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Shanahan Says RG3 Can Be One of the NFL’s Best QBs Ever

Michael Gartman (Founder, Senior Writer) — Fri, 24 May 2013 23:40:36 +0000

Robert Griffin III was expected to eventually develop into a star in the NFL after being selected by the Washington Redskins with the No. 2 overall pick in the 2012 NFL Draft.

Photo Credit: Redskins.com

RGIII ended up having immense and immediate success, completing 258 of 393 passes (65.6 percent) for 3,200 yards with 20 touchdowns and just five interceptions in 15 games (all starts) and adding 815 rushing yards with seven scores on 120 carries (6.8 YPC) on the ground in his rookie campaign.

So it should come as no surprise that head coach Mike Shanahan is just as smitten now with the 6-2, 217-pound signal-caller now as he was when the Redskins dealt away a vault of draft picks to get him, and when Griffin III helped lead the team to seven straight wins en route to hosting its first playoff game since 1999.

“That’s why you give up two 1s and a No. 2 for him. You give those things up because you see something very, very special,” Shanahan told Albert Breer of NFL Network. ”You see what type of athlete he is and what type of ability he has. He can make every throw on the field, he’s extremely bright, he’s got great work ethic, and he’s got passion for the game. Those are the things you look for. Now, the rest is taking it to the field.”

Many quarterbacks make great strides in their ability to read NFL defenses and run NFL offenses after their first season in the league, but Shanahan says even if RGIII doesn’t continue to improve throughout his career, he’ll still be one of the greatest players to ever play the position based on his performance in his rookie season.

“If Robert plays like he did [in 2012] the rest of his career,” Shanahan said, “he’ll go down as one of the best quarterbacks to ever play the game.”

Bold statement. But then again, what would you expect him to say? It’s easy to see why expectations are so high for the Redskins’ 23-year-old signal-caller and he clearly has the potential to truly be a great player, which is why Shanahan’s No. 1 priority must be making sure RGIII gets healthy and stays that way.

Michael Gartman is a College Football and NFL Senior Writer, the AFC South and NFC West Lead Writer and the Founder, CEO of GridironGrit.com. He’s also about to start reporting on topics across all sides of the political spectrum and analyze important issues in the liberty movement for a political website. Follow him @_MichaelGartman on Twitter. Be sure to ‘like’ Gridiron Grit on Facebook and follow us on Twitter @GridironGrit to keep up with the latest coverage on college football, the NFL and more!

Ravens Embrace New Faces, But Business As Usual

Barry Barnes (NFL Insider) — Fri, 24 May 2013 21:00:52 +0000

Owings Mills, MD – The sun was out shining bright and hip hop music was blasting through the speakers at its highest volume at the Under Armour Performance Center in Owings Mills, MD, meaning only one thing: the reigning Super Bowl Champion Baltimore Ravens were on the practice field. The Ravens took the field for their voluntary OTAs (Organized Team Activities) with tons of new faces and smiles. However, what continued to stay intact was the team’s focus and eagerness to play football.

Joe Flacco/LockerReport.com

“The only thing that is different is I probably don’t know 80 percent of the guys’ names on our team at this point (laughter),” said Ravens’ quarterback Joe Flacco when asked about the changes in the locker room.“So, I would say that’s the only difference…I guess we probably have a lot of new faces and a lot of young guys. This will be my sixth year – it’s tough to believe – so I think … We’ve always had a locker room where everybody kind of shares roles.

“You have so many guys that are very responsible and know how to go to work, and I think that’s why we’ve been able to continuously have success, even though our team has changed a lot, is because all of those guys that have been there before us really show us how to do it, and then everybody just kind of takes that lead,” he continued. “And I think that’s where we are. I think that’s where I am.”

In terms of executing offensive drills and communication on the field, the Ravens looked pretty sharp in practice. Flacco was zipping passes to his pass catchers, and was in sync with wide receiver Torrey Smith.

Wide receiver Deonte Thompson, second-year man from Florida, is looking to ease the absence of the departed veteran receiver Anquan Boldin, who was traded to the NFC Champion San Francisco 49ers this offseason, as he nabbed nearly every pass that came his way no matter if they were high or low.

With the young, yet, unproven receiving core, the Super Bowl XLVII MVP is highly confident in his talented targets.

“I’m excited about who we have,” said Flacco. “I like the idea of having guys that we’ve had, we’ve drafted here or we’ve picked up here, and grooming them and getting those guys to become great wide receivers. They definitely have the talent to do it; I think we just need to get them some reps. And when I say reps, I mean game time reps, so they’re confidence can take off…And when these young guys can get to the point where they’re out there and their attitude is that, they have all the ability in the world, and I feel very confident with those guys.”

Baltimore Ravens 2013 OTAs/LockerReport.com

Clearly, the Ravens would have appreciated the participation of their other leaders in fullback Vonta Leach, defensive end Terrell Suggs, guard/tackle Marshal Yanda and defensive tackle Haloti Ngata during the team’s voluntary activities. But their absence did not hinder the squad’s flow.

Defensive end Chris Canty is in town, but he was not on the practice field. Nevertheless, according to Ravens’ head coach John Harbaugh, the new Raven signee has been spending time at the Castle.

The communication from the secondary and defensive line was solid, and loud – loud enough to be heard over the speakers.

Cornerback Lardarius Webb was running around, doing drills and, most specifically, making cuts. Webb tore his ACL mid-way the month of October last season. The five-year veteran from Nicholls State was enjoying himself, yet, extremely supportive of his teammates from the starters to the undrafted free agents as he crossed from both practice fields from time to time.

Linebacker Elvis Dumervil, who signed during the offseason, is comfortable with his surroundings and stated that the guys in the locker room have been great to him.

Elvis Dumervil/LockerReport.com

“The guys have been great in the locker room. I felt comfortable,” said Dumervil. “There (are) a lot of Florida guys, too, so that made it a little more comfortable. But, as far as offseason training, it’s been great working out with (strength coach) Bob (Rogucki) and those guys in the weight room. The guys in the locker room have been as advertised when I was making the decision to get here. Guys welcomed me in, and it’s just been amazing.”

Practice for the Ravens has been at its normal pace – fast and hot. And despite the many new faces, Harbaugh likes what he sees.

“Practices have been very, very fast and very efficient,” said Harbaugh. “The first couple of days we didn’t make a lot of mistakes. Guys seem to know what they are doing. We are really working at a high tempo. The heat helped us. It made it tough for the guys, but it helped us. It’s something that’s good for us to push through. It made the practice tougher. I thought the guys did a good job of handling it.

-Running back Damien Berry looked quicker and hit the gaps with speed and power.

-Undrafted free agent quarterback Dayne Crist looked more relaxed compared to his duration at rookie mini-camp, where he experienced several downs as his passes were sealing either too high or too low. During the OTAs, the rookie quarterback from Kansas delivered good completions, and hit on a couple of deep balls. Offensive coordinator Jim Caldwell has worked closely with Crist since the rookie’s mini-camp.

-Rookie linebacker Arthur Brown will be out for four to six weeks after having sports hernia surgery.

-Last season around this time, linebacker Courtney Upshaw was a bit out of shape and had to get fit. This year, Upshaw is in solid form, leaner, in shape and was extremely vocal on the practice field.

Follow Barry Barnes, founder of LockerReport.com and NFL Insider for Gridiron Grit on Twitter and ‘like’ Gridiron Grit on Facebook to keep up with the latest coverage on college football, the NFL and more!

Texans Donate $100,000 To Help Tornado Relief Efforts

Michael Gartman (Founder, Senior Writer) — Fri, 24 May 2013 04:43:01 +0000

In the wake of this week’s devastating tornado in Moore, Oklahoma, the Houston Texans have decided to donate $100,000 to help in the relief efforts.

Photo Credit: HoustonTexans.com

Texans founder, chairman and CEO Bob McNair and his wife Janice made the donation to the Baptist General Convention of Oklahoma (BGCO) Disaster Relief in Oklahoma City on behalf of their foundation and the Texans organization.

It’s just a tragic event,” McNair said after the team concluded its OTAs on Thursday. “We were watching it on television and actually an acquaintance of ours, their family lives there. Fortunately, they weren’t hurt, but their house was pretty much destroyed.

“It’s just an unbelievable situation and we just wanted to say we’re sorry that you have had this disaster, and hopefully this will help a little bit.”

The BGCO provides hot meals, water purification, mobile showers, laundry, debris removal, child care and medical assistance to those that have been affected by the EF5 tornado that swept through Moore, OK on May 19.

Despite the insurmountable amount of devastation that comes from these natural disasters, the acts of kindness from others really goes a long ways towards rebuilding lives and entire communities.

Aaron Curry Admits Money Changed Him

Michael Gartman (Founder, Senior Writer) — Thu, 23 May 2013 05:00:56 +0000

Remember when everyone was gushing over Aaron Curry as a future NFL star and arguably the top defensive player and safest pick heading into the 2009 NFL Draft? Whatever happened to him and how did all of the “experts” get it so wrong?

Like Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Dez Bryant, it turns out the former 2009 first round pick (No. 4 overall) out of Wake Forest let things go to his head, admitting that the money changed him and caused him to lose his motivation.

“Early in my career, I was just selfish and self-centered,” Curry said via the Newark Star-Ledger. “I was more about me than I was the Seahawks at the time. I was more focused on my own desires versus the franchise and the team. It was immaturity, and I’m glad I got past that stage.”

Photo Credit: Giants.com

Curry signed a six-year, $60 million deal with $34 million guaranteed in 2009. He appeared in 35 contests (30 starts) and registered a total of 156 tackles with just 5.5 sacks and four forced fumbles in almost two and a half seasons with the Seattle Seahawks before being traded to the Oakland Raiders for a seventh-round pick.

The 27-year-old was released by the Raiders last November after totaling just 47 tackles with no sacks in 13 games (nine starts). His knee issues also called into question whether Curry would have any sort of future in the NFL.

But the former draft bust of the Seahawks surely isn’t the first and certainly won’t be the last rookie to feel invincible after a fat paycheck. But fortunately for teams around the league, the new rookie wage scale makes it easier to compete and get rid of a first-round bust.

And fortunately for Curry, he still has a chance to prove himself and find some success in the NFL. The well-chiseled 6-2, 265 pound-pound linebacker lined up on the strong-side with the New York Giants’ second unit on Tuesday after sparking interest from “double-digit” teams and signing a one-year deal with the club for the veteran’s minimum a couple of weeks ago.

He credits Seahawks LB coach Ken Norton Jr. and a return to health for helping him refocus his career and chose the Giants because of the team’s “professionalism.”

Ben Roethlisberger: Everyone Likes New Offense

Michael Gartman (Founder, Senior Writer) — Thu, 23 May 2013 00:23:16 +0000

The Pittsburgh Steelers officially began practicing their reworked offense during the first of 13 team practices on Tuesday after the team tumbled into the bottom third of the NFL in offensive production in 2012.

While he refused to provide specifics, quarterback Ben Roethlisberger—who has been critical of Todd Haley‘s offense in the past—said everyone involved likes the looks of the club’s revamped offensive playbook.

Photo Credit: Steelers.com

“There’s been some changes this offseason in some of the offensive philosophies, playbook and some things that I think are good,” Roethlisberger said, via the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review. “It’s some compromise from all the different position coaches, the running back coaches, the line, and quarterback coaches. I think we’ve taken a little bit of everything and made it a lot better.”

The addition of second round pick (No. 48 overall) and potential bell-cow back Le’Veon Bell and the loss of lid-lifting wide receiver Mike Wallace could indicate a more methodical philosophy on offense.

“You can ask anybody on offense that, including coaches, and they’ll tell you that we all like the way the offense is and where it’s going,” Roethlisberger added.

In nine seasons, the 6-5, 241-pound signal-caller has appeared in 127 games (126 starts) and completed 2,374 of 3,762 passes (63.1 percent) for 29,844 yards with 191 touchdowns to 108 interceptions. Roethlisberger, 31, has also added rushing 1,036 yards and 14 touchdowns on 319 carries and has won two out of his three trips to the Super Bowl.

Dez Bryant Says He’s Found Himself, Comfortable With Life

Michael Gartman (Founder, Senior Writer) — Wed, 22 May 2013 13:00:45 +0000

While there’s been no shortage of wide receivers around the NFL that have already gotten into off-the-field trouble this offseason, Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Dez Bryant has managed to stay out of the limelight.

Photo Credit: DallasCowboys.com

The 6-2, 220-pound wide out spoke about how he’s turned his life around following the team’s first day of organized team activity (OTAs).

“I found myself,” Bryant said, via ESPN Dallas. ”I’m comfortable with my life. I’m enjoying being in the NFL. I wish it could’ve been a couple years back, but I had to go through a couple of things to figure it out. I think I got it and I’m just more focused on my job and doing what I love to do and that’s playing football.”

Bryant’s off-the-field issues caused him to fall in the first round to the Cowboys with the No. 24 overall pick of the 2010 NFL Draft. That slide hasn’t appeared to phase his production, as Bryant made 45 receptions for 561 yards and six scores in 12 contests (two starts) in his rookie campaign. He followed things up with 63 catches for 927 yards and nine TDs in 15 games (13 starts) in his second season in 2011.

However, Bryant ran back into trouble last July, as he was arrest after an incident with his mother, Angela. Nevertheless, the misdemeanor family violence charge was conditionally dismissed in November and will disappear as long as Bryant attends counseling and isn’t charged with any crimes for a year.

“Listening and looking at people who do it right,” said Bryant when asked what has helped him turn a corner in his life. “When I was younger it wasn’t like I was acquainted with all that stuff. I wasn’t used to it. I had to get around people who do it right and I feel like that’s been my stepping stone, these older guys.”

Don’t be surprised if the 24-year-old receiver builds off his impressive showing last season, especially if he continues to stay out of trouble and remains healthy. He heads into 2013 with a total of 200 career catches for 2,871 yards and 27 TDs in 43 games (29 starts) and racked up 92 receptions for 1,382 yards and 12 touchdowns in 16 games (14 starts) in 2012.

Raiders Sign Charles Woodson

Oren Shiri (Analyst, Creative Director) — Wed, 22 May 2013 02:34:12 +0000

Charles Woodson has agreed to terms to sign a one-year deal with the Oakland Raiders, Jay Glazer of FOX Sports first reported and the Raiders later confirmed.

Photo Credit: Raiders.com

The move comes as no surprise as he head into his meeting with the team earlier Tuesday reportedly intrigued with the idea of finishing his NFL career in the same place it started.

According to Josina Anderson of ESPN, Woodson’s agent, Carl Poston, said that the 1997 Heisman winner’s one-year deal is worth a “max” of $4.3 million, which includes a $700,000 signing bonus.

The 6-1, 202-pound former 1998 first round pick (No. 4 overall out of Michigan) spent his first eight seasons with the Raiders (19985-2005), appearing in 106 contests (103 starts) and collecting 17 interceptions (for 328 yards and two scores) and nine forced fumbles with a total of 257 tackles and 5.5 sacks (tackles and sacks weren’t recorded until his fourth season in 2001).

Over the last seven seasons (2006-12), Woodson has totaled 462 tackles with 11.5 sacks, 38 interceptions (for 568 yards and nine TDs) and 15 fumbles in 100 games (all starts) with the Green Bay Packers.

Oren Shiri is the Creative Director and an analyst at GridironGrit and Founder of NFL Draft Insiders. Be sure to ‘like’ Gridiron Grit on Facebook and follow @NFLorentime and @GridironGrit on Twitter to keep up with the latest coverage on college football, the NFL and more!

Orange County Law Enforcement Hold Press Conference to Announce Titus Young Hasn’t Been Arrested in Over 168 Hours

Chris Hatch — Tue, 21 May 2013 21:41:15 +0000

After former NFL wide receiver Titus Young was arrested for the third time in two days, on May 12th 2013, local law enforcement in Orange County were put on high alert. Following a brief period of time in which he wasn’t arrested, they held a news conference to try to quell any public panic.

Photo Credit: EliteDaily.com

“We are pleased to announce that, as a department, we have not arrested Titus Young in nearly 170 hours,” the Sheriff’s office announced in a press conference on Tuesday afternoon in a statement which was met with wild applause by Titus Young’s mother and his agent who had, presumably, snuck into the back of the conference.

“We called you all here today, because we truly believe that this period of un-arrest merits a congratulatory period at our offices. Each of our officers who haven’t had to arrest Titus Young have been formally reprimanded for their oversight in this matter and we know that, while this is truly a momentous moment for our department, he’s probably out somewhere doing something illegal. As such, we are going to be waiting an additional 48-72 hours before disbanding our newly formed ‘Titus Task Force’ and before no longer requiring our officers to run two warmup laps and perform group stretches on the departmental track before starting their shifts.”

“Frankly,” the Sheriff’s office continued, “we thought Titus might be going for the record.”

“The Record” that they were referring to was once held by local miscreant, and noted convict, Tim ‘Skeezy’ Skagnetti, who was once arrested four times in two days.

While the Sheriff”s office was initially unclear on the charges that might be awaiting Young, they shed some light on that as well, during their brief time in front of the media.

“What we’re looking at charging Mr. Young with, now, would be 10-12 years for aggravated idiocy; a charge that was created by our legal team on the spot, since there was literally no precedent for such moronic behavior.”

When pressed for further details about what it may have looked like when Young attempted to steal his car back from the police impound lot the spokesperson merely stood off to one side and rolled this mysterious footage.

Chris Hatch (@downthehatch402) covers humor/satire and more for Gridiron Grit. Be sure to ‘like’ Gridiron Grit on Facebook to keep up with the latest coverage on college football, the NFL, humor/satire and more!

Disney Forces ESPN To Lay Off Hundreds of Employees

Michael Gartman (Founder, Senior Writer) — Tue, 21 May 2013 19:25:46 +0000

When you’ve worked hard for several years for the world’s most valuable media property—worth an estimated $40 billion (as of last November)—you might expect to have some job security.

Photo Credit: Deadspin.com

Unfortunately that couldn’t be further from the truth for hundreds of ESPN employees. Bestselling author and ESPN authority Jim Miller announced that the company is laying off between 300 and 400 employees.

The startling news was eventually confirmed by ESPN in a public statement:

“We are implementing changes across the company to enhance our continued growth while smartly managing costs. While difficult, we are confident that it will make us more competitive, innovative and productive.”

This is ESPN’s first major staff reduction since 2009, according to Deadspin.

“I was laid off from ESPN today after 9 and a half years,” a laid-off ESPN employee tells John Koblin of Deadspin.com. “Completely out of the blue, no warning at all. I was told it was 10% across the board, which would be roughly 400. I was told the reason was they needed to make their profit margin and they chose to do that via layoff of staff.”

According to multiple reports, one of the main reasons behind these severe decisions was that the company wasn’t hitting its profit margin and was forced by Disney to make the cuts. Disney’s stock also reached an all-time high this month and ESPN doesn’t even appear to be the only Disney property that’s being forced into making cuts.

The other main reason stems from gobbling up extremely expensive sports rights fees to live events.

Matt Yoder of Awful Announcing notes that this could be “a sign of its stretching and tightening” when you consider that over the last two years ESPN has paid $15 million/year for the Longhorn Network, $20 million/year for the Big East, $70 million/year for U.S. Open Tennis, $500 million/year for the College Football Playoff, $700 million/year for MLB rights and $1.8 billion/year for Monday Night Football. And that doesn’t even include the NBA, NASCAR, SEC, numerous college sports, soccer, etc.

“We were told that the layoffs ARE tied to the profit margin that ESPN needs to meet and the fact they haven’t met that number,” a laid-off ESPN employee (not sure whether it’s the same one) told Deadspin. “Your comments about them buying all of these live rights and now needed to reduce overhead costs is dead on.”

We feel for every one of these employees and hope these hard-working, dedicated individuals quickly find the best revenge—success.

Darren McFadden Gearing Up For ‘Explosive’ 2013 Season

Michael Gartman (Founder, Senior Writer) — Tue, 21 May 2013 13:00:42 +0000

Oakland Raiders running back Darren McFadden has plenty of incentive to stay healthy heading into his contract year and sixth season in the league in 2013, especially after averaging almost five missed games in his first five seasons.

Photo Credit: Tony Gonzalez/Raiders.com

He also started the second-most games (12) and collected the second-most catches (42) and second-most carries (216) of his career last year, despite scoring the second-fewest touchdowns (two) and averaging the lowest YPC rate (3.3) since entering the NFL as a first round pick (No. 4 overall out of Arkansas) in 2008.

So it’s a good sign that the 6-1, 218-pound running back reportedly looked “energized” and “explosive” at Raiders’ early OTAs, per Steve Corkran of the Contra Costa Times.

McFadden, 25, has appeared in 57 contests (44 starts) and rushed for 3,334 yards and 18 TDs on 769 carries (4.3 YPC) with 158 receptions for 1,449 yards and five scores through the air in his first five years.

Whether the Raiders’ talent-deficient offensive line can open up running lanes will be pretty critical to his production and the team’s success on offense in the upcoming season.