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Anquan Boldin Will Play Saturday At Carolina!

By Eli Wahlstrom | January 7, 2009 | The Cardinals Report

I'm not trying to be misleading with my title, I'm just saying I firmly believe Anquan Boldin is going to play Saturday against the Carolina Panthers. Karlos Dansby and Bertrand Berry think he will also. On Monday Dansby was on Late Hits with Howard David and Gil Brandt on Sirius NFL and talked about Boldin's status."He's a warrior, man. He's going to be fine," Dansby said. "Like they said, he just tweaked it a little bit. I told him the today when I saw him in the training room, I was laughing, I said, 'Man, that's the fastest I've ever seen you run.' . . . In my five years being here that's the fastest I've ever seen him run."I get the opportunity to check him every Wednesday [in practice] and he tries to run the seam route on me every time and he don't run that fast, you know...

Read more | Discuss | Tags: Arizona Cardinals, carolina panthers

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

By Dat Roro Kid | January 7, 2009 | Fins Nation

= So it seems that if we're to believe this report, Carl Peterson - the organizational blood sucking vamp - will NOT be joining our beloved and blessed Dolphins. THANK YOU GOD!!! THANK YOU MEGAN FOX!!!! THANK YOU BIG TITIES THE WORLD OVER!!! THANK YOU MONSTER SQUAD!!! THANK YOU RYAN LAMBERT AND VIRR-GIN!!!! WOOOOOWEEEEEEEEE!!!! ...

Read more | 6 Comments | Tags: feasting on football organizations since 1988, Miami Dolphins, Monster Squad, NO VAMPIRES, Now we need to hear from The Cockpuncher himself, Scraps, Send him back into the swirling wormhole with Van Helsing, vlah!

Brett Favre, you owe us here in NY...

By Ronnie Shumake | January 7, 2009 | The Cockpit

Even with the brutal ending to the season, I am sure that I am not the only one who feels this way. If you really look at the situation and consider our other options for next year, there are some fans and I am sure some of the players can agree. Brett Favre should come back one more year and give it his all. That pre game huddle before the Miami game was quite lame Brett. You can do better. Let's look at the situation in it's totality. We had an accurate QB who knew the system and players. Our owner and GM felt like getting an aged, future hall of famer would make us a more dangerous team to get into the playoffs. So the night before our first pre-season game, we hear the news that a trade has been made. We all suffered through what has to be one of...

Read more | 2 Comments | Tags: AFC, AFC East, New York Jets

A Band-Aid ain't gonna fix this!

By Ronnie Shumake | January 7, 2009 | The Cockpit

With the free fall collapse of the team to end the season and subsequent firing of Eric Mangini, the last two weeks here in NYC have been dominated with talk of the Jet situation. Who will coach the team? Will Brett Favre return? I can tell you this much, the team definitely dropped the ball on getting Bill Cowher. He would have been the perfect fit for this franchise which is in desparate need of it's own identity. Cowher has a Super Bowl Championship, so he is an elite coach. If you have not heard the interview with him given here on WFAN this week, in a nutshell, he wanted to speak with Woody Johnson directly and was told that he was on vacation. I suspect that he wanted some idea in terms of contract numbers and also where the ownership's mindset is at. Also, Cowher is contractually obligated to CBS for one...

Read more | Discuss | Tags: AFC, AFC East, Miami, New York Jets, NFL

Ravens Punish Dolphins

By Pete1020 | January 7, 2009 | Community

The Baltimore Ravens came into Miami and punished the Dolphins, bringing their fairy tale season to an end Sunday afternoon. Behind an inspiring defensive effort the Ravens took care of the Dolphins 27-9. Ed Reed's phenomenal game and playmaking ability...

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No one ever said you had to be intelligent to be a fan of the Detroit Lions

By Big Al | January 7, 2009 | The Wayne Fontes Experience

As seen on Deadspin, via FOX 2: Lions Fan Gets 0-16 TattooOne question. WHY? Let's make it two. What in the HELL is the matter with you? Talk about INSTANT buyers remorse. (If the tat wearer happens to be a reader of TWFE, cool! But you are still a simpleton.)...

Read more | 1 Comment | Tags: Detroit, Detroit Lions, NFL

Total Titans Q&A exchange with a Ravens writer

By Andrew Strickert | January 7, 2009 | Total Titans

Titans fans, I'll be asking one of the writers from Ravens Roost, MVN's Baltimore Ravens site, to participate in a question and answer exchange with us about this week's game. Total Titans readers, what are your questions for a Ravens blogger? What would you like to know about them from their point of view?...

Read more | Discuss | Tags: NFL, Playoffs, postseason, Tennessee Titans, Titans

Just as I'm ready to add Mitch Albom to the TWFE hit list...

By Big Al | January 7, 2009 | The Wayne Fontes Experience

the Little Fella reminds me he can still hit the ball out of the park...when he puts his mind to it. From this week's Sports Illustrated..."The Courage of Detroit"Damn it! Every once in a great while Albom channels the columnist I once thought was the best in the country. Too bad we rarely see that columnist anymore....

Read more | 2 Comments | Tags: Detroit, Detroit Lions, Detroit Pistons, Detroit Red Wings, Detroit Tigers, Mitch Albom

NFL Rumor Mill: Gilbride, Parcells, Mike Smith

By Greg Trippiedi | January 5, 2009 | MVN Outsider

EaglesChick.com/Flickr.com

The Oakland Raiders have contacted Giants Offensive Coordinator Kevin Gilbride regarding the teams' coaching opening. Former Raider coach Tom Cable could not save his job by winning two games at the end of the season over an 8 win and a 9 win team respectively. Four of the five Raider wins came over non-losing teams, which certainly did not go unnoticed by Al Davis. My question is this: is the Raiders firing their head coach no longer news worthy? Tom Cable's dismissal was basically unreported by the national media. Gilbride has done a good job, and makes a lot of sense for the team that the Raiders want to be. Bill Parcells will be staying with the Miami Dolphins, according to Wayne Huizenga. Reports from ESPN's Chris Mortensen, among others, referred to a clause in Parcells' deal with the Dolphins that he could opt out of his contract and receive...

Read more | 2 Comments | Tags: Atlanta Falcons, Miami Dolphins, NFL, Oakland Raiders, Philadelphia Eagles, San Diego Chargers

NFL Power Rankings: Ranking the 12 Playoff Teams

By Greg Trippiedi | January 4, 2009 | MVN Outsider

Knowing the outcome of Saturday's games makes this a bit tougher to do, because I have to act like I don't know the outcomes of those games to rank the 12 teams pre playoffs. It would be easy to put Atlanta or Indy on bottom, but I had both teams reaching the round of eight. So, with that in mind, here's how MVN saw the Playoff Power Poll as of yesterday.1. Pittsburgh SteelersThe Steelers never led the MVN Power Rankings in any week but they are the most battle-tested, injury resistant team in the post season. Ben Roethlisberger had his best month in December, and figures to play in the AFC Divisional round coming off a concussion, but even if backup Byron Leftwich has to play, the Steelers might be in even better hands.2. Tennessee TitansHard to say how effective DT Albert Haynesworth and DE Kyle Vanden Bosch will be...

Read more | Discuss | Tags: Arizona Cardinals, Atlanta Falcons, Baltimore Ravens, Carolina Panthers, Indianapolis Colts, Miami Dolphins, Minnesota Vikings, New York Giants, NFL, Philadelphia Eagles, Pittsburgh Steelers, power rankings, San Diego Chargers, Tennessee Titans

NFL Top Ten: Best 2009 Teams not in the 2008 Playoffs

By Greg Trippiedi | January 3, 2009 | MVN Outsider

There will be a bunch of teams in the tournament next year that aren't right now. Seven teams in the 2008 playoffs were not there in 2007. Which non-playoff teams have the best chance of making it next year? MVN's NFL Top Ten investigates:10. Dallas CowboysDallas has a lot of problems that will prevent them from significantly improving in the offseason, but you have to look at the roster right now as one that can compete for a playoff spot. Who knows whether they can improve on offense in 2009? The offensive line and the protection schemes have serious issues, and it's possible the two best receivers on the team don't even start, but Tony Romo is going to continue to be Tony Romo, and the team will have a three headed rushing attack it can lean on next year. The defense can be the type of defense it showed...

Read more | 1 Comment | Tags: Buffalo Bills, Cincinnati Bengals, Cleveland Browns, Dallas Cowboys, Green Bay Packers, Houston Texans, Jacksonville Jaguars, New England Patriots, New Orleans Saints, NFL, Washington Redskins

MVN Previews the NFL's Wild Card Round

By Anthony Hall | January 2, 2009 | MVN Outsider

To preview the four games slated for this weekend's Wild Card Round of the NFL Playoffs, MVN asked a variety of bloggers who cover the teams involved to chime in with a few quick thoughts on their game and a prediction...Atlanta at Arizona:Saturday's late game marks the return to the playoffs for two teams that have been suffering from postseason drought. The 11-5 Atlanta Falcons have not seen a week 18 game since 2004 and the 9-7 Arizona Cardinals haven't been past the regular season since 1998. While the Cards come in as NFC West Division Champs, don't think for a second that they are the stronger team. Limping past Seattle this past Sunday after being slaughtered by the Patriots the prior week, the Cards aren't the team to be reckoned with this Wild Card weekend. That distinction goes to the NFC's hottest team, the Falcons. Riding a three game...

Read more | Discuss | Tags: Arizona Cardinals, Atlanta Falcons, Baltimore Ravens, Indianapolis Colts, Miami Dolphins, Minnesota Vikings, NFL, Philadelphia Eagles, San Diego Chargers

NFL Playoff Preview: Can the NFL's Best Hold Off the Up-and-Comers?

By Greg Trippiedi | January 2, 2009 | MVN Outsider

When we look at the 12 team NFL playoff field, I think we can separate the teams into three categories: The Elite, The Sideshow, and the Atlanta Falcons.The Elite Teams (in no specific order)Baltimore Ravens, Pittsburgh Steelers, Philadelphia Eagles, New York Giants, Tennessee Titans, and Carolina PanthersThe SideshowIndianapolis Colts, San Diego Chargers, Minnesota Vikings, Arizona Cardinals, and Miami DolphinsAnd,Atlanta FalconsThis will probably be the most competitive playoff bracket the NFL has seen in years. There are six teams to beat, not the one elite team that we have seen lose in years past. I'll tell you right up front that I have no dog in this fight, as all of the teams I cover have been eliminated through regular season battles.After two rounds of playoff games, you can expect to see two or more of the elite teams in play, one or fewer of the sideshow teams, and maybe or...

Read more | Discuss | Tags: Atlanta Falcons, Baltimore Ravens, Carolina Panthers, New York Giants, NFL Playoffs, Philadelphia Eagles, Pittsburgh Steelers, Tennessee Titans

Fantasy Football: Looking Ahead to 2009-Third-Year WRs

By Brad Berreman | December 30, 2008 | MVN Outsider

A common theory in fantasy football is that wide receivers tend to emerge in their third NFL season. Some recent examples include Cleveland's Braylon Edwards (2007) and Denver's Brandon Marshall (2008). With that in mind, here's a look at some notable WRs that will be in their third NFL season in 2009. 1. Calvin Johnson, Detroit Lions- Despite the disfunction in Detroit, Johnson had a terrific 2008 season. He had 78 receptions for 1,331 yards and 12 touchdowns. Imagine what he could do if he had consistent QB play. The potential upside is huge. 2. Dwayne Bowe, Kansas City Chiefs- Bowe followed up a solid rookie season with 86 catches for over 1,000 yards and seven touchdowns in 2008. If the Chiefs can find a competent QB of the future, he should continue to post nice numbers for years to come. 3. Anthony Gonzalez, Indianapolis Colts- Gonzalez had a somewhat...

Read more | 1 Comment | Tags: Anthony Gonzalez, Arizona Cardinals, Calvin Johson, Detroit Lions, Dwayne Bowe, Fantasy, Fantasy Football, Fantasy Outsider, Indianapolis Colts, Kansas City Chiefs, Minnesota Vikings, New Orleans Saints, New York Giants, Oakland Raiders

NFL Power Rankings Week 17: Some of the League's Best Will be Left Out of Playoffs

By Greg Trippiedi | December 28, 2008 | MVN Outsider

The final rendition of the MVN NFL Power Rankings will (attempt at least) try to credit teams for a season well done, even if we expect their season to come to an end this week. The disparity of talent on the teams in the playoff may have never been as strong as it will be this year. Denver and Arizona might both host home playoff games, and neither of those teams are worthy of being ranked in the top 20. Meanwhile, let's give it up to teams like the Eagles, Buccaneers, Bears, Patriots, Saints, and Redskins. While all those teams will need help to make the tournament, all of those teams could have been Super Bowl contenders in years' past. This year just happens to be the year of the very good teams, which should make for an exciting tournament with no clear cut favorite.1. Tennessee TitansThe Titans are the...

Read more | Discuss | Tags: Atlanta Falcons, Baltimore Ravens, Carolina Panthers, New York Giants, NFL, Pittsburgh Steelers, power rankings, Tennessee Titans

NFL Top Ten: Best Games from the 2008 Season

By Greg Trippiedi | December 27, 2008 | MVN Outsider

The regular season may not be over just yet, but it has already produced plenty of classic games. I had the pleasure of picking ten games that might show up again on NFL Classics in the future. All games had to be heavily competitive to be considered, but bonuses were given to games with great storylines, great endings, and really critical results. Here are the top ten games from the first 16 weeks of the regular season:Number 10 (October 26)Giants defeat Steelers 21-14At the time of this game, whether or not the NFC had overtaken the AFC was very much in the air. The Eagles had taken care of the Steelers at home earlier this season, but the Steelers were hosting the Giants in this one. The Giants controlled much of the action in the first half, but the Steelers came out and scored in the second half, and led...

Read more | 2 Comments | Tags: Arizona Cardinals, Atlanta Falcons, Baltimore Ravens, Carolina Panthers, Chicago Bears, Dallas Cowboys, Denver Broncos, New England Patriots, New York Giants, New York Jets, Philadelphia Eagles, Pittsburgh Steelers, San Diego Chargers, Top Ten

Was Norm Chow the problem with the Titans' offense?

By Andrew Strickert | January 4, 2009

Drexel wrote a great article the other day about the improvement in the Titans' offense and he mentioned several points that are very relevant to another article which I'm finally writing. Sometimes I just have an idea and think to myself, "that would be a good thing to write about some day," and then it kind of stays on the back burner for a few months. Let's go back one year through our time...

3 recommendations | 2 Comments

Playoffs?!? BSPN can't stop reporting about the Raiders

By Rob Calonge | January 5, 2009

This is the time of year where legends are made. It's the time where dreams are fulfilled and nightmares are created. This is when the true-grit of an NFL team becomes more important than their overall talent, where fans of any of those teams still playing get their fair share of inside information, and where almost every sports story is surrounding an angle on a playoff matchup...or not. It seems that some of the hottest...

3 recommendations | 3 Comments

Steelers vs. Chargers, with a special thanks to Phillip Rivers

By James Pete | January 5, 2009

The Pittsburgh Steelers are facing off against the San Diego Chargers in a rematch from a November 18 game that saw the Steelers beat the Chargers 11-10. It was a sloppy game that saw the Steelers dominate the Chargers in all the statistical categories in a game that shouldn't have been as close as it turned out to be.Pittsburgh's offense rolled up 410 yards against the San Diego defense, while the San Diego offense could...

2 recommendations | 4 Comments

A few Titans-Ravens matchups to watch

By Andrew Strickert | January 6, 2009

One matchup shouldn't solely determine the outcome of a game but there's one that concerns me a little this week. I'm a little concerned about the Ratbirds' behemoth nose tackle, Haloti Ngata, vs either Kevin Mawae or Leroy Harris. If Mawae plays, he may be limited and/or hindered by his elbow. I'm sure he's not going to sit out just because it's painful; he's too tough a guy to let a little pain keep him out. If...

2 recommendations | 3 Comments

Those Lousy Cardinals Live to Play Another Day

By Eli Wahlstrom | January 4, 2009

photo from azcardinals.com Well the Arizona Cardinals heard all week that they didn't deserve to be in the playoffs. Saturday they showed the whole world that every sports writer and so called "professional football analyst" can be wrong. I was going to compile a list of writers that were doggin the Cardinals so you could all email them. But that would have taken me way too long. Those writers know who they are and you...

2 recommendations | 11 Comments