Tebow: A man against his franchise

Today it was announced that the war for Peyton Manning was over. The Broncos with the help of John Elway have won that war to win over Peyton Manning, even after everything the 49ers have done to groom the team for Peyton Manning by brining in Randy Moss and Mario Manningham. So now after John Elway held a press conference saying that Tim Tebow would go in as the starting quarterback for the Broncos in training camp, John Elway is now shopping offers for trades for the same quarterback that beat the defending AFC Champion Pittsburgh Steelers in overtime. 

This past season, and this start of free agency is a story that couldn't be made up. This year is a quarterback hungry league for a couple teams that are struggling to find a franchise quarterback. Since free agency started fifteen quarterbacks have been taken and moved to different teams. The same teams that lost the Peyton race are still looking for a answer at quarterback such as the Arizona Cardinals and the Miami Dolphins. The San Francisco 49ers have still not resigned Alex Smith who is now forced to go around and test the market. The Seahawks just signed the two game sensation Matt Flynn so what's left for Tebow? The man that the media coined the term 'Tebow-mania', after all the 4th quarter comeback performances that could not be explained. Tebow stole all the national media so much that people that never watched one game last season knew about Tim Tebow. After Denver went on to start the season 1-4 with Kyle Orton at the helm Tebow came in and went 7-4. Tebow help lift the Broncos to the playoffs and won his first playoff game. Tebow changed the attitude of that team and that locker room. Now everyone knows last season history of Tebow now the question is where can he land? He will not be in Denver, so let's look at where most experts point. Jacksonville Jaguars. So far Blaine Gabbert has not panned out. When a team looks to bring in Tebow you change your whole offensive philosophy to fit him, to fit one guy. The problem is that the Jags have a new coach in Mike Mularkey who has this first year to make a statement in how he can coach. Most people have Tebow going to Jacksonville because it's Tebow's home, which is his crowd after being a Florida college quarterback hero. One thing Tebow will help with Jacksonville is their problem to be able to sell tickets and fill that stadium in a small market city. So much of a problem they have to put tarp advertisements over the empty seats. The Jags are not ready to give up on Blaine Gabbert and they recently have just signed Chad Henne to the back up role. I find it kind of hard to be able to bring in Tebow and tie all that money in the quarterback position. Tebow can still possibly go to Miami as they are in a search for a quarterback but only if Alex Smith does not land there. The best place for Tebow is Jacksonville, that franchise needs to be rejuvenated and turned around. Tebow has been run out of town that loved him and chanted his name one year, the very next they have put him on the trade block. It will be good for Tebow to get out of that Denver organization that were always back and forth on Tebow, never building around his strengths and seemed to always work against him and were just waiting for him to lose, well he never did, he just got ran out by Peyton Manning. It will be hard to see where Tebow will go after quarterback pieces are still falling around in free agency such as Alex Smith and Vince Young, but now let the race for Tebow begin.

Saying goodbye to a Unfinished Legacy

 

Well it's official, 100 million dollars and 6 years and Mario is gone. Can't blame him for taking that money and if you hold that against him... it's 100 million who wouldn't take that? After John McClain's horrible report he helped give Texans fans a false hope that Mario would actually consider staying even after hitting the open market which everyone knew if he did he would be the highest paid defensive player in history and the Texans can't compete with the crazy salary caps with teams like the Bills have.     When Mario was drafted by the Texans 1st overall in 2006 every single fan criticized the Texans passing up Houston native Vince Young and Heisman Trophy winner Reggie Bush. That decision is no longer questioned, not in Houston. It will be hard for Texans fans to say goodbye as now that he is gone, it will take sometime to let that sink in now that he is gone.

When Mario Williams came to Houston even though he was the number 1 overall pick he had alot to prove to Houston fans. Being a number 1 overall pick as a defensive player is even more stressful as he had to prove to all the Houston fans why he was chosen over Vince Young who also got around the same rookie contract as Mario getting 5 years around 50 million. Mario was seen as a superstar around the league and nationally but it seemed here he wasn't a superstar but just a really great defensive player. It could be argued that he was never considered one of the faces of this franchise, that being Andre Johnson and Arian Foster along with Matt Schaub and arguably Brian Cushing and now JJ Watt. During Mario's 5 years here in Houston he holds the teams all time sack record with 53, and the single season sack record with 14, the teams all time tackle record with 241 all in 6 seasons but in a 89 game span missing 11 games last season and 3 the year before. Mario proved himself to Houston fans as he showed himself as a freak of nature on the defensive side of the ball. Others will argue Mario would just get some sacks and seem to take some plays off. That was the view of a few fans and only a few. Saying goodbye to Mario is hard because for a guy thats drafted 1st overall to a team is a guy that usually finishes 

his career in the city that drafted him. It is not Houston's fault for not locking him up earlier to a contract extension as he got hurt the past two seasons. Those circumstances really where just not normal and put the Texans in a hard spot, they tried to lock him up this year but they where up against the cap and having let go of a lot of free agents in the hope of being able to resign him but it was clear to most Texan fans that this was the end of the Mario Williams era. Sure this defense was top 5 in the NFL without him this past season but you cannot argue that with him it would've even been better. It will be hard to say goodbye to Mario as it is a tough pill to swallow and now that he is gone we appreciate what we took for granted once it's gone. Mario Williams legacy in Houston will now go unfinished, it will not be looked as tarnished since he took the mega contract, but it will be looked at as the legacy that never finished. He will never be a part of the Texans in the playoffs, or their hopeful Super Bowl run, he was a big star stuck in the losing era of the Texans and part of the dead last ranked defense. Now Mario will be joining another atrocious defense with the Bills, but we will see how he does going back to his old position of defensive end, it will be hard and weird to see him in another uniform. We are going to miss you Mario. 

A look at the newest member of the Steelers... Jerrod Johnson

Jerrod Johnson, a Texas A&M legend and record smashing quarterback who did not enter the NFL Draft was picked up recently by the Pittsburgh Steelers. A sweet steal that the Texans really feel asleep on. Jerrod Johnson the 6'5 250 lbs scrambling quarterback who broke all the Texas A&M records and holds multiple Big 12 records was picked up by the Steelers as they now have seen, as of all the NFL, how a QB of his size and speed can just dominate a game. Cam Newton? The other QB who is exactly 6'5 250 and can run making defensive coordinators look stupid? Yea, the Steelers saw that success and with the right system knew what the Eagles where trying to pick up but just did not have enough roster space.

Jerrod Johnson from 2007-2010 passed over 8,000  yards 67 touchdowns and 27 interceptions. In 2009 his TD-INT ratio was 30-8. That same year he also rushed over 500 yards and 8 touchdowns. His total rushing numbers where 877 yards for 16 touchdowns. He still currently holds the Big 12 record for throwing 242 consecutive passes without a interception. Jerrod went undrafted in 2011 the year of Cam, because Jerrod did not even enter the draft after he was coming off a shoulder injury. Jerrod did enter the UFL draft and went 1st overall , he spent the summer offseason of 2011 training with the Hartford Colonials and then was picked up during training camp by the Philadelphia Eagles and spent training camp and preseason with the Eagles before he was released at the end of preseason due to too many quarterbacks under contract on the roster of Michael Vick, Vince Young, and Mike Kafka(notice the running ability in the first two). After his release he continued to train after being picked up by UFL team Arizona Rattlers. Jerrod maintained training to stay in shape and rehabbing his shoulder and maintaing practice under game speed. After the crazy rookie sensation successes of Cam Newton a few teams started to dig back up Jerrod Johnson and loved his exact size and speed of Cam, and his proven accuracy and big arm through college while at Texas A&M. Jerrod can throw with the best of them and showed it during his tenure at Texas A&M while dominating the Big 12 while having a below sub par offensive line. Jerrod just doesn't run well    
but runs smart and fast. Because his line was pretty awful he would run around in the back just to by time to be able to throw a big bomb, not just take off for a first down or more. The difference between him and Cam during college was that Cam would check one or two recivers and then just take off, Jerrod was all about the pass and would by the pass game more time with his legs and after that then he would take off and run, and as you see with Cam, Jerrod was hard to take down due to his size. I was hoping the Texans where going to invite him to training camp this year even though Jerrod flew under the national radar Aggies always get noticed by coach Kubiak. Now that the Steelers have signed him everyone should definitely keep a eye on the steelers especially during preseason. The Steelers are not brining back their aging back up Charlie Batch but still keeping Byron Leftwich. Look for Jerrod to beat out Byron for the second string position as he was signed to a contract in January to the Steelers and not just invited to a training camp like he was with the Eagles. Im surprised that no Aggies are talking about this or being excited so hopefully i will help get this news out there. Everyone is talking about Tannehill in the Draft being taken in the first round, but to compare him to Jerrod who lost his job due to injury, im taking Jerrod every day of the week over Tannehill. Watch out for Jerrod as he has the size and speed of a Cam and we all saw how well that worked out for him as he put out the greatest rookie quarterback performance in history. Keep a eye on Jerrod this year during the August preseason.






 

What is happening to the Texans?

When everyone agreed that signing Arian Foster to a good long term deal and to let Mario Williams walk everyone had to take that in for a second but went along with it just fine. After that, everything the Texans have done during their management in free agency seemed to have not made any sense.
The Texans have many unrestricted free agents whose contracts have expired, only three or four of them

would have wanted more money in their new contracts that being in Mario, Arian and Chris Myers. When we signed Arian and let Mario go and retain Chris Myers that is the move that everyone understood and made sense. The problem is the Texans went on to sign Arian and then release former Heisman trophy winner Matt Leinart to create some more salary cap space. Well everyone saw that coming. Then the Texans released right tackle Eric Winston who has started over 80 games and who was still under contract for 3 years was cut for salary cap space which still to this day shocks everyone and does not make sense. The next day after those cuts free agency opened. The Texans still did not secure contracts for any of the following free agents and who are now all on the open market: C Chris Myers, TE Joel Dreessen, OG Mike Brisiel, OG Kasey Studdard, DT Tim Bulman, LB Tim Dobbins, CB Jason Allen, S Domininque Barber, WR Bryant Johnson S Quintin Demps. Ok you look at this list and realize ok now also add Eric Winston and you see 3 out of 5 of the starting linemen of the best offensive line in the NFL...what just happened to the Texans? Some people briefly speculated that the Texans where up to something big. That they where letting some of these guys walk to bring back Mario Williams. That was a brief thought. Now everyone is on the open market with other teams flying out our free agents now giving them offers we definitely can not get back players like Mario and Eric and if you still think so then you are really keeping up a false hope.
The Texans should have extra cap room after resining all their small name free agents to basic contract extensions and then creating cap space saved from last year by not signing Joel Dreessen because he is going to want starter money now and same goes for Jason Allen. Then the Texans also would not retain Jeff Garcia and Jake Delhome as they wont be needing their services next season. It was also widely understood that Jacoby Jones would be released to be given an extra 4 million in cap space after his unproductive season and horrible last memory it is hard to see him in a Texans uniform anymore after he hasn't panned out and it showed while Andre was gone.
Cutting Jacoby was one of the acting factors why it was also understood that the Texans would draft a legit number two wide receiver after the gaping hole in production was obvious during Andre Johnson's absence. The only problem with this whole thing is now that all those players are now on the market and out of everyone the Texans brought back it was just a lone Arian Foster without his offensive line, oh did i forget to mention they released his fullback that was still under contract for 2 more years? Yeah Lawerence Vickers? Yeah he is gone now, that two great epic blocking fullbacks in two years the Texans have gone and let go. I don't know what the Texans are doing or planning but the team that was regarded as the most balanced team in the NFL and was regarded among national media as "The team to beat in the AFC", the same media would consider the Texans to make a legit Super Bowl run, the same team with Vegas odds of 8:1 to make it to the Super Bowl. Well this team as of right now has serious holes. Everyone now needs to pray, and possibly every mock draft reworked for the Texans draft choice.

Nothing But Unanswered Questions

The Texans have the best offensive line in the NFL and for one key reason is the same group have played together for a great amount of consecutive games, the best thing about the Houston Texans is their zone run block. They have a chemistry together that just does not grow on trees, they know each others weakness, they have a mental timing when moving together for blocks and for setting up a hole. Point is they are the best at what they do because one thing in common for all of them is that they are athletic. When crediting Arian Foster for his successful seasons and in specific the 2010 lead rushing season you credit his line and Vonta Leach. Well today marks the biggest day of shock that has ever occurred to Texans fans as today they have released the starting right tackle number 73 Eric Winston.

The biggest problem with this whole thing is why mess up something that has been the strongest aspect of your whole offense? Why take out a piece that sets the tone for your whole teams offense? As the old saying goes don't mess with something with that doesn't need to be fixed. The biggest problem I have with this whole thing besides that it does not make any sense whatsoever is that if anything this move seriously hurts the teams expectations of a AFC Championship berth. This move came after hours in the dark of the media under the radar with no heads up, even to Eric Winston. A few hours ago I hear on the radio that Eric Winston was 'given his walking papers' and I immediately go into a heart sunk mood thinking 2012 was our year, why Eric? Now what does this do in our draft priorities? Starting a rookie on our perfect line? Or starting a backup who was on IR last season? Another problem was that this whole move was never even up for consideration, I have heard them all, the cut Demeco move or cut Jacoby and Matt Leinart (Leinart was let go today), letting go of Joel Dreessen I have heard them all. Everybody in this city is in shock after being in confusion all night why we let go of a Pro Bowl potential tackle. None of it makes sense. There was never any hint we would have to let go of Eric and thats what caught more people off guard. Because it was never in discussion. People in the media are starting to dig up reasons why Eric was let go was that it was solely to create cap room to bring in Chris Myers, sacrificing one linemen for another. Which part of that makes sense? As it has come to more light a finger to point this all at is super agent Drew Rosenhaus. Drew represents Eric and was told by the Texans that "We don't want to ask Eric to take a paycut so we will let him go and get his starter money". First of all he is still under contract and was waived, it wasn't like we were trying to resign him and he wanted to much money, Eric was just straight up waived and shown the door. Heres the big problem about Drew, he represents over 120 other athletes and besides Eric you know who he also represents? Chris Myers. Drew is playing the Texans. He went around "testing the market" with Chris Myers and wouldn't let his client take a paycut and is going to get what he wanted which is get Chris a big contract and go off and still get Eric starter money somewhere else no problem for the future Pro Bowler. It does not make sense first to let go a lineman of the best offensive line but to sacrifice a lineman for another. What hurts the most is that the Texans are on the tip of making a Super Bowl run this season and everyone in the nation knows it, but to get rid of a integral piece of that offense that helps lead the league in rushing and helps block for a top passing offense. Eric Winston was unfair casualty to a problem that could have been solved cutting someone else. This offense will see a drop and the run game will see a drop. People discredit Foster by saying if (enter any starting running back here) had his offensive line they would be damn near close to leading the league in rushing each year. Adrian Peterson having the Texans line instead of the horrid Vikings line would be just plain unfair, we will leave it at that. Point is every man on that line is a integral piece. Why we let go of not a expendable piece but instead a integral piece will remain unanswered for awhile. Until we know all the answers it is hard to say what really happened. When free agency opens tomorrow I would be shocked absolutely shocked if Eric lasts 48 hours on the market that the caliber of a player he is. I really am left at the end of this whole thing with nothing but questions which wont be answered till tomorrow by Mr. Bob McNair himself. In the end the only thing that makes sense is that none of it makes sense. The team will miss him but more than the team this city will miss one of the nicest fan fav and fan friendly players, a down to earth real guy. We are going to miss you Eric, you can bet whatever team you play on I will be watching. Thanks for everything Eric.

Vince Young in limbo in a QB hungry league

When people think of Vince Young, people think of his legendary tenure at Texas. I like to remember what a lot of people around sports media overlook or seem to forget when mentioning quarterbacks in free agency and that is Vince Young's time as a starter in Tennessee in a organization that seemed to work against him. Lets look at the things that people and media really overlook around the league about Vince Young.

When Vince Young was drafted third overall by the Titans, coach Jeff Fisher never wanted him or wanted anything to do with drafting him, the decision to draft VY was mainly due to the owner Bud Adams. Since Vince Young arrived at Tennessee Jeff Fisher always gave him hard time and never wanted to work with him and help his development. If you wonder how big development plays into rookie quarterbacks just take a look at what the Texans did with TJ Yates, and then look at situations where guys haven't develop well because of coaching but have lots of potential guys like Mark Sanchez, Jamarcus Russell and Matt Leinart. All those Quarterbacks had fantastic college careers but coming into the NFL the coaches never got along with their new rookies and really hurts their development. It takes time to properly develop a quarterback, you have to work with them, put pieces around them and come up with a system that fits their strengths. While Vince Young was at Tennessee there is one important statistic that is indisputable and that he is a winner. His win loss record as of now is 31-19 as a starter compare that to some starters in 2011 with Matt Cassel at 28-26, Rex Grossman at 25-21 and the list can go on but we will end it with Ryan Fitzpatrick coming in at 18-33. Vince Young just wins, people say the same thing about Tim Tebow when defending the worst passer of 2011 but Vince Young wins games better than Tebow, Vince runs smarter, more accurate passer, a bigger arm and just wins the game with prettier looking statistics than Tebow who will have a game of attempting just 7 passes the entire game. Before there was a guy named Cam Newton in the NFL Vince held the record by rushing touchdowns in a season by a rookie quarterback and also was one of the few rookie quarterbacks to be ever chosen to a Pro Bowl. In his first four seasons he amassed a 26-13 record and his .667 win percentage ranked best in Titan franchise history (which includes all the Houston Oiler records) and fourth best among quarterbacks drafted between 2000-2009 coming behind Roethlisberger, Rivers and of course Tom Brady. He is a two time Pro Bowler and a NFL Rookie of the Year, two things Tebow has never done.

 

Vince Young and Jeff Fisher clearly never got along and that really hurts early development. In the 2008 season Vince injured his knee in the beginning of the season and was expected to just miss two to three weeks and after Vince recovered Jeff fisher never let him start for the rest of the season. At the start of the 2009 season Jeff Fisher said Kerry Collins would go in as the starter and Vince would have to "earn his job back". Well after the Titans went 0-6 to start the season Bud adams was furious with Jeff Fisher and demanded to start Vince Young, Vince went on to set a NFL record by winning the next five in a row after starting 0-6, something that is still yet to be done again. Jeff Fisher went on to say 'im still in Kerry Collins's corner, the record was a reflection of team play'. Vince went the rest of the season winning 8 of his 10 starts. After next season Vince Young was let go and Jeff Fisher was fired.  

When Vince Young was picked up by the Eagles for the 2011 season it was a smart move because his playing style is similar to Vick. Vick can never finish a season to save his life due to his smaller size and run style so Vince was brought in just in case. Vince Young's first start was against the same active New York Giants roster that went on to win the Super Bowl, and Vince Young went on to lead the Eagles to a victory against the future Super Bowl Champions and today Vince remains undefeated 5-0 against the Giants. During the same season Mike Vick faced the Giants earlier and still could not pull off a win at Philly while Vince had to do it on the road at NY. Vick lost against the Giants and which was part of a Vick lead Eagles 4 losses in a row. Heading into the 2012 season there are many teams that need a quarterback, the Eagles can't afford Vince Young to just come off the bench so he will not be resigned. Some teams that need a quarterback are the same teams that are looking to grab RG3, Ryan Tannehill, Matt Flynn and now Peyton Manning. Those teams being the Redskins, Dolphins, Cardinals, and some will say the Browns even though i do not think they need a new quarterback. Some new names that have been brought up to bring in Vince Young are the Seattle Seahawks and the Denver Broncos, yes Tebow will go in as the starter during just training camp essentially meaning he will get the most snaps, but competition is still open at quarterback in Denver. Denver has hinted that they will make a run at Vince Young simply because they need someone to come in and compete with Tebow and can similarly run the offense the same by being able to run if need be. Denver has said they are looking to bring in at least two quarterbacks at least one veteran through free agency and possibly one in the draft in the middle rounds. Vince has the potential, his size and speed is great combination to avoid injury, he can run with the best of them and throw with the best of them, he is pretty clutch and knows how to win, next week free agency will open and thats when things will start to get crazy and interesting. As much as i want him in Houston Schaub is a great quarterback for our offense and I do think Vince would flourish in his hometown i would rather him go somewhere where he is a starter and in a perfect world i would love for him to be offered a contract to come compete with Schaub who is in the last year of his contract and compete in training camp to settle the debate amongst Houston fans once and for all. You know my take, im a big Vince Young supporter, he just needs to be in a organization that supports him and to a fan base that will support him and that is the only thing I hold against Denver is that Vince can come dominate and take the starting job like taking candy from a baby but those crazy fans will still chant 'Tebow' in the stadium to bring him back. Whoever gets Vince Young is getting a great experienced quarterback who has played in the playoffs and on the biggest college stages, and just knows how to win and is hungry to comeback and prove himself, don't be surprised if Vince wins Comeback Player of the Year, all he needs is a team and a chance.   

When the game is on the line there is one man who i want holding the ball...

A Long Kiss Goodbye: Peyton Manning and Jim Irsay

Everyone knew it was coming, a press conference held today at Lucas Oil Stadium otherwise know by the majority of people as 'the house that Peyton built'. Peyton Manning and Colts owner Jim Irsay both fought back tears as they told announced in front of national media that Peyton Manning's career as a Colt has now came to a end. To most Texan fans this is a day of celebration as its viewed the thorn to the Texans side has been removed. Since the Texans first season a new division was created called the AFC South, the Texans are the reining 2011 AFC South Division Champions, a franchise first. Since the divisions inception the Colts have won or more appropriately Peyton Manning              (Manning-less Colts are the worst team in the NFL) have dominated the AFC South since becoming the first division champions in 2003. Since the first one in 2003 the Manning dynasty have won the division 7 times from 2003-2010. The Colts have released Manning on a mutual agreement that Peyton was not wanted there anymore and that the team has completely fired all the head coaching staff and the front office staff being given the green light to go into rebuilding mode. First step:find a new franchise quarterback.

 When Jim Irsay repeatedly announced via twitter all last season that the Colts where going to draft Andrew Luck that drew the flag that the Colts are going in a new direction. How it has been handled since draw many comparisons made in the sports nation by parting ways with a long time girlfriend.
LeBron James announcing live that he was leaving Cleveland being the face of their franchise and leaving to South Beach that same day was much like breaking up with his girlfriend by showing up with a new and hotter girlfriend and telling his ex in person while holding hands with his new girl 'its over im with her now'. Manning and Irsay was more handled like a divorce, parents telling their children 'mommy and daddy still love each other' but daddy is wanting to move down the street to marry the hot new college grad girl. One was handled better than the other but both where made for different reasons, one is of age and the other was tired of carrying his sorry team. Now Peyton still wants to play but he understood it would be best not to play as a Colt. All the staff and fellow teammates that where put around him over the past fourteen seasons are all being let go. Peyton wants to win, and in a Colts uniform would be setting him up for failure. As of today Peyton Manning is on the waiver wire for any team to make a move at him. So far multiple teams have expressed serious interest in Peyton's services. Those teams are the teams that think they are one quarterback and a nice draft away from a Super Bowl.

 The teams that really want Manning are teams like the Redskins, Dolphins, Jets, Cardinals and the Browns. Those teams minus the Jets are all trying to make a run to get RG3 or Ryan Tannehill. Peyton has the luxury to chose what team he wants to play for, and the team that gets him has to do things the way the 4 time NFL MVP's way. Simply handing over the offense and let him run it and carry it, let the coach just sit down and enjoy the ride and also Peyton wants a team that has good draft picks to draft some pieces for him. The team that also gets Peyton will only be getting a very temporary Super Bowl run opening (thats to say if he can get there again as he has only been twice and won once) which after he retires that team is in the same deep hole they are in today. The team that take him will need still need to find a long term franchise quarterback, and will be where they are today after Peyton leaves after a season or two if he can hold through without getting injured that is. Peyton is a great player and a hall of famer, but I wouldn't want him on my team as you see what happens to the Colts after he is out of the picture they are nothing, I still think RG3 is going to pan out better than Andrew Luck but now over the next week the news wont be who is going to get RG3 with the second overall but

who is going to land Peyton Manning. You know what this all means Texans fans? The AFC South is now ours for the taking for the next few years.
So whats your take? Would you want Peyton Manning?