We sit down with Jay Richardson, Defensive End of the Oakland Raiders. Jay is heading into his 4th year in the NFL and we chat with him about his wonderful Charity work, playing Defensive End and what the Raiders’ fans should expect in 2010!

As always, we urge you visit JayRichardson98.com and see what you can do to help out a great cause!

Jay Richardson Interview from Skinnypost on Vimeo.

The NFL kicked off the 2010 preseason in style Sunday night with the Hall of Fame Game from Canton, Ohio, the pre-season game meant a lot when it came to television. The ratings on NBC were a 7.6 with a 13 share. Which beat the beat the Red Sox-Yankees game, the NFL pre-season game drew its highest rating in six years.

When you have NFL Hall of Fame icons, such as Emmitt Smith and Jerry Rice in the building its only right that their rewarded with an amazing offensive showcase … right?

Neither the Cincinnati Bengals offense nor the Dallas Cowboys offense lived up to that challenge on Sunday night, when Dallas beat Cincinnati 16-7 to open the preseason. However with Defensive Hall of Fame inductees such as Dick LeBeau, John Randle and Rickey Jackson watching on, both Defenses came to play. Dallas picked off three passes and recovered a fumble; Cincinnati also recovered a fumble.
The Dallas defense really came through for the team’s former star running back, Emmitt Smith.

“Having Emmitt inducted into the Hall of Fame is special,” All-Pro linebacker DeMarcus Ware said. “For us now playing for the Cowboys, it does make it extra special.”

The Cowboys look forward to taking the first step in the right direction with pre-season win, hopefully the first step towards becoming the first team to play in a Super Bowl in its home stadium. That particular goal will take months before it can be achieved, but for the time being they will enjoy the moment cherishing Emmitt Smith’s entry into the Hall of Fame.

Other highlights from the game: Chad Ochocinco’s Golden cleats.
The Flashy receiver wore gold footwear for the very few plays he was in. He wore the shoes in honor of Smith, Rice and the other members of the Class of 2010.

He was asked about possibly being fined by the league for sidestepping the dress code, he threw up his hands in disdain and moved on to other questions.

Both offenses generally had sporadic drives all night and there were eight sacks in a sloppy game. It was clear, none of the aura of the NFL’s career leaders in rushing and receiving rubbed off.

“I thought we were fundamentally sound and the effort was great,” linebacker Keith Brooking said. “Those are the two main ingredients you look for in the preseason.”

Another thing that was noticeable on the evening… the amount of penalties, 16 overall, 12 by Cincinnati for 90 yards. However, it was the preseason opener.

“The best thing about it,” Cowboys coach Wade Phillips said, “is you see what you did and what you need to improve on.”

Most of the starters worked short shifts, and for the most part the Cowboys’ starters looked pretty sharp. Romo led them to the Cincinnati 2 with a decent opening drive before they stalled and David Buehler kicked a 20-yard field goal. Romo was 5 for 10 for 59 yards.

“You just have to continue to work on the things we’ve been doing through the offseason and in training camp,” Romo said. “You’re never sure until you get into a game-like mode, and some of the new stuff, it was nice to see it work out really well. It’s a start. We have to build off of it, but we still have a ways to go, and we’re on the way.”

Dallas definitely needs better protection up front for their QB’s after the Bengals had five sacks, two of them came from linebacker Michael Johnson.

In the offseason the Bengals made plenty of moves with the signings of Pacman Jones and Owens. Jones who is looking forward to taking the right steps this year, wasn’t signed by any teams last year because of his previous off-field issues and missed the season. Owens caught two passes for 18 yards and was thrown to four times by Carson Palmer.

“It’s the start of the 2010 season and I am facing my former team in the Hall of Fame game. That’s a good start,” Owens said. “But this game was a learning experience and a stepping stone for all of us. There would have been a lot more interest and a lot more intensity if this had been a regular-season game against them.”

Buehler added field goals of 34 yards in the second quarter and 23 yards in the third. The last kick was set up when linebacker Brandon Williams returned an interception of Jordan Palmer – Carson’s younger brother and Cincinnati’s third-string quarterback – 36 yards to the Bengals 9-yard line.

Dallas capped the one-sided victory when Brandon Sharpe picked off Jordan Palmer’s fourth-quarter pass and dived untouched into the end zone for a 6-yard score. Bengals rookie Jordan Shipley ran back a punt 63 yards in the final minutes, and Jordan Palmer hit rookie tight end Darius Hill for a 1-yard TD with 51 seconds remaining.

Houston Texans Wide Receiver Andre Johnson was already under contract until 2014 but the Texans felt it was in their best interest to make sure he’s a Texan for life! In a rare move by NFL standards, the Texans extended Johnson, now 29, until 2016 essentially adding 2 more seasons on to his deal.

A TV network in Houston reports that Johnson is guaranteed $13 Million in the new deal and the total value of the contract is 23.5 million added on to the $60 Million he was already set to make. This makes Johnson the highest paid Wide Receiver ever, done in the same year that saw Brandon Marshall become the highest paid Wide Out of all time, until now.

Johnson is quiet off the field saving his noise for the gridiron!

The talented WR from Miami is the perfect weapon and a great model for any NFL player. He is quiet, professional and ultra productive. Tall and fast with great hands, Johnson can do it all. He stretches the field and makes the tough catches over the middle. Since being drafted 3rd Overall in 2003, the former Hurricane has 587 Catches for 7948 yards and 42 Touchdowns. The 2 time All Pro has made the Pro Bowl 4 times and is now ready to focus his energy on what he does best…play football!

By Steve O’Reilly

Mike Williams understands diversity, he understands trying times and patience and he knows everything has it’s time and place. 2010 is Mike’s time and Seattle is the place. All the stars have aligned and Mike is ready to fly with the Seahawks and show the NFL world what he’s really got.

At the University of Southern California, Mike Williams was an exceptional talent. His one handed catches made fans across the country take notice of his skills. He decided that he was ready for Prime Time and take his skills onto the NFL, however the NFL didn’t agree. They had a rule in place that did not allow Williams to join the NFL Draft and he sat out a year until the time was right.

That following offseason, Williams was drafted by the Detroit Lions in the 1st Round, 10th overall. The Lions had high expectations for the young talent and even though he hadn’t played football in a year, the team was optimistic. Mike is the prototypical size for a big NFL Receiver. He is 6-5 and around 230 pounds but questions quickly arose about his weight, as he beefed up and gained almost 40 pounds. Things didn’t exactly work out the way they were supposed to for Williams. To his credit, he wasn’t exactly on a “high powered” NFL offense out in Detroit and their struggles were evident. After two short seasons the Lions and Mike Williams parted ways. He was traded to Oakland and after a short stint with Raiders it was off to Tennessee. Things with the Titans didn’t work out and it seemed as though Williams NFL Career was over and he spent the entire 2008 and 2009 seasons away from the game.

The old saying however is “you can’t hold a good man down” and that just might be exactly the case with Mike Williams. Determined to shred the label that many NFL teams and pundits have given him, Mike stayed hungry to prove the NFL world wrong. He has been working extremely hard and is now a shredded 230 pounds and in the best shape of his young life. Still in his mid 20′s, Mike is a relatively low risk player at this point, a player that just might be the best gem you’ll find in 2010!

During his time at USC, Williams played under Head Coach Pete Carroll. Consequently, Carroll is the new Head Coach of the Seattle Seahawks and in need of a big possession Receiver. They kicked the tires on Brandon Marshall but that never panned out. Enter Mike Williams! Carroll is very familiar with the talent that Mike possesses and if there is anyone who can harness that unlimited potential, it’s probably Pete Carroll.

Mike Williams is now ready to show the world he is a competitor who has a desire to be the best. He’s learned from his experiences and is showing the work ethic and dedication to be a contributor to the Seahawks. He has the ability no question and with his work ethic and drive along with a Coach who he is very comfortable with, Mike Williams is … Ready to Fly!

We sat down with Mike, the new Seattle WR to discuss his future and more!!

Mike Williams Interview from Skinnypost on Vimeo.

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!

Oakland Raiders – The JaMarcus Russell era is over as the Raiders have released the one time 1st Round pick. Many NFL pundits claim that if you whiff on a 1st Overall pick, especially at QB, that it sets your franchise back at least 3 years. We will find out as the Raiders continue to regain the swagger of this once proud franchise. Many feel that the only way the Raiders will regain that swag is if/when Al Davis moves on. As long as he is in charge then draft mistakes like Darrius Heyward-Bey will continue. The 2010 Draft however could prove to be the best one the Raiders have had in a long time. In the first Round they selected Rolando McClain, the great Middle Linebacker from Alabama. The middle of the Defense for Oakland began the overhaul last year when the Raiders traded for Richard Seymour, then this offseason they added big John Henderson from Jacksonville. McClain will have some savvy veterans in front of him and should be a strong candidate for DROY. The big questions however come on Offense and particularly on Offense. At QB the Raiders have to decide wether incumbent Bruce Gradkowski will lead the way or newly acquired Jason Campbell will take the reigns. The team also brought in Kyle Boller for some veteran presence and it looks like it’s a wide open QB competition in Oakland. The Raiders do have some pieces on Defense. Players like Tyvon Branch, Nnamdi Asomugha, Kamerion Wimbley and Richard Seymour add some true talent and veteran leadership. The running game looks to be better than average but the key is the Offensive Line, Wide Receivers and Quarterbacks. If the Raiders struggle to put up points, it could once again be a long year out in Oakland!

Kansas City Chiefs – The Chiefs are team that is rebuilding. The Organization brought in Scott Pioli last year to install “Patriot Way” and so far it hasn’t worked. The Chiefs traded for Matt Cassell and traded away Tony Gonzales, both moves were a bit skeptical. In order to fix the Offense and to obtain the true Patriot form, the Chiefs have brought in former New England Offensive Coordinator Charlie Weis. Weis brings to the table the “nuts and bolts” of this system. His addition should be a boon for the Kansas City O’. The mentality of the team also must change. They simply have not been winners over the last 3 season. Winning only 4,2 and 4 games over the last three seasons is not good. With that said, winning is as much about talent is it as a mindset. You have to believe you can do it. The Chiefs entire Organization needs to establish a winning philosophy and I believe that’s the reason Scott Pioli and now Weis have been added. On the field, the Front 7 on Defense is still a work in progress. They switched to a 3-4 Defense and don’t really have the parts for it. 1st Round pick Glenn Dorsey is better fit in the 4-3 Scheme where he can play the 3 Technique and not over the Center in a 3-4 as a Nose Tackle. They lack an edge rusher at Outside Linebacker which is vital to obtain pressure. In fairness, Derrick Johnson did have a monster game in the finale against Denver from the Inside Linebacker spot so maybe they are adjusting. The Secondary lacks great playmakers but did draft one in Eric Berry, we have to wait and see how he pans out but should be as dynamic in the NFL as he was at Tennessee. If the Chiefs can shore up their Front 7, get solid secondary play and Matt Cassel plays better the Chiefs should improve but this team is probably not going to reach the playoffs, but in this Division…they’re not alone!

Denver Broncos – The Broncos are team that has been shredded. Not only the roster and Coaching staff but the fans as well are butting heads over the direction of the team. Some, if not half or more, feel that new Head Coach Josh McDaniels has put his ego first and in doing so is stripping this team of talent. First, Jay Cutler was traded away and then this offseason Brandon Marshall was shown the door. To be fair, the Broncos even before the trades of the Pro Bowlers weren’t exactly nasty. They were no better than an 8-8 team really. During the Shanahan swan song the Broncos had the Offense but their Defense was lacking, with McDaniels they had the Defense but the Offense struggled late in the season. For whatever reason, whether it was Kyle Orton or an undersized Offensive Line trying to play smashmouth Patriots style football, the Offense was exposed. After starting 6-0, the Broncos finished 2-6 and completed the season at 8-8. The finale against Kansas City was a disaster. McDaniels benched Tony Scheffler and Brandon Marshall, both of whom are now gone and McDaniels was booed off the field after getting blown out in a game they needed to win for any chance of a Playoff birth. What is past is prologue and here they sit. The Defense has been bolstered, they added Jamal Williams at Nose Tackle, Jarvis Green at Defensive End and Justin Bannon at the other DE spot. Elvis Dumervil will likely be retained as the team is currently trying to work out a long term deal. The Draft saw a ton of Offense. DeMarius Thomas at WR and Tim Tebow at QB were both taken in the 1st Round. The Broncos also added a ton of beef along the Offensive Line as the Shanahan crew is being phased out. The Broncos need more size in order to run the system that McDaniels likes. Brady Quinn was acquired via trade and the Broncos are indeed rebuilding the Offense. The questions are whether the loss of Brandon Marshall and his 100+ catches can be sustained. If the Broncos continue to play the way they did at the end of 2009, than it’s going to be a long season in the Rockies. This team will likely not make the playoffs and if they get to 8-8 again, that would be considered good! Knowshon Moreno should be the bright spot on an otherwise young and untalented offense.

San Diego Chargers – The Cream of the Crop lies out in San Diego. Phillip Rivers still has all his weapons and then some. By the “then some” we’re talking Ryan Matthews. The Running Back from Fresno St. was an excellent pick up and the Chargers thought so much of him that they moved up in the 1st Round to nab him. He is the Running Back to make the Chargers play action passing attack that much more dangerous. The play action in San Diego is a staple. They love to run, run, run then throw it deep to one of their very tall Wide Outs. Philip Rivers has great passing weapons around him but questions still remain along the Offensive Line. They need to shore up some of the interior blocking that was exposed on a Monday Night game against the Broncos who repeatedly blitzed the A gap, or either side of the Center. The Defense remains mostly in tact with the exception of Antonio Cromartie who was traded to the Jets. The San Diego secondary is far from dynamic and their best play maker is now in New York. The biggest questions in San Diego are off the field distractions and the loss of a true leader and one of the greatest players in the NFL over the last Decade in LaDainian Tomlinson. As of recent, the Drug Enforcement Administration has met with the Chargers over potential drug issues, two key players – Marcus McNeil and Vincent Jackson did not sign their FA tender and both cases look like they could linger into Training Camp so the question is who takes control and keeps the Bolts headed in the right direction. One thing is clear about the Chargers is that they know how to win late in the regular season but don’t know how to win late in the Playoffs. This team has knocked on the door of the Super Bowl so many times and have won 14,11,8 and 13 games over the last 4 seasons but have yet to get the elusive Lombardi Trophy! If the Bolts can avoid distractions, play solid on Defense and let Rivers and Co’ put the points we know they can, than the AFC West crown should once again end up in San Diego!

By Steve O’Reilly

Bradenton, Florida is much like any city in the US. This small community, like many others, has been effected by the recent downturn in the economy and as businesses have had to cutback and layoff… big time Bradenton residents stepped up!

The Cornerback Connection consists of Domininque Rodgers-Cromartie, Mike Jenkins and Fabian Washington. Together Fabian and Mike have joined to create the Franchise Kids Foundation and Dominique has his Foundation individually. They have united their fame and celebrity to make a difference in the town of Bradenton, Florida and it’s neighboring communities. Bradenton is a small community but has some big industrial giants in it’s midst. Tropicana Products for example, is one of the world’s largest producers and marketers of orange juice. At one point Tropicana called Bradenton home where they used to haul their famous juice trains, a relationship in effect since 1971.

Rod Harper of the Saints shows off his SuperBowl Ring!!

In some area’s poverty is a reality. The good people that work with these NFL players recently took a tour of their neighborhoods to see the living conditions and Jonathan Styles of the Cornerback Connection told me he was “surprised to see how bad they actually were, here in our own backyard.” So the men that once called Bradenton home decided it’s time to do something about it, it’s time to give back! Fabian, Dominique and Mike all come from this town and all feel the need to do something in an effort to help out.

Throughout the week the two Charities teamed up and in their efforts they provided a Basketball camp, a Football camp, a Food Drive and the culmination was Saturday’s Celebrity Basketball Game. The people of these Foundations felt it was high time for the community to come together and all pitch in to make a difference. They told me that it was important to get the community involved in giving back. The tickets and turnout from the events all week were going directly back to the community. We sat down with Fabian and Mike to discuss when and why they became involved with their hometown…

The local businesses were urged to advertise and the people in the community were enticed with the chance to see some great NFL players like Daunte Culpepper, Rod Harper, Dominique Byrd and others play a little basketball. The benefits go to the charities who help the children and people in the community. Helping parents feed their families and helping the people of Bradenton get through during some hard times!

Please check out the CornerbackConnection to see what you can do to help!

By Steve O’Reilly

Recently the NFL and Union Officials have been hashing around the idea of extending the NFL Season from 16 games to 18 games. Some of the concepts have the Pre Season shortened two games from its original 4 along with other concepts that would be different from the way the current set up is. The idea of 20 games any way you slice it, is 20 games. The question is how many are exhibition and how many are regular season are the cornerstone of debate. Under the current Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) the NFL has the authority to expand the season to 22 games but doesn’t want to so without the consent of the Players Union and without figuring out the financial compensation for the players involved.

There are always two sides to the story first lets begin with the Owners and the League’s. The issue on this side is two fold:
One – the Preseason is or has lost it’s luster. The Television and attendance ratings for the Pre-Season has been on a decline as more and more teams rest their key players in an effort to avoid serious injury. Without the big name players most fans simply aren’t interested in watching 2nd and 3rd string players. Diehard fans thoroughly enjoy seeing this developmental league unfold however, but there simply isn’t enough interest to make the juice worth the squeeze.

Two – and honestly most importantly is revenue. If each stadium holds on average 75 Thousand fans then two extra games means 150 Thousand tickets sold. In addition, the Television and advertising revenue that the extra games would create would mean Millions more for the Owners. The NFL is the most popular game out of the Big 3 (Football, Basketball and Baseball) and the SuperBowl ratings have been off the charts and it’s no secret that the NFL is at an all time high in popularity. In summary, more games = more money!

On the flip side is the players and the players Union. Their only concerns are health and fair compensation. The NFL is a violent and physically depriving game. A good majority of the Players who earn their living this way are in some shape or form physically altered as their lives progress. Simply tasks like walking up a flight of stairs or running around with your Grandchildren are simply not possible for some. Granted, the Players are very well compensated financially but some things money can’t buy. Make no mistake about it, injuries in the NFL are a serious risk!

At the end of the 2009 Season 297 Players were placed on Injured Reserve (IR), meaning that their injuries were so drastic that the teams they played for deemed they would be unable to play for the entire season. IR works in a way so the team may free up a Roster spot and bring another player onto the roster if the player injured can’t assist them in the current year. In 2008, 305 players were on IR and the end of the regular season and in 2007 the number of hurt players was 313. In 2009, the Buffalo Bills alone had 20 members of their team placed on IR. To be fair, that number can be slightly misleading. If a player for example hurts himself and expects to be fully recovered within one month but there are only 2 weeks left in the season, the team may wish to put him on IR in an effort to bring someone else on the roster. Granted it’s still an injury worth noting but not always “season ending” or “career threatening”.

To really get a feel for this concept, it’s probably best to talk to the guys who actually have to do it or have done it. We know the League wants to expand the brand and the Owners want revenue but how do the players feel about it? How do current and former NFL players feel about the idea of having a longer season? There is only one way to find out so I reached out to a few NFL guys to get their take on the matter.

One thing is clear, the NFL is grueling and the players will do what they must whether they like or it not, after all it is their career. Both sides need to come to an agreement and it’s interesting if not ironic that at a time when Owners are saying there will likely be a lockout on one hand they are talking about playing more on the other. Kyle Turley told me don’t ever feel sorry for us, we are millionaires but at the same time respect the fact that while we are playing a game this is a business and we will negotiate as such. From a fan’s perspective we see very skilled men laying it on the line for large amounts of money in a very lucrative industry. Personally it reminds me of gladiators in the arena, the longer you are out there the better chance for something to go wrong. While I think we all would like to see more of the sport we love, for the sanctity of the Record Book and the quality of the product … 16 games is just fine!

Recently we caught up with Eric Wright of the Cleveland Browns to talk a little football. The Browns are in a bit of a rebuild and brought in a well respected NFL mind in Mike Holmgren. We sit down with Eric to talk about the changes in Cleveland, Joe Haden’s addition, the new 1st string Running Back – Montario Hardesty and more!!

This article was written by Steven O’Reilly in coordination with Barry Bach, who contributed with the Players information and synopsis!

The average NFL career is 3.5 years according to the NFL Players Association. An interesting fact that we must consider when talking about players financial matters. Follow me for a minute as we look at things a little differently. Imagine for a moment that you have an opportunity, a window as it were to get into a Buffet full of wonderful food, top shelf entrees. To be sure, your entire life you’ve been starving. The work, effort and talent needed to get into this room is mind bogglingly difficult and the odds are that you have never personally known anyone that was ever in this buffet. While in the buffet there are obstacles that can be life altering. Things that can happen at any moment that can change your entire well being, so while there are lavish riches there are also terrible consequences that can be tragic and even paralyzing. The point here is, when you have the opportunity to get into this buffet you eat as much as you can, when you’re in this room of riches you capitalize as much and as quickly as possible! Why? Because tomorrow is never promised and in the NFL you are, as they say, “one play away”.

Which leads me to our most recent NFL Superstars. Chris Johnson, Darrelle Revis, Miles Austin, Andre Johnson and Elvis Dumervil are all in the market for more money. We will take a look at each one in a bit more detail but first we will face the questions and the arguments from fans (which always makes me smile because some argue for their teams as if it’s their money) and of course NFL Teams, who like any business will find a way to save off the bottom line. Let’s evaluate this for a moment and wonder why shouldn’t one of these NFL Superstars get paid, or as we put it, eat as much food in the buffet as possible. In this years 2010 NFL Draft a whole bunch of guys who never once helped their team win will become financially set for life, so why shouldn’t the best players on the team be compensated as well if not better than the incoming class?

Let’s take a look at 5 guys who should get first dibs at the Buffet line…

Dumervil put more QB's on their backs than any Defender in 09!

Elvis Dumervil -

Elvis is the one of these five who you can’t find highlights of the 2009 season for on youtube. Why? Maybe because after he led the league in sacks (17) the quarterbacks of the NFL came together to have Elvis banned from the site! Or maybe that’s just the conspiracy theorist talking! Not only is he not getting mainstream love, he’s also the only guy on this list who has yet to make atleast 1 million dollars per season (base salary+bonuses). Of the top 5 leaders in sacks in 2009, only two made under 1 million, Elvis Dumervil and Pittsburgh Steelers LaMarr Woodley. Elvis has averaged 10.75 sacks since he entered the league in 2006. Keep in mind, that Elvis was a 4th Round selection in his respective draft and he is still working on his rookie contract. His way of handling his business to show up and be accounted for. The Denver Broncos just started their Organized Team Activities and Dumervil was present and accounted for!

Miles Austin -

Austin had a break out year in 2009 and will be crucial piece to the Cowboys puzzle for a title run in 2010. In 2009 he caught 81 balls for 1,320 yards and found the end zone 11 times. He was in the top 5 in receiving yards, touchdowns, and yards per game. He also earned his first Pro Bowl trip in 2009. Austin emerged as the Cowboys play-maker after the departure of Terrell Owens. Currently a long term deal appears nowhere in sight for Miles. Possibly because Jerry Jones is eagerly awaiting to find out if he redeemed himself for passing on Randy Moss by drafting Dez Bryant in this year’s draft. Austin is currently being tendered at 3.168 million. This could be dwarfed by the contract that Dez Bryant will sign before he even catches a pass from Tony Romo. It will be interesting to see how this plays out for Austin and the Cowboys. They have tons of weapons on offense and if you do for one you will have to do for others, so Jones might want to set the tone and use Miles as his example!

Andre Johnson -

An absolute freak of nature, Johnson was the only receiver in 2009 to record over 1,500 receiving yards, 1569 to be exact. He also led the league in receiving yards per game with 98.1 as well as catching a league leading 22 passes for 20 yards or more. The Houston Texans have been a team on the rise for a few years and look to gel and compete with the Colts sooner rather than later. Getting Johnson a new deal is crucial towards their progession towards post season play. Johnson’s name cannot be found in the top 25 highest paid players in the league, although he is arguably one of the leagues top 25 best players perhaps even Top 10! Andre will likely handle his business professionally and quietly, he is after all a Quiet Storm!

Darrelle Revis -

Let me introduce you to the man who shut Andre Johnson down. Oh yeah,you can add these names to the list too, Randy Moss, Marques Colston, Terrell Owens, Steve Smith, Chad Ochocinco, and Vincent Jackson. Revis Island is good enough to become an official U.S. territory. The Jets were number one against the pass in 2009, thanks in large part to Revis. Currently he is asking for a large amount of cash, 20 million…per year! If the Jets are considering not paying him, they should look no further than Miami’s trade for Brandon Marshall. Revis will be a key element in the Jets chances to win the AFC East for many years. He will be asked to cover the leagues best receivers with Marshall and Randy Moss. Darrelle Revis can handle his situation any way he wants but he needs to be careful with his bargaining chips. The Jets traded for Antonio Cromartie and drafted Kyle Wilson in the 1st Round of the 2010 NFL Draft. They clearly are sending the message that they are covered as well! Rex Ryan’s pressure defense makes good Cornerbacks look great and it’ll be interesting to see if the Jets feel their D’ made Revis or if Revis made the Jets D’!

Chris Johnson -

Who lead the NFL in 2009 in rushing? Chris Johnson. Who lead the NFL in 2009 in yards per game? Chris Johnson. Who had the most runs of over 20 yards? Chris Johnson! Suffice it to say this guy is good! We’re talking Bo Jackson Tecmo Bowl good! Johnson became the sixth player in NFL history to rush for over 2,000 yards in a season with 2,006. He also broke Marshall Faulk’s record for most yards from scrimmage. Surprisingly, Johnson has the lowest base salary of any of the players on this list. Johnson signed a 5 year 12 million dollar deal as a rookie and is scheduled to make 550,000 in 2010. He is currently seeking to become the NFL’s highest paid running back. This is probably the situation that could get the ugliest. The Titans really have no leverage here. If Johnson holds out and forces Tennessee’s hand, they will take a major step back on Offense and could jeopardize the continued growth of Vince Young!

What’s the Skinny on players wanting more money? Well, we as the common fan can understand the notion that these players are Multi Millionaires and they can’t complain about being rich for playing a game. Some may even gaulk at Chris Johnson’s $550,000 base salary and say “oh is that all, meanwhile I’m making $30K a year and have children to support”. We understand that position but at the same time we don’t fault the player whose life will never be the same after his football career is over. He only gets one opportunity to become set for life for the betterment of himself and his families proceeding him. The business of Professional sport is a lucrative one, Owners have become Billionaires and the players who succeed in filling the seats for the owners want what they feel they deserve. We say to them, maximize your potential and strike while the iron’s hot! Just remember that your fans will always want you to take the high road, act with class and keep reality in your perspective, because for all of us, money matters!