Sunday Morning Tight End

Its now only 3 months until the new season kicks off and teams are shaping up with re-signings, new deals and, in some cases, new faces. Lets take a look at the big stories this week....

Indianapolis won the rights to host the 2012 superbowl, and what a triumph! I've got to say that this place simply had to host a superbowl, and as soon as possible. Indy beat off competition from Houston and Arizona [Who held the superbowl last year] and my guess is that the clinching factor was the new stadium. Lucas Oil stadium as it has been named is an epic feet of construction. It can hold 63,000 - 75,000 fans, depending on the seating configuration and has been built adjacent to the Colts current stadium - the RCA Dome. In fact last year there was a Monday night football game, where the colts played at home - the Goodyear Blimp above the stadium did a magnificent panning shot, from the RCA Dome to the new stadium and the difference in size is massive -The new Lucas Oil stadium is about twice as big! Last year, Arizona, Indianapolis and North Texas competed for the 2011 Super Bowl, with North Texas winning those rights. Tampa will host Super Bowl XLIII in 2009, while South Florida (Miami) will host the Super Bowl in 2010. Indiana has never actually hosted a superbowl before, god knows they've tried so hard to get the honour, and the new stadium has guaranteed it - looking forward to 2012 - The London Olympics - and now The "Lucas Oil Bowl!"
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell announced he would fine teams whose players were suspended for disciplinary reasons, this week. "We want to continue to emphasize personal conduct and personal responsibility," he said at the end of a one-day league meeting. "One way to do it is to hold teams responsible for the conduct of their players." This whole rule setting thing is starting to get out of hand....remember the good old days when you could really whack a guy as hard as you wanted and the objective if you were on defence was to stop the guy with the ball dead in his tracks and prevent him from getting that extra yard?? Well all that's changed since now you can't hit him in his head or in the legs..and you must tackle him verrrry carefully! Oh, and I mustn't forget to mention that you can't celebrate after a touchdown now either...it's now considered ""Taunting!"" The NFL is really getting far too strict! The problem they have is after each season Goodell sits down with some analysts and looks at individual plays which caused injuries or indecision, in the previous season. This year its was Troy Polumalu, having his hair pulled, and Trent Greens heroic tackling... They then come up with new rules to prevent this from happening - thus removing another little bit of excitement. Eventually we'll all be watching a very bog standard, generalised game!
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Charles Grant, Saints DE....You would think he'd had a busy enough off-season wouldn't you - after getting stabbed in the neck in a night club in Atlanta a couple of months ago, he's back to business...He was arrested this week on the great American charge of "Involuntary Manslaughter", I know...I'll say it anyway - WHAT WOULD VOLUNTARY MANSLAUGHTER BE!? Anyway, this does stem from the incident in February where he was attacked. Sheriff's Capt. Will Caudill said "The fight started inside the club and then moved outside, and Grant was attacked after shots were fired." Grant was selected by the Saints in the first round of the 2002 NFL draft. He had 2½ sacks in 2007 while starting 14 games for the Saints and has 38½ over his six-year career. He is certainly one of the more valuable Saints players, but when he puts himself in a situation like this, and during his teams training camp times - he doesn't do himself any favours. Grant did, however he has participated in an off-season training session at the saints suburban headquarters Wednesday. This session was followed by a comment from Head Coach - Sean Payton. "Obviously it's something we take very seriously and certainly our condolences go out to the family of the victim, What's most important is the justice system taking it's process. It's something the league will handle and certainly the state of Georgia will handle."
**OH, and as if that wasn't enough problems for the Saints...** Defensive end Will Smith skipped an optional off-season training session on Wednesday, apparently because he is unhappy with his contract. Smith, who received about $20 million in bonuses when he signed as a first-round draft choice out of Ohio State in 2004, is predicted to earn a base salary of $850,000 next season. With performance incentives, that figure could grow to close to $3 million. However, Smith made the Pro Bowl in 2006 and led the Saints with seven sacks last season. He was also among the team leaders in tackles with 66. Even with these contract issues, the guy is still a football player, and should be attending as many mini camps as he can - He's a pro bowler, but even they need to practise!
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For the second time in eight years, the Atlanta Falcons opened the vault and dropped a ton of cash on a franchise quarterback. Matt Ryan, the No. 3 pick in last month's draft, signed a $72 million, six-year contract Tuesday. The announcement of the new deal came with smiles, confident talk of the future and no mention of Mike Vick the first pick in 2001 who signed a $130 million extension, the richest in the league at the time, in December 2005. The Team's General Manager, Rich McKay said "I don't think there was any hesitancy because of the experience we just had." Clearly the team is very comfortable with Ryan, and I can see him being the starter by the end of this season - Are the Falcons putting all of their eggs in one basket again? Oh Yes! But this looks to be another exciting investment - this team clearly likes living on the edge! Its great to see Ryan settling in, the massive responsibility doesn't appear to be getting to him yet - lets just wait and see his first pass...or maybe run!?
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On the Clock..San Diego
Lets not forget that the chargers have a scheduled game away this season, at Wembley against the Saints - hopefully it won't affect morale!

QB - Well Philip Rivers will fill this spot - and this years Mr Hit OR Miss. He's a superb starting quarterback, arm power, accuracy - you name it he has it. His receivers aren't too good though, and they're gonna decide his future. Still, he has the skills to make any receiver look good - one of my hot picks this season - he's at least in my Top 5 quarterbacks this year.

RB, Ladanian Tomlinson is a star - The best RB in the game today - Productive, athletic and has great pass catching hands for a RB. He carries and leads the team each year - without him they are your average team, with him they're superstars! LT will no doubt have another season to remember - Darren Sproles may also get a look in - The little guy has been acting KR for a few seasons and now may have chance at a few more runs.

CB, Antonio Cromartie, my favourite CB, It has to be said - The guy who has proven he can run at least 109 yards and really elevated himself this year from mediocre, to elite. Needs to tackle better, but this comes with experience. Should dominate this year - on an island or in zone.

TE - Antonio Gates "The basketball player who can use basketball moves in his game" and they are some impressive moves - an elite pass catching TE, acts almost like a lot receiver. On the other side is Brandon Manaumaleuna (Sorry if I misspelt it!) The big blocking bruiser - did great last year - they're gonna try and add the passing threat with him this year.

LB, Shawne Merriman should never be forgotten, a superstar on defence and he's extremely young for a guy with his talent...keep up the good work!

K, Nate Kaeding - Never overlook how good a kicker can be, and Kaeding is right up there with the best - he's accurate - very accurate - the kind of guy you want making pressure kicks.
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And To Finish...

There's three months left to go
Indianapolis fought for the superbowl
Now they've built "Lucas Oil"
2012 Could be on home soil!

Goodell, he's gonna make more stuff illegal
You can't be posh, funny or regal
Is he trying to make the game boring?..
"The game's over...STOP SNORING!"

Will Smith...you gotta Train!
Where do you think you are....SPAIN?
You won't get the money.."No Pain No Gain!"
Anyway...Charles Grant's gotta wash away his blood stain..
Let's hope he's innocent...the comments refrain.

Deals in Atlanta...throw money at him!!
Don't you think that's a bit dim?
He'll stay if we fill his wallet right to the Brim!
Still..The Falcons wallet was never slim!