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Just in time for the start of training camp (funny how it works out that way), Chicago Bears linebacker and team captain Brian Urlacher signed a one-year contract extension today that will give him a $6 million right now and a $1 million bump in salary each of the next four years. The final season on his contract is now 2012 where his base salary will be $7.5 million.
I knew some kind of deal would get done before camp to keep Brian happy after he skipped voluntary OTAs this past offseason. He’s the heart and soul of the Bears defense and while the team has been very busy keeping their own players happy this offseason (Tommie Harris, Robbie Gould, Alex Brown, Lance Briggs, Desmond Clark, Rashied Davis), locking up Brian (a six-time Pro Bowler and one of the best at his position) was perhaps the biggest no-brainer.
Blogcasting the National Football League, Blogcasting the NFL
The Green Bay Packers have begun shopping Brett Favre. It’s unknown exactly how many teams the Packers have contacted, but it’s believed to be somewhere in the vicinity of 20. So obviously not all of them are in the AFC. Of course, this doesn’t mean the Packers will end up trading Brett. And it’s hard to imagine it will happen. But the possibility is out there for a team that wants a future Hall of Fame quarterback bad enough (Note: Brett would have to agree to the trade.) At this point, I think there are too many ifs in Brett’s proposed “unretirement” and I’m almost leaning toward believing he will not return to the game after all. A trade would be a blockbuster.
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The N.Y. Giants traded disgruntled tight end Jeremy Shockey to the New Orleans Saints today for second and fifth round picks in next year’s NFL Draft. I expected this trade to happen back in April, so it’s really no surprise the deal finally went down. It’s just a couple months later than I envisioned.
The Giants proved they could win without Jeremy last season as they steamrolled through the playoffs while he watched from the sidelines on crutches. His displeasure with his contract and affinity for stirring the pot in New York made him expendable. Now the Giants just need to make sure Kevin Boss stays healthy. I felt Jeremy made the Giants better right now and gave them a luxury at the tight end position, but obviously the team felt he was doing more harm than good.
I think both the Giants and Saints win in this trade. The Giants get rid of a potential distraction while the Saints get a four-time Pro Bowler and emotional, talented playmaker. Along with Reggie Bush and Marcus Colston, suddenly the Saints have a plethora of weapons for QB Drew Brees to play with. Jeremy will also be reunited with Saints head coach Sean Payton where he was the NFL’s Rookie-of-the-Year (74 receptions, 894 yards) when Coach Payton was his offensive coordinator in 2002.
Blogcasting the National Football League, Blogcasting the NFL
Here’s the new Reebok NFL Equipment commercial that features 20 NFL players, the most to ever appear in a single TV ad. Look for Eli and Peyton Manning, Kevin Boss, Jerricho Cotchery, Greg Ellis, Matt Hasselbeck, Madison Hedgecock, Chad Johnson, Thomas Jones, Mathias Kiwanuka, Nick Mangold, Laurence Maroney, Jeff Saturday, Bo Scaife, Derrick Ward, DeMarcus Ware, Ty Warren, Benjamin Watson, Reggie Wayne, and Vince Young. The products? Each player is wearing his team’s NFL Equipment Speedwick Tee and Reebok HexRide Rally II kicks. Football is back. Nice.
Blogcasting the National Football League, Blogcasting the NFL
Chad Johnson says he will report to the Cincinnati Bengals (surgically repaired ankle and all) when the team opens training camp this weekend. I say, “Who cares?” But since the story will generate some cash for me, I’ll go ahead and take the plunge. Chad spent most of his offseason talking about how he was never going to play for the orange and black again and demanded a trade from the team. Good thing the Cincinnati Bengals realized they controlled the situation and that Chad was just full of hot air:
“People take it in a different context when I say I want out and I’m not happy. They think, ‘He doesn’t want to be in Cincinnati anymore, he’s dissing us as fans.’ It’s not like that. I love my fans. I wasn’t able to get that point across. They’ve supported me. They’ve been good to me, and I’ve been good to them. I was going through a situation where I felt a change was needed. It didn’t work out. Hey, I’m back. Get ready for the show.”
Whatever. Like I’ve said many times before, I respect Chad’s ability as a football player and I think he’s one of the ten best wide receivers in the NFL. But I couldn’t be more tired of hearing about his “problems”. He signed a long-term deal with the Bengals two years ago so he knew what he was getting himself into. It’s not like poor Chad has been taken advantage of. I’m all for NFL players getting what they can while they can get it. But they’ve got to realize exactly what they’re getting into when they sign.
Blogcasting the National Football League, Blogcasting the NFL
Miami Dolphins defensive end Jason Taylor was traded to the Washington Redskins today for a second round Draft pick in 2009 and a sixth round Draft pick in 2010. Ironically, the Skins took a hit at that position during today’s first session of training camp with not one, but two injuries. Gone for the year is veteran starter Phillip Daniels, who was carted off the field this morning. He has a torn ACL that might end his career. And injured this afternoon was second-year defensive end Alex Buzbee. He was taken off the field with an ankle injury suffered during special-teams practice. His status is uncertain.
Obviously, the Redskins welcome Jason no matter who else is playing defensive end for the team. But with Phillip Daniels out before his season even got started and the depth at DE in serious question, it was the perfect opportunity to make the Jason Taylor deal happen. The Skins get one of the game’s best pass rushers. Jason had 11 sacks in a 1-15 season with the Dolphins last year. He should have a renewed sense of purpose with one of the league’s best defenses. Washington was top ten in yards allowed per game. The open competition to start opposite Jason will be between Andre Carter, Chris Wilson, Kevin Huntley, Rob Jackson, Erasmus James and Demetric Evans. Whoever it is, they’ll find plenty of one-on-one matchups.
Blogcasting the National Football League, Blogcasting the NFL
The Madden NFL 09 countdown is on (22 days) and it brings with it the anticipation of a new look and feel. With an enhanced graphics engine and new player models, linemen battle in the trenches with more bulky physiques while backs and receivers fly around the field with a more sleek and slimmer look. Featuring the most realistic-looking grass and field turf ever in a sports game, new weather and stadium lighting effects, and active exterior stadium views, Madden NFL 09 is hands-down the best looking sports game ever made. Much more on the game, including my annual MaddenCast podcast with one of the game’s producers, in the coming weeks.
Blogcasting the National Football League, Blogcasting the NFL
Brett Favre returned to Lambeau Field today to honor former center Frank Winters’ induction into the Green Bay Packers’ Hall of Fame today. I wonder how uncomfortable that was for Brett? And Ted Thompson? And Mike McCarthy? And others? Brett declined to answer any questions about his “unretirement” out of respect for the event and the individuals being honored. I wonder what the coming weeks will bring in regards to Brett’s possible return to the game?
I think former Packers defensive back LeRoy Butler made a very sensible statement. He feels Brett wavered in his retirement plans and should return to the team and compete for a starting spot just like any other player. And may the best man win the role of starting quarterback. I agree. Brett did go back on his retirement announcement. Ok, so he was rightfully pressured into making a decision back in March and at the time he felt burned out and not ready to go through the rigors of another season. But time healed that. Nevertheless, Brett is not bigger than the Packers (contrary to what some believe) and if he wants to return to the game, I think he should do so in an open competition (which he’ll win) with a restructured contract.
Blogcasting the National Football League, Blogcasting the NFL
Bad news for the Jacksonville Jaguars. Projected starting wide receiver Jerry Porter had surgery on a hamstring tear that will force him to miss the entire preseason. As hamstring injuries go, the Jags are hoping this one won’t linger, but Jerry’s still going to miss valuable “bonding” time with his new quarterback, David Garrard. He was absent for much of the team’s minicamps and OTAs, resting and hoping the thing would heal. But team doctors finally decided surgery would be his best option. With Matt Jones’ status still up-in-the-air and unproven Troy Williamson a mystery, the Jags have a lot of uncertainty at the wide receiver position.
Blogcasting the National Football League, Blogcasting the NFL
Former San Francisco 49ers and San Diego Chargers defensive end Fred Dean’s quickness, speed, and strength made him one of the NFL’s most feared pass rushers during his 141-game career. Although the sack did not become an official NFL statistic until 1982, if numbers tallied by the teams were included with his official sack count, Fred’s career sack total would stand near 100. In all, Fred played for five division winners in three NFC championship games and in two of San Francisco’s Super Bowl victories (Super Bowls XVI and XIX). He earned all-conference honors four times — twice with the Chargers and twice with the 49ers and played in four Pro Bowls. Today Fred is an associate pastor at the New Hebron Baptist Church in Arcadia, La. And he’s one of the newest members of the Pro Football Hall of Fame (Class of 2008). I spoke with Fred on a national conference call.
DAVID: Are you comfortable being thrown back into the spotlight for the first time since your playing days ended over 20 years ago?
FRED: You know, as far as comfortable, I never cared for all the spotlight and stuff. It’s okay for the purpose at hand.
DAVID: What has your life been like since it was announced that you are a member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame?
FRED: It’s been a life‑changing experience for me since that day. Everything is go, go, go now.
DAVID: Specifically, how has it changed your life?
FRED: Well, it changed my life because in the ministry I was attempting to reach people. Sometimes you’re not in situations the way you can. It puts you in a light to actually meet people, greet them and talk to them, further discuss the word. There’s a number of different things that helped me in my ministry as far as establishing programs for the youth, seeing the different things that take place. I’ll be able to inject those into what I’m trying to achieve, to accomplish.
DAVID: What was it about your game that made you a Hall of Famer?
FRED: You know, I never really looked at it from that standpoint. The thing for me was I loved the game. I played it to win and I was a team player. I love competition. Even amongst my own teammates, I liked the thing about challenging my teammates so we could all step up another level.
DAVID: Who was the most influential person on your football career?
FRED: Well, I’d have to say that was my mother as far as influential because, number one, she didn’t want me to play the game at first. It went against her better judgment. Then she became my biggest fan. I would say it was kind of — how would you say it — she influenced me a lot. There were others that were around me that was instrumental in influencing me, but I would say she put forth the best effort. I’m saying she had a lot to do with my training and everything. You know, I would say it was my mother. Her name was Rosalie Dean. I guess you could say, a lot of the guys in the NFL, their mothers probably didn’t want them to play either. I know she was concerned about me getting hit, all of that, because I was very small. But after some time, I went to play and she came to see me, then all of that changed. You could see her and see all that at the same time, yeah.
DAVID: What do you think when you see what great money defensive ends are making these days?
FRED: I’m saying I know that time changes things. I’m saying gas used to be 20 cents a gallon, but is now four dollars something cents a gallon. Time changes things. Along with that comes the technology and everything else. You know, I can understand it. Different stages to different people, different levels.
DAVID: When you step to the podium on August 2nd, what do you think will be going through your mind?
FRED: Well, you know, I can’t really say. If I could tell fortunes, I guess I could, but I just can’t say. It’s difficult for me to even start to imagine. I know it will be emotional, but it’s hard to say.
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