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| A Word from The Writer: The Monday Analysis - 8 August 2005 Lots of goodbyes and thanks for the memories for this first week of August. QBs in the Hall Canton welcomed Quarterbacks Fritz Pollard, Benny Friedman, Dan Marino, and Steve Young into the Pro Football Hall of Fame this weekend. Marino was introduced by his 20-year old son, Daniel, then he himself took the podium, licked his fingers in his trademark style and told favorite target Mark Clayton to "go deep." Marino then threw his last NFL pass into the audience with Clayton receiving. Marino is the league's leading in passing all-time (4,967
completions, 8,358 attempts for 61,343 yards, and 420 touchdowns). He was
voted to nine Pro Bowls, and up until 2004 held the Steve Young recalled a moment when he played football at the age of eight, and he was hit illegally, but the penalty was not called. His mother marched on to the field and scolded the boy who hit the future hall of famer. "This is why we never gave you sideline tickets for 17 years," Young told his mother. Young also paid homage to the other inductees. "I'm proud to be part of this with Dan and the Pollard and Friedman families. We are quarterbacks and that's what is neat about this position."
Friedman played eight seasons from 1927-1934 with the Cleveland Bulldogs,
the Detroit Wolverines,
Steven Townes, Pollard's grandson, made the acceptance speech. "He had the speed of Tony Dorsett, the elusiveness of Barry Sanders and the tenacity of Walter Payton." The Monday Analysis congratulates all the members of the Class of 2005. Gannon Retires, Heads for the Booth
After 18 seasons as an NFL quarterback, Rich Gannon retires from professional
football.
Gannon threw for 28,743 yards and 180 touchdowns in his career that started as a draft pick from New England in 1987. The Patriots traded Gannon two weeks later to Minnesota, then he played for Washington, Kansas City and Oakland. He is a four time Pro Bowler, twice as the MVP. In his 2002 MVP season, Gannon passed for 4,689 yards and 26 touchdowns, completing more than 67 percent of his passes, and traveling to the Super Bowl. The Raiders lost Super Bowl XXXVII to Tampa Bay. Now Gannon will be an analyst for CBS Sports during the football season. Gannon is leaving the game due to a broken vertebrae he suffered in 2004. "As far as the decision to retire, it was an easy one for me," Gannon said at the Raiders Training Facility. "It really was not my decision. I was not able to continue to play physically." Gannon found success in Oakland where he had not found anywhere else. "Six years ago, in 1999, I was really a journeyman quarterback,'' Gannon said. "I had played in the league 11 or 12 years and never really felt I was given an opportunity or chance to be an every day player. In 1999, the Oakland Raiders, Mr. Davis and Jon Gruden gave me that opportunity to be an everyday starter. I tried to make the most of that opportunity. "I can tell you this, I never took one day of my career in the National Football League for granted.'' The Monday Analysis congratulates Gannon on a great career and continued success in the future. George Back in Nashville But not what you think. Eddie George is the new color commentator for the Titans preseason television broadcasts. George will be in the booth for all four preseason game, baring a call from another team for a roster position. The Titans agreed that George can leave the booth for a football job, should one open up. George played for the Titans from 1997-2003, and played for Dallas in 2004. Seymour Gets Raise, Appears at Training Camp Patriots Linebacker Richard Seymour got some more money. Now he's in Camp. The Patriots granted the three-time Pro Bowler a raise of $1.4 million for 2005, and a promise to extend his contract during the season. Seymour held out of mini-camps and the first week of training camp to pressure the team to write his a new contract. Seymour is still on a $14.6 million, six-year deal he signed his rookie year. Law Signs with Jets Cornerback Ty Law found a home in New Jersey. The veteran corner signs with the Jet this week after being released from the Patriots in February. Law broke his foot in Week 9 of the 2004 season, and is still mending. Several other teams, such as Kansas City and Detroit showed interest. The contract is an incentive-laden deal that could be worth up to $28.5 million over the first three years, and nearly $50 million over seven years, Law's agent Carl Poston explained to the Associated Press. One of the incentives includes getting the Jets to the Super Bowl. "It was basically a dream come true," Law said. "There is nothing else to prove as far as I'm concerned with New England." Law, 31, played in New England for 10 years, went to four Pro Bowls, four Super Bowls, and won three championships. The Jets in turn had to release five players to make room for Law and his money, including potential starting cornerback Ray Mickens, who just by the way used to wear Law's Number 24. The Jets also released safety Derek Pagel, guard Dave Yovanovits, running back Delvin Joyce and cornerback Roosevelt Williams. "He's a good player and he'll play in this league with another team," head coach Herman Edwards said of Mickens. "I think this team is on the verge of doing something very special, and that's why I wanted to join them," Law said. Law is coming off a season ending foot injury that required surgery in January. League Notes The Viking restructured Dante Culpepper's 10-year, $102 million contract he signed in 2003, giving the Pro Bowl quarterback a raise. No details on the financials, but do we really need to know he's making more money? According to the Players Association, Culpepper was due $540,000 this season...Texans RB Domanick Davis received a five-year extension. Details were not disclosed...According to NFL.com, eight first round draft picks have yet to sign with their teams...Steelers running back Duce Staley had surgery to repair a lateral meniscus tear in his right knee, and is expected to miss a month...The Patriots signed TE Matt Brandt and waived TE Andy Stokes. Jim Kelly's Son Hunter Passes After living five years longer than doctors expected, Hunter Kelly, son of Hall of Fame quarterback Jim Kelly passed away at the age of eight. Hunter suffered from a nervous system disease called Krabbe Leukodystrophies , a rare, genetic, degenerative disease he had since birth. Kelly and his family spawned Hunter's Hope Foundation to help raise money and awareness to leukodystrophies. At his own Hall induction in 2002, Kelly called his son, "my soldier, my hero." The Monday Analysis sends condolences to the entire Kelly Family. Training Camp Division Talk: The AFC North
AFC North
2004 Division Champion: Pittsburgh The AFC North is an interesting division. Pittsburgh has reigned and been strong for much of Bill Cowher's 14 years as head coach. Baltimore, formerly Cleveland, became dominant after moving to Baltimore and becoming the Ravens in the mid-to late 1990s, winning Super Bowl XXXV with a great defense. Cleveland returned as an expansion with the rich history of its predecessor, but the Browns have been down for a very long time. Longer than their neighbors in Cincinnati. And the once hapless Bungles, Cincinnati is re-engerized under the direction of Marvin Lewis, and the promise of a brighter future. Cleveland and Cinci are led by the great defensive coordinators of the modern era: Romeo Crennel finally gets his just dues in his first head coaching position in Cleveland, while Marvin Lewis is entering his third after a long snubbing in Cinci. Both of these coaches automatically make Ohio better, and put a lot of pressure on the Ravens and Steelers to remain competitive in a division that used to have a couple of teams you could walk over. The AFC North could just be called Defensive Central. It will be defenses in all four of these cities that shall make the difference, which is not to say the offenses won't have their say. Well, for the most part anyway. Baltimore's offense is still weak under Kyle Boller, but the addition of Jim Fassell as offensive coordinator makes Brian Billick's team more competitive in scoring. Pittsburgh intends to run the ball down everyone's throat, and since they are a little lighter in the receiving corps (Plaxico Burress is now with the Giants, while Hines Ward continues to hold out for more money), running they need to rely on. In 2004, Jerome Bettis had to settle for third down backing duties, but stepped up when Duce Staley was injured. The result was 13 rushing touchdowns from a guy close to retirement. And there is Big Ben. Ben Roethlisberger is no longer a rookie with a win streak. And to prove as much, he is going to have to get rid of that deer-in-the-headlights look, especially when he plays New England again. Big Ben got his ass rattled in the playoffs by two AFC East teams: the Jets and the Patriots, never a good sign. Tom Brady never looked rattled, neither did Joe Montana or Troy Aikman or Steve Young, or even Drew Bledsoe. We all know Bill Cowher's coaching record includes burning out quarterbacks from Neil O'Donnell to Kordell Stewart to Tommy Maddox. Cowher needs to learn two things: How not to screw up his team's psychological state and how not to spit when he talks. I hate Bill Cowher, and you should too. But while a 14-game win streak is impressive (13 regular season games, one playoff game), Roethlisberger's numbers are not. He threw 17 TDs and 11 INTs in this rookie season. His quarterback rating, starting in Week 4 went as follows: 101.1, 107.4, 125.5, 126.4, 109.3, 63.0, 104.9, 66.9, 158.0, 33.6, 84.8, 125.1. Roethlisberger has to prove he and the Steelers weren't just a fluke in 2004 (I think they were), and his quarterback numbers must become more consistent and reliable, especially later in the season. He showed a lot of vulnerabilities, and little poise in the big games. Baltimore's rushing game is clear and present danger for opposing defenses. Jamal Lewis rushed his way to 2,000 yards in 2003, nearly single-handedly carrying the offense on his shoulders. However, 2004 plagued Lewis with drug suspensions and injuries limiting his totals to just over 1,000 yards. Tight end Todd Heap missed ten games due to injury, aiding to the dismal passing game that ranked 31st in the league. Clarence Moore led touchdown receptions with 4 TDs. The additions of free agent WR Derrick Mason and first round pick Mark Clayton should help pick up the pace of the passing game. Former University of Washington head coach Rick Neuheisel is the new quarterbacks coach, and will hopefully mold Kyle Boller into a more effective quarterback. Hopes also lie with Fassell to call more effective plays. He takes over for Matt Cavanaugh, who was let go at the end of 2004. Defensively Rex Ryan - son of Buddy Ryan, the pioneer of the '46' defense - takes the reigns at coordinator. Ryan is also the last defensive coach left from the Super Bowl XXXV team, now that former defensive coordinator Mike Nolan is the head coach in San Francisco. Ryan hints he may implement the 46 in Baltimore, but the staples of the roster remain strong. Murderin' Ray Lewis continues his monster duties at middle linebacker, and one of them most valuable defensive players safety Ed Reed rules in the secondary. The weak spot in the back field is probably Deion $anders returning, but at 38, Neon Deion still has the moves to steal a few passes from receivers. The Battle for O-HI-O is in high defensive overdrive, with two of the most dynamic and celebrated defensive coordinators in recent NFL history head coaching the Bengals and Browns. Romeo Crennel is new to the position in Cleveland, carrying three Super Bowl rings around his neck from the Patriots, plus two from his days with the Giants. Marvin Lewis has one from Baltimore, no slouch in Cincinnati, that's for sure. These guys have won more Super Bowls than the state of Ohio has ever been in (Super Bowls 21, 26, 35, 36, 38, and 39; Cincinnati is 0-2, Cleveland has never been). Baltimore is in a state of flux, unable to garner a decent (not just a good, but a decent) offense. Kyle Boller is all but a bust. The draft did not draw more offensive weapons, only a wide receiver, Mark Clayton, in the first round, and an offensive tackle, Adam Terry, in the second. Boller needs to keep looking over his shoulder at the sixth round pick, QB Derek Anderson, who might be in line for his job someday. Cinci shows progress Offensively. Year One for Marvin Lewis Bengals drafted Carson Palmer first overall, but played a very effective Jon Kitna for an 8-8 record. Palmer got 13 starts in 2004, before Jon Kitna filled in for three games during an injury. They led the Bengals to another 8-8 record, and it looks like Palmer is going to be an aggressive starter. He was 18 for 18 in touchdowns and interceptions for 2,897 yards before missing the final three games to injury. Though his rating finished only at 77.3, Palmer had solid games in the plus 100 range for several games. Chad Johnson is a bonafide top receiver, leading receivers with nine touchdowns. Rudy Johnson carried the load without Corey Dillon looking over his shoulder (Dillon, of course, was traded to New England prior to the '04 Draft), with 1454 yards on 361 carries for 12 TDs. With another year to gel, the offense should be more productive. Once Lewis strengthens the defensive, and the offensive matures and develops, the 14-year playoff drought will be over, and that could be in 2005. Cinci may be a crap city, but their football team is re-earning a lot of respect, and that is mostly because of Marvin Lewis. Over in Cleveland, the Browns are the Bungles of a few years ago. Romeo Crennel proved himself dynamite as a defensive mastermind, and walks into the Dawg Pound carrying the weight of three Super Bowl rings from the past four seasons, plus two more from the Giants. Jeff Garcia was immediately released, and GM Phil Savage, formerly of Baltimore during their Super Bowl XXXV year, recommended Trent Dilfer to carry the offense for 2005. Dilfer is a journeyman, but unlike others, he won a Super Bowl, and carried around an impressive 15 game win streak. Dilfer is smart and capable, not a long term solution, but he can certainly gives the Browns offense something to lean on. Crennel also lured former Patriots offensive guard Joe Andruzzi, a blue collar workhorse who also has three Super Bowl rings. The theme here is in order to win, bring in guys who have won and know how to win. The Browns' 2004 first round pick TE Kellon Winslow is lost for the season once again, this time from a non-football related leg injury (from a motorcycle accident in May). But they have Steve Heiden who scored 5 TDs in 2004. In addition, or in this case subtraction, Crennel and Savage cleaned house, releasing or trading a pile of players, including defensive end Courtney Brown, getting rid of all three quarterbacks: Jeff Garcia, Kelly Holcomb, and Luke McCown, dumping tackle Joaquin Gonzalez, and defensive end Ebenezzer Ekuban, among others. It's clear that the Browns are intent on going in a new and different direction than previously ventured. First round picks have not panned out in Cleveland: Tim Couch, Brown, and Winslow. Defense wins in the AFC North. In general, the offenses are too weak, too inexperienced, or missing too many parts. Pittsburgh has the best of the them, which the Bengals a close second. Baltimore's offense might be the weakest. Next Week: NFC East NFL Preseason Schedule Preseason is here! Let those games begin! Monday, August 8, 2005 - 8 PM EST - Chicago vs Miami from the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton Ohio. Friday, August 12, 2005 - 7:30 PM EST - New England at Cincinnati, WCVB 5, WBCN FM 104.1. Check NFL.com for more preseason listings. 55 games are scheduled to be aired on NFL Network Top Ten List of the Week 1. Congratulations to the Hall of Famers of 2005!2. Best of luck to Rich Gannon in retirement, and best success in the broadcast booth. We'll be watch for you! 3. Did you hear Richard Seymour was giving his new salary to charity? No, neither did I. 4. If I were an offensive with the pleasure of facing AFC North teams this season, I'd be doing some heavy film study in 2005. 5. Of the four quarterbacks in the AFC North, Kyle Boller is on the biggest hot seat. He needs to show something this year, or his replacement is going to be in next year's off season pick ups or in the Draft. 6. Ty Law is going to learn fast how other teams do things in this league, like coming up short in the season in the playoffs. The Jets do not contend with Herm Edwards. Nice guy, but he isn't getting Law any more Rings. 7. Cleveland may come up short in the standings this year, but in 2006, it could be the Battle for Ohio regarding top spot in the division. 8. Now that Seymour is in camp, all is quiet in Foxboro. Status quo. 9. Of all the statistics that the Steelers find tough to swallow, their record in the AFC Championship game is probably the toughest. 10. Rushing is the biggest offensive weapon in the AFC North, although the Bengals could open a productive receiving corps under Palmer. 8 August 2005 |
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The Writer
Young
played two years with the LA Express in the USFL before entering the NFL, and
collecting three Super Bowl rings, one as the starting quarterback for Super
Bowl XXIX, where he threw six touchdowns (Super Bowl record) was the game's
MVP. He was also the league MVP in 1992 and 1994, and voted to seven Pro
Bowls. Young is now with ESPN's Sunday Countdown. He also has the single
season highest passer rating at 112.8 in 1994. 
the New York Giants, and the Brooklyn Dodgers. He is known as the game's first
real passer, and at the time his 66 touchdown passes were an NFL record.
Friedman passed away on November 24, 1982 a the age of 77.
Pollard
was one of the game's first African American players, and was with the Akron
Pros to help lead them to the first NFL championship in 1920. He is known as
an elusive runner during his eight seasons in the league, plus he also played
quarterback at times. Pollard passed away on May 11, 1986 at the age of 92.
