still has a few treads left on his tires and should help take the load off of Leinart if the offensive line decides to show up. The defense boasts some young speedy talent and hopefully a change at the head of the totem pole will be all that this organization needs to pull itself from the dungeon of the NFC West.
The rest of the “newbies” have their hands full with trying to bring their respective teams back to the top. Tomlin is trying to return the city of Pittsburgh back to its glory days. The burden lies on the shoulders of Big Ben and we will see if that motorcycle accident was just a blip on the radar or if it is something more. Cam Cameron brought in the veteran Trent Green to link up with their mediocre-at-best wide out core of Chris Chambers and Miami’s draft day sensation and fan favorite Ted Ginn, Jr. Their defense will keep them in games and maybe Ronnie Brown will alleviate the pressure thrust on Green and take them to the post-season.
The final two coaches are in the two least enviable slots of the thirty-two teams. Bobby Petrino takes over in “Hotlanta” amid the Ron Mexico circus. Add Joe Horn to the soap opera and a very competitive NFC South race and you have a recipe for a migrane. Boy, I bet Rich McKay and Arthur Blank wish they would’ve held onto Matt Shaub now. For now, Joey Harrington is the man in the ATL. Have fun Mr. Petrino.
Lastly, is Raider Nation. The youngest of the new coaches will take a stab at fixing this once proud organization. A severely under-appreciated defense will keep them in games, but the offense is horrid. If #1 overall pick JaMarcus Russell is the starter, he will be thrown into the fire and take his lumps. This is good in the long run, but will pretty much have them on the clock come draft day next year. Kiffin comes from a great bloodline of intelligent coaches with his father Monty in Tampa.
Catch Bryan Palmese all season long on NFL Draft Bible’s 4th & Goal as he will be covering the landscape of the NFL in his weekly column “The Grid”.
Email: bryan@nflraftbible.com
THE PRO FOOTBALL BUSINESS SLANT: VOL. 1
SEAT LICENSES & THE INEVITABLE
By Phil (P.J.) Wurtz, NFL Draft Bible
You can call them Personal Seat Licenses like the Baltimore Ravens, Carolina Panthers, or the St. Louis Rams. The Chicago Bears and Cleveland Browns like the ring of Permanent Seat Licenses better. Maybe, you want to feel extremely important and enter into a Charter Ownership agreement with the Cincinnati Bengals. Whatever you, the NFL, or its teams want to call them is up to you. I personally like the sound of EMH’s, Extreme Migraine Headaches, because that is what always seems to occur when those three letters are strung together to form some type of Seat License Agreement between a season ticket holder and their beloved stadium seats.
The mere invention of the PSL or “Personal Seat License” as they are most commonly referred to brings about heated debate much like the licenses themselves do amongst fans. When asked, historians familiar with PSL’s often credit Max Muhleman for the invention around 1993. Others will disagree and give credit to an architect by the name of Rick Ohanian with the creation of the licenses in 1987. Yet, a little research shows that PSL’s were common way before ‘93 and run even deeper than ‘87, dating back to various collegiate programs that would use the “donation” for similar funding. What the license actually entitled is pretty simple; just like most of us have a license that gives u the right to operate a motor vehicle, a PSL gives its owner the right to purchase season tickets for the specific seat the license is associated with.
Ok, that’s not so terrible. A season ticket holder should ultimately obtain the right to purchase their same season tickets year after year until they decide to forfeit the seats to another fan, no argument there. Until, that season ticket holder of 20 years plus is informed of the overwhelming costs that a PSL is going to run them, on-top of their already incurred ticket expense. Before the ink dries on the proposal, one can see the divide between fans who are pro PSL, and those who oppose it.
Sports Evolution are the best two words I can think of to explain PSL’s. Many of us are already aware, while the rest should prepare to be rudely awoken; sports are no longer a fun family event, not for your wallet at least. With the popularity of sports constantly growing, athlete’s astronomical salaries and the demand for new and improved “fan friendly confines”, concession prices are no longer the only items that are through the roof. Just the cost of obtaining tickets themselves has become a financial grind. This is all occurring with only about one third of the league enforcing PSL’s. What’s going to happen when the other two thirds decide to hop on the band-wagon?
I understand the view point of PSL supporters; they want to have complete ownership of their season ticket seat. No fan wants their seat stripped from them for any reason, especially because a new and improved stadium is being built. If anything, that loyal fan feels the right to not only obtain ownership of a similar seat in the new venue but they want their name catapulted to the top of the list for improved seat position. Both of which seem to be valid, reasonable requests, until the actual bill arrives and that same fan witnesses the mentality behind the use of PSL’s.
No honorable paying customer should be forced to pay, in some cases, an extraordinary amount of extra income just to obtain, not purchase, obtain the right to purchase their similar seat in the new stadium. Furthermore, no loyal, paying “fan” should even have to worry about contributing to the cost of a new multimillion or even billion dollar facility that their local tax dollars will probably go to anyway just to see the team profit further for the next 15-20 years. Yet, fans don’t seem to mind. Year after year, season after season, gorgeous stadiums are sprouting up around the country and fans are swooping in to purchase every PSL the facility has to offer. The grumbling over PSL’s continues to grow louder, but no one ever stops to defend their use. The money is exchanged the licenses are written and the prices continue to rise with no end in sight.
Although personal seat licenses were created to benefit the owner with seat protection and astonishing venues it could spell the end to the casual fan. As the stadiums grow larger, fancier and more expensive the licenses will continue to rise, causing a nasty trickle down effect that no one wants to see. As PSL price tags continue to steadily rise over the next few decades, watch how high the price of a regular seat prices follows. All the fans forced to purchase a PSL need to pass their expense on some how. What better way then to include it into the cost of the extra seats that they sell to the casual fan, those who can’t afford a nose bleed season ticket, let alone a PSL to ice the cake. Those fans have to find a way to obtain tickets as well, and often they are purchased from other current ticket holders. It’s already a shame how team owners are cutting into regular seating to create more prominent viewing locations, such as corporate luxury boxes or front row “dream seats.” Inflating ticket prices even more with the use of special licenses is only going to run out the remaining fans that are left until every ballpark, stadium or arena in the country is filled only with the extremely wealthy or the corporate honchos who created this mess to begin with.
Our very own Phil Wurtz dissects the Business side of the game as he takes an in-depth look at behind the scenes happenings taking place in pro football each week exclusively at 4th and Goal.
Email: pj@nfldraftbible.com
By Phil (P.J.) Wurtz, NFL Draft Bible
You can call them Personal Seat Licenses like the Baltimore Ravens, Carolina Panthers, or the St. Louis Rams. The Chicago Bears and Cleveland Browns like the ring of Permanent Seat Licenses better. Maybe, you want to feel extremely important and enter into a Charter Ownership agreement with the Cincinnati Bengals. Whatever you, the NFL, or its teams want to call them is up to you. I personally like the sound of EMH’s, Extreme Migraine Headaches, because that is what always seems to occur when those three letters are strung together to form some type of Seat License Agreement between a season ticket holder and their beloved stadium seats.
The mere invention of the PSL or “Personal Seat License” as they are most commonly referred to brings about heated debate much like the licenses themselves do amongst fans. When asked, historians familiar with PSL’s often credit Max Muhleman for the invention around 1993. Others will disagree and give credit to an architect by the name of Rick Ohanian with the creation of the licenses in 1987. Yet, a little research shows that PSL’s were common way before ‘93 and run even deeper than ‘87, dating back to various collegiate programs that would use the “donation” for similar funding. What the license actually entitled is pretty simple; just like most of us have a license that gives u the right to operate a motor vehicle, a PSL gives its owner the right to purchase season tickets for the specific seat the license is associated with.
Ok, that’s not so terrible. A season ticket holder should ultimately obtain the right to purchase their same season tickets year after year until they decide to forfeit the seats to another fan, no argument there. Until, that season ticket holder of 20 years plus is informed of the overwhelming costs that a PSL is going to run them, on-top of their already incurred ticket expense. Before the ink dries on the proposal, one can see the divide between fans who are pro PSL, and those who oppose it.
Sports Evolution are the best two words I can think of to explain PSL’s. Many of us are already aware, while the rest should prepare to be rudely awoken; sports are no longer a fun family event, not for your wallet at least. With the popularity of sports constantly growing, athlete’s astronomical salaries and the demand for new and improved “fan friendly confines”, concession prices are no longer the only items that are through the roof. Just the cost of obtaining tickets themselves has become a financial grind. This is all occurring with only about one third of the league enforcing PSL’s. What’s going to happen when the other two thirds decide to hop on the band-wagon?
I understand the view point of PSL supporters; they want to have complete ownership of their season ticket seat. No fan wants their seat stripped from them for any reason, especially because a new and improved stadium is being built. If anything, that loyal fan feels the right to not only obtain ownership of a similar seat in the new venue but they want their name catapulted to the top of the list for improved seat position. Both of which seem to be valid, reasonable requests, until the actual bill arrives and that same fan witnesses the mentality behind the use of PSL’s.
No honorable paying customer should be forced to pay, in some cases, an extraordinary amount of extra income just to obtain, not purchase, obtain the right to purchase their similar seat in the new stadium. Furthermore, no loyal, paying “fan” should even have to worry about contributing to the cost of a new multimillion or even billion dollar facility that their local tax dollars will probably go to anyway just to see the team profit further for the next 15-20 years. Yet, fans don’t seem to mind. Year after year, season after season, gorgeous stadiums are sprouting up around the country and fans are swooping in to purchase every PSL the facility has to offer. The grumbling over PSL’s continues to grow louder, but no one ever stops to defend their use. The money is exchanged the licenses are written and the prices continue to rise with no end in sight.
Although personal seat licenses were created to benefit the owner with seat protection and astonishing venues it could spell the end to the casual fan. As the stadiums grow larger, fancier and more expensive the licenses will continue to rise, causing a nasty trickle down effect that no one wants to see. As PSL price tags continue to steadily rise over the next few decades, watch how high the price of a regular seat prices follows. All the fans forced to purchase a PSL need to pass their expense on some how. What better way then to include it into the cost of the extra seats that they sell to the casual fan, those who can’t afford a nose bleed season ticket, let alone a PSL to ice the cake. Those fans have to find a way to obtain tickets as well, and often they are purchased from other current ticket holders. It’s already a shame how team owners are cutting into regular seating to create more prominent viewing locations, such as corporate luxury boxes or front row “dream seats.” Inflating ticket prices even more with the use of special licenses is only going to run out the remaining fans that are left until every ballpark, stadium or arena in the country is filled only with the extremely wealthy or the corporate honchos who created this mess to begin with.
Our very own Phil Wurtz dissects the Business side of the game as he takes an in-depth look at behind the scenes happenings taking place in pro football each week exclusively at 4th and Goal.
Email: pj@nfldraftbible.com
"VIEW FROM THE COUCH": VOL. I
THE MANNING BROS.
By D'Arcy Maine, NFL Draft Bible
Hello everyone! Thanks for checking out my column and nfldraftbible.com. I’m really excited to be writing for the site and hope you enjoy reading it half as much as I do writing it. Like you, I’m a football fan and hope to provide a fan-centric perspective. I’m going to try and not let my team bias become obvious but I’m sure it will soon enough. In the meantime, I’ll keep you guessing. I would love to hear from readers and feel free to email me at darcy@nfldraftbible.com with any suggestions, ideas for new columns, or just general stuff. I’ll be writing this column weekly so make sure to keep checking it out! Thanks for reading!
Now let’s get to some football… I recently started thinking about the NFL’s most famous siblings, the Manning brothers, after someone asked me if my sister and I are competitive (which, as almost anyone with a sibling could understand, we are). It was just one year ago that the league was over-hyping the aptly named “Manning Bowl” in which we, the football fateful, could finally watch Peyton and his Colts face his brother Eli and his Giants in the first game of the 2006 season. The hype was relentless- a battle of brothers, the sons of a legendary quarterback squaring off at Giants stadium in front of millions.
Sadly, the game did not live up to the hype and Peyton’s Colts defeated the Giants, 26-21 with mediocre performances from both Peyton and Eli.
Fast forward one year to the present and Peyton is considered the best quarterback in the league and Eli is fighting to prove he is worthy of a starting position. Peyton finished the 2006 season with a well-deserved Super Bowl victory as his younger brother looked on from the stands. Peyton starts the 2007 season hoping to lead the Colts back to the Super Bowl as Eli heads into a “make-or-break” season having perfected only the “deer in headlights” look after the snap.
The Giants are without star running back Tiki Barber (lost to retirement and the Today Show) this season, making Eli’s job even more difficult. Eli has yet to assume any leadership with his teammates but with Barber’s departure, the time is now to become a true leader both on and off the field.
The past three seasons, Eli has had the excuse of inexperience and youth but heading into his fourth NFL season at 26 years of age, he cannot hide behind that excuse any longer. His numbers have consistently improved year-to-year but not at the rate G-Men fans had hoped. As the number one draft pick in the 2004 draft, expectations were high for the youngest son of Archie Manning. Unfortunately- and perhaps partially as a result of the constant pressure and media scrutiny he faces daily- Eli has been expected to lead the Giants to NFC success and his talent has failed to grow with the expectations of the fans and critics alike.
It appears that Eli has been working hard this off-season to improve his game and connections with teammates. For the first time during their careers, Plaxico Burress and Jeremy Shockey showed up during off-season workouts in New Jersey with Eli. Brandon Jacobs looks to replace Barber as the starting running back and has shown serious potential in his first two seasons as a pro, but his lack of experience could prove difficult for Eli after multiple seasons of relying on the experienced Barber.
Eli has shown flashes of promise. After the defeat to Peyton and the Colts, he led the Giants to a huge comeback in the second game of the 2006 campaign against their divisional rival Eagles. The Giants won in overtime after being down 24-7 with Eli throwing for three touchdowns and 371 yards. It’s easy to forget but Eli helped bring the Giants to a 6-2 record at the halfway mark of last season. At the same time, the youngest Manning is perhaps most noted for his failure to deliver at big moments, which resulted in winning just two of the final eight regular season games.
Pass completions have plagued Eli’s career. In 2005, his first full season as a starter, Eli completed a dismal 52.8 percent of passes. In 2006, he improved to 57.7 percent. In comparison, big brother Peyton competed 62.5 percent of passes in his third season (2000) and averages 64 percent for his career.
In Peyton’s third season he passed for 4,413 yards and threw for 33 touchdowns. Last season, Eli passed for 3,244 yards and 24 touchdowns with 18 interceptions, throwing under 200 yards in nine games. The fans and team management want more from their “star” quarterback this season. And if Eli doesn’t deliver, get ready for some major changes in 2008.
This year, with the new addition of quarterbacks coach Chris Palmer, there is hope Eli could find his niche and become the quarterback that fans hoped he would be, utilizing a different methodology. This is wishful thinking. The former Ole Miss standout will never repeat the success of his brother and remain the average quarterback he has been since being drafted.
Being part of the football’s royal family is a blessing and a curse and I question that if Eli did not have Manning as a last name if the expectations and the failure talk would be as prevalent. I also wonder if less pressure would allow his true talent and leadership to come through. Eli lacks the natural charisma and love for the spotlight that his brother so easily assumes.
In conclusion, we have to remember that Eli will never be Peyton because he’s not Peyton. Is it possible he can turn things around? Yes, but its now or never as the weight of New York will be sitting on his shoulders.
Be sure to check out D’Arcy Maine all season long exclusively on NFL Draft Bible!
Email: darcy@nfldraftbible.com
By D'Arcy Maine, NFL Draft Bible
Hello everyone! Thanks for checking out my column and nfldraftbible.com. I’m really excited to be writing for the site and hope you enjoy reading it half as much as I do writing it. Like you, I’m a football fan and hope to provide a fan-centric perspective. I’m going to try and not let my team bias become obvious but I’m sure it will soon enough. In the meantime, I’ll keep you guessing. I would love to hear from readers and feel free to email me at darcy@nfldraftbible.com with any suggestions, ideas for new columns, or just general stuff. I’ll be writing this column weekly so make sure to keep checking it out! Thanks for reading!
Now let’s get to some football… I recently started thinking about the NFL’s most famous siblings, the Manning brothers, after someone asked me if my sister and I are competitive (which, as almost anyone with a sibling could understand, we are). It was just one year ago that the league was over-hyping the aptly named “Manning Bowl” in which we, the football fateful, could finally watch Peyton and his Colts face his brother Eli and his Giants in the first game of the 2006 season. The hype was relentless- a battle of brothers, the sons of a legendary quarterback squaring off at Giants stadium in front of millions.
Sadly, the game did not live up to the hype and Peyton’s Colts defeated the Giants, 26-21 with mediocre performances from both Peyton and Eli.
Fast forward one year to the present and Peyton is considered the best quarterback in the league and Eli is fighting to prove he is worthy of a starting position. Peyton finished the 2006 season with a well-deserved Super Bowl victory as his younger brother looked on from the stands. Peyton starts the 2007 season hoping to lead the Colts back to the Super Bowl as Eli heads into a “make-or-break” season having perfected only the “deer in headlights” look after the snap.
The Giants are without star running back Tiki Barber (lost to retirement and the Today Show) this season, making Eli’s job even more difficult. Eli has yet to assume any leadership with his teammates but with Barber’s departure, the time is now to become a true leader both on and off the field.
The past three seasons, Eli has had the excuse of inexperience and youth but heading into his fourth NFL season at 26 years of age, he cannot hide behind that excuse any longer. His numbers have consistently improved year-to-year but not at the rate G-Men fans had hoped. As the number one draft pick in the 2004 draft, expectations were high for the youngest son of Archie Manning. Unfortunately- and perhaps partially as a result of the constant pressure and media scrutiny he faces daily- Eli has been expected to lead the Giants to NFC success and his talent has failed to grow with the expectations of the fans and critics alike.
It appears that Eli has been working hard this off-season to improve his game and connections with teammates. For the first time during their careers, Plaxico Burress and Jeremy Shockey showed up during off-season workouts in New Jersey with Eli. Brandon Jacobs looks to replace Barber as the starting running back and has shown serious potential in his first two seasons as a pro, but his lack of experience could prove difficult for Eli after multiple seasons of relying on the experienced Barber.
Eli has shown flashes of promise. After the defeat to Peyton and the Colts, he led the Giants to a huge comeback in the second game of the 2006 campaign against their divisional rival Eagles. The Giants won in overtime after being down 24-7 with Eli throwing for three touchdowns and 371 yards. It’s easy to forget but Eli helped bring the Giants to a 6-2 record at the halfway mark of last season. At the same time, the youngest Manning is perhaps most noted for his failure to deliver at big moments, which resulted in winning just two of the final eight regular season games.
Pass completions have plagued Eli’s career. In 2005, his first full season as a starter, Eli completed a dismal 52.8 percent of passes. In 2006, he improved to 57.7 percent. In comparison, big brother Peyton competed 62.5 percent of passes in his third season (2000) and averages 64 percent for his career.
In Peyton’s third season he passed for 4,413 yards and threw for 33 touchdowns. Last season, Eli passed for 3,244 yards and 24 touchdowns with 18 interceptions, throwing under 200 yards in nine games. The fans and team management want more from their “star” quarterback this season. And if Eli doesn’t deliver, get ready for some major changes in 2008.
This year, with the new addition of quarterbacks coach Chris Palmer, there is hope Eli could find his niche and become the quarterback that fans hoped he would be, utilizing a different methodology. This is wishful thinking. The former Ole Miss standout will never repeat the success of his brother and remain the average quarterback he has been since being drafted.
Being part of the football’s royal family is a blessing and a curse and I question that if Eli did not have Manning as a last name if the expectations and the failure talk would be as prevalent. I also wonder if less pressure would allow his true talent and leadership to come through. Eli lacks the natural charisma and love for the spotlight that his brother so easily assumes.
In conclusion, we have to remember that Eli will never be Peyton because he’s not Peyton. Is it possible he can turn things around? Yes, but its now or never as the weight of New York will be sitting on his shoulders.
Be sure to check out D’Arcy Maine all season long exclusively on NFL Draft Bible!
Email: darcy@nfldraftbible.com
"GRIDIRON GRUMBLINGS": VOL. I
HOLDOUTS
By Marc Jimenez, NFL Draft Bible
Maybe I’m just cynical, but when I heard that Michael Strahan was a no-show at Giants camp because he was considering retiring, I immediately had the thirty-five year-old defensive end pegged as just another holdout.
The act of a player holding out is nothing new in the NFL. It happens every year at the start of training camp when a big name player, often with a big chip on his shoulder, seeks a big time payday. If such a player does not get what he wants then he will fail to report to camp, thus becoming a holdout.
We as sports fans have become conditioned to this type of behavior, yet every time a player holds out for more money, the ramifications could be damaging to both player and team.
Let’s look at a few of this year’s holdouts.
As I mentioned earlier, I don’t believe for a second that Strahan will retire. The issue, as always, is money. Like all holdouts, Strahan, who is scheduled to make $4 million this season, feels that he is underpaid and wants a new deal. Strahan also made it known that he isn’t thrilled about the Giants direction -- and who can blame him when Eli Manning is their quarterback -- and just might consider doing some television work like his former teammate Tiki Barber.
The loss of Strahan would be a big blow to the Giants, but when you consider Strahan’s recent divorce settlement -- his former wife, Jean, was awarded $15.3 million along with child support for their twin daughters at $18,000 a month -- and the fact that he only played eight games last season due to a foot sprain, it’s hard to imagine that he will call it quits after fourteen seasons. Plus, with Simeon Rice threatening to take his spot, Strahan better watch out. Advantage: Giants
Kansas City running back Larry Johnson is another big name player holding out. The All Pro back has one year left on his rookie contract, which will pay him a measly $1.7 million this season. Coming off back-to-back 1,700+ yard seasons, there’s no question that Johnson is an elite running back and should be paid like one. But, considering that Johnson carried the ball an NFL-record 416 times last season, turns twenty-eight in November and the possibility of a Priest Holmes comeback looming, the Chiefs are balking at the $27 million in guaranteed money that he is seeking.
Nevertheless, Kansas City should not let this linger. Although Johnson isn’t known to be much of a vocal leader on or off the field, he is one heck of a runner. With Damon Huard and/or Brodie Croyle taking over for Trent Green, not having Johnson in the backfield would devastate the Chiefs offense. Sure, they can talk tough and threaten to fine him $14,000 for every day he misses training camp, but does anyone really think that the 33-year-old Holmes, who hasn’t played since getting injured by a hit from Shawne Merriman two years ago, can give them anything? The bottom line is, Kansas City cannot afford to be without Johnson. Advantage: Johnson
Not all holdouts are the same. Take for instance Jake Plummer, who was acquired by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers from the Denver Broncos on March 3, despite making it clear that he would not play. Now, it’s no secret that the Buccaneers can use some help at quarterback, but neither coach Jon Gruden nor team officials have been able to talk Plummer out of retirement despite the fact that he is still under contract. As a result, it is being reported that Tampa Bay, who placed Plummer on the “reserve/not report” list, might force him to play by going after the signing bonus that Denver paid him.
"There are consequences to not reporting to camp," said general manager
Bruce Allen. "We treat him just like any other player who did not come to camp."
With a statement like that and the fact that Tampa Bay has gone after a player’s signing bonus in the past -- three years ago when wide receiver Keenan McCardell held out all of training camp and the first half of the season in a contract dispute, the Buccaneers were able to recover part of McCardell’s signing bonus -- Plummer should be worried.
So you see, even though Plummer is retired, he is actually another holdout, one that is under contract for three more years. Advantage: Buccaneers
Not all holdouts are unhappy about the status of their contracts or have lost the desire to play. Some holdouts haven’t even inked their first multi-million dollar deal yet. Such is the case with Cleveland Browns rookie quarterback Brady Quinn.
The Browns were lucky to have selected the Notre Dame quarterback with the 22nd overall pick in this year’s draft and would be wise to get him into camp early to see if he could fare better than incumbent Derek Anderson. But falling into the late round has probably cost Quinn the fat contract that he is seeking, hence the “Golden Boy” is holding out.
Given that Cleveland is in no position to compete for a championship soon, having Quinn get his experience on the playing field should benefit both parties. It is being reported that Quinn is looking for a four-year deal, while the Browns want him to sign a five or six-year deal. Advantage: Push
It is never a good thing for any team to have a disgruntled player --remember the Philadelphia Eagles and Terrell Owens a few years back?
Unfortunately, in this day and age, it is impossible for a team not to have one. With salaries rising each year, a player that signed a generous contract a few years ago can now be considered underpaid. And if a player is underpaid then he feels disrespected, which is one step away from becoming a holdout.
For many players, life is one big competition and the size of their paychecks determines if they are winners or losers. But unlike other sports, an NFL player’s contract is not guaranteed, so he is in a constant struggle to receive the best contract possible, while risking the possibility of being cut at moments notice.
Ultimately, a holdout situation is like a game of chicken. Who will blink first?
Don't miss out! Stay tuned right here at 4th & Goal as Marc Jimenez provides you with an insight & anlysis from around the league with his Gridiron Grumblings Report!
Email: marc@nfldraftbible.com
By Marc Jimenez, NFL Draft Bible
Maybe I’m just cynical, but when I heard that Michael Strahan was a no-show at Giants camp because he was considering retiring, I immediately had the thirty-five year-old defensive end pegged as just another holdout.
The act of a player holding out is nothing new in the NFL. It happens every year at the start of training camp when a big name player, often with a big chip on his shoulder, seeks a big time payday. If such a player does not get what he wants then he will fail to report to camp, thus becoming a holdout.
We as sports fans have become conditioned to this type of behavior, yet every time a player holds out for more money, the ramifications could be damaging to both player and team.
Let’s look at a few of this year’s holdouts.
As I mentioned earlier, I don’t believe for a second that Strahan will retire. The issue, as always, is money. Like all holdouts, Strahan, who is scheduled to make $4 million this season, feels that he is underpaid and wants a new deal. Strahan also made it known that he isn’t thrilled about the Giants direction -- and who can blame him when Eli Manning is their quarterback -- and just might consider doing some television work like his former teammate Tiki Barber.
The loss of Strahan would be a big blow to the Giants, but when you consider Strahan’s recent divorce settlement -- his former wife, Jean, was awarded $15.3 million along with child support for their twin daughters at $18,000 a month -- and the fact that he only played eight games last season due to a foot sprain, it’s hard to imagine that he will call it quits after fourteen seasons. Plus, with Simeon Rice threatening to take his spot, Strahan better watch out. Advantage: Giants
Kansas City running back Larry Johnson is another big name player holding out. The All Pro back has one year left on his rookie contract, which will pay him a measly $1.7 million this season. Coming off back-to-back 1,700+ yard seasons, there’s no question that Johnson is an elite running back and should be paid like one. But, considering that Johnson carried the ball an NFL-record 416 times last season, turns twenty-eight in November and the possibility of a Priest Holmes comeback looming, the Chiefs are balking at the $27 million in guaranteed money that he is seeking.
Nevertheless, Kansas City should not let this linger. Although Johnson isn’t known to be much of a vocal leader on or off the field, he is one heck of a runner. With Damon Huard and/or Brodie Croyle taking over for Trent Green, not having Johnson in the backfield would devastate the Chiefs offense. Sure, they can talk tough and threaten to fine him $14,000 for every day he misses training camp, but does anyone really think that the 33-year-old Holmes, who hasn’t played since getting injured by a hit from Shawne Merriman two years ago, can give them anything? The bottom line is, Kansas City cannot afford to be without Johnson. Advantage: Johnson
Not all holdouts are the same. Take for instance Jake Plummer, who was acquired by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers from the Denver Broncos on March 3, despite making it clear that he would not play. Now, it’s no secret that the Buccaneers can use some help at quarterback, but neither coach Jon Gruden nor team officials have been able to talk Plummer out of retirement despite the fact that he is still under contract. As a result, it is being reported that Tampa Bay, who placed Plummer on the “reserve/not report” list, might force him to play by going after the signing bonus that Denver paid him.
"There are consequences to not reporting to camp," said general manager
Bruce Allen. "We treat him just like any other player who did not come to camp."
With a statement like that and the fact that Tampa Bay has gone after a player’s signing bonus in the past -- three years ago when wide receiver Keenan McCardell held out all of training camp and the first half of the season in a contract dispute, the Buccaneers were able to recover part of McCardell’s signing bonus -- Plummer should be worried.
So you see, even though Plummer is retired, he is actually another holdout, one that is under contract for three more years. Advantage: Buccaneers
Not all holdouts are unhappy about the status of their contracts or have lost the desire to play. Some holdouts haven’t even inked their first multi-million dollar deal yet. Such is the case with Cleveland Browns rookie quarterback Brady Quinn.
The Browns were lucky to have selected the Notre Dame quarterback with the 22nd overall pick in this year’s draft and would be wise to get him into camp early to see if he could fare better than incumbent Derek Anderson. But falling into the late round has probably cost Quinn the fat contract that he is seeking, hence the “Golden Boy” is holding out.
Given that Cleveland is in no position to compete for a championship soon, having Quinn get his experience on the playing field should benefit both parties. It is being reported that Quinn is looking for a four-year deal, while the Browns want him to sign a five or six-year deal. Advantage: Push
It is never a good thing for any team to have a disgruntled player --remember the Philadelphia Eagles and Terrell Owens a few years back?
Unfortunately, in this day and age, it is impossible for a team not to have one. With salaries rising each year, a player that signed a generous contract a few years ago can now be considered underpaid. And if a player is underpaid then he feels disrespected, which is one step away from becoming a holdout.
For many players, life is one big competition and the size of their paychecks determines if they are winners or losers. But unlike other sports, an NFL player’s contract is not guaranteed, so he is in a constant struggle to receive the best contract possible, while risking the possibility of being cut at moments notice.
Ultimately, a holdout situation is like a game of chicken. Who will blink first?
Don't miss out! Stay tuned right here at 4th & Goal as Marc Jimenez provides you with an insight & anlysis from around the league with his Gridiron Grumblings Report!
Email: marc@nfldraftbible.com
Monday, July 30, 2007
WELCOME TO 4TH AND GOAL!
Welcome to the launch of 4th and Goal in affiliation with The NFL Draft Bible!
We are proud to announce an assembled group of journalists that we believe to be some of the premier analysts in the country. Feel free to let us know how we're doing and any ideas/suggestions that you would like to see added to the site.
We are looking forward to a BIG season here at NFL Draft Bible and 4th and Goal.
-RIC
ric@nfldraftbible.com
We are proud to announce an assembled group of journalists that we believe to be some of the premier analysts in the country. Feel free to let us know how we're doing and any ideas/suggestions that you would like to see added to the site.
We are looking forward to a BIG season here at NFL Draft Bible and 4th and Goal.
-RIC
ric@nfldraftbible.com
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