Keeping an eye on Cassel
The fact the New England Patriots placed the franchise tag on Matt Cassel doesn't mean teams such as the Vikings are going to suddenly lose interest in the quarterback. Far from it.
Adam Schefter of the NFL Network recently said on a Boston Radio station that if Cassel is moved his three most likely landing destinations are Minnesota, Kansas City and Detroit. Michael Lombardi of the National Football Post lists the Vikings among eight "obvious" teams to be in the Cassel sweepstakes and writes, "I would make them the early front-runners."
Getting Cassel to Minnesota wouldn't be easy but it's certainly possible. You only need to look to last April when the Vikings acquired Pro Bowl defensive end Jared Allen from Kansas City for evidence of a player with the franchise tag being dealt. The key here is that Cassel, like Allen, did not have the exclusive franchise tag placed on him and thus other teams are NOT prohibited from making him an offer.
That being said, it's unlikely Cassel would end up with another franchise by simply signing a new deal. Cassel can ink an offer sheet beginning Feb. 27 when free-agency gets underway but New England would have the right to match. If the Patriots failed to do so, they would get first-round picks in 2009 and 2010 from the club that signed Cassel. In today's NFL, that would be an incredibly steep price to pay for a quarterback who has 15 games of starting experience in his professional career.
The Vikings gave up a first-round pick, and two third-rounders, to Kansas City in the Allen trade and it's difficult to believe they would be willing to go three years without their own first-round selection.
The more realistic scenario is the trade route. There has been only speculation about what the Patriots would want in a deal for Cassel but it's a good bet they would be looking for draft picks. Having Cassel on their roster in 2009 won't come without some pain for New England. The franchise tag means he stands to get a one-year, $14.65 million contract, or the average salary of the top five quarterbacks in the NFL in 2008.
That might be a good deal if Cassel remains the Patriots starter but if Tom Brady's surgically repaired knee is ready to go for next season, Brady's recovery could become a factor in how long the Cassel situation is stretched out.
From the Vikings' perspective, if they have identified Cassel as their guy they can't afford to have this thing go on for too long. That was part of the issue last offseason. The Vikings made a trade offer for Houston quarterback Sage Rosenfels near the start of free agency but that was turned down. Minnesota considered a few other options but ended up signing Gus Frerotte as the backup to Tarvaris Jackson and locked themselves into Jackson as their starter heading into training camp.
It's extremely unlikely that will happen again. Three years into his career, Jackson has yet to prove he can be a consistent starter in the NFL and as Lombardi points out, "with a talented quarterback, the Vikings go from being contenders in the NFC North to Super Bowl contenders."
The Vikings' two biggest issues with Cassel would be his inexperience and his lack of familiarity with the West Coast offense. Cassel attended USC but he wasn't a starter for the Trojans. The Patriots, of course, don't run the West Coast system.
While Cassel might be a bit raw, the Vikings' brass undoubtedly has seen in its recent evaluations that a franchise in need of help at quarterback does not have many options.
Minnesota is slated to pick 22nd in the first round of the draft this April, meaning top-rated QB, Matthew Stafford of Georgia, will be long gone. Southern Cal's Mark Sanchez is the second-highest rated quarterback but he is expected to be off the board as well. There also are questions about how ready Sanchez is to play at this level.
The free-agent class leaves something to be desired with guys like Jeff Garcia, Rex Grossman and Kerry Collins topping the list. Names such as Philadelphia's Donovan McNabb and Cleveland's Derek Anderson also might continue to pop up as trade possibilities but early indications are that McNabb is going to stay put. It's uncertain if the Vikings have much interest in Anderson.
Runyan off the radar: There has been speculation that the Vikings might be interested in Eagles veteran right tackle Jon Runyan, who is due to hit the free-agent market on Feb. 27. Vikings coach Brad Childress saw Runyan play while serving as the Eagles’ offensive coordinator and certainly Minnesota needs to upgrade the right tackle position. But, unfortunately for Runyan, a few teams might shy away from him after today's news that he underwent microfracture surgery on his right knee. Runyan will be off the field for four to six months, according to the story in the Philadelphia Daily News.
(c) 2008 Star Tribune
Steelers' Harrison, Holmes stood out as unlikely heroes
Heroes sometimes just happen. There is no explaining it. There is no assembling a board of directors to determine who will be the next Super Bowl legend.
Since the who and when and why cannot be controlled, these heroes do not always fit comfortably into our definition. Most often we want them to smile while they're saving the day. We want them to possess some semblance of honor and sportsmanship. Basically, we want someone like Kurt Warner, the Arizona Cardinals quarterback whose comeback story almost made it to the top of the page.
Almost.
Instead, two heroes emerged on the other end of the looking glass. One who seldom smiles. The other whose background story is not exactly the stuff of cupcakes and lollipops.
The Pittsburgh Steelers are Super Bowl champions because these two players -- James Harrison and Santonio Holmes -- accomplished extraordinary feats in the face of extraordinary pressure. That might not be your definition of heroism, but it fits with how Steelers fans are seeing them today.
Harrison, whose 100-yard interception return for a touchdown will go down as the longest and arguably biggest play in Super Bowl history, would not seem the heroic type. He is surly, somewhat aloof and holds grudges. He also is apt to take a cheap shot now and again, as witnessed during the fourth quarter of last night's 27-23 Steelers win in Tampa, Fla. It was a chippy move that prompted even NBC announcer John Madden, who normally holds a special place in his heart for tough guys, to say that Harrison should have been ejected from the game.
But the hero image does not appear to fit the linebacker from Akron, except that upon closer inspection he is not all that different from Warner, at least where his football career is concerned. Both men were humbled terribly before making it big in the NFL. Warner worked in a grocery not long before leading St. Louis to its Super Bowl win in the 1999 season. Harrison was working toward becoming a bus driver before Pittsburgh gave him a second chance in 2004.
So both men are overcomers in their own way. As is Santonio Holmes, the former Ohio State receiver whose amazing acrobatic touchdown catch gave Pittsburgh the lead for good with 35 seconds remaining and secured his status as the game's MVP.
Just last week, Holmes shared that he grew up in Florida selling drugs on street corners. Not exactly a sterling narrative, made worse upon learning that the money he made did not go to support his family but to satisfy his own indulgences. But Holmes felt a responsibility of sorts to come out with the tell-all anecdote because he wants children to learn what not to do. That is to be respected.
This Super Bowl, which rivaled last year's New York Giants win against the New England Patriots for drama, right down to a classic ending, will be remembered for its big plays. Warner made a few of them, both good and bad -- it was his pass that Harrison returned for a touchdown -- and Larry Fitzgerald caught the TD that put Arizona ahead briefly late in the game. But in the end the players who will be remembered for making the biggest plays are the ones who would not necessarily be considered leading man material. The brooding Harrison and the relatively diminutive Holmes.
It is a mystery of sports, that the mythic is not easily identified. We only know it when we see it. And we saw more than our fair share last night.
(c)2009, The Columbus Dispatch
Cleveland Brown Hire George Kokinis As New General Manager
The Cleveland Browns have found their man. In a effort to insure continuity between his new head coach Eric Mangini and the General Manager position, Browns owner Randy Lerner has hired Baltimore pro personnel director George Kokinis as the teams new GM.
The move brings Kokinis back to Cleveland where he was an intern and reunites him with his close friend Eric Mangini. Kokinis and Mangini were roommates when they broke into the league and have been friend ever since.
"The Browns are excited to bring George back to Cleveland where he began his NFL career," Lerner said in a team release. "He is a tireless worker that has spent his entire career evaluating talent and knows the type of player it takes to be successful in this league and in our division."
Lerner was determined to match a coach and GM who can easily work to together after his former pair of Romeo Crennel-Phil Savage could not, creating strain on the organization.
The team of Savage and Crennel team produced a 24-40 record over four seasons with no playoff appearances.
Kokinis has spent the last 13 years with Baltimore and the last six as the club's director of pro personnel.
"I would like to thank Randy Lerner for the extraordinary opportunity," Kokinis said in a statement. "Cleveland is a football town and I look forward to working alongside Eric Mangini and the rest of the organization."
A press conference is scheduled for Monday to formally introduce Kokinis as the team's General Manager.
2008 Copyright NFL Football Picks
Linehan turns down 49ers
Scott Linehan will be on a coaching staff in 2009, but it won't be the 49ers'. Linehan turned down the 49ers' offensive coordinator job Sunday, saying that personal considerations prevent him from moving west.
"The timing is just not right,'' he said in a phone interview.
Linehan, 45, emerged as the 49ers' top choice to replace Mike Martz after interviewing last week. Coach Mike Singletary and General Manager Scot McCloughan liked Linehan's experience as a successful, run-oriented play caller. Linehan was an offensive coordinator with the Minnesota Vikings and Miami Dolphins before going 11-25 as St. Louis' head coach.
It remains unclear whether the 49ers will widen their search. The team has already interviewed Denver assistant Rick Dennison, former Cleveland offensive coordinator Rob Chudzinski and Indianapolis receivers coach Clyde Christensen. Dennison is also out of the running, deciding to remain in Denver under new coach Josh McDaniels.
"I believe and have faith in the process we have set forth in our search for an offensive coordinator,'' Singletary said in a statement. "While we'd like to fill this position sooner rather than later, we will remain patient in our approach. The right person for the 49ers is out there."
Linehan, reached shortly after he turned down the 49ers, said he wrestled with the decision all weekend. A native of Sunnyside, Wash., he was a big 49ers fan growing up. "I still have Joe Montana posters in my basement,'' he said.
Linehan said his meeting with Singletary and McCloughan had him excited about the possibility of coming aboard.
"I wish they made it easier on me,'' he said. "It was a great meeting and the organization is going in a positive direction. There are just some personal things I need to get ironed out."
Linehan declined to elaborate on his personal situation. His family includes wife Kristen and sons Matthew, Michael and Marcus.
"It seems like at 25 your decisions are practically made for you as you move up,'' he said. "At 45, it's not so easy."
The 49ers, meanwhile, will resume their attempt to hire someone who can provide stability in the offensive coordinator job. Starting in 2003, Greg Knapp, Ted Tollner, Mike McCarthy, Norv Turner, Jim Hostler and Martz have spent a year each calling plays for the offense.
Jon Gruden became available last week when the Tampa Bay Buccaneers fired the offensive-minded coach.
Whoever is next will take over a 49ers offense that finished 23rd in the NFL in total offense. That modest finish actually represented an epic improvement from previous seasons, but Martz's high-risk offense yielded too many sacks and turnovers. In firing Martz, Singletary said he wants to establish a more dominant ground game - the 49ers ranked only 27th in rushing yards this season.
Copyright (c) 2009 - San Jose Mercury News
Ben Graham and Saverio Rocca face-off for chance to be first Aussie in the NFL's Super Bowl
FORMER Geelong captain Ben Graham had some good goalsquare battles with Saverio Rocca during their respective AFL careers.
In Phoenix, Arizona, this Sunday, the pair will square off once again - this time to determine who will become the first Australian to play in the Super Bowl.
Rocca's Philadelphia Eagles upset the New York Giants 23-11 yesterday to set up an NFC championship decider with Graham's Arizona Cardinals, who beat the Carolina Panthers 33-12 on Sunday.
The winner of that match will advance to the Super Bowl on February 1, meaning either Graham, the ex-Geelong captain, or the former Collingwood and North Melbourne spearhead Rocca will become the first Australian to play in American football's showpiece game.
The Cardinals were considered the softest team in the play-offs, unable to win far from home and carrying the scars of years of ineptitude.
"Not many people had very nice things to say about us and didn't give us a chance," Arizona coach Ken Whisenhunt said.
"We've showed we can come to the East Coast and win a game. We believe in ourselves. I like being the underdog, and we're going to continue to be the underdog."
Quarterback Donovan McNabb ran for a touchdown and threw for another as the Eagles beat the Giants 23-11.
"Things just started to click late in the first half and in the second half we continued to roll," McNabb said.
The NFC decider will give the Cardinals the chance to avenge a 48-20 loss to the Eagles on Thanksgiving Day (November 27).
"We play a team that is also playing well," McNabb said of Arizona.
"It will be a grind. You got two teams who are putting everything on the line."
The Giants, despite being the No.1 seed in the NFC, lost for the fourth time in five games to end their season.
Graham had four punts, averaging 43.5 yards, in the Cardinals' surprisingly comfortable win over Carolina, including two punts that put the Panthers inside their 20-yard line.
It was only Graham's sixth game for Arizona, which reached a conference championship for the first time.
After a four-year stint with the New York Jets, the 35-year-old Graham was sacked three times this season - twice by the New York Jets and once by the New Orleans Saints - before joining the Cardinals last month.
In a quirk of fate, he replaced veteran punter Dirk Johnson, the same man Rocca ousted in the 2007 pre-season to win the punting berth with Philadelphia.
He and fellow punter Rocca are among only six Australians to have played at the highest level of American football.
The NFC championship match is in Phoenix at 3pm Sunday (or 9 am Monday AEST), with the Super Bowl in Tampa Bay on February 1.
The Geelong Advertiser Pty. Ltd. Copyright (c)
Cardinals look divine
(Bloomberg) The San Diego Chargers and Arizona Cardinals, neither considered favorites by Las Vegas oddsmakers, have advanced past the first round of the National Football League playoffs on Saturday
The Chargers secured a 23-17 victory over the Indianapolis Colts in the American Football Conference playoff. The Cardinals won by 30-24 over the Atlanta Falcons in the National Football Conference game.
"We're a work in progress," Cardinal quarterback Kurt Warner said. "The great thing about playoffs is if you show for three or four Sundays, you have a chance to win it all. This is one step closer to our goal."
The Cardinals will play the Carolina Panthers or New York Giants next weekend and the Chargers will meet the Pittsburgh Steelers or Tennessee Titans.
In San Diego, Darren Sproles, who had a total of 328 all - purpose yards, gave the Chargers a 14-10 halftime advantage on a 9-yard run with 47 seconds left in the half after LaDainian Tomlinson, playing with a groin injury, rushed for 3 yards at 10:18 in the second quarter to tie the game at 7-7.
"He's all purpose. That's what I call him, Mr. All Purpose," Antonio Gates, who had eight receptions for 87 yards, said. "He made a tremendous run at the end of the game."
San Diego kicker Nate Kaeding sent the game into overtime with a 26-yard field goal to tie the game at 17-17 with 33 seconds left. The Chargers won the toss for the start of overtime.
The Colts, looking for their 10th straight win, had scored first with a one-yard run by Joseph Addai. Adam Vinatieri kicked a 43-yard field goal in the second quarter before Reggie Wayne, who caught four passes for 129 yards, scored on a 72-yard pass from Peyton Manning.
Manning, the NFL Most Valuable Player, completed 25 of 42 for 310 yards.
The Baltimore Ravens played the Miami Dolphins in Miami, while the Philadelphia Eagles took on the Minnesota Vikings in Minneapolis yesterday.
Copyright (c) 2004,2005 Cayman Free Press Ltd
Singletary shares spotlight with Niners' new president
It's easy to get overshadowed at present by Mike Singletary, who has taken on a bigger-than-life persona in the Bay Area in the wake of his new four-year, $10 million contract as the Niners' head coach. The new deal was announced in a joyous post game lockerroom Sunday following the team's 27-24 come-from-behind victory over the Redskins that wrapped up the 2008 season on an upbeat note.
But the person making the announcement was also more than a little noteworthy - 27-year-old Jed York, who was named the Niners' new team president responsible for day-to-day operations by his parents before kickoff Sunday. York's previous title was vice president of strategic planning, but it's been no secret to daily team observers that he's been the 49ers' actual leader going back to training camp. Now, for better or worse, he, Singletary and GM Scot McCloughan will be pulling the strings moving forward, with no apparent plans to hire a senior football executive - as has been suggested by some close observers - in the offing.
The PFW spin
Jed York, who told the local media that the decision to stick with Singletary as the head coach was actually made last Friday, is well-aware that he's considered by many to be perhaps in over his head in his new role. But, like his uncle, Eddie DeBartolo Jr., who previously thrived as the Niners' owner while in his early 30's, Jed is showing no fear and wasting little time eagerly asserting himself. Unlike his father, John, he comes across well in the public spotlight and has, by all accounts, quickly earned the respect of the people in the organization who work under him.
Jed York takes charge of the Niners with all kinds of tricky challenges on the horizon, most notably the end of the league's collective-bargaining-agreement and a possible work stoppage in 2011. But apparently he is more than willing to tackle whatever might come his way, with his parents just as willing to fade into the background and let him do this thing. In addition to overseeing his team's hopeful emergence into a consistent playoff contender, York will spend considerable time continuing to finalize the building of a new billion-dollar stadium for the Niners somewhere in the Bay Area.
Jed York now officially become part of an interesting second-generation group of league higher-ups - also including the likes of Patriots president and CEO Jonathan Kraft, Giants president and CEO John Mara and Cowboys executive VP and COO Stephen Jones - that is likely to anchor the NFL's future power base and become increasingly influential.
(c)2002-2008 by Pro Football Weekly LLC
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