Category: NFL (Page 1023 of 1282)

Running back Steven Jackson had some interesting things to say in a recent article written by YAHOO! Sports columnist Michael Silver about the direction of the Rams and their fans.

“It’s a one-year bid for everybody,” Jackson says. “It could be Scott’s last year, and my last year, and even the franchise is in jeopardy – the team could get sold and leave St. Louis. There’s a lot riding on this year, and we all know that. Just as much as the Rams need me, I need them.”

“I predicted a number based off of a perfect season,” Jackson says. “I learned something – things will come up. Two things killed me: My offensive line was just decimated, and our receivers didn’t block. You look at Adrian Peterson, LaDainian Tomlinson or anyone who has a ton of yards, and those guys on the perimeter block. For me, I wasn’t only looking at eight in the box, but if I happened to get through the line and out to the perimeter, the defenders were all over me.”

When Jackson flashes back to a pair of dismal defeats to Green Bay and Pittsburgh last December at the Edward Jones Dome, he doesn’t hold back, saying, “You’ve got to love those Rams fans who showed their loyalty by selling their tickets to Packers and Steelers fans, so half the people in the stadium were rooting against us. It was like playing road games. We ran out of the tunnel and got booed. It was ridiculous. I was livid. In St. Louis, it’s one of two things. They either love me or they (expletive) hate me. I’m not a diva, but if I’m pissed, (the Rams’ PR staff) won’t let me talk, ’cause they’re scared of what might come out of my mouth.”

Hmm. It’s good when athletes are honest and speak their minds – it’s rather refreshing. But nothing good ever comes out of calling out your teammates. Jackson might have hit the nail on the head when he said, “the franchise is in jeopardy” but it’s better to keep things in house.

And I’m all for team loyalty, but I don’t blame Rams fans for selling their tickets after the team started off 0-8 – especially when families have to take out a second mortgage on their house just to go to the games nowadays.

According to the Denver Post, Broncos’ wide receiver Brandon Marshall was arrested in March on a misdemeanor battery charge in Atlanta. That makes three arrests for Marshall since he’s been in the league, including two domestic violence charges. He now faces a potential suspension by the NFL.

Marshall could be suspended by the NFL under its Personal Conduct Policy because of multiple arrests and alleged incidents. He also was charged with driving under the influence in October 2007 and is set to go to trial in September on that charge. A previous domestic-violence charge, from an arrest in March 2007, has been dismissed.

NFL spokesman Greg Aiello confirmed the league is looking into Marshall’s latest arrest but had no further comment Tuesday.

Marshall has drawn comparisons to T.O. given his size, speed and athletic ability. Of course none of that matters if he’s not on the field. What talent that’s been wasted.

Along with nine other NFL moves he’d like to see happen, Adam Schein of FOX Sports.com writes that the Dolphins need to ship Jason Taylor north to Green Bay.

The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel had a report last week that the Packers are kicking the tires on a deal for the disgruntled Dolphin star. Two members of the Packers’ defensive staff have experience coaching Taylor. Plus, Green Bay general manager Ted Thompson has a great relationship with Miami’s football Czar, Bill Parcells.

Frankly, it makes too much sense.

I firmly believe that Taylor has played his last down in Miami. He has no interest in working for the new regime.
The Packers shouldn’t worry about Taylor talking his way out of Miami, even though it’s been a major turnoff and big distraction to the Fins. He’s always had the reputation of being a hard worker and team leader. Wanting to finally get a ring, Taylor won’t be a headache for Mike McCarthy.

Taylor is still an elite pass rusher with at least two good years left in the tank. A line of Aaron Kampman, Cullen Jenkins, Justin Harrell and Taylor would be one of the best defensive fronts in the entire league.

Plus, Green Bay, while situated in a tiny market, is a marquee franchise. The Packers are constantly on national television. While Miami and Green Bay are complete opposite cities with vastly different climates, playing for the Packers will help Taylor with his desired “Q” rating as he moves into acting and dancing fulltime.

I think Taylor will play two more years, including 2008. If Thompson can get insurances from Taylor that he’ll play past this year, I’d give up a second-round pick for a player that will help you win games on defense in the post Brett Favre era and solidify you as division favorites and a Super Bowl contender.

The Palm Beach Post wrote over the weekend that the Taylor-to-Green Bay talks have fizzled for now. Packers’ GM Ted Thompson is too smart to overvalue a 33-year old defensive end that has publicly stated he wants out of his current situation. And the Dolphins are rumored to want nothing less than a second round pick in exchange for Taylor.

This just doesn’t seem like a deal that’s going to get done unless Miami tones down its demands.