NFL FanHouse

Michael Vick Is Selling His Powerboats to Pay for His Legal Bills

Will Brinson — Tue, 16 Dec 2008 14:07:00 EST

Filed under: Atlanta Falcons, Lions, NFL Police Blotter, NFL Media Watch, Overpaid NFL Players

Michael Vick, in case you hadn't heard, made a lot of money in the NFL. He also did something with dogs that landed him in prison. But before he left for the big house, he spent a lot of money on new cars. And now, financial decisions like that are coming back to haunt him.

Why, you ask? Well, because instead of waiting for his prison sentence to end and then rolling back to a plush lifestyle, he's having to sell all kinds of stuff. Like boats. Really expensive boats.

A new doc in his bankruptcy case shows Vick is trying to unload a couple of World Cat boats estimated to be worth around $165K for the pair -- he needs the cash to pay back his debts, say lawyers.

Best line in the filing, a Hail Mary of laughable proportions: "Upon his release, the Debtor [that's MV] ... will seek to rebuild his life and professional football career."

Okay, so those are actually pretty cheap boats (I bought like four on my November blogging salary). But the point is that Vick has no money. And that's why he's filed this bankruptcy court pleading (which, legal buffs, you can read here -- .PDF)

Honestly though, the TMZ staff shouldn't be so contrite about the "rebuilding" part. Because, believe me, I've been watching the Lions the last few weeks, and I'm fairly certain that if old Rog will let Vick back in the league, he won't be unemployed forever.

Michael Vick Is Selling His Powerboats to Pay for His Legal Bills originally appeared on NFL FanHouse on Tue, 16 Dec 2008 14:07:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

Zebra Report: Controversy Swirls Once Again

Matt Snyder — Tue, 16 Dec 2008 14:00:00 EST

Filed under: 49ers, Bengals, Dolphins, Giants, Rams, Ravens, Redskins, Seahawks, Steelers, AFC East, AFC North, NFC East, NFC West, NFL Media Watch, Overpaid NFL Players, NFL Referees

FanHouse's resident referee will chime in weekly with thoughts on major topics relating to officiating. We call it The Zebra Report. Matt Snyder is a high school official with eight years experience. While this is like a third-year resident critiquing the work of a world-renowned surgeon, it's still better than someone who has never worn the stripes.

Wow, this was a long weekend to those who support the boys in stripes. That group may only consist of myself at this point, but I still do. Those people who like to call the officials "blind" -- which, by the way, is incredibly uncreative and lame -- or believe they are out to screw a team out of a game, really don't have any idea what it takes to officiate at that level. Hell, I don't. I do know what it's like to be on the field and be a constant scapegoat for people who aren't accountable for themselves and/or their favorite team.

For example, if people really think the officials cost the Ravens the game, that is patently absurd. The Ravens allowed the Steelers to drive all the way down the field when it mattered most. The Ravens allowed Santonio Holmes to get open enough at the front portion of the end zone to make a catch. I do have to respect Ray Lewis for being accountable, in saying that the call didn't cost them the game.

Anyway, there's a long list of things to hit this week. Let's get to it.

- Ryan Wilson asks: "In CIN-WAS game, Mike Sellers was stuffed at the goal line, his forward momentum was stopped, he then fumbled in the end zone and the Bengals recovered. Isn't the play supposed to be over when forward momentum is stopped? At least that's what an official said last week. Did they changes the rules this week?"

Well, no, but it's an incredibly difficult judgment call and we covered the quest to whistle at the most perfect time last week.

- Joey Porter ripped off his helmet in celebration after sacking Shaun Hill on fourth down. The officials got this one correct. The Dolphins were penalized, but the penalty was marked off after the change of possession. That's because this is a dead-ball foul and would always be marked off after the play. Think about a celebration penalty on a touchdown. It doesn't negate the score.

- Tom Mantzouranis asks: Can you explain to me (and the FH audience) why Andre Gurode was penalized for illegal hands to the face on Antonio Pierce when it was essentially a facemask. The difference was a 10-yard penalty instead of the facemask's 15-yard penalty. What's the distinction between the two and why was Gurode's specifically illegal hands to the face?

Illegal hands to the face is the call when a guy is pushing a guy in the face but doesn't grasp the facemask. While it certainly appeared that Gurode did grasp the facemask for about a nanosecond in the slow-motion replay, we have to remember the penalizing official had a fast-motion view, and probably not the exact same angle we had as a viewing audience. I don't think this was an egregious error in the least, if it was one at all.

- Torry Holt is quite miffed about an offensive pass interference which was called, negating a big gain for the Rams in the second half. I try to avoid getting into judgment calls because the officials on the field know a lot more about their job and what they saw than I do. I'll say that on the slow-motion replay -- which, again, those officials don't have the luxury of seeing -- it didn't really appear to satisfy the pass interference qualifications. I don't believe he gained an advantage, but that's just the opinion of someone much less qualified to offer a ruling than the man who called it. Anyway, that's not really why I wanted to include this. Here's why:

"To take that from us was not fair. They get paid to do what they do and we get paid to do what we do."

That was Holt's take on the call, and, boy, what a farcical statement. I don't even know if I need to go more in depth than simply saying this is clearly an apples and oranges comparison, but I will anyway. Torry Holt is making $7 million this season, which makes him the fourth highest-paid wideout in the league. He's 43rd in receiving yards, 36th in receptions, 52 players have caught more touchdown passes, and his team is 2-12. If we want to start talking about money, let's start with you, Mr. Holt. You are one of the most overpaid players in football right now. The officials aren't paid nearly this much, people don't pay to watch them, and they deal with much more scrutiny than you do. To bring up money under these circumstances is quite irresponsible.

If you disagree with the call, you have every right to complain about it. Receiving complaints from players, coaches, and fans is part of the job of an official. Everyone who does this from elementary leagues all the way up to the NFL knows and accepts this, but when people start mentioning money they need to get a grip. If you want to say the officials should never make mistakes since they get paid, I'd like to see someone find an NFL player who never makes a mistake on the field or a perfect coach. Maybe they should start fining Holt for dropped passes, or not blocking as well as he should. Incomplete pass to an open receiver from Peyton Manning? Hey, he gets paid, that's unacceptable! Accountability should be for everyone, not just the guys in stripes.

- Josh Alper writes: During the Giants-Cowboys game they were talking a lot about an arm-bar pass interference call on, I think, Terence Newman who was covering, I think, Domenik Hixon or Steve Smith. The ball looked to be uncatchable and the contact seemed to be very incidental, but Al Michaels and John Madden were both making a big deal of the arm bar. Is that a particular point of emphasis?

Not that I know of. It's just as much a part of the pass interference qualifications as the other points. I have a feeling Madden became obsessed with a discussion point and just couldn't let it go. Which would be weird, because he, you know, never does that. Right?

- John Madden thought the holding call against Jason Witten on Dallas' last drive was "baloney" -- or "bologna," depending upon your preferred spelling.

Absurd on Madden's part. Witten hooked his arm around the waist of a defender right at the point of attack. That's a textbook holding call at every single level, in every single instance. I don't know what he was looking at. Maybe he was distracted by a turducken.

- And finally, what no one can stop talking about -- the Steelers score a late touchdown against the Ravens. Controversy surrounding referee Walt Coleman ensues.

Ryan Wilson already covered the wide variety of opinions across the media on this call. It's obvious with such polarizing thoughts thus far from well-known places that we can't get to the point where everyone is satisfied about the call. I'm fine with people leaving comments telling me how stupid I am, so I'll proceed with my opinion.

It was the correct call.

After the Sunday night game concluded on NBC, Cris Collinsworth showed an on-screen graphic where you could clearly see Santonio Holmes had both feet on the ground with possession of the football -- so we now have a catch. They graphically placed a yellow line across the front of the goal line and you could clearly see the line touching the ball. That's all that has to happen. The very point of the ball was touching the very edge of the goal-line for a split second -- and yes, I believe he had possession when the ball was touching the edge of the goal line. That's a touchdown, people.

One thing in the aftermath that clouded matters was how Coleman's explanation made it sound like the receiver only had to have his feet in the end zone. I don't care about that, really. The rules don't say anything about what an official is required to tell the crowd or viewing audience. Sure, it was confusing, but that doesn't mean the call was incorrect.

What really matters in the end, to me, is that the call was correct. I don't care about "indisputable evidence," the official's explanation, or what Ravens' fans think.

In regards to the "indisputable evidence" level of scrutiny, we do have a FanHouse roundtable where we discuss the state of NFL replay and whether or not it's doing the intended job.

That's all I've got for this week, so I will see you next week.

As always, this was not an all-inclusive list of calls which were whined about by fans. That isn't the aim of Zebra Report.

If you would like a rule or play reviewed (even if it's a local 8th-grade game), you may submit one to our mailbox.

Zebra Report: Controversy Swirls Once Again originally appeared on NFL FanHouse on Tue, 16 Dec 2008 14:00:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

Terrell Owens Wears Red Nose for Reindeer Imitation, Clearly Forgets What Clowns Have

Will Brinson — Thu, 11 Dec 2008 13:00:00 EST

Filed under: Cowboys, NFL Coaching, NFL Media Watch, Overpaid NFL Players, Santa's Lead Blocker

Terrell Owens does stupid things in front of reporters (and probably in the privacy of his home, but we don't have video cameras in order to be privy to that.) His newest one is actually kind of funny though: he decided to wear a Christmas Cowboys cap along with strapping on a blinking red nose, like a reindeer, while speaking with reporters in the locker room.

Of course, TO also forgot that, traditionally, it's a clown that wears the red nose, regardless of the season. And, despite the humor of this act, that's what, again, he comes across as.

H/T: Salty Milk

Terrell Owens Wears Red Nose for Reindeer Imitation, Clearly Forgets What Clowns Have originally appeared on NFL FanHouse on Thu, 11 Dec 2008 13:00:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

The Raiders, Naturally, Have NFL's Highest Payroll; JaMarcus Russell Among Highest Paid

Adam Gretz — Fri, 07 Nov 2008 00:40:00 EST

Filed under: Browns, Chiefs, Cowboys, Raiders, Saints, Vikings, NFL Fans, Overpaid NFL Players

Say this for Raiders owner Al Davis: His team's losing isn't due to a lack of effort on his part. Sure, he may not know how to win in today's NFL, but he can sign blank checks with the best of them, as demonstrated by the salary data released by USA Today.

According to the data, Oakland currently sits atop the NFL with a payroll of $152 million, $6 million more than the No. 2 team on the list, the Dallas Cowboys. Oakland and Dallas are the only teams spending over $140 million, while only the Saints, Vikings and Browns join them in the $130 million club. The Kansas City Chiefs currently have the lowest payroll at $83 million, and have only one fewer win than the Raiders.

The Raiders are currently on pace to win four games this season, and should they reach that mark Davis will have spent, roughly, $38 million per win. Should they hold steady at two wins, well, that would be $76 million per win.

So, how did the Raiders get to the top of the NFL's pay scale? By overpaying a lot of bad players, it would appear.

USA Today also provides us with a list of the top-25 highest paid players in the league, which contains three Raiders. The list not only illustrates a major problem in the league's salary structure, but also how a team can spend the most money in the league and still be one of the worst teams on the field every Sunday.

Second-year quarterback JaMarcus Russell may not be a bust at this point, but he is, currently, the fourth-highest paid player in the NFL, pulling down $16 million in 2008. Maybe it's just me, but I don't think Russell has done anything to warrant such a lofty position in the NFL's top tax bracket. After all, he's completing 48% of his passes (worst in the NFL) with a 69.0 passer rating.

But it continues. Defensive tackle Tommy Kelly -- reportedly on Davis' "list" of players who could be released at any time -- is the tenth-highest paid player in the NFL this year at $13 million. Joining him just 12 spots down? Wide Receiver Javon Walker who is on the books for $12 million. Or, just about $1 million per catch through the first eight games.

After Russell, Kelly and Walker, Nnamdi Asomugha ($9 million) and Gibril Wilson ($9 million) round out the Raiders' top-five. Only Asomugha seems like a good deal.

The Raiders, Naturally, Have NFL's Highest Payroll; JaMarcus Russell Among Highest Paid originally appeared on NFL FanHouse on Fri, 07 Nov 2008 00:40:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

Aside From DeAngelo Hall, Raiders May Also Release Javon Walker

Adam Gretz — Wed, 05 Nov 2008 01:05:00 EST

Filed under: Raiders, NFL Rumors, Overpaid NFL Players

Earlier this evening, Michael David Smith passed along the big news that the Oakland Raiders were prepared to part ways with, perhaps, the worst off-season pickup in the NFL, DeAngelo Hall. While Hall's poor play -- magnified by the hefty price tag he comes with -- hasn't been a surprise to, well, pretty much anyone outside of Al Davis' inner-circle of crazy, it is a surprise to see them be willing to part ways with him after just eight games.

I, for one, applaud them for owning up and, essentially, admitting that they made a huge, huge mistake. Well, two mistakes, actually. The first mistake was trading for him, the second mistake was giving him a brinks truck full of Benjamin's.

Having said that, it's equally surprising to see ESPN's tag-team duo of Chris Mortensen and John Clayton report that Davis has a list of players currently on his bad side, and that many of them could be released in an everything-must-go-style roster trimming. The other big name, allegedly, on the list? Perhaps the second worst off-season pickup, Javon Walker. The only thing that keeps Walker from being the worst, in my mind, is the fact the Raiders didn't have to give up a second-round pick to acquire him. Just a lot of money.

Hall isn't the only Raider under consideration for release. Wide receiver Javon Walker received an $11 million signing bonus and a $1 million base salary this year, but he has only 13 catches in his first seven games with the Raiders. The other players on Davis' list are unknown.

Somewhere in California Lane Kiffin is laughing out loud at all of this. And Clark Judge is probably joining him. Kiffin, the former Raiders coach, seemed to be against the addition of Walker from pretty much day one, and was quick to call out the $55 million man for not earning his pay in training camp. The only thing they're missing is for Tommy Kelly to also be on Davis' list.

Yup. I've got no idea how this team continues to lose.

Aside From DeAngelo Hall, Raiders May Also Release Javon Walker originally appeared on NFL FanHouse on Wed, 05 Nov 2008 01:05:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

Edgerrin James' Career Over Quite Soon

Matt Snyder — Mon, 03 Nov 2008 12:05:00 EST

Filed under: Arizona Cardinals, NFC West, Overpaid NFL Players

Let me preface this piece by saying that my only source for this information is myself. This is pure conjecture, but based upon things we've seen this season. Still, I don't believe Edgerrin James career will continue past this season.

He lost his job yesterday to Tim Hightower, a rookie from Richmond. Hightower proceeded to put together a vintage Edge game ... as long as you are going back to 2005 for Edge. J.J. Arrington played backup and piled up over 100 total yards. Considering how easily the Cards disposed of the Rams, I don't see any reason Edge is even needed on the active roster anymore, and he said this change has been a long time coming.

Moving forward, I just don't see Edge finding a new job. The Cardinals won't have a single reason to retain him heading into next year. This season, there were a bunch of different injuries and weird backfield situations which enabled Shaun Alexander and Cedric Benson to eventually find jobs. It took a while, though. Next year, the job market for running backs will be just as crowded, and the tread on Edge's tires is much more significant than that of Benson, for example.

The myriad of young running backs who are capable of carrying the load, with an infusion of talent from college coming again in 2009, will render Edge a very unpopular commodity in the off-season. I do not see him being on an active roster come opening day. Sure, there's the slight chance he may get added to an injury-riddled backfield by mid-season, but he'll never be relevant again. You can take that to the bank. He's done. The speed has seriously dwindled, he rarely catches passes out of the backfield which he used to do with regularity, and he doesn't see the end-zone very often at all. He can still block and hold onto the football, but those skills can be learned.

It doesn't seem long ago that he was a studly rookie in Indy, ably replacing Marshall Faulk in what was becoming a high-octane Colts offense. Now, he's nothing more than an afterthought on his last legs. This is the life of an NFL running back. Chewed up and spit out in a decade.

Edgerrin James' Career Over Quite Soon originally appeared on NFL FanHouse on Mon, 03 Nov 2008 12:05:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

Vikings Don't Bite So Chiefs Cut Harris

JJ Cooper — Tue, 14 Oct 2008 20:10:00 EST

Filed under: Chiefs, Vikings, AFC West, NFC North, Overpaid NFL Players

If the Chiefs and the Vikings were playing a game of chicken, the Chiefs flinched.

Kansas City was looking to trade former first-round pick Napoleon Harris. Actually looking might not be a strong enough statement, they were desperate to get something for Harris--who hasn't been active for a game this year after signing a massive six-year, $23-million deal with the Chiefs in 2007. I guess we don't need much further evidence of why the Chiefs are awful. In fact, in one game, the Chiefs dressed only five linebackers including a practice squad call-up, but left Harris inactive.

The Vikings (who had Harris in 2005-2006) were in rather desperate need for a middle linebacker now that E.J. Henderson is on the injured reserve and his replacement David Herron was banged up last week.

So we have the makings of a deal right? Not exactly. If the Vikings have interest in Harris, they did a good job of camoflauging it. They signed Dontarrius Thomas as a fill-in on Monday, which helped ensure that the Chiefs released Harris on Tuesday after the trade deadline passed with no deal.

Now, it would be surprising if the Vikings didn't at least kick the tires on Harris to see if he can help them out. There is a reason to beware--like the Deltha O'Neal example with New England, there is a question whether someone who can't help the Chiefs can actually help any NFL team. But considering that Harris will come dirt cheap and knows the Vikings defense, there doesn't seem to be a whole lot of damage in bringing Harris in as a short-term fill-in. The Star-Tribune's blog says that as of now, the Vikings haven't called Harris' agent.

Vikings Don't Bite So Chiefs Cut Harris originally appeared on NFL FanHouse on Tue, 14 Oct 2008 20:10:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

Favre's House Is on the Market ... And It Is Surprisingly Small (Oh. I See, Summer Home)

Will Brinson — Mon, 13 Oct 2008 17:35:00 EST

Filed under: Jets, Packers, NFL Media Watch, NFL Rumors, Overpaid NFL Players

Everyone in America is trying to sell a house these days. And very often, we've seen cases where athletes homes are foreclosed upon. The former is the situation that Brett Favre, former quarterback of the Green Bay Packers, finds himself in.

And you would think, when considering Favre's accumulations of wealth over his career, that his house would be huge. Yet ... it's not. Ah, no wait, scratch that. It's just his football season house in Green Bay. Good Lord.

Here we are again with another sports celebrity selling a home in the town they used to play for. You might think that former Green Bay Parker quarterback Brett Favre would have one of the most lavish homes in the Green Bay area. You would be wrong.

[...]One of the Real Estalker's able commenters reports that Favre's main manse is in Hattiesburg, Mississippi and this is just the home he stayed in during the football season. He and his wife, Deanna bought the four-bedroom home in 2005 for $416,000 so it was likely just a temporary home in a town that he was planning not to stay in after he retired from football. This likely explains the decor which seems to have been shipped straight from the local furniture store. It is listed at just $475,000.

If you check out the photos of the house, you will be shocked at its unassuming nature. Which makes a lot more sense once you know that he didn't actually spend that much time there, and only owned the 500 grand worth of crib in order to cut down on his travel time from Lambeau to home.

A few photos after the jump -- the rest can be seen at the Luxist.

Favre's House Is on the Market ... And It Is Surprisingly Small (Oh. I See, Summer Home) originally appeared on NFL FanHouse on Mon, 13 Oct 2008 17:35:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

Restraint, Not Reform, Is the Key to Establishing Saner Rookie Salaries in the NFL

Josh Alper — Fri, 14 Mar 2008 11:15:00 EST

Filed under: NFL Draft, NFL Gossip, Overpaid NFL Players

Complained about the inflated nature of NFL rookie salaries aren't new. Before they've played a down, draftees like JaMarcus Russell and Calvin Johnson are getting tens of millions in guaranteed money while their veteran teammates make far less. The players union doesn't mind, of course, but many in management bemoan the structure and want it changed.

Dan Pompei takes up the cause in the Chicago Tribune (and it must be near and dear to his heart because he wrote the same thing for NBCsports.com 10 days ago) by suggesting a two-year limit on contracts for all rookies. He argues that would ensure only the cream of the crop cash in and that no busts would be paid like All-Pros. Colts executive Bill Polian sounds like he'd appreciate that system.

"The idea that the worst team would get help from a good player or players is out the window because you are saddled in salary-cap hell if the guy is anything but a Pro Bowler almost immediately. And it must change. The union has to give us a firm, definitive, rookie salary cap. We're perfectly willing to have the money that does not go to the rookies go to the veterans. Nobody is looking to save money. But we're sick and tired of giving exorbitant, incredible sums to players who haven't proven they can do anything but play against Eastern Michigan."

Where's the gun to the head of a team that doesn't want to give "exorbitant, incredible sums" to unproven players?

It's NFL teams that have inflated the salaries of rookies by circumventing the rookie salary cap, a portion of funds within the regular cap devoted to rookies. That cap is useless for a couple of reasons. Players are only rookies for one year so it really isn't a separate cap at all but it's also been watered down because every NFL team has found ways around it so that they can lavish rookies with big bonuses.

They're the ones spending themselves into salary cap hell when they load up their payroll by overpaying rookies. It's not required under NFL rules and the players don't have any recourse except not signing a contract and missing a year of football. Seeing as how the average NFL career is over within four years, that's not a helluva lot of leverage on the player side.

Could some teams still throw big money around and turn the NFL Draft into the sham that baseball's draft is? Sure. Unlike baseball, though, those teams would pay a price under the cap and hamstring themselves if a pick or two didn't work out. That would put an end to it mighty quickly and leave the fiscally prudent teams in much better shape over the long term.

Team management wants the league to do something to ensure a saner financial model. Roger Goodell said he was interested in changing the system at the Super Bowl. There's no need. It's a free market system that should be working to their benefit but they trip all over themselves to throw this money away. The NFL teams don't need protection from anything but their own fiscal insanity.

Restraint, Not Reform, Is the Key to Establishing Saner Rookie Salaries in the NFL originally appeared on NFL FanHouse on Fri, 14 Mar 2008 11:15:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

'72 Dolphins Still Only Residents of Perfectville

Michael David Smith — Mon, 04 Feb 2008 18:09:00 EST

Filed under: Dolphins, NY Giants, Patriots, Overpaid NFL Players, Boston, Miami, New York

Notes on a trip to the Super Bowl.

On Friday I met some members of the 1972 Miami Dolphins, the only undefeated, untied champions in NFL history. There's a part of me that finds it unseemly that the '72 Dolphins constantly seek attention, but there's also a part of me that thinks this Reebok "Perfectville" commercial is pretty funny:

The Perfectville campaign had two commercials ready, one in case the Giants won the Super Bowl and one in case the Patriots won. No word on what the commercial in which Mercury Morris welcomes the Patriots to the neighborhood looks like.

'72 Dolphins Still Only Residents of Perfectville originally appeared on NFL FanHouse on Mon, 04 Feb 2008 18:09:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

Patriots QB Tom Brady on His Injured Ankle: 'It's Feeling Good. I'll Be Ready to Go'

Michael David Smith — Mon, 28 Jan 2008 06:43:00 EST

Filed under: Patriots, NFL Injuries, Overpaid NFL Players, Boston

Patriots quarterback Tom Brady addressed the media just minutes after the team plane touched down, and the question everyone wanted to know was how his ankle was feeling. Here's what he said:

Brady at first repeated the question, "How's the ankle?" and then asked reporters, "What'd coach say?" referring to the press conference Patriots coach Bill Belichick had given just moments earlier.

When a reporter (it sounded like ESPN's Sal Paolantonio) told him, "He said ask you," Brady responded, "Did he? That's different."

With that moment of levity aside, Brady said, "It's feeling good. It's feeling good. I'll be ready to go. It's been a good week. I think the team's practiced hard, although I haven't practiced, but I watched them practice hard. I think we're pretty well caught up mentally. We've got to have a good week of practice because this team really challenges you."

Patriots QB Tom Brady on His Injured Ankle: 'It's Feeling Good. I'll Be Ready to Go' originally appeared on NFL FanHouse on Mon, 28 Jan 2008 06:43:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

Hatin' the Patriots: Bill Belichick Knows How to Superman Dat .....

Tom Mantzouranis — Wed, 23 Jan 2008 13:37:00 EST

Filed under: Patriots, AFC East, Overpaid NFL Players, Boston, Super Bowl

(If you don't know why you are here, please go back to the launch page for What Kind of Pats Hater Are You?)

Tom Brady? You can understand why the ladies love him. He's tall, dark, and handsome.

Bill Belichick? Short, pasty, and curmudgeonly.

Yet there's something about Bill. He wooed the former Mrs. Belichick (pictured above) and (allegedly!) wooed a married New Jersey woman in addition. If that happens to be true, who knows how many women, faithful or un-, have fallen prey to those delicate features.

You can use this potential transgression to attack the man's character, just as you probably scorned Bill Clinton for his extracurricular activities. It's your prerogative, man. A small and sanctimonious prerogative, but yes, it's yours.

Judgment: You are a Gossipy Patriots Hater.

Stop looking in your neighbors' windows.

(Do you want to start over? Then go back to the beginning)

Hatin' the Patriots: Bill Belichick Knows How to Superman Dat ..... originally appeared on NFL FanHouse on Wed, 23 Jan 2008 13:37:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

Memo to Darren Sharper: Shut Up

Bruce Ciskie — Sat, 10 Nov 2007 12:40:00 EST

Filed under: Packers, Titans, NFC North, Overpaid NFL Players

Before we begin, allow me a moment to make something perfectly clear.

Darren Sharper is a formidable football player. He's a ball-hawking safety with great hands and the ability to take every pick to the house. If he plays the three or four more years he plans to play, he will be seriously considered for the Hall of Fame.

Sharper is in his third year as a Minnesota Viking. He's racked up 15 of his 51 career interceptions as a Viking. Nine of those came in 2005, his first year in purple.

Throughout his career, Sharper has developed a reputation for being very media-friendly. He's always willing to flash a smile for the camera, and reporters know they can go to him for quotes and soundbites on a regular basis. He'll rarely disappoint.

Before the first meeting this year between Green Bay and Minnesota, Sharper noted that Packers QB Brett Favre was on the verge of both the all-time touchdown and interception records. He said that it would be great to help Favre set the interception record. Sharper had an interception called back by a defensive penalty, and he ended up with two tackles and no interceptions in the Pack's 23-16 win.

In five career games against Favre, Sharper has been credited with two passes defensed and one interception.

Now, Sharper is at it again, as his team prepares to face the Packers Sunday in Green Bay.

Not surprisingly, Sharper was already talking on Monday, one day after Adrian Peterson's record-breaking performance against the Chargers.

"Some of the throws he's making, I just hope he tries that against us. Those 50-yard balls over the middle of the field, we'll see how much success he has."

It's not particularly infuriating or anything like that, but it's starting to get a little old. Sharper has largely played like crap against Favre, and he acts like he owns the guy. His team is 3-5, they've lost three straight head-to-head against the Packers, and Favre has posted 300-yard games in two of those three games. Since joining the Vikings, he has as many interceptions against Favre as Fred Smoot does (one).

While Favre and receiver Donald Driver both dismissed Sharper's comments (Favre said intercepting passes was Sharper's job), an unlikely source has apparently heard enough of Sharper. Backup quarterback Aaron Rodgers spoke up to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel:

"All I'll say about Sharper is, he's talking a little bit too much," said Rodgers. "(Favre) has been the brunt of his comments. If he was a Pro Bowler saying it, that would be one thing.

"He's a guy that relies on his instincts. They keep him out of the box because he doesn't like to tackle very much. He's just playing his half of the field trying to rob routes by reading the quarterback's eyes. I saw Chad Johnson run right by him last year . . . because he's slow. He's a good receiving free safety."

Rodgers speaks up, but Favre remains largely silent on his former teammate. Then again, it's hard to imagine Favre doing a lot of trash-talking. Or perhaps Rodgers is serving as sort of a mouthpiece for Favre, and he's saying publicly what Favre knows he can't say (or at least shouldn't).

Maybe Sharper is upset because it looked like the Vikings had a better shot at future contention in the NFC when he left Green Bay, and now the Packers are 7-1 while the Vikings sit at 3-5. Perhaps he's frustrated at the Vikings' deficiencies in pass defense (something he's partially responsible for because of the way he plays).

I am a Packer fan, but I tired of Sharper's garbage by about 2004. He had a habit of disappearing during big games, and while he had a ball-hawking nature to him, his coverage skills never impressed me. He's not physical, and he's not a great tackler. Rodgers nailed it when he said Sharper is a "good receiving free safety".

No matter the reason for his needling of Favre, Sharper should try something new: Shut up and play football.

(Now watch Sharper pick Favre four times Sunday.)

Memo to Darren Sharper: Shut Up originally appeared on NFL FanHouse on Sat, 10 Nov 2007 12:40:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

TMZ: Thirty Matt (Leinart) Zone

Scott Olin Schmidt — Mon, 30 Jul 2007 18:27:00 EST

Filed under: AZ Cardinals, NFC West, NFL Gossip, Overpaid NFL Players, Los Angeles, Phoenix

Few sports heroes have been able to cross the velvet rope of Hollywood's Thirty Mile Zone--the namesake of our sister blog TMZ--but the celebrity gossip blog is breaking news about Arizona Cardinal quarterback Matt Leinart with surprising regularity, and some folks think its kind of fishy.

At issue is the dispute between Leinart and the mother of his child, Brynn Cameron. When the former USC woman's basketball captain got too verbose about Leinart's "parenting" to the Ventura County Star, it was TMZ who reported that Cameron was asking for a seemingly outrageous $30,000 a month in child support to take care of son Cole whilst living in her parents' house.

But the story doesn't end there.Today, Leinart's team was apparently shopping around a story that a settlement had been reached to pay half as much, and TMZ bit, calling it an exclusive. Regrettably, Los Angeles Daily News USC beat reporter Scott Wolf had also been pitched the story, and found it to be denied, and blogged about it, suggesting that TMZ was carrying the water for Paris Hilton's ex-boyfriend in his custody dispute.

As bloggers we know the risk of trusting our tipsters, but with the news cycle becoming faster and faster it's easy to get caught flat-footed, especially when taking informatino from a trusted source. But there's one thing I have to ask: if Leinart's publicists want him to be taken seriously as a football player, and not a bit-Hollywood playah, then why not send your exclusives to FanHouse?!?

Previously in FanHouse:

Matt Leinart's Baby Mama: 'I'm Doing All the Work, but He Gets All the Credit'
Report: Brynn Cameron Wants Matt Leinart to Pay $30,000 a Month in Child Support

%Gallery-4853%

TMZ: Thirty Matt (Leinart) Zone originally appeared on NFL FanHouse on Mon, 30 Jul 2007 18:27:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

Charles Rogers Gets More Time With His Stolen Money

Tom Mantzouranis — Thu, 10 May 2007 11:10:00 EST

Filed under: Lions, NFC North, Overpaid NFL Players, Detroit

Though Charles Rogers didn't technically steal $14.4 million from the Lions, he certainly took it under false pretenses, and then sprinted into NFL irrelevancy. As a matter of fact, if teams working him out last season gave him a sack of cash and pointed him to the door, his 40-times would have probably been much better than the atrocious numbers he actually put up.

And Rogers would have gotten away with the Lions' cash, but like every thief who eventually gets caught, he shot himself in the foot. Now the Lions want $10.184 million of it back, but Rogers gets a little bit of extra time.

The Lions' grievance against former wide receiver Charles Rogers was scheduled for today, but it has been delayed for a later date, the team announced.

The Lions are trying to recoup $10.184 million of Rogers' $14.4-million signing bonus. Rogers' contract included a clause that said if Rogers were suspended for violating the NFL's substance-abuse policy, he would have to pay back his bonus prorated for the rest of the contract. Rogers served a four-game substance-abuse suspension in 2005.

The NFL Players' Association contends the clause in Rogers' contract is unenforceable based on the collective bargaining agreement between the union and the league. The arbitrator will have to make a decision within three months, barring an extension of the deadline.

If only he was just terrible, the Lions would have let him keep the money to go far, far away. But no. Forget about that scrambled brain/egg metaphor -- this is really why drugs are bad.

Charles Rogers Gets More Time With His Stolen Money originally appeared on NFL FanHouse on Thu, 10 May 2007 11:10:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

Why Did the Dolphins Give Joey Porter $20 Million?

Michael David Smith — Tue, 20 Mar 2007 12:50:00 EST

Filed under: Dolphins, NFL Gossip, NFL Rumors, Overpaid NFL Players, NFL Police Blotter

It's 36 hours later, and the Joey Porter-Levi Jones fight story is still heating up the internets. With Leather notes that it started as an argument at a blackjack table and then turned into a punch in the valet area. The Mighty MJD has the transcript of the fight. The Big Lead hears Porter was wearing an old-school Hank Gathers jersey.

But I'd like to turn my attention to an issue this raises regarding Porter's football career: What on earth were the Dolphins thinking when they gave Porter a contract with $20 million guaranteed? This is a guy who's incapable of avoiding trouble. This is a guy who turned what should have been a minor incident with a cop giving his friend a parking ticket into a huge ordeal that resulted in him arriving three hours late to his own wedding. And this is the guy the Dolphins think they should guarantee that kind of money?

Also, while Porter is a fine football player, there's a reason the Steelers cut him: He's a notch below the truly elite linebackers in the game, and he's turning 30 this week. It's not like the Dolphins are getting a 24-year-old all-pro.

Cam Cameron is taking over a team that his predecessor, Nick Saban, did not leave in very good shape. All he's said so far is that he'll "monitor the situation." But he must be wondering: Was importing another trouble maker really the right way to go about cleaning things up in Miami?

Previously at FanHouse:
Insult to Injury: Jones Robbed During Fight
Joey Porter Cited for Punching Levi Jones at Blackjack Table
Report: Joey Porter Brawls With Bengals' Levi Jones in Vegas
Dan Le Batard Risks Life, Makes Fun of Joey Porter
It Looks Like Joey Porter Is Headed to South Beach

Why Did the Dolphins Give Joey Porter $20 Million? originally appeared on NFL FanHouse on Tue, 20 Mar 2007 12:50:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

Edgerton Hartwell's $2 Million-a-Game Payday

Michael David Smith — Fri, 02 Mar 2007 17:20:00 EST

Filed under: Falcons, Overpaid NFL Players, Atlanta

Is Edgerton Hartwell the highest-paid player in NFL history? On a per-game basis, he might be. The Falcons released Hartwell, their oft- injured linebacker, today. That puts an end to Hartwell's two-year tenure in Atlanta, a stint during which he played in just 13 games.

When Hartwell signed with the Falcons, his contract was reported as a guaranteed $26 million deal. If those reports were accurate, Hartwell made $2 million from the Falcons for each game he played in Atlanta. That's insane. No NFL player who plays a full 16-game season makes even $1 million per game. The Falcons' decision to sign Hartwell was among the biggest free agency mistakes in the history of the league.

Edgerton Hartwell's $2 Million-a-Game Payday originally appeared on NFL FanHouse on Fri, 02 Mar 2007 17:20:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

Bengals Franchise Justin Smith; He's Not Worth $8.6 Million

Michael David Smith — Fri, 16 Feb 2007 19:31:00 EST

Filed under: Bengals, AFC North, Overpaid NFL Players

The Bengals have placed the franchise player tag on defensive end Justin Smith. Allow me to explain why that was a stupid decision.

If Smith chooses to sign it, the franchise tender will give him a guaranteed $8,644,000 salary in 2007. Smith isn't worth that kind of money. The six-year veteran recorded 8.5 sacks as a rookie and has never matched that total since then. A defensive end who can't even average a sack every other game had better be outstanding against the run, and Smith isn't. He's a fairly ordinary player, and the Bengals have offered him a contract that would pay him among the truly elite.

There are also the off-field issues. The Bengals claim they're trying to lose their image as the league's worst-behaved team, but offering this kind of money to Smith, who was arrested for DUI in 2004, is a step in the opposite direction.

You could argue that the Bengals have the cap space available to pay him, that Smith already knows the defense run by coach Marvin Lewis, and that at age 27 Smith is entering the prime of his career. Those are no doubt the reasons the Bengals had for making this move, but it was the wrong move nonetheless. If Smith is smart, he'll sign the franchise tender immediately -- the Bengals want to overpay him, and he should cash in before they come to their senses.

Bengals Franchise Justin Smith; He's Not Worth $8.6 Million originally appeared on NFL FanHouse on Fri, 16 Feb 2007 19:31:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

Arbitrator Could Force Charles Rogers to Pay Lions $10 Million

Michael David Smith — Fri, 16 Feb 2007 17:08:00 EST

Filed under: Lions, NFC North, NFL Gossip, Overpaid NFL Players

I've never understood why Lions fans seem to feel so much more vitriol for Joey Harrington than they do for Charles Rogers. By any reasonable measure, Rogers was the bigger bust: He was drafted higher, paid more, played less and cared less. The No. 2 overall pick in 2003, Rogers cost somewhere in the neighborhood of $15 million against the Lions' salary cap and finished his time in Detroit with a whopping total of 36 catches. Nice pick, Millen.

But the Lions might get a measure of revenge: In May, an arbitrator will hear from both the Lions and Rogers in a hearing that could result in Rogers being forced to pay the Lions $10 million.

At issue is whether Rogers triggered a clause in his contract that said he was in default if he was suspended under the league's drug policy. Rogers served a four-game suspension that the Lions say means he has to pay back a prorated portion of his $14 million signing bonus. In 2005, when the Lions first said they might go after Rogers' money, he said, "It's going to be hard to get $10 million," implying that he doesn't have that kind of cash. Will Rogers have to declare bankruptcy? Stay tuned.

Arbitrator Could Force Charles Rogers to Pay Lions $10 Million originally appeared on NFL FanHouse on Fri, 16 Feb 2007 17:08:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

CTA Nominee, Most Overpaid: David Carr

Michael David Smith — Tue, 30 Jan 2007 08:15:00 EST

Filed under: Texans, Overpaid NFL Players, Super Bowl, CTAs

During the 2006 off-season, the Houston Texans gave David Carr an $8 million roster bonus. That's on top of the $5.5 million salary Carr received and the well over $20 million he made in his first four years with Houston. We're talking about $35 million the guy has made.

What have the Texans gotten for their money? An ugly career stat line. Carr has a passer rating of 75.5 for his career and more interceptions than touchdowns. This year new coach Gary Kubiak had so little faith in Carr that he called short passes almost exclusively: Carr's average completion went just 9.2 yards, a ridiculously low average. Maybe that's why the Texans are now shopping Carr for a third-round draft pick.

Think the Texans wish they had Vince Young right about now?

Super Bowl Sunday Update: Click here to browse the CTA Awards and rank the nominees.

CTA Nominee, Most Overpaid: David Carr originally appeared on NFL FanHouse on Tue, 30 Jan 2007 08:15:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments