Category: NFL

The Son of Dick Ebersol is Launching a Pro Football League to Rival the XFL

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ESPN – “While Vince McMahon promises to bring back a revamped XFL in 2020, a son of McMahon’s partner in the original short-lived XFL venture said his football league will come first. And some big NFL names will be involved. Charlie Ebersol, who directed a documentary on the XFL that aired last year as part of ESPN’s 30 for 30 series, announced Tuesday that his league, the Alliance of American Football, plans to debut Feb. 9, 2019, the week after Super Bowl LIII. The season will run 10 weeks and will have 50-man teams.”

Look at Charlie Ebersol go! Dude just got the jump on Vince McMahon and the WWE commish must be furious. Vince made the mistake of announcing a brand new football league and then buried the lede that it wouldn’t begin play until 2020. Ebersol on the other hand just came out and announced his new league, the Alliance of American Football, will begin play in February 2019.

AND he’s already got games lined up to be aired on CBS with legitimate NFL names like Bill Polian, Troy Polamalu, Jared Allen, and Hines Ward behind it. Ebersol also has Barstool Sports parent company, The Chernin Group, already on board. You know Portnoy is just salivating at the potential for content with a brand new football league that won’t shun him like the NFL has done for years. That my friends sounds like a goddamn plan.

If you didn’t watch the XFL announcement press conference, Vince basically did a one man conference call to announce the league and then refused to really answer any actual questions about how the league would operate, how it would be different from the NFL, where players would come from, or where we could watch games. Not exactly ideal for building excitement. I think its safe to say Charlie Ebersol one upped Mr. McMahon here.

To be totally honest, what I’m about to say, I say a lot so take this with a grain of salt. I am a junkie for football and will watch just about any football game you put on TV. I’ve watched DII college football, Arena Football, the United Football League, the CFL, NFL Europe, the FXFL. Hell I even texted my buddy last night saying that we have to go check out a Massachusetts Pirates game out of the world famous National Arena League.

BUT, I can’t recall really watching more than a handful of these games. It was awesome watching an out of the NFL Daunte Culpepper run around in the UFL in cities like HARTFORD.

After realizing he was playing against guys that couldn’t start on my high school team though the novelty wore off. So as usual this sounds like a great idea, but it will come down to the quality of play. The NFL has been a monopoly for a long time and its not because there haven’t been challengers. Remember the USFL? The goddamn President of the United States owned a team.

But without the talent people won’t care enough to watch. So I know there are tons of D1 players that don’t make the NFL; what happens to them? I guess if you cut all the fat from the NFL like Ebersol plans to do (no TV timeouts, shorter broadcasts, no kickoffs etc.) then you could create a supplementary product that I will likely watch with a 6 pack of beer on a cold March night. Because I’ll tell you, I am dying for some football right now and Madden can only satiate that appetite for so long. Give me all the football leagues.

Patriots Acquire Cordarrelle Patterson from the Raiders

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NFL – “Tom Brady is getting a new toy to enjoy in his offense. NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero reported the New England Patriots acquired speedy wideout Cordarrelle Patterson from the Oakland Raiders on Sunday, pending a physical. Per NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport, the Patriots will swap their fifth-round pick for a Raiders sixth-round pick in order to make the move.”

Not an earth shattering move nor is it as sexy as the last time the Patriots traded for a Raiders receiver…

but Cordarrelle Patterson can be an exciting player with the ball in his hands. Patterson has always been a player that has never been able to necessarily put it all together, but if he could be put in the right positions he could take any play to the house. Putting players in a position to succeed is what Bill Belichick does better than anyone else in the NFL. Whether its returning kicks or a package of screens and slants, I’m confident Bill has a very specific role in mind for this guy. This is a player that the Patriots can line up in the slot, go deep, run screens, reverses or take handoffs. He has a career average yards per reception and yards per rushing attempt of 10+ yards. That type of versatility has me drooling to see what Bill and Josh McDaniels have in store for Patterson.

Although, I would be lying if I didn’t say I am a bit concerned with the recent stockpiling of wide receivers that have made a habit of disappointing coaches and fantasy owners alike in Phillip Dorsett, Kenny Britt, and now Patterson.

If nothing else Patterson can FLY and while I don’t think relying on deep ball go routes from our 41-year-old QB is a great option, he should make an immediate impact in the return game. Belichick may be looking to replace some of the sheer athleticism his team has lost with the recent departures of guys like Dion Lewis. But hey, the guy was on Sports Science so how can this be viewed as anything other than a raging success?

The Pats Haven’t Done Shit In Free Agency Which Makes Me Scared And Sad

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In case you have been living under a rock NFL-wise free agency got off to an absolutely chaotic start yesterday. I’m sure if they tried to show a visual of players changing teams it would look like the daily FAA domestic flight tracker – that wild. the Patriots have done a whole lot of nothing however, save trading for Danny Shelton which isn’t a FA move as much as it is also just happens to coincide with the beginning of the league year. Now don’t gt me wrong, I really like the Shelton move. We gave up very little for a guy who was seen as a Pats target a few years ago before he was taken #13 overall. He is GIGANTIC (~340lbs) and if he can play up to even 75% of his potential, he’ll team with Malcolm Brown to form of the most formidable interior d-lines around.

That’s where it ends for the Pats though, in free agency, for now. And it’s stressful to watch. Trumaine Johnson, a great CB I thought for sure the Pats would look into went to the in-division rival Jets. Swiss Army Knife LB Anthony Hitchens, who may have been created in a dream Coach Belichick had in 2nd Grade, signed with the Chiefs. to add salt in the wound, Danny Amendola left town to make a guaranteed $8.5 million over 2 years with the (again, in-division) Dolphins. I know he’s getting up there and injury prone, but that’s not a bad price for Danny Playoffs and we could have at least hedged our bets of losing him and keeping another aging, oft-inured WR in Julian Edelman with making a play for the Dolphins own Jarvis Landry, but nope.

Look, I know goes more into this than the headlines, The Fins got two picks for Landy. The last do-it-all LB Belichick made a splash with ended up being the worst deal in Pats history (rhymes with Spragalius Domus). Still, It’d be nice to see us at least doing some more visible due diligence, maybe getting in a bidding war or two. Anything to make it seem we’re trying to make it worth Brady and Gronk’s while, among other things. In the end it will always be in Belichick we trust, and we all know that. I guess I just wish he didn’t make us live in constant fear.

The Stars Are Aligning for Richard Sherman to Join the New England Patriots

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It would appear that the stars are aligning for Richard Sherman to join the New England Patriots. The Seahawks informed Sherman that they planned to release him on Friday, per Adam Schefter. It hasn’t happened yet, but Schefty’s word is God as far as NFL circles are concerned so its coming. Sherman will now enter Free Agency with a certain team just south of Boston in the market for a cornerback. Why does the fit make sense? A few reasons:

    • Richard Sherman has always been very vocal about his immense respect for Tom Brady and the Patriots.

  • He’s a veteran coming off an injury who’s likely looking for a short term “prove it” deal as he’s unlikely to get the big money long term deal he would want.
  • The Patriots have a history of buying low on veteran players from Corey Dillon to Rodney Harrison, Randy Moss, to more recent examples like Chris Long, Dion Lewis, and Martellus Bennett.
  • Sherman is TALL for a cornerback. He’s 6’3″ and as Bill Belichick is known to do, he routinely constructs his roster for the upcoming year tailored to the types of teams they’re playing. In 2018 the Patriots will play the Packers, Vikings, and Texans who feature receivers over 6’0″ including:
    • Jordy Nelson – 6’3″
    • Stefon Diggs – 6’0″ / Adam Thielen 6’2″
    • DeAndre Hopkins – 6’1″
    • Not to mention teams in their division like the Bills who feature a 6’5″ Kelvin Benjamin.
  • You could see it last year when they went out and signed Stephon Gilmore (6’0″) and in the other cornerbacks they’ve started to fill the team with:
    • Johnson Bademosi – 6’0″
    • Duron Harmon – 6’1″
    • Eric Rowe – 6’1″
  • The only Patriots cornerback to crack the top 10 in snaps played last year was Malcolm Butler who was? Yup, 5’10” The Pats may look to go a route similar to the way they built their defense in 2014 when they featured big, tall, physical corners in Darelle Revis (6’0″) and Brandon Browner (6’4″).
  • Not to mention this:

So it seems like it would be a great fit, assuming Sherman’s achilles is up to snuff, I don’t see a way this doesn’t happen. A team like the Jets or the Browns could blow him away with big money, but I can’t see a competitive freak like Sherman, after years playing on arguably the best defense in football, suddenly playing for the Jets just because of a bigger paycheck.

Former Bengals Receiver T.J. Houshmandzadeh Drops in from the Clouds, Calls Bill Belichick and Patriots a “Dictatorship”

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NESN – “Former Cincinnati Bengals wideout T.J. Houshmandzadeh, who has been out of the NFL since 2011 and irrelevant for the past decade, was a guest on FOX Sports 1’s “Speak For Yourself” and jabbed Belichick for how he runs the organization.

“I think every team is player driven,” Houshmandzadeh said. “Every team is player driven. They’re just kind of fed up. I was watching football this past fall, and it just tripped me out when I’m watching the Patriots playing Miami Dolphins, and then I see a (Rob) Gronkowski interview. I couldn’t believe it. He’s, ‘Oh, I want to talk about the celebration but I’m scared that Bill is going to get mad at me. I really want to talk about, but I guess I can’t I’m scared.’…They are completely scared of Bill, it’s a dictatorship in New England

T.J. Houshmandzadeh, he of the 1 Pro Bowl, 1 playoff win and 8 playoff catches pedigree, recently came out of the clouds to criticize the way Bill Belichick runs the Patriots, calling it a dictatorship.

As much as I respect the opinion of TJ Hooshamazode

I’m gonna have to go ahead and disagree with him on this one. People see a more rocky than usual ship in New England and want to use it as an opportunity to criticize the Patriots so if they ever do fall off they can be the one to say I told you so. And don’t get me wrong, that day may come, but to criticize Belichick with comments like this are asinine:

“They are completely scared of Bill, it’s a dictatorship in New England. Things are going to have to change or he’s going to lose the team.”

Its literally been this way in New England for 17 years. Things aren’t going to have to change, TJ. Not after winning 5 Super Bowls. You know where things probably should change? Cincinnati, which is where TJ played for 8 seasons and won a total of 0 playoff games under Marvin Lewis. In fact, Cincinnati hasn’t won a playoff game since 1990, which is a cool 27 year stretch. Shit like that will lose you a team.

So while the Patriots locker room probably isn’t as fun as a Chucky Cheese birthday party like the Bengals may be under Lewis, I’d rather take the consistent systematic success for nearly 2 decades straight.

Happy Trails, Ed Hochuli

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Editor’s Note: We’ve experience a reblog today, but its Ed Hochuli; he deserves it.

It’s a sad day in the world of sports officiating, as 67-year-old Ed Hochuli has finally decided it’s time to hang up the boy’s medium referee uniform that he’s wearing for the past 28 NFL seasons.  It’s hard to believe that Guns McGee has been roaming NFL sidelines since before Tecmo Super Bowl for NES hit store shelves.

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Ed Hochuli is a legend in his own time. He’s the only official in sports that is known by name but not because he’s an insufferable bastard. [Looking at you, Joe West.] Countless hours at Gold’s Gym, before it was fashionable, is what made Hochuli a household name. That and his Juris Doctor degree.

Sure, some of Ed’s explanations could be a little bit long winded. But I always enjoyed a mini episode of Law & Order in between plays.

But every once in awhile, you’d actually learn something new about the NFL rule book from one of his soliloquies.

The good news today is that at least the NFL sidelines won’t be without a Hochuli next year. Back judge Shawn Hochuli has been promoted to referee and will take his dad’s place.

Only time will tell if Shawn, #83, will ever be able to fill his dad’s sleeves.

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Terrible News: Ed Hochuli is Retiring. Better News: His Son is Replacing Him

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ESPN – NFL referee Ed Hochuli has retired, the league announced Tuesday, ending a colorful career that made him one of the most recognized game officials in American sports. Known for his long-winded explanations and exposed biceps, Hochuli, 67, will serve as an independent consultant to the league. The NFL promoted his son, back judge Shawn Hochuli, to replace him.

What a sad, sad day it is here at The 300s. Ed Hochuli is retiring after 28 YEARS. The guy has been an NFL referee for literally my entire life. I’ve never known an NFL without Ed Hochuli. Ed Hochuli is and forever will be the most famous and popular referee in the history of organized sports. A lawyer from Monday to Friday (no, seriously)

Hochuli would over explain every call to a hilarious effect. Not to mention his absolute GUNS of course.

The guy had bigger biceps than half the players he was officiating. Ed Hochuli looked like he could throw on some pads and de-cleat someone tomorrow. I’ll miss you, Ed. Let us never forget the stories of him being an absolute curmudgeon when spotted out in public.

How about the fact that his son is taking his spot too? LEGACY! The Hochuli’s are about to establish a dynasty that could last 1,000 years.

Former NFL Combine Athletic Freaks Julio Jones and Devin Hester Take Exception to NFL Hyping Up Saquon Barkley’s Athletic Freak Combine Performance. Huh?

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USA Today -As expected, Saquon Barkley put on a show at the 2018 NFL combine. His performance inspired NFL Media’s research department to send out this tweet… That didn’t sit well with Hester, who took to Instagram to point out that he was not 100% when he ran in Indy

“No disrespect to S Barkley But I ran in the combine with a pulled hamstring with sneakers on, just so I wouldn’t make it any worse. Was told by all the scouts that if I did bad that I could make it up at pro day. @nfl@nflnetwork@NFLResearch do you really think he was faster then me!!!!😂😂😂😂”

Julio Jones’ reaction wasn’t so polite

“They got me f#%* up! I’m 4.3 with a broken foot”

Jones was diagnosed with a broken foot immediately following his combine performance in 2011. But we should point out that NFL Research did not even mention Jones’ speed in the comparison. Joe Thomas could only laugh at the tweet…

For guys that were literally Pro Bowlers in the National Football League to freak out that the NFL is hyping up this rookie is preposterous. Be more insecure guys. Oh I ran with a bad hammy, oh I had a bum foot that day.

I’m the first guy to yell from the mountaintops that NFL Combine performance doesn’t necessarily mean a whole lot when projecting successful NFL players. Remember Vernon Gholston?

How often does a player run 40 yards completely straight without interruption? The answer is basically never. So a lot of these drills aren’t super relevant, but that doesn’t mean its not goddamn impressive. Just look at this tweet.

He ran a faster 40 than Devin Hester, put up more reps on the bench than Joe Thomas (a Left TACKLE) and he had a higher Vertical than arguably the most athletic player in the NFL in Julio Jones. Does that mean he will be a better NFL player than any of those guys? Of course not, but let me repeat myself, its still goddamn impressive. So for these guys to come out of the woodworks to bitch and moan?

 

Jerry Jones Responds to Roger Goodell Stealing More of His Money by Opting Out of the NFL Ticket Deal and Investing in its Direct Competitor

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Sports Illustrated – The Dallas Cowboys have reportedly agreed to a deal to opt out of the NFL’s deal with Ticketmaster and instead work with SeatGeek as their box office, per ESPN’s Darren Rovell. The Lions opted to use a different provider back in 2013, but they moved back to Ticketmaster for the upcoming season. In November, the Saints switched to SeatGeek. 

So earlier this week it came out that the NFL and Roger Goodell were demanding millions of dollars from Jerry Jones and the Cowboys to cover legal fees from Jones’ various spats with the league last season. It would seem Jerry did not appreciate that too much as he not only opted out of the league’s ticket deal with Ticketmaster, but he is also buying a 15% stake in its DIRECT COMPETITOR in SeatGeak.

I guess this move in of itself isn’t totally unprecedented as the Lions and the Saints have kicked around the idea of separate ticket deals, but when Jerry Jones does something it makes waves. The man is a tastemaker and has been pulling shit like this for year.

“Cowboys owner Jerry Jones is no stranger to making deals outside of the league’s partners. In 1995, he made a deal with Pepsi when the league was partnered with Coke. In 2002, he opted out of the NFL’s licensing deal that split revenues equally. The Cowboys are still the only team that does this.”

Listen this singular move may not have Roger Goodell shaking in his boots, but thats why Jerry Jones is a goddamn assassin. Its not this move thats going to kill Roger, its 4 moves from now that will be the death knell. And opting out of the NFL ticket deal, besides being a power move, does two things. 1.) It sets a wicked precedent. What if Robert Kraft now wants to go with AceTicket and what if the Rooney family wants to do an exclusive deal with StubHub? What if the owners just start chipping away at the NFL’s oligarchy? The smaller share of the pie that the NFL and Roger Goodell control, the less the owners need or care who the commissioner is. The days of the $40 Million salary for the NFL commissioner could be numbered all because Roger Goodell flew too close to the sun and tried to expense his legal fees to Jerry Jones.

“The move has nothing to do with the news that Jones will have to reimburse the NFL $2 million in legal fees in his fight against commissioner Roger Goodell over Goodell’s renewal.”

Richard Sherman and Aqib Talib Reportedly Interested in Joining Patriots

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Boston Herald – The Patriots should focus on a couple power hitters to replace outgoing cornerback Malcolm Butler. Suffice to say, two of the most intriguing corners in the NFL have their eye on the Patriots. For now, Richard Sherman is a Seahawk and Aqib Talib is a Bronco, and the Pats can’t do anything about that. But there’s an understanding in league circles that both could become available at some point this offseason…Last offseason the Pats did call the Seahawks about Sherman, who turns 30 at the end of this month, but the trade interest was brief. Sherman was receptive to the idea of joining the Patriots then and still is now if Seattle goes in another direction, according to a source..Talib, 32, would be receptive to the idea of rejoining the Patriots, according to a source. So if the Broncos unload him prior to free agency, that potential courtship could begin in the coming days.

As Howe mentions here, last season the Patriots actually explored a potential deal with Seattle for Richard Sherman, which obviously didn’t go through. But you have to think the framework of a potential deal is at least there with the price only having gone down since then.

Now as Felger and Mazz producer Jimmy Stewart points out, both Sherman and Talib are (or will be) on the wrong side of 30 by next season and the Patriots decided to move on from Darrelle Revis at the age of…yup you guessed it, 30.

But I think more of that had to do with Revis’ compete level than his actual age.

If there’s one thing that Sherman…

…and Talib…

…absolutely do not lack it is a psychotic compete level. Plus cornerback isn’t like runningback where you just completely fall off a cliff at 30. So I wouldn’t be as concerned with that.

Now obviously Sherman is coming off a torn achilles soo that would give me a bit of pause. Contrary to popular belief that injury is less than ideal, but hey guess what? The cupboards are bare at cornerback. So unless something better becomes available I will take one (or both) of these guys in a second. Now obviously both are still under contract with their respective teams so the Patriots can not and should not wait on these guys, but hey if they are still rice paper thin at cornerback once the summer gets here then they’d be downright negligent to not at least kick the tires.