As I predicted last year and sure others haave also knew LJ wou;d not be tossed the rock for thr 2007 season.. 2005-2006 LJ was the man. Can honectyly say that the hold out ws NOT a positive choice for LJ.
"752 combined carries in 2005 and 2006 – including 11 30-carry games, before a prolonged contract holdout and broken foot broke the needle" off the record.0
I truly stand behind this statement here from “Larry is not going to carry the ball 40 times. He’ll be lucky to get 30.”
e.”“I remember when he went out with the injury last year,” Bowe said. “Everything changed. All of the sudden we were seeing a lot of Cover 2. They (opponents) used to have all these guys in the box, and the next thing you know, they were throwing an extra guy on one of the skill players like me or Tony (Gonzalez). It made a differenc
Matt Ryan is obviously not an option for the Ravens considering
Tom Brady, Matt Hasselbeck and seven other starters in the NFL weren't Day One picks during the NFL Draft. Scout.com's Ed Thompson fills you in on the current QBs who weren't perceived as future starters but still made it happen. And he points out five from this class who could join that group someday.
This year's draft includes Boston College's Matt Ryan, Louisville's Brian Brohm, Michigan's Chad Henne, and Delaware's Joe Flacco as the most likely young quarterbacks to be picked during the first two rounds of the draft. And some of them will undoubtedly be leading an NFL club's offense in years to come.
Jacksonville's David Garrard, who finished third in the league with a quarterback rating of 102.2 was a fourth-round draft pick. Rams quarterback Marc Bulger was the second pick in the sixth round by the Saints back in 2000.
And take a look at this trio of quarterbacks who weren't even deemed to be worthy of a regular pick in the sixth round. Their teams waited to use a compensatory pick in the sixth round to add them to their teams. Tom Brady, who finished first in completion percent, passing yards, quarterback rating and who threw an NFL-record 50 touchdown passes in 2007 was the 33rd player selected in the sixth round of the 2000 NFL Draft. Seattle's Matt Hasselbeck was picked up with a compensatory pick by the Green Bay Packers at No. 34 in the sixth round of the 1998 draft. The Browns' Derek Anderson was the 39th pick in the sixth round of the 2005 draft by the Baltimore Ravens.
Dallas' Tony Romo, Tampa Bay's Jeff Garcia, Arizona's Kurt Warner and Detroit's Jon Kitna never heard their names called from the podium during NFL Draft weekend. They worked their way up through the ranks as undrafted free agents.
So who are some of the Day 2 prospects who could be starters of the future?
Career Numbers: 56.3 percent completion average, 5,230 passing yards, 31 TDs, 18 INTs. 216 yards rushing and 1 rushing TDs.
What you'll like about him: Morelli has a strong arm and a quick release that will serve him well at the next level. He's confident in his abilities as a quarterback and isn't afraid to stay in the pocket and take a big hit right after releasing the ball if it buys him the extra moment he needed to complete the pass. Durable and competitive, Morelli's a determined player with good size for the position at the pro level.
What could hold him back: He tries to force balls into tight coverage on occasion, more than likely due to his understandable confidence in his arm strength. Since he's not very mobile, he needs to be protected by a very solid offensive line or he can be forced into making bad decisions under pressure.
Career Numbers: 70.4 percent completion average, 14,193 passing yards, 131 TDs, 42 INTs. 1,065 yards rushing and 15 rushing TDs.
What you'll like about him: Brennan's mobility and accuracy makes a compelling case for his potential success at the pro level. He makes good reads while rolling out and has a good sense for when to just tuck the ball and run instead. Brennan is another cool customer who can shake off a bad play or a tough game with ease and focuses well on what lies ahead. That outlook, along with his unbridled enthusiasm for playing the game, should serve him well at the pro level. Particularly sharp out of the shotgun, Brennan has the arm strength and the touch on the ball to increase his odds of getting the ball to his intended target..
What could hold him back: Questions still abound regarding his physical strength and ability to hold up under the pounding of speedier, heavier defensive linemen who will be putting a bulls eye on his chest. Some also question his throwing motion.
Tulsa quarterback Paul Smith gets ready to throw to a receiver. (AP Photo/David Crenshaw)
Career Numbers: 62.5 percent completion average, 10,924 passing yards, 83 TDs, 35 INTs. 1,155 yards rushing and 28 rushing TDs.
What you'll like about him: He's smart and truly understands the game of football. A real Xs-and-Os quarterback, Smith is a mature individual who is truly driven and strides for excellence. When you watch his mechanics from the time he takes the snap, you'll see a quarterback who operates with a pro-caliber smoothness in the pocket. Smith can pick apart a defense with his short- and medium-range passes and he's also able to hurt his opponent with his quick feet.
What could hold him back: His long-ball accuracy and size have been raised as possible issues, but neither is likely to have a major impact on his ability to lead an offense effectively. For those who may have forgotten, 49ers legendary quarterback Joe Montana was only 6-foot-2 and weighed 205 pounds.
Career Numbers: 57.7 percent completion average, 7,689 passing yards, 46 TDs, 34 INTs. 1,330 yards rushing and 19 rushing TDs.
What you'll like about him: He's cool, he's unflappable. Athletic and fast for a quarterback of his size, O'Connell has shown a good propensity for working through his progressions, making sure that he finds the open receiver rather than forcing the ball to a favorite target repeatedly. And while he's adjusting to the speed of the NFL game he can effectively use his feet to gain yardage if he can't find an open receiver quickly enough.
What could hold him back: O'Connell hasn't yet developed the consistency and accuracy that you'd expect for a future NFL passer. But with the right coaching, he should be able to make strides in those areas.
Mark Nicolet, Hillsdale
6-1, 220 pounds
Career Numbers: 59.4 percent completion average, 6,778 passing yards, 49 TDs, 24 INTs. 710 yards rushing and 9 rushing TDs.
What you'll like about him: He's got lots of raw potential and is still progressing as a quarterback, as evidenced by the fact that 3,335 of his passing yards and 31 of his passing touchdowns were amassed during his senior season. Nicolet's maturity, leadership and field intelligence have caught the eye of NFL scouts as he's got many of the intangibles a coach needs from the leader of his offense. Nicolet has a strong presence as a pocket passer and doesn't get rattled by pressure.
What could hold him back: His lack of top-level competition will make his learning curve more difficult, especially in regards to the speed of the defense. Nicolet will see defensive backs close on his passes more quickly than he's ever experienced. And he'll need his poise in the pocket as faster, bigger defensive linemen bear down on him.
The year 2007 has been a much volatile roller coaster ride, not only in the NFL. Baseball has had the steroid situation. Oval office having pedophilia scandal. NE Patriots accused of cheating. If what NE did was in fact considered cheating then yes, they should be punished. Not with an asteric .
With one mighty heave, Tom Brady and Randy Moss took care of the record books. Now it's down to business for the unbeaten New England Patriots: stamping themselves as the greatest team in NFL history.
The Patriots completed a perfect if somewhat joyless journey through the regular season Saturday night, finishing with a remarkable 16-0 record following a thrilling 38-35 comeback victory over the New York Giants.
New England became the first NFL team since the 1972 Dolphins to win every game on the schedule, and that one was only 14-0. This victory required a comeback from a 12-point deficit engineered by the brilliant Brady, and smashed the Patriots' league mark for consecutive victories.
Validation of their inexorable march through the season can only come by adding a Super Bowl championship, their fourth of the decade. Do that and there'll be no challenge to their spot at the top.
Mayweather, who has rechristened himself as “Money,” plans to take the leap in to the world of Hip-Hop as a rapper, and he’s got the biggest knock-out artist in his corner, 50 Cent. In addition to ghostwriting, Mayweather says 50 Cent is a friend who has been supportive of his stellar boxing career. He’s confident enough to spit raps for all to judge and ballsy enough to ballroom dance in front of millions of scrutinizing eyes – go figure.
There’s a good reason for the one formerly known as “Pretty Boy” to assert his dominance in such a brash manner. The Hip-Hop pugilist is generally regarded as the best pound-for-pound boxer in the world with 38 wins, 24 of which ended in knock out. Before he can get to record his rap album, he’s got to contend with another extremely confident, unbeaten champ named Ricky “The Hitman” Hatton of Britain (43 wins, 31knockouts).He faces Hatton tonight (Dec. 8) on pay-per-view, but Mayweather says his opponent has as much chance of winning as Ice Man has in Hell. That’s convinced.
In Las Vegas, at 24 Hour Fitness Gym, Floyd “Money” Mayweather rolled out his blueprint to AllHipHop.com and unveiled his plans to work with 50 Cent, offered a listen to his new song “Yep” and explained how he is going to fight his way into entertainment like he’s done with boxing.
-Intro by Chuck “Jigsaw” Creekmur
AllHipHop.com:So, Floyd you officially dropped the moniker “Pretty Boy” and replaced it with “Money.”
Floyd Mayweather: Pretty Boy Floyd isn’t my name any more—they keep calling me that. But my name is Floyd “Money” Mayweather. It’s Money Mayweather, until the day I die. When you say the Mayweather name, it’s about money. When you’re talking Mayweather, you’re talking money.
AllHipHop.com: Recently you were a participant in the ABC Network series “Dancing With The Stars” and got eliminated in the fourth round, what was that experience like?
Floyd Mayweather: Well, it had me upset at first but I got over it. It was a great experience. I wish I could do it again, but I’m told they only let you do it once. My advisor Leonard Ellerbe worked on that deal for over a year. It was an amazing show. I was basically letting people from the urban communities know that it’s okay to step outside the box and try something different. Everything isn’t always based upon Hip-Hop and R&B. I’m not too hardcore to go on “Dancing With The Stars.” I’m not afraid to go on network television every week and expose myself to a different audience consisting of 20 or 30 million viewers and not have to be on pay-per-view to do it.
AllHipHop.com: You recently had a meeting with Barack Obama, how did that go?
Floyd Mayweather: I can’t talk about it because it was confidential. No disrespect. I can’t discuss what we spoke about. The HBO crew was with me filming “24/7” and they had to turn the cameras off. But, I can say this. It was great to see a man who comes from the same background as me doing such big things. I am encouraging voters from the ages of 18-34 to get out there and vote.
AllHipHop.com:Speaking of big things, you recently showed off your house on TV - pretty impressive.
Floyd Mayweather: When I first moved to Vegas I lived on Flamingo and Cobalt Lane at the Meridian. It was a luxury apartment. I was sitting on about half a million. When Tupac was murdered it occurred on the corner where I lived. The crib I have now is 12,000 square feet and everything is paid for. The majority of the cars are paid for. A couple of them we lease just to keep our credit right, but we don’t have to. The last Maybach (62) I bought I spent 411 thousand, cash. The McClaren I spent half million cash on. Whatever I want I go out there and buy. I’m not a rapper who’s on an album talking about it. You got a lot of rappers that just talk about it. But me, I really live it. Not to knock what rappers talk about. But, I really own my own my 12,000 square-foot mansion. I really own these cars. All of this stuff is paid for. I really got eight figures liquid cash. I’m not far from $100 million—at all.
AllHipHop.com: So how’s everything working out with your record label, Philthy Rich Records.
Floyd Mayweather: With my record label Philthy Rich Records what we’re trying to do is scout talent and get them deals with major labels. As far as signing rappers to a deal—it just don’t work like that anymore. Rappers are not loyal at all! My history goes back to the first rapper I signed, Dirt Bomb. He was underground. He couldn’t accept the fact that labels didn’t want to take him because his music was too underground. He just couldn’t take it. He went on about his business and we went on about our business. We have H-Flo from Cleveland, Ohio and Baggz Lombardi from Atlantic City, NJ signed to us. They’re exceptional rappers. Earl Hayes is another rapper who we spent tons of money on. He signed with Dr. Dre and Interscope. Dr. Dre and Interscope are not good business men, but great business men. We’re interested in helping Chilli from TLC get her project out there. She got one hell of a project. She’s also a close friend of mine.
AllHipHop.com: I came across your rap video on the internet. Since when did you start rapping?
Floyd Mayweather: I don’t call it rapping. I call it s**t talking. I got too much money to be a rapper. You saw it. It wasn’t nothing but a freestyle on there. I was playing around. I had a Floyd Mayweather weekend. A DJ from Atlanta came out here. He brought his guy out here that had a camcorder. He asked me if it was alright if he recorded some of me partying and talking for a youtube contest. I said, ‘No problem!’ I told him I just wanted to see it first. He agreed. The next thing you know this guy went out there and made up any type of video that he wanted to make up and went put it up on youtube. I was highly upset, because we got plans on shooting a real video for the song.
AllHipHop.com:Ok, so tell me about the song?
Floyd Mayweather: It’s called "Yep," some people spell it "Yup." However you wanna spell it is how you spell it. Everything I’m taking about on the song is real. The hook goes like this, “1 to the 2, 2 to the 3, these hating ass niggas can’t fuck with me. It’s like 4 to the 5, 5 to the 6, these hatin’ ass niggas all in my mix.” I’m sticking to the basic ABCs and 123s. I’m not trying to go all outside the box. I’m talking about what’s real and what I really got. It’s no fronting where I come from. I come from the Southeast Side [of Grand Rapids, Michigan].
AllHipHop.com:I know you have referred to 50 Cent as one of your best friends. Did he have any influence on your decision to rap or shit talk?
Floyd Mayweather: Well, I’m pretty sure he’s going to be in the video for my single. If not that doesn’t change our friendship. 50 Cent is an icon in the Hip-Hop world just as I am in the sport of boxing. I look at myself as an entertainer. I don’t want to label myself as just a fighter. Just being an A-lister and talking with 50 Cent, he’s very intelligent and he’s one hell of a business man. 50 Cent heard my song and told me, ‘Floyd I thought you was going to be bull shittin’ with the music. But after hearing your song, you can really do this.’ It made me feel good. Now I’m ready to o go out there and shit talk, trash talk or whatever they want to call it. I’m not a rapper. I got to much money to be a rapper.
(See, Money Mayweather’s “Yep” and continue reading below the video as the story continues.)
In honor of the Saints, I might have to break out these black and gold beauties on February 25 in New Orleans.
Zero's Back with a Brand New Edition
I know this is what a lot of people have been waiting for. For all the shoeheads out there, allow me to introduce you to the adidas GiIIZero. I was calling them the Gil 20s, because that's how it's pronounced, but when you go to buy them in the store (which I know you will) it will say GilIIZero on the box. I just wanted to clear that up so you don't get confused and think Boyz II Men has a shoe or something.
There are going to be 20 different versions of my shoe next year. Most of them are limited editions. I have 18 different color ways and then two 'inline' versions, you know, that meet all the uniform standards of David Stern and the NBA.
GilIIZero Release Dates
1
Scores for Schools
Foundation Kickoff Event
That's my foundation that I have in D.C. I give $100 for every point I score at home.
2
Cust0mize
vs. Warriors
Nov. 23, 2007
B Diddy will like these.
3
Agent Zero
vs. Cavs
Dec. 5, 2007
When LeBron comes to town, my feet will be ready.
4
Vote for Gilbert
vs. Suns
Dec. 7, 2007
That's for Vitamin Water. It's a whole little campaign we're doing.
5
NBA LIVE 08
@ Heat
Dec. 13, 2007
This is my first away shoe. Coming out right in time for the holidays. I might push the release date up though because the game comes out on October 2.
6
DC Football
vs. Heat
Dec. 29, 2007
That shoe is coming out on a Saturday, and it's inspired by the Redskins. That's for all the Redskins fans because they play the Cowboys on the following day, a Sunday.
The game is coming out on September 25, so maybe we'll move this release date up.
9
Black President
@ Suns
Feb. 10, 2008
I got 54 against Steve Nash last year, so you know I'm going to come out with a shoe in Phoenix.
10
Looney Tunes - BUGS
@ Warriors
Feb. 11, 2008
This is coming out only in kids sizes. So all infants and boys under the age of 10, this is for you. This one is for my son.
11
Looney Tunes - TWEETY
@ Clippers
Feb. 13, 2008
This one is also only in kids sizes and is for my daughter and other little girls.
12
SLAM Magazine
@ Knicks
Feb. 19, 2008
New York Citaayyy.
13
THREEZERO
@ Rockets
Feb. 26, 2008
This is a company that's in Asia that makes toys. So they're going to have a a 24" vinyl figure toy of me with the shoe and it's going to be released in China. So this shoe is going to come out in Houston vs. Yao.
14
Cuba
@ Heat
Mar. 21, 2008
I know a lot of people don't know, but I'm mixed with a little bit of Cuban, so this is for all the Cubanos. I'll also wear it in Chicago, because there are a lot of Cubans in Chicago. I don't know how, but trust me, there are.
15
Channel Zero
@ Blazers
Mar. 25, 2008
This is the 'Don't watch me, watch TV' shoe. Greg Oden is out, so Portland might get that taken away from them. They might get it taken away, I'm not sure. Portland fans, that's a question mark. I'm sorry. It's a nice-looking shoe too. I might have to switch it. That might become Denver with A.I. and Carmelo. We'll see.
16
Gilwood
@ Lakers
Mar. 30, 2008
This is the first time I'm going back to L.A. since that 60-pointer. So those colors are the Lakers colors.
This is the Benihana collab. Time for you all to decide. Should I drop this shoe in Boston, Chicago, Cleveland, Memphis, Orlando or Philadelphia? Tell me what city should get it.
The Background Story
This was a concept that adidas came up with last spring after I wore a special edition shoe on a West Coast trip when I hit the game winner against Seattle. Everybody was asking me like, 'Where did you get those from?' I was like, 'Yeah, they're mine. They're a one-of-one. They're a special edition that I just have. They're not out in stores.' So I gave that pair to one of the ball kids in L.A. at the Clippers game, and that was the end of that.
I was a little surprised that Google receives over 3,000 job applications per day (almost 1.1 million per year), but after I saw the little presentation I understand why.
The newest track from the Nov, 9th release from the HOV' himself Hova,Jigga,Jigga man, J to the Z, the names/abrevations you see 7 words back are all names Jay Z answers too these days.
The high violant city of Baltimore is where Jigga himself has decided to start the 6 city tour. Ram's Head Live
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