Week One Wrap-Up

In Week One of the NFL season, we saw some blowouts, and we saw some close, hard-fought battles. There was excitement, disappointment, confidence building, set-backs, winning and losing.

Fortunately, for half of the league, they enter Week Two 1-0 looking to stay undefeated. Unfortunately, for the other half of the league, 0-2 is staring them right in the face.

In the modern era, only about 12% of teams who go 0-2 end up making the playoffs. That number skyrockets to about 40% when teams start the season 1-1. So even though going 0-2 isn't the end of the world, it very well could be the beginning of the end.

Here are my Top 5 things we learned from Week One:

#5: No Super Bowl Hangover for the Green Bay Packers.

 
- The Packers came out on Thursday night and played a good game against a playoff-caliber team in the Saints. The Packers started where they left off last year, coming out fast and strong, scoring 21 points in the first quarter. Rookie Randall Cobb looked very good in his first game as a Packer. Aaron Rodgers connected on passes to nine different receivers. Look the big things out of the Packers this year.

#4: The Ravens are a dominant force, and the Steelers are the ones with a Super Bowl hangover.

- The Ravens welcomed the Steelers in with open arms and an empty stomach. As soon as that first whistle blew, it was a feeding frenzy for the Ravens, and the Steelers were on the menu. Over the past few years, this rivalry has been one of the closest and most hard-fought. Not this week, the Ravens had no intentions of keeping the game to within three points, it was all domination, all day. On the other end of this lopsided victory was last years AFC Champions. Even though they didn't win the Super Bowl, they had a hangover from it. No need to panic in Pittsburgh though, the Ravens are a good team;
right the ship this weekend against Seattle.

#3: Colts are nothing with Manning.

- Since Manning started his first game over a decade ago, we haven't seen the Colts without him at the helm. And after one week, I don't want to see it again. The Colts looked terrible against divisional foe Houston on Sunday. Kerry Collins isn't to blame for the loss either, he had a very short time to learn the entire Indianapolis playbook, a playbook in which Collins said was different than any other playbook he has gone through. The Colts have Pro Bowl caliber players on the roster, but without Manning leading the way, people in Indianapolis are in for a very long season.

#2: The new Kick-off spot didn't have the effect most thought.

- Kicking off from the 35 instead of the 30 has been one of the biggest controversies during the preseason. It was thought that by moving the ball forward (for safety reasons) was going to lead to more touchbacks and force teams to settle with starting at their own 20-yard-line. In Week One we saw both sides of the argument. On the one hand, the number of touchbacks during the week tripled compared to last year. Almost half of all kickoffs resulted in a touchback. On the other hand, three players returned kickoffs for a touchdown in the first week, which ties the NFL record for Week One. Percy Harvin of the Vikings, Ted Ginn Jr. of the 49ers and Randall Cobb of the Packers all returned kickoffs for touchdowns in Week One.

#1: Through thick and thin, lockout and tragedy, America loves football, and supports the NFL.

- Perhaps the best story of the entire weekend was the patriotism shown by the entire country. On the 10 year anniversary of 9/11, America delivered perhaps the best visual of the weekend. At the opening game of the season, the Saints and Packers, the entire crowd held up colored signs to create the American flag in the stands. It was a beautiful showing, and quite possibly the best I have ever seen. It just goes to show that even with adversity, America and Americans can push through and fight. It truly is, America the Beautiful. Additionally, after a long summer of the NFL lockout, Week One was a big win the the NFL. The fans still showed up and supported their respective teams. Put one in the win column for our entire country.



-Sal LaFata

I'm Back; And So Is Football!

After a long summer of working, vacationing, and studying, I am back in East Lansing and ready to start up my blog again.

As you all know, during the summer the NFL went through a few headlines of their own. But at the end of the day, and the end of the off season, football is back and everyone is happy.

The NFL lockout definitely was the top story of the summer, but luckily it is over and both sides came to an agreement. As soon as the lockout was lifted, free agency made its own headlines. With teams averaging around 45 signed players each, everyone was very active in the free agent market trying to fill their teams for training camp.

Some teams did better than others. The Eagles, or the "Dream Team" as newly acquired backup QB Vince Young stated, made a big splash in the free agency pool. New England also made some big moves in free agency.

As the preseason came, so did expectations for each and every team. Some have expectations of repeating as Champions, some have expectations of making it back to the promise land of Super Bowl Sunday, some have expectations of making the playoffs, and some just have expectations of building off terrible previous seasons.

Two teams went undefeated in the preseason, the Detroit Lions and the St. Louis Rams. Both teams are coming off of improved years after being bottom dwellers in years prior. Both teams also have high hopes for the regular season.

Three teams didn't win a preseason game: the Atlanta Falcons, Oakland Raiders, and Kansas City Chiefs.

As teams like the Indianapolis Colts and Detroit Lions have shown in recent years, a preseason doesn't necessarily portray what will happen in the regular season exactly, but it definitely isn't a good thing for the defending number-one seed in the NFC to be going 0-4 in the preseason.

When all is said and done, football is back, and that's all that really matters. No more worrying about what to do all day Sunday or on Monday nights. Just sit back, relax, grab some snacks, and watch your favorite team fight for a playoff spot, I know that's what I'll be doing.

-Sal LaFata

Mr. Irrelevant Chosen

The title "Mr. Irrelevant" is given to the final pick of the NFL Draft each year. The title was created in 1976, when former NFL receiver Paul Salata founded "Irrelevant Week" in Newport Beach, California.

Salata announces the final pick of the NFL draft each year, and during the summer after the draft, the new Mr. Irrelevant and his family are invited to spend a week in Newport. While in Newport, Mr Irrelevant gets to enjoy a golf tournament, a regatta, a roast giving advice to the new draftee, and a ceremony awarding him the Lowsman Trophy, which is a trophy that mimics the Heisman, but the player on the trophy is fumbling a football.

This year, that pick went to the Houston Texans, and with it they chose Cheta Ozougwu, a defensive lineman from Rice.

Ozougwu is 6'2'', 247 pounds, and did 26 reps on the bench at the combine. He also ran a 4.89 forty yard dash and had a 34.5 inch vertical jump.

Last years Mr. Irrelevant, Tim Toone of the Detroit Lions, was placed on the practice squad's injured reserve due to an undisclosed injury on October 7. He was re-signed to a future contract on January 5 of this year.

-Sal LaFata

NFL Draft Round One

- The Houston Texans selected J.J. Watt from Wisconsin with the eleventh overall pick of the draft.

- The Minnesota Vikings selected Christian Ponder from Florida State with the twelfth pick of the draft.

- The Detroit Lions selected Nick Fairley from Auburn with the thirteenth pick of the draft.

- The St. Louis Rams selected Robert Quinn from North Carolina with the fourteenth pick of the draft.

- The Miami Dolphins selected Mike Pouncey from Florida with the fifteenth pick of the draft.

- The Washington Redskins selected Ryan Kerrigan from Purdue with the sixteenth pick of the draft.

- The New England Patriots selected Nate Solder from Colorado with the seventeenth pick of the draft.

- The San Diego Chargers selected Corey Liuget from Illinois with the eighteenth pick of the draft.

- The New York Giants selected Prince Amukamara from Nebraska with the nineteenth pick of the draft.

- The Tampa Bay Bucs selected Adrian Clayborn from Iowa with the twentieth pick of the draft.

- The Cleveland Browns selected Phil Taylor from Baylor with the twenty first pick of the draft.

- The Indianapolis Colts selected Anthony Castonzo from Boston College with the twenty second pick of the draft.

- The Philadelphia Eagles selected Danny Watkins from Baylor with the twenty third pick of the draft.

- The New Orleans Saints selected Cameron Jordan from Cal with the twenty fourth pick of the draft.

- The Seattle Seahawks selected James Carpenter from Alabama with the twenty fifth pick of the draft.

- The Kansas City Chiefs selected Jon Baldwin from Pittsburgh with the twenty sixth pick of the draft.

- The Baltimore Ravens selected Jimmy Smith from Colorado with the twenty seventh pick of the draft.

- The New Orleans Saints selected Mark Ingram from Alabama with the twenty eighth pick of the draft.

- The Chicago Bears selected Gabe Carimi from Wisconsin with the twenty ninth pick of the draft.

- The New York Jets selected Muhammad Wilkerson from Temple with the thirtieth pick of the draft.

- The Pittsburgh Steelers selected Cameron Heyward from Ohio State with the thirty first pick of the draft.

- The Green Bay Packers selected Derek Sherrod from Mississippi State with the final pick of the first round.

Watch the second round tomorrow at 6:00.

-Sal LaFata

Rounding out the Top Ten

 

The Atlanta Falcons traded up to the number six spot and selected Julio Jones. Jones is a 6'3'' 220 pound receiver from Alabama. He is a big and strong receiver who can break tackles and who runs hard. He has had some injury problems in the past, but had a successful year last year after coming back from injury.


The San Francisco 49ers selected Aldon Smith with the seventh overall pick. Smith is a 6'4'' 263 pound sophomore who played defensive end for Missouri. During his two year career, Smith had 108 tackles, a forced fumble, and an interception. Smith could potentially play outside linebacker for the 49ers.

The Tennessee Titans selected Jake Locker with the eighth overall pick. Locker is a  6'3'' 231 pound senior quarterback who could have potentially gone number one overall last year if he had gone to the draft. During his senior year, Locker threw for2,265 yards and 17 touchdowns. Throughout his career, Locker threw for 7,639 yards and 53 touchdowns.

The Dallas Cowboys selected Tyron Smith with the ninth overall pick. Smith is a 6'5'' 307 pound offensive lineman. He is a very good athlete who is able to get to the second level. Smith could potentially end up playing left tackle for the Cowboys. This is the first time since 1981 that the Cowboys selected an offensive lineman in the first round.

Rounding out the top ten, the Jacksonville Jaguars selected Blaine Gabbert. In his junior year, Gabbert threw for 3,186 yards and 16 touchdowns. During his career, he threw for 6,822 yards and 40 touchdowns. He is 6'5'' and 234 pounds and has a strong quick arm. Gabbert should be on the bench for his first year or two, behind David Garrard, unless Garrard gets traded now.

-Sal LaFata

Rounding out the Top Five

At number four, the Cincinnati Bengals have selected A.J. Green out of Georgia.

Green is a 6'4'' 211 pound receiver who was the leader of the Bulldog offense. Green had 57 receptions for 848 yards and 9 touchdowns his senior year. During his career, Green accumulated166 receptions for 2,619 and 23 touchdowns.

Green is a big receiver with outstanding hands and no fear. He will certainly have an impact for the Bengal offense.

This could be used as an incentive for Carson Palmer to return to the team.

At number five, the Arizona Cardinals have selected Patrick Peterson from LSU.

Peterson was the leader of a strong Tiger defense.During his junior year, Peterson had 42 tackles and 4 interceptions.

Peterson stands at 6'0'' and weighs in at 219 pounds. He was the number one prospect according to Mel Kiper Jr.

He is a shut-down corner who should definitely star in the NFL.  He is a very fast guy who is extremely athletic.

 -Sal LaFata

With the Third Pick in the NFL Draft...

The Buffalo Bills have selected Marcell Dareus from Alabama.

Dareus is a defensive lineman from the University of Alabama. He is 6'3'' and weighs in at 319 pounds.

He was named the defensive MVP of the BCS National Championship Game in January 2010. Dareus  recorded 11 sacks and more than 60 tackles during his final two seasons at Alabama, and earned third-team AP All-American honors following the 2010 season.

Dareus follows in Ndamukong Suh's footsteps, being the second defensive tackled selected number two overall  in a row.

Dareus is a big strong lineman who will be sure to cause trouble for opposing offenses. He should be able to come in an make an instant impact for the Bills, whose defense was terrible last season.

-Sal LaFata

With the Second Pick in the NFL Draft...

The Denver Broncos have selected Von Miller.

Miller is a lineback from Texas A&M. During his senior year, Miller accounted for 68 tackles, 11 sacks, and an interception.

Miller is 6'3'' and 246 pounds. Miller was the Butkus Award winner as the nation's top linebacker, and his game should translate very well to the pros. He is a great athlete that has very good instincts for a linebacker. He is best in a 3-4 defense, and he is explosive and strong with an arsenal of pass rushing moves.

Miller will join a Broncos defense that ranked 31st in the league against the run last year. He should have an instant impact to the team.

-Sal LaFata

With the First Pick in the 2011 NFL Draft....

The Carolina Panthers have selected Cam Newton with the first overall pick of the draft.

Newton is a junior quarterback from Auburn. He stands at 6'6'' and weighs in at 250 pounds.

Newton led his Tigers to a BCS National Championship this past year. He threw 185 completions in 280 attempts, for a completion percentage of 66.1. He threw for 2,854 yards, 30 touchdowns and 7 interceptions. He also ran 264 time for 1,473 yards, and caught two passes for 42 yards and a touchdown.

Newton was first projected to not even be a first round pick. Then he was projected to be a mid-first round pick. Now he has become the 8th quarterback taken number one overall in the past 10 years.

He is going to a Panther team that lost 14 games last season. Along with losing 14 games, they lost their head coach.

This is going to be a rebuilding year for Carolina, and I'm not too sure Newton is the best guy to rebuild around. He was only the starter for a year in college, and has had some off the field controversy tied to him; that's not what I would want from my number one overall pick.

-Sal LaFata

Draft Day

The day is finally here. The day where every fan puts on their team's colors and watches them select the players of the future.

For fans of teams like New England, Indianapolis, and Pittsburgh, it is a day of addition. Which addition will complement the currents stars already on the roster. Which rookie will add the most to a powerful team.

On the other hand, for fans of teams like Detroit, St. Louis, and Miami, the recent drafts have been days of hope. Hope that their first round pick will be a star. Hope that the draft will lead to a good year. Hope that they wont have to pick so high again the next year.

This year's draft has been full of speculation and questions. Will Cam Newton go number one? Will the Bengals take a QB? Will teams trade down to get more picks?

Kiper and McShay have both changed their "Mock Draft" board frequently, but with time running out to change it, the board is starting to line up nicely.

As of right now, Cam Newton is supposedly the number one pick overall. Eight of the past ten number one picks have been quarterbacks.

Number two overall, which belongs to Denver, is rumored to be Marcell Dareus. It would be the second year in a row that the number two pick has been a dominant defensive lineman. (Suh to the Lions last year)

At number three, many questions come up. Will the Bills take a quarterback like Blaine Gabbert? Or will they go defense, and take a guy like Von Miller?

All of these questions will be answered tonight, on ESPN, at eight o'clock.

As Adam Schefter tweeted, "Feels like Christmas morning"!

-Sal LaFata

Haynesworth Charged With Abuse

Albert Haynesworth, a defensive lineman for the Washington Redskins, was charged with misdemeanor sexual abuse for allegedly fondling the breast of his server in a hotel restaurant in Washington on Tuesday.

Haynesworth is said to have slid a credit card down the front of his server's dress and fondled her breast, according to the U.S. attorney's office.

According to his agent, Haynesworth is innocent and that several witnesses would vouch for that.

Haynesworth is currently facing charges in Virginia for allegedly punching a man during a road-rage assault. His trial is scheduled for May. He has also been involved in lawsuits from a bank, an exotic dancer, a man injured in an automobile accident and complaints from his ex-wife that he wasn't paying for her health insurance or their children's bills, according to an AP article.

Last season with the Redskins, Haynesworth played in eight games, had 13 solo tackles, and two and a half sacks. His season ended when he was suspended without pay for the final four games of the season for "conduct detrimental to the club."

After a year of constantly butting heads with coach Mike Shanahan, skipping off season workouts, and failing to pass a conditioning test at the start of camp, Haynesworth is expected to be traded or released by the Redskins very soon.

In my opinion, it would be best for the Redskins to cut ties with Haynesworth. He has cost them more than he has done for them. After a very unsuccessful year last year, it might be time for him to find a new team.

- Sal LaFata

Top Cornerbacks of the NFL

ESPN.com Illustration

NFL writers for ESPN.com have ranked the top 10 cornerbacks in the league today.

Atop the list, with no surprise, is Darrelle Revis of the New York Jets. "Revis Island" has been one of the hardest things for opposing offensive players to deal with since Revis came to the NFL in 2007. Since being drafted by the Jets, Revis has accumulated 192 tackles, 2 forced fumbles, 1 sack, and 14 interceptions.

Second on the list is Nnamdi Asomugha of the Oakland Raiders. In Asomugha's first eight seasons with the Raiders, he has accounted for 272 tackles, 2 forced fumbles, 2 sacks, 11 interceptions, and 1 touchdown. After playing on the bench his first two seasons, Asomugha became a starter in 2005.

Rounding out the top three of the list is Green Bay's Charles Woodson. After Woodson's first season in the NFL with the Raiders. he was named NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year by the AP. He became the first Raider rookie since 1971 to start all sixteen games. In his first 13 seasons in the NFL, Woodson has 502 tackles. 13.5 sacks, 22 forced fumbles, 47 interceptions, and 10 touchdowns.

The rest of the top 10 is:

4. Asante Samuel, Philadelphia Eagles
5. Champ Bailey, Denver Broncos
6. Antoine Winfield, Minnesota Vikings
7. Tramon Williams, Green Bay Packers
8. Devin McCourty, New England Patriots
9. DeAngelo Hall, Washington Redskins
10. Cortland Finnegan, Tennessee Titans

Overall, I agree with these choices. I think the top three definitely are the top three cornerbacks in the league right now. I look forward to see if any cornerbacks can step up and take one of the top ten spots this coming season. Patrick Peterson and Prince Amukamara coming out of the draft have potential to be instant impacts for their future teams, and could very well be in the top ten next year.

NFL Schedule Released

It's official! The NFL Schedule is now out.

The 2011 NFL season will be kicked off when the Green Bay Packers open their Super Bowl title defense against the New Orleans Saints at Lambeau Field on September 8.

Monday Night Football will open up on September 12th with a doubleheader, where the Patriots will go to Miami to take on the Dolphins, and the Raiders will head to Denver to take on the Broncos.

Week One of the season opens up with multiple divisional match-ups as well. The Colts will take on the Texans, the Giants play the Redskins, the Raiders play the Broncos, the 49ers play the Seahawks, the Titans play the Jaguars, the Steelers play the Ravens, the Bengals play the Browns, and the Patriots play the Dolphins.

Statistically, the Panthers have the most difficult season, and the Cardinals have the easiest season. 

Some key games to look out for this year are:

-Mike Vick will head back to Atlanta on September 18th in a night game. It will be his first time starting in Atlanta since leaving the team.

-The Detroit Lions will play on Monday Night Football for the first time since 2001 when they take on the Bears at home on October 10th.

-John and Jim Harbaugh will face off in Week 12 when the Ravens host the 49ers on Thanksgiving. It will be the first time that brother head coaches will go against each other.

-As always, it will be Manning vs. Brady in Week 13 when the Colts play the Patriots.

-Sunday October 9th will be the first match-up of the year between the Jets and Patriots, which is always an interesting game.

-Thanksgiving day games will be Green Bay at Detroit, Miami at Dallas, and San Francisco at Baltimore.

-Christmas day will be Chicago Bears vs. Green Bay Packers.

-Week 17 will definitely have playoff implications this year. Atlanta will play Tampa Bay, Detroit plays Green Bay, the Jets play the Dolphins, the Cowboys play the Giants, and Washington plays Philly.

The schedule has just been released, and already the anticipation for next season is high. In the past few years, playoff teams have been changing, and I expect the same thing to happen this year. Teams with losing records last year have a good chance to have winning records this year. The NFL season is long and full of great match-ups, which will inevitably lead to upsets, and perhaps a Cinderella story or two.

The season will end in Indianapolis this year with Super Bowl XLVI, and it will undoubtedly be a great game between two great teams.

- Sal LaFata 

Britt Arrested in New Jersey

Tennessee Titans wide receiver Kenny Britt was arrested in Bayonne, N.J., on Tuesday after he was reported to be speeding by an officer.

According to an Associated Press article, Britt faces charges of eluding the officer, hindering apprehension and obstructing governmental function.

Britt was reportedly driving his blue Porsche at 71 mph in a 50-mph zone. He is said to have driven away from the officer, but was eventually found on a side street walking away from the car. Britt is said to have first denied being in the car, then driving, before finally admitting he was behind the wheel.

Britt faces three criminal charges, but has been released on summons.

This isn't the first time that Britt has been in trouble with the law since being drafted by the Titans from Rutgers in 2009. It isn't the second time, third time, or even fourth time either.

In January 2010, Britt was arrested for three outstanding traffic warrants in New Jersey. He paid the $865 due and was released.

Britt is involved in civil litigation in New Jersey for allegedly not paying a bail bond that he helped get for a friend.

He was also stopped by Nashville police in August during training camp, where he was ticketed for driving without a license because he obtained a photo ID after misplacing his license.

He also was accused, but not charged, with being involved in a bar fight in Nashville this past October.

Britt had a career year last year with 42 receptions for 775 yards and 9 touchdowns, even with missing games due to injury.

Britt is still a young guy (22), so he has plenty of time left to get his life in order. Hopefully, he realizes some of the mistakes he has made in the past and learns from them. He has a chance to be a dominant receiver in the league, standing at 6' 3'' and 215 pounds.

-Sal LaFata

NFL and NFLPA want Mediation

The NFL and the NFLPA both want to begin mediated talks again. However, the two sides cannot come into agreement on where those discussions should take place or who should mediate them.

The NFL would like to begin talks again with federal mediator George Cohen in Washington, according to Adam Schefter of ESPN. On the other hand, the NFLPA wants to begin talks in Minnesota.

According to an ESPN.com article, "The NFL wants to move the talks out of Minnesota, so it won't have federal oversight in the next collective bargaining agreement as it has since 1993 when the league and players settled the Reggie White antitrust suit which became the CBA."

The two sides seem to still be very far apart from agreeing with each other and coming up with a solution.

However, it is good to see that the two sides at least are interested in talking now. Hopefully, this will lead to more talks in the future, and an agreement between the two sides.

ESPN's Adam Schefter

- Sal LaFata

Today in the NFL

NFL Hearing

There will be a hearing in a federal court in Minneapolis this morning where attorneys for NFL players are expected to ask for an injunction that will stop the lockout on March 12.

The players argument is that the owners are violating America's antitrust laws. The response from the owners is ecxpected to be that the players are violating the labor laws of America.

A U.S. District Court Judge will determine the winner of the case that will undoubtably raise multiple legal questions affecting the upcoming NFL season.

Madden Cover

The voting for the next Madden cover is down to the final eight players. The remaining four pairings are:
Aaron Rodgers (GB) vs. Danny Woodhead (NE)
Peyton Hillis (CLE) vs. Jamaal Charles (KC)
Drew Breese (NO) vs. Adrian Peterson (MIN)  Mike Vick (PHI) vs. Patrick Willis (SF).

The favorite to win it all has to be the number one seed, Aaron Rodgers.

As always, the "Madden Curse" will be talked about for whomever gets to be on the cover. For those fans of Detroit, Chicago, and Minnesota, having Aaron Rodgers on the cover might not be a bad thing.

To vote for your favorite to make the Madden cover, go to ESPN.com, keyword "Madden Cover".

Top Coaches

ESPN.com Illustration

ESPN.com has ranked the Top 10 coaches in the NFL.

On top of the list is the Patriots Bill Belichick. This isn't much of a surprise considering what the man has accomplished with the Patriots.

Next on the list is Mike Tomlin of the Steelers. Again, this isn't much of a surprise. Since taking over for Bill Cower, Tomlin has done nothing but win, including a Super Bowl.

Rounding out the top three is Andy Reid of the Eagles. This choice comes as more of a surprise than the top two, but I can understand why he is ranked so high. Since taking over in Philadelphia, Reid has accumulated a .617 winning percentage, has won six NFC East Titles, and has led his team to multiple NFC Championships and a Super Bowl.

The rest of the top ten includes:

4. Mike McCarthy, Green Bay Packers
5. Sean Payton, New Orleans Saints
6. Tom Coughlin, New York Giants
7. Rex Ryan, New York Jets
8. Lovie Smith, Chicago Bears
9. Mike Smith, Atlanta Falcons
10. Mike Shanahan, Washington Redskins
10. John Harbaugh, Baltimore Ravens

I do agree with most of these, I might have switched a few around though. Jim Caldwell is one guy who could very easily be on this list as well.

- Sal LaFata

Madden 12 Changes

Concussions in football are an extremely serious injury and are being taken very seriously by the NFL. Now, EA Sports is jumping on and taking these injuries just as serious.

The video game, Madden 12, will no longer allow concussed players to return to the field in the game they are injured.

EA Sports will be trying to send a message that concussions are a serious thing, and athletes who suffer one in a game shouldn't be allowed to return the same game they are injured.

Brain injuries are one of the biggest issues in the NFL right now. According to NFL data, 154 concussions happened in practices or games from the start of the preseason through the eighth week of the 2010 regular season. That is an increase of 21 percent during the same span in 2009, and a 34 percent increase from the 2008 season.

In an interview with The Times, Phil Frazier, the game's executive producer, the new concussion rules, exclusion of helmet-to-helmet hits and headfirst tackling can be a "teaching tool" to players of the game, especially kids.

Madden NFL 12 is scheduled to be released in August, even if the current lockout continues.

- Sal LaFata

Jolly Not So Jolly

Green Bay Packers defensive lineman Johnny Jolly has been arrested on another drug charge.

Jolly was arrested this past Friday in Houston after being pulled over in his Cadillac Escalade just after midnight.

While searching Jolly's vehicle, police came across a bottle containing 600 grams of codeine under the passenger's seat and another bottle with an unknown substance in the driver's side door.

The lineman was charged with possession of a controlled substance with intent to distribute, which could be a felony charge.

This story may sound very familiar to you, and if it does, there is good reason for that.

Back in July of 2008, Jolly was arrested, in Houston of all places, for possession of at least 200 grams of codeine, which is a second-degree felony.

In lue of jail time, the Packer received a form of probation that would've had the charge against him dismissed if he stayed out of trouble for a year. The sentence included 160 hours of community service, 10 of which were to be speaking engagements for children and others about drug use.

Jolly was suspended by the NFL for all of last season for those felony drug charges.

Jolly had 39 tackles, one sack, one forced fumble and one interception in 2009.

In light of his most recent arrest, Jolly could very well be looking for a new job this coming football season. The Packers were able to win a Super Bowl without his help last year, and are going to try and repeat this year.

Cullen Jenkins was expected to be let go after the lockout was lifted, but that could change now depending on Jolly’s status.

The Packers also could draft a defensive lineman with their first-round pick, if they do not want to keep Jolly or Jenkins.

- Sal LaFata

Bucs Favorite for HBO Series

Sources say that the Tampa Bay Buccaneers are the front-runner to be the next team to appear on HBO's hit series "Hard Knocks."

"Hard Knocks" is a sports documentary series produced by NFL Films and HBO that follows a single NFL team through training camp, and provides a view of the team's preparation for the upcoming season. The show gives the viewer a chance to see some of their favorite athletes outside of the typical locker room interviews.

The first six seasons of the show featured teams such as the Baltimore Ravens, Dallas Cowboys (twice), Cincinnati Bengals, Kansas City Chiefs and New York Jets. The show obtained very high ratings as each season came and went.

Tampa Bay is an interesting team to be on the show this year, as they are coming off a very surprising 10-6 season in which they just missed out on the playoffs. Head Coach Raheem Morris is a very outgoing and outspoken coach who is not afraid to say it as he sees it.

Quarterback Josh Freeman is coming off a very successful season, and should be preparing for another impressive one. Receiver Mike Williams and running back LeGarrette Blount are both youth talented athletes who are looking to build off of last seasons impressive stats.

The Buccaneers have a lot of talent on their team, and high hopes for the upcoming season. They play in a tough division, though, which will make it more difficult for them to make the playoffs.

The Bucs have the twentieth overall pick in this years draft, where they will more than likely draft a defensive player like Justin Houston from Georgia, or Cameron Jordan from California.

No deal has currently been finalized for the HBO series, but a decision is expected later in the spring.

- Sal LaFata

McCann Responds to Arrest

Dallas Cowboys CB Bryan McCann was arrested Saturday for drunk driving. McCann was charged with public intoxication, but the Cowboys cornerback released a statement Sunday explaining his case.

In McCann's statement, he denies being drunk and explains that he is very happy that in America, he is presumed innocent until proven guilty.

As an NFL player, McCann is subject to the personal conduct policy of the league. If it is determined that he violated this policy, McCann will be punished once the lockout is over.

McCann was picked up by the Dallas Cowboys after being an undrafted free agent out of SMU. McCann had a brief stint with Baltimore, but never played a game before he was released by the Ravens.

As a rookie, McCann recorded 15 total tackles and one interception, which he returned 101 yards for a touchdown in week 10 against the New York Giants.

- Sal LaFata

NFL Players Respond to Labor Negotiations

In a video on ESPN.com today, NFL players talked with George Smith about the labor negotiations and the looming lockout.

The players offered some of their views of the situation, and some of their solutions. It is very apparent that the players are willing to negotiate and make a deal.

The ultimate goal of the players is the play football this year. After hearing what a small group of them had to say in this video, I feel more confident that the lockout will end in time for the season to start.

- Sal LaFata

Potential Rule Changes

The Associated Press announced today that the competition committee will propose multiple new rules at the owner's meetings in New Orleans next week.

These new rules can be broken down into three categories: Kickoff rules, Replay rules, and the "Calvin Johnson" rule.

Lets start with the proposed rule changes for kickoffs.

• Moving kickoff to 35-yard line, and bringing touchback out to 25. However, no changes for touchbacks on any other plays would be made.
• Only the kicker would be allowed to line up more than 5 yards behind ball.
• The wedge would be outlawed. The wedge was previously reduced to two players in 2009.

Next is the rule changes for replay.

• All scoring plays would be reviewable. Meaning the replay official would order replays on any touchdowns, field goals, safeties and extra points without needing a challenge from a coach. This is basically the same system that is already in play for the final two minutes of each half, and for college football throughout the entire game.
• The third coach's challenge would be eliminated.

Welcome

Hello and welcome to Unnecessary Roughness,

This blog is designed to inform the reader about what is currently going on in the NFL. I will discuss the hot topics, and the hot players. I will offer my honest opinion on all of the topics, and be as educated as possible. 

Thank you for reading, and I hope you enjoy.

- Sal LaFata