Bleacher Report - Articles by Stephen Ellis

Breaking News: Brett Favre to Report to Green Bay Packers' Training Camp

Stephen Ellis — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 05:15:23 -0400

Brett Favre will report to Packers’ Training Camp, which begins this Sunday, July 27.

In order to do so, Favre will have to ask Commissioner Goodell for reinstatement. This puts the Packers in an awkward position; release Favre (which the organization stated that they will not do), trade Favre, or let him on the team.

If on the team, Favre will most likely be the backup quarterback, but Packers’ management will not want to put Aaron Rodgers in that circumstance.

Rodgers has already been Favre’s backup for three seasons, and the thought of Favre, and his legacy, literally looking over his shoulder is too much to ask for a quarterback in his first full season.

If the two are allowed to battle in camp for the starting job, most people agree that it would not be close, that Favre would dominate.

This is the first step in Favre coming back, but it certainly will not be the last.

Jeremy Shockey Acquired by the New Orleans Saints

Stephen Ellis — Mon, 21 Jul 2008 08:27:19 -0400

Jeremy Shockey has been dealt today from the New York Giants to the New Orleans Saints for a second and fifth round pick in the 2009 NFL Draft.

Shockey, the six year pro out of the University of Miami, has been the subject of many rumors during the offseason after finishing the year in Week 15 with a broken leg.

Many have speculated that Eli Manning's surge in the last week of the regular season and throughout the playoffs was a result of Shockey's absence.

While clearly talented on the field, Shockey was very critical of his quarterback when he was not thrown to, or if overthrown. Manning appeared more comfortable with his own playing ability without Shockey pointing to and highlighting mistakes.

After Shockey's injury, Kevin Boss stepped in and recorded six catches for 81 yards in the final three weeks. Boss did not recreate the numbers that has made Shockey a four-time Pro Bowler, but contributed to the team chemistry.

The Giants defeated the NFC South, East, and North Champions before upsetting the previously undefeated New England Patriots in Super Bowl XLII.

Shockey will join an offensively talented, yet underachieving, Saints team. Drew Brees will have Marques Colston, Reggie Bush, and now Shockey for aerial attacks, not to mention the return of Deuce McAllister in the backfield.

Jason Taylor to the Washington Redskins: Shift of Power in the NFC East?

Stephen Ellis — Sun, 20 Jul 2008 14:03:08 -0400

Jason Taylor has been traded from the Miami Dolphins to the Washington Redskins for a second round pick in 2009 and a sixth round pick in 2010.

Earlier reports today had Washington limited at defensive end, after Phillip Daniels went down for the season. This prompted Washington management to seek a replacement and found one with the very talented, but unhappy, Jason Taylor. Taylor recorded 11 sacks last year, and joins a talented Washington squad.

On the defensive side of the ball, Washington ranked sixth in total defense, and third against the run. With added strength on the line, the Redskins will put more pressure on the opposing quarterback, help the secondary, and strengthen their already impressive rushing defense.

So what does this mean for the NFC East?

Dallas is still the favorite, although some clamor for the defending-champion Giants to be in consideration.

Dallas is weak at the receiver position after Terrell Owens. You know your receiving core may be a bit depleted if you are hoping that Terry Glenn and Jerry Jones play nice. It is still unproven how the offseason gamble on Adam Jones will pay off, which could make Dallas excel on special teams as well.

The Giants are the defending Super Bowl champions and cannot be overlooked. If the Giants from week 17 to the Super Bowl decide to play that way all season, they have to be seen as the favorite.

Can Eli Manning play that well all season? How will the Giants recreate the great defensive line pressure with the absence of the now-retired Michael Strahan? How these questions are answered will dictate the Giants success next season.

Almost entirely overlooked are the Philadelphia Eagles. They posted a lackluster 8-8 record last year, but their defense kept them in some games. Add to the defense the signing of Asante Samuel and the unit increases greatly. If McNabb can return and be healthy (something he has not done in recent years), and the Eagles can have consistent play from their receivers, they are also in contention.

Washington plays the role of the dark horse team in the division (as dark horse as you can be when you made the playoffs the previous year). With their starting quarterback returning, and a potentially strong draft class, the Redskins could play spoiler.

Jason Campbell returns to lead the team that thrived in his absence last year. Pressure will be alleviated with the presence of tight end Fred Davis, receivers Devin Thomas and Malcolm Kelly, in addition to the already strong Santana Moss and Chris Cooley. The Redskins also have a premier running back in Clinton Portis, and, if healthy, the backfield will be a major factor in any success in FedEx Field this year.

A division win is crucial for the Redskins and the other NFC East teams, more so in the past. In the previous two seasons, the NFC East produced three playoff teams each season.

This year, the Vikings and Packers in the NFC North are playoff contenders, and in the South, Tampa Bay and the disappointing Saints look to also play into January. The NFC West should field only the Seahawks, unless the Rams make an unbelievable jump to the playoff-caliber club that the franchise was believed to be before last year.

Overall, the Redskins now seem poised to make a run at winning their division and perhaps a deep run in the playoffs, with a strong defense, an adequate air attack, and a good running game. That formula sound familiar Giants' fans?

Why NOT Jason Taylor To the Packers?

Stephen Ellis — Sun, 22 Jun 2008 17:21:05 -0400

Jason Taylor is an elite player in the NFL. He may be more worried about his career after football more than the game itself, but that's a completely different story.

What we do know about Taylor is that he suffered through a season with a team that managed only to get one win, even though they played the woefully inept NY Jets twice and lost both times.

Taylor is in the twilight of his career; which is not to say that he is no longer a great defensive player, because he clearly is.

The fact that Taylor would only like to play for a team that can win right away and/or a team that is in a big market eliminates many teams.

The Green Bay Packers have recently expressed some behind-the-scenes interest concerning Taylor, though nothing formal has been publicly addressed yet. Those covering this development have dismissed Green Bay as a possible landing spot for the Dolphins defensive end.

Does Green Bay have a chance to win right away?

Last year, the Packers went 13-3, hosted the NFC Championship game, and were one Lawrence-Tynes field goal away from reaching the Super Bowl. Granted, the Packers did not deserve to win the game, and aside from Donald Driver turning on the burners on a 90-yard play, they should have been blown out.

Also in the mix is the retirement of Brett Favre. How will Aaron Rodgers handle being the starter? This question will only be determined by his play on the field this season. Any attempt to use the Cowboys game last season as a litmus test for his whole NFL career is projecting on a ridiculous scale.

I believe that Rodgers will be good, or at least adequate, enough to compete and possibly win the NFC North. I do not want Vikings fans complaining. Even though your quarterback has more experience, there is no way I would trust an experienced Tavaris Jackson over an inexperienced Rodgers.

And the Bears...who is their quarterback this year?

Needless to say, I am a Packers fan. I might be letting my allegiance cloud my judgment, but I can't see how a man with first-round talents can fail after sitting behind Brett Favre for a couple of years.

Also, Rodgers is blessed with the receiving corps that the Packers have (Donald Driver, Greg Jennings, James Jones, Ruvell Martin, and newly drafted Jordy Nelson). He also inherits a solid running game with Ryan Grant as the featured back.

As the youngest team in football last season, the Packers defense rose to the occasion. Can they win right away? You can answer that for yourself, Jason Taylor, but the Packers are putting a quality product on the field each Sunday.

Green Bay is also a viable market, not in population, and not in the sense that you can attend movie premiers or show off your sweet moves at the club, Mr. Taylor, but for their visibility. The Packers will be on network TV a number of times this year, from multiple stints on MNF to many nationally broadcasted games.

Perhaps Taylor just does not want to deal with another young quarterback stepping in and following a great quarterback. Or maybe moving from the Miami lifestyle to the Wisconsin party scene is too much for Jason.

This brings us back to issues over commitment to the game and a desire to win versus a newfound taste for the limelight.

Because Taylor clearly insists that he wants to play one year (maybe two), the Packers would be foolish to give up much for the player, even though he brings his obvious talents. Aside from what they would lose to rent Taylor, the Packers could be messing with a good team-chemistry and a strong defense.

Instead of wondering why not Green Bay, maybe Packers fans should ask why Jason Taylor?