New Coach For the Pittsburgh Steelers?
There is talk about a possible Bill Cowher retirement, but the Pittsburgh Tribune Review reports that Steelers president Art Rooney II does not think Cowher is retiring anytime soon. Don't read anything into the $2.5 million home he purchased in Raleigh, NC. since the Steelers are continuing their standard practice of negotiating an extension of Cowher's contract.
Top Overall Pick in the NFL Draft?
It seems everybody in Houston has an opinion on what the Texans should do with the first overall pick in the April NFL draft, as if the Texans management will actually listen to any of that advice.
Many of the locals want the Texans to take Vince Young, the dynamic quarterback who helped lead the University of Texas to a national championship with an eye-opening Rose Bowl performance. Others want Southern California running back Reggie Bush, who would join quarterback David Carr and receiver Andre Johnson to give the Texans their version of the Triplets. So who will it be?
"I have no idea," Texans head coach Gary Kubiak said. "We'll get a good player. I know that."
They're not tipping their hand, but the signs point to Bush. And after Bush's latest workout, the signal is getting stronger.
Working in front of about 150 scouts and personnel officials, a group that included four head coaches and several general managers, Bush was "surgically proficient" in every drill in which he participated. He posted an eye-opening 40½-inch vertical jump, performed a very solid 24 repetitions on the standard 225-pound bench press, and was clocked in the 40-yard sprint in 4.37-4.41 seconds, according to a few scouts. The electronic times for Bush were a little quicker, in the 4.33-4.37 range.
In the on-field drills, Bush demonstrated burst out of the backfield. And while there weren't as many balls directed to him as he had hoped during Matt Leinart's throwing session, he caught the ball well.
Best Offseason Addition: Carolina Panthers
The addition of Keyshawn Johnson — the No. 2 receiver they've been missing the past two years. Interesting thing about Johnson is that the last time he and Carolina offensive coordinator Dan Henning were together, he caught 89 passes. Steve Smith couldn't be happier.
Worst Offseason Subtraction: New England Patriots
New England stood still. No, the Pats went backward. They lost linebacker Willie McGinest, they lost wide receiver David Givens, they lost kicker Adam Vinatieri, they lost offensive lineman Tom Ashworth. In return, they signed Reche Caldwell, a seldom-used receiver from San Diego. Yes, New England is still the team to beat in the AFC East because they still have Tom Brady, but there are cracks in the foundation.
Most Puzzling Quarterback Move: Drew Brees, San Diego
The Chargers hadn't won the AFC West in nine years. Then quarterback Drew Brees snaps the slump by leading the team to a 12-4 season. The following season, he wins nine starts, only to be hurt in the last game. Now he's gone. I don't understand how you let one of the NFL's 10 best quarterbacks walk away without compensation, especially when successor, Philip Rivers, hasn't made a single start in his pro career.
"If this guy doesn't win," said one NFC general manager, "he'll lose the locker room." Maybe, but it's not the players I'm worried about — it's coach Marty Schottenheimer. He and GM AJ Smith barely communicate, which means Schottenheimer is a dead man if the Chargers don't make the playoffs this year. Oh, and for the record: Schottenheimer wanted to keep Brees.
I Can't Believe This Guy is Going to Be Wearing a Different Uniform: Adam Vinatieri, Indianapolis
Indianapolis could've beaten New England in its 2004 season-opener if only Mike Vanderjagt made a 48-yard field goal to send the game into overtime. He didn't. The Colts might've kept Pittsburgh from reaching Super Bowl XL, too, if Vanderjagt would've made a 48-yarder to send the game into overtime. He didn't. The Colts are just too talented of an offense to lose on some "idiot kicker."
Is there anyone out there who can make a 48-yard kick? Yep, and the Colts just signed him. Vinatieri has nailed every big field goal of his career and was the most important specialist in the game. More than that, he was a security blanket for the Patriots, a club that knew it could win every close game because it had a can't-miss kicker. Well, now he's gone, and, just like every fan in New England is thinking, I wonder, how did that happen?
Runner-Up: Edgerrin James, Arizona
James scored TDs 14 times last year. That hasn't been done in Arizona since Try Donny Anderson in 1973. That's why this should be a great move for the club. Arizona needed a running back badly. James had 11 or more touchdowns in four of his seven seasons with Indianapolis and last year was the AFC's second-leading rusher with 1,506 yards — or 368 more than Arizona. The Cardinals had the league's best passing attack and worst running game, but all that is about to change. As for James, he may have traded a shot at at least one Super Bowl ring by leaving the Colts.
Who is Going to Challenge QB Kyle Boller For the Ravens?
Kerry Collins? It's hard for me to see why he isn't a good fit for Baltimore. Collins wants to go somewhere he can start, and this might be the place. The Ravens haven't given up on Kyle Boller, but they want to push him — and who better than the quarterback who joined Ravens offensive coordinator Jim Fassel in Super Bowl XXXV when both were with the New York Giants? Collins needs to find a place where he's not squeezed, and this could be it. Collins can serve as a mentor to Boller ... if, that is, he doesn't pass him on the depth chart. It makes too much sense not to happen. So what's the delay?
It could be that the team is holding out for the potential future cut of Titans long time gunslinger Steve McNair. McNair brings a veteran presence, tough attitude, and experience with WR Derrick Mason to make this a deal too good to be true. It all depends on what the Titans have available with their first round pick.
Game I Am Looking Forward to Watching
All I want is a ticket to Terrell Owens' return to Philadelphia and a seat in the end zone when he scores his first touchdown. This game has to be quite personal to several of the Eagles players, fans, and the organization as a whole.
It's Just a Game
With the Steelers capping their fifth Super Bowl victory, the NFL has officially begun the offseason. During these few months, players have the opportunity to put football aside and donate their time to help others.
Take a look at Seattle Seahawks defensive end Bryce Fisher, Atlanta Falcons defensive end Patrick Kerney, and Pittsburgh Steelers tackle Max Starks who arrived in Kosovo to begin a 12-day USO tour to U.S. military bases in the Balkans and Persian Gulf.
While each player was warmly received, Max Starks was accorded a special welcome by the Bravo Company "Outcasts."
The unit, composed of Apache helicopter pilots from Pennsylvania, had a large Steelers logo painted in their hangar. In addition, one of the pilots had painted a Steelers logo on the underbelly of his helicopter. He unlatched the panel and stood it next to the craft, where Starks autographed it.
As a group of 15 or so pilots huddled around Starks for a photo opportunity, a chant of, "Here we go, Steelers, here we go!" could be heard around the flight line. "That's for Super Bowl 40," one said. "And 41," said another, already looking ahead to the coming season.
They won't have to look to far, as the world champion Pittsburgh Steelers host the Miami Dolphins on Thursday, September 7th, 2006.
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