TheDailyBlitz.com

Chris Henry says he's ready for a "big year"

Sun, 05 Jul 2009 15:49:09 -0400

Bengals receiver Chris Henry is in a contract year. And, as Chick Ludwig of the Dayton Daily News points out, Henry is predicting a big year for himself.

“It’s going to be a big year for me,” Henry predicted during the club’s recent minicamp. “I’ve been working hard. I feel like I’m at my best right now, and I’m going to do everything I can to help the team get to where we’re trying to get.”

In May, Bengals quarterback Carson Palmer praised the new-and-improved Henry while on Sirius NFL Radio at the same time he verbally bitch-slapped Chad Ochocinco.

“We've got Chris Henry … He's a guy that's had a great offseason, really turned his life around. I'm excited to watch him play. He's a guy that seems like he catches a touchdown every other ball that's thrown to him, he's that explosive. He's kind of taken over for Chad's position and he's a guy that, like I said earlier, does not want to give up that spot right now.”

However, Ochocinco has since showed up to off-season workouts and even vowed to spend this month with Los Palmers, much to dismay of Señora Palmer. That being said, Ochocinco says he's in great shape and has a renewed focus.

With injuries to Palmer and Ochocinco last year, the Bengals saw their offense drop from 23.8 (2007) to 12.8 (2008) points per game and from 348.0 (2007) to 245.4 (2008) yards per game.

In 2006 and 2007, the Bengals were a top ten offense. In 2008, their offense finished dead last in points and yards.

The Bengals have a lot of explosive (and volatile) parts to their offense. Ochocinco and Henry seem to have a renewed focus, Palmer seems to be healthy, Laverneus Coles is happy with his change of scenery and Cedric Benson finally produced at the end of last year like you would expect from a top-five pick by putting up 462 combined (rushing/receiving) yards in the Bengals' final three games.

So, with a perfect storm, the Bengals could be one of the top offenses in the NFL in 2009. However, the opposite could happen and the team could have a complete meltdown. As much as any other in the NFL, this group has as much of a chance to be either a monumental success or failure in 2009.

Happy 80th Birthday to Al Davis!

Sat, 04 Jul 2009 19:09:57 -0400

Today is the 80th birthday of Oakland Raiders owner Al Davis, who was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1992.

In an interview with Greg Papa, who wished Davis a happy birthday, Davis replied, "It'll be happy when we win," according to Cam Inman of the San Jose Mercury News.

As Inman points out, most think of the past six years of Raiders' struggles - not their past greatness - when thinking about the Hall of Fame owner and the Raiders' franchise.

That being said, Davis provides us an it-could-always-be-worse perspective for the fans of any of the other 31 teams in the league. For that, I say thank you Al and happy birthday!

Chris Berman "stunned" and "humbled" to present Ralph Wilson

Sat, 04 Jul 2009 17:40:52 -0400

ESPN anchor Chris Berman will present Bills' owner Ralph Wilson for induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame on August 8th in Canton, Ohio.

Per Alan Pergament of the Buffalo News, Berman is both "stunned' and "humbled" by the honor.

Berman, who spoke at Wilson's surprise 90th birthday party, said, "Apparently that was a big hit. I didn’t know I was auditioning for the Hall of Fame and I don’t think I was.”

As presenter for Wilson, Berman will relinquish his master of ceremonies role, which he's had for the past decade, for this year's induction ceremony.

“He never really is interested in saying that ‘Ralph Wilson helped bring this about.’ He doesn’t care if his name is mentioned. . . . He doesn’t feel slighted years later in that ‘so-and-so got credit and I was just as [influential].’ That is so admirable. . . . A lot of people don’t really know how important he was. . . . I’m there to remind people or let them know even though his name may not be one of the signatures you recite off of football’s Declaration of Independence, he’s on it.”

Hopefully, nobody will distract Berman so he can concentrate.

Steve McNair was shot and killed in double homicide

Sat, 04 Jul 2009 16:46:59 -0400

Former NFL quarterback Steve McNair was shot and killed in a double homicide in downtown Nashville, per News Channel 5 in Nashville.

The incident happened at 2nd South & Lea Ave.

McNair, who was selected third overall by the Houston Oilers in 1995, spent 13 years in the NFL and was one of the toughest players in the league. He spent his first 11 seasons with the Oilers/Titans franchise and his last two with the Ravens.

He was named co-MVP with Peyton Manning in 2003.

Santonio Holmes: "We look forward to going back to the Super Bowl"

Fri, 03 Jul 2009 19:46:30 -0400

Pittsburgh Steelers receiver Santonio Holmes has added some weight this off-season. And it seems as though some of it has gone to his head.

Per John Harris of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, Holmes believes it's a matter of "when" - not "if" - the Steelers get back to the Super Bowl.

"We're not wondering will we make it back, if we'll make it back," said Holmes. "We look forward to going back to the Super Bowl."

"At the start of that first game, it's definitely going to be a blessing to see these guys (that) did it last year," Holmes said. "But we know (with) the hard work that we put in, we're looking forward to going."

Last year, Holmes caught the game-winning catch and was named the Most Valuable Player in Super Bowl XLIII.

While the Steelers may have as good of a chance to get (back) to the Super Bowl as any other team (technically, not true if you go by Vegas odds), you don't win a Super Bowl in July - you win 'em in June.

Mike Jenkins is the starter (in his own mind)

Fri, 03 Jul 2009 18:05:47 -0400

Mike Jenkins was named the starting right cornerback for the Dallas Cowboys. Earlier in the week, Jenkins posted on his blog that the job was his. Well, sort-of ... meaning Jenkins believes the job is his.

However, the Cowboys haven't officially designated Jenkins the starting right cornerback.

In a follow-up post on his blog, Jenkins says his statement was due more to confidence, according to Todd Davis of the Dallas Morning News. Jenkins writes:

I’m coming into camp with a chip on my shoulder and I think the job will be mine because of the confidence I have in myself and not because of anything else! Everyone is trying to make this a big issue when this is just a needle in a haystack. The big picture is to win our games no matter who the starter is and make the playoffs.

Jenkins, who was drafted in the first-round in 2008 by the Cowboys, is competing with Orlando Scandrick, who was drafted in the fifth round in 2008, for the starting cornerback vacancy created by Anthony Henry's departure.

Urlacher was surprised Bears were interested in Plaxico

Fri, 03 Jul 2009 07:46:45 -0400

Chicago Bears linebacker Brian Urlacher was surprised that the Bears were linked to being interested in the troubled receiver Plaxico Burress, per Vaughn McClure of the Chicago Tribune. But he's not surprised that the Bears are no longer interested.

"My first thought with [Burress] was, would he even be able to play this year?" Urlacher said. "You have to wonder how long you're going to have him or when he's going to be available.

"[But] he's a great receiver [and] I would have been open to it."

Burress faces a 3 1/2 year jail term for gun charges after shooting himself in the leg at a NYC nightclub and a possible indefinite suspsension from NFL commissioner Roger Goodell.

The receivers currently on the Bears' roster are Devin Aromashodu, Earl Bennett, John Broussard, Rashied Davis, Juaquin Iglesias, Derek Kinder, Johnny Knox, Eric Peterman, Brandon Rideau and Devin Hester.

Out of that group, their top four receivers are Hester, Davis, Bennett and Iglesias.

The Thursday Blitz

Thu, 02 Jul 2009 23:38:36 -0400

Ross Tucker of SI named three teams who have had the best off-seasons - Eagles, Patriots and Falcons - and the worst off-seasons - Bucs, Broncos and Redskins.

The Cowboys have waived tight end Jamar Hunt and center Matt Spanos.

Every year I predict a breakout season for Vernon Davis. And every year I'm disappointed. Will this be the year that a 49ers offensive coordinator figures out how to use Davis and his freakish athleticism correctly?

The Titans agreed to a four-year deal with tight end Jared Cook, who is the team's third-round pick.

Rick Gosselin of the Dallas Morning News points out that three of the past four teams to open a new stadium have lost. Will the Cowboys buck the trend against the New York Giants on September 20th?

Steelers linebacker James Farrior and cornerback Ike Taylor credit their off-season workout program for helping with their in-season durability.

The Panthers claimed tight end Andrew Davie off waivers from the Jets.

Titans running back LenDale White, who has lost 20 pounds this off-season, will work out with his uncle (Herman White) and his cousin (Chauncey Billups) for the next five weeks.

This year, Rams running back Steven Jackson will play nine games against teams that finished in the bottom half of the league against the run last year.

The Tampa Tribune reports that Bucs training camp will be limited to 4,000 people per day.

Jason Taylor gets $1.5 million back from botched island sale

Thu, 02 Jul 2009 22:33:46 -0400

Miami Dolphins defensive end (and star dancer) Jason Taylor attempted to buy a private island off of St. Thomas named Great St. James in 2004.

However, the seller of the largely undeveloped private island couldn't comply with the requirements for the closing.

Five years later, a jury awarded Taylor and two partners the sum of $1.5 million (returned deposit), according to the Associated Press.

Coincidentally, that is the amount Taylor will earn this season as he returns to the Dolphins.

He would have earned roughly $7 million more this season if he weren't cut by the Redskins, who wanted Taylor to participate in the majority of their off-season program.

Personally, I feel for Taylor. Don't you just hate it when you can't smoothly acquire a private island? What's this world coming to?

Calvin Pace gets four-game suspension

Thu, 02 Jul 2009 17:07:14 -0400

The NFL has suspended Jets linebacker Calvin Pace for the first four regular-season games of the 2009 NFL season for violating the league's policy on performance-enhancing drugs.

Although Pace will be allowed to participate in practices and games throughout the pre-season, Pace will miss games against the Texans, Patriots, Titans and Saints. He will be allowed to return to practice on October 5th, which is the day after the Jets' game against the Saints. (Full Jets' schedule here)

His regular-season debut will be against the Miami Dolphins on Monday Night Football (Oct. 12th). What are the chances that Dolphins linebacker Channing Crowder keeps quiet about one of Rex Ryan's linebackers failing a drug test?

"This is a situation that resulted from an over-the-counter dietary supplement that contained a substance that I did not know violated the League’s policy," Pace said. "I am responsible for what I put into my body and I should have paid closer attention to the league’s guidelines. I regret that this has happened and apologize to my teammates, the entire Jets organization as well as the fans. Hopefully, this does not distract from our ultimate goal of winning the Super Bowl."

Perhaps Pace is telling the truth and failed the test due to consuming an over-the-counter product that contains a banned substance. There is no way for me to know, but I do know that he failed a test.

And I also know that many other players who have failed drug tests claim it was from using over-the-counter products. While the NFL has been more proactive in their fight against PEDs than other sports' leagues, it's still a black eye for the league's reputation.

So, what I don't understand is, why isn't there a list of over-the-counter products that contain banned substances?

Brandon Marshall "hates Denver"

Wed, 01 Jul 2009 20:04:53 -0400

In case you missed it yesterday, investigative reporters from ABC 7 (Denver) released a report about Brandon Marshall's arrest on Oct. 22, 2007 for DUI, which details Marshall's opinion of the city he now wants to leave.

The police report from the incident states that Marshall said, "Why aren't you guys out looking for Williams' killer? I hate Denver. I hope I get traded. I hate this f---ing city."

(Click here for the full police report).

“What we know about Brandon Marshall is he is a supremely talented football player on the field with the habit of getting in trouble off the field,” said Adam Schefter, NFL correspondent for ESPN.

That's the problem with Marshall. He's put up back-to-back seasons of 100+ receptions yet has a section on his Wikipedia page chronicling his "Legal Troubles."

Marshall, who wants out of Denver, wrote on his website a couple of weeks ago, "I thank the Denver fans who embraced my emotion and play on the field and showing me love every time I step outside my door."

Does Brandon Marshall hates all the cities in which he's been arrested or is Denver just special?

The Tuesday Blitz

Tue, 30 Jun 2009 23:12:37 -0400

If the Lions sign Kevin Carter, he'll play both defensive end and defensive tackle.

The Detroit Free Press points out that Pete Prisco of CBS Sports thinks the Lions should "end the stupid debate ...and name [rookie QB Matthew Stafford] the starter.“

The Vikings have signed fifth-rounder Jasper Brinkley.

The Chiefs have signed Colin Brown, their fifth-round pick.

Curtis Painter, the QB drafted by the Colts since Jim Sorgi, hopes to make the roster as Peyton Manning's back-up.

Per the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Falcons safety Antoine Harris had "a minor surgical procedure performed on his groin area." Is groin-area surgery ever "minor"?

The Panthers waived a pair of undrafted rookie linebackers - Mike Juergens and Brit Miller.

The Giants signed rookie running back Andre Brown to a four-year contract.

Bucs QB Luke McCown says: "I'm going into my sixth year with only seven starts. I've got a lot of football in me, just not on the field."

The Titans signed linebacker Gerald McRath, their fourth-round pick, to a multi-year contract.

The Titans also signed third-round cornerback Ryan Mouton.

The Dolphins have agreed to a four-year deal worth $2.46 million with Patrick Turner, their third-round pick from USC.

Vikings first-round pick Percy Harvin, who was sent home from the NFL Rookie Symposium, might need to attend it next year.

Vince Young can learn something from Kerry Collins

Tue, 30 Jun 2009 21:01:05 -0400

Despite all of his God-given abilities and hype entering the NFL, Tennessee Titans QB Vince Young has earned his way down the Titans' depth chart.

Meanwhile, starting QB Kerry Collins understands what it means to be a team leader.

“In the past, I’ve gone home for a week or so and not been around for a week or two at a time, but it’s more important for me to be here day in and day out,” Collins tells Terry McCormick of the Nashville City Paper. “The young guys, I think I’m more aware of how guys see me and how they view me as a leader of this team. I try to show them that I’m willing to do what it takes in the off-season to get ready for a season.”

“Usually this time of year, I go home and I wait till the very last minute to come back to camp, but I’m going to come back at least 10 days early and make sure that I’m here and doing all the things necessary to make sure I’m ready once camp starts,” Collins said.

Instead of whining, complaining, pouting or whatever, Young, who was named the 2006 NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year, should be observing and taking notes.

Mike Jenkins to start at RCB?

Tue, 30 Jun 2009 16:48:10 -0400

The Dallas Morning News has reported that Mike Jenkins is calling the starting right cornerback job his. He did so on his blog:

It’s my job to lose, but there’s a guy behind me with nothing to lose. If he makes a mistake, it’s not going to cause him to lose his job. If I make a mistake, the coaches are going to take a long, hard look at me in that position.

That’s the nature of being a starter in the NFL. You have to keep proving you’re good enough, that you deserve it. Some guys, like Terence Newman, Nnamdi Asomugha, Asante Samuels, they’re solidified. But until you get to that level you have to come out and prove yourself every day.

With Jenkins starting at right corner and Terence Newman starting a left corner, Orlando Scandrick will be the slot corner.

Both Jenkins and Scandrick were drafted last year in the first and fifth rounds, respectively.

Indefinite suspensions to come for Burress and Vick?

Tue, 30 Jun 2009 12:35:51 -0400

According to Jason Cole of Yahoo! Sports!, NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell is going to come down hard on ex-Giants receiver Plaxico Burress and ex-Falcons quarterback Michael Vick.

Per three sources, Cole writes, "Goodell is leaning toward indefinitely suspending" both players.

Vick, who was released from jail for dog-fighting conspiracy charges, will complete home confinement on July 20th while Burress faces a jail term for gun charges that carries a minimum sentence of 3 1/2 years.

“[Vick] is not just walking out one day and playing again,” the source close to Vick said. “I don’t know if he understands that yet, but that’s what it looks like right now if you really pay attention. … Yeah, he served his time, but he has to prove himself. When the commissioner talks about wanting to see remorse, he’s not kidding.”

In the case (literally) of Burress, Goodell is frustrated by how slow the process is moving. Plaxico's case was adjourned (again) until September 23rd even though it seems as though it should be an open-and-closed case.

While Plaxico's agent Drew Rosenhaus keeps tweeting when new teams are "interested in Plaxico," I haven't heard a tweet when the teams that were rumored to be interested aren't any more.

For example, Bucs GM Mark Dominik has "no interest" in Plaxico, per Rick Stroud of the St. Petersburg Times. In addition to the Bucs, the Jets and Bears were the initial three teams reported to be interested in Burress.

“The commissioner would rather have the prosecutors take some action before he does anything, but he’s prepared to do something regardless if he has to,” the league source told Yahoo! Sports.

Burress deserves an indefinite suspension. While Burress may have only (physically) hurt himself with the gunshot, he could have very easily shot someone else. After all, he didn't shoot himself on purpose.