NFL Free Agency Comes Out Hot.

The NFL free agency period started yesterday and of course, a lot happened in the first day. We will be doing these sort of recaps until it starts slowing down. Enjoy.  

Denver makes a statement - Broncos were embarrassed in the Super Bowl six weeks ago, and it is pretty clear they are pissed off about it. They add T.J. Ward to bolster their secondary and getting a big hitter to add some toughness. Even if Ward was the only signing of the day, Denver would be on the rise a bit, but then they add Aqib Talib shoring up the Broncos secondary issues. I am not sure about the contract they gave Talib. Remember Tampa Bay chased him out by releasing him mid-season, and New England revitalized his career so are we sure it will continue with Denver? I do not think it is a given we will see the same things from Talib as we did with New England, but right now, adding Talib and Ward plus possibly getting DeMarcus Ware up front looks like a dream team defense.

#SAINTSCLAUSE - One of the more cash-strapped teams in all of the National Football League going into the free agency period was New Orleans Saints. The assumption would be they stay silent during this period and make some little moves. NOPE. Saints blew the door open by signing Jairus Byrd to a six year 54 million dollar deal with a stunning 28 million dollars guaranteed.  I started saying New Orleans got a special clause to get the money to work, but in reality, Saints will move a ton of money plus possibly cutting a couple notable players. New Orleans' secondary has officially become scary with Kenny Vaccaro and Byrd plus two solid corners. I will be interested to see how Byrd handles the bright lights after playing for Buffalo for multiple years.

Packers miss out on Houston and Jones - Who knows what Green Bay's involvement was with these two players, but they expressed interest in both Lamarr Houston and Arthur Jones for defensive line help. Houston went to Chicago for 35 million over five years where he will replace Julius Peppers spot, and like I thought, he would probably prefer to stay in the 4-3. Jones is a young up and coming player that heads to Indianapolis for a little over six million dollars a year. Jones with Robert Mathis will be a scary combination. I would not fret about things Green Bay. They are panicking because many teams around them are making moves yet the season is not won on Day 1 of Free Agency (CLICHE, DRINK).

Southern Style Free Agency - One of the big narratives of Day 1 is how Tampa Bay, New Orleans and Atlanta spent a ton of money while Carolina saw some dudes leave, other retire and just twiddled their thumbs. Atlanta is moving to a 3-4 which reflected their signings adding Paul Soliai and Tyson Jackson for their defensive line.  I don't really know about Jackson, but I definitely think Soliai could do some things in an attempt to rebuild Atlanta's defense. Tampa Bay added Michael Johnson to provide off the edge rush, added a defensive tackle Clinton McDonald and Alterraun Verner at cornerback meaning it is curtains for Darrelle Revis. It is evident Lovie Smith wants more of 'his guys' versus the old regime trying to take this team back to the playoffs.

Johnathan Martin moves to San Fran - I am not sure if Johnathan Martin will be a factor for San Francisco. I know why it is a big story, and the fact he gets to come back to the Bay Area where he played college football plus playing for his college coach. Out of college, people were critical of Martin's toughness and felt like he did not really have a mean streak in him. This is a big deal for him to move on, but for him being an NFL athlete, there is nothing really to discuss until we see how Martin does on the field.

Safety Day - Besides Ward and Byrd, four other safeties made changes to different teams. Donte Whitner heads to Cleveland to replace Ward, San Francisco gets Antoine Bethea from Indianapolis to replace Whitner. Philadelphia added Malcolm Jenkins which in comparison to the other guys looks like Taco Bell compared to eating at four or five star restaurant.

Um Oakland - I wish I could tell you what Oakland Raiders were doing on Day 1.  They lose out on Jared Veldheer to Arizona and they replace him with Rodger Saffold who did not really pan out tackle, more so a guard but it appears he is heading back to tackle with Oakland. They also added Austin Howard from New York and he might be a better signing than Saffold because he is a raw talent. There is a greater chance he could really become something for this team or fizzle out quickly making 2013 just an aberration.

Charlie.

Bobby Petrino: King of Second Chances

Louisville lost Charlie Strong, but many people thought they could bring a coach to the caliber close to Strong making sure the Cardinals do not miss a beat when they move into the Atlantic Coast Conference. There were a couple really strong candidates in Michigan State's defensive coordinator Pat Narduzzi or Clemson offensive coordinator Chad Morris plus one strange candidate... Bobby Petrino. The same coach that left Louisville in the dust to go to the National Football League. People thought it was not possible Petrino would be back in Louisville but he returns to the place that made his career. But he returns with a great deal of baggage.

Everyone would think when the term 'baggage' is said, we are referring to his motorcycle scandal, and while that is a major part of it, Petrino napalmed bridges almost everywhere he had a job.  I mean this guy completely set the previous job employer on fire before leaving for the next job. Look at what happened to him left Jacksonville according to Bart Hubbuch of the New York Post..

Favorite Petrino story: He was Jaguars' OC in 2001 when I covered them. Sneaked away to Auburn after season without telling Coughlin. (1/2)
— Bart Hubbuch (@HubbuchNYP) January 8, 2014

Coughlin wasn't aware Petrino had left until Auburn announced his hiring. Coughlin was furious, supposedly never spoke to him again. (2/2)
— Bart Hubbuch (@HubbuchNYP) January 8, 2014

 Let's not forget about how he nearly left Louisville in the night for the Auburn head coaching job. Petrino signed a 10-year contract with Louisville in 2006 before the season only to head to Atlanta Falcons the following January. It continued when he was with Atlanta as he left with a dog with his tail between his legs after the Michael Vick scandal and Atlanta's 3-10 record leading then Atlanta, now Cincinnati defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer to calling him every name in the book. And then yes, one of the craziest scandals in college football history with the motorcycle incident that ESPN's Bomani Jones described perfectly when Petrino was in deep trouble.



The fact he found a way back to a power conference in under two years since the scandal is incredible, and the finest form of throwing morality clauses out the window because winning trumps all. Louisville Athletic Director Tom Jurich is considered one of the top athletic directors in the country and he knows damn well they cannot go through a pseudo rebuilding process with Louisville headed to the ACC next year. He wants this team to be in a New Year's Day bowl or damn near close to one even if Teddy Bridgewater will not be there. Petrino seems to get results early and often and that's why he keeps getting chances. Winning makes people forget about everything even if that's a wrong way to look at things.

We spend countless hours criticizing a guy like Johnny Manziel for not caring about his team by his off-the-field antics yet we hire a coach with a multitude of problems creating the ultimate double standard. These men at Louisville are 18-24 meaning they can make their own decisions/opinions yet football players will always look toward their coach as a leader, an older brother and even in some cases a father figure. Does Petrino really feel like one of those?  Not really, just a man obsessed with winning and himself. Petrino is a selfish human, but he really has not been humbled due to continued success. It happens with even common people around the country.

Even though the money given to Petrino is not really that high, I cannot believe they have him for seven years with a 10 million dollar buyout essentially locking him into this role until 2021. Winning needs to happen immediately for a variety of reasons. Louisville is the classic case of a program having sustained success in their two major spots, and they do not want to lose this feeling meaning they will go to all lengths to ensure it keeps happening even if it means bringing a snake oil salesman back to town.

Charlie. 

The Tap Ten: 2013 NFL Stories

This is the beginning of our 2013 end of the year lists for sports.  I know we will do one for MLB, CFB, CBB, NBA, PGA and NFL. I probably will do a top 20 list of overall moments and if we get real frisky, maybe top 20 figures in sports giving away our first annual Tapper of the Year or something dumb like that. Also as always, these are my lists and I can imagine you have a different one, cool story. 

10. Josh Freeman drama - Remember this happened earlier this football season? People were thinking Greg Schiano was going to get fired because of it, and everyone went to Freeman's aid thinking he had every right to be mad. Both sides overdid it to the extreme with leaks coming from all corners of the Tampa Bay organization. Once Tampa Bay released Freeman, they became a better football team, and people seemed to rally around Schiano again. Buccaneers are currently 4-3 since their 0-8 start with Freeman being around for much of it. Was he the problem?  We will likely never know the answer.

9. Atlanta and Houston goes from first to worst - Both the Falcons and Texans are model franchises for why NFL is filled with parity. Kansas City too for that matter. But I think Atlanta and Houston's struggles are much more drastic. Both teams made the playoffs in consecutive years, Falcons in the last four out of the five. Honestly, I could see Houston bouncing back with a couple additions on their defense, and a new quarterback (Hello Jay Cutler or Teddy Bridgewater) plus their division is not good besides Indianapolis for the short-term. Atlanta is in big trouble with a horrible defense, a retiring tight end and a ton of money tied up at one position plus NFC South is loaded including Tampa Bay who have many more pieces than Atlanta.

8. Colin Kaepernick hits the big stage - I do not know why Green Bay decides to pull this shit, but they do with young quarterbacks in the playoffs. Kaepernick had a great game against the Packers to lead San Francisco into the NFC Championship game and then the Super Bowl. Even though I am a Packer fan, I could not have been more impressed with how easy it looked for Kaepernick for the entire game. It looked like his moment to the big stage and truly, it probably ensure him endorsement deals that very night. People starting to make assumptions Kaep would be one of the best in the league, and he struggled mightily to begin the year as he was without Michael Crabtree and others throughout it. He seems much better in the last month, but we will see whether Green Bay-San Francisco is the start of it all, or just an aberration.

7. Johnathan Martin/Richie Incognito saga - Honestly, this would have been higher on my list if it imploded Miami's season, but they have a chance to make the playoffs in the final week of the season thus making it just a story between these two men versus their entire team. I have no idea if this story will ever be more than a player felt like he was picked on while the supposed bully felt like it was two friends just giving each other shit with Richie being the guy whom takes it too far more often than not. I am curious to see what Miami does with Martin as he is still under team control, and I can almost guarantee someone gives Incognito a job again.

6. Robert Griffin hurts knee again; hits the sophomore slump - I think we will always remember Robert Griffin III's knee injury because he led Washington back from 3-6 record on an incredible run only to rip up his knee. A lot like Kaepernick in the following week, everyone believed Griffin III would be a part of the next generation. Instead, Mike Shanahan and Washington rushed him back from injury leading to an awful Redskins season as well as criticism for Griffin III grew rapidly. I have no idea how Mike Shanahan kept his job for the entire season, but here we are. RGIII's microscope will continue to be big until he starts winning again. Media is a cruel world, and it will be curious if anything changes. They need to get deeper as a team and a defense.

5. Peyton Manning... Another divisional round home loss, breaks records - Whirlwind year for Peyton Manning. He came back in 2012 leading Denver to the number one seed in the AFC and then a home playoff overtime loss against Baltimore in what was the game of the year. Manning made his presence in his second year with Denver breaking the touchdown record and is 266 yards away from breaking the passing record. We did make mention earlier in the week on how Manning's numbers are a little easier to obtain given today's rules yet he still needs to get there with consistently big performances almost every time Manning went out there this season. He will be the Most Valuable Player for 2013. Denver is not a great team, but there are not many good teams this season either. It might be the year for Manning to get his second ring.

4.  Baltimore Ravens win the Super Bowl amid a blackout - I think I remember this football game more for the blackout, and how Baltimore thought the whole thing was a conspiracy to make the game closer when really Baltimore should have blown out San Francisco rather than nearly Exorcism puking all over their shoes in the third quarter. The game was over at halftime, but San Francisco came back to nearly tie in the fourth quarter at 31 but they missed a two-point conversion. My assumption is people will always remember it for the blackout rather than it being a pretty solid football game. This was also one of the most chippy Super Bowls I can remember in quite some time which is appreciated and need more of it.

3. Aaron Hernandez arrested for murder - With more information coming out about this case, it is still crazy one of the biggest players on one of the most public teams was arrested for murder. When the news first broke my assumption was one of Hernandez's good friends made the murder and somehow he became an accessory to it yet that did not end up being the case as Hernandez would be charged with murder. We would soon find out more and more information about Aaron Hernandez's life as well as watch people connected to the case die off with three people dying since Hernandez's arrest. This will be a great movie when we find out all the details about what happens with him. I do not think we will have all the answers until early 2015.

2. Player's safety concerns reaches an all-time high - This year featured a year where the NFL settled a concussion lawsuit and more times than not, people are cringing with big hits instead of reacting like it is the best thing since Napster. Every time a player goes down with what looks like a head injury more times than not, it is indeed a concussion. Wes Welker had two in three weeks. Jermichael Finley might never play football again.  Additionally, there are many people writing columns, blog posts and talking about how they will not let their son or future son play football. I do not really know where this is going yet. I feel like it can go many ways, and we have not seen all of them just yet. I do think the more we try to protect players from concussions, the better it will get in years to come.

1. Aaron Rodgers breaks his collarbone - Easily, the biggest story in the state of Wisconsin for the last
couple of months.  It is at a 'Derrick Rose' stage where people are waiting and wishing he will come back only to get disappointed. I have no idea where this is headed for the Packers quarterback. I feel like if Green Bay had Dan Marino, Jim Kelly instead of Brett Favre, Rodgers would not be insecure about having to explain this is not his fault he is sitting out with a broken bone injury. It is kind of a shame. Rodgers' collarbone and Braun's PED stuff being number one kind of sums things up for Wisconsin fans in 2013.

Charlie.

Sportandfashion-news NFL Picks Week 16: Check Scoreboard Sunday

Honestly, it is never a bad idea to be at Lambeau for a Packer game, but this week will be tough with all the different playoff scenarios possible plus myself in the fantasy championship in one of my five leagues (20 percent, live the dream!) I am really expecting to be the usual NFL earthquake where people are picking up the pieces by Tuesday.

Miami (8-6) at Buffalo (5-9) 12:00 pm CBS - This is one of the most important games on the late for young Charles. If Miami wins this football game, they knock Pittsburgh out of the playoffs. Many would worry about the Dolphins heading north to Buffalo yet Miami handled the snow just fine in two weeks ago therefore I am not as worried. Thad Lewis will be starting for Buffalo as E.J. Manuel is out with yet another knee injury. Buffalo's offense seems to only be cooking when they face bad defenses, and sadly for them, Miami is not one of them. Dolphins take control of this one in the second half and win this game. MIA 27-16

Minnesota (4-9-1) at Cincinnati (9-5) 12:00 pm FOX - How about the Vikings? They are on complete fire led by Matt Cassel and a true island of misfits with Adrian Peterson out with injury. They face their toughest task of their current unbeaten streak facing Cincinnati, a team who has not lost at home. Bengals are trying to recover from a beatdown by Pittsburgh last Sunday night. Cassel should be able to move the ball against a banged up Cincinnati secondary meaning he will be successful once again. But I feel like this is a career-defining game for Andy Dalton. They need this win for the division, possibly a one-seed, just have to win this one. I like Cincy in a close one CIN 31-27

Indianapolis (9-5) at Kansas City (11-3) 12:00 pm CBS - I feel like this game would have been more fun had it been played a month ago. Both teams have playoff spots now it is just a matter of jostling for position. Indy played well against Houston, but I think every team can say that this season. Kansas City's defense looked less than stellar against Oakland, but people will forget that because of Jamaal Charles' performance. He should have a nice encore against a weak Indianapolis defense. This should be a shootout, and most of the time I would take Andrew Luck in those scenarios yet I still cannot trust this team yet especially on the road. KC 34-30

Tampa Bay (4-10) at St. Louis (6-8) 12:00 pm FOX - Two teams that I think a lot of people and their fanbases expected more from the 2013 NFL season. St. Louis is a bizarre football team because I think if Zac Stacy started all year and Sam Bradford stayed healthy, they might be contending for a playoff position. We also talked about Mike Glennon's impact on this team a couple weeks ago and how Tampa would have been much better off.  Although this could be a rough one for Glennon as he faces a top notch defensive line. Rams will win again meaning Jeff Fisher is going to continue his dream of being the .500 coach. STL 20-14

Cleveland (4-10) at New York Jets (6-8) 12:00 pm CBS - This is the 'Last Resort' game of the week. If this was the only game you could watch in the NFL slate, how much money would it take to solely watch this and nothing else?  I would say a good 150 dollars for this one. It's going to be brutal. Geno Smith is bound to struggle against an above average Cleveland secondary and Jason Campbell will not be much better going up against the Jets front line. I will take the home team, but I have no real basis on why they should win this football game. NYJ 14-10

Dallas (7-7) at Washington (3-11) 12:00 pm FOX -  Last time these two played at FedEx Field, the game was for the NFC East. This time we have Kirk Cousins versus a much criticized Cowboys team. Cousins should be able to move the ball against a weak Dallas secondary, but I cannot really see anyone from Washington stopping Tony Romo and the Cowboys offense. The only way Dallas loses this football game is if they have quit entirely as a team on head coach Jason Garrett. While I feel like his job is at risk I do not think Dallas lays down. DAL 35-27

New Orleans (10-4) at Carolina (10-4) 12:00 pm FOX - People are close to hitting the panic button for thebSaints if they were to fall to Carolina. I cannot believe there is chance New Orleans could miss the playoffs if they were to lose their last two games. They head into hostile Carolina where they had some struggles in the past decade. Carolina bounced back last week after getting their asses handed to them by this very Saints team. Carolina knows the door is open for them to get a bye and a home playoff game for the first time since 2008 when they were 12-4. I do not think Cam Newton nor the Carolina defense shits the bed here. Panthers win with a big fourth quarter.  CAR 27-17  

Tennessee (5-9) at Jacksonville (4-10) 12:00 pm CBS - Before Jacksonville went on a run, Tennessee was their whipping boy. Knowing that I think Tennessee might have had their last gasp after they come back against Arizona only to lose in overtime. Jacksonville's defense is a little shaky, but I think they will be able to get a victory here. JAX 27-21  

Denver (11-3) at Houston (2-12) 12:00 pm CBS - There are not many games where I would call them 'Sleep off your hangover' like I do in college football, but this is one of them. Denver puts up some big points early on and Peyton Manning will be resting during the fourth quarter. DEN 45-14

New York Giants (5-9) at Detroit (7-7) 3:05 pm FOX - Hmmmm.... This one is interesting. Lions seem like they could be a team that mails it in, and just ends it for Jim Schwartz. But then again, New York has been complete shit for the last two games against San Diego and Seattle. I have to think Detroit responds to all the criticism and wins this football game. Additionally, they still have a chance at the NFC North if they win this game obviously they need some help though. New York's defense is so bad meaning Matthew Stafford could have an error-free game. Ah who am I kidding, I know he will throw at least one or two picks. Lions will still win this one, but it will be close. DET 20-17  

Arizona (9-5) at Seattle (12-2) 3:05 pm FOX - I really have enjoyed Arizona's bounce back year. No matter what happens, it has been fun to watch this team play football. Although this might be the end of it for the Cardinals unless some teams ahead of them fall as well. I cannot see them going into Seattle and winning this football game even if Seattle has pretty much locked up homefield advantage . I would not take the Seahawks to cover, but I would not pick against them in this one. They still need this victory, and if they get it then Week 17 is a wash. SEA 21-16

Pittsburgh (6-8) at Green Bay (7-6-1) 3:25 pm CBS - Preview will be coming along a little later today. I wanted to wait on the Rodgers news before I published anything.

Oakland (4-10) at San Diego (7-7) 3:25 pm CBS - With how weird San Diego has been all year, this would be a game they would lose and everyone would wonder 'Huh?' But there are some things going against Chargers being quirky in this one... First, Oakland's defense regressed like a person in rehab on a five-day bender. Second, San Diego had some time off with playing on Thursday plus Phillip Rivers is a God in December. Chargers roll in this one. SD 30-14  

New England (10-4) at Baltimore (8-6) 3:25 pm CBS - This has been a great rivalry in the last couple of years. I have no idea if people are talking about this as a rivalry, but it is. Terrell Suggs hates Tom Brady. Like I think they were in the same room, one person would have to leave unless they want a ton of tension. Baltimore is doing some quirky shit again, and it seems like we are headed to Ravens sneaking into the playoffs being as lethal, but can they score?  Justin Tucker is great, but six field goals will probably not cut it. I think we are going to see a vintage Tom Brady performance, and he will carry this club in a major victory for the Pats. NE 24-23

Chicago (8-6) at Philadelphia (8-6) 7:30 pm NBC - Am I the only one who does not get the whole notion of Philadelphia resting their players if Dallas beats Washington? I mean I get they are playing with house money, but why would they want to lose two straight heading into Dallas which is a road game. Obviously, they could play a vanilla offense not showing the Cowboys much, but at the same time, they play to win the game. Chicago needs this one badly and could possibly clinch the NFC North if things break the right way. This will come down to whose defense makes a stop?  Both teams are destined to allow some points, but in the end, I am going with Philly. I think LeSean McCoy will be a huge problem for this Bears defense even if Lance Briggs comes back. PHI 45-42

Atlanta (4-10) at San Francisco (10-4) 7:30 pm ESPN - This is another sleep off your hangover game. Last game at Candlestick for San Francisco and Atlanta has nothing to play for but a higher draft position. San Francisco rolls in this one. SF 37-13

Charlie.