Wildcards – Players that could change the NFC outlook!
By Steve O’Reilly
In the first segment of this two part series we took a look at the AFC and chose a player in all four Divisions that could make a huge difference in the Playoff outlook. In this article we will do the same for the NFC. As we all know, if you win your Division than you garner a Playoff birth and that is the goal of every team as they head into training camp. Take care of your Division and move on to the postseason. Anytime you forecast Divisional outcomes this early in the game, it’s difficult to be accurate however there are story lines that warrant attention. Will Brett Favre play to the level he did in 2009? Will Kevin Kolb be able to take the reigns from Donovan McNabb? How will the Cardinals fare without their leader, Kurt Warner? All these questions will play out in due time but for now, let’s speculate on who will be the “WildCard”, the one guy or group of guys that hold the keys of destiny in their hands. Read more
Wildcards – Players that could change the AFC outlook!
By Steve O’Reilly
Every year there are story lines. Guys who could make or break the season for their respective team. We are going to focus on each Division and point out one player that could change the entire outlook of the playoff race. The ultimate goal of every team is to win their Division, if you do that, you are playoff bound for sure. So as we look at the 4 AFC Divisions, let’s point out some guys who’s return or level of play is vital too not only their team but the Divisional race as a whole. As I wrote in “Only as Strong as the Weakest Link“, if one piece of the puzzle is lacking than the entire team might suffer. Let’s take a spin around the AFC and see who are the real difference makers heading into 2010! Read more
Where Will T.O. Land Now?
On Tuesday, Owens told The Associated Press that, unlike some of the NFL’s “golden boys,” he’s never been disciplined by the league. He defies the long-standing perception that he’s a troublemaker, and points to a state of personal calm with the Bills in 2009, despite Buffalo’s off-the-hinges season.
“There were a number of times where prior I probably would have reacted, said something I wasn’t supposed to say,” Owens told The AP. “I really had some restraint, very patient.”
Wednesday morning, Owens hit the airwaves to promote the second season of VH1′s “The T.O. Show.” Try as he might to pitch this gem, nobody would have it. Talk immediately moved to football — and Owens didn’t disappoint.
In an interview with 96.5 The Buzz in Kansas City, T.O. dismissed the idea of playing for the Chiefs.
“Me and Todd Haley, we don’t get along,” Owens told the host.
Owens made it clear to Boston’s WJMN Radio that the Patriots were a different story.
“I’d definitely be open to that,” he said.
“I mean, you’ve got (Tom) Brady there. You’ve got the great mind, coach (Bill) Belichick,” Owens said. “I’m like LeBron. I can go there and take less of a role, take less money and put everything aside and make it work.”
Offseason Buzz – Bolting Bolts?
Everyone wants to know if perennial Super Bowl contender and reigning AFC West Champion San Diego Chargers are going to work out the current contract situations with Left Tackle Marcus McNeill and Pro Bowl Wide Receiver Vincent Jackson. The two have declined to sign their Tenders and the situation is kind of sticky! What does this mean for San Diego? Will they be as good with these guys’ potential hold out? We take a look at the situation out in San Diego and tell you how we see it playing out! Read more
Brett Favre works out with high school players in Mississippi
By Gayle Saunders
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On Monday even though his status for next season remained uncertain the great all mighty Brett Favre once again worked out with high school students in Hattiesburg, Miss., Read more
2010 NFL training camp reporting dates
By Gayle Saunders
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The NFL has released the dates that teams will report for their 2010 training camps. The first date listed with each team is the rookie reporting date, the second is for veterans:
AFC
Baltimore Ravens— McDaniel College, Westminster, Md., July 26/July 28.
Buffalo Bills— St. John Fisher College, Pittsford, N.Y., both July 29.
Cincinnati Bengals— Georgetown College, Georgetown, Ky., both July 28.
Cleveland Browns— Browns Training Facility, Berea, Ohio, July 23/July 30.
Denver Broncos— Paul D. Bowlen Memorial Centre, Englewood, Colo., July 26/July 31.
Houston Texans— Methodist Training Center, Houston, both July 30.
Indianapolis Colts— Anderson University, Anderson, Ind., both Aug. 1.
Jacksonville Jaguars— Municipal Stadium, Jacksonville, Fla., both July 29.
Kansas City Chiefs—Missouri Western, St. Joseph, Mo., both July 29.
Miami Dolphins— Dolphins Training Facility, Davie, Fla., both July 30.
New England Patriots—Gillette Stadium, Foxborough, Mass., July 25/July 28.
New York Jets— Cortland State, Cortland, N.Y., July 29/Aug. 1.
Oakland Raiders— Napa Valley Marriott, Napa, Calif., both July 28.
Pittsburgh Steelers— Saint Vincent College, Latrobe, Pa., both July 30.
San Diego Chargers—Chargers Park, San Diego, July 25/July 30.
Tennessee Titans— Baptist Sports Park, Nashville, both July 31.
NFC
Arizona Cardinals— Northern Arizona U., Flagstaff, Ariz., both July 30.
Atlanta Falcons— Falcons Training Facility, Flowery Branch, Ga., both July 29.
Carolina Panthers— Wofford College, Spartanburg, S.C., both July 28.
Chicago Bears— Olivet Nazarene, Bourbonnais, Ill., both July 30.
Dallas Cowboys—Alamodome, San Antonio, both July 29; Dallas, Aug. 7-13; Oxnard River Ridge, Oxnard, Calif., Aug. 14-27.
Detroit Lions— Lions Training Facility, Allen Park, Mich., both July 30.
Green Bay Packers— St. Norbert College, De Pere, Wis., both July 30.
Minnesota Vikings— Minnesota State-Mankato, both July 30.
New Orleans Saints— Saints Training Facility, Metairie, La., both July 29.
New York Giants— University At Albany, N.Y., both Aug. 1.
Philadelphia Eagles— Lehigh, Bethlehem, Pa., July 26/July 29.
St. Louis Rams— Russell Training Center, Earth City, Mo., July 28/July 30.
San Francisco 49ers— Marie P. Debartolo Sports Center, Santa Clara, Calif., July 30/July 31.
Seattle Seahawks— Virginia Mason Athletic Center, Renton, Wash., July 29/July 30.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers— One Buccaneer Place, Tampa, both July 30.
Washington Redskins—Redskins Park, Ashburn, Va., both July 29.
New York Jets: And then there was three…
By Gayle Saunders
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If the New York Jets want to live up to all the hype and back up the words of the vocal Rex Ryan, they’re going to need to have all the pieces in place. The only concern is that these pieces know their worth and they know how important they are for the Jets success this upcoming season.
And then there was three… D’Brickashaw Ferguson was one of the four key players looking for a new contract and he finally got his wish. He signed a contract extension with the Jets that’s been reported to be around $60 million over the next six seasons. 
D’Brickashaw Ferguson was a former first round draft pick in 2006, and has become a major reason as to why the Jets were the best rushing team in the league last season.
With one key free agent signed the others are still hoping they will get their contract extensions as well.
Center Nick Mangold, who was also a first round pick in 2006 and one of Ferguson’s compadres on the Oline is still without a contract extension. Mangold is in the final year if his contract; due to the lack of interest the jets have shown in signing him he had talked about not reporting to the team’s mandatory mini-camp. Mangold did end up reporting though, but whether he plans on reporting when training camp starts without a new contract remains to be seen.
On the defensive side linebacker David Harris and CB Darrelle Revis have yet to be granted extensions. Harris, a second round pick from 2007, made 127 tackles including 82 solo ones last season. Revis, had 54 tackles and six interceptions. Revis has three years left on his current contract, but since his rise to greatness and his ability to be a true shut down corner he wants to be paid accordingly. As a result of stalled negotiations, Revis has sat out through parts of off season workouts.
A Closer Look – AFC West!
By Steve O’Reilly
Over the last half a Decade this division has been controlled by the San Diego Chargers. The once mighty Denver Broncos lost their mojo when John Elway retired and the rebuild under the Josh McDaniels regime has been anything but smooth. The Chiefs have been up and down, they made the playoffs in 2006 where they lost to Indianapolis in the Wild Card but haven’t really done anything at all since. The rebuild in Oakland has been going on since the Tampa Bay Bucs put a whooping on them in Super Bowl back in the early 2000’s. If one thing is clear about the AFC West it’s that the division is owned by Phillip Rivers. Love him or hate him you have to respect him. The QB from NC State has never lost in the month of December and since taking over the reigns in 2006 from Drew Brees has never not won the AFC West. Let’s go around the Division and look at who might be able to walk away with the crown in 2010! Read more
Drew Brees Book Excerpt: ‘Coming Back Stronger’
By Gayle Saunders
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Almost a year ago, the cameras surrounded quarterback Drew Brees in an emotional moment as he held his son in his arms after an amazing Super Bowl win.
For the man who had a near career-ending injury to now being named the MVP of the Super Bowl, his storybook ending could only be seen as something inspiring.
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Remembering Steve McNair
By Gayle Saunders
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In the state of Mississippi there were many folks that celebrated this joyous holiday weekend, but for some people in a small south Mississippi community called Mount Oliver, which is the home of former pro football quarterback Steve McNair…July 4th will never be quite the same as it once was.
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