NFL: 2011 Quarterback’s - Youth vs. Experience

September 12th, 2011 · No Comments

As everyone in the Sports world knows - Pro Bowl, Superbowl winning and four time league MVP Quarterback Peyton Manning of the Indianapolis Colts missed his very first NFL start in 14-seasons this past Sunday, snapping his league leading Consecutive Starts record at 227-games, (including Playoffs) or 208 regular season starts. As ironically Peyton’s younger brother Eli now becomes the National football League’s current Quarterback’s consecutive starts holder at 104/111 total. (Regular season games; Playoffs included respectively…)

But with Peyton having just had his third neck surgery in 19-months, this time having cervical fusion - opting for the more painful choice of having a piece of his own hip bone use to fuse his C2-C3 vertebra at age 35 I was wondering what the average durability of an NFL Quarterback was? Not to mention their average ages - which reportedly the trend has been spiraling downwards in recent years - with the average being 28.3 for 2009-10, which was down from 29.1 in 2008.

And now that the baton for consecutive starts has been passed from Peyton (N0. 2) to Eli; (N0. 6) the younger Manning should theoretically succeed the current No. 3 “JAWS” (Ron Jaworski ) streak of 116/123 this year, upon passing the number four Tom Brady’s 111/128 tally, along with the totally forgotten Buffalo Bills Joe Ferguson’s 107/110 mark. But don’t expect anybody to break Brett Favre’s Ironman streak of 297/321 mark anytime soon.

NOTE: Dan Marino’s 145 regular season consecutive starts are not acknowledged due to his sitting out during the last NFL Strike when replacement players were used…

NFC West

Team, Starting QB, Age, Yr’s*

Arizona Cardinals, Kevin Kolb, 27, 5

San Francisco 49ers, Alex Smith, 27, 7

Seattle Seahawks, Tarvaris Jackson, 28, 6

St Louis Rams, Sam Bradford, 23, 2

(Yr’s* = Seasons in NFL)

Although I suppose I should know more about my Home Division - nevertheless, I’m pretty unknowledgeable on this Quartet of QB’s. As I’ve never heard of Kevin Kolb who the Cardinals acquired from Philadelphia after making Michael Vick their Franchise QB with a $100m contract extension. Kolb made his NFL debut for the Eagles in 2009 - playing two games as Donovan McNabb’s substitute when McNabb was injured. He was then named the Eagles starter the following year but suffered a concussion in Game-1, being replaced by Michael Vick before once again substituting a further four games before Vick took over the starting role permanently.

San Fran’s Alex Smith is a bit of an enigma - having been drafted as the number one overall pick of the 49ers in 2005. Yet it seems Smith has been injured often and hopes to jump start his flagging career as rookie NFL Head Coach Jim Harbaugh tries to resuscitate the once mighty “FourtyWhiner’s” fortunes that just last season were expected to win the Division behind fired Head Coach Mike Singletary, who’s now become the Defensive line (linebacker’s) coach for Minnesota.

And ironically, I was totally unaware that smith was born in Seattle, Washington - as the Seattle Seahawks dumped their longtime signal caller Matt Hassleback once Free Agency resumed - as prior to the Lockout, “Mister Excitement,” aka Pete Carroll had publicly proclaimed re-signing Hassleback was a Seahawks priority!

Thus, with Hassleback’s backup Charlie Whitehurst the De-facto No. 2 QB, albeit not having shown too much promise to date, the Hawks chose to poach Minnesota Vikings perennial Brett “Will He, Won’t He Play?” Favre backup Tarvaris Jackson, as the University of Alabama star made his National Football League debut in week-13 for the oft jeered Brad Johnson in the third quarter of a game largely out-of-reach, where Jackson was given a standing Ovation upon his insertion. Jackson once again saw backup duties two weeks later before ironically being named to his inaugural start against you guessed it! Brett Favre and the Green Bay Packers at a frigid Lambeau Field…

Tarvaris was then made the ‘Vik’s permanent starter for the ’07 season - which brought mixed results and the following year, was benched in favour of Gus Frerotte after Minnesota lost its first two games by close margins. Yet Jackson would see late season duty when Frerotte became injured - ultimately leading Minnesota to win the NFC North Division crown before losing in the Wildcard playoffs. Then the rest is all history as 2009-10 was the Favre ActIII era before ultimately retiring after sending adoring female admirers pictures of his New Shoes.

Meanwhile Minnesota decided not to tenure Tarvaris a contract extension in March - making him a Restricted Free Agent who the Seahawks snapped up immediately this July. And while I’m guessing Seahawks Arm-chair critics will be quick to jump upon Jackson losing his debut with Seattle - C’mon, you really didn’t expect the Seachickens to win on the road did Yuh?

Yet for me - St. Louis’s Sam Bradford is the STUD of these four QB’s - as the Rams, a la San Fran also exercised their No. 1 Overall Draft pick in 2010 on the 22yr old Heisman Trophy winning Oklahoman, who enroute to setting an NFL record for pass completions was named the Offensive Rookie of The Year. And although I still call ‘em the Lam’s - the sky’s the limit for this Franchise who can only improve in the coming seasons…

AFC West

Team, Starting QB, Age, Yr’s

Denver Broncos, Kyle Orton, 28, 7

Kansas City Chief,s Matt Cassel, 29, 7

Oakland Raiders, Jason Campbell, 29, 7

San Diego Chargers, Phillip Rivers, 29, 8

I know absolutely nothing about Denver’s Kyle Orton - other then he’s apparently the departed Jay Cutler’s protégé? As it seems that Tim Tebowgets way more media hype then Orton does.

Ditto for the Oakland Raiders Jason Campbell - whose likely feeling the storied pressure of Owner Al Davis’s “Just Win Baby!” Mantra - which just leaves the Chargers QB Phillip Rivers as the apparent Stud of this group, albeit San Diego has failed to go anywhere meaningful in the Playoffs recently.

OOPS! Actually tried forgetting Kansas City’s Matt “Kastle,” (Cassel) whose claim to fame was filling in as Tom Brady’s substitute at New England the year Brady was placed on Injured Reserve…

NFC East

Team, Starting QB, Age, Yr’s

Dallas Cowboys, Tony Romo, 31, 9

New York Giants, Eli Manning, 30, 8

Philadelphia Eagles, Michael Vick, 31, 10

Washington Redskins, Rex Grossman, 31, 9

Haveda say my personal knock upon Rex Grossman is his lingering affiliation with the Chicago Bears - having once been grilled to pieces by a (Green Bay) ‘Cheeshead that “Duh Bears Suck!” Yet perhaps he’ll right Washington’s ship and should at least be an upgrade age wise over his elder and departed Donovan McNabb.

Nothing good to say ‘bout Michael “WOOF WOOF” Vick - who’s probably laughing all the way to the bank now with his $100m cheque… While I consider Dallas’s Tony Romo to be the Stud of this quartet; although New York’s Eli Manning would probably disagree, especially since he’s the only one of these four with a Superbowl and MVP ring…

AFC East

Team, Starting QB, Age, Yr’s

Buffalo Bills, Ryan Fitzpatrick, 28, 7

Miami Dolphins, Chad Henne, 26, 4

New England Patriots Tom Brady 34 12

New York Jets, Mark Sanchez, 24, 3

Once again, know very little about Buffalo’s Ryan Fitzpatrick - who was born in Gilbert, AZ - other then he’s now playing for his third perennial loser, i.e.; St. Louis, Cincinnati and buffalo.

Miami’s Henne is another QB who doesn’t jump out for Mwah, as the Dolphins seem to be overly erratic, winning one week and losing the next. Which just leaves us with the two stars of this grouping: Tom Brady and Mark Sanchez. As New England’s Brady is not only the elder statesman of this Quartet - he’s also got the most impeccable record with his multiple Superbowl victories, while New York’s Sanchez appears to be the heir apparent to Brady’s mantle?

NFC North

Team, Starting QB, Age, Yr’s

Chicago Bears, Jay Cutler, 28, 6

Detroit Lions, Mathew Stafford, 23, 3

Green Bay Packers, Aaron Rogers, 27, 7

Minnesota Vikings, Donovan McNabb, 34, 13

All I know is that Chicago’s Jay Cutler refused to play for his new Denver Broncos coach - ultimately being traded to ‘Duh Bears who defeated the upstart (7-9) NFC West Division Champs - as the Seattle Seahawks, the only Franchise to win a Division with a losing record had defeated the reigning Superbowl Champion New Orleans Saints in a shocker at then Qwest Field. Yet apparently Chicago fans are still giving Cutler grief over his “Mysterious” Playoff ending injury last year.

And Detroit’s Mathew Stafford, who the Lions used their No. 1 Overall Draft pick in 2009 certainly seems like a star of the future - as the once lowly Lions have now won 5 in-a-row. (At least that’s what I thought I heard somewheres)

While what can I say about the Packers Aaron Rogers? Has to be the Stud of this group, as I’m certain Green Bay is quite happy with having let go of ‘Ol No. 4, eh? While Minnesota’s McNabb probably feels like the odd man out of these star studded QB Musketeers…

AFC North

Team, Starting QB, Age, Yr’s

Baltimore Ravens, Joe Flacco, 26, 4

Cincinnati Bengals, R-Andy Dalton, 23, 0

Cleveland Browns, Colt McCoy, 25, 2

Pittsburg Steelers, Ben Roethlisberger, 29, 8

Obviously the two Stud’s of this Division are ‘big Ben (Roethlisberger) and Joe Flacco; as I DON’T like the first but hugely respect the latter - which I guess makes NO sense that I chose Pittsburg over Baltimore for Week-1, right?

Meanwhile the Cincinnati Bengals rookie QB won his debutant game even after only playing one half, having injured his wrist just prior to the end of the first half before his backup quarterback Bruce Gradkowski caught the Browns napping and threw a quick 41-yard TD strike on third and eleven to demoralize the Browns - whose Colt (McCoy) apparently got lassoed, as the Browns continue losing…

NFC South

Team, Starting QB, Age, Yr’s

Atlanta Falcons, Matt Ryan, 26, 4

Carolina Panthers, R-Cam Newton, 22, 0

New Orleans Saints, Drew Brees, 32, 11

Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Josh Freeman, 23, 3

Have purposely not paid any attention to the current number one Overall pick of the Carolina Panthers Cam Newton, as the current Heisman Trophy winner has seemingly had all of the accolades lauded upon him - but can he turn the Panthers into winners? As Newton and Tampa Bay’s Josh Freeman seem in pretty lofty company with New Orleans and “Hot-lanta’s” (Atlanta) Studs Drew “They Call Me The” Brees… and Matt Ryan, albeit Saints QB Brees is the only one of these four starters with a Superbowl ring…

AFC South

Team, Starting QB, Age, Yr’s

Houston Texans, Matt Schaub, 30, 8

Indianapolis Colts, Kerry Collins, 38, 17

Jacksonville Jaguars, R-Luke McCown, 30, 8

Tennessee Titans, Matt Hassleback, 35, 13

At age 35, newly acquired Titans QB Matt Hassleback - the past face of the Seattle Seahawks is currently the second oldest signal caller in the NFL, behind only the elder statesman Kerry Collins - while Tom Brady and Donovan McNabb are both 34.

And thus it’ll be interesting to see if Hassleback can give the team the veteran leadership needed to return back to the playoffs - with Tennessee’s 2011 No. 1 pick (QB) Jake Locker waiting in the wings to replace him.

And ironically Hassleback’s predecessor - Kerry Collins initially retired from the Titans earlier this year when his services were no longer desired in the NFL, yet the Indianapolis Colts quickly brought him out of retirement initially as an insurance policy towards the slow healing future Hall of Famer Peyton Manning, who most likely will be out the entire year.

Thus, it would appear that Houston Texans Quarterback Matt Schaub is in the driver’s seat for Division Champs, albeit Running Back Adrian Foster will need to stay healthy to help Houston make its first ever Playoff Game this season.

Meanwhile I know nothing about the just chosen Jacksonville Jaguars starter Luke McCown, who Head Coach Jack Del Rio chose over incumbent QBDavid Garrard, who Del rio had said all Pre-season was his man - before the Jags cut him at the end of Pre-season, somewhat in order to ditch his $9m contract, as McCown will therefore begin his tenure at the helm with his Head Coach’s job apparently riding on the line.

And there you have it - pretty good for somebody who only watched a scant 15mins total of Seattle Seahawks Pre-season football, along with tuning into the Cowboys-Jets game for may be 10mins when I thought I heard ‘Ol Al Michaels claim that Dallas was ahead by 14. As I have NO idea how the remaining four Quarterback’s will do during their Monday Night NFL season opening Doubleheader…

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Calling Elvis?

August 31st, 2011 · No Comments

A week-plus ago I read an entertaining sports piece written by Mike Tanier musing how at three weeks into the National Football League’s truncated training season - teams were starting to see things - a clever pun related to the heat wave then sweeping the nation…

Thus reputedly there were reports of you guessed it! Brett Favre being spotted cruising Sycamore Street In a big ‘Ol ‘Caddy with Elvis and Janice Joplin with the top down in ‘Cincy recently - where apparently the Cincinnati Bengals are in search of a Quarterback after Carson Palmer
Became so disgusted playing for the perennial underachieving “Beagles” (Bengals) that he’s decided to retire from the NFL…

NO word on whether or not Palmer will pull a Favre and come out of retirement after the ink dries on his retirement papers being filed at NFL Headquarters. As the Bengals will rely on the services of 23yr old rookie QB Andy Dalton this season, whose receiving corps has apparently also taken a hit? As the team’s ROCK STAR tandem of “Mouth ‘N Mouthier,” aka ‘T.O. & Ouchoe-CinchOh are gone and forgotten!

With Terrell Owens sitting idly on the couch as a free agent waiting for his mobile to ring while recovering from his surgically repaired ACL. While “OC” would now kindly ask you to address him as Charles Ochoa Cinco the III if you please, now that he’s moved onto the New England Patriots and henceforth shagging balls for a one Mr. Thom Brady…

And speaking of Elvis, perhaps it was just karmic intervention reminding me to scribble this piece upon having accidently tuned into a 1975 ‘Caddy, nee Cadillac having been originally owned by Mr. Elvis Presley being auctioned off on the television reality show Auction Kings Tuesday night for a Hammer price of $16,750 smackeroos… NO word on whether the Coupe de Ville was Pink or not? Hya! But I digress…

Meanwhile as the heat continued shimmering across the Midwest, Arizona and all points in-between - another NFL Franchise’s QB position looked somewhat in question, as the Indianapolis Colts owner apparently too was feeling the effects of the warm weather?

As Colts future Hall of Famer Peyton Manning who had neck surgery during that ‘lil Lockout thingy… Was somewhat questionable for the forthcoming season, having yet to be taken off of the Leagues Physically Unable to Play status by the Colts; as unexpectedly Jim Irsay TWEETED I’m in Hattiesburg, MO; Home of Brett “New Shoes” Favre… As the face of the Colts had yet to take a step onto the practice field at Anderson, IN and Irsay had previously alluded to the fact that perhaps Manning may not be able to go by the team’s season opener vs. the Houston Texans. (Sept 11 at Houston…)

Irsay then further tweeted which way do I turn Brett, right or left at the Gas station?

And while I got a great chuckle out of this, I could only consider it as a clever way of Mr. Irsay having fun with his Twitter fandom, right? Seriously, you’re gonna hire Favre, huh? As even Favre’s Agent Jerry “Bus” Cooke got into the action when pressed upon the subject by replying: Yeah, Jim’s probably out on his back-40 mowing Favre’s lawn right now…

Thus it was somewhat ironic when the Colts announced a few days later that they’d inked recently retired ex-Tennessee Titans QB Kerry Collins to a two-year $14m deal… As Collins should see action against the Cincinnati Bengals in the final Pre-season game this week and could potentially start against the Houston Texans - although Peyton has just been moved off of inactive status, hence insuring the ProBowl player’s eligibility for the forthcoming season…

As hopefully this will be the last of any more ridiculous Brett Favre sightings or rumours of his impending forty-third comeback, right?

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Kerry Collins Signs with the Colts

August 26th, 2011 · No Comments

Colts owner Jim Irsay tweeted Wednesday morning: “We have agreed to terms with Kerry Collins…more details to come.” There wasn’t anymore information about it but it seems like Collins will no longer play bingo online for money now that he has a new job.

I was thinking about the whole Peyton Manning situation and I said to a friend: there’s no way Manning will miss the season opener, otherwise the Colts would’ve hired somebody already.

With Collins now in the roster there is a clear concern for the Colts about Manning’s neck situation.

Kerry Collins had a 55.8 completion percentage and threw for 40,441 yards, 206 touchdowns and 195 interceptions in 195 career games.

“We don’t even know him, we ain’t vanilla, man, we ain’t no simple offense,” Wayne said, via the Associated Press. “So for him to can come in here and be the starter, I don’t see it. I think that’s a step back”, WR Reggie Wayne said.

He played for Penn State and was drafted by the Carolina Panthers in the 1995 draft. He also played for the Tennessee Titans, New Orleans Saints, New York Giants and the Oakland Raiders.

If you are an avid NFL fan you should expect the Texans to be at least double digit favorites against the Colts in the NFL betting odds. However we won’t know about it until coach Jim Caldwell decides who’s going to be the starter in week one.

Manning, signed a five-year $90 million contract in July after the lockout ended; he has started all 208 regular-season games in his career and 18 in the playoffs.

“I certainly want to be out there, and it’s hard to keep track of the hours I’ve spent in rehab. I was short-changed a little bit by the lockout and I’m going to need every bit of the next two weeks, and then I can give you more of an update with where I am”, said Manning.

“I have made progress, but I still have some work to do. When I’m healthy enough, I’ll be able to play”, he added.

The Houston Texans are now the favorites in the NFL future betting odds to win AFC South listed at +160

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Ousted MLB Soul finally recognized 16 years later…

August 22nd, 2011 · No Comments

Last week I watched a very moving documentary - the encore presentation) upon an ex-MLB player named Glen Burke who was basically ‘Outed (Ostracized) from playing this professional sport for openly displaying his Gayness…

As I’d never heard of Mr. Burke before, who at a somewhat slightish six foot-plus (6’ 0-2”) inches and 200lbs could dunk a basketball when standing flatfooted double handed underneath the rim of said hoop! Reputedly leading his Berkley High School Yellowjackets to an undefeated season and the Northern California Championships in 1970, along with being named to the Tournament Of Champions and receiving a California MVP Award; Hmm? Why do his dunking abilities make me think of another sensation nicknamed the “Round Mound of Rebound,” (Basketball) aka Charles Barkley…

Thus, with his basketball prowess, naturally Glen was expected to eventually make his way into the NBA, yet decided that Major League Baseball would garner him a quicker path to stardom, fame and fortune, thus signing a contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers for 1976.

After a short stint in the Minor’s, Burke was called up to the Big Leagues and made his Major League debut for the Dodgers on April 9, 1976 - with the utterly flamboyant rookie outfielder quickly becoming the hit of the locker room - making the players ‘Gel quickly.

Yet, there were concerns with his perceived lifestyle by Dodgers Management and when General Manager Alex Campanis offered to pay him $75,000 to get Married, Burke’s instant reply was; “I guess you mean to a woman?”

And while the ’77 Dodgers would go all the way to the World Series, with the zenith of Burke’s career coming when starting in Game-1 against the eventual World Champion New York Yankees… Glen’s continuous “Open” dating of Dodgers Manager Tommy Lasorda’s son (Tommy Lasorda Jr.) known as “Spunky” seemingly served as the catalyst for the Dodgers trading of the extremely popular team member to cross-town rivals, the Oakland Athletics.

At the time of his trade, the A’s were a dismal baseball team with Team Manager Billy Martin being given Carte Blanch to resurrect the struggling MLB Franchise… And thus Management simply looked the other way after Martin introduced Glen to the squad during new player’s introduction by telling everybody this is Glen Burke and he’s a Faggot…

Glen played his last Major League Baseball game with the Oakland Athletics - June 4, 1979 and then after spending a year with the A’s Triple-league squad in Utah abruptly retired from professional sports.

After leaving professional baseball, Burke settled into San Francisco’s friendly Castro District for the majority of his remaining life. And along with playing in the Gay Games, winning a Softball World Series and Gold medaling in the Gay Olympics, Glen’s Hollywood lifestyle of Sex, Drugs and Sports eventually caught up with him, as Burke became penniless and destitute - even resorting to a life of petty crime to pay for his extravagant lifestyle, serving a total of seven months in San Quintin prison two separate times.

Upon becoming Homeless and living on the Streets, along with having been diagnosed with AIDS - which was a Death Sentence during the late 1980’s - early 1990’s, Glen found a savior who granted shelter to stricken people with the deadly disease before he spent his dying days in the care of his sister Lutha Davis during 1995.

And while every story or interview I’ve read praises the Oakland A’s coming to his rescue, in which they did establish Glen a line of credit at a San Francisco restaurant, along with buying him a cell phone - only the documentary truly reveals that the Athletics’ action only came about after the club was rightly berated by a local Sports Reporter for 20-minutes over letting an ex-player live on the streets…

And there have reportedly been over 6,000 players taking the field of “America’s Game” since Burke was outed, with only one MLB player coming forward over his Homosexuality since; with Billy Bean divulging his true sexuality in 1999, four years after retiring.

Meanwhile, revered ex-MLB Manager Tommy Lasorda still openly refuses to recognize his son’s true sexuality or that he died from complications of AIDS, not to mention being totally opposed to being interviewed for the documentary…

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Will New York’s mighty Cosmos return to the Pitch?

August 10th, 2011 · No Comments

Funny how the news biz works, as I was hunting around for other riveting news stories – I ran across an article proclaiming that the Legendary New York Cosmos soccer team was potentially one step closer to returning to action, albeit this time in Major League Soccer. (MLS)

As a ‘Wee lad growing up and attending several Seattle Sounders matches in the aging Memorial Stadium at the Seattle Center, when they were part of the North American Soccer League (NASL) the Cosmos were the leagues premiere team with the likes of soccer God Pele, “The Enforcer,” aka Franz Beckenbauer, and Carlos Alberto.

And although I never saw the Cosmos in person, this team still resonates firmly in la Memory banks… As it was none other then the BLEEPIN’ Cosmos who the Seattle Sounders lost Soccer Bowl ’77 to in a heartbreaking 2-1 defeat in front of 35,000+ adoring Pacific Northwest fans at a dreary, wet Portland Civic Stadium, which I’ve read was described as creaky – having been built in the roaring 1920’s…

Yet, the Cosmos along with the rest of their competitors disappeared way back circa ’84 when the NASL folded and haven’t been seen since, thus I was surprised to read that a facsimile of the team had been resurrected and played against the all conquering Manchester United in a celebratory match Across-thee-Pond in Bloody Brittan’s Old Trafford stadium; apparently the first North American team to do so. - As the match was in deference to the retiring Paul Scholes…

This was the first time in nearly thirty years that the signature solitary white Cosmos ‘Uni’s had been seen on a soccer pitch, albeit the team was summarily thumped 6-0 in this match, yet could be the precursor of things to come?

Apparently the team’s new owner Paul Kemsley is trying to convince MLS Commissioner Don Garber to award the leagues next Franchise spot to the club, which would intern see two rival New York clubs playing in Major League Soccer as the New York Red Bulls are currently in the league. And the only sticking point at the moment is the fact that the Cosmos organization doesn’t have a stadium to play in.

But in an effort to entice MLS to award them an expansion franchise; Kemsley and his Cosmos organization have put on a major full court marketing press by purchasing two elite youth soccer development academy’s in New York and Los Angeles along with obtaining an NY soccer tournament and renaming it the Cosmos Copa.

So will this revered soccer entity return to the shores of North America fulltime in Major League Soccer? Only time will tell…