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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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Under the Raider: Michael Bush

By Patrick Patterson | June 30, 2009 | Thoughts from the Dark Side

Photo by Patrick A. Patterson/TFDSsports.com

Michael Bush was drafted by the Oakland Raiders out of the University of Louisville in the fourth round of the 2007 draft. He was unable to play his rookie season, as he recovered from a broken leg, however the Raiders will be expecting big things from him in the 2009 season.

Read more | 7 Comments | Tags: Adrian Peterson, Darren McFadden, Kansas City Chiefs, Michael Bush, NFL, Oakland Raiders, Raiders, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

State of the Bucs Heading into Training Camp

By jdelator | June 28, 2009 | JC De La Torre's Tampa Bay Sports Blog

Everywhere you look, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers are written off. Beat writers talk about this being a rebuilding year. National pundits scratch their heads and wonder who the heck this Raheem Morris guy is and why in the world would they blow out Jon Gruden for him? Add to the dismissal of veterans Joey Galloway and future hall of famer Derrick Brooks, as well as an apparent daunting schedule and four wins appears to be a bit high for an over/under on wins for 2009. The Bucs are a younger football team, there's no denying that. But are they better? As we move closer to Training Camp, opening July 31st at One Buc Palace in Tampa - let's take a look at the major moves the Bucs made this off-season and do a little pigskin prognostication of our own. Quincy Black, Jermaine Phillips, Geno Hayes and Angelo Crowell vs. Derrick Brooks...

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Redskin Fans, You're the Reason Albert Haynesworth Came to Washington

By Anthony Brown | June 26, 2009 | Hog Heaven

Albert Haynesworth would have had $20 million more if he signed an offer by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers this season. So why pass on the big(ger) bucks to come to Washington?According to Haynesworth during an interview on Sirius NFL Network and reported by ProFootballTalk.com:"You look at Washington, they've got a lot of the pieces together," Haynesworth said. "They're right there. They're in a huge market. It's one of the largest markets in the world. You've just got a large, huge media outlet and it can be life beyond football. Going to Tampa, I mean, great city."Looking at it from the offseason standpoint, I love the water. I love to be out in the sun. It's just awesome, but it would've been like another Nashville. Tampa doesn't have that big market and they don't have a huge fan base like the Washington Redskins do, so I think it was just a...

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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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TBSB Offline for A Few Days

By jdelator | June 18, 2009 | JC De La Torre's Tampa Bay Sports Blog

Hey Tampa Bay Fans, in case you missed my twitter (tweet? Tweep? I'm still new to the twitter thang) I just wanted to give you the heads up to let you know I'll be out of town for the next few days and unavailable to post on the blog. I'll be back Sunday and be sure to catch up on the latest comings and goings with the Rays and the rest of the bay area sports scene. My buddy Tom Copolla is finally tying the knot and yours truly has the esteemed honor of being the Best Man. While I'm out, you can fill your time by listening to the absolute free podcast of my first novel, Ancient Rising on podiobooks.com or check out the first seven chapters of my new novel, Rise of the Ancients - Annuna, on Authonomy. If you dig what you read and want more, you...

Read more | Discuss | Tags: Ancient Rising, JC De La Torre's Tampa Bay Sports Blog, Rise of the Ancients - Annuna, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Tampa Bay Lightning, Tampa Bay Rays

Bucs Wrap Up Mini-Camp

By jdelator | June 17, 2009 | JC De La Torre's Tampa Bay Sports Blog

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers wrapped up their three day minicamp at One Buc Palace. Most of the players did show, including disgruntled holdouts Barrett Ruud and Donald Penn, both whom are seeking new contracts. An interesting development is that the Buccaneers haven't ruled out first round draft pick quarterback Josh Freeman from the QB competition. Freeman was expected to sit for this season, learning behind veterans Luke McCown and Byron Leftwich, but apparently Freeman has progressed in such a way he is forcing the Buccaneers to re-evaluate their stance on him. "His thing early when he first got here was he was forcing footballs into coverage and that is always a concern," QB Coach Greg Olson told the Pewter Report, "If he can show that he keeps progressing as far as the decision making goes, then shoot, why not? He is comfortable in there. He is accurate with the football. He...

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NFL Top 10: Most Valuable Tampa Bay Buccaneers

By Greg Trippiedi | June 10, 2009 | MVN Outsider

The trendiest word about the Bucs this year appears to be "rebuilding". Sure, the team is not as strong as it was on this day last season, or the season before that, but I'd argue that the 2006 Bucs, who finished 4-12, were much more decisively in rebuilding than this team is. But because the 2005 team made the playoffs, and the 2008 team missed them by losing four consecutive December games to finish the season, perception does not equal reality.Interestingly, the major pieces on this roster are mostly pieces of the Tampa Bay offense. Which, since this will be the first year that the defense is not coached by Monte Kiffin since they got good under Tony Dungy, means that any playoff run by the 2009 or 2010 Bucs is reliant on some of their defensive star power bubbling to the top of their roster.10. QB Byron LeftwichOr Luke...Read more

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NFL Crystal Ball: Projecting the Rookie Quarterbacks

By Greg Trippiedi | June 1, 2009 | MVN Outsider

It was universally agreed upon by draft analysts that the 2009 NFL Draft's quarterback class was one of the weakest in memory. But when the first round was said and done, the results suggested that the teams disagreed: 3 quarterbacks picked in the first round, all before the 20th pick was made.On this kind of thing, history suggests that the majority draft opinion usually produces more first round names than there are actual first round talents. The bust rate for all rookie QBs is around 50%, but that figure is considerably lower in the top 20 picks of the first round, which more directly applies to the three gentlemen who will be the primary focus of this article: Matthew Stafford, Mark Sanchez, and Josh Freeman.I will rely heavily on historical draft position in this analytical and predictive column. Draft position helps to separate the elite prospects from the good prospects,...Read more

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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 Great Debates: Harvin, Freeman Draft Busts?

By Staff Report | May 1, 2009 | MVN Outsider

NFL Outsider's Greg Trippiedi and Anthony Brown debate the issue: Which first round draft pick is likely to be a bust with his new team?Greg Trippiedi says Percy Harvin will struggle in Minnesota:Of all 32 of the players selected in the first round of the 2009 draft, historical statistics show that between five and six are unlikely to do anything in the NFL whatsoever. The riskier positions tend to be defensive lineman and wide receiver.I happen to think that this is a particularly good year for defensive linemen. There will be a pure pass rusher or two who busts, but the interior guys, and prototypical 4-3 defensive ends (Raji, Jerry, Orakpo) seem as safe as they've ever been. Receiver Michael Crabtree is every bit the prospect that Calvin Johnson was, and Johnson was great in Detroit this year on a team that didn't win.There's one player who I think who...Read more

Read more | 21 Comments | Tags: Minnesota Vikings, New York Jets, NFL, NFL Draft, Oakland Raiders, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

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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NFL Outsider Mock Drafts: Trippiedi's Final Call

By Greg Trippiedi | April 24, 2009 | MVN Outsider

As promised, this will be my best attempt at figuring out how the NFL draft will go on Saturday. I'll try to project all logical trades in this space, but certainly won't be able to chart all the action that will happen. Put simply, I'll be satisfied if I nail team intentions correctly in the draft.It seems like the media is catching up to teams in terms of figuring out smokescreens. That should help me a lot in this process. We'll check back on Sunday to see how accurately this two round mock really was (don't get your hopes up).Round 11. Detroit Lions -- Matthew Stafford, QB, GeorgiaJim Schwartz thinks he can win with Matthew Stafford. And if Jim Schwartz thinks he can win with Matthew Stafford, then I agree with him. I'm still not convinced that he's worth the money though. Stafford is a deadly accurate passer who might...Read more

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