Bleacher Report - NFL History

One-On-One With Minnesota Vikings Legend Chuck Foreman

Zeke Fuhrman — Tue, 08 Dec 2009 13:53:31 -0500

Chuck Foreman was a groundbreaker. The 1973 Rookie of the Year with the Minnesota Vikings, Foreman spent seven of his eight pro seasons with the Vikings, leading them to three Super Bowls during the 1970s.

Foreman was a five time Pro Bowl selection and a four time All-Pro.

In 2007, the Minnesota Vikings inducted Foreman into the Ring of Honor.

His pass-catching ability out of the backfield, combined with the ability to make the first tackler miss, was a key component in the Minnesota Viking offense, which was sort of a pre-cursor of the West Coast Offense. Chuck is widely known as "The Spin Doctor" for his elusive way of avoiding would-be tacklers.

Recently, Chuck was signing autographs at Fan HQ at the Ridgedale Mall in Minnetonka, MN. I was able to sit down with him and ask him some questions.

Q. Besides you, who is the best player to come out of the University of Miami?

A. There have been so many talented players to come out of the U. So many guys. But I was the first. I led the pack. It could be Michael Irvin. But from athletic standpoint, I'd have to say it would be Andre Johnson. It probably goes me, Johnson, then Irvin.

Q. What was your "Welcome to the NFL" moment?

A. My rookie season against the Kansas City Chiefs. I met Buck Buchanan. It hurt.

Q. Who do you consider to be your mentors?

A. My family. I came from a great family. Great father, great mother, great brothers, great sisters. I'm blessed to come from a home like that. I had a great high school coach in Adam Craban. I had a great college coach in Fran Cerci. A lot of younger people don't know this, but I played some cornerback in college. Cerci taught me a lot about the game. But athletically, my mentor would be Jack Griffith. Jack was an Olympic woman's track coach. I used to run hurdles, and he helped me harness my speed and running ability.

Q. Do you consider yourself to have any proteges?

A. I don't think so. Everybody is their own person.

Q. It's 4th and Goal. One second left, and you are down by six points. Who don't you want to see on defense?

A. Easy question. Green Bay Linebacker Fred Carr. The guy was 6-foot-5, 250 pounds. He had about a 4.4 40. I would like to see Hollywood (Thomas) Henderson back there. Guy was all talk. By the time he was done talking, you were already by him.

Q. What was your favorite play to run?

A. My favorite play was probably 34-35 Outside. It was an option play designed for me. I could do what I wanted. I could pop it in or pop it out. Whatever I wanted to do.

Q. What was your least favorite play?

A. Anything in the JAM formation. I don't even want to talk about it. You can ask Coach (Jerry) Burns about that one.

Q. Who were your favorite teams or players growing up?

A. I grew up in the DC area, so my favorite teams were the Washington Redskins and the Baltimore Colts. Favorite players would have to be guys like Johnny Unitas, Charlie Taylor, Sonny Jurgenson, Otis Taylor. Both those teams had some really talented players.

Q. Were you interested in any sports besides football?

A. I ran track and played basketball, but basketball was probably my favorite. I had a 40-inch vertical. I played above the rim, man.

Q. What play do you think defined your career?

A. I think my versatility defined my career more than one single play did. I could do things other guys couldn't do. I could go out for a pass and catch the ball with one hand behind my head. Nobody else could do that. I was the first guy to be used out of the backfield as a receiving threat.

(Man in background): There wasn't anybody after you like that until Marshall Faulk.

(Foreman): Faulk? No. Faulk was good but he wasn't next. It was Roger Craig. It went me, Craig, and then you can fill in the blanks with whoever you want after that.

Q. Who was the nastiest player you ever played against?

A. Hands down it was Isaiah Robinson. He wasn't the best, but he was a cheap shot.

Foreman is now a substitute teacher at Bloomington Kennedy High School. He also hosts a weekly internet radio show called SPINIT! with Chuck Foreman.

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Is Peyton Manning the Best Quarterback of All-Time?

Nick Antonicello — Tue, 08 Dec 2009 12:51:03 -0500

Is it time we start considering Peyton Manning the greatest quarterback of all time?

Maybe.

Certainly the greatest player in the history of the Colts franchise, Manning is poised to take Indianapolis back to the Super Bowl for a second ring and quite possibly an undefeated season.

With a 129-59 record as a starter, Manning now has a .686 winning percentage and is averaging nearly 12 wins a season this decade!

With 358 career touchdown passes, Manning is averaging nearly 30 touchdown passes per season. Even more impressive is the fact that Manning has had nine 4,000-plus-yard seasons and will probably make it 10 this year.

Critics will say one Super Bowl championship can't qualify you as the best QB of all time. But Manning looks like he'll be going back for a second trip and in all probability he'll win his second Lombardi Trophy.

Manning's overall numbers represent consistency like no other quarterback to play the position. Manning has had just two sub-.500 seasons with the Colts. When you average nearly 30 touchdowns and 4,000 yards passing, is there anyone else who comes close to this level of excellence year in and year out?

But Peyton Manning is more than just a quarterback; he's a brand in and of himself.

He represents the Manning brand. The older brother of Giant Eli and the son of Archie. What family has had this kind of professional success at this level of play for so long?

More importantly, Manning has become the face of the NFL.

A great pitchman for just about anything (hotels, televisions, satellite service, phones, etc.), Manning reminds consumers that a friendly and honest face with a great work ethic still exists with today's professional athletes.

In short, Manning keeps the NFL marketable to a new wave of fans. Those fantasy players that cling to statistical updates, rather than the local self-interests of the parochial NFL enthusiast.

Yes, Peyton Manning statistically is becoming the most important person ever to play the position of quarterback. An offensive coordinator on the field, Manning is now a brand name that could finish as the greatest quarterback in the history of the NFL.

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The NFL Makes Sure the AFL Legacy Fades

JW Nix — Tue, 08 Dec 2009 04:41:35 -0500

The Pro Football Hall of Fame voters once again that they are a suspect allotment of people who either have no clue about the game of professional football, or that they are in the pocket of the National Football League.

On Nov. 28, 2009, the Pro Football Hall of Fame announced their list of the 25 finalists for induction into their halls located in Canton, OH.

Look at the list below, and there is the common theme that none of these men are associated with the American Football League that ran their operations from 1960 to 1970 before the NFL begrudgingly begged them to merge leagues.

Cliff Branch, WR - 1972-1985 Oakland/Los Angeles Raiders

Tim Brown, WR/KR - 1988-2003 Los Angeles/Oakland Raiders, 2004 Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Cris Carter, WR - 1987-89 Philadelphia Eagles, 1990-2001 Minnesota Vikings, 2002 Miami Dolphins

Don Coryell, Coach - 1973-77 St. Louis Cardinals, 1978-1986 San Diego Chargers

Roger Craig, RB - 1983-1990 San Francisco 49ers, 1991 Los Angeles Raiders, 1992-93 Minnesota Vikings

Terrell Davis, RB - 1995-2001 Denver Broncos

Dermontti Dawson, C - 1988-2000 Pittsburgh Steelers

Richard Dent, DE - 1983-1993, 1995 Chicago Bears, 1994 San Francisco 49ers, 1996 Indianapolis Colts, 1997 Philadelphia Eagles

Chris Doleman, DE/LB - 1985-1993, 1999 Minnesota Vikings, 1994-95 Atlanta Falcons, 1996-98 San Francisco 49ers

Kevin Greene, LB/DE - 1985-1992 Los Angeles Rams, 1993-95 Pittsburgh Steelers, 1996, 1998-99 Carolina Panthers, 1997 San Francisco 49ers

Russ Grimm, G - 1981-1991 Washington Redskins

Ray Guy, P - 1973-1986 Oakland/Los Angeles Raiders

Charles Haley, DE/LB - 1986-1991, 1999 San Francisco 49ers, 1992-96 Dallas Cowboys

Lester Hayes, CB - 1977-1986 Oakland/Los Angeles Raiders

Rickey Jackson, LB - 1981-1993 New Orleans Saints, 1994-95 San Francisco 49ers

Cortez Kennedy, DT - 1990-2000 Seattle Seahawks

Art Modell, Owner - 1961-1995 Cleveland Browns, 1996-2003 Baltimore Ravens

John Randle, DT - 1990-2000 Minnesota Vikings, 2001-03 Seattle Seahawks

Andre Reed, WR - 1985-1999 Buffalo Bills, 2000 Washington Redskins

Jerry Rice, WR - 1985-2000 San Francisco 49ers, 2001-04 Oakland Raiders, 2004 Seattle Seahawks

Shannon Sharpe, TE - 1990-99, 2002-03 Denver Broncos, 2000-01 Baltimore Ravens

Emmitt Smith, RB - 1990-2002 Dallas Cowboys, 2003-04 Arizona Cardinals

Paul Tagliabue, Commissioner - 1989-2006 National Football League

Steve Tasker, Special Teams/WR - 1985-86 Houston Oilers, 1986-1997 Buffalo Bills

Aeneas Williams, CB/S - 1991-2000 Phoenix/Arizona Cardinals, 2001-04 St. Louis Rams

The AFL was referred to as a "mickey mouse league" for their years of existence. The players of the NFL were told by the league that AFL players were not on the same level in ability and skill. Many bought into this propaganda for years, even as the upstart league began to gain popularity and draw more fans as each year progressed.

The realization that the AFL was not inferior came upon the spotlight of national television on Jan. 12, 1969. The AFL champion New York Jets defeated the heavily favored NFL champion Baltimore Colts 16-7 in Super Bowl III.

What made the story of the upset even more noteworthy was that Jets quarterback Joe Namath had famously predicted the win in the days that led up to the game.

This is the game that made the NFL panic and realize they had to merge with the AFL to keep their product on top.

The AFL had already been a league that produced more excitement on offense than the NFL, and the critics who called the Jets win a fluke were dealt more reality when the AFL champion Kansas City Chiefs dominated the NFL champion Minnesota Vikings in Super Bowl IV the following year by the score of 23-7.

What has transpired since this merger has been a sort of payback by the NFL. Though the league is supposedly celebrating the AFL's 50th anniversary this season, the halls in Canton pays little tribute to the AFL to this day.

There are just 12 members of the American Football League's All-Time Team that are currently inducted, and it appears not many more will be given their respect as time passes on into the land of forgotten thought. This is what the NFL has striven for, and has seemingly accomplished.

Floyd Little, a member of the AFL Denver Broncos, is a running back who was with the team before, during, and after the merger. He retired in 1975 as the seventh leading rusher in pro football history. He had been a two-time AFL All-Star who led the league in all-purpose yards twice, and rushing yards per game once.

He was also a three-time NFL Pro Bowl player who led the NFL in rushing attempts, yardage, rushing yards per game, and yards from scrimmage in the 1971 season.

Little is now an entry in the Seniors Committee alongside of current Pittsburgh Steelers defensive coordinator Dick LeBeau. LeBeau retired as a player in 1972 with 62 interceptions, which was second most in NFL history at the time. It still ranks seventh best. The former cornerback, who is called "Coach Dad" by the players he coaches, is worthy of entry as a coach, but should have been inducted as a player years ago.

The Canton classes are generally small, with typically no more than six people inducted each year since 1990. The lone exceptions are in 1990 and 2001, where seven men joined the ranks. One of the major criticisms has been these small induction classes that are chosen by voters who have little idea of how the game is played or what positions the players happened to actually compete at.

This will make Little's chances of induction even more slight. Though worthy for decades, the fact that he has had to wait this long shows the ulterior motives of the NFL and their hired voters. Little biggest chance of getting his overdue respect might be because of the AFL anniversary that is going on now.

If he does get in, hopefully he will call on the voters to open the doors of Canton wider for his AFL brethren, because they were professional football players. The sign on the building in Canton clearly says Pro Football Hall of Fame, as it does on the stationary and gift bags inside, not the NFL Hall of Fame.

The idea of players already enshrined being part of the voting process has been bandied about for years. This is an idea that would work, because they are the people who know best who truly belongs in Canton. This is a brotherhood that will not be swayed by cash or politics like the voters are. They also know what position the players actually played, unlike the voters.

Most of the players that are in the classification of senior played in an era where telecommunications were just starting out. Many players waiting to get in are subject to voters who most likely saw them play just a handful of times throughout their entire careers. It basically comes down to a voter selecting his favorite player over a better player who is more deserving of induction.

How else could one explain the 2008 induction of Patriots linebacker Andre Tippett and his four Pro Bowl honors, while fellow linebackers Maxie Baughn and Chris Hanburger are still not inducted, or even nominated, despite going to the Pro Bowl nine times in their careers.

Time passes on, and the NFL wants their fans to be quiet myrmidons who fail to see that the Pro Football Hall of Fame has become the NFL Hall of Fame.

For those of you who are wondering who I would like to see inducted this year, my voter ballot that does not count follows. Thinking that eight is a lucky number, and that Jerry Rice and Emmitt Smith are going in, I select these fine men. Please note that the last time eight men were inducted the same year was at the 1967 ceremonies.

Don Coryell : Every offense you see run in the NFL today is a wrinkle of his genius.

Ray Guy : He changed the game completely as a punter. There should be no questions to his worth.

John Randle : Seven Pro Bowls, 6 First Team All-Pro Teams, 137.5 sacks as a defensive tackle. Easy choice.

Tim Brown : 1,094 receptions, 9 Pro Bowls, great punt returner, led NFL in the one year he returned kickoffs.

Dick LeBeau : 62 interceptions and his contributions to the game make this a certain selection.

Floyd Little : A small player but a giant on the gridiron. He's the reason the Broncos are still in Denver.

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Ryan Mundy's Late Hit Another Reason for NFL Safety Reform

Zack Nally — Mon, 07 Dec 2009 23:51:27 -0500

In Sunday’s game between the Steelers and the Oakland Raiders, safety Ryan Mundy was called for a late hit, which gave the Raiders a first down, eventually leading to the game-winning touchdown.

What I find more interesting, though, is the type of hit Mundy made.

The NFL already has a rule that discourages players using their helmets to initiate contact on another player in a defenseless position, but helmet-to-helmet hits are still allowed. The tenacity of these kinds of blows is a large contributor to the concussions that are becoming front-page news in the NFL right now.

Aside from the lateness of the hit, I don’t blame Mundy for his helmet bashing. It's a result of standard coaching. I can still remember my old ball coach yelling at us to get a hat on our man and lay him out. There was never much regard for injury to myself or the opposing team.

Concussions have been on the ballet for prevention lately, but it hasn’t always been.

Last year, the NFL and the NFLPA agreed upon a program that appointed pre-determined medical facilities to assist former players in knee, hip, and shoulder replacements.

Joint deterioration has been a recurring issue; 1,200 knee injuries alone were reported from 2000 to 2003.

To understand the very real seriousness of a concussion, though, I think it’s important to know what it actually is.

Quite simply, a concussion is a blow to the head that jars the brain loose and causes it to shift inside the skull. The results can range from unconsciousness, permanent damage to the brain cells, and internal bleeding.

Doctors are also reporting cases of extensive memory loss, dementia, and encephalopathy (altogether brain loss) in former players. In many cases, X-rays also show areas of the brain that are permanently inactive, causing a variety of mental and psychological side effects.

The NFL is in no way ignoring the issue of safety, though. Former coach John Madden was recently named as chairman for the Coaches Subcommittee to the Competition Committee, a fraternity of coaches with the sole purpose of establishing a presence of ethical responsibility in the league and proposing new ways to keep players safe on the field.

The committee is comprised of Pittsburgh’s Mike Tomlin, Philadelphia’s Andy Reid, San Diego’s Norv Turner, San Francisco’s Mike Singletary, and former Seattle coach Mike Holmgren.

They convene with NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell every three weeks, sometimes over speakerphone, to discuss further safety measures.

One of those measures was to reduce the four-man wedge during kick returns to a two-man wedge, reducing the number of direct collisions that take place on the field.

Another calls for teams to use non team-affiliated doctors to determine whether or not a player suffering from a head injury is ready to return to the field.

Everyone is familiar with the sights and sounds of a good NFL hit. It’s like two cue balls smacking into each other with a resounding CRACK.

For example, a 200-pound safety running at full speed can deliver up to 1,600 pounds of leveling force, a strength that can result in serious injury.

While some would give the responsibility of these injuries to the ever-increasing size and strength of players, I blame the piece of equipment designed specifically to protect the player, the helmet.

Since its conception in the early 20th Century, the helmet has taken on many shapes and materials. Some have been shaped like beehives and cones, but all were initially made of leather.

The first plastic model was created by the John T. Riddel Co.

Dow Corning, a silicone and textile manufacturing giant, is also working to improve the world of sports. They recently released several products specifically designed to reduce collision impacts.

The S-Range is based on 3D spacer textile technology, and the TP-Range is based on thermoplastic technology. Both are lightweight and comfortable and could be major contributors to better products on the football field.

In 2002, Riddel broke even greater strides by releasing the Revolution model, a state-of-the-art helmet made of polycarbon plastic with a high-tech cushioning system. Research shows that athletes who use their product are 31% less likely to recieve a concussion. Their most notable improvement was additional padding with greater inflation to reduce the impact of a hit.

Another company, the Schutt Sports Group, followed suit with a similar model called the DNA, a design that introduced thermoplastic urethane, a better shock absorber with a special focus on preventing bacteria build-up inside the helmet.

While certainly a step in the right direction, it seems redundant to me that modern helmet designs still use models from 1949 as a prototype.

Rather than introduce a variation of the current helmet, I feel it is the responsibility of these companies and others like it to create a completely new design, one based on fresh perspectives and new technologies.

Instead of continuing the rhetoric of providing pads inside the helmet, why not adopt a system where the interior pads are separated from the outer shell with mini-springs or some kind of shock absorber?

There are other possible solutions, as well.

Nearly 30 years ago, NASA created their Visco elastic foam, a memory foam widely popularized in the form of pillows and mattresses. It was utilized because it retains its shape better than conventional foam, rebounding rapidly after hits.

More recently, Mahercor Laboratories created a jaw positioning mouthguard designed to reduce the force that comes with a hard hit to the head.

It has been primarily used by the New England Patriots, who reported an astoundingly low two concussions during the 2006 and 2007 seasons.

Whether or not that is a direct result of the new equipment, it’s important to note that, in the same amount of time, the Indianapolis Colts reported close to 20.

While I can appreciate the efforts Roger Goodell and Co. are making, there is still vast room for improvement.

Some have suggested that teams practice without their helmets to encourage players to find alternate ways of tackling without leading with their head.

I won't go so far as to suggest that the NFL go back to leather helmets—that would be more comical than helpful. But the dangers that come with modern helmets cannot go unnoticed.

Rule changes and fund-raising for retired players is a wonderful measure, but it is not enough.

We, as fans of the greatest game on Earth, cannot stand idly by and watch another Troy Aikman or Steve Young retire due to unnecessary head injuries.

Reform is a long time coming, folks. I just hope it comes soon enough.

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Oakland Raiders: Foreshadowing Emerging Greatness in the NFL

Damali Binta YAEL — Mon, 07 Dec 2009 17:44:36 -0500

A Framework

Donald P. Moss defines "foreshadow" in the following passage:

"Foreshadows are remarkable narrative mechanics God included in the Bible to reveal the future. Foreshadows serve as hidden manna in the same way as parables are hidden messages of God revealed by the Holy Spirit to Spirit filled believers.

"Foreshadows and parables are messages that are spiritually discerned and cannot be understood by non-believers. However, understanding hidden messages of foreshadows will deepen your faith in God's Word as the only source of the truth and reveal a higher level of the spiritual narrative style of scriptures."

The Pattern Recognition

As a so-called "math" person, I often look at probabilities and patterns. Clearly, the article I did which mentioned Rod Woodson, signaled a surprise ending to the game between the Oakland Raiders and the Bengals.

It was intriguing, but since the article was dated and published before the surprise ending to that game, I thought, this is very interesting.

Again, some intriguing events occurred on Sunday. Here is the testimony:

I decided to hit the publish button at the moment the Raiders-Steelers game began. A rebuttal to a pronouncement by Tomlin is what inspired the article. Also, the laughing and what I perceived as belittling commentary on ESPN got me fired up.

I know that this is a sports blog, but if Tomlin can use the world "hell" in the media, then others can negate that use by firing back with the use and power of the word "heaven."

Next, I watched the game and I tracked the data on Dec. 6, 2009. In the fourth quarter, I had this strong inclination to get my Bible and read Matt 18:18. I picked up the Bible and it fell open on Matthew, Chapter 18. All I had to do was move my eyes to the right, and I saw the verse which I wanted.

Now, I have heard of that type of phenomenon of the Bible falling open in just the right spot. I tend to ignore it, and I usually dig out the scriptures I want to study. But, it happened.

The Connections

As much as I love football, I have only attended one professional football game in my life. I view the games on television, listen on the radio, or now view them on the computer.

Years ago, I was invited to a game at Shea Stadium. Hindsight is what let me know how important the game between the New York Jets and the Oakland Raiders was on December 6, 1970.

I expected something unusual to happen on the day we played the Jets in 2009. So clearly I was puzzled when the Raiders lost. That strong inclination that I had prompted me to recognize that it was 39 years ago when I witnessed the Raiders defeat the Jets. A victory which came in the last eight seconds of the game. Again, I was puzzled that my intuition had seemingly failed me.

I expected a challenging game with the Steelers because of the unusual and unique experience of working with the son of one of the historical players with the Steelers. As you can see, I think deeply about most events in my life.

My fascination with history inspired me to write an article about Ernie Holmes, L.C. Greenwood, Dwight White, and "Mean" Joe Green. That's my documentation that I am not embellishing my record of experiences in sports.

So I sat down, and logged on my laptop, and stared at my computer on Sunday, Dec 6. As I said, during the fourth quarter I got a little worried, and I actually began to pray for the Oakland Raiders to muster up the type of "get-up and go" that was demonstrated years ago.

I asked for one of those eight second "turnaround" miracles in the outcome of the game. I actually asked for the type of wide receiver responses and precision that Oakland had when I lived in Brooklyn Heights, New York.

Then, I started reading Matt 18:18 aloud, focusing on Gradkowski and his family, saying that if only two or three of us believe in miracles, please give us one this day.

Well, something wonderful happened.

Here is the pattern recognition:

On December 6, 1970, a wide receiver No. 81 caught the ball in the last eight seconds. George Blanda kicked the extra point and Oakland won, 14-13.

On December 6, 2009, a wide receiver No. 18 caught the ball in the last nine seconds. The extra point was good and Oakland won the game.

Later, I got so excited because I realized that the outstanding finish that I expected in the New York Jets game with Oakland actually occurred with the Pittsburgh Steelers. The win on Dec. 6 was even a more powerful statement because of the reputation and record of the Steelers.

Some Speculations

Here is what can be speculated:

1. The connection between the 1970 experience and the 2009 experience is definitely documented.

2. Moments like those experienced years ago are somewhat of a foreshadow to the greatness that Oakland will enjoy in the future.

3. There is a reversal in the digits of the number of the wide receiver, indicating to me that this time we will reverse the pattern and rise to a higher level than we had in the past.

4. And now to have a little fun with the numbers. Since I read a scripture with a double of 18, specifically Matt 18:18, I conjecture that the Oakland Raiders, too, will double the number of Super Bowl wins, and will someday have six Super Bowl wins.

How do I know? Well, I may have stretched it a bit, but why not? I conjecture that the numbers tell me so, and the intriguing events are setting up for a grand future.

Go Raiders!

No matter what you believed before Dec. 6, you must now change your point of view. The Oakland Raiders have a new pattern of growth!

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Indianapolis Colts and New Orleans Saints: "Super" Pairing Still Possible

Bryan Hollister — Mon, 07 Dec 2009 15:50:16 -0500

In the history of the NFL, both before and after the AFL/NFL merger, perfection has been hard to come by.

In fact, from 1920 until the AFL/NFL merger in 1970, the Chicago Bears were the only team to finish with an unblemished regular season record, a feat they pulled off twice; once in 1934 and again in 1942.

Ultimately though, it was all for naught as they lost both championship games; the first to the New York Giants, the second to the Washington Redskins.

Since 1970, only two teams have managed to complete the regular season with an undefeated, untied record—the 1972 Miami Dolphins, who went on to win the Super Bowl that year, and the 2007 Patriots, who suffered a major letdown after winning 18 straight regular and postseason games before being defeated by the Giants in the Super Bowl.

(As an interesting side note, the Giants own a record of sorts. They are the only team to defeat two previously undefeated teams in the league championship game. A corollary to the argument here is for both Manning brothers to make it to the Super Bowl, and see if New York can make it a three-peat).

Plenty of teams have made a run at the record. The NFL annals are rife with season standings showing teams with 15-1 or 14-2 records, but no one, save the '72 Phins, has been able to close it out.

All the arguments about the difference in season length, level of competition, rules, etc., are nothing more than noise designed to distract us from the main point—this record is hard to break.

Which is what makes the possibility of the Colts and Saints going undefeated this year so intriguing—the matchup would guarantee an undefeated champion.

Now, I'm not necessarily a fan of either team, but I for one think this is something that needs to happen. Yeah, I realize that Peyton Manning and Jim Caldwell, like Tony Dungy before him, are no Tom Brady and Bill Belichick. They could care less what the final record is, as long as the last win comes in February at the Super Bowl.

But they should care. Opportunities like this are rare. As I've already pointed out, a perfect regular season has only been managed four times in the 90 years since American Football has been somewhat regulated. Two teams achieving the feat in the same season is unheard of.

And then there are the fans. Average Joes and Janes spend otherworldly amounts of money on merchandise and tickets to watch people they will probably never meet play a game at a level that they as fans can only dream of, all in hopes of living vicariously through their chosen teams' success.

So if for no other reason, the Colts and Saints should strive for perfection for the sake of the fans, those nameless, faceless people who cheer them on each week.

Besides, can you imagine the marketing opportunities Manning could have with this one?

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New Orleans Saints Fight Washington Redskins to Dramatic Finish

O. Brother — Mon, 07 Dec 2009 07:43:06 -0500

The Saints entered the Redskins reservation on Sunday bringing with them one question: Would they leave a congregation of Who Dat Nation converts in their wake or would they fall like Custer at Little Big Horn, leaving a stunned America wagging their finger and shaking their head?

There can be no doubt which ending the Redskins and their fans, The Hog Nation, had in mind. Their war-paint was on, their war bonnets donned, and their pig noses flared with determination to paint the warpath with Black & Gold.

By the end of the first quarter, it was evident Chief Jim Zorn had prepared his tribe to do just that. In a season that has seen little to cheer for, the Redskins could at least boast of a highly-ranked defense and a team with a reputation for fighting to the last brave.

The Saints usually-potent offense looked flustered and frustrated by the Redskin resistance. Their first two possessions netted just 28 yards in seven total plays and both ended with the Saints punting.

The 'Skins D was living up to its rep. Little did anyone suspect that the 'Skins offense had also become a force to be reckoned with.

Aided by 47 penalty yards from New Orleans, Washington completed a run-heavy, 95-yard drive for a touchdown on their first possession, though it was Jason 'Little Chief' Campbell's nice passing that gained most of the yards and achieved the touchdown, an 8-yard tomahawk to tight-end Fred 'Fills-In-For-Cooley' Davis.

After a Saints 3-and-out, Campbell was effective again, going 4 for 7 and 44 yards on a 57-yard drive for a field goal to end the period with a 10-0 lead. Hog Nation squealed with approval.

But, the Saints hadn't achieved an undefeated record for nothing. In the second quarter, they finally got on the scoreboard with a dink-and-dunk, 12-play, 50-yard drive that ended with a field goal by squire Garrett Hartley, who was starting his first game after spending the first 11 games in King Sean Payton's dungeon for crimes against the Crown.

Following three straight rushes and a punt by the Redskins, the Saints marched 87 yards in just 9 plays, culminating in an impressive, Hog-silencing 40-yard touchdown catapult from Prince Drew Brees to Sir Marques Colston to tie the score.

Following a nice kickoff return of 21 yards by Devin 'Two-Hats' Thomas, the Redskins decided to go back to what got them their first touchdown.

Abandoning the run this time, 'Little Chief' Campbell summoned the Wind Spirits, tossing 7 for 9 for 78 yards on a touchdown drive that included an impressive 38-yard arrow to Santana 'Running Rabbit' Moss down the right sideline, then Thomas took a five-yard catch into the endzone.

The Hogs were happy again, if for only but a moment. On the Saints' following drive, it seemed they conjured a spirit of their own. That's when things got interesting.

Following the kickoff return, Lord Reggie Bush gained a nice 9 yards on first down which turned into 2nd and 1 and then into 3rd and 1 and, finally, into 4th and 1. It seemed the Saints' spell hadn't worked.

At least, it seemed that way to those watching from the stands, especially when usually dependable squire Thomas Morestead, New Orleans' late-round draft pick, punted a sandbag that fell well short of its goal.

An unexpecting rookie, Redskin brave Kevin 'Ducking Bear' Barnes, tried to dodge the falling thud-bomb only to have it strike him in the back. The wily and opportunistic Sir Usama the Young dove on the now-live and loose piglet, claiming it for the Saints.

That's when 'interesting' turned into downright crazy. That's when the Wind Spirit and the Spirit of New Orleans decided to slug it out.

After Washington committed a five-yard penalty, one of only two it would commit all day, Lord Reggie caught a screen pass from Prince Drew for 8 yards giving the Saints another 1st down.

Prince Drew threw an incompletion and then New Orleans committed its own 5-yard infraction to stretch the sticks to 2nd and 15.

Washington's LaRon 'Stalking Shadow' Landry blitzed into the backfield sacking Prince Drew like Braveheart sacked York and gave the Saints a 3rd and 26 at the Washington 44 yard line. The Wind Spirit was prevailing.

The ball was snapped. Avoiding the rush, Prince Drew scrambled backward, valiantly stiff-arming a tilting red-helmeted behemoth to the ground before finally heaving the ball downfield in desperation.

The misguided missle intended for Lord Jeremy Shockey was snatched from before him by the cunning Kareem 'Covers-Like-Blanket' Moore. The Hog Nation went wild. The Wind Spirit had delivered another crushing blow. The Spirit of New Orleans was down, it seemed, but not yet out.

Moore rolled and then sprang to his feet. He found blockers and began following them, weaving his way across the field looking for an opening.

Near the far sideline, he was met by Sir Robert Meachem who was determined to end Moore's gallop. Not only that, but take back what he felt rightly belonged to the Saints.

Sir Robert seized Moore and as he hurled him to the ground, he stripped the ball away from him. The ball fluttered in the air for only a half second before Sir Robert snatched it, tucked it, and raced down the sideline.

The Hogs began squealing again, but this time their ruckus was one of disbelief and astonishment as they watched Sir Robert streak into the endzone for an amazing and improbable score.

With only 22 seconds left in the first half, there was little the Redskins could do to respond. The Spirit of New Orleans had won the round with a surprise TKO and left the teams tied at 17.

The third quarter was nearly a carbon-copy of the first as Washington again built a methodical 10-point lead.

Both teams had to depend on the passing of their quarterbacks to provide yardage and points. The Saints managed but a field goal and entered the fourth quarter trailing by seven.

In the final period, the Redskins tried to pad their lead, kicking another field goal. But, the Saints would not go away, responding with a field goal of their own.

Defensively, the teams were struggling with coverage in the secondary, the Saints ills mostly due to injuries to starters Tracy Porter, Jabari Greer, and Randall Gay.

Offensively, aside from a short burst here and there, they were largely unsuccessful running the ball, both teams finishing the game with less than 100 yards rushing.

There was only 6:52 left in the game when Washington began a drive that would eat four minutes off the clock. With less than three minutes to play, they were poised on the Saints 4-yard line with 1st and goal to go.

After 40 game seconds and three straight rushes by Rock 'Jukes-Like-Box' Cartwright, it was fourth down and the 'Skins were still on the Saints 4.

The field goal unit trotted onto the battlefield to give Washington their usual ten-point lead and the Saints little time, this time, to catch up. That's when the unthinkable occurred.

I have no explanation for why Sean 'Scores-With-Foot' Suisham would miss a chip shot field goal, but that is what happened.

The kick sailed wide right and somewhere the ghost of General Custer was heard laughing. No worries. The Saints still needed a touchdown to tie the game and there was only 1:52 left.

For the Spirit of New Orleans, however, that's an eternity.

The Saints took possession at their own 13 yard line. Five plays and 33 seconds later, Prince Drew threaded tight coverage with a dart that hit Sir Robert Meachem right in the chest at the goal line.

After the PAT and kickoff, with the game tied again and the Washington Redskins and all of Hog Nation in shock, Sir Jonathan Vilma intercepted Jason Campbell before he could get his team in field goal range and the clock ran out.

The Spirit of New Orleans, in its mercy, gave the Redskins one last chance when the Saints player called 'tails' on the coin toss and it came up 'heads'. The 'Skins would get the ball...and one...last...shot.

Starting from their own 20, Little Chief and the Redskins went to work. The plan: just stay cool and drive down the field like they'd done all day. First down; ten yard pass to Moss. 2nd down; handoff to Quinton Ganther for six yards. Stay calm, cool, focused.

Third down; short pass to Mike Sellers for no gain, .... no... wait! .... it's a fumble!! NOOOOOOO!!!!

Or was it? There are those on both sides who will think so and there are those on both sides who think not. I don't know. I saw the replay, but I'm not a referee. I didn't get to see all the angles.

When Sellers was upended, the ball came loose. Was his elbow down before that? I don't know and, no matter what you claim, neither do you.

Taking over at Washington's 37 yard line, Prince Brees and his army marched 36 yards to the Washington 1 before they decided it was safe to kick the field goal. That right there shows you how important this game was to the Saints and how much they respected the opponent they just played.

They weren't willing to leave anything to chance; they knew that they could not afford to miss, lest the Redskins have another chance to strike like they had done all day.

The Saints have never in their 43-year history been 12-0. As a life-long fan, it feels good, I won't deny that.

But, wins like this show you just how much you have to be thankful for. They show you just how much of a price you have to pay to be a champion.

Washington was 3 and 8 with no chance of making the playoffs, yet they played their hearts out and almost knocked off the top team in the conference today.

Games like this one are what make football the greatest game ever. In football, there are no easy games. There are no soft opponents.

There is only the elation of hard-won victory and the gut-wrenching sorrow of defeat.

The great thing about spirits is: they never die. They come back again and again and again; to challenge you; to test you; to make sure you have what it takes to be worthy of them; worthy of blessing and glory or worthy of darkness and damnation.

Old Lodge Skins, the Indian Chief in the movie Little Big Man said to the Great Spirit, "Thank you for my victories... and my defeats."

In Who Dat Nation, we are very thankful for our victories, made so much sweeter by the defeats we have endured over these decades.

We respect our opponents like the Redskins, who are now enduring defeat, because we've been there ourselves. One thing I know: If the Redskins keep playing with the spirit they played with today, it will smile upon them and they will know victory very, very soon.

Read more NFL History news on BleacherReport.com

Unleash Heaven To Bind Tomlin's Unleashing of Hell: Go Raiders - We WON!

Damali Binta YAEL — Sun, 06 Dec 2009 13:00:05 -0500

On an ESPN preview for today's game, ESPN commentators laughed and talked about Tomlin's "unleashing of hell."

Well, they started the fight by attempting to induce fear with that type of quote in the media.

Put on the whole armor and read this, for just a few of us (the power within us) doing the right thing can "bind that hell" that Tomlin says he is going to unleash.

Note this also:

"Now I say to you that you are Peter (which means 'rock'), and upon this rock I will build my church, and all the powers of hell will not conquer it." Matt. 16:18

Because of those who are a part of the church being in the midst of this declaration, we know by Matthew 16, that the powers of hell will not conquer those who have a true "commitment to excellence."

Now for Tomlin to say what he said means that he believes there is power in "unleashing hell." He would not have said it if he did not believe that there is power released in saying what he said.

He said what he wanted to say. We will say the negation: We will "unleash heaven."

Here is a response:

"I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; and whatever you bind on earth shall have been bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall have been loosed in heaven." Matt 16:18

"I tell you the truth, whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven. Matt. 18:18

Psalm 139

¹ O LORD, you have searched me
and you know me.

² You know when I sit and when I rise;
you perceive my thoughts from afar.

³ You discern my going out and my lying down;
you are familiar with all my ways.

⁴ Before a word is on my tongue
you know it completely, O LORD.

⁵ You hem me in—behind and before;
you have laid your hand upon me.

⁶ Such knowledge is too wonderful for me,
too lofty for me to attain.

⁷ Where can I go from your Spirit?
Where can I flee from your presence?

⁸ If I go up to the heavens, you are there;
if I make my bed in the depths, you are there.

⁹ If I rise on the wings of the dawn,
if I settle on the far side of the sea,

¹⁰ even there your hand will guide me,
your right hand will hold me fast.

¹¹ If I say, "Surely the darkness will hide me
and the light become night around me,"

¹² even the darkness will not be dark to you;
the night will shine like the day,
for darkness is as light to you.

We can have victory, and we can defeat a team which "unleashes hell" if we embrace a true definition of "excellence."

This is a rebuttal to ESPN and to Mike Tomlin.

Read more NFL History news on BleacherReport.com

Manning Doesn't Deserve Another MVP Award

Jacob Waalk — Sun, 06 Dec 2009 02:01:19 -0500

I'm just so tired of Manning winning it. But more than that I am so tired of seeing Sport's Analysts excuses for giving it to him. Pierre Garcon and Austin Collier are unfairly picked on. Who was Sidney Rice last year? Who were all the analysts saying Harvin would not be a good fit in the NFL? Who was Shiancothe? The Vikings one good 2008 receiver, Bernard Berrian, has been hampered with hamstring injuries the entire year, and it still hasn't affected their play, even though he was their main play maker last year on receiver, heck, their only one.

What is so special about Manning's season? I fail to see it.

One, Manning is still playing within the system he's spent the past decade in, Favre came in the middle of the pre-season to a totally new team with no players on offense that he'd played with before.

Two, the Colts have the best pass-rush offensive line in pro-Football as Saturday and Diem continue to dominate. Favre is 40 years with a fantastic running game to limit blitzes yet still has three times as many sacks as Peyton Manning does.

Three, the Colts defense is not that bad. They get turnovers at the right moments and that is main reason this team is undefeated, in addition they have the second best defensive line in Pro-Football, (behind Minnesota).

Four, Austin Collie and Pierre Garcon are not even a big part of the offense. I could see a point if Manning was helping both these unheralded rookies just dominate, but seriously, they have barely 1000 yards receiving between the two of them and less than 10 touchdowns, that's an average performance from players who really are average. I'm not surprised or impressed, I'd expect nothing less from a pair of players like that. Brett Favre managed 3500 yards last year with Jerricho Cotchery and Lav Coles, explain that one to me, that impresses me far more than Manning.

Five, Manning still has all Pro-Veterans Reggie Wayne and Dallas Clark to throw to and he throws to them A LOT and they have been a crucial part of the Colt's success and have both been having, arguably, the best seasons of their careers. Minnesota had no Veterans in the receiving core, just some raw talent, which makes that aspect far more impressive. Whenever Sportswriters go on about Percy Harvin, Shiancothe, and Sidney Rice, I say, Reggie who? Dallas who? Harvin has been great, but Favre has been a lot of that and that is undeniable.

Six, they don't have much of a running game because they don't even try for it. They have pass-rush linemen, and they pass it most of the time. Manning is throwing a lot more than Favre, so it's to be expected he'd have better numbers; the offense revolves around making him put up gaudy numbers to win, Favre is playing in offense that doesn't depend on him to do special things that often, (even if he does anyway), but outside of yards Manning doesn't, and in the biggest stat, TDs, he's only tied with Brett Favre and three behind Brees.

Seven, for all the huge hype about Manning's fourth quarter performances and come from behind play, Brett Favre still has a QB rating THREE TIMES as good as Manning when behind 9-16 points, 133 compared to 43. and twenty points higher when leading by 0-7 points.

Even Favre's overall Fourth Quarter stats are better than Mannings' this year; even his total second half rating is ten points higher than Manning and Favre has led two fourth quarter comebacks himself this year, and staved off comebacks twice from the Packers, and is one bad tripping call from a third comeback fourth quarter victory. What's more, you don't see the Vikings defense getting interceptions and returning them for touchdowns, or grabbing up two-three crucial turnovers in the fourth quarter, as the Colts have in several games, allowing them to win.

I don't deny Manning a good season I just severely doubt another MVP Caliber season.

Most importantly? He didn't deserve it last year, Drew Brees did for putting together one of the best seasons of quarterback play in recent memory and likely brought a Saints team that would have been 2-14 without him, to 8-8. Yet everyone has forgotten this in again considering the media's pretty boy the last few seasons for yet another award.

The Colts relying on Manning is nothing new; they always do it and it's how they construct their game plan.

Him getting MVP awards for it is something I'm tired of. I cannot fathom him getting yet another award for it. I pretty much lost all respect for the Sports-writing community when I saw them, in 2008, do the unthinkable and give Manning a Third MVP award based on a 27 Touchdown, twelve interception, 4002 yard, 66 percent completion rate season.

You don't hand out awards for pulling together a nice winning streak, you hand them out for the player playing the best in the NFL. Drew Brees threw for 34 touchdowns and became only the second QB to pass for 5000 yards with a poor team with no running game, no defense, and him having to attempt 635 passes in 16 games, or, on average, some FORTY odd passes a game.

So that's the main reason I think Peyton Manning Simply CANNOT be given this years award; he didn't deserve last year's award by a long shot.

Brees was the player playing best, he got snubbed due to the media's love affair with Peyton Manning, despite Brees having the best season of his career and Manning having his worst statistically worst season since 2002.

Has everyone forgotten that completely undeserved award last year? For that reason he simply can't be handed another one and I'd even settle for Brett Favre's storyline and comeback winning an MVP if it wins over Peyton Manning, but Brees is my first choice because he was outrageously snubbed last year.

As a side-note, for all the trash-talk about Brett Favre not deserving all three of his MVP awards, Manning has gotten MVP's on the basis's of 29 touchdown, (then they changed the rules making it easier to pass in the NFL), 49 touchdowns, and 27 touchdowns.

Favre got them, pre-NFL rule changes, on seasons of 38, 39, and 35 touchdowns and made it to the NFC Championship or further in all three seasons, or seven more plus more play-off success than Manning in those three seasons. And not only was it pre-rule changes but it was without the sort of insane talent Manning had at his height, Wayne, Harrison, Clark, and Gonzales. I bet Favre looked at that at times and thought to himself, "Life just isn't fair."

Two rather irrelevant side points for this. One, it's that I don't think, overall, Peyton Manning is a better quarterback than Brett Favre, comparing their careers. Two, and very much unrelated, what Tom Brady did in 2007 doesn't hold a finger up to Dan Marino's 1984 season, considering the different standards of defense between the two periods.

Read more NFL History news on BleacherReport.com

Classic Rewind: Raiders Top Steelers in 1980 MNF Matchup

Dean Hybl — Sat, 05 Dec 2009 18:49:14 -0500

There was a time when the rivalry between the Pittsburgh Steelers and Oakland Raiders was the most competitive in the NFL.

When these titans met on the gridiron, there was no question it was going to be a battle and often with a lot on the line.

Between 1972 and 1983, the Steelers and Raiders met in the playoffs six times, including three straight times in the AFC Championship Game. The winner of each of those three games (Pittsburgh in 1974 and 1975 and Oakland in 1976) went on to win the Super Bowl.

With classic moments including the Immaculate Reception by Franco Harris and a big hit on Lynn Swann by George Atkinson that resulted in a lawsuit, the Steelers and Raiders did not like each other and were ready for a war whenever they met on the field.

Our Classic Rewind is not one of their playoff meetings, but instead a Monday Night Football encounter from 1980 that featured the defending Super Bowl champion Steelers against an Oakland team that was destined to succeed the Steelers as champions.

Surprisingly, despite the fact that both teams were known for their defense, this game was a high scoring affair that featured a number of big plays both on offense and defense.

The Matchup: Oakland Raiders at Pittsburgh Steelers

Series Record: The Raiders hold a slight 12-11 overall series edge, but Pittsburgh has won five of the last seven meetings. Each team has won three of their playoff match-ups, with Pittsburgh holding a 2-1 advantage in AFC Championship Games. Oakland won the last meeting between the two teams during the 2006 season.

The Game: October 20, 1980, Three Rivers Stadium, Pittsburgh

Team Records: Oakland 3-3, Pittsburgh 4-2

Overview: The defending champion Steelers were dealing with significant injuries on offense as future Hall of Famers Franco Harris, John Stallworth, and Lynn Swann were all out of the lineup. They entered this game with a one game lead in the AFC Central over the Houston Oilers and Cleveland Browns.

Oakland was also dealing with a key injury as backup quarterback Jim Plunkett was making his second start in place of starting quarterback Dan Pastorini, who suffered a broken leg in the fifth game of the season. The Raiders trailed the San Diego Chargers in the AFC West, but were coming off a big victory over the Chargers in Plunkett’s first start.

Coaches: Oakland – Tom Flores (2nd year); Pittsburgh – Chuck Noll (11th year)

Notable Raiders: Jim Plunkett (QB), Kenny King (RB), Mark Van Eeghen (RB), Bob Chandler (WR), Cliff Branch (WR), Raymond Chester (TE), Art Shell (T), Gene Upshaw (G), Dave Dalby (C), Jon Matuszak (DE), Cedric Hardman (DE), Matt Millen (LB), Ted Hendricks (LB), Rod Martin (LB), Lester Hayes (DB), Chris Bahr (PK), Ray Guy (P)

Notable Steelers: Terry Bradshaw (QB), Cliff Stoudt (QB), Rocky Bleier (RB), Greg Hawthorne (RB), Russell Davis (RB), Jim Smith (WR), Theo Bell (WR), Bennie Cunningham (TE), Jon Kolb (T), Mike Webster (C), L.C. Greenwood (DE), Joe Greene (DT), Jack Ham (LB), Jack Lambert (LB), Mel Blount (CB), Donnie Shell (SS), Mike Wagner (FS), Matt Bahr (PK)

Interesting Notes: This was the first game for the Raiders after trading future Hall of Fame tight end Dave Casper to the Houston Oilers. The two placekickers were the brother tandem of Chris (Raiders) and Matt (Steelers) Bahr. The classic Monday Night Football broadcast team of Frank Gifford, Howard Cosell, and Don Meredith provided commentary and entertainment during the telecast.

The Game: Even without the availability of future Hall of Famers Harris, Swann and Stallworth, Terry Bradshaw marched the Pittsburgh offense down the field on their opening drive. He connected on a 19-yard scoring pass to Jim Smith to complete a six-play, 67-yard drive to give Pittsburgh the early lead.

They quickly added to the advantage as a fumble by Kenny King on the first offensive play by the Raiders led to a Matt Bahr field goal and a 10-0 Pittsburgh lead.

Undaunted, King recovered from his miscue to score the first touchdown of the game for the Raiders on a 27-yard run that completed a six-play, 85-yard Oakland drive.

The drive proved costly to the Steelers as Hall of Fame linebacker Jack Lambert suffered an injury on the drive and missed the remainder of the game.

That proved to be all the scoring in the first quarter, but served as an exciting prelude to a second quarter that resembled a track meet.

The Steelers increased their advantage to 17-7 as a one-yard touchdown run by Greg Hawthorne completed a 10-play, 84-yard drive.

Later in the quarter, the Raiders answered with a one-yard touchdown run of their own by Mark van Eeghen following an interception by future Hall of Famer Ted Hendricks.

Oakland took the lead for the first time at 21-17 as a sack of Bradshaw by Cedric Hardman resulted in a fumble and a 34-yard return for a touchdown by Rod Martin.

The hit by Hardman knocked Bradshaw out for the remainder of the first half.

Now led by Cliff Stoudt, the Steelers suffered their third straight turnover as Hendricks intercepted a Stoudt pass for his second pick of the quarter.

Oakland increased their lead to 28-17 as Jim Plunkett hit Morris Bradshaw on a 45-yard touchdown pass with 1:22 remaining in the half.

That proved to be plenty of time for Stoudt as he led the Steelers down the field and cut the halftime lead to 28-24 with a 13-yard touchdown pass to Smith.

Proving that statistics can often be deceiving, Pittsburgh dominated the offensive production in the first half as they out-gained the Raiders 340 yards to 160 and held the ball for more than 20 minutes. However, three turnovers proved to be key as the Raiders converted each one into a touchdown and the 28-24 advantage.

On their first possession of the second half, Plunkett hit Cliff Branch with a 56-yard touchdown pass to give the Raiders an 11-point lead at 35-24.

Terry Bradshaw returned for the Steelers in the second half and, as he did in the first half, led the Steelers to a touchdown in their first possession of the half. He connected with Theo Bell on a 36-yard touchdown pass to make the score 35-31.

Seeing extensive action due to the injuries to Stallworth and Swann, Bell finished the game with five catches for 114 yards and a touchdown.

In his entire four-year career entering the contest, Bell had caught only 13 passes for 173 yards and two touchdowns.

The Steelers maintained the momentum when they forced a fumble by van Eeghen that was recovered by Robin Cole. However, for the second time, the Steelers were unable to turn an Oakland fumble into a touchdown. Instead, they settled for a 32-yard field goal by Matt Bahr to make the score 35-34.

Oakland answered in the fourth quarter as Plunkett hit Cliff Branch for a 36-yard touchdown to again make it a two-possession game.

The Raiders defense continued to batter Bradshaw, and the Steelers were unable to move the football. With Harris on the sidelines for the entire game, the lack of a consistent running attack by Pittsburgh allowed the Raiders defense to spend the game pressuring Bradshaw.

The Steelers rushed for 117 yards while passing for 384.

Oakland put the game away with a time consuming drive in the final minutes that culminated in a 36-yard field goal by Chris Bahr to make the final score 45-34.

Plunkett finished the game with 247 passing yards on 13-of-21 completions for three touchdowns and no interceptions. Bradshaw completed 18-of-27 for 299 yards, two touchdowns and an interception. Stoudt connected on 6-of-11 passes for 85 yards, an interception and a touchdown.

Cliff Branch, arguably the best receiver not in the Pro Football Hall of Fame, caught five passes for 123 yards and two touchdowns. Kenny King rushed for 70 yards and a score.

Post Script: Coupled with a home loss the previous week to the Cincinnati Bengals, the loss to Oakland marked the first time Pittsburgh had lost back-to-back home games since the opening of Three Rivers Stadium in 1970.

The victory continued the mastery by the Raiders on Monday Night Football, as they improved to 14-1-1 since the beginning of MNF in 1970.

After the beating he took against the Raiders, Bradshaw was unable to play the next week against the Cleveland Browns as the Steelers fell to 4-4 on the season. They finished the season with a 9-7 record and missed the playoffs for the first time since 1971.

The Steelers had been trying to “win one for the thumb,” but it would not be until 2006 that the Steelers would claim their fifth Super Bowl victory.

Under the guidance of Plunkett, whose career was resurrected by Al Davis and the Raiders after a disappointing two-year stint in San Francisco, the Raiders went 13-2 and won Super Bowl XV over the Philadelphia Eagles.

This article is an original story from Sports Then and Now , which was created to give passionate sports fans a place where they can analyze and discuss current sports topics while also remembering some of the great athletes, moments, teams and games in sports history all at one site. If you haven't been there yet, check it out today.

Read more NFL History news on BleacherReport.com

Is Adrian Peterson Ready To Be Compared To The Best?

Robert Quinn — Sat, 05 Dec 2009 16:19:59 -0500

Adrian Peterson is one of the most exciting running backs in the NFL.

At 6'2", 215 pounds, his combination of speed, power, and explosiveness has many people watching Vikings games simply to catch the top-10 walking highlights live in action.

But with only two and a half seasons under his belt, is he really ready to be compared to legends such as Eric Dickerson, Walter Payton, Barry Sanders, and the Hall of Famers we worship as football gods?

Backround

Peterson was born on March 21, 1985 in Palestine, Texas, a rural area where he came from a very dysfunctional family. He joked in an ESPN interview that the reason he became so agile was from chasing rabbits in the lawn.

Despite the family issues, he excelled in high school, amassing 5,011 rushing yards, averaging 5.4 yards per carry, and scoring an astounding 54 touchdowns.

While Maurice Clarett was suing the NFL regarding the age limit, Peterson was highly mentioned as a player that would easily make the transition from high school to the NFL.

After an amazing performance at the U.S. Army All-American Bowl, he announced his committment to Oklahoma as the top high school player by College Football News and Rivals.com

College

Adrian Peterson was an instant explosion at Oklahoma, breaking the freshman NCAA rushing record, recording 1,925 yards as a true freshman.

Despite suffering multiple injuries, he still managed to be mentioned by Mel Kiper Junior as a top-three draft pick after rushing for 4,057 yards and scoring 41 touchdowns (all in limited games).

Draft and the NFL

Peterson was selected with the seventh overall pick by the Minnesota Vikings, yet it was reported two teams passed on his questionable injury status.

"Purple Jesus" was phenomenal in his first season, quickly breaking the single game rushing record, recording 296 yards against the Chicago Bears...as a ROOKIE!

He was awarded with the Offensive Rookie of the Year, and the Pro Bowl MVP as well.

Future and Comparison to the Greats

Of course there have been critics, referring to the numerous players who turned out to be busts, but even the greats themselves have praised his skill, saying that they haven't seen a more versatile back than him.

These statistics breaks down the similarities between running legends and Adrian Peterson, through as many games as Peterson has played:

Adrian Peterson—4,100 yards, 33 TD

Barry Sanders—4,024 yards, 40 TD

Walter Payton—3,319 yards, 34 TD

Emmitt Smith—3,975 yards, 37 TD

Terrell Davis—4,154 yards, 33 TDs

Analysis

As you can see, these statistics are eerily similar. The only difference that separates "All Day" from the rest is the style of defense that's being played in the NFL. With each year, players are getting bigger, faster, stronger, than their predecessors.

Peterson is still young and certainly has room to improve. Within the next two to three seasons, if he can learn to hold the ball more and avoid injuries, he will be become another legend that will go down in history as one of the best ever.

Do you?

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What Can We Say During Times Like These: IMPROVE, OAKLAND RAIDERS!

Damali Binta YAEL — Sat, 05 Dec 2009 15:27:58 -0500

One of the Bleacher writers said something like this: "Why are we writing on here (Bleacher Report's Oakland Raiders' page) since there is so little that can be said?"

I thought, "We can IMPROVE!"

I am not the only one who is struggling with the repeated losses of the Oakland Raiders. In fact, last night I dreamed I made a presentation before the team, giving them a pep talk and strategy to get out of this rut they have been wallowing in.

Only in my dreams did I shake them up, and they went out there and started toughening up and playing football like they meant it.

Reality says something different. So, since there is little or no chance of me getting into the front office of the Raiders' camp and presenting my powerful "sermon" on how to start winning, we will have to tolerate "the dry bones" era in the Oakland Raiders' history.

Can these bones live again? Yes they can. When will they begin to move, rise up, and get in position? When the young men truly commit to excellence?

How do you define excellence? Well, I visited a bookstore and selected a book by Joe Gibbs (with Jerry B. Jenkins). It is titled, Game Plan for Life , with a foreword by Tony Dungy.

Might these men be right? Is it possible that many people are missing the point of what it means to commit to excellence? Has anyone asked the coach, Tom Cable, and the trainers in the Oakland Raiders' franchise how they define excellence?

Now, if you read books, you may have noticed Game Plan for Life . Gibbs' resume includes three-time Super Bowl Champion, and three-time NASCAR Champion.

Dungy said in the foreword, "I watched him (Gibbs), studied him, and talked to many people who knew him. I wanted to know how he did things, how he was able to get his players to perform with such precision and togetherness—how he was able to get them focused to function so well under pressure and in times of adversity."

Dungy surmised Gibbs in this quote:

"Coach Gibbs governed his life that way and led the team that way—with Christian principles learned from the Bible."

Since I am a researcher, you can be sure that I am searching for answers to the Oakland Raiders' problem. And if you are a researcher who looks at all angles, all dimensions, and all sides of an issue, you only come to a conclusion after a complete and exhaustive search for answers.

The final question is: Is the Oakland Raiders' current definition of excellence accurate and complete, in establishing the gameplan for the success of the franchise in the 21st century?

What do you think? After all, several years have passed, and the Oakland Raiders have not pulled up and out of their slump, yet.

Will Week 12 be different? I hope so.

So, what can we say during times like these? The answer is: Improve your definition of "commitment to excellence" and be certain you have a complete and exhaustive definition of excellence.

Has Tom Cable studied a successful NFL coach, as, for example, Tony Dungy studied Joe Gibbs, and embraced an improved definition of "commitment to excellence"?

Read more NFL History news on BleacherReport.com

Can You Walk in Al Davis' Shoes: Coached, Owned, Or Been a Commissioner?

Damali Binta YAEL — Sat, 05 Dec 2009 11:29:38 -0500

Early on this Dec. 5th morning, the question came to me: Can you walk in Al Davis' shoes? Coached, owned, or been a commissioner?

The question is the title of the article.

Here is the framework. Years ago, I worked for the first African American in Texas who was officially recognized as a millionaire. His name was Mack H. Hannah.

At 74-years-old, he was a smart, tough, cantankerous senior citizen who hired me to be an administrator of his construction company, Standard Development Corporation. I learned a lot from Mr. Hannah. He was a big man, who towered over most of the staff, and he used a cane to walk.

Mr. Hannah once told me that if you are going to own a company or run a company, you need to know the "ins and outs" of it, from A to Z. He indicated that it is impossible to do a good job if, in fact, you have not done the jobs below the top position in the company.

Now, so many bloggers and fans are writing articles and comments, telling Al Davis what to do with the Oakland Raiders. This is a country where free speech prevails. So, keep at it, keep telling him what you think.

But, consider this question: Can you walk in Al Davis' shoes? Have you coached, owned, or been a commissioner?

Now who out there can answer: Yes, Yes, Yes.

The person who can say "Yes, Yes, Yes" to all three jobs, is the person to whom we should listen to.

Some folks have never even played a game of football, yet they are good fans of the Oakland Raiders. Let's pose a question: You look at a beautiful house. Does that mean you can build the house? I don't think so.

Imagine Al Davis saying to us, using the words of Emily King's song:

See everybody's got their own problems that their going through
I take it day by day, its only thing that I can do
so I live for me as you live for you
But you can't be me unless you walk in my shoes

[Repeat Chorus x 2]

walk walk, walk walk, walk walk—walk in my shoes [x 2]

You gon do you, and ima do me

The proposal and questions for Dec. 5, the day before our big game with the Steelers: Have the fans ever put up a billboard telling the Oakland Raiders how much we love and appreciate what they did in the past?

Have the fans ever sent a vitae of a person to Al Davis who could serve as the GM for the Oakland Raiders?

Is there someone out there who has walked in shoes similar to Al Davis and can understand and advise us on how to deal with the situation in which we find our team?

There are more questions. The challenge is for us to search out the answers.

And, if we take the advice of the brilliant senior citizen who sat me down and got my attention years ago, we know that we should not take a job at the top of an organization without being fully cognizant of what it took to build that organization.

Why was Mr. Hannah tough on me and the other so-called young, sharp people who surrounded him in 1976? He said we had a lot of book-sense, and vicarious information, but we lacked the hands-on experience to run the company.

Those comments may be relevant to the situation with Al Davis.

Yes, we will continue with our concerns and comments, but be reminded that what we say would probably make more sense to Al Davis if we could present to him a spokesperson with experiences similar to his, who he might at least try to listen to, and then change his ways or strategies in running the Oakland Raiders franchise.

So, who is that person? Find him, and send him to talk to Mr. Al Davis.

Read more NFL History news on BleacherReport.com

The Frozen Tundra on Monday Night: For Packers, Ravens Does It Get Any Better?

Danny Miller — Fri, 04 Dec 2009 13:15:50 -0500

Playing in an NFL Monday Night game is about as good as it gets. But when that game is at Lambeau Field, with playoff implications and below freezing weather, it’s football heaven.

When the Baltimore Ravens travel to Green Bay to face the Packers on Monday night, it will be more than just a football game.

The bright lights of national TV will shine on the two teams with hopes of getting one win closer to reaching the playoffs. The legendary "Frozen Tundra" will provide a classic venue for a Monday night battle with classic Green Bay weather on the radar.

Below freezing with a chance of snow is predicted, and a 100 percent chance of classic hard-hitting football.

The Baltimore Ravens (6-5) are hoping to keep stride after a key win against division rival Pittsburgh. With the temperatures low at Lambeau, the Ravens may be forced to use their three-headed monster running game with Rice, McGahee, and McClain.

The Packers (7-4), despite a slow start to the season, come into the game with a three-game winning streak. Aaron Rodgers and the Green Bay offense will look to take advantage of a less than stellar Baltimore secondary.

When the lights come on at Lambeau Field and the mercury drops, the Ravens and the Packers will clash in a classic NFL battle that will have every football fanatic watching from the edge of their seat.

A crucial game for both teams, this contest has all of the elements for an instant classic.

Just make sure to bring a coat.

Read more NFL History news on BleacherReport.com

Your 2009 NFL All-Rookie Team

JW Nix — Fri, 04 Dec 2009 06:25:45 -0500

It may be early still, but I am going to name my 2009 NFL All-Rookie Team.

Quarterback: Matthew Stafford, Detroit

The Lions' first-round draft pick set an NFL rookie record with five touchdown passes in one game, which also tied a team record. He leads all rookie quarterbacks in attempts, completions, passing yards, touchdown passes, and passing yards per game.

Running Back: Knowshon Moreno, Denver

The Broncos first-round draft pick leads all NFL rookies with 688 yards so far.

Running Back: LeSean McCoy, Philadelphia

The Eagles second-round draft pick has 528 rushing yards while playing a part-time role much of the season until recently.

Wide Receiver: Percy Harvin, Minnesota

The Vikings first-round pick does a bit of everything. He has 42 receptions, 91 yards on 11 carries, and five touchdowns.

Wide Receiver: Austin Collie, Indianapolis

The Colts fourth-round draft pick has been a huge help towards the Colts undefeated season. He leads all rookies with 43 catches and has four touchdowns already.

Tight End: Brandon Pettigrew, Detroit

Despite missing two games, the Lions second first-round draft pick leads all rookie tight ends with 30 receptions and has two scores.

Tackle: Michael Oher, Baltimore

He has started in all games, mostly at right tackle, for Baltimore this year, including a few at left tackle when incumbent Jared Gaither was hurt. He shut down All-Pro Jared Allen one game, and has been largely spectacular most of the season.

Tackle: Eben Britton, Jacksonville

The second-round draft pick has started in every game he has played, missing one from injury. He and first-round pick Eugene Monroe should bookend each other for a long time.

Guard: Louis Vasquez, San Diego

Despite missing Week's Two and Three from injury, this third-round pick has started every game and is a big part of the Bolts' resurgence.

Guard: Andy Levitre, Buffalo

The second-round pick has started all games for the Bills, and recently showed his versatility by moving to left tackle to replace the injured Demetrius Bell for awhile. He and fellow rookie guard Eric Wood, the first-round pick who started every game until he broke his leg Week 10, should anchor the Bills' trenches for years.

Center: Alex Mack, Cleveland

He has struggled at times, but his future appears bright. He has started every game for the Browns so far.

Defensive Tackle: Roy Miller, Tampa Bay

The third-round pick has 25 tackles and two sacks so far.

Defensive Tackle: Terrance Knighton, Jacksonville

The Jags' third-round draft pick leads all rookie defensive linemen with 29 tackles.

Defensive End: Matt Shaughnessy, Oakland

The Raiders' third-round draft pick has 16 tackles and two sacks.

Defensive End: Everette Brown, Carolina

The first-round draft choice has 15 tackles, two forced fumbles, and 1.5 sacks.

Outside Linebacker: Brian Orakpo, Washington

The Redskins' first-round draft pick leads all rookies with seven sacks, which is also the 12th most in the league.

Outside Linebacker: Brian Cushing, Houston

The first-round pick leads all rookies with 99 tackles, which is the fifth most in the league. He also has recorded a safety, three interceptions, 1.5 sacks, and defended 12 passes.

Middle Linebacker: James Laurinaitis, Saint Louis

The Rams' second-round draft pick is second amongst all rookies with 85 tackles, which is the 12th most overall. He also has two interceptions and a sack.

Safety: Louis Delmas, Detroit

The Lions' second-round pick is third in rookie tackles with 61 tackles, and he has a sack, interception, and touchdown off of a fumble recovery.

Safety: Jarius Byrd, Buffalo

The Bills' second-round draft pick is leading the NFL with eight interceptions.

Cornerback: Jacob Lacey, Indianapolis

The undrafted free agent, along with third-round pick Jerraud Powers, might be the most valuable rookies to the Colts. Both were thrown into the starting lineup after injuries decimated the secondary.

He is fifth amongst rookies with 56 tackles, Powers is fourth with 58, and he has an interception and 11 passes defended.

Cornerback: Vontae Davis, Miami

The first-round draft pick has two interceptions, one returned for a touchdown, and he and fellow rookie Dolphin CB Sean Smith appear to have the starting jobs locked up for years ahead.

Kick Returner: Percy Harvin

He has two touchdowns already, which leads the NFL, as does his 29.8 per return average.

Punt Returner: Quan Cosby, Cincinnati

The undrafted free agent is second in the NFL with 30 returns, and third with 335 yards. His 11.2 yards per return leads all rookies.

Kicker: Ryan Succop, Chiefs

The seventh-round selection leads all rookies with 65 points, and has missed just four kicks, one from being blocked, all season.

Punter: Kevin Huber, Cincinnati

The Bengals' fifth-round choice leads all rookies with 54 punts for 2,453 yards, as well as 18 punts inside the 20-yard line.

Now on with my Week 13 picks.

I went 8-5 last week, dropping me to 109-50.

Philadelphia Eagles @ Atlanta Falcons

Both teams are in desperation mode right now. A loss will cripple their playoff hopes. The difference is that Atlanta is hurting at quarterback and running back right now.

Eagles 34, Falcons 17

Tampa Bay Buccaneers @ Carolina Panthers

The Bucs are not a great team, but their coaching issues are a big part of the problem. Carolina has underachieved all season.

Some Panther fans are happy that Matt Moore may start at quarterback this week, while others think it won't matter.

Moore is an unknown X-factor, due to his throwing only 69 balls in three years. A toss up, but thinking promising Tampa Bay QB Josh Freeman will get the win.

Buccaneers 17, Panthers 16

New England Patriots @ Miami Dolphins

Miami has had some positives this year. They got their young quarterback playing experience, and witnessed the rebirth of running back Ricky Williams. Unfortunately, the Patriots will be too much to handle for the 'Phins.

Patriots 26, Dolphins 16

Saint Louis Rams @ Chicago Bears

Running back Steven Jackson is beat-up and hurting, but the Rams keep giving him the ball. A big reason is that he is their only weapon, and he is second in the NFL in rushing yards right now.

Chicago is in a turmoil of their own, and fans are calling for massive changes from the coaching staff to the roster. This is a game where Bears QB Jay Cutler steps up.

Bears 23, Rams 17

Detroit Lions @ Cincinnati Bengals

The Bengals need this win bad to maintain a hold of the AFC North. Detroit should consider shutting down prized rookie Matthew Stafford for the year because he is beaten up.

Bengals 27, Lions 13

Tennessee Titans @ Indianapolis Colts

The Colts are undefeated for a few reasons besides talent. They are reliant and never quit. Titans QB Vince Young has rallied the team to five straight wins, with running back Chris Johnson a big reason behind it.

If Johnson gets off in this game like he has been doing all season, the Titans have a good chance to deal the Colts that first loss of 2009.

Titans 26, Colts 24

Oakland Raiders @ Pittsburgh Steelers

The Raiders have recently shown a little improvement on offense after a quarterback change. It still isn't enough to deal with an angry and desperate Pittsburgh team clinging to playoff hopes.

Steelers 31, Raiders 13

New Orleans Saints @ Washington Redskins

I expect a very good Redskins defense to keep this close, but Washington can never close out a game because of terrible coaching.

Saints 26, Redskins 20

San Diego Chargers @ Cleveland Browns

The Bolts are missing three starters on defense, but they have good depth. Their offense has been on fire lately, and will be too much for the worst team in football.

Chargers 41, Browns 9

Denver Broncos @ Kansas City Chiefs

Denver is still very much in control of their playoff destiny, but they need to keep winning to stay ahead of teams nipping at their heels. Kansas City is not one of those teams. The Chiefs are trying to finish strong, so it won't be an easy win for Denver.

Broncos 23, Chiefs 17

Houston Texans @ Jacksonville Jaguars

After losing their last three games, Houston has pretty much buried their playoff hopes. They either rally this week or go home.

Jacksonville was absolutely horrible last week in their loss to the 49ers, and this inconsistency has been the theme of the young team all year.

Texans 27, Jaguars 24

Dallas Cowboys @ New York Giants

Dallas needs this win to keep a game ahead of the Eagles for the race to the NFC East crown. If the Giants lose this week, they are pretty much done. The Jints have failed to dominate the trenches lately, and Dallas needs to take advantage of that.

Cowboys 31, Giants 23

San Francisco 49ers @ Seattle Seahawks

The Niners still have faint hopes in winning their division, while Seattle does not. San Francisco is better in the trenches, and they should ride running back Frank Gore's back to victory.

49ers 27, Seahawks 20

Minnesota Vikings @ Arizona Cardinals

Game Of The Week

This is a scrum that sees two record-setting quarterbacks with a Super Bowl ring in their resumes. Minnesota has an excellent defense, so Arizona must run the ball well to give balance to their offensive attack.

The Cardinals have a good defense themselves, and both can be explosive on special teams. The sharpness of Cards QB Kurt Warner will be key.

Cardinals 38, Vikings 34

Baltimore Ravens @ Green Bay Packers

This will be a very fun game to watch. The biggest weakness of the Ravens is pass defense, while passing is the Packers offensive strength.

The Packers have a good defense, but their offensive line is the key to this game. Baltimore has a very good front seven, and that should make the difference.

Ravens 27, Packers 23

NFL Power Rankings

1. New Orleans Saints

2. Indianapolis Colts

3. Minnesota Vikings

4. New England Patriots

5. Cincinnati Bengals

6. San Diego Chargers

7. Dallas Cowboys

8. Pittsburgh Steelers

9. Philadelphia Eagles

10. Denver Broncos

11. Baltimore Ravens

12. Green Bay Packers

13. Arizona Cardinals

14. Atlanta Falcons

15. Tennessee Titans

16. New York Giants

17. Jacksonville Jaguars

18. Miami Dolphins

19. San Francisco 49ers

20. Houston Texans

21. New York Jets

22. Seattle Seahawks

23. Carolina Panthers

24. Chicago Bears

25. Kansas City Chiefs

26. Oakland Raiders

27. Buffalo Bills

28. Detroit Lions

29. Washington Redskins

30. Tampa Bay Buccaneers

31. St. Louis Rams

32. Cleveland Browns

Read more NFL History news on BleacherReport.com

Can the Pittsburgh Steelers Miss the Playoffs and Still Ruin History?

Paul Preibisius — Fri, 04 Dec 2009 00:44:29 -0500

As this season reaches its three-quarter stage, some interesting stories are beginning stories are beginning to take shape in the NFL. The first is that the Pittsburgh Steelers, sitting at 6-5 and dealing with injury issues all year, might just miss the playoffs. At this point, the odds would seem to favor edging into the wild card, but how often has this team been in this position in recent memory?

Another major story building steam is the Indianapolis Colts and New Orleans Saints success. After last week’s pair of victories they became the first 11-0 duo. Up until this point, only one team per year had achieved undefeated success this late into a season.

While both have a few tougher matchups remaining (Titans, Broncos, Cowboys), neither has a truly "elite" team remaining on their schedule. This makes it entirely possible that this year could witness the first 32-0 pair. It may be getting ahead of oneself, yet the Patriots game had the appearance of the biggest stumbling block to this and the Saints used it to make a statement.

The league is right now looked at as three teams head and shoulders above the pack (the Bengals were looking to creep into that discussion before that Oakland loss plunged them back into the "best of the rest" field). The third team in this discussion is, of course, the Minnesota Vikings. While they lost their chance at perfection in week seven, they are considered equal to the task of facing any team.

The playoffs are where this hypothetical begins to grow even more presumptuous. The NFL has a chance at seeing for the first time ever, two undefeated teams in the Super Bowl, should the Saints and Colts win out. This would be a historical first in and of itself, but it also guarantees someone keeps the ’72 Dolphins' champagne on ice...permanently.

Who is considered the greatest challenger to this potentiality? The Minnesota Vikings. While one may contend that Indianapolis likely has a more difficult road to the conference championship than New Orleans, once there, the Vikings have to be considered the greatest single threat to ending perfection.

Minnesota itself could quite possibly win out the rest of the year. They likely have the most difficult schedule of the three (especially should Warner be back to full health), but they very much have the capacity to do so.

In the event that Minnesota is the team to win the Super Bowl, they will have likely twice halted perfection within the playoffs. The only thing preventing them from pursuit of 19-0 should that occur, would be one troublesome loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers in week seven.

Only in the NFL can the championship team of the previous year potentially miss the playoffs, and yet still have a great chance at drastically affecting the historical significance of the current year’s championship. It would be irony at its finest.

Read more NFL History news on BleacherReport.com

All-Time Bobby Bowden Florida State Seminoles NFL Team

Matt Ryan — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 22:16:17 -0500

Bobby Bowden's retirement this week ended the tenure for one of college football's most successful coaches ever.

His highlights included National Championships in 1993 and 1999, 12 ACC championships, 14 consecutive seasons of at least 10 wins and a top 5 ranking, and leading the Seminoles to a bowl game for the last 30 seasons (31 if you include this year).

While his teams accomplished a lot on the field at Doak Capmbell Stadium and on college campuses across the nation, his players have left an equally impressive mark at the next level as well.

As I read countless articles across the web about this coaching legend in the wake of his retirement, I thought about all the great players who came out of Florida State and made big impacts in the NFL and decided to come up with my All-Time NFL team of Florida State Seminoles coached by Bobby Bowden.

While Fred Biletnikoff has an award named after him along with three Super Bowl rings, he played in Tallahassee nearly a decade before Bowden arrived.

Although Chris Weinke won a Heisman Trophy and Ron Simmons (better known as WWE superstar Faarooq) is in the College Football Hall of Fame, their impact in the NFL was about as noteworthy as Andre Wadsworth's (can you still believe Arizona drafted him 3rd overall in 1998!).

Offense

Quarterback : Brad Johnson - This may be the easiest choice to make for this team. Johnson was the quarterback for the 2002 Super Bowl-winning Tampa Bay Buccaneers and had six 3,000 passing yard seasons during his respectable professional football career. He went to the Pro Bowl in 1999 and 2002.

Running Backs : Warrick Dunn and Leon Washington - Dunn is a fringe Hall of Famer who was an offensive centerpiece during his playing days for the Buccaneers and Falcons, and was quite the pass catcher.

Leon is only in his fourth season, but he has put up great offensive numbers for the lack of attempts he gets with Thomas Jones and Shonn Greene in the same backfield. I strongly thought about Bennett or Butts, but neither had a very long career.

Honorable Mentions : Edgar Bennett and Marion Butts

Fullback : Greg Jones - Jones has done a great job blocking for Fred Taylor and Maurice Jones-Drew in Jacksonville and was a Pro Bowl alternate in 2007.

Honorable Mention : William Floyd

Wide Receivers : Anquan Boldin and Javon Walker - This group maybe the deepest position to choose from. Anquan established himself as one of the league's premier receivers from the get go.

Laveranues Coles has had three 1,000 receiving yard seasons during his career, a Pro Bowl appearance, but has never established himself as one of the league's best Wide Receivers.

I would choose Javon Walker over Coles, but Walker's injury problems keep him on the honorable mention list.

Honorable Mentions : Dennis McKinnon, Javon Walker, Peter Warrick, Jessie Hester, Lawrence Dawsey, and Hassan Jones.

Tight End : Zeke Mowatt - An extremely weak position for this team compared to the Wide Receivers.

Mowatt had 698 receiving yards and 48 receptions for the Giants in 1984, but his numbers decreased substantially over the course of his career after the Giants drafted a Notre Dame tight end named Mark Bavaro.

On the bright side, Zeke did collect two Super Bowl rings during his days at the Meadowlands.

Honorable Mention : Lonnie Johnson

Offensive Tackles : Walter Jones and Tra Thomas - Walter Jones is one of the greatest offensive tackles in NFL history and never gets enough credit for how much he helped Shaun Alexander achieve his impressive stats like that 27-touchdown season in 2005.

Jones was recently placed on IR, but hopes to play in 2010 for his 14th season with the Seattle Seahawks.

Tra Thomas has been elected to three Pro Bowls during his career and has never got as much attention as other lineman such as Jonathan Ogden or Orlando Pace.

Thomas is now playing for the Jacksonville Jaguars after spending his first 11 seasons with the Philadelphia Eagles.

Honorable Mention : Alex Baron , Todd Fordham , Ken Lanier

Offensive Guards : Milford Brown and Montrae Holland - Aside from tight end this is the weakest position on the team.

However, Brown started 47 games during his career for four different teams (cant decide if that is a good thing or a bad thing) and Holland his fellow 2003 draftee is currently playing for the Dallas Cowboys and has started for the Rams and Saints.

Center : Jamie Dukes - Before his career on the NFL Network, Dukes was an undrafted free agent who played 10 years in the NFL, including his first eight with the Falcons where he blocked for Pro Bowl quarterbacks Chris Miller and Bobby Hebert, in addition to Brett Favre during his rookie season.

Defense

Defensive Tackles : Darnell Dockett and Corey Simon - Dockett is currently one of the NFL's best defensive tackles and helped the Arizona Cardinals reach the Super Bowl last season.

Simon had a short NFL career, but was an important player for Jimmie Johnson's defenses during the early 2000's and won a Super Bowl ring playing for the Indianapolis Colts.

Honorable Mentions: Orpheus Roye, Broderick Bunkley

Defensive Ends : Kamieron Wimbley and Peter Boulware - At the moment, Wimbley is one of the few bright spots for a horrific Cleavland Browns team. He has recorded 25.5 sacks during his first 58 games as a pro.

Boulware was the 1997 NFL Defensive Rookie of The Year and one of the league's most feared defenders during his prime.

He was part of the 2000 Baltimore Ravens defense that set an NFL record for the fewest points allowed during a season and helped win Super Bowl XXXV.

Had injuries not derailed his career, Boulware could be making a strong Hall of Fame case right now.

Honorable Mentions : Derrick Alexander, Greg Spires, Alphonso Carreker

Outside Linebackers : Derrick Brooks and Lawrence Timmons - The 2002 NFL Defensive Player of the Year played his entire 14 year career for the Buccaneers and went to 11 straight Pro Bowls!

For years Brooks was part of the one of the league's best defenses and helped Tampa Bay win the Super Bowl in 2002, the first professional sports championship for the city. He is a future Hall of Famer for sure.

Timmons is only in his 3rd NFL season for the Pittsburgh Steelers and his 1st as a starter, but already has a Super Bowl ring and is quickly becoming one of the best linebackers in the NFL.

I almost choose Sam Cowart over him, but I think Lawrence Timmons will have a much longer career than Cowart.

Honorable Mentions : Ernie Sims , Sam Cowart, Tommy Polley , Reinard Wilson

Middle Linebacker : Marvin Jones - The 11-year New York Jet and 1992 Butkus winner finished his career with 1200 tackles (third all-time for the J-E-T-S) and is one of the best linebacker's in the Jets history.

Jones formed one of the league's best linebacker tandems with Mo Lewis, and helped the Jets reach the AFC Title Game during the 1998 season. He was an All-Pro in 2000.

Cornerbacks : Deion Sanders, Terrell Buckley - Neon Deion redefined his position and is arguably the best defensive back in NFL history. He is also one of the only two players to ever score a touchdown in six different ways.

Sanders won the NFL Defensive Player of the Year award in 1994 and was a big reason why the Niners won their fifth championship that season.

His college teammate Buckley is arguably one of the most underrated defensive backs in league history.

He recorded 50 interceptions during his career, but was never selected to the Pro Bowl (I guess it really is a popularity contest). He gets the slight nod over Samari Rolle to be paired with the Deion Sanders.

Honorable Mentions : Samari Rolle, Bobby Jackson, Martin Mayhew, Corey Fuller, Bobby Butler, Bryant McFadden

Free Safety : Chris Hope - He starred alongside Troy Polamalu early in his career, but has fared equally as well for the Titans. He was elected to the Pro Bowl in 2008 and helped the Titans go 13-3 that year.

Dexter Jackson was a Super Bowl MVP and a very good player for Monte Kiffin down in Tampa Bay, but Hope gets the nod over Jackson who is currently playing for the Florida Tuskers of the UFL.

Honorable Mention : Dexter Jackson

Strong Safety : LeRoy Butler - Butler was one of the league's best safeties during the 1990's for the Green Bay Packers and helped end the title drought for Cheese Heads nationwide.

He was elected to three straight Pro Bowls between 1996 and 1998 and is a part of the NFL's 1990's All Decade. The Hall of Fame could be in Butler's future, but some of his contemporaries like Steve Atwater and Carnell Lake have not fared well in Hall of Fame voting so far.

Honorable Mention : Lee Nelson

Special Teams

Kicker : Sebastian Janikowski - The Polish-born player was the first kicker ever selected in the 1st round and is the highest scoring player in Raiders history.

Honorable Mention : Bill Gramatica (remember when he tore his ACL)

Punter : Rohn Stark - For many this is a surprisingly deep position for the Noles. Stark played 16 NFL seasons including 12 with the Colts and was voted to the Pro Bowl four times.

Honorable Mention : Rick Tuten , Scott Player

Kick Returner : Deion Sanders

Punt Returner : Deion Sanders

Who else do you want returning the ball for this team?

Some great NFL players have played for Bobby Bowden during his career at Florida State and their impact across the league is undeniable. This hypothetical team would be a Super Bowl contender with all these players in their prime, without a question.

However, their are some glaring weaknesses on this team such as the offensive guard and tight end positions. As well as, some impressive ones like the wide receivers, running backs, and defensive backs.

Read more NFL History news on BleacherReport.com

Are NFL Fans Witnessing the Best QB Ever in Peyton Manning?

Scott Stone — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 21:27:51 -0500

Pierre Garcon. Austin Collie. Joseph Addai.

Three reasons why Indianapolis Colts quarterback Peyton Manning is not only the best quarterback in franchise history, even better than the infamous black high-top wearing Johnny Unitas, but the best quarterback in the history of the National Football League.

You can make a solid argument pointing to Reggie Wayne as being an outstanding receiver for Manning, a valuable pass-catcher out of the Colts passing attack. Wayne has 79 receptions in 2009 already for 987 yards, nine of them going for touchdowns.

If you are looking for 11 reasons why Manning is the best-ever, Indianapolis is 11-0 this season. Unbeaten without much of a running game to speak of. Without a viable running attack, the Colts have won ugly at times.

Addai leads the team in rushing this season with 535 yards, averaging just 3.5 yards per carry. Addai averages just 48.6 yards per game, etching his place as an NFL bust.

Then, there's rookie Austin Collie out of Brigham Young. Collie, a fourth-round draft choice in April, has been a pleasant surprise for Manning and the Colts. Collie has 43 catches for 483 yards and four touchdowns.

Manning consistently picks apart defenses by using tight end Dallas Clark, often unfairly matched up against linebackers in man-to-man coverage. Clark is turning in another high-level performance in 2009, already three receptions short of his career-high of 77 set last season.

Clark has made 74 grabs this time around going for 834 yards and five touchdowns. Clark's career-high of 848 yards was set along with his 74 catches in 2008, numbers Clark is destined to destroy with five games remaining on the schedule.

When Manning had the luxury of handing it off to Edgerrin James in his prime, Indianapolis had a two-pronged attack. Not any more.

You can argue that Tom Brady of the New England Patriots has more Super Bowl rings, leading Manning 3-1 in the jewelry category. Measuring greatness by Super Bowl rings is unfair.

Brady has the best wide receiver in the modern game in Randy Moss along with pint-sized overachiever Wes Welker. Welker’s ascension to being one of the best go-to receivers in the game was unlikely, but Welker belongs in the NFL.

Numbers don’t lie. Welker, undrafted out of Texas Tech, was in the league to be a special teams guru. But Welker has been a pleasant surprise to the Patriots since signing as a free agent before the 2007 season despite his 5'9", 185-pound stature. Welker leads the NFL with 85 receptions this season.

In a Week 11 victory over the Jets, Welker made 15 catches for 192 yards and a touchdown, hardly numbers to sneeze at. Welker is well on his way to surpassing the 112 grabs he made in his first year in New England in 2007, and the 111 receptions he snagged last season.

Moss, for all the off-the-field problems during his days in Minnesota and Oakland, has done his talking on the field after joining New England in 2007. Moss is on pace towards another All-Pro season for the Patriots.

Moss has 66 grabs in 2009 for a team-best 992 yards. With eight more yards, it would mark the third time in as many seasons that Moss has had more than 1,000 receiving yards.

When speaking of Moss, who can forget the NFL record 23 touchdown receptions he had in 2007 as the Patriots won every regular season game by going 16-0?

Brady, however, did have the greatest single-season showing in NFL history. In 2007 when the Patriots went 16-0 in the regular season, Brady was on fire from the word go. Brady completed 68.9 percent of his passes for 4,806 yards and 50 touchdowns compared to just eight interceptions.

You could make a valid argument that both Moss and Welker, statistically, are better than any receiver on the Colts roster.

Even without former All-Pro Marvin Harrison, Manning has hardly missed a beat. Manning was shaky in the past two weeks, according to his gaudy standards. Manning completed over 70 percent of his passes in back-to-back weeks, shaking off the two interceptions he threw in road victories over Baltimore and Houston.

Unless the Colts decide to rest Manning upon clinching the AFC South early, Manning’s personal-best of 4,557 passing yards set in 2004 could be in serious jeopardy.

It truly is a one-man show in Indianapolis. Manning will likely surpass 50,000 career yards this season, barring injury. Other than his rookie season in 1998 and again in 2001, Manning has thrown no more than 19 interceptions at any point of his career.

After his sixth season in the league in 2003, the most interceptions Manning has thrown was in 2007 with 14. Over his 12-year career, Manning has thrown 176 interceptions in 187 career games. That’s less than one per game throughout an entire career to go along with 357 touchdown passes.

Manning has completed 70.4 percent of his passes this season. With Manning at the controls, it's been 11 up and 11 down for new head coach Jim Caldwell in his first season at the helm of the mighty Colts. Manning’s completion percentage in 2009 is better than Brady’s during his immaculate performance in 2007.

Manning will not finish the 2009 season anywhere close to Brady’s 50 touchdown passes in his memorable season, but Manning’s statistics are comparable.

For those who like to measure greatness with the amount of jewelry on a finger, many say Dan Marino may have been the greatest to ever play the game. He, along with Fran Tarkenton, never won a Super Bowl.

For as great as Brett Favre has been in his career, Favre, like Manning, only has one Super Bowl ring.

Why does Favre get a free pass for only having one Super Bowl ring while Manning is constantly slighted for only having one? The very second after Manning won Super Bowl XLI, pro football pundits already were claiming Manning needed to win a second one in order to ensure his place amongst the greats.

Some will argue that Welker’s career is no better than Garcon’s since Garcon was drafted (sixth round in 2008 out of small college power Mount Union), unlike Welker. Garcon was a member of the Colts as a rookie in 2008, making just four receptions in 14 games. This season Garcon has 37 grabs for 574 yards and four touchdowns.

Did Garcon get that much better since his first NFL season, or could these numbers be chalked up to having the best quarterback in the history of the league?

Plenty of great NFL quarterbacks went an entire career without winning a Super Bowl. Warren Moon, Jim Kelly, and Donovan McNabb just to name a few.

Manning has a ring, and if the Colts can find a running gafme between now and January, another trip to the Super Bowl could be in the cards for the Colts.

In Manning's first four seasons, he won half of his 64 games. Since then, Manning has won at least 12 regular season games every single season since 2003. Manning is 96-27 in the regular season since 2003, a mark unmatched by any signal caller in league history.

It’s time to give Manning his due as the best quarterback ever to play the game. For now, all fans can do is sit back and watch him go to work like a surgeon.

Manning is truly fun to watch.

Read more NFL History news on BleacherReport.com

Raiders-Steelers: An Organizational Comparison

Damali Binta YAEL — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 20:22:57 -0500

If a team's age of existence made a difference in the quality of its performance, then the Pittsburgh Steelers should have the advantage in the Week 13 game with the Oakland Raiders.

However, being older does not necessarily make one more competent.

The Pittsburgh Steelers were founded in 1933, which would make the team about 76-years-old. The Oakland Raiders were founded in 1960, celebrating their 50th year, along with the other charter members of the AFL.

If these teams represented two men, a 76-year-old man is getting ready to compete with a 50-year-old man.

Given that analogy, who would win this competition?

Another way to look at the competitors is to look at a portion of the data for the two franchises:

Pittsburgh has 526 wins (to date) in 76 years, while Oakland would only need to be 8.95 years older in order to have the same level of performance.

Additionally, Pittsburgh has seven Super Bowl appearances in 76 years, using a proportion equation, the Raiders would need 4.6 Super Bowl appearances to match the Steelers' level of performance.

Since the Raiders have appeared in the Super Bowl five times, they have out performed the Steelers in this category.

However in terms of Super Bowl wins, the Raiders have under performed when compared to the Steelers. Oakland's actual number of Super Bowl wins is three, whereas mathematically it should be 3.947 when compared to the Steelers.

The win-loss percentage for the Raiders exceeds that of the Steelers. Oakland's percentage is 55.1 percent while the Steelers have won 51.6 percent of their games.

The Steelers have been in existence some 27 years longer, however, their win-loss percentage is below that of the Raiders.

Oakland Raiders organization may be younger and have had their struggles of late, but when they are good, they are very good .

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The Top Three Oakland Raiders Not Shortlisted for the HOF in 2010

David Wilson — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 04:54:38 -0500

This week, the Hall of Fame semifinalists were announced, and it was nice to see some deserving Raiders on there. I have lobbied for Cliff Branch before, and if any punter ever deserved to be in the hall, it is Ray Guy. But even though we have a number of players up for election, I have always felt that it was the players left out that was a clear indication of anti-Raider bias.

You, no doubt, have your own; here are my top three.

Kenny Stabler

The first is a no-brainer for me. Kenny Stabler was the leader of a great Oakland team through the 1970s, and to the fans he is still an icon. Statistics aren’t always the measure of a player's worth to his team, and Stabler had that ability to inspire those around him to get the best out of themselves, which is one of those intangible qualities a quarterback must have.

His two-minute drill was comparable to any quarterback in league history. He was a leader off the field as well as on and one of the league’s true characters.

But to return to statistics, no one thinks that Terry Bradshaw doesn’t belong in the Hall of Fame, and Stabler’s stats compare very favourably here. They are within 100 yards of career passing yardage, but Stabler completed 59.8 percent of his passes to Bradshaw’s 51.9. They have a similarly high winning percentage as starters, even though Stabler played for three different teams. He was also selected to four Pro Bowls to Bradshaw’s three.

They both led the NFL twice in passing touchdowns. Bradshaw never led the league in passer rating. Stabler did.

I know Terry Bradshaw has four Super Bowl rings, and Stabler only has one, but the Snake led the Raiders to five consecutive AFC championship games (1973-1977), and was two bad officiating calls (1975 & 1977) from being a three-time Super Bowl winner. He also led the Houston Oilers to the 1979 AFC Championship Game.

The Hall of Fame excludes him for some reason. I still fail to see why.

Jack Tatum

What is defensive football about if not hitting? No players ever hit harder, or better, than Jack Tatum. He was feared by runners and receivers throughout his entire career, and I mean feared .

Tatum stood alone as the most intimidating defensive back in football, and his bone-jarring hits literally knocked players senseless, just as he did to Vikings receiver Sammy White in Super Bowl XI. White was one of many. Tatum was selected to four Pro Bowls, and his now famous autobiography They Call Me Assassin , just like Tatum, pulled no punches.

He was an underrated pass defender who made 37 interceptions in a 10-year career, has a Super Bowl ring and played in all those AFC championship games with Kenny Stabler.

But they won’t let Jack Tatum into the Hall of Fame because of one incident that happened on Aug. 12, 1978, in a preseason game against the New England Patriots. In a tragic accident that was a result of an entirely legal hit by Tatum, Patriots receiver Darryl Stingley fractured the fourth and fifth vertebrae in his neck. Stingley was a quadriplegic for the rest of his life. He died in 2007.

I don’t believe that Jack Tatum can be blamed, however emotive and tragic this subject is, because of a hit on a receiver that was entirely legal. Jack Tatum belongs in the Hall of Fame, but no one dares mention his name in the same breath.

Steve Wisniewski

The "Wiz" has been retired eight years now, but still somehow isn’t in the Hall of Fame. He was nominated on the 2008 list but didn’t make the final cut.

In order to be selected, a player needs to be one of the top players, if not the top player at his position for the time that he played. Steve Wisniewski played 13 seasons for the Raiders (1989-2001), and in that time he made eight Pro Bowls, and was selected to the NFL’s '90s all-decade team.

Out of 208 possible career games, he played 206, and there are few players in league history that can beat that kind of durability.

The only knock on Wisniewski is that he didn’t play in Super Bowls, but many players have made it into the hall without being part of a successful team, as long as they were the best players at their position for the era in which they played. He was an excellent pass blocker, and a crushing run blocker.

In his final year, in a playoff game against Miami, he hit linebacker Zach Thomas so hard when pulling on a sweep, Thomas had to be assisted from the field by two trainers.

I don’t think anyone can dispute that during his career, Wisniewski was up there with the elite that were the best at what they did. Dan Dierdorf played 13 years on an unsuccessful Cardinals team, and made only six Pro Bowls; Jackie Slater was selected to seven playing for the Rams. Both are already inducted.

So does anybody know another player who has eight Pro Bowl selections and isn’t in the Hall of Fame (well, who isn’t an Oakland Raider)?

Read more NFL History news on BleacherReport.com

NFL's All-American Team

Brendan Collins — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 01:34:32 -0500

The United States when it was first organized was young, scrappy and willing to take on the biggest and most powerful country in the world, Great Britain. The Americans bravely fought for their independence and once they got it people from all over the world came to enjoy the freedoms of living in America. This gave birth to the oldest and most unique truth of American life and that is the “American Dream.” The dream is different for everyone but its roots are sunk into the fact that regardless of background, economic status, race or location any American through hard work and determination can succeed. The dream is an important part of American culture. No three men in the history of the National Football League embodied the American Dream more than the NFL’s First Team All-Americans. Humble beginnings, determination, pride and courage to achieve a level of success exceeding their god given ability and potential; these are the men we cheer for on Sunday’s after a long week of work. These men are the real heroes that do more than score touchdowns and make tackles but inspire us through our outdated television sets by the way they played and how the conducted themselves off the field.

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Ten of the biggest QB busts of the last 25 years, and what they're doing now

Drew Gatewood — Wed, 02 Dec 2009 20:44:45 -0500

We're going to take a trip back in time and look at some of the worst quarterbacks in the last 25 years. Most of the selected few have gone on to pursue other things in life, however two still currently cling to a roster spot though not for to much longer. Unfortunately for one life past football has yet to really begin considering legal troubles continue to pop up for him.

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Is Raiders DT Tommy Kelly Earning His Paycheck? Or Stealing Al Davis's Money?

Ramone Brown — Wed, 02 Dec 2009 19:03:08 -0500

Tommy Kelly has been a center of controversy ever since he signed a seven-year $50.5 million contract prior to the 2008 season. The Raiders had hopes of him replacing the over-hyped, over-paid and over the hill Warren Sapp.

At the time that was the largest contract ever given to a defensive tackle. Which has since then been surpassed by Albert Haynesworth's seven-year $100 million deal including $41 million in guaranteed money.

Kelly has been the victim of finger pointing and blame as fans and critics often place him at the center of the Raiders' struggles against the run.

Is Tommy Kelly just another over-paid walrus in the middle of the Raiders defense, like Warren Sapp and Terdel Sands were? Or are we as fans being too hard on him?

Take a look at the numbers and the answer will be more clear. Last year Kelly ranked sixth in tackles behind the likes of Pat Williams, Kevin Williams, Vince Wilfork, Shaun Rogers and Demato Peko. He also ranked eighth in sacks and deflected two passes.

And this year, despite that Tommy Kelly seems to be the main concern of opposing offenses as they constantly throw double teams at him, he is leading all NFL&year=season_2009&sort=130&timeframe=ToDate" target="_blank">NFL DTs in tackles this year with 46, though he does only have one sack.

So if Tommy Kelly is so good then why do so many people point fingers at him and why is the run defense so bad?

The reason Kelly receives so much blame against the run game is simply because people don't understand what his job is, or the difference between the two DT positions.

Tommy Kelly plays the three technique in this position he lines up on the outside shoulder of the weak-side guard. His job is to penetrate and shoot the B-gap. His job is to hold his gap and disrupt the backfield. Kelly is doing an excellent job at what his position asks.

Then there is the nose-tackle. They line up either in a zero- or one-technique, either head up or on the strong-side shoulder of the center. This is usually the biggest, strongest player on the defense. They are responsible for clogging the middle, holding the A-gap, and commanding double teams.

This is where the true problems lie. The Raiders do not have a true nose-tackle. Gerrard Warren, Desmond Bryant, Richard Seymour, and William Joseph have all taken snaps at nose-tackle this season. But they are all better suited to play the three-technique and in an ideal world they would be backing up Tommy Kelly and rotating in at the three-technique.

The Raiders don't have a player big enough or strong enough to play the nose tackle position. Right now this is the biggest hole on the Raiders defense. And filling it would improve every position on the Raiders defense.

In order for the Raiders defense to truly be formidable they need to find Tommy Kelly a partner in crime in a true nose-tackle. This coming offseason there will be a few options via free agency, draft and trade. Here are some of those options: Vince Wilfork (FA), Tank Tyler (FA), Justin Bannan (FA), Casey Hampton (FA), Aubrayo Franklin (FA), Terrence Cody (draft), Dan Williams (draft), Shaun Rogers (trade).

If the defense doesn't pick up one of these big men in the middle the defense will continue to struggle against the run and people will continue to blindly point fingers at Tommy Kelly.

Read more NFL History news on BleacherReport.com

Chris Johnson vs. Adrian Peterson: Why Is This Even an Issue?

Bryan Hollister — Wed, 02 Dec 2009 16:18:43 -0500

Quite a bit of talk is bandied about nowadays as to who is the better running back: Is it Adrian Peterson, the Vikings' powerhouse who wows crowds and worries defenders with his ability to hit the hole hard and gain yards after contact?

Or is it Chris Johnson, the fleet-of-foot phenom running for Tennessee who makes otherwise fast defensive backs look like they aren't even trying to catch him?

How does one decide?

We will, of course, have our favorites.

Titans' fans insist that there is no other back like Johnson, and they are justified in holding that opinion. His speed is otherworldly, he hits "gone" in about two steps, and he isn't even beginning to show signs of late-season fatigue.

Peterson, on the other hand, is a bruiser. While he can turn a fair rate of speed, he has the ability to find and hit the seam in the middle, burst through, and gain yardage he has no business gaining. At the goal line, the Vikings hand him the ball with confidence that he can score, evidenced by his 12 rushing touchdowns this year.

Now, I'm no dummy; I know full well that there are statisticians out there with much more ability, time, and access than I have who can refute the argument I am about to make at will. And that's the fun of running the numbers: Someone always shows up with something else to consider just when you think the job is done.

So, without any further ado, and no more gilding of the lily, let's begin, shall we?

Total Rushing Yards

This one is a no-brainer. Johnson leads all backs in the NFL with 1,396 yards on the ground. In fact, Peterson is not even in the top two in rushing yards; Steven Jackson of St. Louis has 36 more yards that Peterson, coming in at 1,120 to Adrian's 1,084.

Edge—Johnson

Average Yards Per Game

I know what you're thinking: "Why didn't you just include this in the last stat?" Because Johnson has started one more game than Peterson, that's why. All things being equal, that should give Peterson an advantage in this category, right?

But all things are not equal. Peterson still played in all 11 games so far, and once again Johnson wins this one running away, so to speak. Averaging 126.9 yards per contest, he far outpaces Peterson's 98.5 yards per effort.

Edge—Johnson

Yards Per Carry

Okay, you might be saying, "What about Adrian Peterson's ability to gain yards after contact? This has got to be one in his favor, doesn't it?"

Alas, you would be wrong. While Peterson is averaging a very respectable 4.7 yards per rush, Johnson bests him with a 6.4 yard average. For those not picking up on it, that means Johnson has done more work with fewer carries than Peterson; 13 fewer carries, to be exact.

Again, all things being equal, if Johnson had those other 13 carries (which he doesn't need, but just for fun lets look at the numbers), and was able to maintain the 6.4 yard average, then he would be sitting on nearly 1,500 yards. If that were so, would there be any doubt of his ability to break Dickerson's record?

Don't think so.

Edge—Johnson

Total Yards from Scrimmage

Both Peterson and Johnson are versatile backs; that is, if need be they can catch a pass and run with it, albeit typically out of a screen, so they are effectively just starting their runs from the flat instead of the backfield. So how do our two superstars fare here?

Peterson has 27 receptions for 233 yards, with his longest one being 44 yards. That's an average of 8.6 yards per catch. Not too shabby for a running back.

But hang on a minute. Johnson has 33 receptions for 294 yards, including a 69-yard completion that went for a touchdown.

In the same game, he had a second rushing touchdown of more than 50 yards.

New England Patriots All Decade Team 2000s: Offense

Ryan Pickard — Wed, 02 Dec 2009 14:44:40 -0500

The New England Patriots have had their best decade in history during the 2000's. This has definately been a decade Pats fans will remember for a long time. The Pats won their first Super Bowl Chamionship in 2001 and then went on to win another two in 2003 and 2004. They have gone on to play in the Big Game four times and have won four AFC Championships. For a team that had been known more as a bottom feeder since their inception in the league in 1962 they have suddenly become a dynasty on par with the Packers of the 60s, the Steelers of the 70s, the 49ers of the 80s, and the Cowboys of the 90s. With so many championships there have been so many great players to come through this team in just this past 10 years alone. Feel free to voice your opinion if you agree or disagree and feel like somebody else should have made the list.

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The Almost All-Time Seattle Seahawks Defense

JW Nix — Wed, 02 Dec 2009 05:20:42 -0500

When the Seattle Seahawks were born into the NFL in 1976, they won just two games and their first draft pick ever was out of the league in a few years. But, what they did was get lucky on a few free agents, most notably Hall of Fame wide receiver Steve Largent and quarterback Jim Zorn. Seattle was finishing seasons with a winning record by their third year, and have stayed consistently competitive throughout most of their history. The pinnacle for the franchise, so far, was appearing in Super Bowl XL, and their fans want more. It is easy to see why, as the franchise heads towards the 15th losing season in their 34th year of existence. Here is a list of some of the greats to don the teams jersey. REMEMBER: This is a continuing series paying tribute to NFL legends who are not, and perhaps never will be, members of the Pro Football Hall of Fame. To see the offense, go here : http://bleacherreport.com/articles/299759-the-almost-all-time-seattle-seahawks-offense

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The Worst NFL Franchises of the 2000s

Joe Gerrity — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 21:47:05 -0500

With the 00's all but wrapped up, it's appropriate that we look back and evaluate the winners and losers of the decade. As part of an ongoing series of best/worst of the decade, I'll be judging which NFL franchises had the worst ten years. For some teams the 00's were a fruitful time. Both the Steelers (2) and the Patriots (3) won multiple titles. We came one amazing David Tyree catch away from witnessing what would have only been the second undefeated season ever. In total there were fourteen total teams that played in a Super Bowl. The problem some fans have is that their team watched not only the Super Bowl every single year, but the playoffs too. While your team might not have won a Superbowl or even a conference title, at least you don't root for the guys on this list. If you do, get out your flask (you obviously have one) and don't waste a drop. It was a tough decade.

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Detroit Lions' Future May Rest with a "Magic" Grand Rapids Family

Michael Schottey — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 15:15:40 -0500

William Clay Ford has done enough.

Is so many ways, Ford has done enough for Detroit Lions fans. Since he became sole owner of the Lions in 1964, the franchise has only had four seasons with 10 or more wins.

Since 1964, the Detroit Lions have not won a championship, either. The Lions have only made the playoffs in nine of the 45 years (20 percent) of Ford's ownership.

The Lions have seen the careers of Barry Sanders, Billy Sims, Johnny Morton, Herman Moore, Lem Barney, Charlie Sanders, Robert Porcher, "Bubba" Baker, and so many others.

Put another way, for a 27-year-old man who read the news that Ford bought the Detroit Lions in 1964, the life expectancy is up. During that lifetime, that 27-year-old grew up in the Lions heyday and had bubblegum cards of Bobby Layne stuffed in his pocket.

That same man was born two years after the Detroit Lions' first championship. The Lions would go on to win three more championships while he was in high school and college.

For that man, representative of many Lions fans, William Clay Ford has done enough.

Recently, Richard DeVos put to rest "rumors" that he might pursue the Detroit Lions franchise.

Rumors? What rumors?

Apparently, the only people who knew about this were DeVos and his children—who want to buy the team.

DeVos is already in the pro sports world. His Orlando Magic are on the up and up. The DeVos family have even more sports connections. Richard's son, Dan DeVos, has a history of buying failed sports teams—he bought the Massachusetts Marauders (formerly the Detroit Drive) and brought them back to Michigan as the Grand Rapids Rampage.

The Rampage won a title in 2001, three years after moving to the Van Andel arena—named after Richard's longtime business partner.

Dan also owns the Grand Rapids Griffins, a minor league hockey team, and the Wichita Stealth, a football team playing in the Arena Football League 2.

The DeVos family name is also connected to a sports management program at the University of Central Florida.

Whether you blame Ford for the Detroit Lions' failures or not is inconsequential. More and more, a time is coming when the Ford Motor Company will be unable to support the Detroit Lions.

Ford was the world's 363rd richest man in the world in 2001. In 2006, he ranked 698th. Now, in 2009...Ford is unranked.

The Detroit Lions aren't exactly making the Ford family a bunch of money, either. The Lions are worth an estimated $917 million and lose $3 million a year. For Ford, that is a burden becoming increasingly hard to bear.

For Richard DeVos, the 119th richest man in the world (61st in the United State), $3 million is a pittance. His company, Alticore, is the 31st most valuable company in the world and makes over $8 billion a year.

If the NFL scraps the salary cap, the Detroit Lions are going to have a hard time luring free agents to a city with such a long rap sheet. Money will have to be spent—money Ford doesn't have.

A partnership could be the perfect option. The DeVos family could buy a majority share of the Detroit Lions, leaving the Ford name on the brand and Bill Ford Jr. as a vice chairman. Dan DeVos can step in as chairman and provide a fresh point of view for many of the personnel and front office decisions that have occurred under the Fords' unsuccessful eyes.

Under that partnership, capital shouldn't be a problem for the Lions.

Even if it were, a franchise owned by partners is usually far more conducive to bringing on more partners than a single family-owned business. If George Argyros, Michael Ilitch, or Manuel Moroun wanted to buy a small percentage of the Lions in a revenue-sharing (or advertising) deal, it is easier to negotiate with partners than a single family.

If the Detroit Lions are going to survive, the reign of a Detroit family, the Fords, needs to be over. A Grand Rapids family—Richard DeVos and his sons, Dan and Doug—is a perfect option.

Michael Schottey is a Detroit Lions Featured Columnist for Bleacher Report and the producer and host of The Average Joe Sports Show on 860AM KNUJ (New Ulm, MN). He is also an NFL Analyst and Senior Writer for DraftTek.com. Follow Him on Twitter.

Read more NFL History news on BleacherReport.com

With Vince Young in the Limelight, Johnson Quietly Closing on Record

Bryan Hollister — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 13:54:53 -0500

He dodges. He stutter-steps. He fakes left, then darts right.

And before you know it, Chris Johnson has eluded you, passed you like you are standing still, and scored. Sometimes from deep in his own territory.

So why isn't he front-page news?

Because he plays on the same team as Vince Young, that's why.

Young's unbelievable resurgence in leading the Tennessee Titans on an unprecedented comeback from an 0-6 start is certainly newsworthy; not only did doubting football fans not expect him to be able to do it, but no one could have guessed the Titans would be one game back of contending—seriously contending—for a wildcard spot at this point.

Yet here they are, and Vince Young is rightfully basking in the glow of the limelight.

But he hasn't shouldered the burden alone. Chris Johnson deserves at least some of the credit.

While the Titans were losing, he was the lone bright spot in a cloud of controversy. With two noteable exceptions against Pittsburgh and Indianapolis, Johnson rushed for right at or over 100 yards a game, averaging 99.3 yards per game for the first six weeks.

In his last five games, however, he has turned up the wick, picking up better than 130 yards in each contest and averaging—averaging —an astounding 160 yards per contest.

Unprecedented, to say the least. Record-setting at best.

For those of you counting, thats 6.5 yards every time he touches the ball. His closest competitor averages 4.7 yards a carry. Not shabby, but not enough.

Johnson also has three rushing touchdowns of over 85 yards, and six touchdowns overall of 50 yards or more, including a 69-yard reception. In one season.

In total yards, he is ahead of where Eric Dickerson was at this point in the season when the rushing record of 2,105 yards was set in 1984 (for the record, Johnson wasn't even born then). He has also tied Dickerson and former Oiler great Earl Campbell as the only three players in history with six consecutive games with 125 yards or more. I would expect that record to fall next week against Indianapolis.

In fact, let's go ahead and call that a record too; no other running back in the Super Bowl era has had five consecutive games at better than 130 yards per game, at least as far as I can find out.

Want another record? He is the only player in league history to have six consecutive games of 125 yards while averaging five yards or better per carry, besting the great Jim Brown by one. So far.

The only fly in the ointment is that Dickerson averaged 131.6 yards per game in his record-setting season; at the moment, Johnson is sitting at only 126.9 yards per game.

In order to take the title, he will need nearly 142 yards per game over the next five weeks, and that is just to tie the record, not break it.

However, with five games left on the schedule against defenses that rank no better than 12th against the run, this is not an unmanageable task. With defenses having to account for the scrambling abilities of Vince Young, Johnson should have lanes aplenty to run through.

And of course, there is his blazing speed to account for. A 4.2-second 40-yard-dash? Please. The only way you catch him is if he lets you.

All in all, the best thing that could happen to Johnson is for Vince Young to continue his success, at least for the next five weeks. With all the attention elsewhere, he is likely to slip under everyone's radar and make off with Dickerson's mantle.

Then we could have yet another Music City Miracle to go along with the first two, and possibly the one where Tennessee runs the table on the season and makes the playoffs.

Wouldn't that be a season for the ages?

Read more NFL History news on BleacherReport.com

NFL Teams Rising Above or Falling Below Expectations

Paul Preibisius — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 23:52:24 -0500

This year many teams have put together seasons that pundits (and fans) did not necessarily expect. Some have put together far better results than expected while others have fallen flat in the midst of high anticipation. Here are just a few of those teams that have either exceded what was expected of them, or found that their seasons have been derailed with results far below par:

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