Jaguar Makeover

The Jacksonville Jaguars have changed their look via a press release yesterday afternoon. The new uniforms will be teal and white @ home and white and black while away. The new helmet is still the same with a slight hint of teal glitter. They also updated the logo.

Jack Del Rio had this to say about the new look....
"There was a real desire to get back to a real clean look, something we think will have a timelessness about it," Jaguars coach Jack Del Rio said. "Anytime there's something new, it's fresh, it's exciting and it ties in perfectly with the draft this weekend. We're going to have a freshness about us. Anybody who's been around our organization over the last several weeks or months understands there's a real freshness about it, a lot of energy."

Personally, I don't really see that big of a change...they could have changed it and not mentioned it and no one would have noticed. Heck, I can't find a difference in the logo no matter how long I stare at it.

• Do you see a big difference?
• Do you like it?
• Can you find the difference in the logo?

Vick comes barking at the door...

Yes, Michael Vick is wanting to be reinstated to the NFL. And by the sound of it Goodell will probably let him back in.

"I will want to meet with Michael, I will want to meet with his people, I will want to meet with other professionals to understand: Does he understand the mistakes he made, and is he genuine and have remorse for those actions, and is he prepared to handle himself differently going forward? That will ultimately be my decision," Goodell said.

Personally, I think he has paid his debt to society and should be allowed back in. Now as for what team would want him...thats another story.

• Do you think Michael Vick will be reinstated?
• What team do you think would be interested in him?
  

The end of an era...

One of the greatest and in my opinion the #1 announcers in football is retiring after this season. John Madden has decided that after 30 years of announcing NFL football games it was time to set the microphone down.

In a statement released by NBC Sports today, Madden had this to say “It’s time, I’m 73 years old. My 50th anniversary is this fall.” He added: “It’s been such a great ride. The NFL has been my life for more than 40 years, it has been my passion — and still is.”

He will be greatly missed by the NFL fans, no one will be able to replace him. The speculation is that Cris Collinsworth, NBC’s lead studio analyst and the co-host on “Football Night in America” and NFL Network game analyst may take his place on the Sunday Night Football games for NBC.

There are two things about NFL football I never wanted to see change is the introduction to Monday Night Football with Hank Williams Jr and John Madden announcing. Well it looks like one of them is going away...how long till the next?

Prospective Rookie Drama

Once considered to be a top 5 pick coming out of the draft, Andre Smith, seems to be doing everything he can to reduce his value. His stock has been going down the tubes. After he made his announcement to enter the 09 draft he has done one thing after another to deter teams from looking at him. His suspension at the Sugar Bowl, terrible performance (or lack there of) at the NFL draft, the below average pro-day and the most recent news of the maybe/maybe not firing of his agent Keels has his stock dropping like a rock. It seems that he is doing everything wrong these days.

So....

• How do you think these actions will affect him?
• How far will Smith fall?
• Is this immaturity, overconfidence or just plain dumb?
  

The Detriot Lions use their 1st pick to select.....

NO ONE...that is what many of the nfl blogs and sources are saying. They believe the Lions will say "I pass" on the 1st pick in the draft. It's widely predicted that they want Matthew Stafford but do not want to shell out the money that accompanies a 1st draft pick.

Which brings up an interesting question...

Should rookies be paid so much money coming straight out of the draft?


In my opinion 'No' they should not. I feel that it is silly to pay BIG bucks to a player that has not proved their worth to your team. It seems that we overlook the players that have been staples of franchises when salary bonuses, etc. come along. Not to mention the fact that the 1st draft pick is suppose to assist the worst team in the league, get the best player out of the draft. The problem with the current scenario is that the amount of paycheck that is provided to that 1st draft pick means franchises end up putting all their eggs in one basket, that often times ends up being a dud.

A Giant Goodbye...

Giants said goodbye to their #1 play maker, Plaxico Burress, this week. The delay in the process to handle his legal troubles lead to the Giants finally releasing him. It seems that they were finally tired of dealing with the constant issues that Plaxico seemed to bring to them. They have been a team that did not put up with troublemakers and seems that they are going to continue to hold that reputation.

The release of him brings about many questions....

• Who will be the Giants #1 receiver?
• Will they try to pull someone out of free agency? If so, who?
• Will they try to draft someone and start them right out the gate?
• How will Manning handle not having his star receiver?
• Does this affect how you will draft Manning?
• Where is Plaxico headed?
• Will he be signed before his next court date (June 15th)?
• Will he receive a big contract (money/length)?

It will be interesting to see how the Giants do without their star wide receiver and where Plaxico lands if not in jail.

Get what you ask for...

In an interview with Fox News Sports Cutler had the following to say...

"I was surprised they decided to trade me this soon, I didn't want to get traded. This wasn't me. (The Broncos) had been going back and forth saying things, wanting me to be their quarterback and then they didn't. I really didn't want this. I love Denver. I really like my teammates. I didn't want it to get this far."

All I have to say is...Sometimes you get what you ask for.

***Cutler was traded to Chicago Bears today for plethora of draft picks and Kyle Orton.***

Video Games help prepare NFL coaches?

Yes believe it or not, that is what the new Head Coach of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Raheem Morris suggested.

Morris said it’s a job he and likely the other up-and-coming young coaches have been preparing for, for years from the comfort of their own living rooms.

“I blame John Madden. He made that video game and screwed up the young generation,” Morris said. “They’ve been building franchises, they’ve been setting up plays, creating plays since we were about 12. So it’s all his fault. He ruined the league for older coaches.”

So then a reporter asked Morris how much he played the Madden NFL video game growing up, and if he still plays.

“I got a major in it at Hofstra,” Morris said, laughing. “I don’t play anymore. I still have the game in my house. Always keep the game in the house, so any time your old college buddies come by we still play. Who am I kidding?”

So what do you think? Do you believe John Madden is responsible for the young coach craze? Do you think playing football video games really gives you insight into being a real head coach?