Category: NFL

NFL HALL OF FAME CEREMONY 2014 HIGHLIGHTS
DERRICK BROOKS-LB, BUCCANEERS (1995-2008)

HIGHLIGHTS FROM SPEECH: The first-ballot hall of famer and 2002 AP defensive player of the year spoke about humility stating “Humility is not thinking less of yourself, it’s thinking of yourself less.” Brooks then proceded to thank every one of his teammates all the way down to kicker Martin Gramatica.

CAREER ACCOMPLISHMENTS:
- 11× Pro Bowl (1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001,2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2008)
- 9× All-Pro (1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002,2003, 2004, 2005)
- Super Bowl champion (XXXVII)
- Walter Payton Man of the Year Award (2000)
- AP NFL Defensive Player of the Year (2002)
- NFL Alumni Linebacker of the Year (2002)
- “Whizzer” White NFL Man of the Year Award(2003)
- Pro Bowl MVP (2005)
- NFL 2000s All-Decade Team
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers #55 retired
- College awards and honors
- NFL awards and honors
- USA Today High School All-American (1990)
- Florida State Seminoles #10 retired
CLAUDE HUMPHREY- DE, FALCONS (1968-1974, 1976-1978) AND EAGLES (1979-1981)

HIGHLIGHTS FROM SPEECH: Humphrey said “Now they tell me I only had 10 minutes up here, but let me start off by telling you that I’ve waited 30 years to get to this podium, so don’t rush me guys,” The Legendary D-end thanked tons of people INCLUDING SPORTSWRITERS :)!

CAREER ACCOMPLISHMENTS:
- 6× Pro Bowl selection (1970, 1971, 1972, 1973,1974, 1977)
- 5× First-team All-Pro selection (1971, 1972,1973, 1974, 1977)
- 3× Second-team All-Pro selection (1969, 1970,1976)
- 1968 NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year
- All-America selection (1967)
AENEAS WILLIAMS-DB, CARDINALS (1991-2000) AND RAMS (2001-2004)

HIGHLIGHTS FROM SPEECH: Williams was the most entertaining speaker of the night at one point he thanked Giants fans for saluting him “by telling me I was No. 1 with their middle finger”. Williams also talked about the 1999 wild-card win over the Dallas Cowboys when he was forced to cover Michael Irving “If he went to the restroom, I had to go flush it.” Williams took credit for the Cowboys new stadium saying that that loss was the reason Jerry Jones pursued a better stadium.

CAREER ACCOMPLISHMENTS:
- 8× Pro Bowl (1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998,1999, 2001, 2003)
- 4× First-team All-Pro (1995, 1996, 1997, 2001)
- Second-team All-Pro (1994)
- NFC champion
- Bart Starr Man of the Year Award (1999)
- NFL 1990s All-Decade Team
- Arizona Cardinals Ring of Honor
- St. Louis Rams 10th Anniversary Team
WALTER JONES-T, SEAHAWKS (1997-2009)

HIGHLIGHTS FROM SPEECH: Jones gave his daughters instagram a shoutout! Go check it out at @hai_itswaleria

CAREER ACCOMPLISHMENTS:
- Second-team All-ACC (1996)
- First-team All-Rookie (1997)
- 9× Pro Bowl (1999, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004,2005, 2006, 2007, 2008)
- 6× First-team All-Pro (2001, 2002, 2004, 2005,2006, 2007)
- NFC Champion (2005)
- Second-team All-Pro (2008)
- NFL Alumni Offensive Lineman of the Year(2005)
- NFL 2000s All-Decade Team
- Seattle Seahawks #71 retired
- Seattle Seahawks 35th Anniversary Team
RAY GUY-P, RAIDERS (1973-1986)

HIGHLIGHTS FROM SPEECH: The first ever punter in the hall of fame said in his induction speech that he hopes this award will help other punters get “the recognition they deserve”. One of the moments which wasn’t from the speech was Vikings punter Chris Kluwe who wore a “Vote Ray Guy” sticker during the season.

CAREER ACCOMPLISHMENTS:
- 7× Pro Bowl selection (1973, 1974, 1975, 1976,1977, 1978, 1980)
- 6× First-team All-Pro (1973, 1974, 1975, 1976,1977, 1978)
- 2× Second-team All-Pro (1979, 1980)
- 3× Super Bowl champion (XI, XV, XVIII)
- PFW Golden Toe Award (1975)
- NFL 75th Anniversary All-Time Team
- NFL 1970s All-Decade Team
- Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame
- Georgia Sports Hall of Fame
ANDRE REED-WR, BILLS (1985-1999) WASHINGTON REDSKINS (2000)

HIGHLIGHTS FROM SPEECH: Moment of the night: Reed’s former QB Jim Kelly who is currently battling cancer came out and threw one final pass to Reed, the duo made it to 4 straight Super Bowls. ‘Andre was at the hospital,’ Reed’s wife said. ‘He was at the house the day we flew to New York City. He came to New York and again when we got back. Every time Andre was there, Jim was down and out, struggling. But it was always the conversation. It was a given that Jim was going to be at the Hall of Fame.’ Reed thanked Kelly for all that he did “The toughest individual I’ve ever met in my life is Jim Kelly number 12.” and saying “12+83 always = 6.” And the rumors about the Bills moving? Reed says “Oh, yeah. And the Bills will stay in Buffalo, too.”

CAREER ACCOMPLISHMENTS:
- 7× Pro Bowl selection (1988, 1989, 1990, 1991,1992, 1993, 1994)
- 2× AP Second-Team All-Pro (1989, 1990)
- 3× NEA Second-Team All-Pro (1989, 1990, 1991)
- 4× AFC champion (1990, 1991, 1992, 1993)
- Buffalo Bills Wall of Fame
- Buffalo Sports Hall of Fame
MICHAEL STRAHAN-DE, GIANTS (1993-2007)

HIGHLIGHTS FROM SPEECH: Strahan made sure his bust had his signature gapped smile and then he moved onto the speech where the overarching theme was improbable. Who thought a second round pick out of Texas Southern would become one of the NFL’s greatest. His speech was long and heartfelt, ending around midnight when he said “it’s past my bedtime” and joked that if it lasted any longer they would be considered the 2015 hall of fame inductees.

CAREER ACCOMPLISHMENTS:
- 7× Pro Bowl (1997, 1998, 1999, 2001, 2002,2003, 2005)
- 4× First-team All-Pro (1997, 1998, 2001, 2003)
- 2× Second-team All-Pro (2002, 2005)
- 2× Sacks leader (2001, 2003)
- Super Bowl champion (XLII)
- 2× NFC Champion (2000, 2007)
- AP NFL Defensive Player of the Year (2001)
- 2× NFC Defensive Player of the Year (2001, 2003)
- NFL Alumni Pass Rusher of the Year (2003)
- Fifth in All-Time Career Sacks
- NFL season sacks record (22.5)
- New York Giants career sacks record (141.5)
- NFL 2000s All-Decade Team
- New York Giants Ring of Honor
- 2001 Sports Illustrated NFL Player of the Year
- Ranked 99th by The Top 100: NFL’s Greatest Players
- Coin-toss participant at Super Bowl XLVIII
August 3, 2014
NFL OFFSEASON Q/A: BROWNS QB HOYER OR MANZIEL?

Brian Hoyer or Johnny “Football” Manziel? That is the question Cleveland fans are asking. Brian Hoyer is the hometown guy, coming out of Lakewood, Ohio, a suburb of Cleveland who threw for 590 yards and 5 touchdowns in two games with the Browns last year before suffering an ACL tear that put him out for the year. 295 yards and 2.5 touchdowns per game is some amazing statistics but you don’t draft a QB in the first round to let him sit on the bench. Hoyer will start week 1 but Manziel will be in the game no doubt in certain packages and by Week 8 or 9 Manziel will be starting at quarterback.

July 29, 2014
RAY RICE SUSPENDED

Ravens running back Ray Rice has been suspended for the first 2 games of this year’s season for violating the NFL’s personal conduct policy following an altercation with then-fiancée Janay Palmer at a hotel in February. “It is disappointing that I will not be with my teammates for the first two games of the season, but that’s my fault,” Rice said in a statement released by the Ravens. “As I said earlier, I failed in many ways. But, Janay and I have learned from this. We have become better as a couple and as parents. I am better because of everything we have experienced since that night. The counseling has helped tremendously. My goal is to earn back the trust of the people, especially the children, I let down because of this incident. I am a role model and I take that responsibility seriously. My actions going forward will show that.” Rice is eligible to participate in training camp and all of Baltimore’s preseason games.

“The league is an entity that depends on integrity and in the confidence of the public and we simply cannot tolerate conduct that endangers others or reflects negatively on our game,”NFL commish Roger Goodell wrote in a letter to rice”This is particularly true with respect to domestic violence and other forms of violence against women. You will be expected to continue to take advantage of the counseling and other professional services you identified during our meeting. As you noted, this additional assistance has been of significant benefit to you and your wife, and it should remain a part of your practice as appropriate. I believe that you are sincere in your desire to learn from this matter and move forward toward a healthy relationship and successful career, I am now focused on your actions and expect you to demonstrate by those actions that you are prepared to fulfill those expectations.”

Rice allegedly beat Palmer unconscious in a casino elevator in Atlantic City, N.J. The couple has since married. Rice pleaded not guilty to a third-degree charge of aggravated assault.

“We appreciate the thorough process the league office used to evaluate the incident with Ray Rice,” Ravens general manager Ozzie Newsome said in a statement. “The time the Commissioner spent with Ray and Janay is typical of the extra steps the NFL takes when making decisions regarding discipline issues. While not having Ray for the first two games is significant to our team, we respect the league’s decision and believe it is fair. We also respect the efforts Ray has made to become the best partner and father he can be. That night was not typical of the Ray Rice we know and respect. We believe that he will not let that one night define who he is, and he is determined to make sure something like this never happens again.”

July 24, 2014
RANKING THE NFL STARTING QB’S!

1. Tom Brady, Patriots

2. Peyton Manning, Broncos

3. Aaron Rodgers, Packers

4. Andrew Luck, Colts

5. Russell Wilson, Seahawks

6. Drew Brees, Saints

7. Cam Newton, Panthers

8. Philip Rivers, Chargers

9. Matt Ryan, Falcons

10. Joe Flacco, Ravens

11. Ben Roethlisberger, Steelers

12. Nick Foles, Eagles

13. Colin Kaepernick, 49ers

14. Matthew Stafford, Lions

15. Tony Romo, Cowboys

16. Eli Manning, Giants

17. Alex Smith, Chiefs

18. Jay Cutler, Bears

19. Andy Dalton, Bengals

20. Robert Griffin III, Redskins

21. Sam Bradford, Rams

22. Josh McCown, Buccaneers

23. Ryan Tannehill, Dolphins

24. Matt Schaub, Raiders

25. Carson Palmer, Cardinals

26. EJ Manuel, Bills

27. Matt Cassel, Vikings

28. Brian Hoyer, Browns

29. Geno Smith, Jets

31. Jake Locker, Titans

32. Ryan Fitzpatrick, Texans

32. Chad Henne, Jaguars

July 5, 2014
REDSKINS TRADEMARK CANCELLED

BREAKING NEWS!!!

The United States Trademark Trial and Appeal Board has ruled that the Redskins name is disparaging to Native Americans and because of that 6 federal trademarks concerning the teams name has been cancelled. “We decide, based on the evidence properly before us, that these registrations must be cancelled because they were disparaging to Native Americans at the respective times they were registered.” said the board which ruled 2-1 on cancelling the trademark.

The cancellation DOES NOT force the Redskins to change their name but it does mean any they cannot sue people for counterfiet jerseys, hats, etc… which means they get less revenue, pressuring them to change it. The Redskins CAN appeal and most likely will as Jesse Witten said in a statement“The team will certainly take the position that they still have protectable trademarks,”

One more thing to note: the cancelled trademarks are just on the name NOT the logo so they can sue for logos to clarify, but like a T-shirt that says Redskins across the front that they would normally get money from is now non-suable.

MY TAKE: If the ruling is not overturned I agree with Senator Harry Reid who said “The writing is on the wall. It’s on the wall in giant blinking neon lights the name will change and justice will be done for the tribes in Nevada and across the nation who care so deeply about this issue.” If the ruling is overturned the name stays, that is how important this appeal is to the Redskins franchise and to the NFL

June 19, 2014

WAY-TOO-EARLY REDSKINS SEASON PREDICTION… NFL PREVIEW SPOLIER???

Sunday Sept. 7		at Houston Texans NRG Stadium, Houston, TX	1:00 p.m. ET FOX	Prediction: Clowney and Watt shine and the Skins lose.
Sunday Sept. 14		Jacksonville Jaguars FedEx Field, Landover, MD	1:00 p.m. ET CBS	RG3 dominates in Blake Bortles’ NFL debut
Sunday Sept. 21		at Philadelphia Eagles Lincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia, PA	1:00 p.m. ET FOX	Nick Foles throws for 5 TD’s and Phili looks to be on their way too another NFC East title
Thursday Sept. 25		New York Giants FedEx Field, Landover, MD	8:25 p.m. ET CBS/NFLN	Eli throws two picks, Trent Murphy gets a sack and D-Jax get 170 yards and the redskins even their record at 2-2
Monday Oct. 6		Seattle Seahawks FedEx Field, Landover, MD	8:30 p.m. ET ESPN	Seahawks dominate 56-3.
Sunday Oct. 12		at Arizona Cardinals University of Phoenix Stadium, Glendale, AZ	4:25 p.m. ET FOX	The turning point in the year for the Skins as they pick up an OT victory
Sunday Oct. 19		Tennessee Titans FedEx Field, Landover, MD	1:00 p.m. ET CBS	Kirk Cousins plays the whole 2nd half and the Redskins improve to 4-3
Monday Oct. 27		at Dallas Cowboys AT&T Stadium, Arlington, TX	8:30 p.m. ET ESPN	The Cowboys give up 5 turnovers and the Skins win… FIVE-THREE
Sunday Nov. 2		at Minnesota Vikings TCF Bank Stadium, Minneapolis, MN	1:00 p.m. ET FOX	Bridgewater turns out to be a bust and Washington improves to 6-3.
Sunday Nov. 9	—	BYE	—	—
Sunday Nov. 16		Tampa Bay Buccaneers FedEx Field, Landover, MD	1:00 p.m. ET FOX	Knowing my Skins we lose this game and drop to 6-4.
Sunday Nov. 23		at San Francisco 49ers Levi’s Stadium, Santa Clara, CA	4:25 p.m. ET CBS	This is gonna get ugly. 6-5.
Sunday Nov. 30		at Indianapolis Colts Lucas Oil Stadium, Indianapolis, IN	1:00 p.m. ET FOX	Luck vs RG3… Luck win and the Skins fall to .500
Sunday Dec. 7		St. Louis Rams FedEx Field, Landover, MD	1:00 p.m. ET FOX	Sam Bradford had his first game as a backup and the Redskins keep their playoff hopes alive.
Sunday Dec. 14		at New York Giants MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford, NJ	1:00 p.m. ET FOX	I’m sorry for your loss(es) Giants fans. Alferd Morris goes off for 250 yards and the Skin’s win.
Saturday Dec. 20		Philadelphia Eagles FedEx Field, Landover, MD	4:30 p.m. ET CBS/NFLN	Foles breaks his own record throwing for 8 TD’s and leading Phili to the win.
Sunday Dec. 28		Dallas Cowboys FedEx Field, Landover, MD	1:00 p.m. ET FOX	Redskins get the win finishing 9-7.
Note: Game times/dates for weeks 5-17 are subject to change.

June 5, 2014

HERNANDEZ PLEADS NOT-GUILTY TO 2012 DOUBLE-MURDER

Former Patriots TE Aaron Hernandez was arraigned yesterday for the 2012 first-degree double-murder of Daniel de Abreu and Safiro Furtado…and he pleaded not-guilty. “These homicides were as brutal as they were senseless,” Suffolk County District Attorney Daniel F. Conley said. “[de Abreu and Furtado] were out for a good time. They had no idea this was coming.” The murder weapon, a .38 caliber Smith & Wesson revolver was linked to Hernandez through ballistics.

May 29, 2014
LIVE UPDATES FROM THE NFL OWNERS MEETING

PLAYOFF EXPANSION

NFL owners have tabled the Expansion discussion until the Fall

PAT DISTANCE

NFL owners have agreed to move the PAT’s back to the 15 yard line

HGH TESTING

Both sides seem far from an agreement as of now.

SUPER BOWL LII HOST SITE

Minneapolis has been chosen as the Site for Super Bowl LII

May 19, 2014
HERNANDEZ INDICTED…AGAIN

Aaron Hernandez has been indicted for the 2012 killing of two men in Boston. The former Patriots tight end is already being held without bond after pleading not guilty to the murder of Odin Lloyd.

The charge Hernandez was indicted to today is for the 1st-degree murder of Daniel de Abreu and Safiro Furtado. A crime in which the prosecution has a much better case. “For us, this case was not about Aaron Hernandez. This case was about two victims, who were stalked, ambushed, and senselessly murdered on the streets of the city they called home,” Suffolk County District Attorney Daniel Conley said.

Here is the info I know so far

Police have said Abreu and Furtado were shot by someone who drove up alongside in an SUV with Rhode Island license plates.

Conley says Hernandez and the victims had an encounter in a club that night. Hernandez was seen on surveillance footage in the same nightclub as the victims the night of the murder.

In February, the families of the victims filed wrongful death lawsuits against Hernandez, each seeking $6 million in damages.

Hernandez’s cousin, Tanya Singleton, was also indicted. She was granted immunity in exchange for testifying in front of a grand jury. She never showed.

Lawyers for Hernandez did notrespond to messages seeking comment.

Boston police wrote last year there is probable cause to believe that Hernandez was driving a vehicle used in the 2012 double shooting and “may have been the shooter.”

The possible SUV involved in the shooting was found at Hernandez’s uncle’s home in Bristol, Conn.

Survivor Aquilino Freire told police an SUV pulled up next to them while they were stopped, he saw someone in the SUV’s backseat laughing, several gunshots were fired from the rear passenger seat into the car.

May 15, 2014
LOOKING BACK AT THE RG3 TRADE

REDSKINS GOT

2012 draft:

Robert Griffin III, QB

RAMS GOT

2012 draft:
Michael Brockers, DT
Janoris Jenkins, CB
Isaiah Pead, RB
Rokevious Watkins, G

2013 draft:
Alec Ogletree, LB
Stedman Bailey, WR
Zac Stacy, RB

2014 draft:
Greg Robinson, OT

At first look this seems to be the worst trade in NFL history. But when we look back at it…YUP, still the worst trade in NFL history. JK, JK. I love what the Rams did with the picks acquired in the RG3 trade. However the Redskins get one of THE BEST young QB’s in the NFL. Many people may disagree but in my opinion RG3 had THE BEST rookies year of any QB that I’ve ever seen. So let’s go and GRADE THE PICKS!!!

REDSKINS GOT

2012 draft:

Robert Griffin III, QB A

RAMS GOT

2012 draft:
Michael Brockers, DT B
Janoris Jenkins, CB B+
Isaiah Pead, RB C-
Rokevious Watkins, G D

2013 draft:
Alec Ogletree, LB B+
Stedman Bailey, WR B
Zac Stacy, RB A-

2014 draft:
Greg Robinson, OT ?

Okay, this trade actually lies on the shoulders of Sam Bradford and RG3. Whoever ends up being the better QB, his team wins this trade and at this point it’s hard to tell. The Rams have a .454 winning % since the trade but 0 playoff appearances, the Redskins have a .407 winning % with 1 playoff appearance.

May 15, 2014