Team of ’00 Decade

by | Feb 1, 2009 | Hall of Fame, NFL ... something, NFL Random Thoughts

Tony P. brought up another good point in the Pro Football Hall of Fame 2010 Senior List post–since we’re coming up on the 2009 season, we might as well start looking forward to the Team of the Decade for 2000-2009.

So Andy and I put our heads together. We looked at past All-Decade teams and did some quick and dirty research on the past decade’s post-season profiles. Several positions had a glut of superstars while others were lacking. So we decided to not focus on naming a specific number of players from any given spot but on recognizing players with sustained stretches of great play.

Feel free to let us know what you think.
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NFL Goes American Idol

by | Jan 22, 2009 | Business of Football, NFL ... something

The NFL has danced around reality television for the past few years, with former players in need of money appearing on shows like “Pros vs. Joes,” wannabe stars showing up on “The Bachelor,” and current and former stars who wanted to break into the entertainment world appearing on “Dancing with D-List Celebrities.”

Closer to the league, there have been series around making NFL Cheerleading teams (always dramatic),and of course, HBO’s Hard Knocks series, which followed a few teams through training camp over the years.

But now, thanks to Michael Irvin and the Dallas Cowboys, reality TV may be making it’s biggest foray into making the NFL a laughing stock–the Hall of Fame Wide Receiver announced on Thursday that he is launching an American Idol style show, in which one of 12 “football neophytes” will win a roster spot for the Cowboys 2009 training camp.

That’s right–one of the 80 spots at the Cowboys training camp will be the winner of a reality show contest.  Apparently Jerry Jones is so hard up for cash and/or drama that he is willing to sacrifice a roster spot in an attempt to draw more attention to his club.

I can only assume that the 12 contestants will have some football experience beyond starting 12 career high school games at 4 different offensive line positions–if not, feel free to drop me a line Michael–but still, for the Cowboys to latch on to this idea, and the league to allow it, seems to have the potential to do more damage to the league’s reputation than good.

Then again, given how many people tune in to watch crappy reality stars, I suppose it might actually take off.

Thanksgiving Halftime Shows Pathetic

by | Nov 27, 2008 | NFL ... something, NFL Random Thoughts

Watching the Lions-Titans debacle earlier today, I thought it strange that the halftime show featured Jesse McCartney–an act that seemed better suited for teenage girls than the typical NFL fan base (one member of my family asked “Is he related to Paul McCartney?” To which I had to admit, I didn’t know, since I had barely heard of Jesse McCartney–but I assumed not, since presumably a child of Paul’s would have more sense and musical talent than needed to join a boy band).

At the time, I figured it was just another thing that the Lions organization managed to screw up.

Then, during the afternoon game, The Jonas Brothers were featured in the halftime show at Texas Stadium–complete with a throng of screaming teenage girls surrounding the stage.

This has left me wondering, who in the hell is in charge of setting halftime shows up?  In recent years, Super Bowl halftime acts have featured U2, The Rolling Stones, Tom Petty–and this year Bruce Springsteen.  These are huge acts that make more sense with the demographic of NFL fans.

Heck, even before those acts, when they didn’t make as much sense (ie, the MTV years), you had Janet Jackson flashing the world, and NSYNC at least had Britney skanking around the stage, and Aerosmith playing with them.

But Jesse McCartney and the Jonas Brothers?  Who is the NFL expecting to tune in to watch that?  And who will be the halftime show at tonight’s Eagles/Cardinals matchup–maybe New Kids on the Block?  Miley Cyrus?  The cast of High School the Musical?

Tatum Bell took Rudi Johnson’s boxers?

by | Sep 3, 2008 | NFL ... something

Detroit Lions running back Rudi Johnson says Tatum Bell, who was released to make room for the former Bengal, took two of his bags containing boxers, cash and credit cards.

The Lions have the incident on tape. Bell says he grabbed the bags by mistake, thinking they were another former teammate’s belongings.

Johnson, according to ESPN.com, doesn’t believe Bell’s version of the events.

Strange situation. Johnson doesn’t plan to involve the authorities. A female friend of the former teammate’s returned the bags – sans the contents – to the Lions’ practice facility.

Lions coach Rod Marinelli, who might be close to returning the Lions to competence, declined to comment on the situation for ESPN. Probably wise. They might be onto something good this season – they’re probably a step or two short of the playoffs yet, but they could push or even nudge slightly past .500 this year. And if youngsters like Calvin Johnson and Kevin Smith fulfill their potential, the Lions might make the news for more than luggage theft.

Brett Favre meets the mayor

by | Aug 8, 2008 | NFL ... something

The Gun sent Zoneblitz this clip from ESPN.com just as the All-Favre, All-the-Time network showed video of Brett Favre being introduced, yes, it’s true, at City Hall.

It would seem that the Jets’ new toy would have better things to do like, umm, study his new playbook. But Mayor Michael Bloomberg in fact took time to introduce Favre during an apparently well attended press conference and gave him a couple of cheesecakes, among other gifts.

Favre laughed but looked slightly uncomfortable in front of the crowd while holding a Broadway Avenue street sign. He unveiled his Jets number four jersey and then, hopefully, went right to work.

“I’m happy to be here, I really am,” Favre told the crowd. “I wish the Packers well and I really wish the Jets well. … It’s much different. And it’s very exciting.”

To borrow a phrase from the late Chris Farley’s Saturday Night Live days, “Well, La De Frickin’ Da!”

Glazer: QB job belongs to Rodgers

by | Aug 5, 2008 | NFL ... something

A couple days after it came out that Brett Favre would be allowed to compete with Aaron Rodgers for the Green Bay Packers’ starting quarterback position, FoxSports.com’s Jay Glazer is now reporting that there will not be an open competition.

It’s only fitting that this bizarre saga continue to unfold with reports that Favre will get a chance to compete for the job … or not.

This situation couldn’t get any stranger if the Packers brought in a former White House press secretary to help them with crisis communications.

Errrrr…