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Rams Sign Mike Sims-Walker
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By James Critch Story Updated July 30, 2011
Free agent wide receiver Mike Sims-Walker has signed a one year deal with the St. Louis Rams. The contract is reportedly worth $3.7 million. The reason behind the Rams front office thought process with a short term deal could simply be Simms has not proven himself over a long period of time as a number one receiver, however, he has been productive over the last two years averaging over 13-yards per reception and had 14 touchdowns over this same stretch of time.
This should be a good signing for the Rams. Sims-Walker will be slotted at the number one position to give Sam Bradford a deep threat. It is still to be determined if he can handle this position full time. In Jacksonville he became a successful receiver since there were a few weapons in the likes of tight end Mercedes Lewis and running back Maurice Jones-Drew to draw coverage away from him. Sims-Walker will have running back Steven Jackson and really no one else.
Regardless of the time frame of the deal and the chances that he won’t have the same type of supporting cast he had in Jacksonville, Sims-Walker is still excited about the new opportunity as he mentioned on twitter, “Packing my bags wit a big smile on my face ready to embrace this new great opportunity, can't wait to get to da LOU.”
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Jacksonville Jaguars, Will a New Defense Work?
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By James Critch Story Updated July 20, 2011
One team that is ready for the lockout to end is the Jacksonville Jaguars. The Jaguars are desperate to improve their defense this off season. Whether it is through free agency or resigning their players, it is a necessity that they get to work.
With a defense that has had head coach Jack Del Rio's fingerprints all over it for the last few seasons, it has not improved but declined in overall performance. In 2009 the defense allowed 26.1 points per game, gave up 341 total yards, allowed 191 passing yards and 149 yards rushing per game. They followed that up in 2010 with allowing 26.2 points per game, 371 yards total yards, 250 passing yards and 121 rushing yards per game. They were ranked 28th overall. One glaring issue was their turnover ratio. They were -15 which provided them an overall ranking of 31st.
Their overall sack total was 26 as a team with Jeremy Mincey leading the team with 5. The team had a total of 13 interceptions, with overrated Pro Bowler Rashean Mathis having 1. The Jags secondary was atrocious facing three wide receiver sets. They were ranked 31st overall.
Following owner Wayne Weaver's decision to strip Del Rio of his defensive duties, the Jaguars have hired defensive coordinator Mel Tucker. Tucker's main goal is to simplify the defense. He is looking for the defense to play faster and more aggressive. As he mentioned on www.Jaguars.com, "The installation of this defensive package will be critical. We have to be as efficient as possible in our methods of teaching and getting those guys to play the way we want them to play."
Linebacker and safety have been the concerns for the Jaguars, but Tucker is going into the season with the mindset that they will use the players from 2010. "From an experience standpoint, that's the best way to approach it. The bottom line is we are playing football."
The coaching staff of the Jaguars have to ask themselves, will simplifying the defense make a difference for this team? Is it that the players could not comprehend the defense over the previous years under Del Rio's watch, or did they just not believe in it?
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The bickering saga between the NFL owners and the NFLPA continues to be played out on television, in the newspapers, along with players who choose to “tweet” their grievances. There have been statements such as, “liar”, “deceiving” and finally “this is modern day slavery”.
In a world where, according to MPR News, the average NFL player’s salary is 1.4 million dollars, the players are in a battle to save a combined 1 billion dollars that the owners are asking to be given back under a 2008 contract. The issue with this is the players are claiming that if they do this they lose money, this causes their percentage of the shared revenue to go down, which at present time, according to MPR News, they are getting 57% to 43%(owners). The owners are asking for the players to go to an 18 game schedule, from the current 16 game format. If this is accomplished, the player’s percentage will be different but the amount of money they earn will not decline.
The NFLPA representatives claim that the NFL owners did not meet the players halfway and the deal is not in their best interest. NFL commissioner, Roger Goodell, claims, “We (NFL) did not push away from the negotiating table when the proposal was presented to the players; they walked away from the table. The players should reconsider and I hope they do.”
It’s nice to hear the millionaires and billionaires complain about whose fault it is that there is a work stoppage and or the players have been locked out.
In all seriousness, the fans are the ones that are paying the price, again. The fans fork over their hard earned money to the owners (billionaires) for the tickets, the concessions, the programs, the jerseys, the big fat foam hands and so on. This money is then paid out in a percentage to the players (millionaires) to play the entertaining game of football.
Maybe the fans should be at the negotiating table alongside the NFL and NFLPA representatives and express what is in their best interest. The players and owners should realize without the fans, there could be a permanent work stoppage.
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Flag Football a big draw at Thunderbolt Park
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By James Critch Story Updated March 9, 2011
The days of standing at the water cooler and reminiscing about the glory days of playing sports, for the most part, have come to an end. There is, however, a chance to rekindle some of that passion and a new way to get back on the gridiron. Flag football is a safer alternative, in comparison to the old way of getting your head knocked off.
The 4-on-4 Jax Football League relocated to the Fleming Island/Eagle Harbor area a few years ago following 10 years in Duval County and has been growing in popularity. More than 50 teams play at Thunderbolt Park located just south of County Road 220 on U.S. 17.
The league is run by Vanja Zec and Brian Wright, who took over for Ken Marks when he retired a few years ago. Zec and Wright have been playing in the league since its formation and now run the weekly operation as well as always trying to improve their product- whether finding better conditioned fields to play on or making the location of the league more accessible.
Wright and Zec separate their league from others in Northeast Florida by providing two referees and a stat keeper for each game. On their Web site, www.4on4ofjax.com, they keep a running record of players’ stats. They award weekly MVP awards and a season race for all-star status for players who achieve top rankings in categories such as best quarterback, receiver and rusher in each division. Additionally, trophies and prizes are awarded to the winning teams in their respective division. The league operates year- round with the exception of a short break between seasons. They are currently in the middle of a new season.
The league offers four different skill levels, starting with B (beginner), Super B (weekend warrior), A (competitive), and Premiere (top gun). A link on the Web site allows teams to register, with the average cost of $250 per team, plus a weekly game fee of $25 to pay officials.
According to Zec, “There are always different levels of players out here, from first time football players up to past college and NFL players. Former University of Florida Gator and Tampa Bay Buccaneer player Willie McClendon played out here for years until he moved to a new start up league in Jacksonville. ”
There’s even been a chance to catch a local celebrity on the sidelines. “A few years ago Fred Taylor found his way to the fields to watch his brother’s team play. It was a special day for everyone involved.” Wright recalls.
Said Ray Flores, team captain of Highlight Reel and a player in the league since 1998: “There is always a high level of competition at the fields. So if you love football and the camaraderie of team sports, the league these two are running may inspire you to get those old cleats out of the attic and play some football once again.”
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New Orleans Saints
Super Bowl XLIV Champions
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| February 7, 2010
Miami, Fl--I think the New Orleans’s Saints winning Super Bowl XLIV was not only good for the Saints, but was good for America. It’s about time the underdog came out on top. Many are saying it was divine intervention that propelled the Saints to their 31-17 victory over the Colts; I wouldn’t go quite that far, I don’t think God favored one team over the other, and if that were the case how do you explain him ignoring them for the past 43 years. I do believe the odds were overwhelmingly in their favor, they were way over due for a playoff win.
So now that the Saints have won the Super Bowl, the next question is can they do it again? The odds makers have already been hard at work and their pick for the 2011 Super Bowl, none other than the Indianapolis Colts. As long as Manning stays healthy, I think that’s a good bet to play.
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Pittsburg Steelers
Super Bowl XLIII Champs
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| Santonio Holmes MVP |
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NY Giants Super Bowl XLII Champs
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| Eli Manning Wins Super Bowl XLII |
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| Super Bowl XLII |
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