SB Nation User Blog: Mainiac

Breaking: Cutler to Bears

Mainiac — Thu, 02 Apr 2009 23:11:17 -0000

The Patriots dodge a bullet as Cutler goes to the Bears instead of the Jets:

NFL.com's Steve Wyche reports that the Broncos will receive first-round draft picks this year and in 2010, a third-round pick (84th overall) this year and quarterback Kyle Orton in exchange for Cutler and a 2009 fifth-round selection.

Certainly a hefty price, but consideing the Bears have been stuck in a quagmire at the QB position they are probably happy about it.

Denver may be a force in 2010-12, but probably not before then, since their offense was their good side of the ball and Cutler was a large part of that.

Pats sign CB Shawn Springs

Mainiac — Fri, 06 Mar 2009 04:24:04 -0000

The Patriots have found a possible #1 cornerback for 2009 in signing Shawn Springs, who was released from the Redskins after they signed Deangelo Hall

Springs, a 12-year veteran, has played for the Redskins the past five seasons. Prior to that, Springs played seven seasons in Seattle, which chose him with a first-round draft pick in 1997 with the third pick overall.

The former Ohio State star has played in 143 games with 134 starts. He has 372 tackles, 32 interceptions, 66 passes defensed and 8 1/2 sacks. Springs is the son of former Dallas running back Ron Springs. He played in nine games with seven starts for the Redskins in 2008, before an injury ended his season.

I live in the DC area right now, and some of the talking heads on Redskins sports radio have lamented that Dan Snyder choose the the untrustworthy Hall over the veteran leader Springs. Also while listening to Jeremy Green on his podcast today, he flat out said that Springs was still the superior corner and that Washington was letting go of him too soon.

What could have been? Cassel bomb in Denver...

Mainiac — Sun, 01 Mar 2009 05:46:22 -0000

Very very interesting story here about how Josh McDaniels tried to replace Jay Cutler with Matt Cassel, and send Cutler to the Bucs, and a Bucs pick to the Pats.

Cutler has found out and is furious!

The source said Cutler was hurt by the news that McDaniels wanted to start his Denver tenure with Cassel and not him.

"The relationship has been tarnished," the source said. "I think it's beyond repair."

Looks like both ex Patriots were competing with each other over Matty C.

Vrabel traded to KC for undisclosed draft pick

Mainiac — Fri, 27 Feb 2009 20:16:49 -0000

The Kansas City Chiefs were the youngest teams in football last year but new general manager Scott Pioli wanted to install some veteran leadership.

Pioli accomplished that task by trading an undisclosed draft choice to the Patriots for 33-year-old linebacker Mike Vrabel.

Vrabel is one of the leaders of the Patriots defense, and it will be his job to teach a good work ethic to the Chiefs.

In trading Vrabel, the Patriots cleared $3.35 million in cap room.

John Clayton covers the NFL for ESPN.com.

Colts' Dungy to Retire

Mainiac — Mon, 12 Jan 2009 16:54:12 -0000

A source told Foxsports.com that Dungy has talked his decision over with family members and they decided it was the best time for him to step aside. Dungy, the source said, was at the team's complex in Indianapolis on Monday morning saying goodbyes to players and team employees.

Some may say anybody could coach Peyton Manning, but regardless, he's always acted with dignity and won a ton of games so I tip my hat.

2009 Games released

Mainiac — Tue, 30 Dec 2008 17:58:41 -0000

Here are our official opponents and game locations for next season. The dates of the games will come in the Spring.

We play on top of our rivals: the emerging NFC South, the AFC South, Baltimore, and Denver

We again must travel to Indy. We don't play the Chargers or the Steelers for the first time in a while.

--------------------

New England

Home: Buffalo, Miami, N.Y. Jets, Jacksonville, Tennessee, Baltimore, Atlanta, Carolina

Away: Buffalo, Miami, N.Y. Jets, Houston, Indianapolis, Denver, New Orleans, Tampa Bay

Playoff Rooting Guide

Mainiac — Mon, 29 Dec 2008 15:31:55 -0000

Well, the Pats aren't in the playoffs, so I must figure out who to root for in the upcoming games.

So I've decided to list the teams I like, not in terms of ability, but who I can stand to root for.

(Edited once in light of Raven's taunts)

1. Atlanta Falcons. I know Miami had a bigger turnaround recordwise, but this team truly came out of nowhere, and I love Matt Ryan showing that rookies should be played as soon as possible, and Michael Turner making AJ Smith look like the fool he is.

2. Philadelphia Eagles. I just loved their win yesterday, and to whomever drives a stake into the black heart of the Cowboys I must tip my hat and cheer for.

3. Arizona Cardinals. I know they are kinda bad, but if they get past the first round I think it would be sweet, they are incredible underdogs and might get underestimated. The NFC West needs to show up so I will root for them to give a good effort.

4. Carolina Panthers. DeAngelo Williams not only helped me win my fantasy league, he's the definition of a man who doesn't like the path he's on and does something about it. I did not trust this team for a long time, but I think this could be the year they get their first ring.

5. Tennessee Titans. Their fans and players are chirpy, but this is a good team with a Hall of Fame coach. Got few qualms here.

6. Minnesota Vikings. I don't know what to think of this team. AP is a great back but he has also shown a lack of toughness. I am ready to reform some opinions though if they show me something better than almost losing to the Lions twice.

7. Baltimore Ravens. Their turnaround is impressive, and though they took my wildcard spot, they did so with a tough schedule and a rookie QB. Unfortunately, they are bad winners, and would rather taunt the Pats than prepare for Miami.

8. Miami Dolphins. Our division rival, but they gain points for sucking for so long. Pennington is also a great story. Other than Porter this team is tolerable.

9. San Diego Chargers. To be honest, their comeback is a nice story. 8-8 is an ugly record, but the postseason is a new season. Since we're not in their way this year, I suppose they could win it all...

10. Pittsburgh Steelers. Amazing defense, but this team is lucky to be in the playoffs, and yes, more arrogant than the Titans.

T-12th Indianapolis Colts and New York Giants. Please Lord save us from a Manning vs Manning Superbowl.

Mangini Fired

Mainiac — Mon, 29 Dec 2008 14:32:02 -0000

The traitor*ahem* The coach of the Jets Eric Mangini is expected to get the axe today.

ESPN reports:

Eric Mangini is out as head coach of the New York Jets, 1050 ESPN Radio and various other New York media outlets are reporting.

Mangini and the Jets missed out on the playoffs after losing to Miami on Sunday. The Jets lost four of their last five games to finish 9-7.

The Jets are scheduled for a 10 a.m. ET news conference. Mangini is not expected to attend.

Mangini, 37, was 23-26 in three seasons with the Jets, including 0-1 in the playoffs.

This season, the Jets acquired Brett Favre before the season started and ran off to an 8-3 start. But losses to Denver, at San Francisco, at Seattle and Sunday to the Dolphins left New York on the outside of the playoffs for the second straight season.

So much for the Mangenius.

Will O'Connell start?

Mainiac — Thu, 11 Dec 2008 18:05:49 -0000

I have not heard whether Cassel will be back with the team and ready to start. Obviously it's up to him. Belichick will keep quiet about it probably either way.

Belichick said this week about Kevin O'Connell:

“Kevin learns every week,” Belichick said. He’s a smart guy. Football is important to him he works hard at it and I think he gets better on a daily basis. He’s getting better through the course of the year in the opportunities that he’s had, which have been limited. But he’s always ready to go when we put him in there."

Sounds to me like if Cassel doesn't feel ok to go then Bill trusts O'Connell to start. As an O'Connell fanboy this would be very interesting to see. As a Pats fan hoping to win out, this could be worrying to see.

Also on O'Connell, Ellis Hobbs said:

“In practice he definitely has a strong arm on him, can throw the deep ball, can throw the intermediate routes. Just like any quarterback we have, they’re great in the system. They can go and just put the ball wherever we need and let our skilled players do the rest.”

Seau officially signed

Mainiac — Fri, 05 Dec 2008 16:15:11 -0000

Nothing like having backup players that can stay off the roster until needed ;-)

From ESPN...

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. -- The New England Patriots have signed 39-year-old linebacker Junior Seau to replace Adalius Thomas.

Seau is a 19-year veteran and 12-time Pro Bowl player. He played 27 games for the Patriots the last two seasons but hasn't been with a team this season. Thomas will miss the rest of the season because of an arm injury and was placed on injured reserve Friday. The Patriots also are without injured linebackers Eric Alexander and Pierre Woods.