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Oakland Raiders News: Al Davis rumored to be selling more shares

Amy Trask at the 2007 Raider Nation Celebration. Photo by Patrick A. Patterson/TFDSsports.com

Rumors have surfaced that Al Davis may be in negotiations to sell more share of the Oakland Raiders. In typical Al fashion, the virtual ink was hardly dry on the espn.com report before John Herrera could send off a response saying that no such thing was happening. According to Chris Mortenson, chief executive Amy Trask has been in negotiations with C. Dean Metropoulos on a transaction that involves his acquiring ten percent of the team. According to Al Davis, Chris Mortenson is a professional liar....

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

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...

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Jags finish disappointing 2008 season in bizarro world

A year ago, the Jacksonville Jaguars finished up the 2007 season with an 11-5 record, and a playoff berth.  A year later, they have completely flipped their fortunes, winding up with a 5-11 record, a team in disarray, and a top 10 draft pick to contemplate. During the Jack Del Rio era, the Jaguars have done one thing consistently: play inconsistently.  The Jags were once noted as a team that nobody relished seeing on their schedule because of their physical, punishing style of football.  Teams now salivate when they see Jacksonville on their calendar because they know that they will face an ill-prepared unit that may play well enough in spurts, but will find a way to implode in the end.  The Jaguars are the team that opponents almost instinctively pencil in as a win now.  How the mighty have fallen. Starting with a soft training camp that was steeped...

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The Ravens roll over the Jaguars on their way to the playoffs

You have to hand it to Jack DelRio and his Jacksonville Jaguars, they never quit against the Baltimore Ravens. It was more a case of being out classed. The Ravens came into the game with a playoff birth staring them in the face, and  the Jag's played only for pride. But however much pride Jacksonville had it wasn't enough as the Ravens pushed all the right buttons, and refused to be denied. Joe Flacco and the offense pounded out 27 points while the Ravens defense once again held their opponent to under 13 points at home for the year.   It was a vintage Baltimore beat down, and it firmly planted the Ravens into the second season, where if they continue to play at this level should carry them a long way.......

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Patriots need more then a Christmas gift to make it to the playoffs

This week more then one person has commented about rooting for the Jets to win versus the Dolphins in order for the Patriots to clinch the AFC East title and become the 3rd seed on the AFC. I think a few people have forgotten the Patriots need to beat the Bills first. If both the Dolphins and Patriots do win then the only way the Patriots may make it in a wild card spot is if the Ravens lose to the Jaguars. I think it will be a tough job for the Jags. The Ravens are playing extremely well and rookie quarterback Joe Flacco has been playing better then I expected. But this would be the second gift the Patriots would need to receive. The ideal scenario would be Miami and Ravens losing (very doubtful) and Patriots winning. Then the Patriots are AFC East Champs and then I believe Miami...

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Jaguars looking to spoil the Ravens party

Christopher Holder, Flickr.com

Jacksonville head coach Jack DelRio had better expectations for this season. Last year  the Jaguars were battling the New England Patriots in the AFC Divisional playoffs. Meanwhile the Ravens were looking to end their season fighting to get only their 5th victory.  All you can say is what a diffence a year makes.   Del Rio exppects his team to end the season with a win, and he'll do eveything he can to get it. This team isn't about to roll over and play dead. They intend to give the Ravens everything they have, and they'll go down fighting. The Ravens road to the playoffs is going to be paved with bad intentions, as in the Jacksonville Jaguars trying to punch them in the mouth. Nobody said it was going to be easy....

Read more  |  8 Comments  |  Tags: baltimore Ravens, David Garrard, Jack Del Rio, Jacksonville Jaguars, Joe Flacco, LeRon McLain

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Stocking Stuffers

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Today's randomness includes 18 Plays which you can download here or listen to in the embedded player. ITunes users should already have the episode downloaded. Congrats to the 18to88.com Fantasy League winner HoosierHoops and his team DaColtz.  He bested me in the championship game, but seeing as how he posted a freaking 185 (the highest score of the year), I don't feel too bad about it.  His prize is two preseason tickets for next year.  Everyone who finished in the top 8 gets a prize.  Winners should email us at 18to88@gmail.com to claim their prizes before January 1.Here's my happy thought of the day:The 1995 Cardiac Colts went to San Diego in round 1...and won.Then they went to the AFC #1 seed and beat a team no one really trusted on the road because that team couldn't score when it counted.Then they played at Pittsburgh.That road might look very familiar...

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Non-Manning Thoughts on the Game

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Thanks to Derek Schultz of XL950 for sharing that beauty with us.Peyton is the best.  We all saw it.  He's the MVP this year, and in 50 years most of us that can still remember anything will remember this season as his greatest no matter what happens from here on out.  Let's talk about the rest of the game: I found Gonzo's night to be enlightening.  I expected a big game from him, but in the end, he posted a very Marvin-like 4 for 38 yards. In other words, Gijon Robinson had a better night.  Perhaps Marvin's numbers have more to do with the role of the #2 in the offense right now. Only 5 players caught balls. That seems very low to me.  Right now, Manning trusts who he trusts. Reggie Wayne has shown up large the last two weeks.  I'm wondering if he's finally healthy. The Jags completed 10...

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

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

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, Top Ten, Washington Redskins

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

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

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NFL Stock Market Week 14: Franchise Quarterback Roulette

This week, we examine efforts by second opportunity head coaches in losing seasons, call into question the franchise QB label for some AFC passers, and try to figure out just what the heck is wrong with the Chargers.  This is your weekly look at the NFL stock market on MVN Outsider!RisersPlayer: QB Joe Flacco, Baltimore RavensAt it's most basic levels, football analysts will question whether or not a team's quarterback has what it takes to be the passer the franchise needs.  Coming out of Delaware, there were significant questions surrounding Joe Flacco, whether or not he was able to milk enough experience out of his three years at Delaware to compete in the NFL, why Pitt gave up on him so fast if he was indeed an NFL prospect, and yes, why his team wasn't competitive against App State in the DI FCS Championship Game.  If Flacco hasn't yet established...Read more

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MNF spotlights AFC South underachievers

This week on Monday Night Football, it's a battle of two 4-7 AFC South squads as the Jacksonville Jaguars travel to Houston to face the Texans.  Both teams have failed to live up to preseason expectations, so in our Monday Night Football preview this week, we wanted to get a closer look at what's gone wrong for these two teams this season.  Jeanne of Black & Teal and Chris of Houston Diehards were kind enough to join us for a pair of quick interviews about the Jags and Texans:Three questions with Jeanne of Black & Teal:1. We've been hearing more and more rumblings about the rough state of Jacksonville's locker room -- do you get the impression that team chemistry (or lack thereof) has been one of the main contributing factors to their underwhelming season? I think the trouble with the locker room stories are coming mostly from journalists looking for a quick...Read more

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NFL Week 13 preview: Predictions and burning questions

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

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Fantasy Football: Tuesday Waiver Wire

As Week 13 comes upon us, it is the last week of the regular season in many fantasy football leagues.  A well placed free agent addition could help get a needed victory this week, as well as have an impact in the playoffs. In this my final edition of the Tuesday Waiver Wire for the 2008 season, I'l once again give you my recommendations of who you should consider adding to your rosters this week. Quarterbacks David Garrard, Jacksonville Jaguars- Garrard threw for 317 yards last week against Minnesota, along with one touchdown and two interceptions.  He's got a favorable matchup coming next Monday against Houston, and then has a favorable looking matchup against Chicago in Week 14.  Garrard could be a sneaky plug-in for the next couple weeks, as the Bears have struggled to generate pass rush and defend the pass this season. Shaun Hill, San Francisco 49ers- Hill...Read more

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News and notes from around the NFL

The NFL's Competition Committee will be convened for a special meeting, following the fallout after Sunday's Steelers-Chargers game. The officiating crew did not represent their brethren well in blowing another call which altered the final score. I've heard there was an exchange of $66 million which could have gone the other way if the zebras had made the correct call. I didn't see the game, but have also heard there were three other Steelers touchdowns taken off the board by the officials. NFL VP of Officiating Mike Pereira said he would do another background investigation of the officials who worked the game and I presume he means he will have their finances investigated.   Cowboys owner Jerry Jones said commissioner Roger Goodell is reinstating Adam "Pacman" Jones, who has been indefinitely suspended. Pacman could be back on the field in Pittsburgh on December 7. If Las Vegas has a line on how many more...Read more

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Which current NFL players will be in the Hall of Fame?

I'll be fortunate to tell my grandchildren one day that I saw most of the future Hall of Famers listed below. Not on TV, but in person, watching them in games with my binoculars focused on them and observing their actions. Whenever any of them are playing in the NFL stadium closest to you, I hope you'll take advantage of the opportunity to go see them.   The primary criteria I used in selecting these players is not how their stats compare to others already in the Hall, but how they compare to their contemporaries. The players who were the best in their era are the most deserving to be inducted one day. This is measured best, in my opinion, by the number of Pro Bowl appearances and first-team All-Pro honors garnered. Please also note that I am measuring these players by their entire body of work. If a player's career ends today, would he be...Read more

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