Free Agency Frenzy

With the lockout finally over it has already been a busy week in the NFL. Deals are still going off left, right and centre as the race to be ready for the upcoming season reaches fever pitch.

One of the hottest topics at the moment is which quarterback will end up where. At the start of the week we had at least 10 quarterbacks with an uncertain future, now with the latest deal it looks like only Vince Young, Marc Bulger and Kyle Orton are still missing a new home.

The week started with a bang when Seattle Seahawks snapped up Tarvaris Jackson, and that marked the end of Matt Hasselbeck’s long career with the Seahawks, as he moved to pastures new in Tennessee. Palmer looks like he is set to retire, and that has prompted the Bengals to bring in long time Oakland Raiders quarterback Bruce Gradkowski. Despite this move it still looks like the Bengals have a very long and unrewarding season ahead of them. This was amplified with the departure of top receiver Chad Ochocinco.

Donovan McNabb was the next to hit the headlines when he sealed a move to the Minnesota Vikings. The long-time Eagles QB had made it abundantly clear he was unhappy in Washington and now looks set to play a pivotal role in the mentoring of Christian Ponder.

Amongst all this mayhem, Heisman Trophy winner Matt Leinart joined the Houston Texans in what will surely be a back-up role to Matt Schaub. Look out for Schaub this season as it looks like the Texans might just make a significant push to knock the colts off their high horse.

Lastly, one of the most speculated moves during the lockout was finalised when the Eagles dealt Kevin Kolb to the Arizona Cardinals, in exchange for cornerback Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie and a second round pick. Personally I can’t help but think that the Philadelphia Eagles got a great deal out of the Kolb trade, the only issue is that it leaves them thin in the quarterback department. That brings me to my next topic.

The Titans have recently released Vince Young, making him the hottest quarterback available at the moment, with Kyle Orton looking like he will join Reggie Bush in Miami.

So who would be most suited to Young? Well, he has recently been linked as the ideal candidate to back-up Michael Vick in Philly. Both players have a similar playing style – with a strong arm, and the ability to scramble when needed. Alternatively, I could see Young being added to the Washington Redskins’ roster to beef up the competition under center.

It seems obvious at the moment that the Redskins are in a state of emergency. They’ve just lost DT Albert Haynesworth to the Patriots and since McNabb’s departure they have been left with two far from proven quarterbacks on their roster. Looking at their stats from previous seasons makes worrying reading. Both John Beck and Rex Grossman have thrown far too many interceptions during their limited playing time – a massive cause for concern that needs addressing ahead of pre-season.

That leaves Marc Bulger. Bulger has had a far from illustrious past three seasons and currently looks most likely to drop out of the league after 10 seasons. He could, however, still find himself a back-up role, but it seems unlikely having missed most of the quarterback rush so far.

It will be interesting to see which of these quarterback moves contributes to the most success come the regular season on September 8.

Akers over the hill, Henery on the horizon?

With the Eagles drafting a new kicker this year it could mean that David Akers's fruitful spell with the Eagles could be over.

Over Akers’s tenure spanning 12 seasons he has proved to be the surprise package for the team, scoring clutch field goals when depended upon and becoming one of the most consistent kickers in the league. Akers’s best statistical year came in his 4th year with the team when he successfully kicked a impressive 30 of 34 field goals, a percentage of 88.2%.

Akers’s has received five pro bowl selections and also holds the record for the most consecutive postseason field goal conversions. An extraordinary player, and a very charitable role model, it seems that in the light of most recent circumstances he might however not be returning with Philly. He is a free agent now, and the Eagles tagged him as their transition player this offseason, a move that Akers disagreed strongly with. The uncertainty surrounding Akers's contract is likely to be the motivation for picking a kicker in this season’s draft. Another factor might have been the underlying personal issues which led to a previously calm and collected kicker missing two vital field goals in last season’s playoff loss to eventual winners Green Bay Packers. We all know that even the most reliable kickers have been benched after missing key field goals.


So out with the old and in with the new. In Alex Henery, the Eagles get a fantastic player. The former Nebraska Cornhusker went 120th overall, and he is the highest kicker to be selected since the Patriots took Stephen Gostkowski two spots earlier than that in 2006, and the best part is that he is also a great punter.

Henery definitely has some big shoes to fill but looks like he is the right man for the job. In his four seasons with the Cornhuskers he missed just two attempts shorter than 50 yards. Does he have a long leg? Take a look at this kick and decide for yourself…

That was a 57-yard field goal winner against Colorado, already equalling Akers’s NFL best.

Is he a clutch kicker? Well, if scoring all the points against the Texas Longhorns in the Big 12 Championship game is anything to go by, it would suggest that he is ready for the task in Philly.

I still very much doubt that Akers’s career is over, one hiccup shouldn’t cost you your whole career and I’m sure he will get a second chance. One man’s loss is, of course, another man’s gain. Some sources have already linked Akers with NFC East rival teams the Redskins and Cowboys. The Cowboys' current kicker David Buehler converted 24 of 32 (75%) field goals last season, and Akers, even at the age of 36, still made 32 of 38 (84%). The Redskins' Graham Gano made just 24 of his 35 attempts (69%), illustrating another cause for concern for the struggling franchise.

As one of the Eagles most prolific scorers, wherever Akers ends up I'm sure he will be greatly missed. But in Henery I hope the Eagles can find a talisman able to guide them into the new era.

Kafka the lone ranger

Signs of a lack of unity were witnessed in the Philadelphia Eagles camp today during an organised training session. Due to the lockout many players from various teams have been scheduling training sessions and exercise drills to stay fit in the vent of the upcoming season. According to NFL.com the majority of training sessions had drawn between 6-12 players, but they had been led by Michael Vick. Vick however is now reportedly training with a personal coach and with Kolb returning to Texas, numbers have vastly dropped. The passing camp was attended by just two players today, back up quarterback Mike Kafka who might have a point to prove if Kolb leaves, and Jeremy Maclin. Does this show a lack of respect for the young quarterback already, and will he be able to lead the team effectively if Vick becomes injured? Most teams have already easily been generating at least three dozen players to training camps, so will this stall the start of the Eagles season?

One player that has been absent for most of the Eagles training camps is wide receiver DeSean Jackson. Instead DeSean has decided to keep active by training with his longterm coaches from the west coast.

Without Vick will the Eagles season remain flightless?

It looks highly likely that as soon as the lockout is lifted, (if it is lifted) a move might be imminent for the Eagles Kevin Kolb in the free agency market.

Kolb has already made it clear he wants to be a starter in the NFL and judging by Vick's phenomenal season in 2010 it doesn't seem likely he will feature in the Eagles plans any time soon.

Kolb has already been linked with many teams in desperate need of a QB, the latest being the Cleveland Browns. This move seems unrealistic however considering the Browns already have Colt McCoy in his second season with the offence and the last thing Kolb needs is a fight for starting position with a player he might not be able to better.

No matter where Kolb ends up I fear it could leave the Eagles looking very bare in the quarterback department.

Starting quarterback Michael Vick returned to the NFL emphatically last season, producing clutch touchdowns and key downs when required. Many question whether he can produce the same performances that he did for the upcoming 2011 season however.

In 2002, for the first time Vick started every game with the Falcons. He threw for just under 3,000 yards, 16 touchdowns and 8 interceptions. This season proved to be the most impressive and he never bettered this performance during his time at the Falcons. Interceptions and fumbles became more apparent, and his quarterback rating dropped. So will we see a similar outcome again at the Eagles?

Admittedly Vick had his most positive season to date last season with the Eagles, posting his first quarterback rating average above 100, but did he produce this because he had a point to prove?

Defences will be more weary of his abilities next season as well. The Eagles thrived on their big game changing abilities in 2010 which I doubt will be so accessible again.

Vick showed his toughness and ability to get the job done when required, but his physical and stubborn method of obtaining yards could see him get into trouble. It was clear he was a huge target for many pass rushers and with Kolb out of the picture, and Vick ailing, it begs the question of whether Eagles hopes of the playoffs will greatly diminish in this scenario.

Currently without Kolb or Vick the leadership responsibility could fall to Mike Kafka. Kafka, 23, was the fifth QB selected in the 2010 draft behind Sam Bradford, Tim Tebow, Jimmy Clausen and Colt McCoy. He is quick, able to run like Vick but still has a lot to learn.

Kafka is yet to feature in his first NFL game, having only played in the four preseason matches of 2010. In those four matches Kafka threw three picks and one touchdown but it was all very valuable experience for the youngster.

Kafka still obviously has weaknesses at present in his strength and accuracy so will he be able to cope with the pressure in the event of a Vick injury, or will Andy Reid be prepared to pick up a replacement in the free agency?

Discipline Matters

The theory is that if you want to win, you must maintain discipline amongst the ranks. Discipline involves not only respecting players and making mature decisions, it also involves not giving away penalties.

In the NFL recent stats show that if you consistantly give away free yards because of penalties you will lose. The stats don't lie, take the Atlanta Falcons for instance. They had the least number of penalties in the league for 2010 and their record was a comprehensive 13-3.

Guess who gave away the most penalties? The 49ers, Titans, Lions - all teams that had poor seasons finishing with six wins and ten losses, a win percentage of 33%. The team with the worst discipline happened to be the Oakland Raiders, who finished on 8-8. The Raiders might of improved their chance of winning the AFC West had they not of been penalized so frequently.

The only team that managed to seemingly get out of jail free were the Eagles. Philly were ranked the 3rd most penalized team in the NFL. However, the Eagles were resilient and still managed to come away with a 10-6 record reaching the playoffs. Could they have gone further however and saved some important losses if fouls had of been prevented and how did Eagles still manage to go so well despite all these mistakes?

Next season season be sure to note that the teams that keep the mistakes to the minimal will be featuring again in the playoffs.

Can Jackson lure Asomugha to the Eagles nest?

He's one of the hottest players who could be available on the market soon and its no wonder why. Nnamdi Asomugha, 29, gave up only 13 receptions throughout the whole of last season cementing his premium pass shutdown status. He most certainly has a polished reputation, he just doesn't have a team with the same characteristics yet. After 8 seasons at Oakland it looks like his time with the Raiders is about to draw to a close. Asomugha isn't getting any younger and I'm sure that he would ponce on the opportunity to get a chance of a Superbowl ring.

Like most fans of teams with defensive issues, I would without doubt welcome a fresh face in the cornerback position to accompany Asante Samuel producing a fortified and formidable pairing.

Apparently Desean Jackson shares these views as he has been reportedly trying to lure Asomugha to the Eagles ever since the Pro Bowl. Teammates in college for California, Desean is fully aware of the threat and impact Asomugha offers to the opposing offences as a first rate ball hawk.

The question is will pay disputes detour Andy Reid and the Eagles. Asomugha has always been likened to wholesome paychecks that have somewhat tarnished his otherwise pristine career so could we afford to keep him there? He will without doubt need to take a pay cut in order to come to Philly, but will greed get the better of him or will the Cowboys get to him first?

NFL International Series - The NFL comes to London again

Just a few weeks ago the latest schedule for the 2011-2012 NFL season was produced and like any fan I was as excited as ever.

Being English, the best news was the addition of the 5th international series match. Having been to two of the four previous matches I couldn't wait to find out the teams playing.

As the news were published I slowly scrolled down the schedule hoping to see what I wanted - the Eagles coming to London, but it wasn't to be.

Realistically I know it will never happen but you can only hope!

Instead it was the turn of the Chicago Bears, who made the playoffs last season with perrenial offensive powerhouse Devin Hester and previously erratic play caller Jay Cutler at hand.

The home team will be the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, hosting for a second occasion. The Bucs narrowly missed out on the playoffs last season and after strengthening their weaknesses in the draft they look set to go a lot further setting up a superb mouth-watering match up. With so many teams in Florida it is a well known fact that teams such as the Bucs and Jaguars struggle to produce sell out crowds so the opportunity to play in front of a packed house at Wembley would have been a easy decision.

I have no doubt it will make great viewing. These matches are always crowd pleaser's as the American sport rapidly grows within the UK. Past players who have had the opportunity to play at Wembley have stated that they relished the occasion and the euphoric crowd reception that follows.

This years international match will be held on the 23rd October and I for one hope I have tickets.

Welcome...

Welcome American football fans to our new blog!

We hope to bring you all the latest news and hot topics in American football. So let's get that pigskin spiraling!

We hope you enjoy our discussions and English views on the game. I am an Eagles fan myself but am relatively new to the sport. It is a great interest of mine and I literally can't wait for the new NFL season to start. I wish it was a more popular sport over here!

Well, I'll try not to be too biased, and please don't hesitate to give me hopefully encouraging feedback!