Joey Porter has a ‘natural hate’ for Patriots

“It goes back to my Pittsburgh days,” Dolphins linebacker Joey Porter said during a Wednesday conference call, referring to his “hate” for the Patriots.

“I felt a certain way, after some things came out, way back when I was in Pittsburgh, some AFC championships I lost to them, couple times. Come to figure out a few months later why we lost,” Porter said. ” So yeah, I have a natural hate for them. Period. And that’s just gonna be with me forever.”

Porter was referencing the Patriots videotape scandal, which was uncovered in 2007. We got our hands on the tape.

Here it is, for your viewing pleasure:

Vick will not play QB for Eagles

The signing of Michael Vick does not pose a threat to Eagles QB Donovan McNabb for one simple reason: Vick will not play quarterback for the Eagles in 2009. At least not exclusively.

Vick will play the role of option QB, RB, maybe even WR. He will provide the Eagles with an offensive weapon that opposing defenses will have to prepare for and track throughout the game. If they don’t, they may pay for it.

In six NFL seasons, Vick has compiled 11,505 passing yards and 3,859 rushing yards — a 3-to-1 ratio.

[In comparison, Kordell Stewart, in his "Slash" role --and throughout his career-- only got as close as a 5-to-1 ratio, pass vs. run, with comparable passing statistics.]

With Vick lined up in the back field, split-back, pro-formation, a number of things are possible: A) Direct snap to Vick; B) Hand-off to Vick on a running play; C) Pitch to Vick with the option to throw.

Or none of the above. But either way, defenses will have to account for him.

When Vick is on the field, he will occupy at least one defender. That should free things up slightly for the Eagles receiving corp and versatile back Brian Westbrook (who had off-season surgery remove scar tissue and bone fragments from his right ankle).

My point is, the Ealges have added another weapon to their offense. And it’s been the plan all off-season. The first three draft picks were on the offensive side of the ball, and 6 of 8 picks overall.

Vick will provide a way to keep the Eagles offense near the top and improve their chances in the post-season. Vick will not challenge McNabb at QB or clock significant playing time behind center. He is simply another wrinkle in the Eagles offense, part of head coach Andy Reid’s mission– maybe his last chance – to get the Eagles back to the Super Bowl.

Source: NFL.com, profootballreference.com, football.about.com (photo); 10:15 p.m. et

Woo Hoo!

Thanks to our friends at Comcast (worth the free plug), we now have NFL NETWORK on our Comcast Digital package! (Again) Woo Hoo!

 

 

 

 

Speaking of Free Plugs…I have just decided to add a new feature (regular RZR vistors know how these new features go– or don’t go– following attempt number 1)…. FREE PLUG MONDAYS!

Watch for our first (we’re not counting the above Comcast Free Plug, or the NFL Network Plug below that) Free Plug feature tomorrow on, quite appropriately, Monday, Aug. 10.

Thanks for visiting,
Eric Zimmett

Former NFL QB Steve McNair Found Dead

36-year-old former NFL QB Steve McNair was found shot to death early on Saturday July 4, 2009. A Nashville police spokes person confirmed McNair and an unnamed woman were found shot to death at McNair’s residence.

McNair lead the Tennessee Titans to Super Bowl XXXIV and spent 11 seasons with the team before spending two seasons with the Baltimore Ravens. McNair was also a three-time Pro Bowler and was the Co-AP NFL MVP in 2003.

The police do have a lead in the case, and have identified the woman found with McNair. More details will be available as the story progresses.

Source: Fox Sports

Madden retires, Raiders in future?

Sirius NFL Radio has reported that Hall-of-Fame coach and NFL announcer John Madden is retiring from broadcasting.

Raiders owner Al Davis hinted months ago about a prominent NFL name  joining the organization, on a high level.

There has been some speculation that Madden may be that person.

Could this be a further indication that Madden will be re-joining the Raiders? And at what capacity?

NFL to Lengthen Season?

NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell is proposing to extend the football regular season from 16 games to 17 or 18 games. This announcement came Wednesday, when Goodell proposed the idea of making some of the pre-season games counting towards the regular season. Networks that carry the games seem to be all for the expansion, the only question is will the players union be for the proposal?

According to ESPN News, Goodell stated, “It’s possible that we could vote in May, but we want to have core discussions on this,” he said Wednesday. “Anytime you have change, there is some reluctance. But it’s clear we don’t need four preseason games anymore.”

Source: Espn.com – 10:12 a.m. et

Raiders complete trade for Satele

The Oakland Raiders and Miami Dolphins essentially swapped centers today, as the Phins sent Samson Satele, 24, to the Silver and Black in exchange for a sixth-round pick, Raiderbeat.com is reporting. The teams also swapped fourth-round picks.

The Dolphins signed former Raiders center Jake Grove to a huge free-agent deal in early March, making Satele expendable. 

Satele for a sixth-round draft choice seems like a steal to us, considering he’s started every game for the Dolphins since being drafted in 2007, as a second-round pick.

It’s not yet clear what this means for the Raiders –though it never really is. In the past week, the Raiders have added two starting offensive linemen: Satele and OT Khalif Barnes (Jaguars). The team also added OT Erik Pears on March 3.

Are the Raiders taking care of the O-line now, and looking to fill another need with the seventh pick in the first round? Or is Cable, a former offensive line coach, simply building from the inside out?

Source: Raiderbeat.com, Raiders.com - 10:01 p.m. et