Steve McNair Retires After 13 Seasons

 

“There is no greater warrrior or player with a bigger heart than Steve McNair. He came into this game and gave it everything he had. He can now walk away with his head held high”  -Ray Lewis

One of the NFL’s toughest decided to call it a career today.

Baltimore Ravens QB and 2003 NFL Co-MVP Steve McNair announced his retirement from the league in a 1:00 press confrence at the Ravens’ Owing Mills, MD headquarters. McNair basically said his body and mind were not in agreement; that mentally he could return for one more year but his body had enough.

McNair joins Fran Tarkenton and Steve Young as the only quarterbacks that passed for more than 30,000 yards and rushed for more than  3,500 yards during their careers.

While those numbers were impressive, Steve McNair will be remembered first and foremost as one of the toughest men in NFL history. In his 13 year career, McNair made 80 appereances on the injured list. McNair’s former Titans teammate, Eddie George said that “You name an injury, Steve had it and he still showed up. Not only did he show up but he played extremely well.”

Right now, the Baltimore Ravens will have to find a way to fill the void left behind by Air McNair. Mel Kiper and Co are talking about Matt Ryan possibly falling to the number 8 spot or Baltimore trading up.  Another name beign thrown around in the mix is Delaware QB Joe Flacco. While the Kyle Boller experiment was a bust, I believe Troy Smith is capable of making a huge push for starter. Then again, there is always free agency.

 

Playoff Forecast:The AFC

Patriots

Colts

 Chargers

Steelers

 Jaguars

 Titans

Wild Card

Titans vs Chargers

Jaguars vs Steelers

The AFC once again proves why it is the toughtest confrence to compete in. Some players and coaches around the league believe that this year’s field is the toughest ever. They may have a point because there have never been a five seed that ever struck fear in opponents like the Jacksonville Jaguars. This team definitely have upset potential. The Jags’ two man running attack of Fred Taylor and Maurice Jones-Drew, the consistent play of David Garrrad, and a stingy defense propelled the team to an 11-5 record. The Jags ended the season 2nd in the league in rushing. While Garrad boast a 102.2 quarterback rating. The Jags’ d is’nt  too shabby either. They ranked in the top 10 in nearly every defensive category. Not bad for a team thatr playes in the shadow of the Colts.

Speaking of the Colts, everyone forgot that these guys are the regining Super Bowl Champs, and they went 13-3 for the year. Ironically, Coach Dungy wouldn’t have it any other way. Being under ther radar suits them. It really suits them because there is no pressure on the team. Its only motivation becaue right now, its all about New England and Jacksonville. However, injuries to key players are a huge caveat here. Marvin Harrison was injured for virtually the entire season with a knee injury. Dwight Freeny  is on injured reserve. The reports are that Harrison may be able to play in the divisonal round . The question is, how rusty will he be? The loss of Freeny is critical becaue no pass rusher=problems. The Titans, Chargers, and Jags are great in the backfield and they will exploit that weakness.

I am suprised that the Chargers made the playoffs this year. When AJ Smith dumped Schottenheimer for Norv Turner last Feb., I said ‘ Turner will ruin this team’. In the early half of the season, I was right. The Bolts, however, turned it up in the second half and the players may have bought into Turner’s system after all. I don’t know if it is the weakness of the AFC West, or maybe Norv Turner modified his coaching and bought into the players’ way of doing things. Whatever they are doing, they are doing it right.  The Chargers and the Colts are the true darkhorses of the playoffs.

To me, the Titans and the Steelers are the weakest links in the playoffs. Tennessee is one dimensional and Vince Young is inconstent and do not have quality receivers around him. With that said, he will move out of the pocket and scramble. Coach Jeff Fisher is basically using the possiblility of starting Kerry Collins as a ploy to throw off the Chargers’ D. We all know Vince will start. So, Fisher should stop the charade.

Pittsburgh may have won the AFC North but this is a weak team on defense. The Ravens exploited the hell out of the Steelers’ secondary on Sunday. If Troy Smith. Derek Mason, and Darling did that, what do you think Brady, Moss, Manning, Harrison, and Others will do?

For New England to continue their success, they must put 16-0 behind them quickly, and focus on 0-0. At the end of the season, the Patriots shouwd some dent’s in their armor. Primarly, their red zone defense. Offensively, I would like to see them run the ball more because opposing defenses will try and take away the pass.  Remember, four teams laid the blueprint for this, and would have won if they all didn’t choke at the end.   Now the stakes are higher, and there is no room for error for anyone.

 In the wild card round, I pick the Jags over the Steelers and the Chargers over the Titans.

RED ZONE’S SEASON FORECAST: AFC SOUTH

1.  Colts

While the question of can the Colts repeat remains to be seen, these guys should not have a problem clenching the AFC South. Once again, look for the offense to carry the defense.  Peyton Manning and Marvin Harrison will be tough to stop as usual. Joseph Adai is a solid replacement for Dominic Rhodes at running back.

There are some questions  on defense. The biggest question is will  DE Dwight Freeny fall off after receiving a huge contract in the offseason. It will shock me if Freeny continues to work hard because there are so many players getting lazy once they get those large salaries. Another question is can this young unit pick up where guys such as Cato June left off I believe this imbalance won’t affect Indianapolis much during the regular season but they must make adjustments to the defense if they have any chance of repeating.

 2007 projected record  12-4

2.  Jaguars

I believe that Jacksonville is a solid team. The defense was ranked second in the league last year in total defense. I expect for the unit to continue its success.  The two headed rushing attack of Maurice Jones Drew and Fred Taylor should keep this team competive regardless of who is playing behind center. 

 2007 projected record 9-7

3.  Titans

To me, this team is third in the AFC South by default. If Vince Young can beat the Madden curse, the offense will be centered around him. While Eric Moulds is a solid receiver, he is a temporary solution to a permanent problem. This team must address the receiver position soon.

The Titans’ defense is looking to rebound from last year’s mess. They were last in the league in total defense, so there is nowhere to go but up. Tennessee should thank Houston for the obvious.

projected 2007 record  4-12

4.  Texans

With the first pick in the 2008 NFL draft, the Houston Texans select………

projected 2007 record 2-14

On The Sidelines: Pacman’s Restraining Order/Hot Steeler Mess/Primetime’s Reality Show

The Tennessee Titans issued a restraining order barring CB Adam ‘Pacman’ Jones from participating in Sunday’s pay-per-view event for TNA wrestling due to  his contract with the team. Currently, every player in the league have a clause within their contract that prohibits them from participating and engaging in activities which may involve ‘a significant risk of personal injury.’

C’mon Titans, get off the boo-boo! First, you suspend Pacman for the entire season without pay. Now, he cannot make money elsewhere? This is grossly unfair because you know good and well that this guy may never play another down  in the NFL anyway and taking away wrestling only proves how arrogant you guys, the team and the league are.  Don’t get me wrong, he deserves his suspension but at least give Pacman some sort of “exciting” outlet. If the team and league don’t want Jones to wrestle, they should pay him or reinstate him. NEXT!

For whatever reason, the Pittsburgh Steelers just felt the need to have a mascot. Enter Steely McBeam.

 The mascot was introduced two days ago  at Saint Vincent College, where the black and gold  is holding training camp. Many believe that Steely bears a vague resemblance to former coach Bill Cowher but it is only an amorphoric version of the team’s logo from the 50’s and 60’s.

In my opinion, the Steelers should have revised Stanley Steeler with this model or name the mascot something else. Steely McBeam sounds too sex toyish.

High stepping to the  Oxygen Network in the fall, we have Deion and Pilar Sanders: Primetime Love!  On paper, this sounds like it’s worth watching.  The premise of the centers around the days in the lives of the former NFL star and his former model wife. These two live in the small but fitting town of Prosper, Texas. Wait until you all see his house!

Training Camp Smackdown!

 

You see people, this is what happens when you fuse the promise of a new NFL season and excessive ammounts of testosterone with the oppressive summer heat. Training camp fights is just another occupational hazzard for the NFL player.

Today, I have read and heard about Titans QB Vince Young punching  S Donnie Nickey with his throwing hand. I also heard about Ravens’ rookie TE Marcus Freeman taking on the entire defense.  Let’s review these bouts, shall we?

Young Vs. Nickey- This matchup has been on the lips of ESPN, FOX, and NFL.com all day  for obvious reasons. Young is last season’s rookie of the year, and a high profile player.  The incident started with Nickey disrupting a pass by applying a chokehold to WR Courtney Roby. Young took offense to the move, confronted the eager safety, and punched him with his throwing hand.  I applaud Young for showing leadership and taking up for Roby. However, he was foolish for using his thowing hand. In my opinion, if you are a fighting quarterback, use your feet, your other hand, a water cooler,or your helmet. You can use whatever you want except your throwing hand! 

Another issue I had with this bout was the press afterwards. To me, coach Fisher, Young and Nickey did not have to go to the podium to explain because training camp fights are common and could be handled without the media.

Freeman vs. Johnson/rest of Ravens’ defense- To me, this one was more interesting and more exciting. However, it did not receive a lot of fan fare because the main two involved were not superstars. The incident started with Johnson and Freeman tangling and scrapping after a play.  It was a normal tussle until a flock of purple jerseys (defensive players) jumped on Freeman’s back. Freeman dismissed the incident as fun and nothing serious. This fight was interesting because it left some questions. I wonder who won the fight oficially? How successful was Freeman against the number one ranked defense of the league? Where was  Ed Reed, Terrell Suggs, Bart Scott and Ray Lewis? And last but not least, why the offense did not help the rookie?

If you ask me, the fight in the Ravens’ camp deserved more press coverage than Young because it involved members of the NFL’s best defense, and a brave free agent rookie TE. If Marcus Freeman fought off all those purple jerseys successfully, then he deserves a roster spot!

Pacman Wrestles?

 

Well, It looks like Pacman Jones will be making it rain in the squared circle.

According to Nashville’s WTVF-5, Jones is on the verge of signing a contract with Total Nonstop Action  Wrestling (TNA). This deal will be official tomorrow at the earliest. It is said that the disgraced Titans CB will play some sort of role but he won’t be wrestling, and he won’t be a heel (villian).

So if he’s not wrestling or playing a villian, then what will he be doing? Will he throw money in the ring at organization’s  next pay per view? If TNA could sign him, why not find him somthing to do?  If it were me, I would have Jones in the ring wrestling. He might as well be wrestling because he is suspended for the entire season and I’m not sure if Tennessee wants him back.

Honestly, I believe that this is a mistake wating to happen because it is possible that Jones could rehabilitate his image and get back to business. However, he may not be taken seriously after this stunt.  If I were Pacman, I would do some training and study on my own. I would do every and anything possible to have a connection to the game without training camp and the regular season. I would make sure the football media would get news of me working out, studying and staying out of trouble.  After the season, I would then meet with Titan officials about the plans for the team. If I’m not in those plans, I would ask for a realase/opt out of my contract.  Basically, I would do everything in my power to rebuild my image to make me marketable for other teams.

But, someone just had to be Pacman.