Power Rankings Updated

A lot has happened in the last month since the Power Rankings were last updated so it appears it is time to refresh.  Sure, it’s only the preseason, but we need some kind of hierarchy in the league, right? Read more

Six Teams get A’s for Summer School |Cheerleaders & NFL News

USA Today has given out the Summer School report cards for all 32 teams.  Teams at the top of the class in the “A” range include, the Cowboys (A+), the Vikings (A), the Dolphins (A-), the Jets (A- before Favre), the Chargers (A-), and the Falcons (A-).  The dunce cap goes to the Bears (D). Read more

Early NFL Power Rankings Up

Yes, it’s early.  Camp has not even started yet.  The page has been sitting there with a “Coming Soon” on it for way to long.  So here are the Football Jabber Pre-Season NFL Power Rankings.  Feel free to voice your argument in the comments.

NFL News and Jabber

Dan Patrick and Keith Olberman are going to be reunited on NBC’s Sunday Night NFL coverage.  The duo originally worked together on a sports network called ESPN back in the day.  For those that remember these guys working together more than ten years ago, it should be entertaining.  Olberman has been doing time on MSNBC and had to deal with working with Bob Costas last season.  Networks tend to work hard to put together a good team for broadcasts and this should be a proven deal for NBC.  Read more

NFL News and Jabber

Happy Fourth of July everyone.  Now that we have that out of the way…we are only a couple weeks away from training camp.  Time flies, huh?  If that isn’t enough to make you think about it how about this?  We are less than a month (by a day) away from watching a pre-season football game.  That’s right.  The Hall of Fame Game between the Colts and Redskins lands on August 3rd! How sweet is that?  Let’s take  look around the NFL… Read more

NFL News and Jabber

It appears that Roger Goodell has come up with his latest way to shake up the NFL.  He has already made great improvements with the player conduct and shortening up the NFL Draft.  Now it sounds like the Commish wants to put his stamp on the outrageous salary that is demanded to sign the top NFL rookies.  Looking at Jake Long’s deal with the Fins it appears that it has ruffled Roger’s feathers a little… Read more

NFL Jabber News and Notes

Remember a couple weeks ago when we talked to that American football loving Brit, Adam?  He continues to make his rounds in promotion of his record setting vacation of taking in 35 NFL games in the 2008 season.  This week he has landed on the Canal Street Chronicles.  If you have any extra season tickets laying around make sure you give Adam a buzz! Read more

NFL Jabber | Mini Camp and More

The media is trying really hard to make Jason Taylor’s comments about wanting to win in 2008 into a confrontation between Taylor and Bill Parcells. “Please give us some kind of story people…” I feel your pain mainstream media. Not much going on right now so you work with what you have. Jason Taylor would like you to point out that his talk is not a demand to be traded (DAMN!) but a request… Read more

A Look at Aaron Rogers

The dust has settled a bit from Brett Favre’s retirement.  Some people just won’t let go insisting that he will be back.  Hopefully these people will catch up come September when the Packers take the field without him.  Yes folks…the Aaron Rodgers era is here.  How long it lasts is up to Aaron Rodgers.

There are things that are in his control and some that are not.  In his control is how he seizes this opportunity.  We can say that the team that he will be leading is a big part of that opportunity.  They were pretty good last year.  He could definitely be walking into a worse situation.  Out of his control is the drafting of that guy that many think was one of the most NFL ready QB’s in the 2008 NFL Draft.  Taking over in Favre’s shoes wasn’t pressure enough, huh?  Well, the gig is said to be his, which makes it his to lose.  It will be interesting to see how this evolves.

The Jabber heads were polled on how long Aaron Rogers would last as the Quarterback in Green Bay.  Let’s have a look at some results, shall we? Read more

2008 NFC North Draft Grades

Chicago Bears

Needs: OL, WR, RB, QB, DL

Between inconsistent play, injuries and free agency, the Bears need a complete retooling on offense. Both starting receivers, Bernard Berrian (Vikings) and Muhsin Muhammad (Panthers), left via free agency. Cedric Benson produced sporadically before suffering a severe ankle injury and there is little prognosis on his comeback. Rex Grossman resigned with the Bears because there was little recourse in the QB free agency market. A solid draft would cue a Bears turnaround.

1.14 - Chris Williams OT Vanderbilt
2.13 - Matt Forte RB Tulane
3.07 - Earl Bennett WR Vanderbilt
3.27 - Marcus Harrison DT Arkansas
4.21 - Craig Steltz S LSU
5.07 - Zackary Bowman CB Nebraska
5.23 - Kellen Davis TE/DE Michigan State (no that’s not a misprint, Davis played on both sides of the ball last year)
7.01 - Ervin Baldwin DE Michigan State
7.15 - Chester Adams OG Georgia
7.36 - Joey LaRocque OLB Oregon State
7.40 - Kirk Barton OT Ohio State
7.41 - Marcus Monk WR Arkansas

Draft Grade: B+

Comments: I know that popular opinion is to condemn the Bears draft because they neglected to get a QB. I agree somewhat. If Angelo had turned the Steltz pick or the Bowman pick into Andre Woodson, I would have to give them an A. Chicago hit on all of the positions they needed to (except QB) without any reaches that I saw. They even picked up a couple steals in Marcus Harrison and Marcus Monk. I believe Harrison is a first day pick if he doesn’t get injured early in the year and I cannot fathom how Marcus Monk is 7th round material. His size alone should allow him to crack the Bears roster. Chris Williams will provide the Bears with stability on the offensive line and Matt Forte is a three down back who will make Bears fans forget the name Cedric Benson. I think Earl Williams will make a serviceable pro as well. This draft was solid and should bring Chicago back on the right path.

Detroit Lions

Needs: OL, RB, LB, DL, CB

Mike Martz is gone as offensive coordinator. Gone with him are runningbacks TJ Duckett and Kevin Jones and defensive tackle Shaun Rogers. Quarterback Jon Kitna will be sacked all the way to the hospital if he gets hit with the same frequency he has in the past two years. Paris Lenon is likely one of the worst MLBs in the NFL. The Lions have made no secret to the fact that they would like to shift gears and get back to a power running game. Difficult to do without an offensive line and a runningback.

1.17 - Gosder Cherilus OT Boston College
2.14 - Jordon Dizon OLB Colorado
3.01 - Kevin Smith RB Central Florida
3.24 - Andre Fluellen DT Florida State
3.29 - Cliff Avril DE/OLB Purdue
5.01 - Kenneth Moore WR Wake Forest
5.11 - Jerome Felton FB Furman
7.09 - Landon Cohen DE Ohio
7.11 - Caleb Campbell S Army

Draft Grade: A

Comments: Probably couldn’t have done much better. The first three rounds filled all of the major needs that the Lions had. They even got a decent fullback to lead block. Gosder Cherilus will be used as right tackle, which is his best position and Jordon Dizon will start at SLB before transitioning into the MLB role. There is nothing flashy about Kevin Smith’s running style; he just gets it done. I view the Lions running game in a similar light. No razzle dazzle but solid production. I think Cliff Avril will play a hybrid type of role; both standing up at LB and with his hand down as DE on pass rush downs. Caleb Campbell is an interesting prospect out of Army. I wouldn’t be surprised to see him integrated into the Lions defense sooner rather than later. Excellent draft by the Lions.

Green Bay Packers

Needs: CB, OL, QB, TE, DL

The Green Bay Packers are coming off of a season that saw them win the NFC North and make it to the NFC Championship game. They are a team with very few holes. Youngster Aaron Rodgers seems poised to take over the reigns from Number 4 at QB and hidden gem Ryan Grant seems ready to handle the upcoming year with a full load. What the Pack does need is insurance for Rodgers and some depth on the line and at TE. Their CBs are getting up there in age as well.

2.05 - Jordy Nelson WR Kansas State
2.25 - Brian Brohm QB Louisville
2.29 - Patrick Lee CB Auburn
3.28 - Jermichael Finley TE Texas
4.03 - Jeremy Thompson DE Wake Forest
4.36 - Josh Sitton OT Central Florida
5.15 - Breno Giacomini OT Louisville
7.02 - Matt Flynn QB LSU
7.10 - Brett Swain WR San Diego State

Draft Grade: B-

Comments: It’s difficult to grade a draft where the team doesn’t have any glaring needs. At first glance, they hit on all of the positions they needed depth at. But upon further inspection, there are a few head scratchers. Brian Brohm at 2.25 sticks out for sure. Why spend that high of a pick on a backup for Aaron Rodgers? I know that competition breeds winning but that seems like a bit of a waste to draft a backup QB that high, especially with prime interior lineman on the board available. Taking Matt Flynn alone could have accomplished the same goal without the use of a 2nd round pick. Jordy Nelson is an interesting pick. I like him as a faster, smaller version of TO. He uses body positioning and physicality to make a living over the middle. Just not sure he was the pick with every WR not named Thomas or Avery on the board. Ted must have seen something though. I like the Lee pick. He is a better corner than many give him credit for. The tackles taken both seem like fliers but if I am banking on one team flier tackles panning out; it’s the Packers. Finley seems like a bit of a reach. All in all, Green Bay got the depth they needed but I wonder if a couple of their choices were out of place or reaches.

Minnesota Vikings

Needs: QB, WR, OL, S, DT

Minnesota made a huge splash before the draft, trading their 1st and 3rd round picks to acquire Pro Bowl defensive end Jared Allen. If you can make a deal to secure a big piece of the puzzle and you need to move high picks to do it, good on you. In my opinion, the Vikings are a pass rusher and a consistent quarterback away from being a huge contender. Vikes brass seems high on Tarvaris Jackson but he needs to work on his decision making and consistency.

2.12 - Tyrell Johnson S Arkansas State
5.02 - John David Booty QB USC
5.17 - Letroy Guion DT Florida State
6.21 - John Sullivan C Notre Dame
6.27 - Jaymar Johnson WR Jackson State

Draft Grade: A-

Comments: Minnesota made its mark before the draft but the players they added with those picks should propel them into the division title race. My only complaint is waiting until the 6th round to address the OL. I think a better guard or tackle should have been had in the 5th round like Roy Schuening, Carl Nicks or Barry Richardson. John David Booty is an intriguing pick. I wouldn’t be surprised if he pushes Tarvaris Jackson for the starting job. Tyrell Johnson is a quality prospect who should crack the starting lineup late this year or next. Jared Allen could very well be the player they need for their defense to be propelled into legendary status.

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