Sunday Morning Tight End

Week 2 of our off-season coverage and things are getting rocky in the NFL as draft day approaches on April 28th. It seems like all the players can do in the off-season is get in trouble - i suppose it gives them something to do before training camps begin [No such time for the giants this week - their preliminary training camps started this week!]

Should we play Pacman Again?? He wasn't as addictive as the arcade game but it is a burning question and many think it would be sending a bad message to players and kids who idolise NFL players. Putting that aside, i think that there's no question that the NFL should be reinstating him - He was an NFL star and one of Tenessee's finest players. Since his departure in 2006 no-one has truly replaced him. They need a balance back at Cornerback - Nick harper is really getting on for a cornerback - he's 33 and Michael Griffin still lacks experience. Pacman was suspended by NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell on April 10th, 2007, for his off-field conduct, which now includes six arrests since being drafted - and that.....thats a lot! Don't forget how Pacman's return could affect team morale and if either of the 2 starters feels unhappy, they may cause issues too - it's a delicate balance yet Pacman sure can play...only question is..will he?

Seems like the ghosts of the past are after Pacman....still...the NFL would make a change from TNA wrestling....Wasnt he part of a TNA World tag team championship team??...oh yeah.."TEAM PACMAN!"
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WHILE WE'RE ON THE SUBJECT......
Najeh Davenport - The Steeler was acquitted Wednesday of a misdemeanor domestic violence charge. Davenport had been accused of slapping and punching Anita Person, the mother of his 5-year-old son at her Cleveland home in October. He was also acquitted of child endangering and unlawful restraint. ***BEST PRESS CONFERENCE COMEBACK OF THE OFFSEASON - Davenport Said...."She's Making that up!"***

Bryant Mckinnie - A Miami judge has set a June 2nd trial date for the Vikings player Bryant McKinnie on charges arising from a brawl outside a nightclub. We havent heard much from the guy on the field..and thats criminal!

Dwayne Jarrett - Well we've got to wait a bit longer for this trial of the century, June 23rd was set for Jarrett's hearing after this week pleading not guilty to drink driving. Jarrett was arrested on March 11 after police say he crossed the center line and ran a red light in the Charlotte suburb of Mint Hill. C'mon Dwayne...Your a reciever...you should have good hands and body control...oh wait sorry....you were drunk!!

Raegen Mauria - The rookie Miami fullback was charged with punching another man in the face and knocking him unconscious in a restaurant parking lot early on Friday morning. Well look at that situation...your standing in a car park and a 6ft muscled coke machine says "What are you looking at?". Who would think "let's do a Trent Green and be brave"......look what happened [Left]

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ON THE CLOCK....CORNER BACKS:
Critics often underestimate the sheer impact that a fast, aware cornerback can have on a defense. "They've always got the safeties to bail them out" - thats not true at all, that only applies in zone coverage, in man on man - you're on your own, and thats what seperates the great cornerbacks from the elite - their ability to play on an island. It's every defensive coaches dream - for example during the superbowl, we payed very little attention to Randy Moss - the media proclaimed "prodigle in New England" - that was because of the job Corey Webster and Sam Madison did bumping him at the line and not letting him get a step on them. You can never truly play Randy Moss on an island and be sucessful, and the Giants cornerbacks were safe in the knowledge that Gibril Wilson [Safety] was there - as he was during the patriots final three huge passing attempts to end the game.
So here are my picks in 2008 -Who will shine??

1. Antonio Cromartie - In my opinion, Cromartie undoubtedly tops the elite of the league - Not just because of his 10 interceptions in the regular season, 2 in the post season, his unbeatable 109 yard missed field goal return for a TD, but also [you may think i'm nuts for needing anymore!] because of the speed at which he was able to assert himself at this level. He has become, at the age of 23 and in only his 2nd year in the league, the most valuable cornerback in the NFL. He can certainly catch, but he's also a great tackler and has exceptional awareness for his age. I would like to see him develop his jamming at the line skills in the forthcoming season, but apart from that you couldn't ask for a better guy to gill the spot....I would expect him to remain as the number 1.

2. Champ Bailey - Needs no introduction, he's been at the top of his game ever since the Bronchos gave him a home in 2004. He has everything - He's one of the quickest players in football, and his agility comes from his excellent body control which we've seen him use to twist and turn around wide receivers. He's experienced and can be used as an island cornerback, as the bronchos very often do. His Line jamming skills are second to none. I was a little concerned last season that his sudden drop from 10 interceptions the year before, down to 3 last season was because he's getting older [he's 29 this year] but i would be wrong, he made the same number of tackles and assists and that makes him just as elite as he has always been - the interceptions were a bonus. I expect nothing less from him in this, his 11th season in the league.

3. Asante Samuel - Very interesting pick this. Moved from being superb in New England to Philadelphia and NFL polls and surveys suggest that he will make a massive impact for the Eagles. They must not expect too much from him, after all he will be used as the primary cornerback and he has a fair amount of time to learn the systems and plays. Not much more to say really, new home, new playbook - lets see what happens!

4. Deangelo Hall and Nnamdi Asomugha - The new pair to beware of in Oakland. The team has had a truly magical free agency period and "D LO" was one of their finest pick ups. He was a huge star in Atlanta and appeared to be one of their future stars, yet with all of their problems he protested and so the Falcons decided to take the draft picks - Oakland landed a new Cornerback. 5 interceptions last season in Atlanta for Hall, yet only 1 for Asomugha. Drafted by oakland in 2003, when we pair him up with Hall....both unbelieavbly quick, agile and with excellent hands - The "Oakland CB Duo '08!"

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AND TO FINISH...
We had trouble in the NFL this time...
How can I really make this rhyme?
Some of these guys were in their prime
Some of these guys are waiting to shine

But remember just one thing about crime...
No sports jail bird is worth a dime!!
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