Author: Anthony Stalter (Page 1008 of 1503)

      McNabb expects a new contract from Eagles

      December 26, 2008 /

      Philadelphia Eagles’ quarterback Donovan McNabb begrudgingly said that he expects to receive a new contract from the team when his current one expires before the 2009 NFL Season.

      Donovan McNabb“Everybody wants a new deal,” McNabb said Wednesday. “But, that’s not why we’re playing this game. We’re playing this game to win, and things happen. I’ve been answering this question the last couple of years, so I guess to eliminate that part of it, hopefully [a new contract] will happen, but we’ll see.”

      No matter, McNabb’s future is uncertain. Kevin Kolb, drafted in the second round in 2007 to be McNabb’s eventual successor, hasn’t done much in limited playing time to prove he’s capable of being a top-notch QB. McNabb isn’t due to become a free agent anytime soon, so the Eagles would have to trade or release him.

      If management decides to rebuild after missing the playoffs for the third time in four years, the 32-year-old McNabb could go. If the decision-makers feel the team needs only to retool its roster to make a Super Bowl run, McNabb probably will stay because he’s their best option.

      “I’m still under contract. I guess it would be solidified by, so I don’t have to answer this question, getting a new deal,” McNabb said. “I don’t truly focus on that. I expect to be here, and I will play this game like it’s not my last. You just go out and try to put everything on the field and give all your guys that confidence knowing that you’re going to sell out for them.”

      Not that Kolb is ready at this point to take over the offense, but I doubt McNabb returns next year in Philly. The Eagles are a long-shot to make the playoffs and the organization might be ready to head in another direction.

      Personally, I hope McNabb gets the hell out of Dodge. I think he has taken way too much criticism throughout his career and he might be better served playing out his career some place else. But we’ll see how this story develops throughout the offseason.

      NFL

      Nationals outbid Yankees for Mark Teixeira

      December 26, 2008 /

      The Washington Nationals apparently had a more lucrative offer on the table for free agent Mark Teixeira – more lucrative than the one he eventually signed with the New York Yankees.

      Mark TeixeiraAnyway, just one more note on Mark Teixeira: I’ve heard from a reliable source that the first baseman turned down about $5 million more from the Nationals to sign with the Yankees. And the Nats would have gone higher, but were never given the chance. Teixeira jumped at Brian Cashman’s first offer.

      I guess it wasn’t ALL about the money – just mostly about it. Being on a contender every year also brings a certain appeal.

      Those greedy Nationals are always trying to one-up everybody by throwing their money at every free agent that walks by. Makes me sick.

      Fantasy Baseball, MLB

      Here we go again: Brett Favre hints at retirement

      December 26, 2008 /

      Hurry up and get in line – the Brett Favre retirement talk merry-go-round is ready to kick off again.

      Brett FavreFavre said he’ll meet with general manager Mike Tannenbaum and coach Eric Mangini soon after the season because he doesn’t want things to drag on and get ugly, as they did last season in Green Bay.
      Favre talked about how he has had a great career and he’s not going to chase ghosts, meaning another shot at the Super Bowl.

      And, Favre dropped a bombshell, revealing that his shoulder doesn’t feel quite right and he’s looking forward to his exit physical and an MRI to find out if there’s any damage.

      Though Favre said it’s premature to talk about retirement, he sounded as if he can’t wait to get back to his hometown of Hattiesburg, Miss., and go hunting. But first, the Jets (9-6) meet the Dolphins (10-5) on Sunday in an AFC East clash with playoff implications for both teams.

      If the Jets win, they could win the AFC East if the Patriots lose to Buffalo or earn a wild-card berth if the Ravens lose to Jacksonville.

      “This very well could be my last game,” Favre said Wednesday. “I’m aware of that. I’d like to make it a memorable one. .¤.¤. It’s been a great career. This year was a gamble, a risk, whatever you want to call it. It’s been good and bad times as far as our season has gone, but I’m glad I came. I made the right decision.

      “It’s been fun fighting with these guys. Whatever happens after this happens. Mike and I and I’m sure Eric, we may talk about (plans) this week, just more or less set a time, if we’re not in the playoffs, talk about it the first part of next week.

      “I don’t want to go through what happened last year, for me and for everyone else. And physically, that has something to do with it as well.

      This is the same thing he’s been saying for years – he loves the game, but doesn’t know if he can physically play anymore and therefore he’s leaning towards retirement. Then he’ll proceed to change his mind 900 times and eventually come back.

      Or maybe this is it for Brett. I don’t know. Nobody knows – not even him. The guy lives and breathes football and if he can physically play, then he should. It’s his decision, although he needs to make one quickly this time around. If the Jets miss the playoffs, there might be major turnover within the organization and it’s only fair to them for Brett to make a quick decision so they can figure out which direction they want to go in.

      NFL

      Did NFL give Cowboys unfair advantage this Sunday?

      December 26, 2008 /

      Thanks to flex scheduling, the Dallas-Philadelphia game this Sunday was moved to 4:15PM ET, which means the Eagles may already be eliminated from playoff contention by the time they teams are set for kickoff.

      Tony RomoNobody can deny the decision gives Dallas a potential competitive advantage, with Chicago, Minnesota and Tampa Bay playing at 1 o’clock. If the Bucs defeat the lowly Raiders — or if the Bears and Vikings both win — the Eagles would take the field knowing they’ve been eliminated.

      “To learn after you have warmed up and just before kickoff that you have been eliminated can be devastating,” writes Dallas Morning News columnist Tim Cowlishaw, in his item on the controversial switch.
      Venerable Philadelphia Daily News scribe Bill Conlin says the decision may spoil a dramatic fight to the finish in the wild-card chase — to the advantage of Dallas.

      It would have been dramatically correct for the Bucs, Bears, Vikings, Birds and Cowboys all simultaneously slugging away for that second NFC wild-card berth. Bucs win, it’s over for Andy and the South Philly Air Force. Vikes and Bears both win, it’s over. That’s a lot of possible overs to overcome. And if the Bucs, Vikes and Bears all lose, the Eagles still have to beat the Cowboys.

      It appears the NFL liked the long odds against the Vikings and Bears both losing and went all-in on a dispirited Eagles team playing a so-what game at 4:15[.]

      Psychologically, yes, this could be an advantage for the Cowboys. But this isn’t an attempt by the NFL to give Dallas an advantage – this is about national coverage. This is a huge game and the purpose of flex scheduling is to give fans the best matchup possibly during primetime.

      But considering the NFL Network is dedicated to giving fans as much Dallas Cowboys coverage as possible, I could see why some would be up in arms about this.

      NFL

      Mike Singletary in as head coach for 49ers – Mike Martz out?

      December 26, 2008 /

      Word out of San Francisco is that Mike Singletary is going to get a crack at becoming the permanent fixture at head coach next season, which isn’t good news for offensive coordinator Mike Martz. Singletary reportedly doesn’t like Martz’s coaching style and if he becomes head coach, would look to replace the “Mad Scientist.”

      Mike SingletaryIt’s not official yet. But it’s getting pretty darn close. Barring some unforeseen event, Mike Singletary will be the 49ers head coach in 2009, perhaps as soon as the Monday after the team’s finale against the Redskins, according to a source close to the situation. When team officials, including owner Jed York, made Singletary the 49ers’ interim coach in late October, they told him that the team would have to show progress in order for him to keep his job. They have done just that, going 4-4 under Singletary. But Singletary sealed the deal – or came tantalizingly close to doing so – on Monday when he met with team officials and laid out his plan for the future, including both offense and defense. Singletary’s vision had been the one remaining question in the minds of team officials.

      Under Singletary, defensive coordinator Greg Manusky would be retained. Offensive coordinator Mike Martz, however, would not. With Martz directing the offense, the 49ers have climbed from dead last in the league in total offense to 24th this season. But Martz’s pass-first mentality, on display in recent games against Miami and St. Louis, clashes with Singletary’s ball-control philosophy. It also seems to be at odds with the type of players the 49ers have drafted on offense in recent years. Singletary not only discussed his offensive philosophy in the Monday meeting, he cited several candidates to take over at offensive coordinator next season. Those names are not yet known, although they are believed to include both current head coaches and assistants. The 49ers’ biggest concern is for offensive continuity over the next several seasons.

      Singletary deserves a shot to be a full-time head coach. It’s apparent that since he took over as interim coach, the Niners have played with more passion and emotion. He’s a fiery competitor who should be very successful.

      One has to wonder if Martz is long for this league. His offense has been successful every where he’s gone, but the same criticisms come up no matter where he lands – he doesn’t run the football enough. Some team is going to want his offense, but I wonder if he’ll have to change his approach and develop a more balanced offense.

      NFL

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