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02-24-2008, 02:04 PM
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#9 |
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Rookie
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Re: Remember the 90's?: Re-Living Greatness (Madden)
Y2R's 1990 Off. Sleepers-n-Busts
================================================== == Part 3  San Francisco 49ers ------------------------------------------ Sleeper: TE - Brent Jones Last year was Brent Jones first season as a starter for the San Francisco 49ers. In his first year he managed to accumulate 40 catches for 500 yards and 4 touchdowns and watched as him and his teammates brought home the lombardi trophy in a 55-10 defeat of the Denver Broncos. This next season will be a great year for Jones in our eyes because now he has solidified himself and earned much needed experience in the teams lineup. With Jerry Rice having a breakout year last season, it should lead to less coverage on Jones which will lead to much better numbers in the long run. Projected Statistics: 60 rec - 850 yds - 7 td's Bust: FB - Tom Rathman Last year Tom Rathman surprised many NFL teams as he managed to become a dominant pass-recieving threat in the backfield. Last year he set a career high in receptions with an outstanding 73 catches for 616 yards and a touchdown. He also managed to take 79 carries for 305 yards and another score. However we fear that Rathman's numbers will drop this upcoming year with the emergence of star players at both positions. With Roger Craig kicking on all cylinders, and Jerry Rice and Brent Jones excelling the passing game, it's likely that Rathman will not see as many touches as he had last year. Projected Stats: 55 att - 285 yds - 1 td - 37 rec - 285 yds - 1td  New York Giants ------------------------------------------------- Sleeper: QB - Jeff Hostetler Phil Simms has been the man in New York for exactly a decade now, and last year was his first signs of the eventual age downfall that occurs to all great quarterbacks. Last year Simms struggled with only 14 touchdown passes to his 14 interceptions. Giants fans are getting restless after the loss to the Los Angeles Rams in the NFC divisional playoff round and want big-things from their team this year. Meanwhile a yougn Jeff Hostetler is looking like a prime benefactor too Simms downfall. If Simms can't put up the numbers he needs to in the first few weeks he may very well find himself benched in favor of Hostetler. Projected Stats: 150 of 289 att - 2,015 yds - 16 td - 10 int Bust: HB - Ottis Anderson Ottis had the best season since 1984 last year for the New York Giants. After spending four injury-riddled and start-less seasons prior, and being traded from the Rams to the Giants, Anderson finally got the starting job lat year. He had the best touchdown total of his career with 14 touchdowns on the ground and 1,023 yards on 325 carries. However it all accounted for a measley 3.1 yards per carry. The back turned 33 earlier this year and he'll be hard-pressed to replicate the numbers he put up last season, especially after not doing it for four seasons. Many believe that this veteran back is not capable of putting up consistant numbers like he did earlier in his career with the Rams, and we're here to say that we agree with those non-believers. Projected Stats: 250 att - 825 yds - 8 td  New York Jets ------------------------------------ Sleeper: HB - Blair Thomas Rookie Blair Thomas may very well take the starting job away from Freeman McNeil and Johnny Hector. The Jets are really high on Thomas and believe that he has the powerful running ability that the team needs to help compliment Ken O'Brien's passing game. Thomas has all the physical skills to be the man in New York if he can beat out the few players ahead of him in training camp. Projected Stats: 225 att - 975 yds - 8 tds Bust: WR - Al Toon Toon suffered a big injury in the 1989 season that saw him miss 5 games of the regular season. Despite this he still managed to make 63 catches last year, however he also had the lowest yards per reception average of his career with 11 yards per catch. He also tallied the lowest touchdown total of his career with only two touchdown catches. Toon has shown that he can be an elite reciever, however the question is his health. If Al Toon can make a full recovery and get back to where he left off in the 1988 season then he should be fine. However the possibilities of getting hurt once more far outweigh those of not. Projected Stats: 45 rec - 600 yds - 2 td  Detroit Lions ---------------------------------------- Sleeper: QB - Rodney Peete Peete saw some action last year with the Lions as a rookie. He split time with backup Bob Gagliano in an absolutely horrible display of quarterbacking skills. Gagliano threw twelve interceptions in eleven games, and Peete threw nine interceptons in eight. However the Lions have decided that they will be going with Peete as the starter come camp. Peete gets the benefit of the doubt from critics because he had a slightly better completion percentage then Gagliano, and also managed to run for four touchdowns bringing him a much more respectable 9:9 ratio in comparison to Gagliano's 10:12 (4 rushing touchdowns as well). If Peete can learn from his experiences last year as a rookie then he could help compliment the breakout running of Barry Sanders and bring the Lions slowly into respectability. Projected Stats: 212 of 350 att - 2,234 yds - 15 td - 10 int - 4 RshTD Bust: HB - Barry Sanders Sanders had an outstanding rookie season that just continued his greatness of college and high school football. Sanders managed to pull out 1,470 yards and 14 touchdowns with an amazing 5.2 yards per carry average. He finished 2nd in the league in total rushing yards, and tied for 2nd in rushing touchdowns. He was 5th in the entire league in combined touchdowns. Sanders will be hard-pressed to follow up his great rookie output with even better, or similar numbers. Projected Stats: 280 att - 1,200 yds - 9 td  Houston Oilers ------------------------------------------------ Sleeper: HB - Lorenzo White Last year Lorenzo had a decent year playing as the teams backup too the Oilers combination of Alonzo Highsmith and Allen Pinkett. He put up 349 yards and 5 touchdowns in a solid sophmore performance despite seeing only limited action. This year the Oilers no longer have Highsmith on the roster, and Allen Pinkett is the only man standing between Lorenzo White and stardom. The Oilers have declared it open season during training camp, and it would appear that Lorenzo White has the greater physical skills that will lead him to the position battle victory. If White gets the starting job then it is fully expected that he will have a solid year in the Oilers offensive scheme. Projected Stats: 270 att - 1080 yds - 10 td Bust: K - Tony Zendejas Zendejas has been on a downfall ever since his second year (1986) in the league with the Houston Oilers. His rookie year he managed a 77.8 file dgoal percentage, followed by an 81.5, showing signs of improvement. However in 1987 he dropped down to 76.9 and then in 1988 had a horrendous 64.7 rate as he only hit 22 of 34 field goals, and managed to miss 2 extra points. Last year, the team was hoping he'd shoot back up to the high-70's completion rate, proving that 1988 was merely a fluke season. However he barely moved at all as this season he accumulated a 67.6 field goal rating, and only score 1 more point total then his previous season. Zendejas is already off on a bad foot with the Oilers team, and could easily find himself no longer starting come later in the season if he doesn't get his act together. Projected Stats: 8 of 16 fg att - 50% - 17 of 19 xp att  Green Bay Packers -------------------------------------------------- Sleeper: HB - Darrell Thompson Thompson may get the go-ahead in a crowded Green Bay backfield filled with mediocre talent. The Packers have been searching for their next star starting runningback too no avail so far. With Keith Woodside, Vince Workman, Michale Haddix, Brent Fullwood, and Herman Fontenot all showing interest in the starting job, it's a miracle that the Packers would even have enough jersey numbers to give them all. However Darrell Thompson is the rookie of the bunch, and in our eyes, the best. Thompson could easily surpass half of his opponents on skill alone and should fit right into the Green Bay offensive scheme. If he can keep his head in the game Thompson could find himself leading the masses of medocrity and helping Majkowski in the passing game. Projected Stats: 200 att - 750 yds - 7 td Bust: TE - Ed West West had possibly the best year of his career in 1989, mainly thanks to Majkowski's breakout season in the passing game. However the Packers hae reason to worry that West won't be able to reproduce the numbers he had last year. Despite missing three games udring the regular season West managed to catch 5 touchdown passes, second on the team only to Sterling Sharpe's 12. However West caught the majority of his passes down in the goaline area as he only grabbed 22 balls for 269 yards the entire year. With the addition of solid recievers like Clarence Weathers and Charles Wilson to help Perry Kemp and Sterling Sharpe in the passing game there's no telling what could happen. Not to mention Green Bay appears to have threatened Ed West by selecting rookie Jackie Harris in the draft. Projected Stats: 20 rec - 250 yds - 2 td  New England Patriots ---------------------------------------- Sleeper: WR - HartLee ****s ****s had a solid rookie campaign as he managed to make 49 catches for 795 yards and 5 touchdowns. His 16.2 yards per reception was outstanding considering the number of catches he made. He managed to lead the team by a single reception over Cedric Jones (48) and was 1 touchdown behind him for the team lead in touchdowns as well (Cedric Jones, 6). ****s rookie campaign has left Steve Grogan and company salivating at the opportunity to pair him up with Cedric Jones, and Irving Fryar to make an all out passing attack against defenses. If ****s can progress into his sophmore season we should expect big things from him. Projected Stats: 70 rec - 1,150 yds - 9 td Bust: QB - Steve Grogan Grogan is on the dwindling era of his career as he continues to get older and older. The 37 year old quarerback still has a shot at starting for the Patriots, despite throwing 14 interceptions last year to only 9 touchdowns. Grogan has not had a 10+ game starting season since 1983 where he played in 12 games for New England. His brittle frame, combined with the coaches musical quarterbacks, Grogan's chances this year are looking less and less impressive. With the past three years resulting in a combined total of 23 touchdowns too 36 interceptions, Grogan is not looking like the Grogan of the late 70's. Projected Stats: 100 of 184 att - 1,230 yds - 4 td - 8 int Y2R's 1990 Off. Sleepers-n-Busts ================================================== == Part 4  Los Angeles Raiders ------------------------------------------ Sleeper: QB - Jay Schroeder With Steve Beurlien no longer on the team, the Raiders have Schroeder and then down to last years third stringer, Vince Evans. This year is a great opportunity for Schroeder to solidify himself as the full-time starting quarteback for the Raiders after splitting time for many years. He could easily have a big-season with Fernandez and Gault putting up some decent numbers for him. Not to mention third year reciever, Tim Brown coming off last year's injury where he only saw action in a single game. Schroeder has what it takes to put up some solid numbers in this Los Angeles offense. Projected Statistics: 202 of 354 att - 3,049 yds - 20 td - 11 int Bust: WR - Mervyn Fernandez Fernandez led the Raiders last season in every pass-recieving statistical catagory except for average yards per catch (Willie Gault, 24.6). Fernanez is now entering his fourth season in the NFL since joining the Raiders in 1987. Each and every season has seen him improve in all catagories statistically, and some believe this year will be no different. However we believe that Fernandez's numbers were inflated last year due too two favorable factors. They were the struggling play of Willie Gault, and the season-long injury to Tim Brown. With Brown healthy, and Gault conditioning better in the off-season for this year, Fernandez could find himself some competition. Projected Stats: 45 rec - 750 yds - 4 td  Los Angeles Rams ------------------------------------------------- Sleeper: HB - Cleveland Gary Going into training camp Cleveland Gary is the man to beat in Los Angeles. With Greg Bell moving just a few feet from the Rams team to the Raiders in the off-season, the Rams are starter-less at the runningback position. The team will be hard-pressed to have Gary replace Bell's 1,137 yards and 15 touchdowns that he brought to the table last season. However if any one of them has a shot at it, it's Clevland Gary. Robert Delpino and Gaston Green will be riding the pine trying to inch in playing time, but Gary is the starter, and should be able to put up some average numbers to tide the Rams offense over. Projected Stats: 224 att - 888 yds - 10 td Bust: WR - Flipper Anderson Anderson had a great sophmore season in 1989 where he put up 44 catches for 1,146 yards and 5 touchdowns. However it'll be a tough feat to repost similar numbers for the 1990 season. Last year Anderson benefitted from the best year of Jim Everett's career. Whether or not he continues to look Anderson's way is up to him. Anderson may have had a great year, but Henry Ellard is still the number one guy, and we believe that last years numbers with an amazing 26 yards per catch average are just too phenominal to ask once again from flipper. Projected Stats: 40 rec - 850 yds - 4 td  Washington Redskins ------------------------------------ Sleeper: HB - Earnest Byner The Redskins seem like they're in need of a change at the runningback position this year. Gerald Riggs has been slowing down the past few seasons, and only played in 12 games last year as injuries kept him out of four. Riggs has accepted the fact that he may not be starting for the Redskins this year, and that 28 year old Earnest Byner shall. The Redskins aquired Byner in the 1989 season and filling in for Riggs had a great couple games which saw him garner 580 yards on 134 attempts for a solid 7 touchdowns. He also managed to catch an outstanding 54 passes for 458 yards and 2 more touchdowns. Giving him a totall of 188 touches for 1,038 yards and 9 touchdowns. The Redksins are hoping for similar numbers, but only in the realm of rushing. While tacking on extended numbers in the form of his pass recieving. Projected Stats: 275 att - 1,120 yds - 10 td Bust: WR - Ricky Sanders Sanders had some topnotch numbers last year, setting a career high for pass receptions at 80. Sanders 80 grabs saw 1,138 yards burned and 4 touchdowns during the 1989 year. This was mainly due to the outstanding play of Mark Rypien for the Redskins last season. However the re-emergence of Art Monk with his stellar '89 season will have Rypien throwing to Sanders less and Monk more. With Monk making the majority of the catches and Gary Clark inching his way up the food-chain, it is expected that Ricky's numbers will take a slight dip. Projected Stats: 55 rec - 710 yds - 3 td  New Orleans Saints ---------------------------------------- Sleeper: QB - Tommy Kramer The New Orleans Saints are already in trouble for the season before it has even started. Last years starting quarterback, Bobby Herbert, is still out with an injury that will require surgery. The young quarterback will not be able to see any action for the entire year, essentially leaving an exposed Saints team without a quarterback. John Fourcade is the teams backup from last year, but the Saints don't expect much of anything from him. Meanwhile Tommy Kramer is a 35 year old veteran quarterback that came here after spending 13 years with the Minnesota Vikings. In those he threw for 24,777 yards and 159 touchdowns as well as rushing for 8. His numbers speak for themselves and the Saints are now considering putting him in at the starting spot. Granted he has not started at quarterback since the 1986 season, but he may still have gas left in his decrepid tank. Barring a much-needed trade for a starting quarterback, Kramer will more then likely be the man in New Orleans for the season. Projected Stats: 200 of 364 att - 2,960 yds - 20 td - 14 int Bust: WR - Eric Martin Eric Martin already struggled last year with a worse season then his 1988 numbers, and we expect that suffering to continue through this year. With the turmoil at the quarterback position it is obvious that New Orelans may rely on a heavy dose of Dalton Hillard and Craig Heyward to get the job done on offense. With Kramer/Fourcade leading the way the Saints passing game is statistically doomed in comparison to the previous season. Martin had 68 grabs for 1,090 yards and 8 touchdowns last year despite a struggling offense. This year, not only does Martin have to deal with the quarterback situation, but also with emrging youngsters Brett Perriman and Floyd Turner at the #2 and #3 spots, respectively. Projected Stats: 55 rec - 825 yds - 5 td  Seattle Seahawks ------------------------------------------------ Sleeper: HB -Derrick Fenner The Seahawks have made it open season in training camp between John L. Williams, Derrick Fenner, and the rookie Chris Warren. However last years starter, John Williams is the front-runner. The Seahawks don't have much faith in Williams as a full-time starter and will most likely expect him to share the load. If anything Fenner will be the #2 guy that gets half of the carries that John doesn't. At any extent Fenner will easily have a better year that last year's 11 carries for 41 yards and a single touchdown. Projected Stats: 175 att - 735 yds - 8 td Bust: HB - Chris Warren Rookie Chris Warren is the odd man out in the Seahawks equally-talented back-field. Between John L. Williams and Derrick Fenner the Seahawks will be churning out the majority of their carries. Then there's the competition between Chris Warren and Derek Loville to just grab the 3rd spot alone. In any case the third string position in Seattle's backfield is hardly any place for a youngster to progress. Warren may have to find himself on another team in the near future, or just try his hardest to outshine Fenner and Williams at some point, in order to progress. Projected Stats: 5 att - 15 yds - 0 td  Pittsburgh Steelers -------------------------------------------------- Sleeper: HB - Bubby Brister The Steelers have had Brister starting for them the past couple of season. In those he has struggled utilizing the Pittsburgh offensive scheme as he's ended with a combined 20 touchdowns and 24 interceptions with 4,999 yards. The Steelers believe this year is a do-or-die season for Brister as he will hopefully be able to improve upon last years middle-of-the-road 9-7 season. Brister will have the talent of Louis Lipps, Derek Hill, Dwight Stone, and rokkie Chris Calloway at the wide reciever spot. Brister needs to get his touchdown to interception ratio too at least 1:1 for the first time in his career this year, and it'll be the best shot he has at it. Projected Stats: 225 of 389 att - 2,739 yds - 20 td - 15 int Bust: HB - Merril Hoge Hoge was the starter for the Steelers last season, but saw rookie runningback Tim Worley cut into his playing time significantly. Hoge finished the year with 186 attempts for 621 yards and 8 touchdowns, meanwhile Worley finished with 195 attempts for 770 yards and 5 touchdowns. Worley's solid numbers proved that he could potentially be the better back then Hoge and this year will be the test. Hoge and Worley will once again most likely split carries, but there's yet another factor added into the equation that could equal less playing time for Hoge. The Pittsburgh Steelers drafted yet another collegiate standout runningback in Barry Foster. With Foster and Worley on the team, Hoge's numbers can only go down. Projected Stats: 150 att - 600 yds - 5 td  Minnesota Vikings ---------------------------------------- Sleeper: QB - Rich Gannon The Vikings are in quarterback shifting mode this year after last seasons horrible output. In 1989 the Vikings were splitting time between veteran Tommy Kramer (now a Seattle Seahawk) and backup Wade Wilson as too who was the better starter. Wilson but up bad numbers, and Kramer put up average numbers. The Vikings decided to let Kramer go, kept Wilson, but aren't looking to start him. In 1989 Rich Gannon, who was another backup that could've had a shot at starting, was out for the season. However he's back and healthy for this year and doesn't have much competition in the form of Wade Wilson to overtake. If Gannon can pull out the expectations that were burdened on him when he was drafted by the Vikings in 1987 out of Deleware, then he should easily become the teams new starter. Projected Stats: 180 of 347 att - 2,265 yds - 16 td - 15 int Bust: WR - Anthony Carter Carter's numbers already suffered last year with the quarterback situation, and will continue too this year with another situation. Carter dropped 7 catches, 159 yards, and 2 touchdowns from his 1988 to 1989 season. And this year an expected drop of twice that amount could ensue. Carter not only has to deal with youngster Cris Carter coming to Minnesota from Philadelphia, but he also has to deal with the constant improvement of tight end Steve Jordan, and his increasing role in the Vikings offensive scheme. Projected Stats: 51 rec - 748 yds - 2 td |
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02-24-2008, 02:05 PM
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Rookie
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Re: Remember the 90's?: Re-Living Greatness (Madden)
 Yeah hoping to branch this out to some new people, and maybe...maybe update with the latest game today but that's being a little ambitious. (As if this entire dynasty isn't)I think i'll slowly update this too instead of just putting everything here at once, because that would just be an overload of dozens of pages of information. I'll try and put up to the season's beginning tonight. (1990) |
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02-24-2008, 02:08 PM
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#11 |
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Rookie
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Re: Remember the 90's?: Re-Living Greatness (Madden)
 New Commissioner Puts First Year in the Books AP: Paul Tagliabue just finished his first season in the NFL as the league's Commissioner. Much to the NFL and it's players delight the year went off without any hitches and would hopefully be a stable relationship for years too come. Profile: Born on November 24, 1940 in Jersey City, N. J. Paul John Tagliabue took office on November 5, 1989, succeeding Pete Rozelle, who served as NFL Commissioner from 1960 to 1989. In high school in Union City, N. J., he was an honor student and highly recruited basketball player. He received an athletic scholarship from Georgetown University, where he majored in government and was captain of the 1961-62 basketball team. He also was president of his senior class, a Rhodes scholar finalist and a Dean's List honor graduate in 1962. Tagliabue attended New York University School of Law on a public-service scholarship. He was an editor of the law review and graduated with honors in 1965. Tagliabue first became associated with the NFL when he was hired by Covington & Burling, a Washington D. C. law firm, the NFL's principal outside counsel at the time. While working for Covington & Burling represented the NFL as an attorney in important areas, including television, expansion, legislative affairs, franchise moves, labor and antitrust cases. By 1986 Paul Tagliabue was a full partner with powerful law firm and was representing the NFL in the $1.6 billion antitrust lawsuit brought by the USFL. The NFL would lose the case, but thanks to the shrewd case presented by Tagliabue the USFL was only awarded $3. When the NFL needed to find a replacement for outgoing Commissioner Pete Rozelle, Tagliabue was a logical choice being he was already familiar with all league affairs. Taglibue's first work began in building developmental leagues for the NFL. Establishing a spring league known as the World League of American Football the league acted as a training ground for players trying to make NFL rosters. In addition Tagliabue would put expansion on the table. (Bio Info Taken from sportsencyclopedia.com) |
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02-24-2008, 02:09 PM
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#12 |
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Rookie
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Re: Remember the 90's?: Re-Living Greatness (Madden)
 Detroit Lions Excited About Heisman Winner. AP - Young quarterback Andre Ware is coming off an outstanding junior year at the University of Houston. As the Cougar quarterback routed his way through opponents all season long, and culminated with the reception of the Heisman trophy. Ware continuously broke records throughout the season. His first big game was against Arizona State University where Andre Ware passed for 503 yards on 41 of 69 attempts. That game saw him set school records for both completions and attempts in a single game. Ware's dominance continued when Houston played Baylor a couple weeks later and he threw for an amazing 514 yards and 6 touchdowns. Two weeks after that game Andre Ware and the Houston Cougars shocked the nation as they destroyed SMU 95 to 21, the second-highest score in school history. The scoring would continue as Andre Ware scorched teams for the remainder of the collegiate season. When all was said and done Ware threw for just shy of 4,700 yards. He was awarded the Davey O'Brien Award, the UPI Player of the Year, was a Consensus All-American, and not to mention, the Heisman trophy. Andre Ware managed to accomplish the unthinkable as he shattered 26 NCAA records. A few months later the Detroit Lions found themselves jumping for joy as they unexpectedly landed Andre Ware at the 7th spot in the 1990 NFL Draft. The Lions, like many other teams, expected Andre Ware to be taken by either the Indianapolis Colts or the San Diego Chargers. However the Colts ended up making Jeff George the #1 overall pick, and the Chargers decided to select outside linebacker, Junior Seau, and let their current quarterbacks duke out for the starting spot. The Detroit Lions have expressed interest in getting Ware as much playing time as possible, assuming he's capable of beating out the competition. The Detroit Lions are unhappy with their passing offense as the musical chair notes of Bob Gagliano and Rodney Peete aren't exactly living up to fan expectations. Their passing game barely surpassed 3,000 combined yards and had a horrible 11 touchdowns to 21 interceptions tally. Granted, Rodney Peete was a rookie last season, so the lackluster statistics were to be expected. However Bob Gagliano is a long-time veteran that saw time with both the Chiefs and the 49ers before arriving in Detroit. Going into training camp Wayne Fontes has announced that Rodney Peete is the number one quarterback, followed by rookie Andre Ware, and Gagliano bringing up the third spot. Wayne Fontes had the following comments to make about Andre Ware. "While we are ecstatic that we managed to acquire Ware, we are not going to rush into things. Last year we threw Rodney Peete into the mix almost immediately, and you saw how that turned out. Peete is still our starter, as he has improved in the off-season, but we don't expect him to match the athletic capabilities of our younger prospects. Ware will have to earn the starting job just like every other quarterback in the league. He may have all the fancy college accolades but that doesn't mean jack when you get into the big-game."The Detroit Lions have one of the league's most formidable young talents in Barry Sanders returning after a stellar season last year at the runningback position. Sanders had the following comments to make about this teammate ware. "I'm not going to be picking sides on this battle. I think both quarterbacks are great players, and both will have a tough fight to keep the other one down. But if there's anything I can choose, it's that I know what will happen will be for the better of the team, and that's what it's all about."Lions training camp begins just a few short weeks from now, and all Detroit fans out there are salivating at the thought of this Heisman prospect living up to his expectations. |
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02-24-2008, 02:11 PM
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#13 |
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Rookie
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Re: Remember the 90's?: Re-Living Greatness (Madden)
 Career Ender or Career Opener? AP - The Chicago Bears have always thrived themselves with the knowledge that they always obtain a dominant running game. Over the years whether it's Gale Sayers, Walter Payton, or even now, Neal Anderson, the Bears have always been solid when it comes too the ground game. However the unsung hero of these teams is the fullback. Namely the blocking for Walter Payton that was regularly mapped out for him by fullback Matt Suhey. Suhey spent the past 10 years blocking for the Bears and managed to see a 1,000-yard back in 8 of his 10 years with the team. The only year he did not achieve his goal was in 1982 when Payton missed 7 games, and in 1987, Payton's final year where they transitioned to Neal Anderson, who in the past two seasons has also rushed for over 1,000 yards. However, now it is time to pass on the torch to a youngster fullback from Novato, California, Brad Muster. Brad Muster was drafted by the Chicago Bears in 1988 as they sensed the great Matt Suhey was starting to reach the end of his career. The decision was a smart one by Chicago as Suhey retired during this off-season leaving the undoubted and unquestioned starting job for Brad Muster. Muster did manage to become the full-time starter last year, but still had the pressure of Suhey breathing down his neck. Last season Muster played great at the fullback spot, not only gaining 327 yards and 5 touchdowns on the ground, but also 259 receiving yards and 3 more touchdowns in the air. He also managed to se what every fullback always tries to achieve, watching his runningback make it to the Pro Bowl and get over 1,000 yards on the season. However all was not well this off-season. The Ditka-powered Chicago Bears are known for utilizing their fullback to the fullest, and that mind-set took a frightful possibility during the off-season. Brad Muster found himself slowed down by a bad back that required extensive off-season surgery. Muster laid his NFL career on the line by going with the surgery, and had the following to say. "As much as I love football, my body comes first. I had to make a tough decision, it was a risky procedure to get the surgery done, but in the end it all came out fine. I'm expected to be one-hundred percent by the time the regular season starts, and will be picking up right where I left off last season."Brad Muster's off-season back surgery was a success, allowing the Chicago Bears team to let out a sigh of relief as they prepare for another pro-bowl caliber running season out of their backfield tandem. Mike Ditka was able to comment on the situation to the media. "Football's a tough game. I don't know anything tougher. And these guys know that when they go out there on the field and give it there all. I’ve been through it myself. I admire Muster for being able to set his priorities, heck, sometimes I wish I got a little work done in the past myself. But in the end it's part of the game, people get hurt, and people degrade over time. But he's ready for the next season, and so are we."The Chicago Bears are coming off their first loosing season since 1982 with a 6-10 record last year. The team assures fans that it is merely fuel being added to the fire that they expect to burn over the NFL this upcoming season. |
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02-24-2008, 02:13 PM
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#14 |
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Rookie
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Re: Remember the 90's?: Re-Living Greatness (Madden)
 Can Bills Trio Get to the Big Game? AP - The Buffalo Bills have found themselves in a very plentiful situation this year on offense. The past few seasons have served for the development of an outstanding core offensive unit that could easily escalate Buffalo into the Super Bowl. Ever since the first member was drafted in 1986 the Bills have been improving themselves from their dismal back-to-back 2 and 14 seasons (1985-1986). In 1986, after switching coaches from Bullough to Marv Levy they ended at 4-12. The following season the Bills managed to improve once more as they finished at 7-8. Then in 1988 the Bills exploded with a 12-4 record, but lost in the AFC Championship game to the Cincinnati Bengals 21 to 10. The following season the Bills still made the playoffs but with a slightly less spectacular 9-7 season and an immediate out after loosing their first game in the AFC divisional playoff round to the Cleveland Browns in a shootout, 34 to 30. The Bills players are at the peaks of their careers and if they ever want to wear a ring on their finger they're going to have to do something about it this season.    The Buffalo Bills offense is filled too the brim with potential talent that could easily mesh together into a Super-Bowl caliber team. However the closest they ever got was 11 points away from the Bowl, and they are frothing at the mouth for another opportunity. With the Bengals slowly on the way out of the elite, and the Bills on the rise, they could easily meet somebody there along the way. With the combination of young star players at the three key offensive positions, the Bills would be hard-pressed not to have any success. |
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02-24-2008, 02:14 PM
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#15 |
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Rookie
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Re: Remember the 90's?: Re-Living Greatness (Madden)
Top 10 Quarterbacks
-----------------------------------------------------------  1. 49ers - Joe Montana Info: Joe Montana is easily solidifying himself as the league's best passer. In 1989 he finished with the best quarterback rating of his career with 112.4, which was the 3rd tme he has surpassed a 100+ rating during the regular season (1984, 1987). Montana's 3,521 yards were good for eighth in the league, while his 26 touchdown passes locked him in at the 4th spot. He led the leage in yards per pass with 8.86, his closest competitor, Jim Everett, was 7.40. He's amazing completion percentage of 70.2% is unmatched by anybody in the league. The closest (over 100 attempts) was 62.9 by Bobby Herbert of New Orleans. Montana's effeciency speaks for itself as he led the San Francisco 49ers to the Super Bowl in 1989, and there are no signs of him not repeating.  2. Rams - Jim Everett Info: Jim Everett impressed many on-lookers last season with the Los Angeles Rams. As a Ram he passed for a career high 4,310 yards, which adds to his continual improvement since his rookie season in 1986 (1018, 2064, 3964). Those 4,310 yards were 2nd in the league by only 8 yards. He tossed 29 touchdowns which was the highest total in the league. His ability to get it into the endzone when the Rams get downfield has made him an invaluable quarterback. He was 5th in the league in pass attempts (518) and 3rd in completions (304). He also made sure he got the most out of every attempt as he average 7.4 yards per attempt, which was 2nd in the league. Each year Everett has been improving and can now officially call himself a top quarterback after two consecutive star-numbered years. The Rams found this gem in the draft and have worked him into the star that he can be.  3. Dolphins - Dan Marino Info: Dan Marino has shattered Dolphins records and made a huge impact on the NFL quarterback position over the past 7 years. He had one of the few solid rookie seasons for a quarterback when he threw for 2,210 yards and 20 touchdowns with only 6 interceptions in 11 games during 1983. He then eclipsed expectations with one of the best years ever for a quarterback in the NFL in 1984 with 5,084 yards and an unheard of 48 touchdowns. However that year his super bowl hopes were dashed once again by the 49ers as they lost 38 to 16. Marino is coming off the worst year of his career last year with 3,997 yards and 24 touchdowns with 22 interceptions. And you know you're good when you can say a near 4k year with 24 touchdowns is your worst. Marino hopefully, and most likely, will be able to bounce back this year and continue to put up the expected numbers that Miami has for him. Marino still finished last year as the 2nd leading pass attempter at 550 and the 2nd leading pass completer with 308. His 3,997 yards were good for 3rd best in the league, and his career low 16 game touchdown total of 24 was still good enough to crack the top 10 at the number 6 spot.  4. Bengals - Boomer Esiason Info: Boomer Esiason has made the Pro Bowl 3 out of the last 4 years for good reason. This 6th year quarterback has all the skills and utilities of a super-bowl caliber man. He came close in 1988 where the Bengals lost to the 49ers 20-16. Esiason managed to put up competative numbers last year as he was 2nd in the league in passing touchdowns with 28, and only 11 interceptions. His quarterback rating was a stellar 92.1 which was 2nd best in the league only to Joe Montana's 20.3 point miracle. Esiason was 7th in the league in passing yards with 3,521 on the year despite not making the top 10 in either the attempts or completions catagory thanks to the solid Bengals running game. He was however 3rd in the league in yards per attempt with 7.27.   5. Eagles - Randall Cunningham Info: Randall Cunningham had a solid year last year startng for the Philadelphia Eagles. He managed to grab an even 3,400 yards in the air and a stellar 621 on the ground. He also tossed up 21 touchdowns to 15 interceptions and ran in 4 more with his feet. Cunngiham's versatility makes him the most exciting and hard-to-contain quarterback in the league. If nothings open you can find Cunningham running it down for a big gain. Despite being more of a mobile quarterback he was still 3rd in the league in pass attempts with 532 and 5th in the league in completions with 290. His 3,400 yards were just good enough to net him the 10th spot in the league. And his 21 touchdowns tied him with Dave Kreig of the Seahawks for 9th. Cunningham is looking to continue playing at the level he is currently producing, which is exactly what Eagles fans are hoping for.  6. Bills - Jim Kelly Info: Jim Kelly is slowly climbing the top 10 ladder each and every season he plays. His rookie year was amazing with 3,593 yards in the air and 22 touchdowns too compliment his 17 interceptions. He imrpoved upon his effeciency the past 3 seasons and last year put up a career high 25 touchdowns which was good enough for 5th in the league. He also averaged 6.57 yards per pass in 1989 which was 6th in the league just above Steve Beuerlein. Jim Kelly is a quarterback that has the skills to become the best, but only a matter of time, and progression, will tell if he will fully realize his potential in Buffalo.  7. Oilers - Warren Moon Info: Warren Moon has made a name for himself in the NFL since he joined the Houston Oilers in 1984 and threw for 3,338 yards that year. He has the ability to turn, which is evident in his career totals of 15 touchdowns rushing (including 4 in 1989). But he is known for leading the Houston run-and-shoot offense that has earned him two consecutive Pro Bowl appearances. Last year was easily Warren Moon's best year in every statistical catagory. He finished 7th int he league in touchdowns with his 23 strikes in the paydirt. He also finished 5th in the league in yards with 3,631 yards through the air. His 280 completions were tied for 8th in the league, and his 6.96 yards per attempt were 5th best in the league. Moon's numbers just tell half the story as his leadership ability is what drives the Houston Oilers too be the best that they can.  8. Broncos - John Elway Info: John elway has slowly managed to make a name for himself, last year he dipped slightly in comparison to previous years, but his consistancy in gaining yardage makes him a top-10 quarterback. He may have the interception bug as he's only thrown 120 touchdowns to his 114 interceptions over the past 7 seasons with the Denver Broncos. However he has thrown for 21,195 yards in these last 7 years. Elway always manages to eek out the big play, whether it's a long bomb pass or one of his 11 rushing touchdowns, Elway can get it done. Despite having mediocre touchdown/interception numbers Elway has made the Pro Bowl three out of the last 4 years (1986, 1987, 1989). But what he is best known for are his comeback victories and late-game drives. He has helped the Broncos too 5 playoff appearances, including a Super Bowl loss in 1986, one in 1987, and last year 1989. Elway's leadership allows him to eek out victories in the playoffs and get his team too the big game. But many question his ability to finish the job and come home with a victory. John Elway will need to imrpove on his 16 touchdowns, 15 interceptions career post-season numbers in order to win a ring. His 2 touchdowns and 5 interceptions combined Super Bowl statistics are having many fans around the league chanting "Choker" for this talented quarterback.   9. Seahawks - Dave Krieg Info: Dave Kreig is one of those players that could easily be leading in some catagories every year at his position if he could only stay healthy. After being selected by Seattle in 1980, and working his way too the starting job until 1984 where he played his first full starting season (ableit with outstanding results with 3,671 yards and 32 touchdowns). He does have a slight interception problem that arose last year with 20. But he hasn't thrown that many since 1985. He has missed 13 games in the last four seasons, so Seattle is worried about his toughness. Kreig did miss only 1 game last year though when he threw for 3,309 yards, his highest since 1985, and 21 touchdowns which was tied for 9th best in the league. He finished 7th in the league in both passing attempts and passing completions as Seattle was committed to keeping the ball in the air. He easily leads all catagories for Seahawks quarterbacks in the franchise records department, and we believe still has many years ahead of him. However he hopes more years like his 1984, 1988, and 1989 Pro Bowl seasons than what he produced prior.  10. Giants - Phil Simms Info: Simms find himself on this list for the mere capability of putting together a good season for New York. Simms better days have passed him as the 36 year old quarterback has a young Jeff Hostetler breathing down his neck. However that might just be the motivation he needs to put together a solid season. Last year he threw for 3,061 yards and only 14 touchdowns with 14 interceptions. He is a far-cry from the effecient quarterback of 1986 Super Bowl fame, but he can still compete, maybe not as the best, but one of the best, in this league. Sims managed to crack the top 10 in yards per pass last year at the 8 spot with his 6.35 yards per attempt. Simms may be getting older and not quite as good as his younger self, but we believe this will be a year where he goes back to the old way. Last edited by Young2Rice; 02-24-2008 at 02:16 PM. |
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02-24-2008, 02:18 PM
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#16 |
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Rookie
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Re: Remember the 90's?: Re-Living Greatness (Madden)
 Philadelphia Revamping Their Receivers AP - The Philadelphia Eagles are an extremely talented team that got decimated at the wide receiver position, and are looking to improve with the acquisition of three rookie wide receivers in the 1990 NFL Draft. Whether it will be Fred Barnett, Calvin Williams, or Mike Bellamy the Eagles are going to find their receiver of the future. Whichever receiver comes out on top should be able to fully develop under the system that is implement in Philadelphia because they will have the 1988 MVP, Randall Cunningham throwing them the football. Cunningham was among the league's best last year as he threw for 3,400 yards and 21 touchdowns. He also used his feet with great ability as he rushed for 621 yards and 4 more touchdowns. Now all he needs is a dominant pass-catching receiver to escalate him to the big game. The Philadelphia Eagles drafted wide receiver Mike Bellamy with their second round draft pick in the 1990 NFL draft. However he's going to have tough competition with the other two rookies as they fight for the starting spot. Bellamy is an extremely bright athlete out of Illinois. His knowledge of a "pro-type" offensive system at the University of Illinois should make it easier for him to transition too the NFL. Not to mention he has a great natural speed, which is evident with his national Junior College 60-yard dash championship that he earned at 6.1 seconds.  The Philadelphia Eagles proceeded to select Fred Barnett in the fourth round of the 1990 NFL Draft, surprising many fans that they would select another wide receiver. However Barnett's prospects were just too good to pass up at that spot. The stellar Arkansas State receiver has all the physical utilities to become a top-notch wide receiver and beat out his other two competitors. However, he needs to get his head in the game, and learn how to be more aware of his surroundings in order to excel.  The final wide receiver drafted by the Philadelphia Eagles in the 1990 NFL Draft was Calvin Williams, who was picked in the fifth round. This Purdue wide receiver graduated with a degree in hotel and restaurant management, and hopes to do his best on the gridiron, or else he'll be back to dealing with room service. Williams is a speedy receiver with a 5'11" frame and only 181 pounds. He has a soft pair of hands that should equate too much success with the Eagles. The Philadelphia Eagles have a three-way position battle going on, and in the end, every single one of the receivers will still be a winner as the loser will still be given the #3 starting spot. Randall Cunningham has started to work with the receivers, and too his surprise, Calvin Williams and Fred Barnett seem to be fairing much better then Bellamy in the first few training camp sessions. However there still is much practice to go around before the pre-season starts. When Head Coach Buddy Ryan was approached about the wide receiver situation, and asked if he noticed any of them pushing through the crowd, he had the following to say, "Well I'm very pleased with all the receivers that have been brought to our team this off-season. I believe that the three youngsters we drafted will immensely help Randall progress, if that's even possible for a MVP. Me personally though, in camp I’ve noticed Williams slightly pulling ahead of the others, which is great considering he was our 5th rounder. Williams has a solid blend of speed and hands that is required to become successful in today's league. We've also noticed a strong leaping ability which could help us against some of our divisions tough cover corners." |
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