Bleacher Report - Articles by Daniel Shanks

Prelude to an Ugly Truth: (SLY) Fox's Involvement With Bleacher Report

Daniel Shanks — Wed, 05 Aug 2009 09:07:24 -0400

I don't know why this didn't occur to me earlier, but it just hit me this instant.

I was messaging Stoker Mac (b/r's preeminent boxing authority), asking him about articles of his that have been deleted. I commented that I've had two pulled, both dealing with Rush Limbaugh.

I happened to glance in the lower right corner of the Web page (all the way at the bottom, mind you) and saw the Fox logo.

Then it hit me like a bolt of stupid lightning.

Rupert Murdoch controls Fox.

Rupert Murdoch is a staunch Republican.

Taking a guess, I'd say he's probably a big fan of the pill-poppin' prognosticator.

I wonder why my stories were pulled?

Due diligence by Tim Coughlin?

A desire by B/R to stay out of the political arena?

Or is the puppet master pulling the strings from behind the scenes like always?

Stay tuned folks. I know it's been a while, but I'm fixing to get in B/R's @$$ sideways on this one...

PS: Someone send this to Leroy Watson and say you wrote it....

"You depend on our (production);

Yet you feed us lies from the tablecloth ..."

-SOAD, B.Y.O.B.

Stop Beefing: Personal Attacks on B/R Need to Stop

Daniel Shanks — Sat, 25 Jul 2009 04:47:21 -0400

I think the group War said it best: Why can't we be friends?

Or to quote Rodney King: Can't we all just get along?

Over the past few weeks, I've noticed a troubling tendency on Bleacher Report. There have been a number of writers who have penned pieces that do nothing more than belittle and degrade someone with whom they have a beef.

These "articles" border on slander, and certainly don't represent what B/R claims to be all about. At worst, these pieces embarrass B/R and everyone associated with it.

At worst, it makes the author look incredibly childish and silly.

Inevitably, the guy who is being slammed will get wind of this article, and he'll feel the need to comment and defend himself.

Then the author will respond with a comment filled with so much venom and anger that it elicits a strong response for the guy being dissed.

Before too long, it degenerates into a pissing contest, filled with obscenities and nonsensical rantings.

Not only does this add nothing to the site whatsoever, it causes B/R to lose credibility. That in itself doesn't really bother me (I think everyone pretty much knows how I feel about the "little minion"), but there are a lot of good people who have a lot invested (time, money, etc.) into this site. Their efforts should not be cheapened by someone who doesn't know how to resolve a conflict.

Every time I stumble upon one of these articles, my response is the same.

Handle your beef in private. We, the members of the B/R community, don't want to read this petty crap.

There's a reason the bulletin board was created. There's a reason that you can send private messages to people (and no, it's not to flirt with the lovely ladies on this site without your girlfriend knowing).

If you've got a problem with someone here on B/R, take it to his or her doorstep. Send them a message. Leave a post on their BB.

But enough with the ranting and raving in B/R's public forum already.

It's amazing what you can do if you just TALK to people before you blast them.

My most recent article, the one with the picture of Samuel L. Jackson from "Pulp Fiction," was received pretty well.

But there was one guy who, for whatever reason, didn't like what I had wrote. We then engaged in a pretty heated back-and-forth on the comment thread.

Once things had cooled down, he actually extended the olive branch to me. Since then, he has been very good about giving me advice about the journalism field and life in general.

Now if I had just read his comments and thought, "Screw this guy. I'm coming out swinging," and written an article bashing him, what good would that have done?

I wouldn't have gained the counsel of a guy who's been in the journalism field for about as long as I've been alive.

Rather, I would have come off looking like a petty, immature a-hole.

Which is how a lot of you look when you play out your personal conflicts in public.

So I'm pleading to the B/R writers out there, especially the young ones. Think before you write an article disparaging someone.

Try to understand the other person's point of view. Make an effort to "sit down" (digitally, I guess) with the person and express your concerns.

Who knows? The guy you hated might just turn into a good friend.

Parting Shot: My Biggest Issue With B/R

Daniel Shanks — Wed, 22 Jul 2009 04:54:55 -0400

"The path of righteous man is beset on all sides by the inequities of the selfish and the tyranny of evil men. Blessed is he who in the name of charity and good will shepherds the weak through the valley of darkness. For he is truly my brother's keeper and the finder of lost children.

(Now pay attention, B/R brass, because this next bit pertains to you).

"And I will strike down upon thee with great vengeance and furious anger, those who would attempt to poison and destroy my brothers..."

This is a passage from the book of Ezekiel, but most of you would recognize it from "Pulp Fiction." In my mind, it was the best thing that Samuel L. Jackson has ever done, and that's saying a lot.

(Then again, it could be saying a little. He did do "Snakes on a Plane", right?)

Better get to the point before I get deleted...

Over the course of the last week, my opinion on this site has changed dramatically. When I first got wind of all the circumstances of the Summertime Shakedown, as I like to call it (that's the NFL correspondent search for all you non-hipsters out there), my initial reaction was anger.

I was spitting venom, and a lot of it was directed at people who didn't deserve it. One poor kid in particular, John Breech, who happens to be a sports editor at a weekly newspaper, just like me, penned an article entitled something like, "Wipe away those tears: CBS, B/R got it right."

I didn't even read what he had to say before launching into a profanity-laced rant about how he was a scumbag and he was just trying to cozy up to "the man" (CBS) and his little minion (B/R).

Once my anger subsided, I apologized to young Mr. Breech and started thinking about what's really going on here. Why was I so upset? Why was I so bothered by the scenario?

Initially, it was because I didn't get the position I thought I deserved. No need to lie about it. I busted my hump, sometimes writing as many as four articles a day.

Go back and look at my archives. I was a machine for two-plus months.

But because of my dedication to this site, my relationship with my new wife suffered because I was always on the computer.

My friends were basically ignored because my days were spent hovering around B/R, waiting for someone to comment on one of my stories.

My work productivity suffered because I couldn't stop checking the site at the office.

Then I came to find out that I poured countless hours (and sleepless nights) into chasing a dream that, in my case, would NEVER turn into a reality.

And either B/R or "little brother" (CBS) knew it at some point, and strung me (and plenty of other talented writers) along because they wanted the free labor. Can't blame them.

But then I wondered how complicit B/R really was. I would expect this tactic from CBS. It's a corporation, and corporations make a living out of screwing people over.

Now I got a couple e-mails from B/R Community Coordinator Dave Morrison (aka Dave Mo), who tried to allay my concerns.

The only problem is that his explanations seemed a little too self-serving. From my perspective, it was a classic case of C.Y.A. (That's "Cover Your @$$)

The other thing that bugged me was his declaration that B/R would NOT be announcing the list of people it selected and recommended.

Think about that for a second. If B/R is offering $500 to some of the people it recommended, but no one knows who those people are, how do we know that the $500 promise isn't just another load of B.S.?

Mo said that the people would be notified individually. What better way to keep everyone in the dark, including the people who were recommended?

I've been asking around, especially to the people who are now "featured columnists," and no one has seen one red cent yet.

There is an air of secrecy on this site that breeds suspicion, especially when all this shadiness is going on, you know?

Now I heard a rumor that the NASCAR community has been offered the same carrot as the NFL community (if anyone can confirm this, please let me know and send any link about the job or e-mail correspondence with B/R brass).

If this is true, I'm already paranoid about Summer Shakedown, Part II.

Hopefully, B/R brass will take this to heart and examine the way they do business.

But if they try and pull the same crap again, well, let's just say that they might have a (poop)storm on their hands.

What I want B/R and little brother to understand (especially little brother) is that while you might be watching us, understand that WE ARE WATCHING YOU. VERY CLOSELY.

So make your next move carefully, or you might have the revolution brought to your doorstep.

"Come senators, congressmen
Please heed the call
Don't stand in the doorway
Don't block up the hall
For he that gets hurt
Will be he who has stalled
There's a battle outside
And it is ragin'.
It'll soon shake your windows
And rattle your walls
For the times they are a-changin'."

-Bob Dylan

Five More Things I Hate About You: B/R Bash '09 Continues (Satire)

Daniel Shanks — Sat, 18 Jul 2009 06:09:45 -0400

So I was all ready to do a fun little quiz with y'all. I had cropped in on the "EYE" (as in cbs IS WATCHING US. WAKE THE HELL UP.) and the cbs for the people thinking, reinforcing the fact that cbs owns bleacher report. All that was left on the picture was a pair of mouths and suits. I was going to do a little quiz on whose mouths those were. Anyone who answered correctly would have been privy to an advanced copy of my conspiracy theory before it drops on B/R. You heard it hear first y'all! But only if you could have answered this question. "Whose two mouths appear in the picture above?" The answer, obviously, would have been Jim Nantz and Roy Williams. I was all set to give away a prize too. But you can't crop photos on slideshows. Not in a manner that I'm aware of, anyway. Hmm, let's make that thing No. 1 I hate about B/R. I could go on, but I'm wasted a lot of energy fighting various forms of the establishment, and I need a breather.

Begin Slideshow

The Worst Things about B/R, Part I

Daniel Shanks — Thu, 16 Jul 2009 05:26:08 -0400

Sigh. I knew this day would come. It's a day of reckoning. What I want everyone to understand is that I really had fun doing this. But I didn't get in this to have fun. I was looking to advance my career. Because of that, I stayed middle of the road. My profile pic was in a tuxedo. Anyone who really knows me understands that my wedding picture is not an accurate reflection of who I am. Because I wanted to impress everyone possibly, I played it safe. I played it cool. And then I got screwed. Getting reamed by cbs (and to a lesser extent, B/R) forced me to re-examine my priorities and look at what's really going on. Janis Joplin said that freedom's just another word for nothin left to lose. That's why I feel, so I can give my true, honest, biased opinion about B/R. Part I will focus on people who make this site miserable. Part II will be dealing with just little things as far as b/r is concerned. Part III will try to tie everything together. Buy the ticket, hmmm, take the ride....

Begin Slideshow

Feeling Used, Abused and Confused: My B/R, cbs, NFL Saga

Daniel Shanks — Wed, 15 Jul 2009 12:55:33 -0400

Disclaimer: I don't give a, hold on.

What's that?

(Muffled talking from B/R suit)

Wait a minute folks.

(mumbles)

I can't use the word cr@p?

Why not?

(more commentary from the suit)

Oh, I see. You're fascists? I get it.

(Angry commentary from said suit)

Hey, man, relax. I'm just a squirrel trying to get a nut. It's your world baby.

(silence)

Thanks for the advice, Mr. Big.

Sorry folks, but I've been informed by B/R's own Mr. Big (as in, I'm gonna git you sucka) said I can't type the word c-r-a-p without it getting edited because no one ever uses profanity on this site (*snicker, snort*)

Where was I?

Oh yeah, the disclaimer. Let's start over shall we?

Disclaimer: I don't give a hootnanny (my substitute for the word cr@p) if this article gets deleted. It wouldn't be the first time. Might not be the last.

I'm just proud that I wrote something that could elicit such strong feelings.

So TC, no hard feelings, but if you feel like you've got to flag it for deletion, do what you've got to do my brother.

Chances are I won't even be allowed to continue writing for this site anyway.

When I saw the listing on journalismjobs.com, I applied immediately.

For a sports writer who has ALWAYS wanted to be a professional beat writer for an NFL team, it was almost too good to be true.

And in the end, I guess it was.

But at that point, on that May evening, I couldn't see the setup. All I could see was a golden opportunity to do what I've always wanted to do and ditch the dying newspaper industry at the same time.

For those of you who have no idea what I'm talking about, cbssports.com (from this point until forever, I will never capitalize those three letters. It's always going to be lowercase cbs in my book) was looking for 32 NFL correspondents for the upcoming football season.

While the commitment was only through the 2009 football campaign, it sounded like if you did a good enough job, there might be a permanent position available.

For the next two months, I busted my a**. I poured my heart and soul into getting this position. I was writing an average of two articles a day.

I'll put it to you like this: For a while, it wasn't uncommon for me to have written three stories in a day while only getting two hours of sleep.

I would get up in the middle of the night to go to the bathroom, get back in bed, and find that I couldn't shut my brain off. The ideas were raising and, eventually, I'd get out of bed at some ungodly hour and start writing.

I'm sure my West Coast B/R fans have noticed this. They'll send something to me at 12 a.m. or 1 a.m. their time, and I'll respond.

Only problem is I live in Florida. So it's actually like 3 a.m. or 4 a.m. my time, and I have to work in the morning.

Come to think of it, it's 3:15 a.m. right now.

Anyway, as time wore on, it felt like B/R was messing with me. I kept getting notifications about "an influx of applications" and "being bombarded with quality work."

Originally, the decision was supposed to be announced no later than the end of June.

On Jul. 1, Assignment Editor Rory Brown e-mailed me (and everyone else I'm sure) and informed me the deadline had been extended.

Well, I finally heard the news yesterday. Much to my chagrin, I didn't get the job.

Then I got an e-mail from the CEO of B/R and I about hit the ceiling.

It read, in part: "Additionally, as word spread about this new initiative, many veteran sports writers—most with past experience covering the NFL—submitted their resumes and writing samples directly to (cbssports.com). The backgrounds and credentials of these writers were such that it made sense for (cbssports.com) to consider them in the mix as well.

"Today we are pleased to announce 16 Bleacher Report finalists have been offered Correspondent positions. Unfortunately, two had to bow out for personal reasons, but 14 will begin work soon as official (cbssports.com) Pro Football Correspondents. We look forward to following their progress and reporting over the course of the season.

"It was our goal for all 32 Correspondents to come from Bleacher Report. In fact, the quality of the contributors was so exceptional that if it were possible we wish we could have found a way for all of the Bleacher Report finalists to have received offers. At the end of the day, with so many veteran journalists available and only 32 jobs to fill, (cbssports.com) assembled their team by combining some of the best talent from Bleacher Report with experienced journalists from the sports media world..."

It felt like I had been stabbed in the heart.

I don't know if B/R knew this was happening the whole time, or if cbs (ATTENTION EDITORS: If you capitalize "cbs" at any point in this article, I will hunt you down and castrate you. If you're a woman, well, I guess I'll just be really upset.) just made B/R its little puppet @*%*h.

Kind of the way they did to us.

To the people who won, congratulations. Make B/R proud.

To the other guys who didn't win but were deserving, guys like Nick and Andy, keep your head up. You're too talented not to get another chance down the road.

In one of my Rush Limbaugh articles (you know, one of the two that were deleted), I quoted a line from The Who song, "Won't Get Fooled Again."

Well, I definitely got fooled. Actually, it feels more like I got bent over a table, but you get the idea.

I'll be d****d if I get fooled again.

The Best Things about B/R in my First (and last) Two Months (Satire...or Not?)

Daniel Shanks — Wed, 15 Jul 2009 06:31:13 -0400

Before you stop and say to yourselves, "I know that dude from somewhere, but I don't drink red wine or like Phish (love the food and the ice cream though). Where do I know him from? This is a guy named Zander Freund (I think that's his last name). He's like the first inmate to rape you when you get thrown into the prison for marijuana charges. Except that the cell you share is the Internet and his way of "raping you" (that is to say, getting you accustomed to this site like rape gets you "ready" for prison ("I don't wanna toss his salad! Imma read! Imma learn to ready, copyright by Chris Rock (Bigger and Blacker i want to say.) He is NOT one of the best things about B/R. But for some reason, he is my friend twice on B/R. Damn I guess I'm just that bleeping good (but not good enough for cbs apparently). And if any male editor comes along and capitalize this and any mention of cbs from here on out will be hunted down and castrate, like Stephen Baldwin's nephew David in Arizona. Quick, what movie was that? Gotta keep you bitches on your toes... But anyway, this is the BEST things about B/R. If I'm not banned from the site first, I'll write a version of the WORST in the next few days. It's time to get busy yall.

Begin Slideshow

In Search of an Explanation for Deletion

Daniel Shanks — Sun, 12 Jul 2009 13:09:25 -0400

So I just got back from church this morning, and I found that my articles about Rush Limbaugh were deleted.

This has never happened to me before, and I'm kind of at a loss for words, to be completely honest.

I had planned on writing at least one more part. Basically, the premise was, does Limbaugh believe some of the stuff he's said, particularly about the president ("I hope he fails") and Donovan McNabb ("The media has been very desirous that a black quarterback can do well—black coaches and black quarterbacks doing well.")

Based on the fact that Limbaugh said that he knew his Obama comment would be taken out of context, and invited people who wanted to hear the comments in their entirety could tune into his show and he would play the full clip.

It was laughable to me that he would whine and complain about a quote being taken out of context when he (and other members of the media, whether left-wing or right-wing) takes quotes out of context to make a living.

Basically, I think Limbaugh is as fake as they come. He's a snake oil salesman.

Would it surprise you at all to learn that Limbaugh made his comments about Obama after seeing that his ratings were slipping in the South?

Just saying.

But the past is not the focus of this piece. I'm moving forward, getting ready for the future.

Before I can move on though, I need to understand what exactly I did wrong.

If anyone has had an article deleted on B/R, I would love to hear from you.

Even better still would be if anyone in a position of authority on B/R would like to explain what exactly I did wrong.

I got a few deletion notification e-mails, but they were pretty generic.

Any feedback would be greatly appreciated.

For anyone who was looking forward to read the rest of the series, I apologize. Perhaps I need to learn to be more prudent about my choice of topics...

Trouble Ahead? Potential Roadblocks in Florida Gators' Quest for back-to-back rings

Daniel Shanks — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 04:54:43 -0400

When it comes to projecting the 2009 National Champion, the easy bet is Florida. All that talent coming back on defense, all the promise coming back on offense. Oh yeah, and then there's Tim Tebow, Florida's steam engine. He powers the ship. He makes it go. He's got one more year to solidify his legacy as the best player in Florida history. If it's a truly historic year (Heisman and NC), he has to be in the discussion for best college player of all time. But before that can happen, the Gators have to navigate the mine field that is the SEC. Even though the schedule shapes up favorably for Florida, there are always some potential setbacks along the way. Here are some of the obstacles the Gators will have to overcome if they want to repeat and go down as the best team of the decade.

Begin Slideshow

Hey B/R Editors: Stop Screwing With My Headlines

Daniel Shanks — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 03:43:19 -0400

I recently read a comment by the incomparable Mr. Leroy Watson that went a little something like this (I'm paraphrasing this a bit).

The best stories about B/R are the ones that have a lot of truth to them.

Were the "IFs" really as bad as I made them out to be? No, not really. There are a lot of very logical Raiders' fans out there and on this site (they're easy to spot amidst the sea of silver face paint and Halloween masks).

Same thing with Vikings' fans. A lot of people know that he (I'm not mentioning his name anymore. We need to try and limit his exposure) won't be a Savior. They're just hoping he can get Minnesota to that Super Bowl, praying he can squeeze out one last Super Bowl run to solidify his legacy.

So in the spirit of my homage to the irrational fan, I have another beef with B/R.

Editors who mess with my headlines.

Let me clarify this quickly. If there is a B/R stylistic error (I probably should get around to reading that stylebook), by all means, fix it.

That's what you're not paid here to do. Don't worry, we've all been there.

The Internship: Where education meets slavery.

But there are times I'm trying to make a point or do a play on words in my headline, and a well-meaning editor will make it stylistically correct and boring as hell.

It's a digital jungle out there man. Before the "IF" article and the Florida's out-of-conference schedule slide show (if you haven't heard it, here's the gist: UF's non-conference schedule is an embarrassment), before my inbox got bombarded, there were a few stories that I really thought I wrote well.

These were pieces I poured my heart and soul into. One was about the surprising emotional effect the Sammy Sosa news was on me, and the other was Commissioner Roger Goodell's opportunity to clean up the NFL by the way he disciplines Donte' Stallworth.

The feedback I got was incredibly positive. The only problem was, there wasn't much feedback.

If you want to be a successful writer on B/R, it's all about getting seen. You have to draw people into your work instantaneously.

That's done with creative headlines and audacious pictures. (Speaking of, I saw a shot of Ludacris, Prince, and Dave Chappelle. My man Dave looked really "relaxed.")

Realistically, some of your exposure is based on the subjects you choose to write about. The stuff I wrote about the 49ers got three times as many reads as my Jacksonville stuff, but I put a lot more effort into the Jags.

Enter B/R "panderer extraordinaire" Blaine Spence. Seriously, this guy hooked me up. Panderin' ain't easy, but he certainly makes it look that way. (And no, I'm not going to include a hyperlink, editors. If they're too lazy to look his name up, they don't deserve the benefit of his advice and friendship.)

I'm getting a little off point here.

What I'm saying is that we as writers (especially relative newbies like myself) have to compete against some very good, well-established B/R contributors.

So changing my headline, while it may be grammatically correct, almost ensured that the story would be doomed to relative obscurity.

If it weren't for Senor Spence getting the word out, my inbox would have had over 100 unread messages in it yesterday. Thank you sir.

(Now don't go bombarding my man trying to hype up your stuff if it's not that good. You've got to bring the thunder, A-game, or any other cliche meaning "really good." And deep down, you know if it's really good or not.)

Editors, I appreciate what you do. You keep us from looking like idiots on a daily basis.

But whether you realize it or not, when you switch up my headline, you're doing me a disservice.

In short, please stop stealing my shine. Good day.

Florida's Non-Conference Schedule Is the Laughingstock of Major College Football

Daniel Shanks — Tue, 07 Jul 2009 21:36:19 -0400

After a headline like this, I feel obligated to let the Gator Nation know that I am about the most extreme Gator fan I know. I was a fixture in the Swamp during my days at UF (2000-2004), also known as the best days of my life (except for the Zook era, of course). In 2004, I was back in California visiting family over the Christmas break. Florida was set to play Iowa in the Outback Bowl at 8 a.m. (Pacific time) New Year's morning. Knowing that the game was early in the morning, and knowing how late I would be up, I stayed up all night, just to watch my Gators get whacked by Robert Gallery and Co. I bleed Orange and Blue, and I will until the day I die. That being said, I am a realist, not an irrational fan (see http://bleacherreport.com/articles/213703-delving-inside-the-minds-of-irrational-fans-ifs). And any rational fan understands that Florida's 2009 non-conference schedule is a laughing stock. Here is a breakdown of the non-SEC teams that will "challenge" the Gators this season.

Begin Slideshow

Delving Inside the Minds of Irrational Fans (aka "IFs")

Daniel Shanks — Tue, 07 Jul 2009 18:42:02 -0400

Before I joined Bleacher Report about two months ago, my discussions about sports were pretty tame.

My friends and I pretty much take the same approach when it comes to sports. While we are fervent in our defense of our favorite teams and players (my friend Kyle and I have had some epic Montana vs. Marino debates), we also are able to discuss our favorite teams logically and rationally.

But in my time on this site, I have encountered a different kind of fan—the kind of fan who doesn't respond to reason or logic.

These people are the irrational fans.

For the sake of this article, we'll call them "IFs" (as in, "If JaMarcus Russell throws for 4,000 yards, the Raiders will go to the Super Bowl!")

These IFs are not restricted by geography, team alliances, or leagues. They run the gamut.

Here is a sampling of some of the most ludicrous beliefs from the IFs I've encountered:

IFs from Oakland: The last six years have simply been a "rebuilding process" for the Raiders, and 80-year-old Al Davis is still sharp as a tack.

IFs from Minnesota: Brett Favre will be the second coming of Jesus Christ and will lead the Vikings to that elusive Super Bowl ring.

IFs from Los Angeles: Ron Artest is not crazy, Manny Ramirez made an honest mistake, and the NFL will come back one day. Also, Michael Jackson never molested any little boys.

IFs from San Francisco: Barry Bonds' accomplishments are 100 percent legit.

IFs from Orlando: Vince Carter is not over the hill and will lead the Magic to an NBA Championship.

IFs from Gainesville: Tim Tebow will be the next coming of Steve Young, despite the fact that the University of Florida has never produced a quality NFL quarterback.

The thing that frustrates me about the IFs is that you can present hundreds of well-thought-out arguments that seemingly refute any nonsensical point they make, and they still keep coming with witty responses like: "You're an idiot!"; "How would you know? You're not even a fan of the team"; and (my personal favorite) "Do you wear that suit so you can spew (garbage) at people every day?"

It's like talking to a brick wall, only that wall talks back and is far more annoying.

I guess that's the beauty about sports, though. Fans can be optimists, pessimists, or something in between.

I'm beginning to wonder if these IFs have the right idea, though.

How much better would my life be if I convinced myself that the 49ers were going to win the Super Bowl? Or that my Padres will make the playoffs despite the fact that Jake Peavy will probably miss the rest of the season?

Sure, I'd be in for a rude awakening at the end of the year when my teams fell woefully short of my expectations.

But I'd still have the ultimate trump card in my back pocket, the credo of all IFs everywhere.

"Wait 'til next year."

I guess ignorance really is bliss. If only I could stop using my brain.

The Jacksonville Jaguars' Best Free Agent Signings in Franchise History

Daniel Shanks — Sun, 05 Jul 2009 10:52:16 -0400

Yesterday I wrote a slideshow detailing the worst free agent signings in the history of the Jacksonville Jaguars' franchise. Today I thought it would only be fair to highlight the free agent acquisitions that worked out in Jacksonville's favor. So here they are: the top five free agent signings in the history of the Jacksonville Jaguars.

Begin Slideshow

The Biggest Free Agent Busts in the History of the Jacksonville Jaguars

Daniel Shanks — Sat, 04 Jul 2009 09:57:25 -0400

While the NFL Draft is somewhat of a crap shoot, free agency is supposed to be far more predictable. Teams are able to look at a player's production in previous years and project what that player will do for their team. But sometimes the free agents don't live up to the billing, and teams invest millions of dollars into a player who just doesn't produce. Jacksonville certainly has had its share of free agent horror stories, and these are the top five, in no particular order.

Begin Slideshow

Projecting the Jacksonville Jaguars' Early Returns on 2009 Draft Picks

Daniel Shanks — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 08:17:20 -0400

For some teams, the NFL Draft is an opportunity to select that one player who will get their squad over the top. For other teams, the draft gives them a chance to take players who will be pillars of the franchise, just not immediately. In Jacksonville's case, it looks like the Jaguars were successful in getting both players who can contribute right away and players who will contribute down the road. With preseason about a month away, I thought it would be interesting to look at Jacksonville's draft picks and predict what kind of roles each of them will have in 2009.

Begin Slideshow

The Jacksonville Jaguars' Best Second-Day Draft Picks in Franchise History

Daniel Shanks — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 13:29:40 -0400

Entering the 15th year of the franchise's existence, the Jacksonville Jaguars haven't always been very lucky when it comes to first-round draft picks. R. Jay Soward, Reggie Williams, Matt Jones, Byron Leftwich, etc. All these guys were taken in the first round. None of them lived up to the expectations, and none of them are with the team anymore. The thing that has been Jacksonville's saving grace is the ability to get quality players in the later rounds. With that in mind, I have selected the best second-day draft picks in Jacksonville's short history. For the sake of this slideshow, we're going old school. So when I refer to the best second-day draft picks, I mean anyone who was taken in the fourth round or later.

Begin Slideshow

Did the Jacksonville Jaguars Need a Backup Safety More Than a Wide Receiver?

Daniel Shanks — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 06:39:43 -0400

It's official, Jaguar fans.

Jacksonville finalized the trade that sent wide receiver Dennis Northcutt to Detroit for safety Gerald Alexander.

There's no question that wide receiver and safety were two major needs on the roster.

The only question is this: Which unit needed more help?

That's definitely debatable. The Jaguars went out and signed Sean Considine, who is projected to be a starter alongside Reggie Nelson.

They also retrieved a former Jaguar in Marlon McCree, who had played for four different teams in the past six years.

Those moves were absolutely necessary after Jacksonville let Gerald Sensabaugh explore his options in free agency. He ended up signing with the Dallas Cowboys.

Looking at the receiver situation, there was a great deal of turnover from last year. Jacksonville got rid of the Headache Twins, Matt Jones and Reggie Williams. The Jaguars also jettisoned Jerry Porter, perhaps the biggest free agent bust in franchise history.

The team made a point of getting some help in the draft, taking three wide receivers in the later rounds. The biggest move they made on the receiver front was the signing of Torry Holt. Holt gives them a legitimate (albeit past his prime) threat in the passing game for the first time since Jimmy Smith's forced retirement.

Before making this trade, the Jaguars were definitely short on true safeties. Rookie Michael Desormeaux, a converted quarterback, is listed as a strong safety. And cornerback Brian Williams has played safety before.

But prior to the trade, the safeties were basically McCree, Considine, and Nelson. Acquiring another safety was definitely a good idea.

Even though the receiving corps was a little deeper, most of the group is much more unproven than the safeties.

In all likelihood, the Jaguars will go into the regular season with at least five receivers. Assuming that Holt is a lock for a roster spot, that leaves Jarett Dillard, Tiquan Underwood, Mike Thomas, Mike Walker, and Troy Williamson vying for the last four spots.

Three of the aforementioned receivers have never caught an NFL pass. In Walker's career, he has caught 16 passes for 217 yards. Even though Williamson's stats are slightly more impressive (84 catches, 1,097 yards, four touchdowns), he only caught five passes for 30 yards and a score in his first year in Jacksonville.

Considering he was a top-10 pick five years ago, he has been a major disappointment.

Although the team needed help at both positions, I think getting rid of Northcutt was a major mistake. The receiving corps, for the most part, is void of real experience.

Northcutt would have solidified the position until one or more of the rookies were ready to take over. I think he would have made a formidable duo with Holt, but now we'll never know.

Orlando Magic: Five Reasons The Vince Carter Trade Turns My Stomach

Daniel Shanks — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 19:41:04 -0400

My fellow Orlando-ans, please forgive me for rehashing old news, but I spent my weekend at Panama City Beach with some old college roommates and didn't have access to a computer. (Translation: I was too drunk/hungover to write anything worth publishing.) Anyway, we were about halfway to the "Redneck Riviera" when my friend called me with the news. About the only audible response I could muster was, "Hmm." As I tried to spin this move into a positive light, I realized I couldn't do it. I couldn't lie about my feelings just so that my "friend" wouldn't rip me a new one. I proceeded to vent about the five reasons this is a God-awful idea, which I will share with you all know. Thank you in advance for the impromptu therapy session.

Begin Slideshow

Detroit Pistons: Michael Curry Hiring, Firing Marks End of Pistons' Run

Daniel Shanks — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 18:03:22 -0400

Well that didn't take long.

About a year ago, after another disappointingly premature playoff exit, Joe Dumars vowed to shake things up.

He did so in two ways. First, he traded Chauncey Billups for Allen Iverson. Second, he fired Flip Saunders and hired Michael Curry.

Unfortunately for Joe D and the Pistons, both moves proved to be disasters.

I could almost understand why Dumars went for the trade. Iverson was supposed to energize the team and bring a new dimension to the offense.

What he didn't count on was AI's inability to be a true point guard, or at least the point guard Detroit needed.

Meanwhile, Billups brought some much needed leadership and maturity to the Nuggets, who came a few plays away from competing for the NBA Championship.

Strike one.

But the really inexplicable move was hiring Michael Curry.

Frankly, I had no problem with him whacking Flip. The man is good enough to take a team to the playoffs, but his coaching ability will not win games or playoff series for a team (not like his Piston predecessor, Larry Brown).

But bringing in Curry was a ridiculous idea, and here's why.

Most of the big name players (Sheed, Rip, McDyess, etc.) PLAYED with Curry before.

How could Dumars expect Curry to command the respect of guys he used to play with?

On top of that, Curry was a marginal player at best. How many times do you think Wallace posterized MC in practice? And you expect Sheed to turn around and listen to this former scrub?

Strike two.

In this case, it might be two strikes and you're out (although you could definitely make the argument that drafting Darko is another strike against him).

The team is getting very long in the tooth and doesn't have much in the way of young talent (besides Rodney Stuckey, of course).

When we think back about the incredible run the Pistons had in the 2000s, I don't think it will be remembered as incredible.

I think the Pistons will always be viewed as the team that couldn't quite get it done, except for the year they beat LA. It wasn't a dominant run, just a nice run.

And hiring Michael Curry marked the beginning of the end of that nice run.

San Antonio Spurs: Richard Jefferson Trade Validates San Antonio Dynasty

Daniel Shanks — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 21:36:31 -0400

Players may win championships, but front offices build dynasties.

In the past ten years, perhaps no NBA team has been a more successful dynasty than the San Antonio Spurs.

I'd probably get a fervent argument from Lakers' fans, but here's why the Spurs are superior.

L.A. pulled off the "three-peat", at the beginning of the decade, but then went seven more years without adding another trophy to the mantle.

San Antonio has had sustained success throughout the same span. The Spurs won the NBA title in 1999, 2003, 2005, and 2007. That, to me, is far more impressive than what L.A. has accomplished.

What has made San Antonio better than the rest is the front office's uncanny ability to keep the core pieces, Tim Duncan, Tony Parker, Manu Ginobili, in place and fill in with outstanding role players.

The names are endless: Robert Horry, Bruce Bowen, Michael Finley, Jacque Vaughn, Speedy Claxton, Steve Smith, and the list goes on.

Each of those players, along with many others, helped the Spurs maintain a level of excellence that has been unrivaled.

None of those players were incredible, at least when they joined the Spurs, but they didn't have to be with the strong triumvirate of Duncan, Parker, and Ginobili.

And they continued to build on that foundation by trading for Richard Jefferson, who is entering his eighth career season.

Of all the moves that the Spurs' front office has moved through the years, this is probably the biggest of them all.

This was an especially good move, considering that Ginobili missed a great deal of time due to injury. His absence really hurt the Spurs this year, but Jefferson could pick up right where Manu left off.

It was just another great move for an outstanding franchise. Several NBA teams could learn a great deal by following San Antonio's example.

Jacksonville Jaguars: Dennis Northcutt on the Trade Block

Daniel Shanks — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 21:17:44 -0400

ESPN.com's Paul Kuharsky broke a story today that the Jacksonville Jaguars are trying to trade wide receiver Dennis Northcutt.

"They have indicated that they intend to trade him and are trying to do so," said Jerome Stanley, Northcutt's agent.

It's an interesting move, considering that Jacksonville is still a little short-handed at the receiver position.

Obviously the acquisition of Torry Holt was a big upgrade, but one would think that the Jaguars would want two true veteran receivers on the roster.

This move might be a testament to the development of the rookie wide receivers. If Jarett Dillard, Mike Thomas, and/or Tiquan Underwood can break into the rotation early and often, then having Northcutt might be a luxury.

Kuharsky's article made no mention of what the Jaguars are trying to get in return for the 10-year veteran who caught 88 passes for 1,146 yards and six touchdowns in his two years in Jacksonville.

Perhaps the team is trying to trade Northcutt for another receiver. But the more logical scenario is that the team is trying to stockpile some more draft picks for new General Manager Gene Smith.

I'm going to reserve judgment on the move until I see what the Jaguars get in return (if, in fact, they can trade him at all).

But you would think that the team would want to hold on to its receivers rather than trying to get rid of a member of a already-thin unit.

AFC Division Breakdown (Two Months Too Early)

Daniel Shanks — Tue, 23 Jun 2009 15:55:25 -0400

While the NFL regular season is still more than two months away (NOOOOOOO!), football is in the air. When the plethora of NFL preview magazines hit the newsstands, I know that it's time to start thinking about football. That, and the fact that the best sports on TV right now are baseball and golf. Yikes. Anyway, with football right around the corner (and since I really have nothing better to do), I'm going to do a series of "Way Too Early NFL Predictions." Today we'll begin by forecasting the divisions in the AFC. Hopefully this will help tide some of you football junkies (myself included) over, at least until preseason.

Begin Slideshow

How the Minnesota Vikings' Brett Favre Affair Will Ruin Tarvaris Jackson

Daniel Shanks — Sun, 21 Jun 2009 10:15:37 -0400

As the Brett Favre-to-Minnesota saga continues, the Vikings continue to have a glaring question mark at the quarterback position.

Minnesota has looked truly pathetic throughout this process.

The Vikings have done everything from ignoring the Favre rumors to denying a "deadline" for Favre to report to the team.

Throughout the Favre debacle, the organization has proven just how desperate it is for a quality quarterback.

And that can't be good for the psyche of Tarvaris Jackson.

Jackson, the quarterback from Alabama State, had to be on shaky ground in terms of confidence even before the perpetual Brett Favre flirtation.

He opened the 2008 season as the starting quarterback, but was yanked in favor of Gus Frerotte after the Vikings lost their first two games.

Jackson's stats weren't terrible (30-of-59, 308 yards, one touchdown, one interception), but Head Coach Brad Childress felt that Jackson was being too tentative and went with the much older Frerotte.

That had to be hard on the young QB. He played in 12 games in 2007, and probably thought that 2008 would be his time to shine.

Instead, his coach gave him perhaps the worst vote of confidence imaginable: benching him in favor of Frerotte, who is completely over the hill (and was never all that good to begin with).

Jackson got a chance at redemption in Week 14, after Frerotte went down with an injury.

He answered the bell, leading Minnesota to wins in three of the team's final four games. His stats were far more impressive as well (57-of-89, 740 yards, eight touchdowns, one interception).

So coming into this year, Jackson had to feel pretty good about his chances of being the starting quarterback in 2009.

But the Vikings have gone out of their way to convince the third-year QB that he is not the permanent answer.

First, they went out and got Sage Rosenfels from Houston to compete for the starting job. And then, of course, came the never-ending Favre story.

At this point, Jackson has to be feeling a variety of emotions: anger, confusion, and hurt, to name a few.

Whether or not Jackson will ever become an effective NFL quarterback remains to be seen. But one thing is certain: the Vikings' handling of their quarterback situation has essentially ensured that Jackson will never be an effective QB in Minnesota.

Roger Goodell's Opportunity To Send a Message to NFL Players

Daniel Shanks — Fri, 19 Jun 2009 16:27:43 -0400

In his brief tenure as NFL Commissioner, Roger Goodell has proven he means business when it comes to disciplining NFL players.

No matter how big or small the infraction may be, players who step out of line can expect that Goddell will bring the hammer down on them.

Now, as he approaches the third anniversary of his role as commish, Roger Goodell is faced with his toughest test to date.

Of course, I am referring to the situation surrounding Donte Stallworth and his recent plea agreement.

Many NFL fans were outraged that Stallworth and his legal team managed to turn a DUI manslaughter charge into a 30-day prison sentence.

Part of his punishment included a settlement with the family of the victim for an undisclosed sum.

Still, no amount of money or jail time can undo the damage done by Stallworth and his foolish decision to get behind the wheel of his car after having too much to drink.

For the time being, he did the best (and smartest) thing he could do, which is suspend Stallworth indefinitely. The indefinite suspension delays any potential outcry that Goodell's decision will certainly draw.

But Goodell is now in what many people believe is a no-win situation.

If he suspends Stallworth for anything less than a year, people will decry the commissioner for being too lenient. The backlash would be considerable.

If he decides to shelve Stallworth for more than a season, people will portray him as a heartless dictator who is out of touch with reality.

In fact, someone on B/R already penned an article saying that he's tired of Goodell "playing judge."

While most view this scenario as a lose-lose situation, I see it as something else.

I believe Goodell has been given a golden opportunity, a chance to send a strong message that can not be misinterpreted.

I think he should ban Stallworth for life.

I am of the opinion that even if the receiver put the victim's family in a position where they're set for life, 30 days in jail doesn't even come close to Stallworth's rightful debt to society.

Many legal experts have said that a normal person in Stallworth's shoes would have received about 10 years in prison.

If money and fame didn't ensure a favorable outcome in the legal system, Stallworth would be cooling his heels for quite some time, perhaps as many as seven of those 10 years, if he was a model athlete.

By the time he was released from prison, Stallworth would be 35 years old. At that age, and having missed seven years in his prime, there would be no way he could return to the NFL.

Essentially, if the legal system wasn't an unadulterated joke, Stallworth would have received a sentence equivalent to a lifelong suspension.

If the courts won't step up and do the right thing, Goodell should.

Stallworth doesn't seem like a bad guy. It was a terrible mistake, but there was no intent to kill anyone when he started his car.

But Stallworth typifies a sense of entitlement that most professional athletes share.

Because they have great wealth, because they are in the limelight, they think society's laws don't apply to them.

And so often, they are proven right.

Stallworth will serve a month in prison for taking someone's life.

Leonard Little served even less for a similar crime. And he was pulled over for DUI years later. Obviously he didn't get the message.

And why would he? Little got off basically scot-free. He was suspended from the NFL, but went on to enjoy a lengthy NFL career.

By suspending Stallworth for life, Goodell would let it be known that even if players escape severe punishment from the law, they will not be immune to a stiff punishment from the NFL.

Obviously, this is nothing more than a pipe dream. But do you think we would see the same police blotter headlines over and over if Goodell took a decisive stand in the Stallworth case?

Maybe, just maybe, spoiled athletes would finally understand that playing professional sports is a privilege, not a right.

Maybe, just maybe, with the threat of losing their livelihood, they would learn a lesson in accountability.

It could all come to fruition with one definitive decision.

Zach Miller Could Add "WildJag" Wrinkle To Jacksonville's Offense

Daniel Shanks — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 12:16:22 -0400

When Jacksonville drafted Zach Miller in the sixth round of the 2009 NFL Draft, there were some Jaguar fans who let out a collective groan.

They had to be feeling a little bit of deja vu.

It wasn't that long ago that the team drafted a player who was a quarterback with the hopes of using him at another position in the NFL.

And we all know how that turned out.

But Miller, a quarterback from Nebraska-Omaha, seems to be handling the transition to tight end quite nicely.

In a recent story written by jaguars.com Senior Editor Vic Ketchman (http://jaguars.com/news/article.aspx?id=7944), General Manager Gene Smith and Offensive Coordinator Dirk Koetter gushed about the new weapon.

"Dirk likes to utilize the tight end in the offense," Smith said in Ketchman's article.

"The young guy, Zach Miller, has really progressed. He's shown he can mismatch with a safety. You've got the Owen Daniels, Dallas Clark types. He's faster than both those guys."

"I think Zach Miller is an excellent prospect," Koetter said. "For our scouting department to find that guy; his athleticism jumps out at you, his eagerness to learn and his willingness to compete. I would've never guessed he's as fast as he is."

I would not be surprised to see Miller get on the field immediately as a tight end, especially because Marcedes Lewis hasn't shown the ability to be a consistent threat in the passing game.

But what I (and I'm sure other Jaguar fans) would really like to see is Miller harness that athletic ability and get the ball in his hands as much as possibly.

Namely, I'd like to see Miller run the Wildcat.

Whether the Wildcat is a passing fad (Pete Prisco seems to think so) or a viable offensive option, I can't really say.

What I can say is that it's an interesting wrinkle that even caught Bill Belichick off-guard the first time he saw it.

And Zach Miller seems like he would be a perfect candidate to run the offense.

You've already heard Smith and Koetter gush about Miller's speed, which is a critical component to running this particular offense.

In college, he proved that he was just as dangerous running the ball as he was throwing.

During his senior year, he threw for 1,508 yards and 11 touchdowns while completing 64.2 percent of his passes.

He also led the team in rushing with 1,061 yards and 18 touchdowns, averaging 6.1 yards per carry. He eclipsed the 100-yard mark in three games in 2008.

His ability to pass adds an entirely new dimension to the Wildcat, a dimension that a bright offensive mind like Koetter could have a lot of fun with.

Hopefully he'll have the foresight to use Miller accordingly.

From Bad to Worse: Jacksonville's Backup QB Situation Is a Joke

Daniel Shanks — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 20:13:25 -0400

Earlier this month, I wrote a B/R article about the fact that Jacksonville didn't have a real backup plan if David Garrard was hurt.

(http://bleacherreport.com/articles/176703-garrards-heir-apparent-nowhere-to-be-found)

Jacksonville's solution to the problem? Cut Cleo Lemon and sign Todd Boeckman.

Did I miss something?

Lemon, a sixth-year NFL veteran, was coming into his second year with the Jaguars. He signed a three-year, $8.1 million contract last year.

Boeckman, a rookie free agent out of Ohio State, was signed, but not to replace Lemon.

Instead, he will compete with Paul Smith for the final quarterback spot on the roster. That means Todd Bouman will enter the season as the No. 2 QB.

This is the same Tood Boeckman that couldn't beat out freshman quarterback Terrelle Pryor for a starting job.

I might be going out on a limb here, but it seems like Jacksonville is moving backwards, not forwards.

At least Lemon possessed SOME tangible NFL experience as a starting quarterback during his days in Miami.

The last time Bouman even took a snap in a regular season game was 2005.

And THIS is the guy who is backing up David Garrard?

I also wrote an article not too long ago about how Rex Grossman would fit in Jacksonville.

(http://bleacherreport.com/articles/186120-would-rex-grossman-be-a-good-fit-in-jacksonville)

He recently signed with Houston for the veteran minimum, $620,000.

Wouldn't that have made more sense than signing a guy who literally has no chance of becoming the backup in Jacksonville?

Wow.

I mean, cutting Lemon is not the thing that really bothers me. It's the fact that Jacksonville made no attempt to bring in another quarterback to compete for the job.

Was Cleo Lemon really that bad?

Or is Jacksonville's front office that inept?

The Jaguars just signed the guy to a three-year contract. That would seem to indicate they felt comfortable making a commitment to Lemon.

All of a sudden, they kick him to the curb.

I would like to think that he did something (or didn't do something) behind the scenes to warrant this kind of knee-jerk reaction.

But the history of the Jacksonville front office seems to indicate that this was just the latest in a long line of egregious personnel snafus.

Jag fans better pray, cross their fingers, or rub their lucky rabbit's foot, hoping that David Garrard stays healthy this season.

Because if he misses any significant time, this season is OVER.

Baseball's Latest Black Eye Brings a Tear to Mine

Daniel Shanks — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 10:04:40 -0400

At some point during the last five years, I convinced myself I didn't really care about the sport I had grown up with.

I remember first reading Game of Shadows and being utterly indignant that Barry Bonds cheated his way past Hank Aaron's all-time home run record.

But, somewhere between the congressional hearings, declarations about "not talking about the past," Palmeiro's finger wag, the Clemens vs. McNamee saga, and A-Rod's hideous spray tan, I thought I had become so jaded none of this crap really mattered to me.

So, when I heard about Sammy Sosa's name appearing on the 2003 list of players who had tested positive for performance-enhancing drugs, my first reaction was that of a jaded cynic.

After all, this was basically a foregone conclusion, right?

"Say it ain't so, Sammy," I thought sarcastically. "My world doesn't make sense anymore."

So, I'm watching Mike and Mike in the Morning on ESPN2 today, and they're rehashing the Sosa story because it broke after they went off the air.

One of the show's producers, Joaquin, came up with a little ditty and sang to the tune of "Those Were the Days" from the TV show All in the Family.

The lyrics of the parody focused on the fact that everyone in the country basically got swept up in the 1998 home run chase between Sosa and Mark McGwire, and how we were basically duped.

For some inexplicable reason, I got choked up listening to the song.

In fact, if I'm completely honest, a few tears rolled down my face.

The emotional reaction came as a shock to me, initially.

Like I said, I had convinced myself that baseball was an insignificant part of my life.

Who cares if all the big names of my youth were juicing?

But, as the song played, I vividly remembered that year and what it meant to me as a young baseball fan.

At the time, baseball was still recovering from the strike in 1994. Fan interest waned, and many wondered if the sport would ever achieve its former standing as the national pastime.

Personally, I was still bitter about the strike season because I was a Padres fan.

When the strike happened, my idol, Tony Gwynn, was hitting .394. I was convinced (and still am) Gwynn would have hit .400 that year and become the first player since Ted Williams in 1941 to achieve that lofty mark.

Just as I was ready to give up on the MLB completely, the chase began.

It was the most incredible thing I had ever seen.

I was glued to the TV all summer long, watching these two titans crack home run after home run.

It was a magical time.

The chase really got me back into baseball, and just in time to watch my Padres make it to the World Series for the first time since 1984.

I was so glad (and eternally grateful) Gwynn stayed in San Diego and got one more chance to win a title (even though the Yankees swept the Padres).

Now comes the (concrete) realization that those mythic sluggers weren't so mythic after all. The big names that got me back into baseball were both frauds.

Instead of getting mad, indignant, or flippant, I was overwhelmed by feelings of sadness.

1998 was such a glorious time for baseball.

Those really were the days.

More than a decade later, I look back and think about how stupid and gullible I was.

Like The Who song said, "I'll get on my knees and pray I don't get fooled again."

Instead, I'll just quietly mourn the passing of the sport I once loved.

Could Rashad Jennings Be a Hidden Gem for Jacksonville Jaguars?

Daniel Shanks — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 06:53:05 -0400

When the Jacksonville Jaguars made Rashad Jennings their second-to-last pick of this year's NFL Draft, there wasn't a lot of fanfare.

The average Jag fan didn't know much about Jennings, who spent the last three years at Liberty, a Division I-AA school.

But there is much more to Jennings than just being a seventh-round draft pick or a D I-AA running back.

Vito Stellino of the Florida Times-Union recently did a profile of Jennings, who actually began his college football career at Pitt. There have been a number of successful running backs who came out of that school, including Tony Dorsett, Curtis Martin, and Craig "Ironhead" Heyward.

The most recent one was LeSean McCoy, who was taken in the second round by the Philadelphia Eagles.

As a freshman at Pitt, Jennings ran for 411 yards and one score on 86 carries. That included a 100-yard performance against Cincinnati.

It certainly looked like the future was bright for the young man from Forest, VA.

But when his father's leg was amputated due to complications from diabetes, Jennings decided it was more important to be closer to home than it was to continue his football career at a high profile school.

So he elected to transfer to Liberty and put up very impressive numbers. Some people might argue that he accomplished these heights against sub-par competition, but you can't argue with the production.

2006: 179 carries, 1,020 yards, nine touchdowns.

2007: 191 carries, 1,113 yards, 15 touchdowns.

2008: 264 carries, 1,507 yards, 17 touchdowns.

Jennings hoped he would go earlier than he did. The fact that he was one of the last players taken in the draft serves as motivation for the 6'1", 230-pound RB.

Another running back who felt slighted on draft day, Maurice Jones-Drew, has taken Jennings under his wing. The two actually trained together before Jennings became a member of the team.

The Jacksonville staff has been very impressed with what Jennings has done in OTAs. While the real test will come when Jennings puts the pads on, don't be surprised if he grabs the No. 2 spot behind MJD.

Brandon Marshall Doesn't Fit Jacksonville's "Character First" Approach

Daniel Shanks — Tue, 16 Jun 2009 14:39:13 -0400

A hot topic on the message boards in Jacksonville today is whether the Jaguars should make a play for disgruntled Denver wide receiver Brandon Marshall.

Marshall is clamoring to be traded, and the Broncos will surely have no shortage of suitors if they decide to unload the receiver.

The reasons for bringing Marshall to the River City are numerous and obvious. He's a dynamic, proven, talented receiver who would instantly be an upgrade over any receiver on the roster.

Marshall, entering his fourth year out of the University of Central Florida, has posted back-to-back 100-catch and 1,000-yard seasons and made the Pro Bowl in 2008. And at 25, his best days are certainly still ahead of him.

However, there's one reason Gene Smith, Wayne Weaver and the rest of Jacksonville's brain trust won't go near Marshall with a 10-foot pole.

The troubled receiver would need the entire Jacksonville offensive line to carry all his baggage.

His legal record reads like a bad episode of "COPS."

2004: Assault on a law enforcement officer while still at UCF.

2007: Domestic violence (charges were eventually dropped).

2007: DUI (pled to a reduced charge, received one-year probation and 24 hours of community service).

2008: Driving without a license and proof of insurance (charges dropped as part of 2007 DUI plea bargain).

You get the idea.

This doesn't even take into account a recent piece featured on ESPN's "Outside The Lines," in which ex-girlfriend Rasheeda Watley detailed numerous instances of Marshall's alleged domestic violence.

Marshall appeared on the show and said, in part, that he "never put [his] hand on Rasheeda Watley."

Whether or not Marshall is telling the truth about Watley is uncertain, and inconsequential. There is a clear pattern of misconduct, and it's probably just a matter of time before Marshall serves another NFL suspension (he sat out one game at the beginning of the 2008 season for personal conduct violations).

After Jacksonville jettisoned every one of its troubled wide receivers this off season (Matt Jones, Reggie Williams, Jerry Porter), it is inconceivable that the Jaguars would bring in a receiver who seems to be more troubled than Jones, Williams, and Porter combined.

No matter how talented he is.

What If Brandon Lloyd Had Stayed With San Francisco?

Daniel Shanks — Tue, 16 Jun 2009 13:47:50 -0400

Earlier today, Brandon Lloyd signed a contract with the Denver Broncos, giving Kyle Orton and Co. an insurance policy in case Brandon Marshall gets out of the Mile High City.

Seeing Lloyd's name got me thinking about the years he was in San Francisco.

He showed so much promise in 2004 and 2005. In that two-year span, he caught 91 balls for 1,298 yards and 11 touchdowns.

What really wowed me about Lloyd was his ability to make the circus catch. I remember being back in California visiting family in 2004. My dad and I were at Callahan's, a sports bar in San Diego (I highly recommend it if you're in the neighborhood).

Anyway, the 49ers were playing and driving down the field. Lloyd went up to get a pass that was behind him, hauled the ball in, and got both toes in bounds.

I saw that play and thought, "This guy could be the next Cris Carter." During a time that the 49ers were starved for wide receivers, it looked like Lloyd might provide some relief.

Unfortunately, he showed off that diva-like attitude that so many receivers are famous for and was shipped off to Washington, where he failed to achieve the level he had reached in San Fran.

I thought the kid was washed up until I happened upon a Chicago Bears' game last year. There was Lloyd, making highlight-reel catches again.

In a 27-24 loss to Tampa Bay, Lloyd caught six passes for 124 yards and a touchdown. He only started five game for the Bears last year, but he seemed to have regained some of his old form.

People say that sometimes players need a change of scenery. I wonder if that was the last thing Lloyd needed.

Think about it. His best season came in 2005, but the 49ers' best offensive season of the last five years came in 2006, when Norv Turner was the offensive coordinator.

It seemed that Alex Smith and Lloyd had built quite a rapport during Smith's rookie season. That, coupled with Turner's brilliant offensive mind, could have very well translated to a 1,000-yard season for Lloyd.

Sadly, 49er fans will never know what could've been. Hopefully Lloyd will prosper in Denver.

And if we're lucky, maybe Lloyd will realize his full potential in Denver and make his way back to the City by the Bay.