2008 NFL Draft Needs: NFC West

The NFC West, at least in its current incarnation, has never produced a Super Bowl champion, and the last team in the division to win the Big Game was the St. Louis Rams in 2000. Needless to say, the division has been fighting for respectability for nearly a decade. At ... Continue Reading

2008 NFL Draft Needs: AFC West

Posted By Brian Walzel On Monday, March 17th 2008. Under NFL, NFL Draft Tags: 2008 NFL Draft, AFC West, brandon marshall, Brandon Stokley, Brodie Croyle, Chad Henne, Colt Brennan, Darren McFadden, DeAngelo Hall, Denver, Denver Broncos, Early Doucet, Eddie Kennison, Glenn Dorsey, Indiana, Jake Long, JaMarcus Russell, James Hardy, Javon Walker, Jay Cutler, Jerry Porter, Jimmy Wilkerson, Joe Flacco, Kansas City Chiefs, Kendrell Bell, LaDainian Tomlinson, Lane Kiffin, Lorenzo Neal, Michael Turner, Mike Goff, NFL, Oakland Raiders, Philip Rivers, Rod Smith, San Diego Chargers, Sedrick Ellis, Shane Olivea, Super Bowl, Ty Law, Warren Sapp, Will Shields, Willie Roaf

The four teams in the AFC West range from Super Bowl contenders (San Diego) to a franchise re-writing the blueprint (Kansas City). The Broncos could be on the verge of returning to their regular position among the league’s best and the Oakland Raiders are putting the pieces together to compete, ... Continue Reading

Who is ‘Linebacker U?’

Posted By Brian Walzel On Tuesday, March 11th 2008. Under NCAA Football, NFL Draft Tags: Dan Connor, Florida State Seminoles, Georgia Bulldogs, Keith Rivers, Linebacker U, NCAA Football, Ohio State Buckeyes, Penn State Nittany Lions, Texas A&M Aggies, USC Trojans, Virginia Cavaliers

When Penn State's Dan Connor and USC's Keith Rivers are chosen in this year’s NFL Draft, they will continue a tradition that has entrenched their schools as two of the preeminent linebacker-producing schools in the country. JoePa’s program has had such a propensity for producing first-rate linebackers, the school is one ... Continue Reading

Progress and Prosperity: Big-spending Browns taking city’s motto to heart

Posted By Brian Walzel On Tuesday, March 11th 2008. Under NFL Tags: AFC North, Braylon Edwards, Cleveland Browns, Corey Williams, Dallas Cowboys, Derek Anderson, Donte' Stallworth, Drew Brees, NFL, Philip Rivers, Romeo Crennel, Shaun Rogers

The New England Patriots are yesterday’s news. The Dallas Cowboys? Spare me the soap opera. The Green Bay Packers suddenly became much less interesting and this year’s draft class, at least at this point, lacks a true can’t-miss superstar. So, what’s THE story for the 2008 NFL season? Look no further ... Continue Reading

2008 NFL Draft Analysis: LBs – Rivers and Connor lead the way.

Posted By Brian Walzel On Wednesday, February 20th 2008. Under NCAA Football, NFL, NFL Draft Tags: Ali Highsmith, Beau Bell, Ben Moffitt, Big 10, Big Ten, Bob Stoops, Butkus Award, Curtis Lofton, Dan Connor, Erin Henderson, Florida State, Geno Hayes, Georgia Tech, Illinois, J Leman, Jerod Mayo, Jonathan Goff, Keith Rivers, LSU, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota Vikings, Mountain West, Ohio State, Oklahoma, Penn State, Senior Bowl, Shawn Crable, south florida, Tennessee, UNLV, USC, Vanderbilt, Vince Hall, Virginia Tech, Xavier Adibi

In this year's class of linebackers, top prospects Keith Rivers and Dan Connor are sure-fire first round draft picks. But after those two, things drop off significantly. For example, those at the bottom of this top 10 list may not be drafted until the mid to late third round. ... Continue Reading

Pre-Combine Draft Risers: Talented corners making noise, signal-callers slinging their way up.

Posted By Brian Walzel On Wednesday, February 20th 2008. Under NCAA Football, NFL, NFL Draft Tags: 2008 NFL Draft, Angelo Craig, auburn, Bethune-Cookman, Boise State, Brandon Flowers, Brian Brohm, Cal, Chad Henne, Chris Williams, Cincinnati, Darnell Terrell, Delaware, Demetrius Bell, Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, Indiana, Jake Long, Joe Flacco, Jordy Nelson, Kansas State, Leodis McKelvin, MAC, Matt Ryan, Michigan, Missouri, NFL, Northwestern State, Oniel Cousins, Pittsburgh, Quentin Groves, Ronnie McCullough, Ryan Clady, Sedrick Ellis, Senior Bowl, tennessee state, Thomas DeCoud, Tom Brady, Tracy Porter, Troy, Tyler Palko, UTEP, Vanderbilt, Virginia Tech

Players who see their draft stock rise after the season ends come from all walks of college football life. Sometimes they are the big name quarterback who had a disappointing season. Sometimes they are the solid, but unspectacular middle linebacker for a MAC school. And sometimes the names are so ... Continue Reading

Do’s and Don’ts for a Successful Super Sunday Bash.

Posted By Brian Walzel On Saturday, February 2nd 2008. Under NFL Tags: Super Bowl, Super Bowl party, Super Bowl XLII

Super Bowl Sunday, without a doubt, is one of the biggest days for parties and social gatherings. And, as with any party, there are always some things that can make or break your big-game bash. Brian Walzel gives some suggestions on what can help make your Super Sunday get-together really super.

Will history repeat itself for the Patriots or Giants on Sunday?

Posted By Brian Walzel On Wednesday, January 30th 2008. Under NFL Tags: , Adam Vinatieri, Carolina Panthers, Chicago Bears, Curtis Martin, Deion Branch, Desmond Howard, Hall of Fame, Jessie Armstead, John Kasay, Kerry Collins, New England Patriots, New York Giants, Ottis Anderson, Phil Simms, Philadelphia Eagles, Scott Norwood, Steve Grogan, Super Bowl, Super Bowl XLII, Super Bowl XX, Tom Brady, Tony Eason, Trent Dilfer

Someone somewhere once said something to effect of “Those who do not learn from history are bound to repeat it.” So, as the New England Patriots and New York Giants prepare to face off in Super Bowl XLII, what can the two teams learn from their past experiences? That it’s ... Continue Reading

Super spread a stretch, or is it spot on?

Posted By Brian Walzel On Wednesday, January 23rd 2008. Under NFL Tags: Baltimore Colts, Bill Belichick, Chicago Bears, Denver Broncos, Eli Manning, Green Bay Packers, Kansas City Chiefs, New England Patriots, New York Giants, NFC, San Francisco 49ers, St. Louis Rams, Super Bowl, Super Bowl XLII, Super Bowl XXXVI, Vinatieri

Eli Manning barely had gotten through his first post game interview after his New York Giants upset the Green Bay Packers 23-20 in the NFC Championship game last weekend when Las Vegas odds makers installed the New England Patriots as 13.5 point favorites for Super Bowl XLII. After going 18-0, it ... Continue Reading

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