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NFL Network’s Steve Wyche is ‘hearing’ that Clinton Portis will be the next Washington Redskin to be out of a job. During newly minted Executive Vice President and Head Coach Mike Shanahan’s introductory press conference, he seemed to be talking directly to Portis when he stated that veterans would need to prove themselves to earn a role on this team. Shanahan emphasized organized team activities (OTAs) as an integral factor, especially for running backs, in his judgement on what players will be on his Redskins roster. Portis, who was successful in Denver under Shanahan, has a history of negativity towards OTAs.
Via FNN
Titans were also an underachieving team, one that will undergo plenty of changes heading into 2010. Eleven players are scheduled to become unrestricted free agents. LenDale White, expected to a restricted free agent, will not be offered a long-term deal by the Titans. White could be used as trade bait, but the Titans wouldn't get much in return for their former goal-line back. Chances are White will return as the backup, with Javon Ringer also mixed in. I don't know anybody that would want to trade for him though. I mean he was just a goal-line back. "It is definitely going to be a different team next year," running back LenDale White said. "Hopefully the organization or whoever is out there making the calls makes the right calls and brings back the people who will help this organization.'' I am glad he knows that he might not be coming back.
It is crazy how funny the NFL season can turn. Just a few weeks ago, everybody was bashing on Sanchez because he was losing games and they didn't think they would make the playoffs. Now look at him. But Sanchez will face his most difficult challenge yet, becoming the first Jets rookie quarterback to start a playoff game. Of course the comeback wasn't in part of him but more of the defense and him being able to control his turnover ratio. The Jets rely on their ability to stop the other team more than they need Sanchez to carry them. But Gang Green does need the rookie to avoid the kind of mistakes that plagued him in almost all of their seven losses. Ryan, however, was more confident in the rookie quarterback, saying: "Next year probably, we are going to all be talking about how he's the strength of our team and not look at him as a negative." But stats do not lie, Jets were 5-2 when he went without an interception. Speaking of Rex Ryan though, he declared that the NY JETS were the team to beat in the playoffs. He has more confident for a team that barely got into the playoffs than I have ever seen. These are the Jets, who finished 9-7 to claim the fifth seed in the AFC. They should be glad that the Colts didn't want to go undefeated. That's another story all in itself but more than likely they will be one and done.
I guess its official now. Wes Welker's season officially ended on when the New England Patriots placed the receiver on injured reserve. At least he got some advice from Tom Brady who suffered a similar injury last year. Welker was running after making his 123rd catch on Sunday when his left leg buckled as he planted it to make a cut. He fell to the ground, grabbed his knee and was helped off the field. The Patriots have had a full week for Brady to practice with rookie Julian Edelman, Welker's backup, for Sunday's playoff game. It doesn't matter how much practice they have, nothing will replace Welker. He's one of the league's best at running after the catch. And teams have a tough time double teaming both him and Randy Moss. His absence could make it tougher for Moss to break free. The Pats just may have seen their chances at a Super Bowl run go down with Welker.
Primetime himself, Deion Sanders has to admit it. In his eyes, Darrelle Revis falls short to Charles Woodson for the NFL’s Defensive Player of the Year. Sanders, arguably the greatest cornerback of all time, said he and Revis communicate every week. He gushed about him, calling him the sport’s best cornerback. Just not its defensive player of this season. I don't know if I would go that far as saying that but if you look at the stats then he is right. Woodson has more tackles (74 to 71), sacks (two to zero), forced fumbles (four to zero), interceptions (nine to six), interception return yardage (179 to 121) and return touchdowns (three to one). I think Revis is going to be the best corner in the game for years. But honestly this year, right here, Charles Woodson has made a lot of plays, man" said Deion. But to me there is more than just stats if you judging a corner in the process. Look at who Revis had to line up against: Indy's Reggie Wayne Houston’s Andre Johnson, New England’s Randy Moss (twice), Buffalo’s Terrell Owens (twice), Carolina’s Steve Smith, Atlanta’s Roddy White and Cincinnati’s Chad Ochocinco. Woodson’s opponents included Ochocinco, Minnesota’s Sidney Rice (twice) and Detroit’s Calvin Johnson. I mean either guy deserves it.
This was a no-brainer as the Associated Press announced that Brady has won its Comeback Player of the Year award. Brady returned this season after a knee injury knocked him out for the season midway through the first quarter of 2008, and he played nearly as well as he ever had. Aside from his record-setting 2007 season, Brady set personal bests in passing yardage, touchdown passes, and completion percentage as the Patriots won the AFC East and returned to the playoffs. Brady beat out running back Carnell Williams, earning 19 votes to williams's 14. Brady is the second Patriot to win the award. Tedy Bruschi shared it with wide receiver Steve Smith in 2005 after coming back following a stroke. Tom Brady has gone from record-setting MVP to injured superstar to The Associated Press 2009 NFL Comeback Player of the Year.
Minnesota Vikings wide receiver/kick returner Percy Harvin has been named the NFL's Offensive Rookie of the Year, as voted by the Associated Press. Harvin earned 41 out of potential 50 votes. Baltimore offensive tackle Michael Oher finished second with six. Harvin had 60 catches for 790 yards and six touchdowns and returned 42 kickoffs for a total of 1,156 yards and two scores, including one that went 101 yards. He also had 15 carries for 135 yards. Thanks to his contributions, he helped the Vikings to a 12-4 record, capturing the NFC North and the second best record in the conference. It is the second time in the past three seasons that a Minnesota player has won the offensive rookie of the year award as running back Adrian Peterson took home the honor in 2007. I am sure some teams are wishing they drafted him.
Washington Wizards guard Gilbert Arenas has been suspended by the NBA indefinitely pending investigation into an incident in which he took guns into the team's changing room. "Although it is clear that the actions of Mr. Arenas will ultimately result in a substantial suspension, and perhaps worse, his ongoing conduct has led me to conclude that he is not currently fit to take the court in an NBA game," NBA commissioner David Stern said in a statement. "Accordingly, I am suspending Mr. Arenas indefinitely, without pay, effective immediately pending the completion of the investigation by the NBA," he added. The three-times All Star met with federal prosecutors on Monday to explain why he took several weapons into the locker room. Arenas said the weapons were unloaded and he has yet to face charges. I mean Gilbert, who decided it was a good idea to store his four guns in his Washington Wizards locker room at the Verizon Center. He admitted when interviewed by the DC Police who are charged with enforcing the parts of Washington's strict gun laws that were not struck down by the Supreme Court last year. Arenas explained to the public that he wanted to keep the guns out of his house so his daughter would not find and use them.
Sad day for Sooner Nation as one of our corners decide to head to the NFL Draft. I don't know what happened. Dominique Franks sounded certain when he said last month he would definitely return to school for his senior year. Franks told ESPN that he will forgo next season. A source close to Franks said he received a second-round grade from the NFL's College Advisory Committee. But Franks seemed to have doubts about his ability to transition immediately to the NFL earlier in Dec of '09. The source said Franks didn't like answering the same questions over and over, so "he thought (saying he would return to OU next year) was the easiest way to not get asked it a whole bunch." He had even said even if he received a projected first-round grade, it wouldn't change his mind. I mean but their had been rumors going around that with the NFL's cloudy labor situation. There maybe no salary cap in place for 2010 and a potential cap on rookie salaries beyond that. There has even been speculation on a labor stoppage in 2011. That has led to record projections of underclassmen entering this year's draft. A record 70 underclassmen came out early in 2008, and some agents are forecasting close to 100 could come out this year. Well I hope Stoops has some players in the chamber. OU needs to get back in the Nat'l title hunt.
Iowa solved the problem to Georgia Tech's triple option. Ricky Stanzi threw two early touchdown passes for a 24-14 victory Tuesday night in the coldest Orange Bowl ever. The temperature wasn't the only thing cold as Tech's offense was slow to warm up. The Yellow Jackets averaged 35 points during the regular season, but their only score in the first three quarters came on an interception return. The Yellow Jackets were first in the nation in time of possession, and second in scoring. But they sputtered against an Iowa defense that held four bowl-bound teams to 10 points or less. I mean who would have thought the Big Ten would have came to play in the BCS games this year. Sure not me because I picked against them. I hope GT juniors realize that aren't that ready for the NFL as they think especially Nesbitt. Nesbitt went only two for nine for 12 yards. There was no doubt who was the better quarterback as Stanzi went 17 for 29 for 231 yards in his return from a sprained ankle. I mean they just found a way to win like they have done early in the season. This Iowa team is something to look for to next year. But you have to give Brandon Wegher some credit too as played a very important role. Wegher is a speedy, slashing back and a stylish player and he can be a threat when he breaks into the open field as he did with the last touchdown.
