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Category: NFL (Page 197 of 1282)
NFC East beat writer Matt Mosley of ESPN.com threw out an interesting scenario regarding Albert Haynesworth and how he could wind up in Philadelphia next season.
Here’s why:
The Washington Redskins have said they’d be open to Albert Haynesworth returning in 2011, but no one really believes them. And that’s why it’s interesting to note that the Philadelphia Eagles just hired Haynesworth’s all-time favorite position coach.
Haynesworth became one of the best defensive tackles in the league while working with defensive line coach Jim Washburn in Tennessee. The Redskins reportedly tried to unload Haynesworth on the Eagles during the Donovan McNabb negotiation but coach Andy Reid, currently in Antigua, did not have any interest. Perhaps Washburn could change Reid’s mind about Haynesworth.
Take a look at what Haynesworth told The (Nashville) Tennessean about Washburn:
“I owe Coach Wash pretty much everything,” said Haynesworth. “If my deal was $100 million or whatever, then Washburn deserves $90 million. I have the talent, but he taught me how to let it loose. As a player, once you can get through the [expletive], get down to the core of what he is saying, the information is more valuable than gold. He’s a great coach, a great teacher. The Titans should have paid a lot of money to keep him from leaving.”
It’s important to remember that Mosley isn’t reporting news – he’s just speculating based on the relationship that Hanyesworth had with Washburn in Tennessee. But even with that in mind, I doubt the Eagles would take a risk like this.
Defensive tackle and secondary were positions of strength this year for the Eagles, while linebacker was arguably their weakest link. When opponents attacked Philadelphia on the ground, they would usually test the outside edges as opposed to going up the middle. And Philly’s linebackers had a tough time in coverage this season, particularly in the red zone and when trying to man-up with running backs. Teams also tried to attack the Eagles through the air on first down because they knew their base defense (i.e. the 4-3) would be on the field.
Would adding a talent like Hayesworth be beneficial to a team like the Eagles? Of course it would, especially if Washburn could keep him focused and motivated. But defensive tackle wasn’t an issue for the team last year and assuming they would have to part with draft picks in order to acquire the troubled DT from Washington, maybe they would be wise to take a pass.
Greg Kozarik, host of Locked and Loaded on the Cleveland.com Digital Sports Network, absolutely went off on the Browns on a recent show. It’s a must listen.
We have a couple of loyal TSR readers who are Brown fans, so I’d love to get their take on this rant. I know many fans follow the “in Holmgren we trust” mantra because what else are they going to hold onto? But is Kozarik’s view how the tortured souls in Cleveland really feel?
I like the part at the end when Kozarik mentions how he hopes the Steelers win it all. Most Cleveland fans are openly rooting against Pittsburgh but I like Kozarik’s take: maybe it’ll motivate the Browns to want to win if they have to watch the Steelers win yet another Super Bowl.
“Al Lerner himself is down in hell right now laughing with Satan, because do you know how much money he stole from Cleveland Browns fans?”
Ouch.
(Hat tip to Midwest Sports Fans and Yardbarker for the clip.)
This guy does a pretty sick Brett Favre impersonation.
With the Green Bay Packers getting ready to face the Bears in the NFC Championship Game this weekend, it’s a good time to stop and reflect on a franchise that was in a serious state of flux as recently as two-and-a-half years ago, when Aaron Rodgers took the reins from Brett Favre.
Ted Thompson is the man who made that call (and countless others) over the past six years, so he’s ultimately responsible for the Packer roster as it stands. A roster that is playing very good football and has enough depth to withstand 15 players on injured reserve, including starters Jermichael Finley, Nick Barnett, Ryan Grant, Brandon Chillar and Mark Tauscher.
Let’s go year-by-year and look at each draft, along with any major transaction that Thompson made.
2005
Thompson took over in January of 2005, with the Packers coming off a 10-6 season and a first round loss to the Vikings at Lambeau Field. Mike Sherman was stripped of his personnel duties, and Thompson was brought in to call the shots.
The 2005 season was a rough one. The Packers went 4-12. Favre tossed 29 interceptions and the Packers were 31st in turnover ratio. It was an excruciating season as Green Bay was just 1-5 in games decided by three points or less. Part of the problem was Thompson’s unwillingness to pay free agent (and Pro Bowl) guards Marco Rivera and Mike Wahle. The O-line struggled, and so did the Packers.
Here’s a look at that Thompson’s ’05 draft: (1) Aaron Rodgers, (2) Nick Collins, (2) Terrence Murphy, (4) Marviel Underwood, (4) Brady Poppinga, (5) Junius Coston, (5) Mike Hawkins, (6) Michael Montgomery, (6) Craig Bragg, (7) Kurt Campbell, (7) Will Whitticker
Note: Players in bold are starters. Players no longer with the team are in italics.
Of the 11 players selected in that draft, just three remain. But they’re three good ones. Collins was named to his third consecutive Pro Bowl this season and if Rodgers isn’t a top 5 QB, he will be soon. He also landed a starter-caliber LB (Poppinga) in the fourth. Thompson knew that he had to be patient with Rodgers, especially with Favre still on the roster and capable of MVP-type numbers. He passed on a player that could help immediately in order to draft the QB of the future, and he took some grief for it.
Obviously it worked out for the best.
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