Author: Anthony Stalter (Page 541 of 1503)

      What’s next for Cardinals?

      January 29, 2010 /

      Over the past two seasons, the Arizona Cardinals have established themselves as legit Super Bowl contenders. But now that Kurt Warner has announced his retirement, the franchise has suddenly been thrown into a state of flux.

      The Cardinals knew this day was coming, so in no way are they surprised by Warner’s decision. But just because they were prepared for this eventual outcome, it doesn’t mean that their task ahead of them is any easier.

      Matt Leinart was drafted to be the team’s franchise quarterback, but that was when Denny Green was still calling the shots. Leinart isn’t one of Ken Whisenhunt’s “guys,” although he’s still expected to have first crack at the starting quarterback position now that Warner has decided to hang ‘em up. The problem is that some believe Leinart doesn’t have enough tools to carry on the success that Warner has had over these last two seasons.

      Leinart has come under criticism for his inaccuracy, his slow release, his poor footwork and his questionable arm strength. He’s set to make $2.4 million next season and if he can’t prove that he can take over the reins of Arizona’s offense, then there’s no way the Cardinals will pay him the $7.4 million (plus a $5 million roster bonus) he’s due in 2011. He essentially has one year to prove that he can lead the team’s offense or else the Cards will look to dump him after the 2010 season.

      That said, the Cardinals will likely change their offensively philosophy regardless of whether or not Leinart proves capable of taking over for Warner. Beanie Wells will become the new focal point of an offense that will have to be balanced to win, as opposed to the pass-happy unit it has resembled over the past couple seasons. The aerial show in Arizona essentially died on Friday when Warner decided to call it a career and Leinart took over. Change is coming.


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      NFL

      Kurt Warner announces his retirement

      January 29, 2010 /

      Kurt Warner has officially decided to hang ‘em up.

      From ESPN.com:

      “Not much on the drama part of it, as most of you know,” Warner said to begin a news conference at the Cardinals’ training facility in Tempe, Ariz.

      Warner, 38, a two-time MVP and Super Bowl champion, had added motivation for a quick retirement decision: He has multiple promotional appearance commitments during Super Bowl week in Miami.

      Rather than answer retirement questions then, Warner preferred to remove the focus from his future as quickly as possible so it’s not an issue next week, a source told ESPN NFL Insider Adam Schefter.

      “Obviously, it’s been 12 unbelievable years, some of the best years of my life,” Warner said Friday. “But I want everybody to know that I’m just as excited about the next 12, that I’m excited about what lies in front of me. I’m excited about spending more time with my family, and seeing what God’s going to do next.”

      Warner demonstrated class by not wanting to make his retirement announcement one of the focal points of next week’s Super Bowl. His selflessness and unwavering character are just two reasons why he will be missed on Sundays. (His outstanding play is another.)

      Warner is one of only two quarterbacks in the history of the NFL to lead two different franchises to the Super Bowl. He finishes his career with 208 touchdown passes, 32,344 yards, a 93.7 QB rating and two MVP trophies. Even if he isn’t a first ballot Hall of Famer, the 12-year veteran will likely end up having a bust in Canton someday.

      Not bad for a former grocery store stock boy and Arena league quarterback.


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      NFL

      Report: Damon rejected $6 mil from Yankees

      January 29, 2010 /

      According to SI.com’s Jon Heyman, the Yankees offered free agent outfielder Johnny Damon a $6 million contract last week and he turned them down.

      In a last-ditch effort late last week after Damon himself called the team, Cashman, one of baseball’s best dealmakers, tried floating a contract of $6 million with $3 million deferred at no interest (with the promise it would be cleared with team boss Hal Steinbrenner, who was about to return from his honeymoon). But Damon wasn’t moved enough to respond.

      “I know what kind of player I am. I know I’m a player who makes a difference and won’t back down,” Damon told SI.com by phone on Thursday.

      Damon is said to have a few possibilities. Teams reported to have shown some interest include the A’s, Rays, Tigers, Reds, Braves and Blue Jays. Damon doesn’t sound worried at all.

      “I’m all right being a free agent at this point. I get to see how teams are shaping up,” Damon said. “I know what I can do. And I think the rest of the world knows what I can do.’

      This is turning out to be one of the greatest mysteries of the MLB offseason and I’m not referring to how Damon still hasn’t signed with anyone. It’s a mystery that this clown thinks he’s worth double-digits because he hit 24 home runs last year in the wind tunnel that is Yankee Stadium.

      Damon and his agent Scott Boras have reportedly been seeking $10 million a year from the Yankees, but Brian Cashman was only willing to do $2 million a year. It’s a little surprising that Cashman bumped that number up to $6 million and Damon rejected.

      Any National League team that is willing to give Damon $10 million a year is out of their minds. He has the throwing arm of a 3-year-old child and he’s a complete disaster judging balls in the outfield. Simply put, the only thing he can do well is hit and there’s no guarantee at his age (35) that he’ll continue to hit .282/24/82 away from Yankee Stadium.

      If some team is willing to fork over $10 million for half a player, then they obviously have no idea what the terms “money management” and “value” are. The Yankees have played this situation right and if Damon doesn’t want to compromise on a $6 million deal from the World Series champs, then here’s hoping he has to settle for a low ball deal from a non-competitor. Because he and Boras are delusional about what he brings to the table in terms of talent.


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      MLB

      Fran Tarkenton rips Brett Favre again

      January 29, 2010 /

      Never shy about publicly criticizing Brett Favre, former Vikings’ great Fran Tarkenton took aim at No. 4 after his play in the NFC Championship Game while speaking on sports radio 97.5 The Fanatic in Philadelphia last week.

      From the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel:

      Tarkenton was asked to assess the Vikings’ performance in the NFC title game against New Orleans.

      “I think the Vikings were clearly the best team,” Tarkenton said. “They held this New Orleans offense to under 300 yards. They made Drew Brees look ordinary. He didn’t even throw for 200 yards. The guys have been throwing for 400, 500 yards. They were the better team. Their offense turned the ball over five times, the Viking offense. But still if (Favre) didn’t make that stupid play at the end of the game they would have won the game. Now you are in Philadelphia, remember a few years ago when Green Bay played you guys? . . . I mean he throws the ball straight up in the air, free falls. Do you remember that? I have never seen any quarterback much less, well he is going to be a Hall of Fame quarterback, make plays like that at a critical time. He has done the same thing in the Giants’ game (2007 season). He plays at home, has the better team and plays against Eli (Manning). He was a young kid right? And he throws the pick…. and then he does what he did the other night which was just shameful because great quarterbacks, and he is a great quarterback, they don’t do that. You don’t see Peyton Manning do that.”

      Tarkenton isn’t looking at the big picture here. Yes, the interception at the end of the game was bad – a rookie mistake even. And yes, the interceptions that Favre threw in previous playoff games were bad, too.

      But Tarkenton saying that the Vikings would have won the game had Favre not thrown the interception is shortsighted. There’s a huge possibility that Ryan Longwell would have missed the 50-plus yard field goal had Favre thrown the ball away or ran for four or five yards like many people are suggesting. (By the way, Favre had been abused all game and was playing on a bad ankle, so to say that he could have even run for four or five yards is a little shortsighted in itself.)

      The point is that the Vikings didn’t lose the game on Brett’s throw – they lost because they turned the ball over five times. Tarkenton can believe that the Vikings were the better team and maybe they were. But teams that turn the ball over as much as they did don’t usually win and one play doesn’t determine the outcome of a game.

      Favre’s decision to throw across his body was stupid – I’ll give Tarkenton that. But to say that the Vikings would have won if only Brett didn’t throw the pick isn’t a statement of fact, but of suggestion.


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      NFL

      2010 NFL Draft Player Profile: Tim Tebow, QB, Florida

      January 29, 2010 /

      One of the most talked about prospects heading into April’s NFL draft will be Florida quarterback Tim Tebow. Perhaps one of the best college football players of this decade, Tebow now has the task of trying to convince pro scouts that he can make the transition from the collegiate ranks to the NFL.

      Some believe that Tebow is better suited for the H-back position or out of the Wildcat at the next level, and not at quarterback. Although he wants the chance to prove that he can be a drop back passer, Tebow may have to settle for being a versatile specialty piece in some team’s offense.

      Strengths: Tebow is a football player. He has excellent strength, size and bulk, is a powerful runner, a hard worker and is as tough as they come. He’s an outstanding leader, is smart, and played against top competition at Florida. His arm is also strong enough to make all the throws and he can throw on the run. Because of his character and determination, he’s a low risk player if some team can find a spot for him in their offense.

      Weaknesses: He’s never played in an offense that requires the quarterback to take the ball from under center. He has a wind-up motion and his delivery is slow and elongated. He’s not accurate, demonstrates poor footwork and has trouble throwing a tight spiral. He’s also never had to read a defense or coverages and his learning curve will be incredibly high. In essence, he’s a major project at the quarterback position and that’s why most NFL teams will look to move him to another position.


      Photo from fOTOGLIF

      College Football, NFL, NFL Draft

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