Bleacher Report - Articles by Morgan Kimbarow

Ten Questions I'd Want To Ask LaDainian Tomlinson

Morgan Kimbarow — Thu, 07 May 2009 22:24:19 -0400

1) In this day and age other NFL athletes are outing teammates asking for more money, how hard is it to stay humble?

2) What is your greatest accomplishment as a pro?

3) When your career started, did you ever think you would assemble numbers that you have now?

4) How many more seasons will you play?

5) If you weren't drafted by the Chargers, what team would you have liked to play for?

6) How do you feel about the pick of Larry English, whom many were surprised by?

7) What is your greatest accomplishment off the field?

8) Your relationship with Philip Rivers has often been publicized as being a bad one; could you expand on that?

9) How do you feel about A.J. Smith's management style, which has often been under scrutiny?

10) And on a more personal note, you signed an autograph for me at the Chargers training camp in 2007, and I was last person you gave an autograph to until you had to leave; everyone was calling you L.T., LaDainian, but I called you Mr. Tomlinson...was that why you gave me your last autograph?

Will The San Diego Chargers Be Able To Amass The Potential Of Demetrius Byrd?

Morgan Kimbarow — Wed, 29 Apr 2009 20:25:39 -0400

Demetrius Byrd all together as a football prospect, he's the embodiment of the million-dollar talent with a bad head.

He has all the tools you look for in a wide receiver. At 6'1" 200 lbs he has the prototypical size for the position. He definitely has the speed; he has been clocked as low as 4.29 in the 40 yard dash.

He also possesses something the Chargers hope to uncover his enormous upside.

The big question that put his NFL career in jeopardy is a near-fatal car accident.

He's expected to make a full recovery and ultimately return to normal, but he is not expected to be back soon.

When Demetrius is healthy, he is a threat to score a touchdown where ever he is on the field.

He is able to find the hole in the seam, and do big things when he gets the ball on the move.

Unfortunately, he is not a not a good route runner. Something he will need to work on and develop in the NFL.

His hands are shaky at time and he will drop passes that he should catch.

While at LSU he did not live up to the hype of becoming the superstar receiver he should have become.

Do not get me wrong he was very good and he will be solid for the Chargers solely on raw skills alone.

But he has the chance to be great and special.

If it all falls into place for Demetrius and if he finds the desire to become the NFL’s best receiver, it’s all there for the taking.

Demetrius Byrd has the chance to achieve greatness and if he can put his mind to it the Chargers will have truly gotten a steal in the seventh round.

Kassim Osgood Trade Is Eminent

Morgan Kimbarow — Wed, 22 Apr 2009 23:55:04 -0400

There is a good possibility that when the draft rolls around this weekend Kassim Osgood career with the Chargers will have ended.

The casual NFL fan has probably never even heard of Kassim Osgood maybe even the casual Charger fan doesn't.

But there are people like myself that truly appreciate what Kassim Osgood does for the Chargers.

I was a junior this year on my high school varsity football team. I was able to have some playing time on special teams.

I am now able to appreciate what his play means to the Chargers and how he impacts the special team aspect of the game.

Special teams are tough and tiring.

When Osgood is on the kickoff team he runs about 60 yards give or take down the field sprinting often being double teamed. He is without a doubt the best player at a position that is overlooked special teams.

He has been so good in fact that he has been to the Pro Bowl two times.

Kassim Osgood is upset because he would like to contribute on the offensive side of the ball. You can't argue with him.

In 2003-2004 his first two years in the league he had a combined 28 receptions and 586 yards and four touchdowns he looked like a developing contributor to the offense.

However since 2004 he has only had four catches and has been used very sparingly.

At 6'5" 220 lbs. many may argue he is one if not the best athletes in the NFL.

It looks like Kassim wants a bigger role on the team and the Chargers will not grant him it. But the payoff for him seems like a good one possibly a fourth round pick.

This seems like a good trade for whichever party is involved. However losing a player of that caliber on special teams will definitely hurt.

To sum it all up I am 85 percent sure this is Kassim Osgood's last week as a Charger

Eric Parker: Remebering a Forgotten Charger

Morgan Kimbarow — Sat, 11 Apr 2009 15:44:44 -0400

I personally will always remember Eric Parker.

When I was 9 years old (2002), my Mom always use to take me and some of my friends to the restaurant Seau's (owned by Junior Seau) where they held the Chargers Power report every Monday night after the game.

The show was an hour long and they usually had one or two players come on to talk about the game and what not.

On this particular night Eric Parker was to be a guest on the show.

Eric Parker was one of those scrub players on the team he was a rookie and had barely made the team. His main contributions was being a special team player.

My experience with Eric Parker is one that I will always remember.

When I was in the bathroom at Seau's they had laid out candy and special towels for the players. I was only 9 then and I had trouble the reaching the paper towels.

Mr.Parker saw me struggle and handed me one of towels that were for the players only and gave me some of the candy.

Later on he signed his autograph for me but he didn't just put his autograph on it he put words of wisdom on it. On the paper he wrote "The sky is the limit"

That next week Eric had his best game yet as a pro when he had seven catches for 96 yards in a loss against the Raiders.

Coming out of Tennessee college, Parker was labeled as injury-prone and because of this he was passed over in the draft.

He was originally signed by the Houston Texans as an undrafted free agent, but was released by in July.

Reality had struck Eric Parker that he probably was not going to play in the NFL. He was about to take a maintenance job with the Texans until the Chargers called.

Parker joined the Chargers. His incredible work ethic allowed him to make the team and earn him a niche on third downs, where he earned the nickname "The Bondsman" for consistently bailing out the offense

However for his first two years with the Chargers he was sparingly used.

An injury to Reche Caldwell in 2004 gave way for Eric Parker to start. He did not disappoint.

He seized the opportunity and did not look back.

From 2004-2006 had 152 catches,2,074 yards, and seven Touchdowns.

2006 the Chargers went 14-2 and were picked by many to win the Superbowl. Eric had another solid season with 48 receptions, 659 yards. However 2006 would be Eric's last season in the NFL.

Parker will be probably be more rememberd in San Diego on a sour note.

His final game was against the New England Patriots in the Divisional Round of the 2006 playoffs. Parker dropped two key passes and muffed a punt in a game the Chargers would go on to lose by three points.

It would be his last game in the NFL.

In 2007, Eric Parker injured his toe during training camp. His toe injury caused him to miss the entire 2007 season.

With the emergence of Vincent Jackson as a reliable receiver Eric Parker became expendable.

on July 23, 2008 the Chargers released Eric Parker.

After his released he offered these statements “My time spent in San Diego, it's been a good time,” “Everyone has been good to me. It was a great run for me.”

What a classy guy.

But we have not seen the last of Eric Parker on March 30th 2009 he joined the coaching staff of the San Diego Chargers as a wide receivers and conditioning assistant.

So I would like to thank you, Mr. Parker.

It was fun watching you play you had a great playing career with the Chargers.

I will never forget that time at Seau's when you signed your autograph for me.

You may have been forgotten by many but I want you to know that there are still people that appreciate your career and know that you were a good person off of it too.

Nick Adenhart: A Victim of Somebody Else's Stupid Decision

Morgan Kimbarow — Sat, 11 Apr 2009 12:09:58 -0400

The sudden death of Nick Adenhart is heartbreaking and makes no sense.

Here's a guy who had just made his fourth major league start and was possibly destined for greatness.

However things unexpectedly took a turn for the worse.

On Apr. 9, 2009, Andrew Thomas Gallo, 22 decided to get behind the wheel of a car with a blood alcohol limit that was well over the legal limit it at the time.

Andrew Thomas Gallo was a man who had not learned from his previous mistakes. At the time he was driving with a suspended license because of a previous drunken driving conviction.

Unfortunately it was Nick Adenhart who would pay for Gallo's stupid decision.

At 12:30 AM, the minivan driven by Gallo ran a red light and hit the silver Mitsubishi Eclipse in an intersection, this was the car that had Nick Adenhart as a passenger in it.

The sudden impact caused both vehicles to spin around, and one then struck another car but that driver was not hurt.

Gallo fled the crash on foot and was captured about 30 minutes later.

Nick Adenhart was doing nothing wrong when his life was taken so suddenly and abrupt.

Nick Adenhart was only 22 and a young man that had his whole life ahead of him.

In the world we live, hardly ever is there a person who's misfortunes in life are not his fault. Nick was in a car that was hit by somebody who had too much to drink.

In no way was that any of his fault.

Nick Adenhart R.I.P. 1986-2009

Best Seasons By Wide Receivers Over 35 From 2000-2008

Morgan Kimbarow — Sun, 05 Apr 2009 17:32:07 -0400

You would be surprised to find how age has been somewhat kind to the wide receiver postion. Jerry Rice had three thousand yard seasons after he turned 35. There have been many great seasons by a wide receiver after he turned 35 and played well beyond anybody's expectations.

Begin Slideshow

The NFL Needs More Players Like Dhani Jones

Morgan Kimbarow — Sun, 05 Apr 2009 14:52:28 -0400

I have become fascinated by anything I have seen about Dhani Jones.

He is a pretty damn good football player and has a booming personality. Along with his bow tie suits, he seems just like an overall fun guy.

An NFL linebacker, fashion entrepreneur, environmental philanthropist, community volunteer, and all-around Renaissance man, Dhani Jones now includes Travel Channel host on his lengthy resume.

A travel eccentric, Dhani has incorporated two of his greatest passions, travel and sports, for his television show Dhani Tackles the Globe, where he tours the world and explores the ways in which traditional sports help to characterize the culture.

Dhani is probably better known for his career in the NFL, where, over the previous eight years, he has played for the New York Giants, Philadelphia Eagles and, at the moment, the Cincinnati Bengals.

Off the field, Dhani usually can be found dressed in one of his signature bow ties. In fact, he founded Five Star Ties in 2005, his own line of men’s accessories.

With hobbies such as writing poetry, oil-painting, wood-working, fashion design, photography, and playing classical music, Dhani’s passion for the arts comfort him during the football offseason.

Dhani is a native of Maryland. He attended the University of Michigan. He currently lives in both Cincinnati and San Diego.

Selected as one of People magazine’s “50 Hottest Bachelors of 2005,” Dhani is not a newcomer to the limelight.

In increment to hosting and appearing on numerous television programs that comprise The Colbert Report, Carson Daly Show, and ESPN’s Cold Pizza and Timeless, Dhani has collected many decorations for his charity work for former Vice President Al Gore’s Climate Change Project and the United Nations' World Food Program.

He also represented the New York Giants at a press conference for the “Gift of New York,” a Sept. 11 philanthropy organization designed to give victims’ families free access to New York's theatrical, artistic, cultural, sports, and live entertainment venues.

Dhani Jones is an educated, intellectual, eccentric person whose qualities off the field define him more than while he's on it.

In the NFL today, when a player is in the news because of something he did off the field, it usually is in a negative regard.

However, Dhani Jones is portraying a positive image by trying to teach us and enlighten us with his new show on the Discovery Channel.

The NFL would love to have more players follow the trend of Dhani Jones and be positive role models to the community.

Could Ricky Williams Have Had a Hall Of Fame Career?

Morgan Kimbarow — Sun, 08 Mar 2009 15:22:36 -0400

Ricky Williams was an iconic figure to say the least, recognizable by his dreadlock hair style.

His shyness made him appear like an oddball.

"Ricky's just a different guy," former Saints receiver Joe Horn said.

"People he wanted to deal with, he did. And people he wanted to have nothing to do with, he didn't. No one could understand that. I don't think guys in the locker room could grasp that he wanted to be to himself—you know, quiet. If you didn't understand him and didn't know what he was about, it always kept people in suspense."

Ricky Williams' story is a compelling one.

Williams was born, along with his twin sister Cassandra, in San Diego, California. He was born to relatively young parents, who ultimately separated when he was six years old. His mother was awarded custody of Williams and his siblings.

Williams prepped at Patrick Henry High School in San Diego. He played football and baseball.

To say Ricky Williams was a good athlete is a huge understatement. Texas recruited him as a running back while Philadelphia Phillies saw him as an outfielder.

As we all know he chose football. It does, however, make you wonder if he could have been a two-sport athlete.

Williams played his college football at the University of Texas. He holds or shares 20 NCAA records, and became the NCAA Division I-A career rushing leader in 1998 with 6,279 yards (broken one year later by the University of Wisconsin Madison's Ron Dayne).

Williams had a sensational senior season, highlighted by rushing for nine touchdowns and 385 yards in the season's first two games, rushing for 318 yards and six touchdowns against Rice, rushing for 350 yards and five touchdowns against Iowa State, and rushing for 150 yards against Nebraska's legendary Black Shirt Defense.

He also helped beat long-time rival Oklahoma rushing for 166 rushing yards and two scores.

Williams was selected as the fifth pick of the 1999 NFL draft by the New Orleans Saints.

Head coach Mike Dikta traded all of the Saints' 1999 draft picks to get Williams, as well as a first and third pick the following year.This was the first time one player was the only draft pick of an NFL team.

Rapper Master P's (aka Percy Miller's) organization "No Limit Sports" negotiated his contract, which was largely incentive-laden in exchange for an $8 million-plus signing bonus.

The salary incentives were worth a range of $11 million to $68 million should he hit all of his incentives, with most of them requiring higher than top-level production to attain.

Williams later fired "No Limit Sports" and made Leigh Steinburg his agent.

Williams was traded after three seasons to the Miami Dolphins on March 8, 2002 for two first-round picks. In his first season with the Dolphins, he was the NFL's leading rusher and a Pro Bowler with 1,853 yards.

It seemed as if Williams had finally found a place he could call home in Miami. He had finally amassed the potential the Saints had seen when they traded away their whole draft for him.

Then this odd man did a very odd thing. In the prime of his career, he retired, at the age of 26.

Williams said the reason was because he had stopped enjoying football.

The real reason was probably because he had just failed a third drug test. He wanted to save the public embarrassment.

Retiring allowed Williams to do something he wasn't allowed to do while he was playing: smoke pot.

He smoked marijuana because it helped with his clinical depression and anxiety disorder.

Ricky Williams is another case of what could have been. He is playing again for the Dolphins, but has not even come close to the numbers he put up in 2002 and 2003.

Williams will never gain back those three years he was out of the NFL and he will never be a top running back again.

It is a shame because people don't remember that for two years was a top five running back.

Ricky Williams has had a good career but it very well could have been a Hall of Fame one.

T.O. a Buffalo Bill Might Be the Perfect Situation

Morgan Kimbarow — Sat, 07 Mar 2009 21:40:51 -0500

I thought Terrell Owens would end up playing in New York. But the Bills were not the team I thought.

I'll be honest I had my money on the Jets who are a big market perfect for T.O.'s antics but it was not to be.

First he had Jeff Garcia, then he had Donovan McNabb, we all know about Tony Romo, and now Trent Edwards?

Trent Edwards who? This is really a perfect situation for T.O. he'll be the star on a team full of nobodies and he will flourish. Every team he has played on he has brought them success so why should Buffalo be any different?

The Bills know what they are getting themselves into a star who will bring the tabloids the outrageous press conferences and the occasional criticism of his team or another player.

The Bills are getting a Hall of Fame reciever who at the age of 35 is still at the top of his game.

T.O. will bring his antics to Buffalo but every down he plays for the Bills will be his hardest.

Tom Cable: the Right Choice for the Oakland Raiders

Morgan Kimbarow — Sat, 07 Mar 2009 21:15:39 -0500

The Raiders are in disarray and have been for a while. Frankly because there is no organization whatsoever. Al Davis goes through head coaches like Liz Taylor goes through husbands.

However he has made the right choice with Tom Cable. What the Raiders need is continuity with one system and that system has been implanted for two years. With the hiring of Tom Cable that insures the system will be kept in place for at least three years.

If the Raiders are to succeed Tom Cable must be their coach for at least four years.

You give the head coach two years to get in touch with players and for him to instrument that system and for his players to learn it. Then the second half of the four year plan is where the Coach is expected to lead that team to the playoffs.

If the Coach fails to do so then he deserves to be fired.

For the case of Al Davis and the Raiders they give a coach only one year or two years to teach the system and they lose games but they make progress. They then fire the coach and then have to start from scratch all over again.

If the Raiders are to return to there dominance it will be because they have continuity.

They didn't need T.O. and they don't need Chad Johnson they have talented players.

They just need a Coach that will be in Oakland for more than two years.

Vincent Jackson's Drinking Problem Is Shocking

Morgan Kimbarow — Sat, 07 Mar 2009 17:00:49 -0500

Vincent Jackson is a wide receiver trapped in a tight end's body.

At 6'5", 241 pounds, he has the size to be durable, the hands to catch the tough pass, and the speed to be a vertical threat. He also is probably the only NFL player whose GPA in college was the same as his time in the 40 yard dash (it's that high).

Vincent Jackson's skills quiet many defenses, but there is something he would like to keep quiet about as well: He has a drinking problem.

On Jan. 6, 2:30 am, Vincent was arrested on suspicion of a DUI. It later came out that he was on probation for a previous DUI arrest in 2006.

If you are willing to drive a car while impaired and risk your life and the lives of others, you definitely have a problem.

This question was then presented: "Why was he out that late drinking, while he and his team are supposed to be preparing for their next playoff opponent?"

He came from a military family and had a 4.25 GPA in college. It is hard to fathom how alcoholism was able to find a way into his life.

Vincent Jackson is not a thug, not illiterate, and not a mean guy. He simply has a problem with alcohol, that's all.

He may not admit it, but he needs help.

I am a big fan of Vincent Jackson. I love what he brings to the team, his attitude, and how he has gotten better each year. I certainly wish Vincent the best and hope he will overcome his demons and overcome an obstacle that many succumb to.

Larry FItzgerald Is Simply Great

Morgan Kimbarow — Sat, 07 Mar 2009 15:52:19 -0500

Larry Fitzgerald is out of this world.

He makes the most impossible catches, often in double coverage, and is simply great.

So gracefully he plays the game, when he catches the ball, when he leaps over defenders to make the catch, and when he runs past cornerbacks. The only thing they can see is his dreadlocks as he gallops into the end zone.

Most impressive of all is how humble he is after all of his accomplishments. He is possibly the best receiver in the game. He broke Jerry Rice's record for yards in a single postseason and this was only his first true statement to his dominance.

He single-handedly led the Cardinals inches away from hoisting the Lombardi trophy.

Larry has had a life of ups and downs, going to military school and having his mom die while he was in college, but he has been surrounded by great people.

His father covered the Super Bowl Larry played in. He got emotional when our 44th president, Barack Obama, said his son was a great man.

In the NFL today, the wide receiver position has become filled with egotistical, selfish, cocky, arrogant people.

Not Fitzgerald.

Many receivers will refuse to go across the middle.

Not Fitzgerald.

Many will drop the easy pass.

Not Fitzgerald.

This is a true testament to his character, which makes him simply great.

Does A.J. Smith Want LaDainian Tomlinson to Leave San Diego?

Morgan Kimbarow — Sat, 07 Mar 2009 15:19:35 -0500

After L.T. posted on his website “I have been getting a lot of messages on my site regarding me leaving San Diego. I feel that I need to make it very clear that I have no intentions of leaving San Diego. San Diego is where my career started and where I’d like it to end. I have nothing but love and the up most [sic] respect for this team, the players, and the Spanos Family. Me being traded is completely out of my hands. I have ABSOLUTELY no control in that decision making. All I can do is wait and see how it all plays out. As for now, I am a Charger and will be until I am told otherwise.”

A.J. Smith respoded by saying “My first reaction was we both have similar feelings,” “I have no intentions of leaving San Diego. San Diego is where my GM career started and where I’d like it to end. I also have nothing but love and the utmost respect for this team, the players and the Spanos family. I have absolutely no control over how long I will be with the Chargers.”

Smith eventually apoligized, but a General Manager should never be in the news for something negative. It is an inexcusale act on Smith's part.

He can't and will never be happy with L.T. because he was not drafted by A.J. Smith, he was drafted by John Butler. If you don't believe, me look at the players and coaches he's let go Drew Brees, Marty Schottenheimer, etc.

There is no denying the fact that A.J. Smith is a great general manager. The Philip Rivers trade and the players he drafted in 2005 are moves nobody can disagree with.

But the fact is, A.J. Smith wants players that has invested in to do well. That is why he can never be happy for L.T.

The fact of the matter is that A.J. Smith has simply the biggest ego ever by a general manager, and it is getting in the way LaDainian's career with the Chargers.