Category: NFL (Page 188 of 1282)

      Maurkice Pouncey ruled out for Super Bowl

      January 30, 2011 /

      After speaking to a league source, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported on Sunday NFL Countdown that Steelers’ center Maurkice Pouncey will not play against the Packers in Super Bowl XLV.

      Pouncey injured his ankle in the AFC title game against the Jets and although he was optimistic that he would be able to play Super Bowl Sunday, it doesn’t appear that he’ll be healthy enough to suit up.

      That means second-year center Doug Legursky will start in Pouncey’s place. Legursky has started just four games in his career and while he played well against the Jets last week, he’ll have his hands full with Packers’ nose tackle B.J. Raji, who has had a great postseason.

      As I wrote earlier this week, even if Pouncey starts who knows how effective he’ll be. Colts’ defensive end Dwight Freeney dealt with an ankle injury prior to last year’s Super Bowl and played well in the first half. But due to the long layoff at halftime, his ankle stiffened up and he could barely play in the final two quarters. I’m not a doctor, but it’s not a stretch to think that the same thing could happen to Pouncey if he tried to play on Sunday.

      External Sports, NFL, Super Bowl

      Nick Barnett takes swipes at Rodgers via Twitter

      January 30, 2011 /
      Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers (12) drops back to pass as Chicago Bears defensive end Julius Peppers (90) pressures him during the fourth quarter of their NFC Championship playoff game at Soldier Field in Chicago on January 23, 2011. The Packers defeated the Bears 21-14 to advance to the Super Bowl. UPI /Mark Cowan

      Injured Packers’ linebacker Nick Barnett hasn’t played since Week 4 because of a wrist injury, but he’s keeping himself relevant this week by speaking out about everything from Jay Cutler to hurt feelings over a team photo.

      Now, he’s deleting his Twitter account after taking a few swipes at quarterback Aaron Rodgers.

      From NFL.com:

      The most recent hurt feelings came after Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers was asked during a five-minute media availability Saturday if he feels for his teammates on injured reserve because they can’t take part in the run-up to the game next Sunday.

      Rodgers didn’t directly address the way his injured teammates chose to express their disappointment about potentially being left out of the Super Bowl team photo. But, without naming anyone, he said Saturday that some of the team’s 16 injured players chose not to stay in town and rehabilitate.

      “I’ll say this, I was on IR back in 2006 and I chose to stick around and finish out the season with my guys and be here every game. Some of those guys didn’t,” Rodgers said. “Some of the guys who were injured, they still are part of this team, but they didn’t choose to stick around.”

      Barnett, who hasn’t played since Week 4 because of a wrist injury, fired back at Rodgers on Twitter.

      “Looks like people have something to say about where some people choose to do there rehab,” Barnett wrote. “Try rehabbing with 16 others then 53 more. Doubt you get the full attention needed.. It’s easy to speak about others when you are not in their position.. Talk about ‘union’ ha.”

      Barnett, who later erased those tweets, added: “Goodbye twitter… It was fun while it lasted.. But we need to focus on important things.

      Barnett also tweeted how he was never trying to be a distraction and how he loves the city of Green Bay. He just wanted to be included as a teammate, which is certainly understandable. It must be hard to watch your team get prepared for the Super Bowl knowing that you won’t be playing thanks to an injury.

      That said, he says he wasn’t trying to be a distraction but that’s exactly what he was. How childish is it to be taking swipes at your quarterback via Twitter – during the week of the Super Bowl, no less. If Barnett had a problem with what Rodgers said, he should have taken it up with the quarterback in private. Or better yet, he shouldn’t have taken anything personal and allowed his teammates to prepare for the biggest game of their lives.

      Deleting his Twitter account was probably a smart idea.

      External Sports, NFL, Super Bowl

      Is Jake Locker’s draft stock falling?

      January 29, 2011 /

      Depending on what slot he was taken at, Washington quarterback Jake Locker passed on anywhere from $36-72 million when he decided to stay in school for his senior season. Still, if he played well in 2010, that money would have been waiting for him in the 2011 NFL Draft.

      The problem is that he didn’t play well. After completing 230 of 395 pass attempts for 2,800 yards with 21 touchdowns and 11 interceptions as a junior, he struggled while completing just 184 of 332 attempts for 2,265 yards with 17 touchdowns and nine picks as a senior. Now, according to recent projections, it looks like he may fall into the second or third round.

      From FOX Sports’ Adam Caplan:

      What I liked: You can clearly see his outstanding athleticism. Locker, like many of the quarterbacks here this week, throws fairly well on the run. He is better passing outside of the pocket. He also has pretty good arm strength.

      What needs improvement: His release point is going to need to be adjusted in the NFL. Locker rarely made two solid or accurate throws in a row, which is a troubling sign. Too many of his passes sailed high or away from his intended receiver. The ball simply does not come out of his throwing hand well — which is alarming.

      Round projection: Third.

      While ESPN’s Todd McShay continues to be high on Locker, some have referred to his accuracy as “terrible” while others believe that he’ll never be a starting quarterback at the pro level.

      That said, isn’t it a little premature to say whether or not he’ll struggle in the NFL? After all, he hasn’t had his Pro Day yet and the scouting combine is still a couple of weeks away. In fact, the Senior Bowl hasn’t even been played yet, so if Locker impresses over these next couple of months he could improve his draft stock greatly.

      If most pundits thought that he was a top-5 pick last year, then obviously he has the tools to be a first-rounder (unless of course those pundits off about him last year, which wouldn’t be surprising). Let’s hold off before we deem this kid the next Brian Brohm.

      College Football, External Sports, NFL, NFL Draft

      Nevada’s Kaepernick drawing rave reviews at Senior Bowl

      January 28, 2011 /

      Out of the six quarterbacks on both Senior Bowl rosters, Nevada’s Colin Kaepernick seems to be drawing the most attention this week.

      This is what FOX Sports.com’s Adam Caplan had to say about Kaepernick’s performance thus far:

      What I liked: Kaepernick was terrific from the start of Monday’s practice and he really didn’t let up. He was quite accurate on most of his passes up to 30 yards. And his touch was terrific. He throws with very good timing and anticipation for such a young signal caller. I also liked that he was willing to throw the ball into tighter areas. That’s something most young quarterbacks won’t try to do. And his athleticism is outstanding. He’s clearly the best quarterback out of the six and it’s not even close. If he has a great performance during February’s NFL Combine, it’s not out of the question that Kaepernick goes in the first round.

      What needs improvement: There is one small issue. He has a slightly long release point, which causes his passes to be a little late every now and then. That’s something that can be adjusted by his quarterback coach in the NFL.

      Caplan wasn’t the only person impressed by Kaepernick’s performance either. One scout told the Sacramento Bee that Kaepernick “might have made the most money of any Senior Bowl player this week.”

      Considering he’s been performing against the likes of Jake Locker and Andy Dalton, it’s surprising that Kaepernick drew the best reviews, although not altogether shocking. He has great size, speed and athleticism, but according to reports his accuracy has been better than expected and his arm strength is superb. NFL Network’s Mike Mayock even said of Kapernick: “It’s like watching Nolan Ryan [throw].”

      It’s too early yet to being projecting where guys will fall in the draft – especially with the scouting combine still a couple of weeks away. But given the type of offense that Chan Gailey runs in Buffalo, I wonder if Kapernick would be a good fit for the Bills in the second round.

      College Football, External Sports, NFL, NFL Draft

      Young will raise red flags for potential suitors

      January 28, 2011 /
      Tennessee Titans quarterback Vince Young (10) signs autographs for fans after a 24-10 victory over the Arizona Cardinals of an NFL pre-season game at LP Field in Nashville, Tennessee on August 23, 2010. (UPI Photo/Frederick Breedon IV)

      As it stands right now, not even the Dos Equis guy could convince Mike Reinfeldt to keep Vince Young. The Titans’ GM confirmed on Friday that he plans to trade or release the 27-year-old quarterback this offseason, which signals the inevitable end of Young’s tenure in Tennessee.

      According to Rotoworld (via Terry McCormick of TitanInsider), two undisclosed teams have joined Minnesota as potential destinations for Young. The Redskins, Bills, Dolphins, Cardinals, 49ers, Raiders, Panthers and Jaguars could all be interested in a quarterback this offseason, but at this point who knows where Young will wind up?

      What we do know is that the Titans will have a tough time trading him. Teams know that Tennessee wants to release him, so why not wait until then to acquire him? The Titans are hoping that some team will put a trade package together (even if it’s a couple of PEZ dispensers and a pack of double-A batteries), but that’s highly doubtful considering he’s owed $8.5 million in base salary next season.

      Continue reading »

      External Sports, NFL

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