As the election season is about to embark into full swing, it looks like Chad Johnson's doing his best to remind us of some of the freedoms we enjoy as Americans. Like the right to be called whatever ridiculous name you see fit.
According to a report from Miami radio station 790 The Ticket, the colorful Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver has legally changed his name to Chad Ocho Cinco. Johnson's latest desperate attempt to call attention to himself actually has a dual purpose -- it will allow him to wear his self-appointed nickname on the back of his jersey without violating the NFL's Big Brother uniform policy.
Everybody knows this guy's not quite playing with a full deck, but you've still got to admit he knows how to entertain.
By the way, here's an interesting sidebar to yesterday's news of Cowboys cornerback Adam Jones' reinstatement by the NFL. According to The Dallas Morning News, Jones -- a noted aficionado of the strip-club scene, was eating lunch at a local Hooters when he received word that his year-long suspension would end.
No one ever said the road to recovery wasn't a long one.
Looks like another one of Jerry Jones' gambles is about to pay off.
The Dallas Cowboys are expected to receive word from the NFL later this afternoon that suspended cornerback Adam "Pacman" Jones will be reinstated by league commissioner Roger Goodell for the 2008 regular season. The NFL has yet to make an official announcement as of now (2 p.m. EST), but a blog entry on the Cowboys' web site reported that the team has been informed of the decision.
While then a member of the Tennessee Titans, Pacman Jones sat out the entire 2007 campaign for repeated transgressions of the NFL's personal conduct policy, the most notable being an alleged involvement in a Las Vegas strip club shooting in February, 2007 that left a bouncer paralyzed. The Titans traded the talented but troubled former first-round pick to Dallas during this past April's draft in exchange for a fourth-round choice.
The standout corner/return man was allowed to participate in this year's preseason games and showed little rust from the layoff. He's expected to play a key role in nickel packages for a Dallas secondary that's shaping up as one of the deepest in the NFL, and should help the Cowboys immensely on punt returns as well. In his two eligible seasons with Tennessee, Jones took back four punts for touchdowns.
Assuming he continues to act on his best behavior, the soon-to-be 25-year-old stands a good chance of becoming the latest problem child to resurrect his career in Big D. The Cowboys brought in noted team-wrecker Terrell Owens during the 2006 offseason and have been rewarded with two straight outstanding seasons from the mercurial wide receiver, while ex-Chicago defensive tackle Tank Johnson was a steady contributor for the team last year after being signed shortly upon being cut loose by the Bears following a series of legal problems.
The once-cloudy pictures regarding the quarterback position in a host of NFL cities became a whole lot clearer following last weekend's third series of preseason games. Some of the battle winners were expected (Chad Pennington), some a surprise (J.T. O'Sullivan), some more or less insignificant in the overall grand scheme of things (Kyle Orton beating out Rex Grossman).
To me, two of the most intriguing of the recent starting signal-caller decisions involve a pair of players at completely opposite stages of their careers. The Atlanta Falcons will waste no time ushering in the Matt Ryan era, as first-year head coach Mike Smith announced on Sunday that the rookie first-round pick will start the team's September 7 regular-season opener against Detroit. In Arizona, it's looking more and more as if 37-year-old Kurt Warner will begin the year as the Cardinals' top gunslinger and expected franchise face Matt Leinart will be starting off his third professional campaign on the bench.
Although Cards head coach Ken Whisenhunt has denied the rumors, which were fueled by a report from ESPN's Chris Mortensen on Sunday, but the writing is clearly on the wall for Leinart. The former Heisman Trophy winner may have sealed his fate with a pitiful 4-for-12, three-interception effort in Saturday's exhibition matchup against Oakland. Whisenhunt has yet to formally announce a starter for Week 1, but the fact that Leinart -- the clear-cut front-runner entering training camp -- has yet to sew up the job at this late stage speaks volumes about the coaching staff's waning confidence in the 25-year-old.
In my opinion, the Cardinals are making the right move here. Warner's got the stronger arm and an obvious better grasp of the offense, not to mention he outplayed Leinart last season. Sure, having the two-time league MVP under center prevents Leinart from progressing as a quarterback. However, Arizona is in a position to win now in a wide-open NFC West division that appears to lack a dominant team, and Warner presents the best chance of doing so in the present.
Atlanta, on the other hand, is in no such position. The talent-deficient Falcons aren't going to contend with the likes of Chris Redman and Joey Harrington at quarterback anyway, so why not get a jump-start on Ryan's development? The argument against throwing the untested rookie right into the fire is the potential long-term damage that losing and struggling can do to a young player's psyche, especially ones that never experienced failure during their college years (like Matt Leinart). With Ryan, I wouldn't worry. I was in Blacksburg, Virginia's Lane Stadium that memorable night last October, watching the then-Boston College quarterback engineer two late touchdown drives in the final 2 1/2 minutes to beat my beloved Hokies after enduring an endless array of bone-jarring hits over the course of the evening.
In other words, Ryan's no basket case like Harrington.
And we're back in business.
My apologies to those who may have scouring this blog over the last 10 days or so seeking some new information or insight. Tony and I and the rest of the NFL staff have been feverishly working over the past week on our in-depth season previews, which are now available for your viewing pleasure on our NFL page. Previews for the AFC North, South and West and the NFC East teams were posted on Monday, with the remainder of the divisions now available today.
As I'm sure you all already know, a lot has gone on around the league since our last entry. Injuries have been the most prevalent theme among the recent happenings, many of which will have lasting effects on a number of expected contenders. Here's a quick rundown on the current status of some of the star players who are hurting at the moment, and the possible impact their absences will have down the road.
Osi Umenyiora, Giants (knee): Ouch. There's little question that the Giants' improbable run to last year's Super Bowl victory wouldn't have been possible without the relentless pressure their defense placed on enemy quarterbacks throughout the season. With Michael Strahan retired (we think) and Umenyiora, who led the G-Men with 13 sacks en route to a Pro Bowl nod in 2007, done for the year after tearing his meniscus in Saturday's preseason battle with the Jets, New York's x-factor likely has been taken away. The Giants still have Justin Tuck at one end and will shift Mathias Kiwanuka from linebacker into Osi's right-side spot, so the cupboard certainly isn't bare. But depth along the line has now become a huge issue for Big Blue, which will be hard-pressed to duplicate last season's league-best 53-sack total.
Of course, a return to active duty by Strahan would help solve some of those woes. I initially poo-pooed this idea when it first became speculation, believing there's no way the future Hall of Famer would want to leave his forthcoming cushy studio job at Fox and sacrifice the ultimate desire of any athlete -- the chance to go out on top. But now it seems the possibility of a comeback by the Giants' all-time sack king is growing stronger by the minute. The New York Daily News reported on Monday that Strahan's agent confirmed that the Giants have expressed interest in bringing the soon-to-be 37-year-old back and that his client is considering the idea. New York will have to pony up to lure Strahan back into the wars, but there's also no pass-rusher of his caliber currently on the market.
Shawne Merriman, Chargers (knee): The All-Pro linebacker is in Miami today meeting with a fourth doctor regarding his damaged left knee, keeping his fingers that he'll receive a different diagnosis than that of the first three specialists that drew the same conclusion -- that Merriman should undergo season-ending surgery. The 24-year-old is determined to be a part of a Chargers season that has a legitimate shot of ending in a Super Bowl, even if it means jeopardizing his long-term health. It sounds like Merriman is going to try to put off the inevitable for as long as he can, but I give him zero chance of making it through the year without missing any time.
In the meantime, the Chargers are prepping intriguing second-year pro Jyles Tucker for an extended role in 2008. The undrafted free agent showed plenty of promise in spot duty last year, including a three-sack, two forced fumble performance in the regular-season finale against the Raiders. The organization has shown its faith in Tucker by rewarding him with a five-year extension on Monday. He's no Merriman, but San Diego looks to have enough talent to get by if its best defensive player is forced to sit out the season.
Chad Johnson, Bengals (shoulder): Ocho Cinco says he'll be able to play through a partially-torn labrum in his left shoulder, but there are plenty of indicators that the Bengals are greatly concerned of whether the attention-starved wideout will be able to hold up. Warning sign No. 1 was the team's re-signing of problem child Chris Henry last week, just four months after president Mike Brown steadfastly swore that talented but troubled receiver would never don the tiger stripes ever again. Then came Monday's ESPN report that Cincinnati is shopping running back Rudi Johnson with the hope of obtaining a wide receiver in return. Good luck with that one. I doubt teams will be lining up for a player in obvious decline, hasn't been healthy during training camp and is a good bet to be released this weekend with the preseason re-emergence of Chris Perry as a contributor to the Bengals' backfield mix.
Peyton Manning, Colts (knee): Manning's status for the September 7 regular-season opener against Chicago appeared to be in question following Indianapolis' star quarterback's summer surgery to remove an infected bursa sac from his knee, but those fears are beginning to be alleviated. The Colts activated the two-time league MVP from the active/physically able to perform list on Tuesday, and Manning is expected to begin practicing for the first time since the procedure today. That should leave him plenty of time to get ready for Week 1. Remember, Manning hasn't missed a game since joining the NFL in 1998, having started 160 consecutive contests.
Tom Brady, Patriots (foot): Come on. Brady's been listed on the Pats' injury report with a right shoulder problem three years running, and all he's done during that time is throw for nearly 12,500 yards and 100 touchdowns. New England had Randy Moss sit out practices for virtually all of last year's camp with an alleged hamstring problem, and we all remember how that worked out. The master of the cloak-and-dagger, Bill Belichick, is likely taking the same approach with Brady's mysterious foot injury. He won't need much practice time to take apart the Chiefs in Week 1.
There's one every summer.
I'm referring to the one or two NFL teams that the public latches onto prior to the start of every season and touts as an emerging Super Bowl contender, usually because of exceeded expectations the previous year and/or an impressive harvesting of talent during the offseason. The Minnesota Vikings are the ones wearing that badge in 2008, with the Cleveland Browns this year's chic pick among the AFC crop.
If early preseason events are any indication, the Vikes could be headed towards the same dreaded fate of the 2006 Carolina Panthers or last year's New Orleans Saints, two other buzz teams that failed to live up to their touted billing. Minnesota is enduring a remarkable run of bad luck over the past week, with a rash of injuries befalling Brad Childress' squad to add to the recent rumors of a lengthy suspension forthcoming for valued offensive tackle Bryant McKinnie.
Minnesota's string of misfortune began in last Friday's exhibition opener, when linebacker Heath Farwell and defensive end Jayme Mitchell each suffered season-ending knee injuries in the game against Seattle. The news got worse on Tuesday, when the Minneapolis Star-Tribune reported that starting free safety Madieu Williams could miss up to six weeks with a neck problem.
Williams was signed away from Cincinnati in February to upgrade a secondary that was statistically one of the NFL's worst in 2007, and his possible unavailability for the first couple of regular-season games immediately throws untested rookie Tyrell Johnson into the frying pan. Because they're reserves, the losses of Farwell and Mitchell don't seem too significant at first glance. But Farwell ranks among the top echelon of special-teams performers in the league, while Mitchell's absence further weakens the depth at an already-thin position for the Vikings. Kenechi Udeze, last season's starter at left end, is recovering from leukemia and also done for the year and pass-rush specialist Brian Robison will sit out most of the preseason after recently undergoing minor leg surgery.
Word broke Thursday that McKinnie, who's had multiple brushes with the law since entering the league in 2002, will be suspended the first four regular-season games for an arrest at a Miami nightclub in February, although the NFL has yet to confirm the report. If that penalty is indeed accurate, the Vikings will be without the massive left tackle for arguably the toughest portion of their schedule. Minnesota opens the campaign with matchups against Green Bay, Indianapolis, Carolina and Tennessee.
For the record, that's a trio of 2007 playoff participants and three of the premier pass-rushing right ends (Dwight Freeney, Julius Peppers, Kyle Vanden Bosch) in the game. Looks like Adrian Peterson will be bracing for a very heavy workload come September.
At least the Vikings don't have to worry about facing Brett Favre twice a year anymore.
A leader in the San Francisco 49ers' quarterback battle appears to be emerging, and it's not Alex Smith. Or Shaun Hill.
Neither the former No. 1 overall pick nor the guy who filled in quite capably for an injured Smith late last season has emerged as the early preseason front-runner to run Mike Martz's intricate offense. Right now that distinction belongs to J.T. O'Sullivan, a quintessential journeyman with 26 career pass attempts over the course of his nomadic six-year professional career.
A report from Matt Maiocco from our friends at the Santa Rosa Press Democrat on Tuesday stated Niners head coach Mike Nolan confirmed O'Sullivan's No. 1 status during an interview on a local radio show. The 28-year-old had been receiving the lion's share of snaps with the first-team offense over the past couple of weeks and started Friday's exhibition opener against the Raiders.
O'Sullivan, who's been on the active roster or in camp with nine teams since entering the league in 2002, didn't exactly distinguish himself in Friday's game, going 5-of-8 for 71 yards and an interception and producing zero points over four offensive series. Smith completed 5-of-9 throws for just 51 yards with the second unit.
O'Sullivan's primary advantage in the competition is his familiarity with Martz's system, not to mention the obvious faith the offensive guru has in the well-traveled quarterback. He spent last season as Jon Kitna's primary backup in Detroit, where Martz previously served as offensive coordinator.
Hill seems to be virtually eliminated from the race, as Maiocco pointed out earlier in the week that the one-time contender hasn't received any practice reps since August 6.
Here's a peek at the early returns at some of the other heated QB camp battles:
Miami: Looks like recently-signed Chad Pennington is the present and Chad Henne is the future. The Miami Herald's Armando Salguero noted on Tuesday that Pennington took 33 of the team's 58 practice snaps in Tuesday's session, with the rookie Henne getting the remainder of the reps. The Dolphins aren't going to keep four quarterbacks on the roster, so either vet Josh McCown or 2007 second-rounder John Beck are going to be somewhere else come September. Beck played a lot in Saturday's preseason game, which lends me to believe the team is showcasing him for a hopeful trade.
You're all probably aware of this by now, but Miami's Week 1 opponent is none other than Pennington's former club, the New York Jets.
Atlanta: Matt Ryan made a strong case to be the Falcons' opening-week starter with a highly-impressive NFL debut over the weekend. The ballyhooed and well-paid rookie hit on 9-of-15 attempts for 113 yards in Saturday's 20-17 loss to Jacksonville, and directed an 11-play, 74-drive that he culminated with a 25-yard touchdown strike to standout receiver Roddy White. That showing has got to be music to the ears of Arthur Blank and the rest of the Falcons' brass that are desperately seeking a new franchise face and image makeover in the wake of last year's Michael Vick saga.
Ryan's status for Atlanta's regular-season opener may hinge on the performance of a shaky offensive line that yielded five sacks to the Jaguars on Saturday. The Falcons aren't about to send their $72 million investment out on the field in a real game without assurances the front wall isn't at least reasonably sound.
Baltimore: Former Heisman Trophy winner Troy Smith began camp with the inside track on the Week 1 starting job, but the more experienced Kyle Boller seems to be closing the gap. Boller received the opening nod in Thursday's game with New England and was reasonably sharp, while Smith was an erratic 5-for-12 for 74 yards. Boller played most of the first half and completed 11-of-15 passes for 102 yards, but also had two turnovers (one interception, one fumble). Rookie Joe Flacco, the team's first-round selection back in April, is running way behind the top two.
Smith will get a chance to redeem himself this weekend, as head coach John Harbaugh announced after the New England game that the second-year pro will start this Saturday's test with Minnesota.
Chicago: No clear-cut favorite has yet to emerge in the Kyle Orton-Rex Grossman showdown. Orton got the start in Thursday's preseason lid-lifter against Kansas City and was a decent 7-of-10 for 56 yards. Grossman made good on only 4-of-8 throws for 44 yards but did toss a touchdown pass, although it was a dump-off that reserve running back Garrett Wolfe took 25 yards to paydirt.
Grossman will get his crack with the ones when he starts at Seattle this coming Saturday.
Lastly, I'll follow the lead of my compatriots and offer my take on Springsteen's top five albums. As an '80's child, there's arguably a bit of bias from that era on my part, but hey, beauty's in the eye of the beholder.
1. Nebraska -- An understated masterpiece. I like my coffee black and my music dark, and the haunting title track and "State Trooper" are two of the spookiest pieces in the Springsteen catalog. "Atlantic City" and "Highway Patrolman" make my list of all-time favs as well.
2. Darkness on the Edge of Town -- The predecessor of The Boss' melancholy trilogy, this one's so good that some of the unused songs ("Because the Night", "Fire") were turned into big hits by other artists.
3. Born to Run - The definitive Springsteen album, a perfect blend of fist-pumping anthems and somber tales of defeat.
4. Born In the U.S.A. -- Some may dismiss it as a pop album. I tend to view it more as Nebraska with catchier hooks and a lot more sheen.
5. The River -- The title track alone puts this in my top five. Would be higher, but I think there's a little too much filler.
OK, we're a little late with this one, but we had to chime in on the published rumor (unconfirmed by the league) that Bruce Springsteen & The E-Street Band have been selected as the halftime entertainment for Super Bowl XLIII in Tampa.As a major Springsteen fan, I'm way more pumped about this than, say, Saturday's preseason matchup between the Cardinals and Chiefs.So in honor of this thrilling revelation, here are boxing editor (and contributing NFL Editor) Lyle Fitzsimmons' top five Springsteen albums (comments by Lyle).1. Greetings from Asbury Park -- "Lost in the Flood" might be the greatest song no one knows.2. Born to Run -- "Born to Run," meanwhile, is the greatest song everyone knows.3. The Rising -- More than any other wannabe patriot or lyricist, he got it right after 9/11.4. Born in the USA -- Just a great, fun rock album... period. Even if Reagan didn't get the title track.5. Tunnel of Love -- If you're 20 and hear it, you say, "ho hum." If you're 35, you say, "damn, this guy's good."now, here are mine...1. Darkness On the Edge of Town - Not sure which I like better, the darkness or the cynicism.2. The River - The first disc of this two-disc set contains anthem after anthem.3. Tunnel of Love - More darkness, more cynicism.4. Nebraska - The first song is about a serial killer, after that it gets gloomy.5. Greetings from Asbury Park - The classic debut. I'm guessing they won't do "For You" in Tampa.Early prediction on the Super Bowl setlist, "Born to Run," "Glory Days," "Hungry Heart," "Dancing In the Dark."...in no particular order.
