Free Agency Tracker 2012
By Gayle Saunders
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On Tuesday, March 13th at 4 pm EST, Free Agency will be upon us folks. While we wait till that day, here are some of the players that could be available. Here is your chance to drool over the possible talent that could be on your team next season ( I’ve added restricted free agents as well)
Dont worry your friends at Skinnypost.com will be updating this chart throughout the season!
OFFENSE
DEFENSE
SPECIAL TEAMS
Giants are World Champions
Congratulations to the New York football Giants for their Super Bowl victory over the New England Patriots on Sunday night. The Giants haven’t exactly had the easiest road to the top but in the end found a way to make it happen. After 14 games this team was 7-7 and fighting for their playoff life. Following the Battle of New York, the GMen took the victory over the Jets and never looked back. It seems that each and every year the New York media wants to fire Tom Coughlin and wonders when Eli when become “elite”. Well all that talk is put to bed as the New Giants have now won their 4th NFL Championship and 2nd in 5 years.
It was a season of peaks and valleys, a season of leadership, a season of Salsa, a season of confidence and in the end a season to remember. From the vaunted Defensive Line, to the some of the breaks along the way it indeed is a season to remember. After starting off the season on a good foot, 6-2 record after the first 8 games, the Giants then lost 5 out of their next 6 and were in deep trouble of missing the playoffs.
Antrel Rolle was critical of them after the Redskins loss and when it seemed like they needed to get their act together they did. The Jets game comes along and after Victor Cruz goes 99 yards and Ahmad Bradshaw runs over guys on their way to a win it seemed as if this team had found their swag.
All they had to do was beat the Cowboys again and the Giants would be in the playoffs. In a game that was as close as you could hope for, a wide open Miles Austin is missed by Tony Romo in crunch time, and the Giants beat goes on.
Next up is the Falcons in the Wildcard and boom goes the dynamite as the Giants Defense shuts the Dirty Birds down, holding their Offense to 0 points. Then comes the vaunted Divisional Round vs the 15-1 former Champion Packers. That, along with traveling out West to face the Niners is no problem. They get two tough road Wins in the Playoffs and are off to face the Patriots.
From Eli Manning to the talented Wide Receivers to the D-Line and Defensive Backs this was a team effort. The Punter had a good a Super Bowl as we can remember too, the Giants came together when they needed to and that is how they’re back in the Winners circle hoisting up the Trophy for the World to see!
49ers get $200 Million for New Stadium
By Gayle Saunders
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NFL owners approved a $200 million loan to the 49ers in an effort to help the team finally build a new stadium. The venue would be placed south of Santa Clara. Close to two months ago, the City of Santa Clara and the 49ers announced that $850 million in loans would be coming from Goldman Sachs, Bank of America-Merrill Lynch and U.S. Bank.
CEO Jed York said the 68,500-seat stadium is more likely to open in 2015 rather than an early-opening date in 2014.
“We’re doing everything we can. I think 2015 is very achievable. If we can expedite the schedule, that would be fantastic,” York said last month on a conference call. “But we know we have funding for a stadium, we know that we can hit 2015, and there’s still a lot of work to be done there.”
York said the 49ers’ playoff run has boosted the stadium effort, adding: “I think a lot of the things that happened with the stadium came before the real success on the field. And I think there’s a lot that we can do to leverage what’s happened on the field. But that’s just because there’s excitement. You’re getting calls from sponsors now that weren’t returning calls at the beginning of the season and now they say, ‘Wow, the 49ers, this is great, we want to be a part of it.’ ”
Previously the league’s pool for stadium-funding had been depleted until the owners and players came to terms on the cba agreement last summer.
Inside The 49ers’ New Stadium
2012 Hall Of Fame Nominees
NFL Network will announce the 2012 Pro Football Hall of Fame enshrines on Saturday, in a pre-Super Bowl tradition. The ceremony will take place at 5:30p on the special Road to Canton: Pro Football Hall of Fame: Class of 2012 presented by Allstate. Fran Charles hosts alongside quarterbacks Dan Fouts and Warren Moon. Portions of the announcement ceremony will also be available live on NFL.com.
This year’s finalists include:
Jerome Bettis-Jerome Bettis began his career with the Los Angeles Rams, however he’s best known for running over folks in a Pittsburgh Steelers jersey, where he won a Super Bowl in 2006. Between six Pro Bowls and three All-Pro teams, he has the sixth-most rushing yards in NFL history and the 10th-most rushing touchdowns. Bettis is the type of back who could run right by or run right through…Gotta respect that.
Tim Brown -Tim Brown was a class act who played 15 of his 16 NFL seasons with the Raiders. Did we mention he was a Heisman Trophy winner at Notre Dame who actually did something in the NFL? Brown went to nine Pro Bowls and is fifth in NFL history in receptions, fourth in receiving yards, sixth in receiving touchdowns and fifth in all-purpose yards. Brown is also a member of the NFL All-Decade team in the 1990s.
Cris Carter - Cris Carter has come along way and is a firm believer in second chances. After being waived by Buddy Ryan and the Eagles, Carter took contorl of his life off the field and transformed his game on the field. The ESPN analyst plaeyed most of his 16-year career with Vikings. While in Minnesota he went to eight Pro Bowls,Carter was All-Pro three times as well. Currently he’s fourth in receptions, eighth in receiving yards and fourth in receiving touchdowns.
Dermontti Dawson - This seven time pro bowler and six tim All pro for the Pittsburgh Steelers played 13 seasons for the black and yellow. He played center under Chuck Knoll and Bill Cowher. Demonti was an all around good guy was a member of the NFL 1990s All-Decade team as well. Jerome Bettis can surely thank Daswon for getting him in the Hall of Fame.
Edward DeBartolo, Jr. -Eddie DeBartolo Jr. aka “Mr. D” was owner of the 49ers for 23 years. Loved by fans, his players, and coaching staff he helped his teams win five Super Bowls under Bill Walsh and George Seifert. Under Debartolo the 49ers saw great success who completely owned the NFL racking up win after win. Its not very often you find an owner that resonates with the fan base, players and coaching staff, but DeBartolo Jr. was well-respected by many. Its good to see that the Hall of Fame is recognizing his efforts.
Chris Doleman - Chris Doleman the gentle giant terrorized QBs week after week during his years in the league. Doleman racked up 150.5 sacks in his 15-year career. He played with the Vikings, Falcons and 49ers. Doleman played in eight Pro Bowls and was selected for five All-Pro teams, and was a member of the NFL 1990s All-Decade team. If you look at his body of work, you’d have to wonder why this guy isn’t in the Hall of Fame when fellow Viking teammate John Randle is in. Class act on the field and off it he needs to get in ASAP.
Kevin Greene -Speaking of sacks, few linebackers left quarterbacks trembling in fear as often as Kevin Greene did from the late-1980s through the 1990s. The Auburn grad racked up 160 sacks while playing for the Los Angeles Rams, the Pittsburgh Steelers, the Carolina Panthers and the San Francisco 49ers. Greene garnered five Pro Bowl selections and three All-Pro spots, earning recognition on the All-1990s team.
Charles Haley -Sackmaster. Pro Bowler. Super Bowl champion. Each of these monikers is necessary to describe Charles Haley, but none is sufficient on its own to pay adequate respect to the illustrious career of one of the greatest defensive players of the 1990s. Haley played in five Pro Bowls and won five Super Bowls while splitting time between the Dallas Cowboys and the San Francisco 49ers from 1986 to 1999. Much maligned for his poor behavior, Haley finished his career with 100.5 sacks and has twice before been named a finalist for the Hall of Fame.
Cortez Kennedy -Few defensive tackles were as dominant as Cortez Kennedy was during his 11-year career with the Seattle Seahawks. The third overall pick in the 1990 NFL Draft, Kennedy was eight times a Pro Bowler, three times an All-Pro and once the NFL Defensive Player of the Year in 1992. Big No. 96 finished his time in the NFL with 668 tackles, 58 sacks and three interceptions.
Curtis Martin-If Hall of Fame voters are OK with electing more than one running back in the same year, they’d be wise to give Curtis Martin a call. Martin stands fourth all time in rushing yards and 12th in rushing touchdowns from the 11 years he spent with the New England Patriots and New York Jets. In that time, Martin made five Pro Bowls and five All-Pro teams and became the oldest player in NFL history to lead the league in rushing.
Bill Parcells -At long last, The Big Tuna is ready to get canned in Canton. Bill Parcells compiled a career coaching record of 183-138-1 over an illustrious career spent with the New York Giants, the New England Patriots, the New York Jets and the Dallas Cowboys. Parcells guided teams to the Super Bowl on three occasions, winning two Vince Lombardi trophies with Big Blue.
Andre Reed -As fantastic as Andre Reed’s numbers are, he’ll forever be remembered for the critical role he played in helping the Buffalo Bills to four consecutive Super Bowls in the early 1990s. Reed was also one of the central figures in “The Comeback,” catching three touchdown passes to lead the Bills back from a 35-3 third-quarter deficit to beat the Houston Oilers in 1993. Statistically-speaking, Reed ranks eighth in career receptions, ninth in receiving yards and 11th in touchdown receptions.
Willie Roaf -Simply put, Willie Roaf was a quarterback’s dream. “Nasty” made a whopping 11 Pro Bowls and nine All-Pro teams while playing for the New Orleans Saints and the Kansas City Chiefs. Perhaps most impressively, the big offensive tackle was a member of the All-Decade teams for both the 1990s and the 2000s.
Will Shields -Will Shields followed up an incredible four years at Nebraska with an even more astounding 14 years in the NFL, establishing himself as arguably the greatest guard of all time. Shields was 12 times a Pro Bowler and nine times an All-Pro for the Kansas City Chiefs. Shields started 231 consecutive games for the Chiefs while blocking for five 1,000-yard rushing seasons and four 4,000-yard passing seasons. For his efforts, Shields was elected to the NFL All-Decade team for the 2000s.
Aeneas Williams -Williams was the kind of defensive back that had nose for the end zone, were not even talking an offensive player were talking about a guy who played corner and safety during his 14-year NFL career. Williams had 12 defensive touchdowns, 55 interceptions, 795 tackles and an NFL-record 268 yards on fumble returns. He was named to the 1990s All-Decade team and went to eight Pro Bowls and was selected to five All-Pro teams. Not sure if folks remember… Williams was the one that ended Steve Young’s career with a monster quarterback sack. Once Williams makes it in he will be the first Arizona Cardinal to make it in the Hall of Fame.
Jack Butler – Jack Butler’s career in the NFL began as a player in 1951 and ended with his retirement as Director of BLESTO Scouting in 2007. During his 9 year playing career, Jack compiled some remarkable statistics: 52 Interceptions (#2 on All-Time list at retirement), 60.2% Forced Turnovers /Game – Highest All-Time, 4 Times All-Pro / 5 Time Pro-Bowl Selection, Led the NFL in Interceptions (10) in 1957 NFL Team of the Decade – 1950′s NFL 50th Anniversary All-Time Team , Pittsburgh Steelers 50th and 75th Anniversary Teams.
Dick Stanfel -Dick Stanfel, who served as Bears offensive line coach from 1981-92, is among 17 finalists for the Hall of Fame’s Class of 2012. One of two Senior Committee candidates, Stanfel was a premier guard who was named to five Pro Bowls in seven seasons with the Lions (1952-55) and Redskins (1956-58).
Keys to Tiffany!
By Steve O’Reilly
The Super Bowl is American tradition, one that his engrained in our history and has become quite the media mayhem. Sometimes lost in the “party” of the big game is that there is actually a game to be played. In this segment I’m going to break down the most important factors to this game as I see it. The key points for each team to win the Tiffany Trophy and bring a Championship back to their respective city.
NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS:
First of all throw all the stats out. Forget the “31st Ranked Defense” talk! Why? Because the Patriots, like most teams with great Quarterbacks are a Defense that is built to get the ball back in his hands. When it comes to turnovers, the Patriots are 3rd in the NFL and while they do give up a ton of yards they also get the ball back and limit points in key times.
1st Key – Get turnovers
Next up is protection! The Patriots have faced elite pass rushers thus far in the Playoffs but as many NFL players are quick to remind you, you’re only as good as the Offensive Line, and so far so good. 1 sack vs great rushers like Elvis Dumervil, Von Miller, Terrell Suggs and the rest of the Ravens Defensive front. Against New York, the Giants honestly believe they are in Brady’s head. Jason Paul Pierre said this in regards to phantom pressure … “Yeah, he was. Yeah, he was reacting to pressure that didn’t exist and he was just throwing the ball places that there wasn’t a receiver there. So imagine us just getting there even faster and we’re actually doing our jobs and getting there and getting hits on him.”
2nd Key – Keep Tom Brady off the ground
Finally is execution. New England is going to be put into situations to succeed, that is a given due to their Head Coach and the time he has to prepare this team. They will get guys open in the passing game and will use the run game to keep the Giants off balance. When the opportunities to present themselves the Patriots must capitalize. That means no dropped balls, no bad passes and no penalties when you do get a big play.
3rd Key – take advantage when opportunities present themselves
NEW YORK GIANTS:
The Giants Offense begins with their running game. As much as everyone wants to talk about Eli and his great season, with due cause, but this team’s rushing attack has heated up as the team made the Playoff push. 115 vs the Jets including the Bradshaw bulldozing TD that capped the Battle of NY. Against the Cowboys they ran it 31 times for over 100 yards again and in the Postseason the Giants aren’t slowing down. The key to deep balls and big plays for the GMen is off play action so look for them to establish their ground game early. If they do New England’s Defense will that much more pressure to defend the entire field.
1st Key – run the ball!
Next up for New York is found in their Secondary. The Safeties for the Giants give New York advantages in this game and they need to make sure they capitalize on them. With Rob Gronkowski a little banged up it’s imperative that the Giants take the Tight Ends out of the game for New England. If Kenny Phillips and Antrel Rolle can cover the Tight Ends with little or limited help the Giants will be in a great spot to frustrate Tom Brady. However if the Giants can’t come up with a combination to slow down the Tight Ends then all the other Pats weapons become that much harder to stop.
2nd Key – Safeties need to limit the Tight End attack
Finally for the Giants is a key that is the first key for the Patriots, turnovers. The Giants have allowed 9 sacks this postseason but some of that is Eli realizing that sack won’t kill you but a Interception will. New York can not afford to give the ball back to New England, possessions are sacrosanct right now and it’s vital to make the most of every one. The GMen will look to run the clock down (so look for 03, 02, 01 on almost every snap) and will look to dictate the pace of the game. If they turn the ball over, that could be enough for Brady and Co’ to escape Indy with a win.
3rd Key – don’t give Tom Brady any more chances then he’s entitled too
In the end this should be a fantastic game. Styles make fights in the NFL and these two teams styles should mean a fantastic game. We’ve seen these Coaches face off before and the game within the game has begun to see who can hoist that Tiffany Trophy and bring to the parade next week!
Super Bowl Skinny!!
The Weekly Skinny is all about the Big Game in this week’s podcast!! We break down the match-up between the Patriots and Giants and talk a little Peyton Manning as well. Sit back, relax and enjoy the Super Bowl Skinny Podcast!
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
National Signing Day 2012
All over the country Wednesday top high school athletes were making their college choices official.
Some had already publicly committed or, depending on the sport and their national affiliation, already put there name on a letter of intent. For some, it was the big decision day.
Below is a ranking list of three major scouting services (Scout, Rivals and 247Sports).
| Team | Commitments | Scout | Rivals | 247 |
| Alabama | 26 | 2 | 1 | 1 |
| Texas | 28 | 1 | 2 | 3 |
| Ohio State | 25 | 3 | 4 | 5 |
| Florida | 23 | 5 | 3 | 4 |
| Florida State | 19 | 9 | 5 | 2 |
| Michigan | 25 | 4 | 6 | 7 |
| Miami | 33 | 7 | 8 | 9 |
| Oklahoma | 25 | 8 | 9 | 8 |
| USC | 15 | 15 | 7 | 10 |
| LSU | 22 | 6 | 16 | 11 |
| Georgia | 19 | 12 | 19 | 6 |
| Stanford | 20 | 15 | 10 | 12 |
| Auburn | 19 | 13 | 11 | 17 |
| Oregon | 21 | 14 | 15 | 14 |
| Texas A&M | 20 | 17 | 13 | 13 |
NFL gets sued over “Who Dat”
The NFL settled with a Louisiana recording company over a legal dispute for the famed Saints chant “Who Dat?” The lawsuit stemmed over who owned the merchandising rights, and the company, which recorded a song in 1983 with the popular cheer, claimed that the NFL was violating its trademark of the phrase.
The company had registered Who Dat! and Who Dat? as trademarks with the Louisiana secretary of state in the 1980s. In 1983, owner Steve Monistere, his brother Sal, and Carlo Nuccio recorded a version of “The Saints Go Marching In” that employed the “who dat” chant, which had become popular at Saints games. Saints players and singer Aaron Neville also were part of the recording.
Take that Cancer!
Mark Herzlich has come a long way in the last few years. The rookie Linebacker from Boston College is set to embark on the Super Bowl just two years removed from Cancer where doctors told him he would never walk again.
After a rod was surgically implanted into his femur and it appeared his football career was over. Diagnosed with a rare type of bone cancer at the age of 21, Herzlich decided to embark on a risky procedure to not only beat cancer but one that would also allow him to continue to play football.
2 years later not only has Mark beaten cancer he is playing for the New York Giants in this weeks Super Bowl. When he walked into the stadium he tweeted “”Just WALKED off plane in Indy to play in (the Super Bowl). Take that (expletive) cancer.”
Hat’s off to Mark for being such a fighter and beating the odds!!
Peyton Plans to Play!
All the recent talk about the future of Peyton Manning has cleared up a little bit as the future Hall of Fame Quarterback has shared that he has no intentions of retiring.
“I have no plans on doing that,” Peyton said yesterday “All the other talk, it is what it is. But my plan hasn’t changed. I’m on track with what the doctors have told me to do. I’m doing that, I’m rehabbing hard and I’m enjoying this week.”
Everyone is well aware that the Colts hold the #1 overall pick and have a large bonus due to Peyton in March. Many have speculated about Peyton’s future and where he will play and at least now we know he has full intentions of playing. Where it will be we will just have to wait and see.
