Footballguys Offseason Email - Volume 9, Issue 4 (Thursday, April 17th)
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Hi Folks,
Hope you've had a great week. We're rolling here as we barrel towards the NFL Draft in New York. It won't be long now. In the meantime, we've got a good number of stories to keep you updated on. From Steve McNair ending a classy career to Chad Johnson whining. It's been an interesting week. Sit back and enjoy. Have a great one. JSITE NEWS
INSIDE THIS ISSUE
1. BAL - QB McNair Retires2. CIN - WR Johnson Wants Trade
3. NYJ - Pope Blesses QB Clemens' Daughter
4. CIN - Bengals Sign Backup QB Fitzpatrick
5. GB - Packers To Retire Favre's Number During Season Opener
6. DAL - Cowboys Reportedly Offer RB Barber 30 Million Dollar Contract
7. NFL - Developer Plans 800 Million Dollar NFL Stadium In Los Angeles
8. CIN - WR Houshmandzadeh Clarifies Comments On Chad Johnson
9. ATL - RB Turner Makes Debut - Slowed By Shoulder
10. ATL - QB Redman From Insurance Salesman To NFL QB
11. DEN - WR Darrell Jackson Signs With Denver
12. DEN - Broncos Sign WR Samie Parker
13. NFL - Bryant Gumbel To Be Replaced On NFL Network Broadcasts
14. DEF - ARZ LB Dansby Signs Franchise Tender
Source: Sports Ticker
After 13 seasons of battling through an assortment of injuries, Steve McNair has had enough of the NFL.
The 34-year-old Baltimore Ravens quarterback, known as one of the toughest competitors in the game, officially announced his retirement Thursday during a press conference at the team's headquarters. "Your mind and body have to be on the same page",? McNair said. "Mentally, I could go out and play but physically I couldn't do it anymore." McNair's decision, which was made Wednesday, caught new Ravens coach John Harbaugh by surprise. "I'm disappointed,"? said Harbaugh, who is taking over for Brian Billick in Baltimore. "It was going to be an opportunity to be involved with one of the great warriors in the game. It hits you a little bit like a ton of bricks."[ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ OUR VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ]
Best wishes to McNair as he wraps an excellent career. He made a living proving the doubters wrong that didn't think his small college success could translate to the NFL.
It's a little worrisome that the decision comes this close to the draft but it's understandable that he'd want to be as sure as he could about a decision this big. He'd been active in the offseason conditioning program but finally came to the realization his body just wasn't up for it. The news leaves Kyle Boller and Troy Smith as the Baltimore quarterbacks. Not overly appealing. Baltimore has the 8th and 38th pick of the draft. General Manager Ozzie Newsome says McNair's decision won't affect their draft plans but that seems more like posturing than anything. This team needs a quarterback in a big way and it'll be interesting to see what they can come away with in New York City at the draft.Source: ESPN.com
Chad Johnson responded to a statemente from QB Carson Palmer that Johnson would participate in a mandatory mini camp in June.
"I want to make this very clear," Johnson told ESPN.com's John Clayton on Wednesday. "I don't know where he got that. I made no assertion to Carson that I would do that. Nothing has changed from what I've been saying for three months that I don't want to play for the Bengals." Johnson made one of his strongest statements in saying he is not planning on reporting to any team functions because he wants to be traded. "I want to be traded before the draft, and if that doesn't happen, I want to be traded as soon as possible,'' Johnson told ESPN.com. "I don't intend on reporting to anything."[ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ OUR VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ]
It's on again, off again for Johnson and the Bengals. One has to wonder how much of this the team will put up with before they grant Johnson his wish and allow him to move on. He's undeniably one of the most talented guys in the league. But the shtick is wearing thin.
NYJ - Pope Blesses QB Clemens' Daughter
Source: WJLA.com
Tens of thousands of people consider themselves fortunate just to catch a glimpse of the Pope, but one lucky infant had the interaction of a life time with the Holy Father when she was kissed by the Pope.
The baby, four-week-old Kate Clemens, happens to be the daughter of Kellen Clemens, a quarterback for the New York Jets. He and his wife Nicole had the chance to sit down on the field for the Papal Mass at Nationals Stadium and they were right in the path of the Pope. "The minute he came over I just kinda stood there in shock. He traced the sign of the Cross on her forehead and had given her this blessing. I was absolutely amazed and then for him to stop, lean down and kiss her, I got goose bumps immediately," said Nicole. "The fact that we were close enough to give Kate a blessing is just more than we could have ever hoped for and dreamed of and such an awesome experience that we will treasure forever ," said Kellen.[ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ OUR VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ]
We try to not to miss anything for you guys. On the serious side, I'm happy for Clemens as this was obviously an important and special thing for him. On the not serious side, I'm guessing Jets fans would have preferred that the Pope bless their quarterback instead...
CIN - Bengals Sign Backup QB Fitzpatrick
Source: Geoff Hobson, Bengals.com
Backup quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick signed his one-year tender of $927,000 Thursday, one day before the deadline for teams to sign restricted free agents.
Fitzpatrick, the first Harvard quarterback to throw an NFL completion, didn't appear in a game last year as the No. 2 to Carson Palmer after arriving in a Sept. 1 trade with St. Louis.[ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ OUR VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ]
It's always good to keep up with the Harvard guys. Fitzpatrick certainly lacks experience but he's shown a few flashes in the limited time he's seen on the field. If Palmer were to be injured, he'd fall into a nice offense but until then, he's all about the ball cap and clip board.
GB - Packers To Retire Favre's Number During Season Opener
Source: WISN.com
Brett Favre's famous No. 4 jersey will be retired during the Packers' season opener on Sept. 8 at Lambeau Field, the Packers announced Thursday.
The Packers play the Minnesota Vikings that night on Monday Night Football, which will air on WISN 12. "It will make for an electric atmosphere at Lambeau Field, as well as a great opportunity for our fans around the country to share in it while watching the game on the national broadcast," Packers President Mark Murphy said.[ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ OUR VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ]
Does this seem a little quick to anyone else? I mean I can't imagine ever seeing a #4 in Green Bay again. And most of us sort of expected this. But the very first game of the season seems a little quick. Team president Mark Murphy laughed off the idea that a retirement ceremony might put to rest any "unretirment" talk from Favre. Stranger things have happened but you'd have to hope that after a number retirement ceremony, it'd be pretty tough to come back.
DAL - Cowboys Reportedly Offer RB Barber 30 Million Dollar Contract
Source: Calvin Watkins, Dallas Morning News
The Cowboys have held preliminary talks with the running back's agent, Drew Rosenhaus, according to multiple sources, and are offering a financial package in the $30 million range.
Barber wants a package between $40 million and $60 million. In February, the Cowboys placed the $2.562 million tender on Barber, who is a restricted free agent. If another team wants to sign Barber, it would have to give up first- and third-round picks if the Cowboys choose not to match an offer.[ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ OUR VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ]
I've been a Barber fan for a long time but 40-60 million is pretty bold. That puts him in the Larry Johnson, Clinton Portis and LaDainian Tomlinson class. That's pretty elite company.
But agent Drew Rosenhaus didn't get to where he is by being timid. Depending on what the Cowboys have in mind for the draft, I'd expect a deal to get done that falls somewhere in the middle between what each side is proposing.NFL - Developer Plans 800 Million Dollar NFL Stadium In Los Angeles
Source: Daniel Taub, Bloomberg.com
Developer Edward P. Roski Jr. announced plans to build a new $800 million stadium in Los Angeles to lure a National Football League team to the city.
The arena would be constructed on an almost 600-acre site in the City of Industry and include 75,000 seats and 175 suites, Roski said today in a statement. He said he wants to purchase a team or become a minority owner in one, and won't build until a franchise agrees to move to Los Angeles. "A Los Angeles NFL team would become a part of the fabric of the community and a source of pride, just as the Lakers are," Roski said at a news conference at the Staples Center, the arena he helped build. "It's time to put the stadium debate behind us."[ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ OUR VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ]
This one will be interesting to watch. How the NFL can be as popular as it is and yet not have a team in a market like Los Angeles has to be one of the more puzzling marketing issues around. Stay tuned.
CIN - WR Houshmandzadeh Clarifies Comments On Chad Johnson
Source: Geoff Hobson, Bengals.com
On Wednesday night, wide receiver T.J. Houshmandzadeh clarified his remarks concerning his comments earlier in the day to ESPN regarding his thoughts on Chad Johnson's trade demands.
"If he stays, it will be bumpy. If he goes it will be bumpy, but I think he'll get over the early bumps," Houshmandzadeh said. "I think we'll win no matter what happens, whether he's here or not. If someone doesn't want to be around, why keep him? If he wants to come back, I think he should come back. Right now he doesn't, but it's early. We'll see what happens. "The bottom line is that this is Mr. (Mike) Brown's team and his family's team and they're going to do what is best for their company," he said. "Really, I would prefer he stay. We've been together, what? Eight years. I know if he leaves I'll get more attention (from the defense). I'll do what I do whether he's here or not., but I'd prefer he be here." Houshmandzadeh also isn't concerned that Johnson's refutation of quarterback Carson Palmer's assertion that Johnson told him he'd be here "when he has to be." "Knowing the kind of dude Carson is," Houshmandzadeh said, "it will roll right off his back. It won't be a problem."[ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ OUR VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ]
Looks like Houshmandzadeh is trying to smooth things over as much as he can. Unfortunately, when Chad Johnson talks, a lot can get roughed up. We'll see how this shakes out but obviously, if Johnson were to leave, this thrusts Houshmandzadeh into an even bigger role. And one that will draw more defensive attention as he says.
ATL - RB Turner Makes Debut - Slowed By Shoulder
Source: Coley Harvey, Macon.com
t wasn't quite the point of view Michael Turner hoped to have for his first practice as an Atlanta Falcons player.
"Yeah, the first day, everybody wants to see what the big fuss is about," said Turner, the Falcons' newest running back, signed after a four-year stint in San Diego. "Now, you don't want to miss any day period, but especially not that first day ... not when you're a new guy." The former Northern Illinois standout is nursing a post-operative shoulder injury, and he said he is expected to make a full recovery before training camp in July.[ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ OUR VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ]
The shoulder doesn't appear to be anything to worry about but file it away in the mental checklist for July. The hype for Turner this summer will be off the charts as fantasy owners try to project what he'll do as we finally get to see him as a #1 RB.
ATL - QB Redman From Insurance Salesman To NFL QB
Source: Paul Newberry, AP
Chris Redman has gone from insurance salesman to starting NFL quarterback.
"I thought the NFL was a cutthroat business," Chris Redman joked Wednesday, coming off the field after a two-hour practice with the Atlanta Falcons. "Let me tell you, the insurance business is just as cutthroat." Redman should know. He was out of the NFL for three long years, time spent getting an idea of life in the real world. He found it was a lot more fun playing football than going door to door trying to sell property and casualty insurance to major corporations. "Cold calls," they're known as. "You're walking up, you don't even know who you're going to be talking to and you're trying to get their business," Redman said. "I could tell them I used to be an NFL player, but you've got to work, too. I wasn't the best at it. I had been playing football my whole life. Football is what I'm best at. It was definitely an eye opener."[ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ OUR VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ]
It's been quite a ride for Redman. From starting his career in Baltimore to being happy to just make the team last year with Bobby Petrino. Now he's trying to hold down the starting QB job for the Falcons. New RB Michael Turner will make things significantly easier for him but he's still facing a tough job.
DEN - WR Darrell Jackson Signs With Denver
Source: Lee Rasizer, Rocky Mountain News
Darrell Jackson visited town, took a physical and signed a one-year contract Wednesday with Denver, becoming the third wideout on the open market to join the Broncos, after Keary Colbert and Samie Parker.
The system in which Jackson played the majority of his career in Seattle is akin to the one in Denver, so a smooth transition is expected. "I honestly think the only way this could be a better fit is if Darrell's first name was Brandon," Jackson's agent, Brian Mooney, said after signing off on the deal at Dove Valley. "Then you'd have three Brandons." Jackson's mind-set is to settle comfortably between the other two Brandons - Marshall and Stokley - and earn the No. 2 receiver job. Colbert, especially, should provide competition, and his three-year, $7.2 million contract might give him the edge to start. "In the end, I think Darrell will be the No. 2, but he doesn't take anything for granted," Mooney said.[ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ OUR VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ]
Along with Parker, the Broncos seem to be stockpiling WRs like Tampa collects quarterbacks. I have to admit I'm not a big Darrell Jackson fan. Nothing against the guy personally but I saw enough in San Francisco to have me leery of expecting too much in Denver. We'll see soon enough but I'd prefer to look more to a player with upside and potential as opposed to a veteran that seems to have seen his best years pass by already.
DEN - Broncos Sign WR Samie Parker
Source: Sports Network
he Denver Broncos signed wide receiver Samie Parker on Tuesday.
Parker spent the first four seasons of his career playing for division rival Kansas City, where he has tallied 110 receptions for 1,529 yards and seven scores. The 27-year-old had 24 grabs for 298 yards and two scores last season. The Oregon product was a fourth-round selection by the Chiefs in the 2004 draft.[ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ OUR VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ]
I've always like Samie Parker if for nothing else than the way he spells his name. He'll join a crowded WR corps but will benefit from a nice upgrade in offensive talent around him. Parker is considerably younger than new team mate Darrell Jackson and has plenty left in the tank.
NFL - Bryant Gumbel To Be Replaced On NFL Network Broadcasts
Source: AP
Bryant Gumbel has given up his role as an NFL Network play-by-play announcer after two seasons.
The NFL Network said Friday it was looking for a new play-by-play announcer to work with Cris Collinsworth on the network's Thursday and Saturday night games. "I thoroughly enjoyed the opportunity to call NFL Network games the past two years, which was a new experience for me," Gumbel said in a statement. "But we've agreed that we'd all be better served going in different directions."[ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ OUR VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ]
No argument here...
DEF - ARZ LB Dansby Signs Franchise Tender
Source: East Valley Tribune Staff
As expected, linebacker Karlos Dansby signed his one-year franchise tender offer worth a little more than $8 million with the Cardinals on Thursday.
Dansby was given the franchise tag designation by the team, meaning his one-year tender will be the amount of the average of the five highest-paid linebackers in the NFL in 2007. The Cardinals could still try to work out a long-term deal with Dansby, but must do so by July 15. Otherwise, Dansby must play for his tender offer and the two sides can not consummate a multi-year deal until after the season.[ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ OUR VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ]
Good news for Arizona as Dansby is a big part of the defense and looks to be coming into his prime. He had a career high 117 tackles last year with 3.5 sacks and 3 interceptions.
That'll do it for this week, Folks. Remember we have one more of these next Friday morning and then we'll kick over to sending these out every day after the NFL Draft is over. It's not long now. Have a great week and we'll see you next Friday.
J