After much speculation, denials and refusals by many teams, HBO Sports has announced that this season of Hard Knocks will feature the Atlanta Falcons.
This is the ninth season of the series which follows a team through training camp all the way up to the beginning of the season. The Cleveland Browns were originally expected to be featured, but opted out due to a contract agreement that allows teams with first year head coach's to not participate.
The Falcons were originally asked to appear in 2012 but declined the offer. This time around Falcons owner Arthur Blank said the team "looks forward to showcasing our great players and coaches to football fans all across America."
The choice of the Falcons is an interesting one. They finished 4-12 last season after five straight winning seasons and four playoff appearances. Wide receiver Julio Jones will be coming back off a broken right foot that ended his season early last year. Running back Steven Jackson starts only his second year with the Falcons; last year he rushed for only three touchdowns. Quarterback Matt Ryan still threw for over 4500 yards, but was unable to carry his team into the playoffs when Jones was hurt and his defense and special teams began to struggle. The team did sign punt/kick returner Devin Hester in the off-season to try to help their struggling special teams and drafted offensive tackle Jake Matthews to protect Ryan in the pocket.
The mix of characters and the colorful back drop of Atlanta and the Georgia Dome should make this one of the more interesting seasons of Hard Knocks. The show will premiere on HBO on August 5th.
Thursday, June 12, 2014
Tuesday, June 3, 2014
Will Hill Waived From the Giants
The New York Giants have parted ways with safety Will Hill.
The Giants waived Hill after he received his second suspension in so many seasons. Hill was suspended the first four games of 2012 and 2013 for violating the league's substance abuse policy. He was facing a six game suspension this season for the same offense.
Hill went undrafted out of Florida in 2012 because of his off-field issues during his time in Gainesville. The Giants signed him as a free agent where he would go on to play in 24 games total, starting in only 10. Last season, Hill had 77 tackles, two interceptions, two pass breakups and two forced fumbles.
With an already depleted secondary, the Giants will move fast to bring in another safety before the start of training camp next month.
Hill meanwhile, will have the difficult task of finding a team willing to take on a troubled player who wouldn't be available to play until week 7 of the season. His time in the league may be in serious jeopardy.
The Giants waived Hill after he received his second suspension in so many seasons. Hill was suspended the first four games of 2012 and 2013 for violating the league's substance abuse policy. He was facing a six game suspension this season for the same offense.
Hill went undrafted out of Florida in 2012 because of his off-field issues during his time in Gainesville. The Giants signed him as a free agent where he would go on to play in 24 games total, starting in only 10. Last season, Hill had 77 tackles, two interceptions, two pass breakups and two forced fumbles.
With an already depleted secondary, the Giants will move fast to bring in another safety before the start of training camp next month.
Hill meanwhile, will have the difficult task of finding a team willing to take on a troubled player who wouldn't be available to play until week 7 of the season. His time in the league may be in serious jeopardy.
Monday, June 2, 2014
Daryl Washington Suspension
Friday the NFL announced the suspension of Arizona Cardinals inside linebacker Daryl Washington for the entire 2014 season for once again violating the league's substance abuse policy.
Washington was suspended four games last season for a previous violation of the policy. He also faced an additional suspension for violating the league's personal conduct policy after being charged with two counts of aggravated assault on his ex-girlfriend. Washington pleaded guilty to the charges in March and was sentenced in April to one year of supervised probation.
Washington made a statement through his agent admitting to using marijuana and apologizing to his team and fans. He will lose $2.9 million in salary due to the suspension. The Cards are also trying to not pay his bonus.
The loss of Washington on the interior of the Cardinals defensive line is significant. Washington was the team leader in tackles in 2011 and 2012. With Karlos Dansby already lost to free agency, it is unclear what the Cards will do without their presence on the defense. Second year player Kevin Minter is slated to take over the spot left by Dansby but there is no clear standout player to take over Washington's spot.
The team has already responded to the suspension with Cardinals GM Steve Keim stating it was "completely unacceptable for Daryl to put us in this position" and defensive tackle Darnell Dockett tweeting that the information was "old news" for the team.
Washington's future with the Cards and in the league are uncertain at best. With continued off field issues, he is a liability to any team. Unless he makes significant changes to his life, he may be facing the end of his NFL career.
Washington was suspended four games last season for a previous violation of the policy. He also faced an additional suspension for violating the league's personal conduct policy after being charged with two counts of aggravated assault on his ex-girlfriend. Washington pleaded guilty to the charges in March and was sentenced in April to one year of supervised probation.
Washington made a statement through his agent admitting to using marijuana and apologizing to his team and fans. He will lose $2.9 million in salary due to the suspension. The Cards are also trying to not pay his bonus.
The loss of Washington on the interior of the Cardinals defensive line is significant. Washington was the team leader in tackles in 2011 and 2012. With Karlos Dansby already lost to free agency, it is unclear what the Cards will do without their presence on the defense. Second year player Kevin Minter is slated to take over the spot left by Dansby but there is no clear standout player to take over Washington's spot.
The team has already responded to the suspension with Cardinals GM Steve Keim stating it was "completely unacceptable for Daryl to put us in this position" and defensive tackle Darnell Dockett tweeting that the information was "old news" for the team.
Washington's future with the Cards and in the league are uncertain at best. With continued off field issues, he is a liability to any team. Unless he makes significant changes to his life, he may be facing the end of his NFL career.
Wednesday, May 28, 2014
How Malcolm Glazer Changed the Tampa Bay Bucs
Today the NFL was saddened to learn of the passing of Tampa Bay Buccaneers owner Malcolm Glazer. Glazer was the third NFL owner to pass in the last seven months.
Glazer bought the Bucs in 1995. At the time, the Bucs were the laughing stock of the NFL both for their uniforms (creamsicle and white) and for their pathetic performance on the field. Glazer took a hands off approach to ownership, hiring coach Tony Dungy and front office personnel who knew how to run the football side of the operations. The formula would prove successful as the Bucs would go on to make seven playoff berths, five playoff wins, and win the Super Bowl in 2002. He also played a key role in bringing two Super Bowls to Tampa and overseeing the construction of Raymond James Stadium.
Glazer not only owned a NFL franchise, he was also the owner of the Manchester United Football Club in the Premier League which he purchased in 2005. Since that time Man U won five Premier League titles (2007-2009, 2011, 2013) and also captured the Champions League title in 2008.
Glazer had been in poor health for nearly a decade. In April 2006, he had a pair of strokes that him with impaired speech and limited mobility in his right arm and leg. Three of his sons had taken over the day to day operations of the Bucs since that time, but Glazer was still well loved in the NFL community.
Glazer left behind a tremendous and lasting legacy and a formula for how owners should operate their franchises to have lasting and long term success.
The Glazers say that the Bucs and Man U will remain in their family and will not face the uncertain future that befalls the Buffalo Bills.
Glazer bought the Bucs in 1995. At the time, the Bucs were the laughing stock of the NFL both for their uniforms (creamsicle and white) and for their pathetic performance on the field. Glazer took a hands off approach to ownership, hiring coach Tony Dungy and front office personnel who knew how to run the football side of the operations. The formula would prove successful as the Bucs would go on to make seven playoff berths, five playoff wins, and win the Super Bowl in 2002. He also played a key role in bringing two Super Bowls to Tampa and overseeing the construction of Raymond James Stadium.
Glazer not only owned a NFL franchise, he was also the owner of the Manchester United Football Club in the Premier League which he purchased in 2005. Since that time Man U won five Premier League titles (2007-2009, 2011, 2013) and also captured the Champions League title in 2008.
Glazer had been in poor health for nearly a decade. In April 2006, he had a pair of strokes that him with impaired speech and limited mobility in his right arm and leg. Three of his sons had taken over the day to day operations of the Bucs since that time, but Glazer was still well loved in the NFL community.
Glazer left behind a tremendous and lasting legacy and a formula for how owners should operate their franchises to have lasting and long term success.
The Glazers say that the Bucs and Man U will remain in their family and will not face the uncertain future that befalls the Buffalo Bills.
Higher Standard Applies to NFL Owners Too
Indianapolis Colts owner Jim Irsay was formally charged last week with two misdemeanors resulting from his March intoxicated driving arrest.
Irsay was charged with one count of operating a vehicle while intoxicated and one count of operating a vehicle with a schedule I or II controlled substance. No other charges were filed despite the fact Irsay was carrying numerous pill bottles and $29,000 in cash on him at the time he was arrested.
Despite the fact that it took the Hamilton County prosecutors office two months to formally file charges against Irsay, the burden now falls on Roger Goodell and the league to merit out some form of punishment.
Reality is that if this were a player, league official or front office personnel, the punishment for such actions would have been harsh and swift. The fact that Irsay is an owner should not change the time it takes to dole out punishment nor the severity of that punishment.
Just like the NBA, the NFL is a private league. It must hold all of its members to a higher standard than the average person. When the audio tapes of LA Clippers owner Donald Sterling reached the media, the punishment for his words was both swift and severe, despite the fact that Sterling's words, while inflammatory, were not illegal. Irsay's actions were illegal both by the letter of the law, and to the code of conduct that each person in the NFL is held to.
Delaying punishment for Irsay sends a bad message to the fans, the media and other personnel around the league. If the NBA can be swift in handing down punishment, so should the NFL. If players can be punished even before receiving judgment on charges, so should the owners.
Irsay was charged with one count of operating a vehicle while intoxicated and one count of operating a vehicle with a schedule I or II controlled substance. No other charges were filed despite the fact Irsay was carrying numerous pill bottles and $29,000 in cash on him at the time he was arrested.
Despite the fact that it took the Hamilton County prosecutors office two months to formally file charges against Irsay, the burden now falls on Roger Goodell and the league to merit out some form of punishment.
Reality is that if this were a player, league official or front office personnel, the punishment for such actions would have been harsh and swift. The fact that Irsay is an owner should not change the time it takes to dole out punishment nor the severity of that punishment.
Just like the NBA, the NFL is a private league. It must hold all of its members to a higher standard than the average person. When the audio tapes of LA Clippers owner Donald Sterling reached the media, the punishment for his words was both swift and severe, despite the fact that Sterling's words, while inflammatory, were not illegal. Irsay's actions were illegal both by the letter of the law, and to the code of conduct that each person in the NFL is held to.
Delaying punishment for Irsay sends a bad message to the fans, the media and other personnel around the league. If the NBA can be swift in handing down punishment, so should the NFL. If players can be punished even before receiving judgment on charges, so should the owners.
Friday, May 9, 2014
2014 NFL Draft- First Round
2014 NFL Draft
Draft day finally arrived and after much hype and anticipation, the first pick overall went exactly as expected. Though Manziel was thought to be a top 10 draft pick, only one quarterback earned that distinction.
Rumors swirled for weeks that Texans might trade down or draft a quarterback which was their most pressing need, but after all the speculation, Texans took the top player available in the 2014 draft class.
Here is the entire first round draft:
1. Houston Texans- Jadeveon Clowney- DE- South Carolina
2. St. Louis Rams- Greg Robinson- OT- Auburn
3. Jacksonville Jaguars- Blake Bortles- QB- UCF
4. Buffalo Bills (trade from Cleveland Browns)- Sammy Watkins- WR- Clemson
5. Oakland Raiders- Khalil Mack- OLB- Buffalo
6. Atlanta Falcons- Jake Matthews- OT- Texas A&M
7. Tampa Bay Buccaneers- Mike Evans- WR- Texas A&M
8. Cleveland Browns (trade from Minnesota Vikings)- Justin Gilbert- CB- Oklahoma State
9. Minnesota Vikings- Anthony Barr- OLB- UCLA
10. Detroit Lions- Eric Ebron- TE- UNC
11. Tennessee Titans- Taylor Lewan- OT- Michigan
12. NY Giants- Odell Beckham- WR- LSU
13. St. Louis Rams- Aaron Donald- DT- Pittsburgh
14. Chicago Bears- Kyle Fuller- CB- Virginia Tech
15. Pittsburgh Steelers- Ryan Shazier- OLB- Ohio State
16. Dallas Cowboys- Zack Martin- OT- Notre Dame
17. Baltimore Ravens- CJ Mosley- ILB- Alabama
18. NY Jets- Calvin Pryor- S- Louisville
19. Miami Dolphins- Ja'Wuan James- OT- Tennessee
20. New Orleans Saints (trade from Arizona Cardinals)- Brandon Cooks- WR- Morgan State
21. Green Bay Packers- Ha Ha Clinton Dix- S- Alabama
22. Cleveland Browns (traded from Philadelphia Eagles)- Johnny Manziel- QB- Texas A&M
23. KC Chiefs- Dee Ford- DE- Auburn
24. Cincinnati Bengals- Darqueze Dennard- CB- Michigan State
25. San Diego Chargers- Jason Verrett- CB- TCU
26. Philadelphia Eagles- Marcus Smith- DE- Louisville
27. Arizona Cardinals- Deone Buchanan- S- Washington State
28. Carolina Panthers- Kelvin Benjamin- WR- Florida State
29. NE Patriots- Dominique Easley- DE- Florida
30. SF 49ers- Jimmie Ward- S- Northern Illinois
31. Denver Broncos- Bradley Roby- CB- Ohio State
32. Minnesota Vikings (traded from Seattle Seahawks)- Teddy Bridgewater- QB- Louisville
Draft day finally arrived and after much hype and anticipation, the first pick overall went exactly as expected. Though Manziel was thought to be a top 10 draft pick, only one quarterback earned that distinction.
Rumors swirled for weeks that Texans might trade down or draft a quarterback which was their most pressing need, but after all the speculation, Texans took the top player available in the 2014 draft class.
Here is the entire first round draft:
1. Houston Texans- Jadeveon Clowney- DE- South Carolina
2. St. Louis Rams- Greg Robinson- OT- Auburn
3. Jacksonville Jaguars- Blake Bortles- QB- UCF
4. Buffalo Bills (trade from Cleveland Browns)- Sammy Watkins- WR- Clemson
5. Oakland Raiders- Khalil Mack- OLB- Buffalo
6. Atlanta Falcons- Jake Matthews- OT- Texas A&M
7. Tampa Bay Buccaneers- Mike Evans- WR- Texas A&M
8. Cleveland Browns (trade from Minnesota Vikings)- Justin Gilbert- CB- Oklahoma State
9. Minnesota Vikings- Anthony Barr- OLB- UCLA
10. Detroit Lions- Eric Ebron- TE- UNC
11. Tennessee Titans- Taylor Lewan- OT- Michigan
12. NY Giants- Odell Beckham- WR- LSU
13. St. Louis Rams- Aaron Donald- DT- Pittsburgh
14. Chicago Bears- Kyle Fuller- CB- Virginia Tech
15. Pittsburgh Steelers- Ryan Shazier- OLB- Ohio State
16. Dallas Cowboys- Zack Martin- OT- Notre Dame
17. Baltimore Ravens- CJ Mosley- ILB- Alabama
18. NY Jets- Calvin Pryor- S- Louisville
19. Miami Dolphins- Ja'Wuan James- OT- Tennessee
20. New Orleans Saints (trade from Arizona Cardinals)- Brandon Cooks- WR- Morgan State
21. Green Bay Packers- Ha Ha Clinton Dix- S- Alabama
22. Cleveland Browns (traded from Philadelphia Eagles)- Johnny Manziel- QB- Texas A&M
23. KC Chiefs- Dee Ford- DE- Auburn
24. Cincinnati Bengals- Darqueze Dennard- CB- Michigan State
25. San Diego Chargers- Jason Verrett- CB- TCU
26. Philadelphia Eagles- Marcus Smith- DE- Louisville
27. Arizona Cardinals- Deone Buchanan- S- Washington State
28. Carolina Panthers- Kelvin Benjamin- WR- Florida State
29. NE Patriots- Dominique Easley- DE- Florida
30. SF 49ers- Jimmie Ward- S- Northern Illinois
31. Denver Broncos- Bradley Roby- CB- Ohio State
32. Minnesota Vikings (traded from Seattle Seahawks)- Teddy Bridgewater- QB- Louisville
Tuesday, April 1, 2014
The Company You Keep..The DeSean Jackson Drama
After weeks of speculation from journalists and denials on the part of the organization and players, Philadelphia Eagles parted ways with WR DeSean Jackson late last week. The move seem to come as a surprise even to Jackson who was posting pictures on his Instagram account last week of him working out and mocking messages to the media about false reports. Regardless, Eagles had finally had enough of the drama that is DeSean.The Eagles had been shopping him for weeks before finally releasing him on Friday.
Reports from Eagles officials say that Jackson was a distraction to the organization. He showed up late to meetings, had a poor work ethic, a bad attitude and had a cold relationship with head coach Chip Kelly. The final straw came when a NJ.com report showed Jackson had ties to the Crips gang. Specifically Jackson's name came up during the investigations of two gang related homicides. Jackson was also known for throwing up signs often associated with the Crips gang and even posted photos on his Instagram of himself hanging out with members of the Crips (the photos have subsequently been removed).
Regardless if Jackson is actually a member of the Crips or is just on friendly terms with those associated with the gang, the issue was enough to concern the Eagles to cut all ties with the three time pro bowler who was coming off his best season with the team. Many Eagles fans felt the move was unjust but some inside the NFL said the move was understandable.
Arizona Cardinals DT Darnell Dockett took to his twitter account to discuss the issue:
Reports from Eagles officials say that Jackson was a distraction to the organization. He showed up late to meetings, had a poor work ethic, a bad attitude and had a cold relationship with head coach Chip Kelly. The final straw came when a NJ.com report showed Jackson had ties to the Crips gang. Specifically Jackson's name came up during the investigations of two gang related homicides. Jackson was also known for throwing up signs often associated with the Crips gang and even posted photos on his Instagram of himself hanging out with members of the Crips (the photos have subsequently been removed).
Regardless if Jackson is actually a member of the Crips or is just on friendly terms with those associated with the gang, the issue was enough to concern the Eagles to cut all ties with the three time pro bowler who was coming off his best season with the team. Many Eagles fans felt the move was unjust but some inside the NFL said the move was understandable.
Arizona Cardinals DT Darnell Dockett took to his twitter account to discuss the issue:
The NFL shield is bigger than any football player.. It's all about how you represent that shield and the team you play for.
I may do crazy stuff for a good lol, or share my world but I won't do nothing dumb or really stupid. I have never had to go sit with goddel
Meanwhile, other players like Richard Sherman, who has known Jackson since childhood took to Instagram and Twitter to show support. Sherman posted a photo of himself and Jackson as children on a little league team together
Richard ShermanVerified account@RSherman_25 @DeseanJackson10 and me have been boys since we were kids... No one should be judged by the actions of others! #fam pic.twitter.com/Q7yuxMcz6a
as well as tweeted to defend his lifelong friend
Devin k Anonsen @AnonsenK @RSherman_25@DeseanJackson10 U R who U associate with. How can you say "oh I'm not xyz but I hang around people who are" come on really?
Devin k Anonsen @AnonsenK @RSherman_25 So because your not in a gang that HAS to mean that NO ONE else he hangs with can be in a gang?
Richard Sherman ✔ @RSherman_25 @AnonsenK no it just means don't judge him by who he hangs with .... If one of ur friends commits a crime does that make u a criminal?
Redskins S Ryan Clark took to Twitter to compare Jackson who was released by the Eagles to Eagles current wide receiver Riley Cooper who just received a contract extension:
Some get "he needs treatment". Some get "to apologize for being racist". Some get "released for the good of the team" due to "affiliations".
The whole issue has left many confused, but not completely stunned by the move. Ever since the Aaron Hernandez situation, teams have been more ready and willing to cut ties with players whose affiliations and actions may bring more negative attention to a team then they are willing to tolerate. Numbers aside, if Jackson was a distraction in the locker room and affiliated with shady characters, Eagles may have felt that his release was their best option. No player is worth the headache if he is that much of a detriment to the team.
While I don't know Jackson personally and cannot speak on who he affiliates with, I will say that we live in a society where people are judged by the company they keep. If you hang out with gang members or drug dealers or bank robbers, you will be perceived as being one of them. The old saying "if it walks like a duck it must be a duck" is what people believe. If you don't want to be perceived as a criminal, don't hang with criminals. Especially if you work for a highly visible organization.
Since being released, Jackson says he has had nine teams contact him. Being reunited with his former head coach Andy Reid in Kansas City has been eliminated though, as the team admits they could not afford the star receiver with their limited salary cap space. The front runner for now seems to be the Washington Redskins with the Oakland Raiders and Buffalo Bills also showing interest in signing him as well. Jackson will not be a free agent long.
Despite whatever misgivings teams may have about him, he is still one of the best wide receivers in the league and at 27 has several more years left in him. Whatever team he signs with next may put him on a shorter leash and have stipulations regarding his off field affiliations. Whatever the case, look for Jackson to be signed and playing with a new team next season.
While I don't know Jackson personally and cannot speak on who he affiliates with, I will say that we live in a society where people are judged by the company they keep. If you hang out with gang members or drug dealers or bank robbers, you will be perceived as being one of them. The old saying "if it walks like a duck it must be a duck" is what people believe. If you don't want to be perceived as a criminal, don't hang with criminals. Especially if you work for a highly visible organization.
Since being released, Jackson says he has had nine teams contact him. Being reunited with his former head coach Andy Reid in Kansas City has been eliminated though, as the team admits they could not afford the star receiver with their limited salary cap space. The front runner for now seems to be the Washington Redskins with the Oakland Raiders and Buffalo Bills also showing interest in signing him as well. Jackson will not be a free agent long.
Despite whatever misgivings teams may have about him, he is still one of the best wide receivers in the league and at 27 has several more years left in him. Whatever team he signs with next may put him on a shorter leash and have stipulations regarding his off field affiliations. Whatever the case, look for Jackson to be signed and playing with a new team next season.
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