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Time for the NFL's Rooney Rule to be rescended

By Patrick Patterson | January 7, 2009 | Thoughts from the Dark Side

Willie Brown and Rob Ryan are both assistant coaches for the Raiders. Photo by Patrick A. Patterson/TFDSsports.com

Once again, it is the offseason for the majority of the NFL. Since it is early in the offseason, the coaching carousel is spinning. Coaches have been fired, and teams are looking for replacements. The usual names are flying around as to who is going to go where. However, before a team can hire the coach they are targeting, they have to be sure to interview a "minority" candidate so they don't violate the "Rooney Rule" which results in a fine, lost draft pick, and a tongue lashing from Jesse Jackson.It was Al Davis and the Raiders that broke the "color barrier" by hiring Art Shell as their head coach in 1989. Since then, there has been a proliferation of black coaches, with some having great success like Tony Dungy with the Indianapolis Colts and others failing miserably. At this point in time, NFL owners want winners. They want the...

Read more | Discuss | Tags: 49ers, Al Davis, Arizona Cardinals, Art Shell, Bears, Browns, Cardinals, Chicago Bears, Chiefs, Cleveland Browns, Colts, Dan Rooney, Dough Williams, Herman Edwards, Indianapolis Colts, Jets, Jim Haslett, Kansas City Chiefs, Ken Wizenhunt, Lovie Smith, Mike Singletary, Mike Tomlin, New Orleans Saints, New York Jets, NFL, Oakland Raiders, Pittsburgh Steelers, Raiders, Rams, Rooney Rule, Saints, San Francisco 49ers, St Louis Rams, Steelers, Tom Flores, Tony Dungy, Warren Moon

NFL Top Ten: Best 2009 Teams not in the 2008 Playoffs

By Greg Trippiedi | January 3, 2009 | MVN Outsider

There will be a bunch of teams in the tournament next year that aren't right now. Seven teams in the 2008 playoffs were not there in 2007. Which non-playoff teams have the best chance of making it next year? MVN's NFL Top Ten investigates:10. Dallas CowboysDallas has a lot of problems that will prevent them from significantly improving in the offseason, but you have to look at the roster right now as one that can compete for a playoff spot. Who knows whether they can improve on offense in 2009? The offensive line and the protection schemes have serious issues, and it's possible the two best receivers on the team don't even start, but Tony Romo is going to continue to be Tony Romo, and the team will have a three headed rushing attack it can lean on next year. The defense can be the type of defense it showed...

Read more | 1 Comment | Tags: Buffalo Bills, Cincinnati Bengals, Cleveland Browns, Dallas Cowboys, Green Bay Packers, Houston Texans, Jacksonville Jaguars, New England Patriots, New Orleans Saints, NFL, Washington Redskins

Patriots in demand: Pioli and McDaniels finding opportunities

By | January 2, 2009 | The Patriot Act

Although the recent news about vice president of player personnel Scott Pioli interviewing for the Cleveland Browns and the interest from the Browns to also interview offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels is not new, other teams have also shown interest.Pioli has drawn interest from the Kansas City Chiefs to become their next gerneral manger and is scheduled to interview with them soon. While McDaniels may be interviewing for the head coaching job with the Denver Broncos.Both Pioli and McDaniels have been sought after for positions with other NFL teams in the past. What makes this interesting is the recent success of going to the AFC Championship in 2006, Super Bowl in 2007 and now having finished 11-5 and missing the playoffs for 2008.The decision for McDaniels may be a 'no brainer' as it was for Eric Mangini - go and get the big bucks with what knowledge you have or wait...

Read more | Discuss | Tags: Bill Belichick, Cleveland Browns, Denver Broncos, Josh McDaniels, Kansas City Chiefs, Kevin O'Connell, Matt Cassel, Matt Gutierrez, New England Patriots, Scott Pioli, Tom Brady

The Blitz: NFL Wild Card Weekend

By Chris Maier | January 1, 2009 | The Blitz

NFLDRAFT101.com's Chris Maier and Dan Wernery ring in the New Year with the Wildcard Weekend edition of the Blitz. This week we take a look back at the week 17 stumbles of the Dallas Cowboys, Chicago Bears and Tampa Bay Buccaneers and discuss coaching changes in Detroit, NY Jets, Denver and Cleveland. We also being talking about the NFL Draft as Dan talks about his Pre-New Year's Bowl standouts and gives his for NFL Mock Draft of the New Year (1st 10 picks). We wrap up the show with previews of this weekends wildcard matchups and make our picks for the Super Bowl....

Read more | Discuss | Tags: Arizona Cardinals, Atlanta Falcons, audio, Baltimore Ravens, Cincinnati Bengals, Cleveland Browns, Dallas Cowboys, Denver Broncos, Detroit Lions, Indianapolis Colts, Miami Dolphins, Minnesota Vikings, New York Jets, NFL, NFL Draft, NFL Podcast, Philadelphia Eagles, San Diego Chargers

Browns Interview Of Mangini Doesn't Make Sense

By Joel | December 31, 2008 | The Football Wire

I think most can agree that Scott Pioli is the big fish out there as far as front office help goes. He's the top candidate on most owners' radars and apparently has an interest in the Cleveland Browns job due to various outside factors (used to work there, wife's family...

Read more | Discuss | Tags: Cleveland Browns, Coaching Change, nfl

3 Coaches Canned On Black Monday

By Joel | December 30, 2008 | The Football Wire

The Cleveland Browns, New York Jets and Detroit Lions dumped their head coaches yesterday. Each team failed fulfill expectations, some heavier than others.Cleveland BrownsRomeo Crennel and Phil Savage are out. Scott Pioli's name is popping up in connection to the GM job because of his connections there (wife's family is...

Read more | Discuss | Tags: Cleveland Browns, Coaching Change, Detroit Lions, New York Jets, NFL

Offseason begins: Oakland Raiders news, rumors, 2009 opponents and more

By Patrick Patterson | December 29, 2008 | Thoughts from the Dark Side

Today is the first official day of the offseason for the majority of the teams in the NFL. It is the day that many coaches are fired, and the rumor mill starts to heat up. There are already rumor swirling around Bill Parcells and the Miami Dolphins are in the playoffs after a dismal 2007. Tom Cable is not on the chopping block because his interim tag has expired, so Al Davis must comply with the "Rooney Rule" and interview at least one minority candidate before making his decision. A story circulated on ESPN.com last night that Bill Parcells could get out of his contract in Miami due to the sale of the team. Oakland was listed as one of his possible destinations. Al Davis stepping back at letting the Tuna run the show in the front office would be a dream situation for many in the Raider Nation. Not...

Read more | 10 Comments | Tags: Al Davis, Baltimore Ravens, Bengals, Bill Parcells, Browns, Cincinnati Bengals, Cleveland Browns, Cowboys, Dallas Cowboys, Dolphins, Eagles, Giants, Houston Texans, JaMarcus Russell, Jets, Kevin Gilbride, Miami Dolphins, Minnesota Vikings, New York Giants, New York Jets, NFL, Oakland Raiders, Oakland Raiders News, Philadelphia Eagles, Pittsburgh Steelers, Raiders, Raiders News, Randy Moss, Ravens, Redskins, Rob Ryan, Steelers, Texans, Tom Cable, Washington Redskins

Who Will Go: Crennel, Savage or Both?

By Joel | December 23, 2008 | The Football Wire

The burning question in the midwest is the future of Browns' head coach Romeo Crennel and his boss GM Phil Savage. Both believe they can make a case that they should stick this thing out but both have also made critical gaffes with this team that owner Randy Lerner will...

Read more | 1 Comment | Tags: Cleveland Browns, NFL

NFL Top Ten: Best 2009 Teams not in the 2008 Playoffs

By Greg Trippiedi | January 3, 2009 | MVN Outsider

NFL Power Rankings Week 16: Pennsylvania teams eventually rise to top

By Greg Trippiedi | December 18, 2008 | MVN Outsider

1. Tennessee Titans (12-2) The Titans hold the top spot at least one more week through the loss, but they will have to beat Pittsburgh at home without Albert Haynesworth and Kyle VandenBosch to hold it any further. Good luck guys.2. Philadelphia Eagles (8-5-1)The Eagles jump up to number two this week behind the strength of a third consecutive win, and the Steelers knocking off the Ravens, who beat the Eagles back when this was a team in turmoil. 3. Pittsburgh Steelers (11-3) Do the Steelers have the greatest defense of all time? Only a championship would validate this. The offense apparently isn't going to assist them until the final two minutes of every game.4. Baltimore Ravens (9-5) The Ravens aren't going to fall too far, falling victim to the "Tuck Rule curse". They should have taken care of business in Pittsburgh, and then it wouldn't have come down to...Read more

Read more | 4 Comments | Tags: Baltimore Ravens, Carolina Panthers, New York Giants, Philadelphia Eagles, Pittsburgh Steelers, power poll, Tennessee Titans

Plaxico, the Giants and other news and notes from around the NFL

By Andrew Strickert | December 2, 2008 | MVN Outsider

Plaxico Burress has been charged with two counts of felony possession of a weapon, following an incident in which he accidentally shot himself in a nightclub last Friday night. Burress could face incarceration for 3½ to 15 years. Even if he gets off, he's probably played his last game as a Giant. Giants captain Antonio Pierce may be in trouble as well. He's accused of hiding the gun Burress accidentally shot himself with and Giants fans aren't happy with Pierce or with the club's decision to let him play against the Redskins. New York may have strict gun control laws but several Giants players defended Burress. On the other hand, Burress may be an idiot for carrying an unlicensed gun into a nightclub. Here's my question, does a temporary insanity defense apply here? The sadly ironic thing about this situation is it occurred prior to the game in which the Redskins honored...Read more

Read more | Discuss | Tags: Buffalo Bills, Chicago Bears, Cleveland Browns, Dallas Cowboys, New York Giants, Washington Redskins

NFL Week 13 preview: Predictions and burning questions

By Anthony Hall | November 29, 2008 | MVN Outsider

Every weekend, MVN Outsider's five NFL writers look into their crystal balls and pick the outcomes of the week's games. After twelve weeks of predictions, here's how the standings look:Patrick Patterson: 10-6 last week, 113-63 overall Anthony Brown: 10-6 last week, 108-68 overallAnthony Hall: 11-5 last week, 108-68 overall Andrew Strickert: 9-7 last week, 107-69 overall Greg Trippiedi: 7-9 last week, 102-74 overallAnd here are their predictions for Week 13 of the NFL season: Finally, we'll leave you with a few burning questions for the week:Derek Anderson gets a second chance as Cleveland's starter with Brady Quinn out for the year. Is he up to the task against Indianapolis?Can Matt Cassel keep it up against Pittsburgh's league-leading defense?Who takes control of the NFC North on Sunday night: Minnesota or Chicago?How terrible will the ratings be for the awful Monday Night Football matchup between the Jags and Texans?...Read more

Read more | Discuss | Tags: Chicago Bears, Cleveland Browns, Houston Texans, Indianapolis Colts, Jacksonville Jaguars, Minnesota Vikings, New England Patriots, NFL, Pittsburgh Steelers

News and notes from around the NFL

By Andrew Strickert | November 28, 2008 | MVN Outsider

Roy Williams has more to be thankful for than most in the NFL. A month ago, before he was traded to Dallas, he was stuck in the purgatory known as Detroit. On Thanksgiving, Williams' former team, the 0-12 Lions, was shellacked by the Titans 47-10. His current team, the 8-4 Cowboys, remains in playoff contention after a 34-9 trouncing of the Seahawks. Jim Haslett's bank account will be $20,000 lighter for cussing during a disputed play. Fined for cussing, are you kidding me? Cussing is a part of football, from Pop Warner all the way through to the NFL. The league claimed Haslett was cussing at an official; Haslett claimed he wasn't cussing the official, that he simply yelled, "get off the @#$%^&* ball." The league also fined Patriots T Matt Light and Dolphins LB Channing Crowder $15,000 each for fighting. I'm surprised they received equal punishment since Light seemed to be the...Read more

Read more | 2 Comments | Tags: Chicago Bears, Cleveland Browns, Dallas Cowboys, Detroit Lions, Houston Texans, Indianapolis Colts, Miami Dolphins, New England Patriots, New Orleans Saints, New York Giants, NFL, Philadelphia Eagles, Pittsburgh Steelers, St. Louis Rams, Washington Redskins

NFL Stock Market Week 13:

By Greg Trippiedi | November 25, 2008 | MVN Outsider

No draft prospects on the NFL stock market this Thanksgiving weekend. With bowl (overreaction) season on the horizon, NFL draft stock is too volatile to track. Instead, we'll throw in an NFL coach whose moving up or down on the NFL stock market this week instead.RisersPlayers: QB Drew Brees, New Orleans SaintsIn a last ditch effort to save the season, Brees threw for 321 yards against the Packers and 4 touchdowns, including a pair of 70 yard TD passes. He even got Marques Colston involved. When this offense gets Reggie Bush back, it could definately make a playoff push, and Brees is right back in the conversation for league MVP.Team: Dallas CowboysTerrell Owens is still in the middle of a rough year, but he proved that his old legs can still take him deep. Owens was the biggest factor in the Cowboys win over the 49ers, a win that...Read more

Read more | Discuss | Tags: Cleveland Browns, Dallas Cowboys, New Orleans Saints, New York Jets, Seattle Seahawks, St. Louis Rams

News and notes from around the NFL

By Andrew Strickert | November 25, 2008 | MVN Outsider

Jamal Lewis is complaining because he only got ten carries on Sunday. His complaint looks mild in comparison to LenDale White's beef. White was only on the field for three plays, with one carry for minus one yard and a short pass, which he dropped. New England LT Matt Light may face a suspension for his role in a fight with Miami LB Channing Crowder. Light punched the helmetless Crowder several times in the exchange and both players were ejected. One of Light's teammates said he got in some good shots. One more incident and he's gone? Cowboys coach Wade Phillips believes this is Pacman Jones' last chance to play football. Jones has been allowed to return to the team and will be eligible to play again December 7. Arizona attempted a 68-yard free kick for a field goal after a fair catch on Sunday. I don't know why more people aren't aware that a free kick...Read more

Read more | 1 Comment | Tags: Arizona Cardinals, Atlanta Falcons, Baltimore Ravens, Carolina Panthers, Cincinnati Bengals, Cleveland Browns, Dallas Cowboys, Detroit Lions, Indianapolis Colts, Miami Dolphins, New England Patriots, NFL, Philadelphia Eagles, St. Louis Rams, Tennessee Titans

Football 101: Timing Routes

By Nicolas A. Lewis | November 23, 2008 | MVN Outsider

I know that a lot of you who read this blog aren't uneducated fans, but education is never a bad thing, just in case there's someone out there who was always curious but never enough to ask. This past Monday night, Buffalo and Cleveland played in a game that wound up being rather interesting, but took forever and a day to reach that point. A big part of that is the fact that Bills quarterback Trent Edwards threw three interceptions in the first quarter, killing the momentum that the team kept building up by shutting down a Cleveland offense run by the fresh-under-center Brady Quinn. I can't say that Edwards specifically is to blame for all three interceptions, since I couldn't bear to actually sit through every play of the quarter, but I can certainly say I saw one interception that has to go on his shoulders,...Read more

Read more | Discuss | Tags: Buffalo Bills, Cleveland Browns, NFL, Trent Edwards

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