Are Birk, Saturday Hall of Famers

by | Feb 22, 2013 | Hall of Fame

Jeff Saturday & Matt Birk

Jeff Saturday & Matt Birk

Matt Birk announced his retirement today meaning that the 2012 season was the last for two of the NFL’s most prominent centers over the last decade and change.

Birk joins Jeff Saturday in hanging up his cleats. The Vikings and Ravens center goes out on top, having helped Baltimore to its second Super Bowl championship. It was his only ring despite having played for 15 years.

In addition to winning the Super Bowl once, Birk finishes his career with six Pro Bowl appearances. Saturday leaves the league after a 14 year career that was primarily spent in Indianapolis. He made six Pro Bowl appearances, though the last one this season (with Green Bay) was earned despite his having been benched toward the end of the season. Saturday adds two appearances on the Associated Press NFL All Pro First Team.

So, where do these two greats fall on the all-time list of NFL centers? Both of them were very good to great players but I’m uncertain whether they belong in the Hall of Fame. Using Pro Bowls as a comparative stat has its shortcomings because of fan involvement and all the guys these days who are getting appearances due to superior players pulling out of the game. But offensive linemen are particularly difficult to judge, so comparing their postseason profiles with respect to Pro Bowls and AP All Pro appearances with counterparts who were on the last three NFL All-Decade teams seems a logical place to start. (more…)

In depth 2013: Oakland Raiders

by | Feb 21, 2013 | 2012 season, 2013 season, NFL Draft, NFL Free Agency, NFL Random Thoughts

The first year of the post Al Davis–era in Oakland ended much the same way as much of the previous decade – with the Raiders on the outside of the playoff picture looking in. After a promising 2011 saw Oakland hit the .500 mark, salary cap issues and a lack of draft picks caused the Silver and Black to take a large step back in 2012.

Those same issues continue to plague the Raiders heading into 2013, as does a roster full of injury prone (Darren McFadden) and head case (Rolando McClain) athletes. So what can coach Dennis Allen and General Manager Reggie McKenzie do to get this team on the right track? And how long will it take?

Chris Shellcroft, editor of Just Blog Baby, tells Zoneblitz it could be a couple years or more before better times return to the Bay Area.

Zoneblitz: The Raiders dropped to 4-12 in 2012. What went wrong with the season and how did the results compare with your expectations heading into the year? (more…)

Where is Tebow destined to end up in 2013?

by | Feb 19, 2013 | 2013 season, NFL Random Thoughts

Okay, the Tim Tebow frenzy always drives me crazy. It got particularly overblown this last season while he played the role of benchwarmer in the league’s largest media market. And he has started all of 14 games at quarterback during his three-year tenure in the NFL.

But he is a phenomenon and, now that the season is over and a new league year is on the brink of beginning, his believers will soon start wondering where he’ll land for season number four of his career.

For the record, I like Tebow as a person. I think he’s a decent man with a lot to offer the world. I also agree with those who say he is severely lacking as a passer. He works incredibly hard and he’s someone I’d like to see do well, but I’m not convinced he’s ever going to be much more than he was in Denver — a guy who, when teamed with a strong defense, a great running game and a kicker who can hit clutch, late field goals to tie and win games, can succeed.

But since we’re about to start hitting the time of year when people hunger for the latest on the NFL – whether it is tremendously newsworthy or not – we, too, will temporarily join the “Where will Tebow end up in 2013” fray.

Here are a few options: (more…)

In depth 2013: Jacksonville Jaguars

by | Feb 19, 2013 | 2012 season, 2013 season, NFL Draft, NFL Free Agency, NFL Random Thoughts

A new owner, a second-year quarterback with his first shot at a full offseason of training, a new head coach and a defense that had played well in 2011 had fans and observers intrigued to see how 2012 would unfold for the Jacksonville Jaguars.

Instead of rewarding the optimism, however, the Jaguars struggled mightily once again, dropping to a 2-14 mark that cost a bevy of team officials their jobs.

The 2013 season brings more change. Owner Shahid Khan immediately unveiled a new logo and hired Gus Bradley away from Seattle to become the new head coach. So what does the team need to do to make the improvements that will allow Jacksonville to contend for a playoff spot in the near future? Adam Stites, manager of Jaguars blog Big Cat Country, shared his thoughts with Zoneblitz.

Zoneblitz: What do you make of the Jaguars hiring Gus Bradley as head coach and David Caldwell as general manager? (more…)

In depth 2013: Kansas City Chiefs

by | Feb 17, 2013 | 2012 season, 2013 season, NFL Draft, NFL Free Agency, NFL Random Thoughts

Two years ago the Kansas City Chiefs were in the playoffs. I thought heading into the 2012 season, the Chiefs had a chance to rebound from a down 2011 season and chase the playoffs again. I have rarely been more wrong.

Last season was a disaster in Kansas City and it took down yet another coach. Andy Reid was brought in from Philadelphia as Romeo Crennel’s successor and the Chiefs have the top pick in the draft. Can a potentially exciting offseason rekindle the momentum this team had after the 2010 season?

Patrick Allen, senior editor of the Arrowhead Addict blog, joined us to share his thoughts.

Zoneblitz: This team had six Pro Bowlers but went 2-14. What went wrong in 2012? (more…)