Brett Favre is still undecided about his future

August 10th, 2010 admin

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Last season the Minnesota Vikings went from a team that struggles to make the playoffs every single season to a possible Super Bowl title contender over the next couple of seasons.

There is no doubt that the Minnesota Vikings have always been a talented football team, especially on the offense of side of the football superstar running back Adrian Peterson coming out of the backfield and one always improving defense, but last year they finally got the missing piece the puzzle the franchise caliber quarterback in 11-time Pro Bowler Brett Favre.

With Brett Favre under center, the Vikings’ offense was damn near unstoppable last season as the play action worked perfection and the presence of the three-time NFL MVP helped players like Percy Harvin and Sidney Rice turn into Pro Bowl caliber wide receivers. Not only was the offense firing on all cylinders with Favre, Peterson and Rice having career seasons, but the defense became arguably one of the best in the league led by Jared Allen.

So with a potent offense and a lockdown defense, the Minnesota Vikings were able to make it into the playoffs and cruise to the NFC championship game to take on the eventual Super Bowl champion New Orleans Saints.

Even though the Vikings had one hell of a season that could be considered one of the best in franchise history, the Saints were able to get the best of the Vikings in the NFC championship and beat them in overtime.

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Unfortunately, despite Brett Favre having arguably the best season of his Hall of Fame caliber career (33 touchdowns, 4,202 yards and seven interceptions), the Silver Fox seems to be on the verge of retiring from the game he loves for the third time.

Recently, there were reports that Brett Favre had already made his decision and since his surgically repaired ankle wasn’t healing the way he anticipated his decision was retirement. The reason for people believing that the Vikings’ quarterback was calling it quits was that supposedly teammates were getting text messages from the 40 year old QB saying he was done, but all reports of these text messages have been proven wrong as Favre publicly said that he still hasn’t made his decision.

Obviously, with his past history of waffling back and back about retirement that this news comes as no surprise, but you got to believe that the Minnesota Vikings are starting get a little bit frustrated with Brett Favre the same way the Green Bay Packers did a couple years ago.

There is no doubt in anyone’s mind that having Brett Favre back under center makes the Minnesota Vikings a much better team, but the NFL regular season begins on September 9th (@ New Orleans Saints) for the Purple People Eaters and they still don’t know who will be their starting QB.

Tim Tebow agrees to five-year deal with the Denver Broncos

August 9th, 2010 admin

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The Florida Gators are one of the most storied college football programs in the nation as they always seem to be a force to be reckoned with in the SEC and have the ability to contend for a BCS title every single season.

Last season the Gators came up just short as they lost to Nick Saban’s Alabama Crimson Tide and as a result were unable to reach the BCS championship. Not only were the Gators disappointed that they were able to reach the BCS championship, but they also had to say goodbye to arguably the best college football player of all-time in two-time BCS champion and Heisman trophy winning quarterback Tim Tebow.

Over the last few years, Tim Tebow has been the face of the Florida Gators football program and college football for that matter. It is no secret that the Gators will miss their former Heisman trophy winner behind center, but it was time to move on and Tebow was set to make the jump to the NFL.

Even though Tebow’s skills on the gridiron are undeniable as he is a multiple offensive threat on the football field with the ability to hurt opposing defenses with his feet and through the air, the former Gators quarterback wasn’t getting much attention throughout the league as many people questioned his ability to transcend his game in the NFL.

Not only were most NFL franchises concerned about whether Tebow could play with the same efficiency as he did with the Florida Gators, but the main reason for NFL teams staying away from the college superstar was his awkward throwing motion and the possibility that he just couldn’t get the job done on the professional level.

Well, despite the majority of the teams in the NFL being very critical of Tim Tebow and his ability to play at the next level, the Denver Broncos and head coach Josh McDaniels were willing to take a chance on the youngster by drafting him with the 25th pick in the first round of the NFL Draft.

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This was a surprise to say the least as the Denver Broncos were in no need of a quarterback after trading for Brady Quinn from the Cleveland Browns in the offseason and already having Kyle Orton as their starter behind center.

The one position the Denver Broncos were thought to be targeting was at wide receiver after trading Pro Bowl wideout Brandon Marshall to the Miami Dolphins earlier in the offseason. The consensus was that they had their sights set on Oklahoma State’s Dez Bryant, but after the Dallas Cowboys selected Bryant with the 24th overall pick, the Broncos went with Tebow at 25th overall.

Even though there was a some speculation that Tim Tebow might holdout for more money before training camp, the former Florida Gators superstar agreed to terms with the Denver Broncos for a five-year deal worth $11.5 million dollars in which $8.7 million is guaranteed money.

Along with being guaranteed to make at least $8.7 million during his time with the Denver Broncos, Tebow could make up to as much as $33 million dollars.

San Diego Chargers reach contract extension with tight end Antonio Gates

August 8th, 2010 admin

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The San Diego Chargers have one of the most dynamic offenses in the NFL led by arguably one of the best quarterbacks in the league in perennial Pro Bowler Philip Rivers.

With Rivers behind center, the Chargers have progressively gotten better with every passing season and seem to improve their chances to contend for a Super Bowl title ever year, but the two-time Pro Bowl quarterback wouldn’t be as successful in his time in San Diego without tight end Antonio Gates at his disposal in the passing game.

Over the past half decade or so, the San Diego Chargers have been LaDainian Tomlinson’s team as he was considered the best running back in the NFL and perhaps the biggest threat in the Chargers offense, but after he was recently released by San Diego (signed with the New York Jets shortly after), three-time All-Pro tight end Antonio Gates has become the number one option for Philip Rivers.

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Not only has Gates become a very valuable commodity for the Chargers after the departure of LT, but he was also on the verge of a lucrative contract extension that would most likely have him retire in a Chargers uniform.

As of right now, Antonio Gates is a 30 year old tight end with plenty of good seasons
left in him, but even though that age is considered to be over the hill for running backs around the NFL, tight ends have been able to continue to put up big numbers well into their 30s.

Reportedly, the six-time Pro Bowl tight end and the San Diego Chargers have agreed to terms on a five-year contract extension that will be worth about $36.175 million dollars. Along with making about $7+ million a season from now until 2015, arguably the league’s best tight end will have $20.4 million of this new deal guaranteed.

Needless to say, this is a huge contract for a player that just turned 30 and the biggest contract ever given to a NFL tight end, but Antonio Gates is worth every penny as his numbers continue to be impressive with every passing season.

Last season Gates finished the year with 1,157 yards, eight touchdowns and 79 receptions. Even though the San Diego Chargers were the hottest team in the NFL heading into the playoffs last season with 11 straight wins, Antonio Gates and company lost to Rex Ryan’s New York Jets in their first postseason game and went home a little earlier than anticipated.

Despite the disappointing end to last season with the loss to the Jets in the playoffs, the Chargers have a very good squad heading into the 2010-2011 season and have been labeled as a possible Super Bowl title contender once again.

The one thing the Chargers will have to address next season will be the future of Pro Bowl wide receiver Vincent Jackson. After being arrested with his second DUI, the Chargers best wideout was suspended by the league for the first three games of the upcoming season which could cause San Diego to struggle to start the season once again.

NFL Power Rankings: Colts on top heading into 2010-2011 NFL season

August 7th, 2010 admin

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Top 5

#1 Indianapolis Colts

Despite losing to the New Orleans Saints in the Super Bowl last season, Peyton Manning and company are the top dogs in the NFL power rankings heading into next season and justifiably so as they will have relatively the same team intact and ready to contend for another title.

 

#2 San Diego Chargers

Heading into the playoffs last season, the San Diego Chargers were arguably the hottest team in the league as they won 11 straight games to finish the regular season.
Unfortunately, the Chargers failed to continue their success in the postseason as they were knocked out of contention by the New York Jets, but this season could be San Diego’s year.

 

#3 Minnesota Vikings

This number three ranking for the Minnesota Vikings all depends on the return of Brett Favre as without the future Hall of Fame quarterback, the NFC Conference heavyweights will almost certainly drop much lower on this list and quite possibly out of the top ten.
If Favre comes back, and he most likely will, the Vikings will be legitimate Super Bowl title contenders once again and favorites to come out of the NFC Conference.

 

#4 Dallas Cowboys

The one team in the NFL that has everything going for them next season is America’s Team.

Not only is the Super Bowl being played at Cowboys Stadium in February, but Dallas has made some considerable upgrades, especially on offense with the addition of rookie
wide receiver Dez Bryant.

The Cowboys still have some offensive line issues that could turn out to be a big problem, but as of right now, Tony Romo and company will come into the season with high hopes of doing something that no other team has ever done in playing in a Super Bowl on their home field.

 

#5 New Orleans Saints

The defending Super Bowl champions were the team to beat last season came out with their first Super Bowl title in franchise history, but this time around they are ranked fifth on NFL power rankings list heading into the season and will have to prove to the league once again that they are a serious force to be reckoned with in the NFC Conference once again.

Look for another big season from Drew Brees and maybe a breakout season for Reggie Bush!

 

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6 through 10

 

#6 Green Bay Packers

 

The Packers go as Aaron Rodgers does, so if the new Green Bay gunslinger has another great year, the Cheese Heads will follow!

 

#7 Philadelphia Eagles

The Kevin Kolb era in Philly begins!
Last season the young quarterback played like a Pro Bowler in his time behind center, but now he will have to do it for an entire season and the pressure might be too much to
handle, especially in Philly, but I believe he is up to the task.

 

#8 Arizona Cardinals

Much like the Eagles, the Cardinals no longer have a perennial Pro Bowl quarterback (Kurt Warner) and their future success if very much up in the air with an unproven quarterback behind center.

The future of the franchise is now in the hands of former USC Heisman trophy winning quarterback Matt Leinart. Even though the Leinart could fall flat on his face next season, backup quarterback Derek Anderson will be waiting on the sidelines for his chance.

I think the Cards are ranked a bit too high on his list without Kurt Warner coming back, but they could surprise some teams next season.

 

#9 Cincinnati Bengals

Last year the Bengals had somewhat of a breakout year as they finally got their Pro Bowl quarterback back behind center who led them to AFC North division, established one of the best running games in the league with running back Cedric Benson and became a dominant team on the defense.
Next season Cincinnati will have the same team relatively intact, possibly with Terrell Owens playing alongside Chad Ochocinco, and a great chance of heading into the playoffs once again.

 

#10 New England Patriots

The New England Patriots could quite possibly be on the verge of no longer being a force to be reckoned with in the AFC Conference, but they might have one more promising season with a shot at contending for another Super Bowl title.

Tom Brady is working on a contract extension which could have him making more than any other player in the league, but next season will be a big indicator on whether or not he is over the hill or able to lead this team in another championship run for a ring.

 

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11 through 32

Baltimore Ravens (11), New York Jets (12), Pittsburgh Steelers (13), Houston Texans (14), Atlanta Falcons (15), Tennessee Titans (16), Denver Broncos (17), Carolina Panthers (18), San Francisco 49ers (19), New York Giants (20), Miami Dolphins (21), Chicago Bears (22), Jacksonville Jaguars (23), Buffalo Bills (24), Cleveland Browns (25), Oakland Raiders (26), Seattle Seahawks (27), Kansas City Chiefs (28), Washington Redskins (29), Tampa Bay Buccaneers (30), Detroit Lions (31), St. Louis Rams (32)

2010-2011 NFL Season Preview: Top 3 Defenses

August 6th, 2010 admin

Bet the NFL Preseason Now – Click HERE1. New York Jets

Coming into last season, the New York Jets had just gone through a rebuilding process that saw the struggling storied NFL franchise bring in a new head coach, new starting quarterback and entirely new game plan with a focus on the defensive side of the football.

With new head coach Rex Ryan at the helm in New York, the Jets took on an entirely different approach as they concentrated on defense first and offense second. This was the exact same game plan that the famously outspoken head coach had implemented in Baltimore and had great success with over the years.

Even though many people didn’t expect instant success for the New York Jets last season with a rookie quarterback (Mark Sanchez) and a new head coach, that is exactly what they got as they were able to get the playoffs and all the way to the AFC Championship game.

Unfortunately, they were unable to get the best of the Indianapolis Colts and advance to the Super Bowl, but they definitely have high hopes for the future and will have arguably the best defense heading into next season.

 

2. Baltimore Ravens

Over the past decade or so, the Baltimore Ravens have been known as having one of the best defenses in the NFL, but last season the defense started to take a back seat to a promising young offense led by quarterback Joe Flacco and running back Ray Rice.

Even though the Baltimore offense is starting to make more headlines and somewhat overshadow the lockdown defense of the Ravens, Ray Lewis and company are still playing at a high level and actually supporting their new found potent offense by maintaining leads.

It is no secret that the leaders on defense aren’t getting any younger as both linebacker Ray Lewis and safety Ed Reed have considered retirement over the past couple of seasons, but they should be back for at least one more season as the Baltimore Ravens have a legitimate shot at contending for a Super Bowl title next season.

 

3. Minnesota Vikings

Last season the Minnesota Vikings went from just another good team in the NFL to a great team as they brought in future Hall of Fame quarterback Brett Favre and key defensive players in order to make this team a legitimate title contender in the very competitive NFC Conference.

Even though there was a lot of doubt surrounding this Vikings team led by a 19-year veteran quarterback, the defense was as solid as ever as Jared Allen and company quickly went from a good defensive side to arguably one of the best in the league.

Next season the Minnesota Vikings will hope to have Brett Favre back behind center for at least one more season, but the one part of their game that they aren’t worried about is their defense which could finish the season as the league’s best.

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