Is Harrison Signing New Philosophy in Pittsburgh?

by | Apr 13, 2009 | 2009 NFL Free Agency, Business of Football, NFL Random Thoughts

The Steelers signed 2008 NFL Defensive Player of the Year James Harrison to a six-year, $51.75 million contract on Monday, replacing a contract that would have paid Harrison $1.4 million in 2009.

The contract is a nice one for Harrison, a 31-year old OLB, and certainly not as ridiculous as handing a 320-pound (or more) defensive tackle with penchant for stomping on people’s faces with his cleats and possibly taking non-contract seasons off a record breaking $100+ million deal.

But, looking back at the Steelers history, one has to wonder if the extension for Harrison is sign of a new philosophy in Pittsburgh, in theory being driven by coach Mike Tomlin, who has a reputation as being more of a “Player’s Coach” than Bill Cowher or Chuck Noll ever were.

In the past, Pittsburgh has let several big name LBs leave in the middle of what would be considered my many their prime, or at the very worst just past their prime–seemingly always considering the system more important than the player.

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George Wrighster Gets It – CBA Must Be Extended

by | Apr 10, 2009 | Business of Football, NFL Rumors, Welcome

While Martellus Bennett maybe shouldn’t be given a forum to express his latest thoughts & wisdom, another NFL player maybe should be getting the attention of NFL fans, players and owners.  Jaguars TE George Wrighster wrote on his YardBarker blog today about how the collective bargaining agreement needs to be extended, for the good of the game.

If the CBA isn’t figured out soon, the NFL could be looking at a 2010 season with no salary cap–which Wrighster points out will be bad for the owners AND the players, as a whole.

Some players, such as Karlos Dansby, have been spouting off about the money they expect to receive in 2010, thanks to the uncapped year.  And a player like Dansby might actually see some extra cash, if they draw the interest of a team like the Washington Redskins, who will likely (continue) to spend maximum dollars in an effort to finally win something under Dan Snyder.

But many more teams, like Wrighster’s Jaguars, will be much more likely to take advantage of the lack of a salary floor–meaning they will spend much less than the $111 million that they are required to spend on salaries in 2009.  This will lead to a dynamic more like Major League Baseball, where you have big market teams spending anywhere from 2 to 10 times as much as smaller market teams.

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Seahawks Ugly Alternate Jersey Revealed

by | Apr 2, 2009 | Business of Football, NFL ... something, NFL Rumors

UPDATE: Apparently this was an April Fools Joke that just didn’t get publicized until April 2nd.  I think the joke should be on the Seahawks–make them play in green!  Upon further review, it should have been obvious it was a joke–the Seahawks are amongst the teams advocating the annoying trend of monochrome uniforms, so for this to have been real, they would have needed green pants as well.  That would have been AWESOME!

The Seatlle Seahawks new alternate jerseys were leaked on Deadspin this morning–presumably not a late April Fools joke.  I have to agree with Deadspin as to the jersey’s being hideous–why would you put the blueish-grey stripes on a beautiful green jersey like that?

Seahawks New Alternate Jersey

Seahawks New Alternate Jersey

I’m not a real fan of the trend of jamming so many blocks of colors and Nike swooshes onto jerseys–most of the jerseys teams are switching to these days are hideous, and belong in the arena league (where the “modern” look seemed to originate).

But I actually kind of like the green Seahawks jersey–it would be better without the blue sleeves–but then again, I also list the Buccaneers old creamsicle orange jerseys in my top 5 all time football uniforms.

Tony’s Top 5 “Ugly” Football Uniforms:

5. Houston Oilers powder blue jerseys

4. Buffalo Bills red helmet, blue facemaks combo

3. New England Patriots red jerseys with Pat the Patriot

2. Tampa Bay Buccaneers creamsicle orange jerseys and winking pirate…

1. Orlando Thunder flourescent green jerseys–had to be painful for opponents to look at during games.

What are some of the other best all time football uniforms out there?

John Elway Plays Pot to Jay Cutlers Kettle

by | Mar 21, 2009 | Contract Squabbles, NFL News

John Elway told something called The Pueblo Chieftain that he is “saddened” by the feud between his former team, the Denver Broncos, and their rising star quarterback Jay Cutler.

I wonder how sad he was back in 1983, when he refused to play for the team that drafted him?  Back in 1983, he used his status as a minor league baseball player in the Yankees organization to hold the Baltimore Colts, who had picked Elway first overall out of Stanford, hostage, because he felt they could not allow him to be successful.

The Colts got QB Mark Herrmann, the rights to OL Chris Hinton, and a first round pick–and remained a basement dwelling team for the better part of 15 years, until Peyton Manning came along.

While successful in getting his way, it was one of (if not THE) first example of what has become all too common in the NFL these days–players who, according to the collective bargaining agreement, should have little say in where they play (whether due to draft rights being held, or due to the fact that they already signed a contract) pissing and moaning until they force their way out.

The only situation in the NFL as galling (or more) than Elway’s situation was Eli Manning weaseling his way out of San Diego on draft day.  At least both of those moves appeared motivated by the talent on the team’s involved–neither of those situations is bad as Kobe Bryant demanding that the Charolette Hornets trade him to a team in a bigger market, simply so his star would shine brighter.

In this area, I tend to think that the owners need to take a stand.  Cutler is under contract–unless they get a king’s ransom of a trade offer for him, one that makes them a better team immediately, I think they should not move Cutler, and force his hand.  If the realationship is really damaged beyond repair, then I suggest that Bus Cook’s latest headline grabber make his way down to Mississippi, and help Brett Favre on the tractor.

Peppers to Patriots Makes Sense for No One

by | Mar 17, 2009 | 2009 Trades, NFL Random Thoughts

The latest big time trade rumor making the rounds in the NFL is that Julius Peppers will go to the Patriots, in exchange for the 34th pick in this year’s draft, which the Patriots acquired from the Chiefs for Matt Cassel and Mike Vrabel.

Peppers, who has been with the Carolina Panthers since the 2002 season, expressed his desire to leave the team earlier this offseason, and go to a team that features a 3-4 defense.  The team responded by tagging him as their franchise player.

On the surface, the move might make sense–the Panthers get rid of a disgruntled player, and get something back; Peppers goes to a perennial contender that plays the 3-4 defense he thinks will better suit him; and the Patriots get a big name pass rusher.

Digging in, though, the deal doesn’t really make sense to anyone.

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