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Season Preview 2009 Minnesota Vikings

By Richie Denis | July 1, 2009 | Vikings War Cry

Anthony Chergosky from DailyNorseman.com gives us a look at the 2009 Minnesota Vikings. When you think of the 2009 Minnesota Vikings, two words probably enter your mind: Brett Favre. But when taking a look at the team, its chances of repeating as NFC North champs, and its opportunity to go further in the playoffs than it did last season, Favre is just the tip of the iceberg. All over the field and on both sides of the ball, the Vikings are a team built for success this season. This team's bread and butter is still its ability to run the...

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Broncos Should Re-Build

By Shawn Zobel | June 18, 2009 | Zobel's Corner

In just his third year in the league, Jay Cutler threw for 4,526 yards and 25 touchdowns. While he also threw for 18 interceptions, Cutler's aggressive mentality at the quarterback position is what makes him such a good player. Nearly the definition of a franchise quarterback, Cutler's gritty, competitive attitude has brought him up the the elite status as one of the top quarterbacks in the NFL. So when the Denver Broncos decided to give in to Cutler's trade demand this offseason, and ship him away to the Chicago Bears for two first-round picks, a third-round pick, and Kyle Orton, it really made you wonder what they were thinking and what their new plan was for the future.While Cutler owned a 17-20 record as a starter, you have to remember that he's only entering his fourth year in the league. Stars don't grow overnight. It takes time to develop into...

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Brandon Lloyd Signs with Denver. Brandon Marshall Demands Trade.

By Anthony Brown | June 17, 2009 | Hog Heaven

No, the two player moves are not related, at least I don't think they are. But it's fun putting the two headlines together.In a move that strikes fear in no one in the AFC West, the Denver Broncos signed wide receiver Brandon Lloyd to a contract. Lloyd still evokes memories of shame and doubt. I referred to him as a "gifted receiver" when the Redskins signed him and Adam Archuleta as the last pieces needed for that sure-fire 2006 super Bowl run.The experience taught Washington's blogging community that healthy skepticism is a good thing. That's why we can question the logic of what we're hearing from Redskin Park without any disloyalty to the team.Lloyd caught 43 and 48 passes the two seasons before he signed with the Redskins. The 49ers were a weak team with a question-mark at quarterback. Surely, Lloyd with blossom with Joe Gibbs' Skins who made the...

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NFL Crystal Ball: Denver Broncos will eventually win the Jay Cutler trade

By Greg Trippiedi | June 15, 2009 | MVN Outsider

It's not going to happen overnight, it's not going to be obvious, and it's probably never going to make up for the flack the team has caught this offseason. Nor should it. But, I feel safe in saying that the Denver Broncos are going to be better off with the plethora of picks they got from the Bears than with QB Jay Cutler.Is there anything wrong with selling high?The Broncos were universally criticized for getting rid of their franchise quarterback. I'm not going to argue against the point that says the Broncos traded the player who would have gone on to be the second best QB in franchise history. They did exactly that.But certain pundits have taken that a step further to say that, "you can't replace a Jay Cutler". I'm sorry, really?Jay Cutler has a career completion percentage of 62.5%. He throws 3 TDs for every 2 INTs. He...

Read more | 3 Comments | Tags: Chicago Bears, Denver Broncos, Predictions

NFL Top 10: Best Storylines heading into 2009

By Greg Trippiedi | June 6, 2009 | MVN Outsider

I really love spending hours putting together the research for a long-winded heavy analytical post, but sometimes, a fan needs to appreciate the game from a different perspective. This isn't going to provide any insight into why teams will win and lose this year, but because it's June, and we're two months from training camp, I'll forgive myself.Today, NFL Top 10 takes a look at the best storylines entering 2009, as well as those potential developing storylines that could shape the upcoming NFL season.10. Ray Lewis, Rex Ryan, and defense in the AFCIf the Baltimore Ravens are going to make good on my super bowl appearance prediction, they can't allow the media to even speculate that they might be missing Rex Ryan. The effect of defensive coordinator on a team's defense has certainly been overstated throughout the years, so we'll never know if the Ravens are actually missing Rex Ryan. ...

Read more | 2 Comments | Tags: Baltimore Ravens, Buffalo Bills, Chicago Bears, Denver Broncos, Detroit Lions, Indianapolis Colts, Minnesota Vikings, New England Patriots, New Orleans Saints, New York Jets, NFL, Pittsburgh Steelers, Washington Redskins

John Stansberry: Nominee #2 For Biggest Douchebag In Sports History Is...

By John Stansberry | June 5, 2009 | Stone Cold Sports

...Bill Romanowski, affectionately known to NFL fans as "Romo." Check out this gem from an interview he did with IGN's Jon Robinsion back in 2006 that pretty much sums up the Romo Experience: "Dirtiest thing I ever did was at the bottom of a pile, I was trying to rip the ball out of the running back's hands, it was Dave Meggett, and all I could get a hold of was his finger. I just grabbed the finger, twisted it, and broke it like a chicken bone." Romo's supporters would tell you that his pure, unbridled passion for the game of football sometimes made him a little overzealous. But I don't care how passionate you are, twisting someone's finger underneath a pile until it breaks is just plain dirty. I guess that's what 'roid rage will do to a guy who's already unbalanced to start with. After a highly decorated...

Read more | 3 Comments | Tags: BALCO, Bill Romanowski, Boston College, Denver Broncos, Elton John, Kerry Collins, Larry Centers, Oakland Raiders, San Francisco 49ers, Victor Conte

NFL Crystal Ball: Denver Broncos will eventually win the Jay Cutler trade

By Greg Trippiedi | June 15, 2009 | MVN Outsider

Read more | 3 Comments | Tags: Chicago Bears, Denver Broncos, Predictions

NFL Top 10: Best Storylines heading into 2009

By Greg Trippiedi | June 6, 2009 | MVN Outsider

NFL Great Debates: What to Do with Michael Vick?

By Staff Report | May 26, 2009 | MVN Outsider

NFL Outsider's Greg Trippiedi and Anthony Brown debate the issue: Which team is the best spot for Michael Vick if he overcomes the enormous hurdles necessary to get on the field this year?Greg Trippiedi says Vick shouldn't be a starting quarterback:It's pretty clear that Michael Vick is not going to have a job waiting for him when he gets back. He's 29 years old -- too old and too young in different ways. Vick's open field running abilities were already in decline when we last saw him, and that was in 2006. But that doesn't mean he won't stick somewhere. He's still got a good five or six seasons ahead of him as an effective athlete. The question though remains: Where will Michael Vick fit in, and who will take a chance on him? I don't think Vick is a good fit on a team with a clear need...Read more

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NFL Top 10: Coaches on the Hot Seat in '09

By Greg Trippiedi | May 13, 2009 | MVN Outsider

You know, I think there are only a handful of topics in sports that would make for great discussion on radio shows, or on blogs, that have no practical meaning in the real world. I think back to debates about running up the score: you'll get tons of callers in on a topic like that, putting in their two cents. Is is right? Did it happen? Does it matter?Well, to me, I see the ever-present NFL Head Coaching Hot Seat as cut from the same mold. It's a debate partially on the merits of certain coaches, partially on the trends of certain owners hiring and firing patterns, and mostly on probability. Does it really matter if Coach 'X' is on the Hot Seat? We're not even wondering if he should be fired, we're asking if he should be/is in a position where you would consider a coaching change.I don't have...Read more

Read more | 1 Comment | Tags: Carolina Panthers, Chicago Bears, Cincinnati Bengals, Dallas Cowboys, Denver Broncos, Green Bay Packers, Hot Seat, Jacksonville Jaguars, Minnesota Vikings, Philadelphia Eagles, Washington Redskins

Derrick Williams, Jarron Gilbert, Jared Cook Lead Round 3 Recap

By Greg Trippiedi | April 26, 2009 | MVN Outsider

Process points become negligible after the first day, so lets look at round three and the players that each team got in the middle of the draft.65. New York Jets -- Shonn Green, RB, IowaThe Jets traded up for this pick, so the Green pick was really disappointing. I didn't think he was anywhere near the best available, and with this being the first pick of the day, I expected a great pick here.66. St. Louis Rams -- Bradley Fletcher, CB, Iowa67. Kansas City Chiefs -- Alex Magee, DE, PurdueThe Chiefs pick their second 3-4 DE of the draft. So what does this mean for Glenn Dorsey? Will he split time with Magee and Tyson Jackson, or is he already on his way out?68. Chicago Bears -- Jarron Gilbert, DE, San Jose StateChicago moves forward looking for best player available, while making sure to add a defensive lineman every year. ...Read more

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Alphonzo Smith Trade, Rey Maualuga, Pat White Highlight NFL Draft's Second Round

By Greg Trippiedi | April 26, 2009 | MVN Outsider

The second round of the 2009 NFL draft was fronted by some high profile trades. Both the Panthers and the Broncos traded first round picks in 2010 for players they had first round grades on, but drafted in the second round. Pat White ended up getting drafted by the consummate "Wildcat" offense, which seems like a good fit, if not a reach. Inside linebackers Rey Maualuga and James Laurinaitis slipped through the first round, but got drafted by teams in the second with defensive issues. They'll step in right away and help those situations.However, it was some lesser known prospects who will be the story of the second round in a few years.33. Detroit Lions -- Louis Delmas, S, Western MichiganDelmas is a local product who was clearly head and shoulders above all the other safeties in this draft. After going with the QB with a steep developmental curve in...Read more

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English Heads for San Diego, Freeman is a Buc

By Greg Trippiedi | April 25, 2009 | MVN Outsider

Pick 16, San Diego Chargers -- Larry English, OLB, Northern IllinoisMel Kiper is right, this is a luxury pick, but it's not really the best choice in that respect. They must really like English to take him this high, and they really need to commit to Shawne Merriman, not alienate him. The Chargers are a BPA organization, but I don't like this pick as a BPA, especially with the kind of talent that is left.San Diego Chargers: 1 pointThe maximum process points available is now 4 the rest of the round.Pick 17, Tampa Bay Buccaneers (from NY Jets via Cleveland) -- Josh Freeman, QB, Kansas StateThe trade up was pretty meaningless: Freeman would have been there at 19, but they only gave up a 6th round pick. The pick is ever important. Josh Freeman has to pan out. And it's hard to say whether Jeff Jagodzinski is going to have...Read more

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Maybin Heads to North America's Team, Broncos go for a Runner

By Greg Trippiedi | April 25, 2009 | MVN Outsider

Pick 11, Buffalo Bills -- Aaron Maybin, DE, Penn StateThe Bills land a guy who looks on tape to be a natural pass rusher. I think the Bills are a pretty good situation for Maybin, if only because I feel he would have been a disaster in the 3-4. He appears to be able to rush the passer with his hand in the ground, and he'll be a weapon in the Bills 4-3 defense. However, I just don't like Maybin at the money, so I'm going to dock the Bills a few process points. They'll keep two because I'm interested to see how this high-risk high-reward guy will pan out.Buffalo Bills: 2 pointsPick 12, Denver Broncos -- Knowshon Moreno, DE, GeorgiaThis is the first real shocker of the NFL Draft. With all the picks they have, the Broncos can afford to use picks on both sides of the football. But...Read more

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