NFL GridIron Gab Daily Digest

At this point, it is becoming clear that whether or not the NFL and the Player's Union strike a deal before early March and prevent a lockout, neither side of the argument cares at all about the fans.  We are used as cannon fodder as one side tries to turn the fans against the other.  The NFL commissioner Roger Goodell goes on NBC Sunday Night Football Pregame show to tell the owner's side and emails all fans directly to get the same message out further.  The commissioner is attempting to bring the fans on to the side of the owners against the players.   

The NFLPA rolled out their "Let Us Play" campaign to attempt to win the hearts and minds of the fans which included their lame #letusplay twitter campaign.  Again, the players were attempting to turn the fans against the owners.

This is so obviously like divorced parents using the children to attempt to get more money out of the divorce settlement.  Both sides of the negotiation care about the fans, they only care about their money and how they are going to get more money.  They each say they have our interest in mind as fans, but neither of them really does.

The only person who has come out and said they want a deal quickly is Antonio Cromartie, who has 8 children from 8 different mothers and obviously needs to keep his paychecks coming in.  No one thinks that he is thinking about anyone but himself.  We should not think differently about the owners and the NFL Players Association as a whole.

The real story is not 18 game seasons or helping fans, but it is about how much money each sides receive in the deal.  The owners currently get $1 billion off the top of all revenues (that's $31+ million per team per year) before splitting the rest with players.  The owners want more than $1 billion off the top in this new deal "for all they do" with regards to stadiums and communities and etc.  Because the owners refuse to open their books, we have no idea what the total revenues are above the $9 billion/year TV rights.

The most important part of the new CBA for me is longer health insurance for retired players.  These players shorten their lives for our enjoyment and the least their employers could provide them is health insurance for 10 years after they retire.  That just makes sense.

I'm not on either side in these negotiations as they become more and more contentious.  I do not try to talk too much about the labor negotiations here because it basically makes me sick.  Both sides are millionaires or billionaires and are fighting over more money than any of their fans can even conceptualize.   The NFL has never been more popular, so the owners and players need to stop using the fans as leverage or human meat shields in their war on one another, shut up and get a deal done.

The Packers have a shot Sunday to get back another title that was named after their late coaches namesake – the Vince Lombardi trophy. While it won’t be easy, the team is favored ever so slightly to top the Pittsburgh Steelers in Dallas, and seem confident about their chances to take home the biggest title in sports.

Tuesday it was media day, and Packers coach Mike McCarthy was hit hard with the question about living up to the legacy that Lombardi left behind after he led Green Bay to Super Bowl wins in SB I and II.

“I don’t look at it like that. I don’t give it much thought. I look at it as an asset. When you walk into your building every day and you have pictures of Curly Lambeau, Vince Lombardi and Mike Holmgren – our history is among us all of the time,” McCarthy said.

“It creates a standard and expectation that fits right along with our vision. I look at the history of the Green Bay Packers as a tremendous asset to our football team, the commitment to football, football operations, from the rest of our administration, just the way we’re structured. It’s all about winning on the field. That’s a tremendous advantage that we feel that we have in Green Bay.”

One interesting thing about McCarthy is the fact he was raised in the Pittsburgh area. Last season when the Steelers and Packers played late in the 2009 season, it was a big sidebar to the game. Now, with the title on the line, McCarthy again was asked about his upbringing, and how it could affect the way he coaches having seen the greats all around him in Pittsburgh growing up.

Greenfield community and Pittsburgh is a very special place. It was very unique to me back in the '70’s. My family is still there,” McCarthy said. “It’s just the way of how people took care of one another. It was always about the kids. There were so many kids at that particular time in our neighborhood.

“There were a lot of activities to do. You felt that was your own city. For people to ask you where you’re from instead of saying Pittsburgh you say, 'I’m from Greenfield.’ There was such a pride and tight-knit community. It’s clear that it’s a big part of who I am today.”

And he hopes that as of Sunday night, he will be able to make Green Bay as well as Greenfield proud with another title for the Packers and their franchise.

With the Super Bowl just a few days away, here is the trailer for the VIZIO Pro Football Profiles episode featuring Green Bay Packers QB Aaron Rodgers! To view the episode in its entirety, visit the VIZIO facebook page at: http://www.facebook.com/home.php#!/vizio?v=app_10531514314e.

Headed down to the Big D this weekend? There’s always plenty of parties and great events to choose from, and we have two parties on tap that you are simply not going to want to miss.

On Friday February 4th, you will get to see the group that will do the Super Bowl halftime event – The Black Eyed Peas host their official pre-game party! They will be joined by superstar DJ David Guetta and friends. This is one of the hottest music line-ups around!

On Saturday February 5th, P.Diddy is throwing a HUGE Super Bowl party. Puff is making a name for himself by hosting some of the most decadent parties around. We’re pretty sure he knows how to party, and that’s where me and Matt will be Saturday night!

Both parties are being thrown by luxury entertainment company Capital A Entertainment, known for their wild and crazy Playboy Mansion party.

So if you're headed to Dallas and looking for a good time, be sure to check out one of these parties! Get your Super Bowl party tickets now

Akeem Ayers, OLB, UCLA, 6′4 255

Position Ranking: #1

Strengths: Played both defensive end and outside linebacker at UCLA; took an equal amount of snaps at both spots. Has good measurables and his overall skill set translates well to a 3-4 OLB, 4-3 OLB, and 4-3 end. His wide and solid frame allows for additional weight if necessary. Good initial quickness off the snap to win the corner in his pass rush from the end position; bends the edge and flattens down smoothly to close- a consistent threat to get to the quarterback. Shows the strength to jolt tight ends off the snap and contain the edge in run support.

A 3-down linebacker who played a lot of underneath coverage; gets good depth in his drop and keeps focused on his read & keys. Reacts quickly to the short throws in front of him. Shows the athleticism, size, and hips to cover tight ends down the seam at the next level. Physical player who steps up to fill the gap in run support and takes on blockers. Good speed and can get to the sideline from between the hashes. Physical, wrap-up tackler. Disciplined and stays true to his assignment; knows when to release in pursuit of ball carrier and when to stay home. Played both the weak and strongside linebacker spot.

Needs Improvement: Instincts are only adequate in run support. Slow to pick-up the misdirection and will be caught on his heels against play-action. Loses technique and tries too often to muscle through blocks or traffic. Let’s blockers get inside of him while his eyes are still on the backfield; doesn’t disengage from blocks with quickness and consistent technique. Pursuit angles are inconsistent, can misjudge and be late to the opposite side when a clear lane was available.

Bottom Line: Akeem Ayers brings versatility to a team along the front seven and has a complete skill set as an outside linebacker or defensive end. His height, length, and suddenness off the edge make him a legitimate 4-3 end (has frame to add weight). While his coverage ability, quickness, strength and experience allow him to be highly effective as an outside linebacker in either a 3-4 or 4-3 alignment. Ayers may not necessarily be the most dynamic of the OLB prospects, but he’s definitely the most complete. It shouldn’t take him long to acclimate to any pro scheme and he should be an early, productive starter in the NFL.

Draft Projection: 1st Round.

In doing research for my book – “100 Things Every Steelers Fan Should Know and Do Before They Die,” I became very in tune with those glory teams of the past. You remember, the ones that won four Super Bowls in six seasons and was known to all as the “team of the 70’s”? So with that, I am going to take some time today to write on a subject near and dear to all Steeler fans hearts – our Six Super Bowl title teams.

I am going to rank the teams, from best to worst, and do a little write up on the offense and defense and why I have the six title teams ranked where I do. So here goes nothing.

Super Bowl IX Team – 1974 Season: The Steelers first title, and it came after they slowly knocked on the door with losses in two AFC Title Games the two seasons prior. The team reached the title game mostly due to the defense, and their run game also paved the way with the emergence of Franco Harris. They topped the Vikings 16-6 on January 12th for the franchises first championship.

Offense: the team was in turmoil to start the year, as Joe Gilliam was the starter at QB, while Chuck Noll decided to sit Terry Bradshaw, who to that point of his career wasn’t playing all that well. Gilliam got the team to a 4-1-1 start, but was replaced after throwing for just 66 yards vs Cleveland on October 20th. Noll went back to Bradshaw, and while he wasn’t great, he got the team to go 6-2 the remaining 8 games, and then 3-0 in the postseason. The 26-year-old former #1 pick threw for 785 yards, 7 TD’s and 8 interceptions. The run game was led by Franco Harris, who ran for 1006 yards and five scores. Rocky Bleier rushed for 373 and two scores. The leading wide out was Frank Lewis, who had 30 grabs for 365 yards and four scores. The offense was at its best in the playoffs, scoring 32, 24 and 16 points in the three wins.

Defense: A solid unit that was led by the up and coming “Steel Curtain.” Joe Greene was the leader, but Jack Lambert had a great rookie year coming into his own and was the leagues defensive rookie of the year. Add L.C. Greenwood, Jack Ham, Andy Russell and a good secondary led by J.T. Thomas who tied Ham with five picks, and you can see why many credit the defense with this title win. The defense had 25 interceptions and 35 fumble recoveries, and it was their play in the AFC Title game holding the Raiders in check and the Super Bowl shutting out the Vikings (their only TD came on a blocked punt) that was the difference.

Super Bowl X Team – 1975 Season: The team steamrolled through the regular season, having just two hiccups in going 12-2 and again having a successful postseason. The offense again had a strong run game, but were helped out by the strong Super Bowl by Lynn Swann, who was the MVP of the game. The team had a great balance, scoring 30 points or more 7 times, and holding teams to 10 or less points 7 times as well.

Offense: Bradshaw was finally coming into his own in 75, throwing for 2055 yards, 18 touchdowns and 9 picks. He was helped out by the addition of Swann (781 yards and 11 scores) and John Stallworth, who had 423 yards with four TD’s. The run game again was led by Franco Harris, who had 1246 yards and 10 touchdowns. The offense was very good throughout the season, with a maturing Bradshaw and a run game that not many could stop.

Defense: This was the season where the “Steel Curtain” was very much a big part of what the Steelers were all about. They dominated games, with holding teams to 10 points or less 7 times. They had 27 picks, and 21 fumble recoveries. Joe Greene again was dominant, and Mel Blount as an All-Pro had 11 picks. The other members of the front four were solid as well, with Dwight White, L.C. Greenwood and Ernie Holmes all getting to the QB and stopping the run games of opposing teams. This was the season the defense made headlines almost every week.

Super Bowl XIII Team – 1978 Season: Playing great on both sides, the Steelers again ran through the NFL with 14 regular season wins, and then scored 102 points in three postseason games, including 35 in the Super Bowl XIII win over the Cowboys in winning 35-31. It was evident by halfway though the season that the Steelers were the best team not only in the AFC, but the NFL.

Offense: The team was as dangerous as ever, with Bradshaw throwing for at the time a team record 28 touchdowns and 20 picks to go along with 2915 yards. Swann and Stallworth were the best 1-2 punch in the league as far as WR’s were concerned, as they combined for over 1600 yards and 20 touchdowns. The run game saw Franco Harris go for 1082 yards and 8 scores, while Rocky Bleier ran for 633 yards and five touchdowns. Everyone on offense seemed to play big when the team needed it the most.

Defense: The unit played takeaway as well as any in football, getting 63 turnovers, 27 picks and 36 fumble recoveries. The Curtain was as good as ever, with Green, Greenwood, Holmes and White dominating games again, holding teams to single digits in points in 7 games, including allowing just five to Houston in the AFC Title game in Pittsburgh. A great piece of trivia – the player that led the Steelers in interceptions with six in 1978 – a little known player named Tony Dungy.

Super Bowl XIV Team – 1979 Season: The end of an era saw the Steelers go 12-4 in the regular season, then get past the Dolphins and Oilers, and then after trailing 19-16 in the fourth quarter they outscored the Rams 14-0 to win Super Bowl XIV 31-19. Bradshaw was the SB MVP again, and the defense was led by the aging Steel Curtain one more time.

Offense: Bradshaw led the offense with a pass game that saw him throw for 3655 yards with 26 touchdowns. Issue was he also threw 26 picks, including a stunning five in a 35-7 loss in November to the Chargers. He played like Brett Favre, a gunslinger that drove Chuck Noll crazy at times with the interceptions. Stallworth finally earned the role as the teams #1 WR, catching 1183 yards worth of passes with 8 touchdowns. Swann had five TD’s as well. Harris ran for 1186 yards and 11 touchdowns.

Defense: The Curtain was getting older, and it showed as teams scored 30 or more points four times during the season. They did though still have fight left in them, as they had a stretch during a four-game win streak where they allowed a total of 20 points. Bradshaw’s picks put them in bad positions at points, and there were too many big plays throughout the season for Noll’s liking.

Super Bowl XL Team – 2005 Season: No one could have ever thought that at 7-5 the Steelers would be hoisting the Lombardi Trophy some two plus months later. They were led by the emotion of their defense, a QB that overcame a knee injury, and Jerome Bettis, who was playing the final games of his Hall of Fame career. It also remains the only Super Bowl title for coach Bill Cowher.

Offense: In his second season, Ben Roethlisberger was a better QB, but an injury derailed him part of the way through the season, and the team almost never got back into the playoff hunt at 7-5, losers of three in a row to the Colts, Ravens and Bengals. The run game was led by a young guy no one knew much about – Willie Parker. He had a huge first couple of games, and ended up being the best back on the roster along with Bettis and Deuce Staley, who both had injuries. Hines Ward and rookie TE Heath Miller both had good seasons, along with Antwaan Randel-El.

Defense: The “D” was stingy as usual, holding teams to 16.1 points per game, third in the league. They showed how good they could be in the four game stretch to end the year, when they held teams to 9, 3, and 0 in wins over the Bears, Vikings and Browns. Joey Porter had 10.5 sacks, and Clark Haggans had 9 sacks. The secondary was led by Chris Hope and Troy Polamalu, and it was the play of #43 that led the team into the postseason. A defense that never got the credit it deserved.

Super Bowl XLIII Team – 2008 Season: Mike Tomlin’s crew ran through the toughest schedule in the regular season, winning 12 of 16 games. Ben Roethlisberger again played at a high level, and the defense was the best in the league, with James Harrison, Troy Polamalu and LaMarr Woodely playing lights out all season. They stayed humble, grounded, and never lost sight of the prize. They beat the Ravens three times, something that paved the way for a win in Tampa over the Cardinals 27-23.

Offense: Roethlisberger threw for 3300 yards, 17 TD’s and 15 picks. He had a better year in 2007, but the team lost in the first round to the Jaguars. This time around, they were healthier, had a better ground game with Parker and Mewelde Moore, and Hines Ward, Santonio Holmes and Nate Washington all made some big plays throughout the season. The issues had a lot to do with an O-line that allowed 49 sacks during the season.

Defense: Tomlin told the crew before the final drive vs the Cardinals that a win and it would go down as a “legendary defense,” and it was. Harrison was the player of the year, while Polamalu and Woodley were both studs all season. The linebackers never stopped pressuring the QB and stopping the run, and the secondary was good enough to get the job done. If the 2010 team wins the bowl, many will compare the unit of 08 to 10, and I still give a slight nod to the 08 team.

Now, for my rankings:

1. Super Bowl X Team – 1975 Season
2. Super Bowl XIII Team - 1978 Season
3. Super Bowl XLIII Team - 2008 Season
4. Super Bowl XIV Team – 1979 Season
5. Super Bowl IX Team - 1974 Season
6. Super Bowl XL Team – 2005 Season

With the Super Bowl not even in conclusion yet, and only the Senior Bowl to go off of, I've nevertheless decided to do some predicting of the Miami Dolphins off-season. Let's just say I've got the draft itch. I've always been a big draft guy, and personally think draft day is a bigger event than free agency. So let's delve into the possibilities for the Dolphins off-season, take a look at what positions they will be looking to upgrade, and my reasonings behind my picks.

The Positions of Need:

Let's be honest here, most of the upgrades that our team needs come on the offensive side of the ball. General manager Jeff Ireland admittedly said that no more than one member of the R&R Express will be back next season, if any of them will be. That means running back is right at the top of the list of needs the Dolphins will look to address this off-season.  With the Dolphins looking for two new starters, I cannot imagine that Lex Hilliard will be back next year either, although Miami has carried four RB's in the past.

To compliment the new backfield the Dolphins will also need to go out and find themselves a speed threat at wide receiver. While the Fins are currently set at receivers, going three deep already with Brandon Marshall, Brian Hartline and Davone Bess, they still need that one guy that can make the safety play over the top coverage.

Of course, to allow the quarterback to have enough time to get the ball to that deep threat, the line will have to be solidified, mostly by adding a left guard, and yet another right tackle/right guard to groom for the future. John Jerry did not have the best rookie year last season, and Vernon Carey's stats suffered when he was forced to cover for Jerry's mishaps during the game. This can't happen again this year, because Chad Henne calling for max-protection every snap just won't cut it in the NFL.

Last, but certainly not least the Dolphins will look for an athletic tight end to stretch the field. They used to run the 2 tight end sets to perfection back in 2008 with Chad Pennington, Anthony Fasano, and David Martin running the show. Now Pennington and Martin are gone and the Dolphins are looking for a tight end who can be a vertical threat.

The Draft Strategy:

With the draft coming first this year, in the case of the likely lockout, we'll take a look at that first.

Let's first address the topic of trading down a few spots in the first round. Really is there any reason to stand pat at pick #15? What value are we going to get there? Mark Ingram? No thank you. While he is drawing some comparisons to Emmit Smith, I just do not trust taking a running back at #15 who had a down senior season, and while there are better value picks later on in the draft.

So I think we will do much of the same thing that the front office did last year, trade down 10-12 spots, and garner a second round pick.

But here is where I think things will get interesting. I already saw this idea somewhere on the web, and I have to say I agree with it 100%. With the Dolphins not really getting any bang for buck if you will in the 1st round at a position of need, why not keep trading back and notching themselves more draft picks? Perhaps even another first round pick next year? I think we might see the Dolphins trade out of the first round, so as not to reach for anyone, and take their guys in the 2nd round with multiple picks.

So with that being said I think this is who we'll target in the draft, and all just so happen to fill positions of need, with one exception:

Click HERE to read the rest

Now that Bengaldom has been granted our Christmas wish (a month later) and Bratkowski has been canned, the next move is to speculate on who could be taking over.  Joe Reedy has some options that should be of a surprise to no one.  No offense to the Bengals or Reedy, but there's no "outside the box" thinking here.

Internal candidates include Ken Zampese and Mike Sheppard.  Zampese arguably deserves a shot at it having interviewed for OC positions with other teams over the last few years.  He has a good working relationship with Palmer (so we think), and would ensure that the offensive terminology and basic fundamentals would remain the same. Word is that Zampese took over the offensive play-calling from Brat at the Senior Bowl after the South took a 17-0 halftime lead.  The North scored 10 points in the second half.  Sheppard has a long history with Lewis going back 26 years, and he has OC experience, most recently in New Orleans.

Analysis: Neither of these guys in my view is close to a sure bet and neither will likely inspire the fanbase, Carson Palmer, or Cedric Benson.  It's no wonder the team is talking outside candidates.

Outside Candidates that Reedy mentions are Jeremy Bates, Norm Chow, Mike Heimerdinger, Brad Childress, and Jim Zorn.  Bates has only one year of play-calling experience, and has been said to grate players.  Chow might get Palmer's vote as he coached him at USC and was a record-setting OC at the college level, but could not replicate that success in the NFL and is back in the collegiate ranks at Utah. Heimerdinger's success was tepid at best, and Zorn and Childress have head coaching experience, but are more QB coach than Offensive Coordinator.  Neither has a track record as a play-caller.

Analysis:  While these may seem more appealing than the internal group, there's nothing to get excited about here.  I say keep looking

How about some people not mentioned?  People who aren't getting play for head coaching candidacies and may be willing to take an OC job for a year or two to get their names back in the mix?  Guys like:

• Brian Billick: The former Super Bowl winning coach for Baltimore was the offensive coordinator of Minnesota's record-breaking offense in the late 90?s with Randall Cunningham, Randy Moss, and Cris Carter. He was able to adapt to a more run-heavy attack in Baltimore that won it all in 2000.  Marvin Lewis was his defensive coordinator, so they have a working relationship there.
• Steve Mariucci: Sure, the guy didn't succeed in Detroit, but then who does?  He had great success as the head man in San Francisco, and mentored guys like Steve Young and Brett Favre.

Barring those names, the team should look long and hard at assistants on high-powered offenses at both the NFL and collegiate level, particularly the staffs in New Orleans, Indianapolis, Green Bay, New England, and Philadelphia.

All the sudden, it looks like Maurkice Pouncey isn’t so “out” for Sunday after all. At media day Tuesday in Dallas, Steelers coach Mike Tomlin would not rule out his Pro Bowl rookie center, and Pouncey himself told Deon Sanders of NFL Network that he plans on playing.

“In my mind right now it’s stuck on playing, I am preparing the right way to play the Green Bay Packers,” Pouncey told Sanders. “We’ll see how it goes.”

Pouncey has a high left ankle sprain, and needed crutches to walk down the steps from the team's charter flight in Dallas Monday wearing a bulky walking boot on his left foot.

“I’ve been doing a lot of ice and stuff,” the center said. “I took the cast off yesterday and hopefully I will be on the bike today moving around a lot better.”

“Most likely about 75 (percent chance of playing) to 25 (not playing) percent,” Pouncey said. “You all stay tuned Sunday night, hopefully Pouncey will be out there.”

"We've been very aggressive in terms of treating it," Tomlin said. "We've even been putting it in hard casts and so forth. Just trying to do everything in our power to give him the best opportunity to participate. I don't know what his chances are at this point."

According to media reports, Pouncey also has a broken bone in the ankle—a report Tomlin would neither confirm nor deny.

"I'm sure it could be characterized as that," Tomlin said vaguely. "I'm sure I've got something floating around in my ankle. The issue that's keeping him from participating is the high ankle sprain."