Author: Anthony Stalter (Page 535 of 1503)

      Baltimore a landing spot for Marshall or Boldin?

      February 3, 2010 /

      General manager Ozzie Newsome told the media on Wednesday that he’ll seek wide receiver help this offseason for the Ravens, although he obviously didn’t divulge any details about how he’ll acquire said help.

      Will Newsome make a run at Anquan Boldin or Brandon Marshall? It’s a strong possibility, as is the idea of the Ravens signing/acquiring either Julius Peppers or Elvis Dumervil to help boost their pass rush. At this point, nothing should be ruled out.

      If the Ravens do decide to trade for a receiver this offseason, the general consensus might be that they’ll go after Boldin because he comes with less baggage. But don’t forget that Newsome had a deal in place with the 49ers back in 2004 for Terrell Owens before an arbiter squashed that deal from happening. Marshall is younger than Boldin and can likely be had for a reasonable price because everyone knows that he’s on the outs in Denver. So if Newsome feels that Marshall is worth the risk, then it might only take a second or third rounder to acquire him.

      Newsome knows that the Ravens have a solid young core on offense and the defense is still good enough to make a Super Bowl run. If he can acquire a receiver of Marshall or Boldin’s talent, then he’ll be taking another step in getting Baltimore to the next level.

      Update: Beat writer Mike Preston disagrees with the sentiment that Baltimore will be a landing spot for Marshall, even going as far as to say that he would be surprised if the Ravens pursued him this offseason.


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      NFL

      Super Bowl XLIV Preview: 5 Factors the Saints must overcome

      February 3, 2010 /

      As part of our ongoing coverage leading up to Super Bowl XLIV, here are five factors the Saints must overcome to beat the Colts.

      1. First time jitters.
      Since the berth of the Super Bowl in 1966, only seven teams have won in their first appearance: the Packers, Jets, Steelers, 49ers, Bears, Giants and Buccaneers. The remaining 18 teams appearing in their first Super Bowl all lost, meaning 30% of first-timers fall in the NFL title game. Trends like these mean nothing when it comes to the actual game, but it’s worth noting that this will be Drew Brees’ first Super Bowl, compared to Peyton Manning, who will be appearing in his second in four years. The fact that the Colts have already played once in Miami is an advantage for them as well.

      2. Peyton Manning’s quick-release.
      Perhaps no team has done a better job this postseason at battering the quarterback than the Saints. But Manning doesn’t make it easy for teams to get to him because he excels at reading the defense at the line of scrimmage, diagnosing the coverage and getting the ball out of his hands as quickly as possible. He also makes adjustments better than any QB in the game, as evidence of how quickly the tide turned in the AFC Championship Game towards the end of the first half. Gregg Williams can boast all he wants about getting to Manning, but his players still have to execute. And that’s easier said than done when it comes to pressuring Peyton.

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      NFL, Super Bowl

      Plaxico Burress vows to return to NFL

      February 3, 2010 /

      In an interview with former Steelers coach Bill Cowher that will air Sunday on CBS, imprisoned receiver Plaxico Burress vowed to return to the NFL. He also apologized to the Giants for tarnishing their organization.

      From ESPN.com:

      “I will play again,” Burress said in the interview with his former Steelers coach, Bill Cowher, scheduled to air on CBS’ “NFL Today.”

      Burress said he wrote a letter to Giants owners John Mara and Steve Tisch apologizing for his actions.

      “I told them how sorry I was about bringing all this bad publicity to such a stand-up organization,” Burress said in the interview with Cowher.

      Cowher, who was Burress’ coach for five years in Pittsburgh, told the New York Post that he believed the receiver was sincere in the interview.

      “He looked me in the eye. I believe he was sincere,” Cowher told the newspaper. “I think I know him well enough to know that …

      “He admittedly blames no one except himself. He’s had a lot of time to reflect. He’s had great, unwavering support from his wife. … It’s been an eye-awakening situation for him. He had a daughter born when he was in prison. It’s very sobering to be in there. When you walk through the door, and you listen to him talk, you can see it’s very genuine.”

      Personally, I believe everyone deserves a second chance in life, but they have to earn it. It’s not uncommon that a man in person shows regret for the actions he took to get their and reach out to the people that he harmed. But what happens when Plax gets out of jail will be the true measure of whether or not he learned from the mistake he made.

      Burress could be released as early as 2011 but he’ll be two years removed from playing and will also be 34. I’m sure some team will give him a shot as their third or fourth receiver, but he shouldn’t expect anything more than a tryout.


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      NFL

      Eagles to keep Michael Vick now?

      February 3, 2010 /

      According to the NFL Network’s Michael Lombardi, the Eagles fully intend to retain Michael Vick’s services for the 2010 season, as they see it being a luxury to having three starter-quality quarterbacks on their roster.

      While I don’t disagree that the Eagles told Lombardi this, it’s highly doubtful that the team will pay Vick the $5.25 million he’s due next season with Donovan McNabb and Kevin Kolb’s contracts also coming up at the end of the year. Vick attempted just 13 passes and 24 rushing attempts for Philly last season, which is hardly worth paying over $5 million again for next year.

      The Eagles likely sold Lombardi a bill of goods in hopes of generating trade value for Vick this offseason. The Rams and Bills are two teams that may be interested in the former starter and you never know who else will get into the mix (the Raiders?).

      I’d be shocked if the Eagles kept Vick for 2010, pay him $5.25 million and then wind up getting nothing for him when his contract comes up at the end of the season. There would be no point and I highly expect Philly to trade him for a fourth or fifth rounder before April’s draft.


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      NFL

      Lincecum, Giants headed to arbitration hearing?

      February 3, 2010 /

      The Giants are likely headed toward an arbitration hearing with their ace Tim Lincecum, as the sides remain far apart on the pitcher’s 2010 salary.

      From the San Jose Mercury News:

      The Giants and Lincecum exchanged salary offers two weeks ago; the Giants filed at $8 million, the highest number offered by a club to a player with less than three years of service time. Lincecum’s camp filed at $13 million, a record-setting number that many in the industry still considered low.

      Industry sources said that it made sense for Thurman to file a “winnable” number if he expected the case to reach a hearing. Once at that stage, an arbiter considers the evidence, hears arguments and chooses one salary or another — with no middle ground.

      I’d be shocked if an arbiter sided with the Giants at $8 million. Lincecum already has two Cy Young awards, is a two-time All-Star and the Giants finished with a winning record last season, which are all things an arbiter looks at.

      The Giants have an interesting situation on their hands in regards to Lincecum’s long-term future. He has four more years of arbitration and if they wanted to, the club could go year to year and continue to pay him in the $13-20 million range (assuming his arbitration number continues to rise). Assuming he doesn’t get hurt and leaves via free agency at the end of those four years, then the Giants would have had him for four years at around $80 million.

      Now, if they wanted to buy out his remaining arbitration years with a long-term contract, then the Giants will guarantee Lincecum upwards of $100 million. If he gets hurt, then they’re screwed but at least he’s locked in and they don’t have to worry about going year to year with arbitration and getting embarrassed with offers like $8 million for one of baseball’s best pitchers.

      With the way he’s looked the past two seasons, I would hurry to lock Lincecum up to a four or five year deal if I were the Giants. But he’s only 25 and no matter great he’s pitched over the last two years, there’s no guarantee for future success. If his arm fails off in a year, the Giants would have made the right decision to take things year by year.

      Either way, “The Franchise” is under the Giants’ control for the next four years.


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      MLB

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