What the #$%^ was Walker thinking?

by | Jun 17, 2008 | NFL News, NFL Random Thoughts

I don’t want this post misinterpreted. I’m not arguing in favor of physical violence against anybody nor do I have any respect for thugs who acquire things not through buying them but by beating the hell out of their fellow man and taking it.

But what in the hell was Javon Walker thinking in Las Vegas early Monday morning hanging around with $3,000 in cash and more than $100,000 worth of jewelry?

Various media outlets are reporting details surrounding the events of the evening that might have led to Walker getting his beating. Among other allegations is that Walker was at the Body English nightclub inside the Hard Rock Café into the wee hours of the morning and that he may have had another party earlier in the weekend where he engaged in spraying champagne in the direction of other patrons. (more…)

Specter of Spygate is over

by | Jun 17, 2008 | NFL News, NFL Random Thoughts

Rest easy, NFL. Sen. Arlen Specter, R-Pa., has given up his dream of a Congressional inquiry into Spygate, the “scandal” that rocked the 2007 NFL season creating controversy around the New England Patriots’ 16-0 regular season.

Specter, who has to have better things to do than worry about what is going on on NFL sidelines during games, told the Philadelphia Daily News in a statement picked up by other media outlets that his judiciary committee “has too much to do” and he’s “gone as far as I can.”

Apparently the demands of fighting a war, fixing health care, the national deficit, an ongoing presidential election, crumbling national infrastructure, environmental concerns, $4 per gallon gas prices, and Congress’ 11 percent approval rating are more important than Spygate. Good that he finally came to that realization. (more…)

Darling & Webb battling for No. 2 slot?

by | Jun 17, 2008 | NFL Random Thoughts

One had to guess that the Kansas City Chiefs were heading into rebuilding mode this year. They traded away arguably their best defensive player in Jared Allen for picks before the draft and they realized last year the need to rebuild their offensive line.

Just how far it had slipped wasn’t entirely clear until I read this story indicating that the team’s No. 2 WR slot is open for competition between, among others, Devard Darling and Jeff Webb.

No offense to Darling and Webb – I hope they do well and make it big. But if that’s the best you’ve got to roll with into training camp for an offense run by the also extremely questionable Brodie Croyle, you’ve got to be wringing your hands a bit.

Based on the numbers, Darling appears to be the more explosive of the duo. He’s joined the Chiefs this year from Baltimore and is entering his fourth season, though before last year he last appeared in a game in 2004. His career numbers include 20 catches for 331 yards and three touchdowns, all but two catches for five yards accumulated last year.

Webb was a sixth round pick in 2006. He has 31 catches for 336 yards and one touchdown and he did appear to come on at the end of the 2007 season, finishing with 28 catches for 313 yards and that sole TD.

The Chiefs added some nice offensive pieces during the draft including potential left tackle Brandon Albert, running back Jamaal Charles from Texas and two tight ends. But the only additions at wide receiver were fourth rounder Will Franklin and sixth rounder Kevin Robinson – both of whom are written about more in project-like terms than in glowing, can’t-miss-type formats. I don’t think anyone expected the Chiefs to be looking at a playoff spot this season, but it could be a longer year than anyone expected in KC, Mo.

Irvin to Goodell: Show players the hall

by | Jun 15, 2008 | NFL Random Thoughts

I never liked Michael Irvin nor the Dallas Cowboys of the mid-1990s that were winning Super Bowl after Super Bowl. I thought Irvin was an arrogant jerk on the field and his off-the-field exploits involving hookers, cocaine and seedy Dallas hotels are the stuff of legend.

But recently Irvin has had at least one good idea – he convinced NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell to make a visit to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio mandatory for rookies when they enter the league. That’s the best thing the league has done since imposing upon its first-year players the Rookie Symposium.

With many of the bad seeds in the NFL apparently feeling they have arrived just by showing up it’s vital that these clowns get a look at the history of the game – the people who sacrificed, bled and breathed football during a time when most players had to take off-season jobs in order to make a complete living.

New Falcon Matt Ryan in this ESPN piece says it best. “It makes you realize you got a great opportunity,” he told the Web site. While his English leaves a bit to be desired, Ryan appropriately tipped his cap to what came before him and appreciation for his opportunity to become the next great quarterback.

Clearly this move isn’t single-handedly going to rid the league of thugs and clowns. But it can only help in providing some context and some appreciation for what makes the NFL the strongest professional sports league in the world. And that can’t be a bad thing.

Tyree fighting for roster spot … duh

by | Jun 4, 2008 | NFL News, NFL Random Thoughts

There are some rumblings from the east coast that Super Bowl hero David Tyree might be in a fight for his roster spot this season. Hopefully those reports are correct because he should be.

Don’t get me wrong. Tyree had a great Super Bowl making one of the finest plays you’ll ever see in crunch time, and he also caught a touchdown pass earlier in the fourth quarter. His place in history will be secure for his play in that game, as it should be…

But David Tyree is not an elite NFL wide receiver, or at very least, he still has a lot to prove if he is. In five years with the Giants he has played in 73 games and caught 54 passes. Outside the playoffs last year he rocked the league by catching four passes for 35 yards, nary a one for a touchdown, in 12 games.

(more…)

Packers’ Herron wings home intruder

by | Jun 4, 2008 | NFL Random Thoughts

In one of my favorite Packer-related stories ever, backup running back sent an intruder in his home to the hospital by whacking him with a bed post.

That rocks.

As it turns out the whackee and a partner who was apprehended outside Herron’s home in Howard, Wis. are now suspects in more than 20 break-ins in De Pere, Howard and Bellevue, Wis. The one guy, at this point, is still in the hospital.

More power to Herron. I try not to be too big a fan of materialism and I have no idea what Herron had that these miscreants wanted. But I have no time for and get so tired of reading about people who decide they want something enough to take it from others rather than working hard and getting it on their own.

Herron should have whacked the guy a couple more times just for good measure and the cops should have looked the other way after they cuffed the other guy so Herron could have whacked that one too.

I tip my cap to this Packer.