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Henne's Challenge: Don't Get Blown Away by Brees

Thomas George — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 14:15:00 EST

Filed under: Dolphins, Saints, AFC South, NFC East, CFL

Now that Drew Brees has revealed he would have joined the Miami Dolphins back in 2006 as a free agent had they trusted his throwing shoulder was healed, had they believed in him, here comes Brees for an encore visit on Sunday to Miami.

I think the Dolphins and quarterback Chad Henne know the score.

They know that Henne will enter into a scrap with Brees where Henne had better light it up or be lit up.

"Oh, Drew Brees is coming?" Dolphins general manager Jeff Ireland joked about the hot passing hand of Brees and the 6-0 New Orleans Saints. "Chad is aware of it. Of course. But he's got enough on his plate. He has to worry about that Saints defense. It leads the league in turnovers. It leads in interceptions. That would be his concern, but I would think being the competitor he is, he is anxious to get into competition with Drew Brees. Chad is a tremendous competitor. He is not going to back down from a fight. Being a competitor is something people sometimes take for granted in this league. Everybody has to compete at this level. But the way Chad has all of his life is a rare trait."

This move by the Dolphins from Chad to Chad, from Pennington to Henne, was forced upon them when Pennington had his right (throwing) shoulder mangled at the San Diego Chargers in Week 3. Henne entered in the third quarter and by game's end had thrown a pick that was returned for a touchdown. Miami lost 23-13.

Losses to the Atlanta Falcons (19-7) and to the Indianapolis Colts (27-23) preceded that misery in San Diego where Pennington was lost for the season. Like the New England Patriots early last season when they lost quarterback Tom Brady for the year, the Dolphins scrambled. How do you reassemble an offense that is built on a quarterback who means everything to the scheme, to the franchise? How do you rekindle hope?

"Chad Henne is cool and under control, so we don't have to do a lot with him there. He doesn't let things bother him and he's that way off the field."
- Dolphins General Manager Jeff Ireland When the Jets spurned Pennington for Brett Favre last season and Pennington landed in Miami, the Dolphins were joyous. They found a quarterback who would lead them to the AFC East championship. They gained a franchise stabilizer and more.

"All of the things Chad Pennington brought to us were spectacular," Ireland said. "You came to know with Chad Pennington that you were going to get a game manager, that he would play smart. There are not many situations he hasn't been in. You knew he would be prepared as well as any quarterback in the league. He was outgoing and vocal. You got accuracy, ball location, not a lot of turnovers. We had to move from a 10-year vet to virtually a rookie who had played only a handful of snaps the year before."

This is where the Dolphins distinguished themselves.

They understood the importance of having a quality quarterback or two "in the hopper," as Ireland calls it.

A few months before Pennington arrived, Miami had drafted Henne from Michigan in the 2008 draft using the 57th overall pick. In this year's draft Miami selected Pat White from West Virginia using the 44th overall pick. And two days after Pennington was lost, the Dolphins traded for quarterback Tyler Thigpen, who was with the Kansas City Chiefs.

Henne is 24. White is 23. Thigpen is 25.

White is an emerging weapon in the Dolphins' Wildcat offense and rushing attack that leads the league in average yards gained per game (177).

But Henne is the axis now at quarterback.

He has beaten Buffalo (28-10) and the Jets (31-27) in his two starts. He has helped lift Miami to a 2-3 record. Beating Brees and the Saints would help Henne and the Dolphins firmly plant their feet.

This quarterback was the fourth selected in the '08 draft behind Matt Ryan, Joe Flacco and Brian Brohm. He can excel at deep throwing, evidenced by his 53-yard scoring bomb to receiver Ted Ginn, Jr., versus the Jets.

Henne said his offensive teammates are looking up to him in the huddle now and that he is getting comfortable with that. Dolphins coach Tony Sparano said his young quarterback is handling things "very well" and that he likes to give him space, yet, visit with him often about things other than football.

Keep him rooted.

Keep him calm.

Here is what the Dolphins liked about this quarterback whom they thought had a chance to be their future who is now forced to be their present: played at a big college, lots of starts, performed in front of big crowds, had to win his starting job every year, major battles and production in bowl games, poised, level emotions, great listener.

"Chad Henne is cool and under control, so we don't have to do a lot with him there," Ireland said. "He doesn't let things bother him and he's that way off the field. Not too much rattles him. Obviously, we have a long way to go to develop this quarterback into a championship type of player with all the things it takes.

"We saw some things against the Jets that we didn't see against Buffalo. He had to run the two-minute offense. He had to come from behind. He showed some of the things -- ball location, game management, tempo, speed in and out of the huddle -- that we were looking for. The exact words we told Chad after the San Diego game was he was the next man up."

And he is the next quarterback in line opposite of the fancy Drew Brees.

The Dolphins' course is different now. But their ultimate goals remain the same with Henne.

"It's his show now," Ireland said. "He'll give us his best."

Henne's Challenge: Don't Get Blown Away by Brees originally appeared on NFL FanHouse on Fri, 23 Oct 2009 14:15:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Pacman Jones Might Have Charles Rogers Riding Shotgun in Winnipeg

Josh Alper — Wed, 02 Sep 2009 12:35:00 EST

Filed under: NFL Rumors, CFL

There ain't no party like a Winnipeg Blue Bombers party, because the Blue Bombers keep signing players who paved their way out of the NFL because they found more thrills off the field than on it.

One day after news of their plans to sign Pacman Jones became public knowledge, the Toronto Globe and Mail is reporting that Lions washout and noted marijuana enthusiast Charles Rogers will be heading to Manitoba to continue his football dream. Both players are represented by Jason Fletcher, who is fast becoming the biggest conduit for Americans traveling to Canada since Robert McNamara. (UPDATE, Sept. 2: The Blue Bombers released a statement saying that they would not sign Jones. "We have completed our assessment and due diligence and at this time we will not be pursuing the services of Adam Jones," coach Mike Kelly said.)

According to the Globe and Mail, attorneys are furiously working to find ways to get immigration documents squared away for the two legally challenged players.

Rogers has additional hurdles to clear, as his current indefinite suspension from the NFL would make him ineligible to play in the CFL. The Canadian league changed its rule book to honor NFL suspensions after Ricky Williams' brief stay in the league.

While both Rogers and Jones were top-10 draft picks who could help the Blue Bombers in their quest for their first Grey Cup since 1990, the team's director of player personnel was honest enough to admit that there's another reason for the signings.

"And at the same time it's a business decision as well as football decision," said Jon Murphy. "From a marketing standpoint, a business standpoint and a football standpoint, I could go to 100 NFL training camps and every preseason game and more people will hear and know about the Winnipeg Blue Bombers in the next two weeks -- from the coverage we'll receive -- than in the last 10 years."

His math is off when it comes to the number of NFL teams, but he's right on point when it comes to the brand value of these signings. The last time most sports fans thought of Winnipeg was when the Jets took off for Phoenix after the 1996 NHL playoffs. Now, though, the Blue Bombers are getting a ton of free publicity while, potentially, helping themselves on the field at the same time.

Now they just have to hope Canada's looser laws about marijuana possession don't serve to make the whole thing go up in an embarrassing puff of smoke.

Pacman Jones Might Have Charles Rogers Riding Shotgun in Winnipeg originally appeared on NFL FanHouse on Wed, 02 Sep 2009 12:35:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Pacman Jones Returns ... in CFL

Will Brinson — Tue, 01 Sep 2009 11:50:00 EST

Filed under: NFL Rumors, CFL

Have you missed Pacman "Please Call Me Adam and Not Pacman" Jones? (That was a rhetorical question. The answer, duh, is "absolutely," which is because Jones is a 100 percent guaranteed source of entertainment at nearly all times when he's in the public spotlight.)

Now Jones is returning to the public spotlight in the form of a gig in the CFL and a not-so-shocking one-year contract with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers, according to an SI.com report.

"It'll be a good experience for me to get back in game shape and compete and play football, which I like to do," Jones told SI.com. "I'm real happy for the opportunity that's been given to me. Of course it's disappointing to me to not be playing in the NFL. But things happen and you have to adjust. "

Pacman neglected to mention, of course, his disappointment that prostitution wasn't legal in certain parts of Canada. Or that strip clubs were not outlawed*.

But really, folks, isn't this the standard career move for a guy like Jones? Do we expect to see anything particularly different about his situation from other troublemakers that Roger Goodell has dealt with? I say "no." Jones will serve his "time" in Canada, will probably play well and will eventually get a shot -- based on his talent -- at another NFL team.

~~The Raiders~~ Someone will take a chance on him, Goodell will keep a close eye and, well, by the time this all happens, he'll be enough past his prime and because he'll be lacking sufficient funds to visit strip clubs, we'll all just move along. Every once in a while, of course, we'll think back to that glorious summer of '07, when "Makin' it Rain" became part of the culturally accepted lexicon and we all sang and dance in the mud like hippies**.

*May not be an actual "fact."
**Okay, it might not have been that fun.

Pacman Jones Returns ... in CFL originally appeared on NFL FanHouse on Tue, 01 Sep 2009 11:50:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Toronto Argonauts Receiver Arland Bruce in Trouble With Team

Bruce Ciskie — Thu, 23 Jul 2009 20:30:00 EST

Filed under: CFL

In the opening weekend of the Canadian Football League season, Toronto Argonauts wide receiver Arland Bruce made some real headlines. After scoring a touchdown in their season opener, Bruce thought he'd pay tribue to late pop star Michael Jackson by laying down in the end zone and pretending to be dead.

After finding that trouble with the CFL, Bruce has graduated to finding trouble with his own team. First-year coach Bart Andrus decided to leave Bruce home for the Argonauts' game at Winnipeg Friday night, and Bruce unloaded on his coach, as well as Toronto starting quarterback Kerry Joseph.

Bruce spoke out in the Globe and Mail, angry that Andrus said he wasn't behaving like a professional.

"He's trying to make an example out of me but he can take that back to NFL Europe or wherever he was coming from," Bruce said. "For him to say, 'You haven't been a pro,' made me look at him totally differently. I've been a pro since I've been an Argo. I've was a pro when I was a [San Francisco] 49er. I was a pro when I was a [Winnipeg] Blue Bomber. I was a pro when I was a [Kansas City] Chief."

"For him to inactivate me because he says you're not being a pro and fine me on top of that ... this is the second time he's told me he could get rid of me. Instead of worrying about me, he needs to worry about getting the quarterback [Kerry Joseph] right and getting on his ass. I didn't wait six months to sit on my ass because I know I can contribute to this team whether it has an all-star quarterback or a mediocre quarterback. I'm the wrong one to set an example with."

Andrus fought back in a radio show appearance Thursday.

Bruce is evidently hell-bent on behaving like the diva NFL receivers we have all become quite familiar with over the years. Perhaps he feels that he can get attention from NFL teams if he distinguishes himself. However, it's going to be hard for a 31-year-old CFL veteran to catch on in the NFL, especially when he's acting like he's already atop his profession.

As for Andrus, one has to wonder how much of his NFL coaching experience (two separate stints as an offensive assistant with Tennessee) has come into play here.

Toronto Argonauts Receiver Arland Bruce in Trouble With Team originally appeared on NFL FanHouse on Thu, 23 Jul 2009 20:30:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Montreal Alouettes' Ben Cahoon Makes The Catch of the Year

Michael David Smith — Tue, 21 Jul 2009 09:13:00 EST

Filed under: CFL

The NFL season is still more than a month away, but we may have just seen the best catch of the year in professional football, by Ben Cahoon of the CFL's Montreal Alouettes.

Cahoon, who played college football at BYU, was underthrown on a deep route against the Saskatchewan Roughriders. But he adjusted his route with the ball in the air, and as the ball came down on a Saskatchewan player's helmet, he reached out, cradled it against the helmet and then reeled it in and secured it against his chest as he went to the ground.

Video of the amazing grab is after the jump.

Montreal won the game 43-10, but Cahoon was humble after the game, saying, "Our defence won the day."

Post script: Unfortunately, Cahoon's hands aren't flawless: He fumbled on the very next play.

Montreal Alouettes' Ben Cahoon Makes The Catch of the Year originally appeared on NFL FanHouse on Tue, 21 Jul 2009 09:13:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Winnipeg Blue Bombers Scout Caught Spying on CFL Rival's Practice

Bruce Ciskie — Wed, 15 Jul 2009 10:30:00 EST

Filed under: CFL

There isn't much about the Canadian Football League that is the same as the National Football League. It's not as popular, the level of play is not quite as good, it's much harder to find their games on American television, and the field size is different.

This isn't to say teams in the CFL don't try as hard to win as NFL teams do. In fact, we now know that CFL teams will break the rules if they think they can get away with it.

The Winnipeg Blue Bombers are preparing for a game Saturday at Hamilton, Ont. The matchup features a pair of 1-1 teams at this early juncture of the CFL season.

According to TSN, a Winnipeg scout took his preparation for the game a little bit too far. He was caught spying on Tiger-Cats practice in their stadium.

Ron Trentini had his notes confiscated and was escorted from Ivor Wynne Stadium. The Ticats also revoked his credentials for Saturday's game between the two teams.

... "It's totally unethical," said Ticats general manager Bob O'Billovich, according to the Scratching Post with Drew Edwards. "It blows my mind that the guy would be dumb enough to walk into our stadium and take notes and think he wouldn't be recognized."

The Hamilton Spectator notes that Trentini apparently acted alone. At least, that's what the Blue Bombers' story is.

Ross Hodgkinson, the Bombers director of football operations, confirmed Trentini did scouting work for the team, but said he did not have instructions to spy.

"He took it upon himself, without any specific direction as to what was appropriate or not appropriate, to attend what was an open practice with the belief that what he was doing was acceptable and somewhat innocent," Hodgkinson explained.

"Obviously, that's not the case and obviously, that's not something we condone or solicit. We apologized to Hamilton and we'll make sure nothing like this happens again."

Tiger-Cats officials say the CFL has been notified of the incident.

Somewhere, Bill Belichick is smiling.

(The random dude seen above with binoculars is a fan at the BMW PGA Championship, held in England in late May.)

Winnipeg Blue Bombers Scout Caught Spying on CFL Rival's Practice originally appeared on NFL FanHouse on Wed, 15 Jul 2009 10:30:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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CFL's Arland Bruce Pays Tribute to Michael Jackson With TD Celebration

Will Brinson — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 13:15:00 EST

Filed under: NFL Fans, NFL Media Watch, NFL Video, CFL

Kerry Joseph (no, not that Kerry Joseph)* Arland Bruce leads a relatively obscure life as a wide receiver for the Toronto Argonauts; such is life in the CFL. But something tells me Mr. Joseph* Bruce will be getting a little more attention soon. You see, the CFL is currently reviewing a recent touchdown celebration in which Joseph* Bruce honored Michael Jackson by pretending to be buried. See for yourself and then we'll debate!

Joseph*Bruce, by the way, received two objectionable conduct penalties for the "celebration," which, in my mind, was perfectly fine. See, here's the thing: a worldwide icon passed tragically, Joseph honored him, his team paid the price and everyone moved on. Except the CFL.

For some reason, the league is reviewing it, although lord only knows why they're putting the hurt on him for this (and to what extent they intend on punishing him; nothing scares a professional athlete like seeing loonies and toonies fly out of their wallet). Maybe it's just because he didn't do anything to pay tribute to Canada Day.

*Yes. I am an idiot. Joseph is the quarterback and Bruce is the wide receiver. You'd think having actual video would have solved that, but no. On the other hand, this is Canadian football we're talking about people.

CFL's Arland Bruce Pays Tribute to Michael Jackson With TD Celebration originally appeared on NFL FanHouse on Thu, 02 Jul 2009 13:15:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Argonauts Owner Not Happy With Expanded Bills Presence In Toronto

Adam Gretz — Sat, 18 Apr 2009 12:00:00 EST

Filed under: Bills, NFL Fans, CFL

If you're a Buffalo Bills fan, you're probably not all that thrilled with the fact your football team is playing preseason and regular season games in another market (and another country -- Toronto, Ontario) while rumors have swirled in the past about possible permanent relocation to said market.

If you're a Toronto Argonauts fan -- or a CFL fan in general -- imagine what it feels like to have the behemoth that is the NFL not only invading your turf, but attempting to expand its presence. Howard Sokolowski, co-owner of the Argonauts, isn't exactly thrilled with it.

It's not so much the fact the Bills have a deal to play eight games over five years in Toronto, it's the fact Phil Lind, vice-chairman of Rogers Communications, wants to bring more games north of the border. From David Naylor of the Globe and Mail:

"Phil told us that a limit of eight Bills games would be played over five years," Argos co-owner Howard Sokolowski said. "Our reaction was: We're not happy but we understand. We even suggested that maybe we could work together and turn the whole situation into a celebration of the game of football - because while NFL football is great, so is CFL football. "So I'm more than surprised to learn that Phil is now saying that he - or the Bills with his co-operation - are contemplating more games without talking to us. I'm surprised to hear it because we had a gentlemen's agreement."

In the past, the CFL has, for lack of a better word, feared the presence of the NFL in Canada, even going as far as to say a team in Toronto would be the end of 12-on-12 action in the great white north, while elected officials have attempted to do everything in their power to keep the NFL out.

Naylor's article also mentions that Lind recently angered the locals in Toronto by suggesting the CFL isn't all that popular in Southern Ontario. Such comments prompted Argonauts co-owner David Cynamon to say, via Naylor, "It's disappointing that a successful Canadian individual, who made his fortune in our country, would so intentionally disrespect the CFL and its history by coming out and feeling the need to support his stats, polls and findings by making it feel as though our league isn't valued in this area."

Just for the record, during the 2008 season the Argonauts ranked fifth in the eight team CFL in attendance, averaging 29,189 fans per game, down slightly from the 30,414 they averaged in 2007.

During the 1990's the CFL flirted with expansion into the United States, giving us such legendary teams as the Baltimore Stallions, Sacramento Gold Miners and Las Vegas Posse. The experiment lasted just three years and, ultimately, failed, but not before the Stallions became the first, and only, team based in the United States to win the Grey Cup. Recently, former NFL player Oronde Gadsden made some headlines for his plan to bring the CFL back to America due in part to the unstable future of the Arena Football League.

Argonauts Owner Not Happy With Expanded Bills Presence In Toronto originally appeared on NFL FanHouse on Sat, 18 Apr 2009 12:00:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Steelers Go North for Another Rusher

JJ Cooper — Sat, 07 Feb 2009 22:15:00 EST

Filed under: Steelers, AFC North, CFL

With Willie Parker, Rashard Mendenhall, Mewelde Moore and Gary Russell already under contract for 2009, it's not like there are a whole lot of chances for another running back to make the Steelers roster, but under the approach of safety in numbers, Pittsburgh has added a Canadian Football League star.

The Steelers have signed 28-year-old Stefan Logan to a two-year deal. Logan rushed for 889 yards (7.3 yards per carry) for the British Columbia Lions last year, fourth best in the Canadian Football League. He also returned kicks (a league-best 29.6 yards per return) and punts, which is his best chance of making the Steelers roster. At 5-foot-7, 185 pounds, Logan is not big enough to be an everydown back, but the man known as "Joystick" for his unreal cutting ability could be a poor man's Darren Sproles type if everything works out.

He better show lots of Sproles-like return ability to make this roster, especially since Moore is already filling the third-down role, and Logan is a little small to pick up blitzes. But Pittsburgh never found a punt or kick returner in 2008, so Logan could make an impact if he can give the Steelers big plays in the return game, something that has been lacking since Antwan Randle-El left in free agency. As you can see from this highlight clip, Logan (#26) has plenty of moves.

Logan has already been cut in two previous tries to make NFL rosters, and he signed a contract with no bonus, so he's a long shot at best, but the Steelers seem to do some of their best work at signing unappreciated street free agents, so it's worth keeping an eye on Logan.

H/T: Heels, Sox and Steelers

Steelers Go North for Another Rusher originally appeared on NFL FanHouse on Sat, 07 Feb 2009 22:15:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Is America Ready for the CFL ... Again?

Adam Gretz — Tue, 03 Feb 2009 17:00:00 EST

Filed under: NFL Fans, CFL

Between 1993 and 1995, the Canadian Football League came up with the brilliant idea, led by commissioner Larry Smith -- the United States, presumably bored with the NFL, was ready for 12-on-12, 110-yard action. The result? Eight teams from Memphis to Sacramento, including the only non-Canadian team to hoist the Grey Cup, the 1994 Baltimore Stallions. I wonder if they had a parade?

Why is this all relevant? Because former NFL wide receiver Oronde Gadsden is trying to bring the CFL back to America, due in part to the unstable future of the Arena Football League.

The Stallions and San Antonio Texans were the final American teams in the CFL. The Stallions moved to Montreal following the 1995 season, and the Texans folded because they didn't want to be the only American team in the league.

According to RotoExperts.com (via PFT), Gadsden is pushing for the league to expand to either Rochester, New York, or -- get ready for this -- Detroit.

Yes. That Detroit. The Detroit that already has a professional football team known as the Lions. At this point, you can insert your own "at least Detroit would have competitive football" joke.

Here's what Gadsden had to say on the subject:

"Those are two great cities that would support the game and would really fill a niche if we can get agreements from the league, then one of the cities," Gadsden said. "With the AFL not active, there are some great players who deserve to be seen, and the time is right for CFL expansion back into the U.S. The league is more stable than ever."

I'm in favor of this under one condition: the new team, wherever it is located, is named the Rough Riders. Because, quite frankly, it's been far too long since the CFL contained two teams named the Rough Riders.

Aside from having a larger field and more players per side, the CFL also only gives teams three downs to move the chains and has no fair catch rule (it has a five-yard halo rule instead). There's also the rouge:

Awarded when the ball is kicked into the end zone by any legal means, other than a successful field goal, and the receiving team does not return, or kick, the ball out of its end zone. It is also a single if the kick travels through the end zone or goes out of bounds in the end zone without being touched, except on a kickoff.

It's as Canadian as the 55-yard line.

According to Gadsden, the CFL would "appeal to the football purist, but families also," as a family of four would be able to attend a game for $100. Actually, that's not bad.

Having said that, I can't see this being a successful move for the CFL, nor can I see it happening at all.

However, if it were to happen, it's never too early to start the discussion of who would win: the 2008 Detroit Lions or the 2009 Detroit Rough Riders?

Is America Ready for the CFL ... Again? originally appeared on NFL FanHouse on Tue, 03 Feb 2009 17:00:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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