gregstephens
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Posts posted by gregstephens
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Not even reading the link to the original story, I'm guessing you guys are talking Chris Henry.
My apologies. I assumed Henry because I heard the story on his house getting foreclosed. Sorry.
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Not even reading the link to the original story, I'm guessing you guys are talking Chris Henry.
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I was dreamingly hoping that the Reds would step in and get C.C., but he goes to an in division rival.
Oh, yeah, that was a dream. We'd never shell out the coin for C.C. I don't think we keep Volquez long for the same reason.
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I thought for sure that Akili Smith was going to be the starting QB for the Bengals for a very long time. In fact, his was the first jersey I ever bought.
After that fiasco, I honestly stopped believing that the Bengals would ever be able to draft a franchise QB.
Dude, admitting you have a problem is the first step. We're here for ya', man.
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Here's to hoping everyone has or had a day filled with cookouts
My cookout probably differed from most...
Where do you find this stuff? I don't find it, it finds me.
The one on the right is a little 'droopy', isn't it?
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Here's to hoping everyone has or had a day filled with cookouts, families, fireworks and hopefully at some point in the day actually gave thought to meaning of the day. I'm on my way to a pig roast with family and friends ending in fireworks. I have always loved hearing the National Anthem and seeing Old Glory waving in a nice breeze !!! Just gets me...
"This nation will remain the land of the free only so long as it is the home of the brave". ~Elmer Davis
WHODEY !!!
Back at you, buddy, and thanks for your service and to all those who are/have served our nation.
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Do you honestly think our D could have got any worse from last year? You can only go up from the bottom.
You can always get worse.....you clearly forget to whom you are talking.
That's kinda what I was thinking. What is he smoking asking us THAT question?
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Hey, if it means we get to see his hot wife on tv another season, I say welcome back, Brett!
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I hate to admit, but Justin Smith is my answer. I really thought he would be the jumpstart for the D.
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This is a NSS (no sh** Sherlock) type of situation, however any changes to the system will have to fly through collective bargaining. What do you think the chances are of that happening? Slim to none!
Actually, I heard a couple of veterans interviewed today on ESPN radio and the veterans aren't any more happy about the money for rookies than anyone else, including NFLPA Pres. Kevin Mawae. You might be surprised.
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I still have three words for all of this.
F*CK YOU CHAD !!!
WHODEY !!!
Geez...Tell us how you really feel?
Oh, my bad... I meant, Go Chad Go !!!
What the F*CK ever... If you actually believe Chad wants to be here, there's also news of free beers at all games this season.
WHODEY !!!
I'll stick to your original three words, thanks.
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Here's my take. If you can't believe him when he says things you don't like -- you can't believe him when he says things you do like.
Or, as Hobson quipped, don't like what Chad's saying? Wait five minutes.
85 running for president, too?
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I personally think it should have been three with Touraj Houshmandzadeh.I finally gave in, and some will say I had no choice. Not this year.
Tom Brady is the top-ranked player in the NFL. He earned it in 2007.
Tom Brady is not only dreamy, but a heck of a quarterback in New England. (Getty Images) After balking at putting Brady there the past few years, infuriating the New England region by making Peyton Manning the top-rated player, helping to land me on the list of the least-liked people in Chowder-head country, I have finally done what many of those angry people have waited a few years to see.
Brady, glamour-boy quarterback of the New England Patriots, has edged past Manning in my rankings of the top 50 players in the NFL.
It's close, but coming off Brady's sensational, record-setting season, coupled with Manning being forced to play without his top receiver for most of last year, Brady has to take over as king of the NFL.
Brady broke Manning's single-season record for touchdown passes with 50 in 2007. Fifty. Brady also threw for a league-leading 4,806 yards and topped the NFL in completion percentage (68.9) and passer rating (117.2).
It was a magical season, comparable to the one Manning had in 2004. That year Manning threw 49 touchdown passes, had a completion-percentage of 67.6, threw for 4,557 yards and had a passer rating of 121.1.
Manning had an off year, by number standards, in 2007. All he did was go over 4,000 yards passing for the eighth time in his career, throw 31 touchdowns and complete 65.5 percent of his passes, much of that without receiver Marvin Harrison on the field.
Most quarterbacks would kill for those numbers.
The great thing is we expect Manning and Brady to do it again in 2008. Why not? Brady has his entire offense back, a coach who lets him throw it around at will, and another year's experience on his résumé. Manning expects to have Harrison back, and third receiver Anthony Gonzalez isn't a rookie anymore.
The first man to 40 touchdown passes wins.
Manning and Brady remain 1-2 in my rankings, only this time they are flip-flopped.
Tom Brady earned it.
It's about time, some will say. Right, New England?
1. Tom Brady, QB, New England Patriots: Can he do any more than he did last season? The scary thing for the rest of the league is, yes he can.
2. Peyton Manning, QB, Indianapolis Colts: Even Manning's down seasons are sensational. If Marvin Harrison is back this year, watch out.
3. LaDainian Tomlinson, RB, San Diego Chargers: His failure to play in the AFC Championship Game hurts his rep some, but he's still the best runner in the game.
4. Randy Moss, WR, New England Patriots: Talk about resurrecting a reputation. He wasn't on many top 50 lists a year ago. Now he's a top 10 player.
5. Champ Bailey, CB, Denver Broncos: It's chic to pick his game apart. That's foolish. Bailey is still the best cover corner in the game.
6. Mario Williams, DE, Houston Texans: Williams is making the Texans proud for passing on Reggie Bush and Vince Young to take this pass rusher. He might have been the league's best defensive player in the final eight weeks of 2007.
7. Bob Sanders, S, Indianapolis Colts: The only thing holding him back is the injury issues. When he's on the field, the Colts have a different defense.
8. Carson Palmer, QB, Cincinnati Bengals: After Brady and Manning he's the third-best quarterback. The Bengals need to run it a little better to take the heat off him.
9. DeMarcus Ware, OLB, Dallas Cowboys: He was given more freedom in Wade Phillips' version of the 3-4 and played better in 2007. Ware is a speed rusher who has his best football still in front of him.
10. Kevin Williams, DT, Minnesota Vikings: He is a powerful inside player who teams with Pat Williams to form the best tackle tandem in the league. He is good against the run, yet quick enough to get pass-rush penetration.
11. Shawne Merriman, LB, San Diego Chargers: Merriman is a pass-rush force off the edge. His quickness and power are the perfect combination for the Chargers' 3-4 system. You have to account for him on every pass play.
12. Jared Allen, DE, Minnesota Vikings: He led the league in sacks last season with the Chiefs. The Vikings added him to give them the best defensive line in the league. Allen plays hard all the time.
13. Terrell Owens, WR, Dallas Cowboys: Forget all the theatrics. He's a star player. He bounced back from his off 2006 season to be one of the best last season. I'd take him on my team any day.
14. Albert Haynesworth, DT, Tennessee Titans: Before he got hurt midway through last season, he was on his way to a potential Defensive Player of the Year award. When motivated, he is as good as anybody inside.
15. Adrian Peterson, RB, Minnesota Vikings: Peterson was special as a rookie and should be even better this time around. He is a big, strong and fast and can rip off the big runs with an Eric Dickerson-like ease.
16. Walter Jones, T, Seattle Seahawks: Jones is a rock on the left side of the Seattle line. He is a great pass protector who has improved as a run blocker.
17. Ben Roethlisberger, QB, Pittsburgh Steelers: At 26, he's entering his prime. Roethlisberger has developed into a quality passer. Playing behind a bad line last year, he hung in tough and led the Steelers to a division title.
18. Charles Woodson, CB, Green Bay Packers: Ask Packers insiders who was better last season, Woodson or Pro Bowl player Al Harris. The answer is Woodson. After Bailey, I'd take him over all other corners.
19. Steve Hutchinson, G, Minnesota Vikings: He wasn't his usual self in his first season with the Vikings in 2006, but bounced back to his dominating form last year.
20. Brian Westbrook, RB, Philadelphia Eagles: It's scary to think what the Eagles offense would be like without him. He's a better runner inside the tackles than many expected and he's good in the passing game. He's a versatile weapon.
21. Steve Smith, WR, Carolina Panthers: He was hurt last season when Jake Delhomme went down. It doesn't help that Smith has little help on the other side. Defenses all double him.
22. Reggie Wayne, WR, Indianapolis Colts: When Marvin Harrison was out last season, Wayne emerged as the team's go-to receiver. The guess here is that is that it stays that way. He's a true star now.
23. Ed Reed, S, Baltimore Ravens: He is the prototype modern safety: rangy and can still tackle. He is what safeties like Roy Williams wish they could be.
24. Antonio Gates, TE, San Diego Chargers: When the Chargers need a first down through the air, Gates is that guy. And he does it facing constant double-coverage.
25. Dwight Freeney, DE, Indianapolis Colts: He's coming off a serious foot injury, which is a concern. It's why his ranking is down. When he's truly healthy, he's a top 15 player.
26. Andre Johnson, WR, Houston Texans: Injuries limited him last season, but Johnson is one of the best when he's on the field. The Texans were a different team without him last season.
27. Jason Peters, T, Buffalo Bills: I love young, rising players like Peters. He plays with a mean streak. Watching him play is like watching a defensive player go at it.
28. Chad Johnson, WR, Cincinnati Bengals: He isn't nearly as good as he thinks he is. But he's still pretty damn good. He does have a tendency to disappear in big games.
29. Nnamdi Asomugha, CB, Oakland Raiders: DeAngelo Hall might get more attention on the other side this season, but Asomugha is a better player. He's been overlooked for the past two seasons.
30. Richard Seymour, DE, New England Patriots: He played hurt last season and wasn't the same player as in years past. But he's still one of the best when he's healthy.
31. Larry Fitzgerald, WR, Arizona Cardinals: The Cardinals gave him a new contract in March because he's their go-to guy. He teams with Anquan Boldin to form one of the top receiving duos.
32. Brian Urlacher, LB, Chicago Bears: A few years back he was overrated. He's not anymore. Urlacher excels in the middle of the Chicago defense.
33. Steven Jackson, RB, St. Louis Rams: The offensive line woes of the Rams really hurt Jackson last season. That line will be better this season and his numbers will go up.
34. Braylon Edwards, WR, Cleveland Browns: Edwards was second to Moss with 16 receiving touchdowns in his third season in the league. He averaged 16.1 per catch and will only get better as he hits his prime.
35. Drew Brees, QB, New Orleans Saints: For the second consecutive season, Brees put up huge numbers in the Saints offense. He might not be the biggest or have the strongest arm, but Brees knows how to throw the football.
36. Tommie Harris, DT, Chicago Bears: Harris is strong and quick. He had eight sacks last season, showing off his quickness. He can still hold the point against the run.
37. Asante Samuel, CB, Philadelphia Eagles: He had a big season at the right time, cashing in on a huge deal with the Eagles. He's great at playing the ball in the air, but some scouts think he freelances too much.
38. Shawn Andrews, G, Philadelphia Eagles: He's a huge guard at 6-4, 345 pounds and he shows off that power when blocking for the run. He improved in pass protection in 2007, although the Eagles line regressed as a whole.
39. Ernie Sims, LB, Detroit Lions: It's too bad more people don't get to watch him play. He's a fast linebacker who always seems to find his way to the football. He's a younger Derrick Brooks.
40. Lofa Tatupu, LB, Seattle Seahawks: He's a fierce tackler in the middle of that Seattle defense. He's not big at 6-feet tall, but he plays big. You can tell he loves the game.
41. Vince Wilfork, DT, New England Patriots: He was the best front-seven player on the Pats defense last season. He's a load in the middle. Moving him off the ball is tough for any center.
42. Osi Umenyiora, DE, New York Giants: His speed off the right side is a huge plus for the New York defense. Without Mike Strahan playing on the other side this season, it will be interesting to see how Umenyiora does now.
43. Patrick Willis, LB, San Francisco 49ers: It didn't take him long to establish himself as a top middle linebacker. He is fast, active and packs a punch. In a year or so, he might be the best insider linebacker in the game.
44. Kellen Winslow, TE, Cleveland Browns: He has emerged as one of the rising stars for a rising team. His ability to stretch the defense is vital to the Cleveland offense.
45. Aaron Kampman, DE, Green Bay Packers: He plays all out all the time. Despite being light at 265 pounds, he holds up against the run at left end quite well. He has speed and strength as a pass rusher.
46. Tony Gonzalez, TE, Kansas City Chiefs: He's one of those guys who doesn't seem to ever slow down. He had 99 catches last year in a bad offense.
47. Marcus Trufant, CB, Seattle Seahawks: He led all NFC corners with seven interceptions. He also got credit for 22 passes defensed. He has emerged as a top-tier corner.
48. Wes Welker, WR, New England Patriots: Yes, he belongs on this list. He had an amazing season as a slot receiver in 2007. Even when teams knew he was getting the football, he made plays.
49. Fred Taylor, RB, Jacksonville Jaguars: Taylor finally got his due last season with his first Pro Bowl appearance. At 32, he remains one of the biggest home-run threats in the league. His 5.4 per-carry average was second best among the league's best rushers to Peterson (5.6).
50. Devin Hester, KR, Chicago Bears: I don't normally put return men on these lists, but this guy has earned it. It will be interesting to see how long he can maintain it.
Just missed: Julius Peppers, DE, Carolina Panthers; Larry Johnson, RB, Kansas City Chiefs; Patrick Kerney, DE, Seattle Seahawks; Troy Polamalu, S, Pittsburgh Steelers; Adrian Wilson, S, Arizona Cardinals; Antonio Cromartie, CB, San Diego Chargers' Terence Newman, CB, Dallas Cowboys; DeMeco Ryans, LB, Houston Texans; Tony Romo, QB, Dallas Cowboys.
I ditto the comments as to number 28--85! As much as that's going to bother some of our local apologists.
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My favorite didn't have an epiphany??
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After taking a beating at the hands of the last place Blue Jays to the tune of 14-1, is anyone ready to call it ??
Our pitching is still as pathetic as ever with our two aces, in Harang and Arroyo, getting pounded everytime they take the mound. Our pitching prospects have yet to produce with any type of consistency. How is it this lineup has such a problem producing runs ?? Seriously, look at the Reds lineup and tell me how we can't put more than two runs on the board against a last place team and others throughout this season ??
I believe there is a bigger issue with this team beyond the fact they are young. I don't know if it's coaching or something else, but something is definitely wrong. They have lost 7 of their last 9 and 11 of their last 16. Quite the slump. Some of the players slumps are getting crazy as well. Dunn is now 7 for his last 57. Are you kidding me ?? Hell, our whizkid Bruce isn't doing that well either.
I still think the Reds are suffering from the youth effect, but something has to give with this team. It should be a constant "progression" not "regression"... I'm still holding out hope and constantly root for the Reds, but D*MN already !!! This is the type of loss that can take the wind completely out of a team.
WHODEY !!!
Oh, yeah. They are dead last in what was supposed to be a weak division, even though it's not. They can't do better than one or two game winning streaks and, offensively, no one is producing. They have no shot at a wild card with the Cardinals/Cubs, Phillies/Marlins hanging around. Not gonna happen. And don't get me started on that unnatural man-love thing Dusty Baker and Corey Patterson have going on that is ruining this freaking team.
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Leftwich stuck in limbo
Former first-round draft pick struggling to find a job
Byron Leftwich lives in Atlanta, trains in South Florida and spends most weekends back home in the D.C. area. He has several places to hang his hat. But right now he has nowhere to hang his helmet.
With NFL training camps starting within a month, the former quarterback for the Jacksonville Jaguars and, briefly, the Atlanta Falcons, remains a free agent. It's a sudden and unusual turn. Only 28, Leftwich was a starter one minute, unemployed the next.
"It went from so good to so bad real quick," he said.
Leftwich played three sports at H.D. Woodson High School in Northeast and became a star at Marshall in West Virginia. The Jaguars took Leftwich seventh in the 2003 draft, the next quarterback taken after No. 1 pick Carson Palmer. As a rookie, he replaced the injured Mark Brunell and produced good numbers. He was better the next year and better still in 2005, when the Jaguars made the playoffs.
But he got hurt late that season, and injuries, specifically lower leg injuries, became the major issue. At 6-foot-5, 250-pounds with limited mobility, Leftwich was an easy target.
"I [went from] the toughest guy in the NFL to the most injury prone," he said in a telephone interview last week from his Atlanta home.
Getty Images Byron Leftwich: "You've got to stand up and see the light at the end of the tunnel. I know I can play the game of football."
Leftwich was taking a week-long break from his daily 3 1/2-hour workout regimen at a high-tech training facility near Miami. NFL stars Plaxico Burress, Frank Gore, Anquan Boldin and good friend and former Jaguars teammate Fred Taylor have been among those working alongside. He said he has lost 25 pounds.
"If I put on a No. 81 jersey, people will think I'm Randy Moss," he said.
His coach at Marshall, Bob Pruett, now an assistant at Virginia, called Leftwich "the most positive guy I've ever been around." Even with his once-promising career stuck in limbo, Leftwich said he is going to make a comeback worthy of Seabiscuit.
"I believe in myself," he said. "I've got confidence in myself. I won't allow this to start second-guessing my ability. These types of things happen, man. You've got to stand up and see the light at the end of the tunnel. I know I can play the game of football. I'm not gonna let nobody tell me I can't."
I really feel terrible about Byron's situation. This guy is a good QB and because of a few injuries and playing in front of the 'amazing' Atlanta O-line hes out of a job with it looks like no hope to getting anywhere this season, and he still remains optomistic, if i were MB id hire him to fight for the backup spot on our roster since i know hes better then anything we have behind Carson.
Without getting too nitpicky, I believe the fact Leftwich is unemployed and out of a job has less to do with the Atlanta O-line and more to with the fact that he made Joey Harrington look like Joe Montana.
The atlanta Oline is the reason Leftwich was injured while in ATL, and that game against the Saints he played amazing before he went down.
The Atlanta Oline isn't the reason he got hurt. Crap, half the QBs in the league play with average or sub par Olines and don't get hurt. Conversely, when Palmer got hurt in the 2006 playoff game, he had one of the best Olines in the game, and maybe the best. Lefty got hurt because he was out of shape and couldn't get out of his own way.
One good game against the Saints doesn't a good QB make. He ultimately got dumped for Harrington again and, when the Falcons cut Harrington loose, they didn't see that spark of greatness in Lefty to keep him. In fact, there isn't one fact, emperical or otherwise, that you can point to that says Lefty should be a starting QB in the NFL. AFL, maybe, not that there is anything wrong with that.
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Leftwich stuck in limbo
Former first-round draft pick struggling to find a job
Byron Leftwich lives in Atlanta, trains in South Florida and spends most weekends back home in the D.C. area. He has several places to hang his hat. But right now he has nowhere to hang his helmet.
With NFL training camps starting within a month, the former quarterback for the Jacksonville Jaguars and, briefly, the Atlanta Falcons, remains a free agent. It's a sudden and unusual turn. Only 28, Leftwich was a starter one minute, unemployed the next.
"It went from so good to so bad real quick," he said.
Leftwich played three sports at H.D. Woodson High School in Northeast and became a star at Marshall in West Virginia. The Jaguars took Leftwich seventh in the 2003 draft, the next quarterback taken after No. 1 pick Carson Palmer. As a rookie, he replaced the injured Mark Brunell and produced good numbers. He was better the next year and better still in 2005, when the Jaguars made the playoffs.
But he got hurt late that season, and injuries, specifically lower leg injuries, became the major issue. At 6-foot-5, 250-pounds with limited mobility, Leftwich was an easy target.
"I [went from] the toughest guy in the NFL to the most injury prone," he said in a telephone interview last week from his Atlanta home.
Getty Images Byron Leftwich: "You've got to stand up and see the light at the end of the tunnel. I know I can play the game of football."
Leftwich was taking a week-long break from his daily 3 1/2-hour workout regimen at a high-tech training facility near Miami. NFL stars Plaxico Burress, Frank Gore, Anquan Boldin and good friend and former Jaguars teammate Fred Taylor have been among those working alongside. He said he has lost 25 pounds.
"If I put on a No. 81 jersey, people will think I'm Randy Moss," he said.
His coach at Marshall, Bob Pruett, now an assistant at Virginia, called Leftwich "the most positive guy I've ever been around." Even with his once-promising career stuck in limbo, Leftwich said he is going to make a comeback worthy of Seabiscuit.
"I believe in myself," he said. "I've got confidence in myself. I won't allow this to start second-guessing my ability. These types of things happen, man. You've got to stand up and see the light at the end of the tunnel. I know I can play the game of football. I'm not gonna let nobody tell me I can't."
I really feel terrible about Byron's situation. This guy is a good QB and because of a few injuries and playing in front of the 'amazing' Atlanta O-line hes out of a job with it looks like no hope to getting anywhere this season, and he still remains optomistic, if i were MB id hire him to fight for the backup spot on our roster since i know hes better then anything we have behind Carson.
Without getting too nitpicky, I believe the fact Leftwich is unemployed and out of a job has less to do with the Atlanta O-line and more to with the fact that he made Joey Harrington look like Joe Montana.
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I for one am in the camp that Bradshaw wasn't that great of a QB--he just happened to be in the right place at the right time with the Steelers. Having said that, can you imagine how bad he would have been WITHOUT the 'roids?
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Oh, yeah ADAM, it's the name's fault. Shows why he will always be a screw up.
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I can't be mad at him for "wanting to go to a winner"
Like when he wanted to be traded to Miami. Yep.
.. Welcome back Chad. We still love ya!We means more than one person, but it's just you waving this flag
Eh just because they we're 1-15 last year doesn't mean they can't turn it around in next couple of hears.
More since most people on are on the Tuna Hype train.
Ahem, i think a team in my sig went from dead last to champions, proved its not impossible.
Oh yeah, but weren't they able to replace 40% of their starters with megastars in 1-2 seasons' time? You gonna be able to put eight megastars on both sides of the ball in Miami? Eh....nah.
Yeah i know greg, i was just bustin chops. Miami will do no better then 5-11 next year if they're lucky.
I was just bustin chops as well. Lighten up, man.
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I can't be mad at him for "wanting to go to a winner"
Like when he wanted to be traded to Miami. Yep.
.. Welcome back Chad. We still love ya!We means more than one person, but it's just you waving this flag
Eh just because they we're 1-15 last year doesn't mean they can't turn it around in next couple of hears.
More since most people on are on the Tuna Hype train.
Ahem, i think a team in my sig went from dead last to champions, proved its not impossible.
Oh yeah, but weren't they able to replace 40% of their starters with megastars in 1-2 seasons' time? You gonna be able to put eight megastars on both sides of the ball in Miami? Eh....nah.
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Felix and Oscar are back together.
You two don't realize you complete each other, like Tom Cruise and Renee Zellwiger.I think they had each other at "you're a jackass."
I believe that is when I heard the harps and the doves.
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That KC game is irrelevant.
Not a huge feat if you ask me.
ROTFL!
What's a bigger accomplishment; Winning a playoff game or beating an undefeated team in the regular season that really means nothing?
You are completely missing the point, as usual, and there is no point trying to educate you
Felix and Oscar are back together.
You two don't realize you complete each other, like Tom Cruise and Renee Zellwiger. -
After Chad turned his back on the fans of Cincinnati and has yet to apologize to a fanbase that would have killed for him, I still have three words...
F*CK YOU CHAD!!!
If what he does makes the team better, GREAT, but he's an idiot that will never get this fans support again.
WHODEY !!!
You're not kidding about being willing to kill for him. I took my son to get 85's autobiography at a bookstore signing in Norwood. After 85 gets there, he announces to the crowd that he is hungry and asks who is willing to make a McDonald's run for him. A couple hundred people go nuts. 85 select two giddy little teenage girls to go get his McD's fix.
I'll detante with him...until he screws up, and he will. My support? Not a chance. I'm with you.
Once a NFL player, now broke!
in National Football League
Posted
Alright...still don't know who this is talking about because I haven't read the link. Probably should do that before I chime in. Anywho, whether it is Henry or Vick, or whomever, any story of a guy getting the chance to play in the NFL and make good money to play the greatest sport on the planet, only to blow the chance and the dough, is pathetic. And ultimately, who do they have to blame? Themselves.