Category: NFL (Page 433 of 1282)

      Jay Ratliff chats with The Scores Report

      April 29, 2010 /

      Defensive lineman Jay Ratliff came into the NFL as a seventh round draft choice of the Dallas Cowboys in 2005 and all he’s done since then is become a two-time Pro Bowl selection in each of the last two seasons. He was also a first-team All-Pro selection in 2009 after racking up 40 tackles, six sacks and two forced fumbles.

      We recently got the opportunity to chat with Jay about the Cowboys’ draft, how the ‘Boys can build off the success they had last season and what his thoughts were on the Donovan McNabb trade.

      After you check out the interview, be sure to visit Jay’s official website, JAYRAT.com, for the chance to win a trip to see the Cowboys play in 2010. Two lucky winners will have the opportunity to see the ‘Boys take on the Titans at Cowboys Stadium, or the Giants at the new Meadowlands Stadium. The package will include airfare, hotel room, tickets to the game, as well as an opportunity to meet Jay before the game at the live airing of the DallasCowboys.com Radio Show.

      The Scores Report: Hi, this is Anthony.

      Jay Ratliff: Hey, this is Jay Ratliff.

      Continue reading »

      External Sports, Interviews, NFL

      When released, what are Russell’s options?

      April 28, 2010 /

      It’s a foregone conclusion that JaMarcus Russell will be released by the Raiders at some point this offseason. And when he does, where pray tell will he wind up?

      Now that he has reportedly ballooned to 300 pounds, some are wondering whether or not Russell can put on 20 more lbs. and play offensive line. That might not be a bad idea, although the position would still require a fair amount of football intelligence, which is something he has lacked since entering the league.

      All kidding aside, which team would be willing to take on a massive project like Russell? What offensive scheme does a quarterback with a strong arm, no accuracy and zero football IQ fit into? What coach would be willing to take on a player that hasn’t shown the desire to work on his craft or keep his body anywhere close to playing shape in the offseason?

      There are a lot of coaches in the NFL that believe they can mold any player, which is why Russell will likely re-surface somewhere when he’s released in Oakland. Peter King of SI.com suggests that the Eagles might give him a shot, although I don’t know how Russell can fit into his pants, nevertheless the West Coast Offense. (His accuracy is one of his worst traits and the WCO relies on a QB that is accurate.)

      This is just speculation on my part, but what about the 49ers? Mike Singletary and acting GM Trent Baalke have done nothing but shower Alex Smith with confidence this offseason by passing on the opportunity to trade for Donovan McNabb and draft a quarterback like Jimmy Clausen. But Smith is a free agent after the season and 2010 will be a make or break year for the 25-year-old anyway. I’m not suggesting that Russell has the ability to overtake Smith because he doesn’t, but if there were one coach that I could foresee giving Russell the giant kick in the ass he needs, it would be Singletary. (I know most 49er fans want to burn me alive right now for even suggesting this, but this more about my faith in Singletary than Russell’s abilities.)

      But again, I’m just speculating. There’s a very good chance that Singletary and the Niners want absolutely nothing to do with Russell, much like every other team in the league. It’s kind of funny that whenever a troubled player is about to hit the open market, the first team that is always mentioned is the Raiders. But now that Oakland doesn’t even want him, Russell won’t have a ton of options.


      Photo from fOTOGLIF

      External Sports, NFL

      Dolphins’ GM apologizes to Bryant for asking whether or not mother was a prostitute

      April 28, 2010 /

      Dolphins’ GM Jeff Ireland recently apologized for asking then-NFL prospect Dez Bryant in a pre-draft interview about whether or not his mother was ever a prostitute.

      From Yahoo! Sports.com:

      “My job is to find out as much information as possible about a player that I’m consider drafting. Sometimes that leads to asking in-depth questions.

      “Having said that, I talked to Dez Bryant and told him I used poor judgment in one of the questions I asked him. I certainly meant no disrespect and apologized to him.

      “I appreciate his acceptance of that apology and I told him I wished him well as he embarks on his NFL career.”

      Some blogs are questioning why this is even a story, but it is a story and it’s a situation that is problematic. It appears as though some NFL front office types (that includes coaches) feel as though they’re entitled to ask whatever they want when it comes to interviewing prospects. They feel as though since players are paid millions of dollars that nothing is out of bounds or off limits, which is an issue. (Especially when it comes to asking a prospect whether or not his mother had ever slept around for money.)

      Ireland’s question was degrading, insulting and completely unnecessary. What was he hoping to accomplish? What if Bryant said yes? Then what? The Dolphins take him off their big board? What does Bryant’s mother have to do with whether or not he can catch passes?

      I realize that teams have to do their due diligence when it comes to finding out what kind of character these young men have. And the only way for them to do that is for them to question them about their past.

      But at some point, there has to be a line drawn in the sand and I think Ireland crossed it with Bryant.


      Photo from fOTOGLIF

      External Sports, NFL, NFL Draft

      Report: Raiders prepared to release Russell

      April 27, 2010 /

      It appears that the end is near for JaMarcus Russell in Oakland, as the Raiders are preparing to release the NFL’s all-time biggest bust.

      From ESPN.com:

      John Clayton just said on ESPN’s “NFL Live” that the Raiders are preparing the process of cutting quarterback JaMarcus Russell.

      Clayton said it is not a matter of if, but when Russell will be cut. He also said the team could release Russell before Oakland’s minicamp, which runs Friday through Sunday, and that there is no trade market for him. The Raiders will save more than $6 million if they cut Russell this year.

      I wrote about this topic in more detail yesterday, which you can read here. But the long and the short of it is that Jason Campbell is the starter and the best move for the Raiders is to cut their losses and move on with Russell. He would be nothing shy of a distraction, including for owner Al Davis.


      Photo from fOTOGLIF

      External Sports, NFL

      Is Chris Johnson set to hold out?

      April 27, 2010 /

      The Titans have a potential problem brewing in regards to running back Chris Johnson, who was not present on Tuesday for the team’s first practice of the offseason.

      The 24-year-old Johnson wants a new contract, but the Titans are hamstrung by the “30 percent” rule, which prohibits large raises of future base salaries. Even if the team wanted to pay Johnson, it would have to come up with a deal that was largely bonus-based, which is something the team would ultimately like to avoid.

      GM Mike Reinfeldt recently said that he doesn’t expect Johnson to hold out and noted that Chris “has been a pro from Day 1.” But even though he missed much of last year’s offseason voluntary work, Johnson never missed a practice so there is cause for concern.

      No running back was more productive than Johnson was last season. He rushed for 2,006 yards and 14 touchdowns, while also hauling in 50 receptions for 503 yards and two scores. The Titans are well aware that he’s their best offensive weapon and would be wise to lock him up long term as soon as they can. But as of right now, Johnson may have to settle for his $550,000 salary in 2010, even though he’s highly underpaid compared to the rest of the backs in the league.


      Photo from fOTOGLIF

      External Sports, NFL

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