National Football League Blogcast, NFL Blogcast

Franchise player designations were announced today for the 2009 National Football League free agency signing period that begins on February 27. A club can designate one “franchise” player or one “transition” player among its veteran free agents. The salary offer by a player’s club determines whether the franchise player designation is exclusive or non-exclusive. An “exclusive” franchise player — not free to sign with another club — is offered a minimum of the average of the top five salaries at the player’s position for the current year as of April 17; or 120 percent of the player’s previous year’s salary; or the average of the top five salaries at his position as of the end of last season — whichever of the three is greater. There are no exclusive franchise player designations this year.

If the player is offered a minimum of the average of the top five salaries of last season at his position, or 120 percent of the player’s previous year’s salary, he becomes a “non-exclusive” franchise player and can negotiate with other clubs. His old club can match a new club’s offer, or receive two first-round draft choices if it decides not to match. The signing period for franchise players to sign with new clubs is February 27 until the Tuesday after the 10th week of the season (November 17).

A transition player receives a minimum offer of the average of the top 10 salaries of last season at the player’s position or 120 percent of the player’s previous year’s salary, whichever is greater. A transition player designation gives the club a first-refusal right to match within seven days an offer sheet given to the player by another club after his contract expires. If the club matches, it retains the player. If it does not match, it receives no compensation. There are no transition player designations this year.

The franchise players for 2009 are:

• Karlos Dansby, LB, Arizona Cardinals
• Michael Koenen, P, Atlanta Falcons
• Terrell Suggs, LB, Baltimore Ravens
• Julius Peppers, DE, Carolina Panthers
• Shayne Graham, K, Cincinnati Bengals
• Dunta Robinson, DB, Houston Texans
• Matt Cassel, QB, New England Patriots
• Brandon Jacobs, RB, N.Y. Giants
• Max Starks, T, Pittsburgh Steelers
• Darren Sproles, RB, San Diego Chargers
• Oshiomogho Atogwe, DB, St. Louis Rams
• Leroy Hill, LB, Seattle Seahawks
• Antonio Bryant, WR, Tampa Bay Bucs
• Bo Scaife, TE, Tennessee Titans

Source: NFL Media, Photo: Newscom

Post from: Every Morning Quarterback

Franchise Players Named

National Football League Blogcast, NFL Blogcast

San Diego Chargers running back/return specialist Darren Sproles had a busy night. With starting RB LaDainian Tomlinson limited to just five carries because of a nagging and potentially serious groin injury, Darren more than picked up the slack as the San Diego Chargers beat the Indianapolis Colts 23-17 tonight in an AFC Wild Card game. Darren had a whopping 328 all-purpose yards — 105 yards on 23 carries; 45 yards on five receptions; and he averaged 25 yards on seven punt and kickoff returns. It was the third most all-purpose yards in NFL playoff history. Chargers receiver Chris Chambers summed-up Darren’s stellar performance after the game:

“He was a busy guy tonight and he just kept making plays. You see a guy like that work so hard and you just get so happy for him individually. He gave this team a huge lift tonight.”

OK, what Chris means by “a guy like that” is that Darren is just 5-6 and 181 pounds. Generally speaking, being that short would not encourage a person to pursue a career as a professional athlete unless they were going to be a jockey. And naturally, the knock on Darren has been and will always be his size. So he has to prove people wrong on a daily basis. One of the first comments I heard after this amazing performance was that he could never hold up week after week, carrying the ball 20-25 times per game as a full-time starter. I beg to differ. Because of his height (or lack therefore) and incredible quickness, he’s able to avoid a lot of the crushing hits that would sideline any player that handled the ball that many times per game. He’s certainly not slight of build like a Roscoe Parrish (receiver, Bills) or DeSean Jackson (reciever, Eagles). The Chargers should find a way to keep Darren. He and L.T. provide a potent one-two punch at the running back position. But if they don’t, I think Darren can thrive anywhere in the popular dual RB role so many teams are employing these days. Whatever happens, I believe he may have already cashed-in based on tonight’s performance.

Source: Chargers.com, Photo: Newscom

Post from: Every Morning Quarterback

Darren Sproles is All-Purpose for Chargers

The San Diego Chargers had no business beating the defending Super Bowl Champs on their own turf, but that’s exactly what happened this afternoon as the Chargers went into Indianapolis and beat Peyton Manning and the Colts 28-24 to advance to the AFC Championship game. This was my lock of the weekend. Of all four Divisional Playoff games, this one I was most certain of. The rested and now healthy Colts would be ready. But, I failed to look at the success of San Diego in this building. It really did mean something. If any team was going to come into the RCA Dome for the Colts’ last game here and leave with a win, it would be these San Diego Chargers.

The Bolts won this game with depth. But they did it by substituting for their best players. Quarterback Phillip Rivers and running back LaDainian Tomlinson were out — Billy Volek and Michael Turner (and Darren Sproles) were in. Phillip played most of the game and played well (14 of 19 for 264 yards and three TDs). But late in the game, he left with a leg injury which allowed backup Billy Volek to finish the game. LT was not as fortunate. He left in the first half with a bruised knee after just seven carries for 28 yards. Led by those subs, though, San Diego went 78 yards on eight plays, with Billy V. sneaking in from the one with 4:50 remaining for the lead.

Outside of their opening drive, Indianapolis was a big disappointment today. Ironically, one of the best players in Colts history, WR Marvin Harrison, committed an unlikely turnover that, in my opinion, was the turning point of the football game. This was Marvin’s first game back from a knee injury since October, but with the Colts up 7-0 and driving (and looking dominant), Marvin fumbled after a catch, the Chargers took over, and Indy could never really get their groove back. Marvin would later leave the game and not return. He had two catches for 27 yards. But, Marvin didn’t lose this game. Without specifying blame (bad passes, dropped passes), the Colts turned the ball over three times in the red zone. And that’s certainly not a recipe for success.

San Diego has quietly won eight straight games. Sure, it’s not 17 straight like the team they’re playing next week, but it’s a major accomplishment in the NFL and the New England Patriots know this. The Chargers will absolutely need to get key players healthy if they’re going to have any chance against the Pats, though. Phillip Rivers, LaDainian Tomlinson and Antonio Gates will not only need to play, they’ll need to play the best football of their lives if they’re going to do what no other team has done this year.

Post from: Every Morning Quarterback

Chargers Shock Colts to Advance in AFC, San Diego Subs Key Win Over Indianapolis

Buffalo Bills TE Kevin Everett is just one of many fantastic stories of courage and achievement that make up the 2007 class of The Ed Block Courage Awards.

It’s well-known that Kevin suffered a spinal cord injury covering a kickoff in the Bills’ season opener against the Broncos. The injury was life-threatening, but the outstanding work of the Bills’ training staff and team doctors saved his life. Kevin was told that he may never walk again. Through hard work and determination not only was he able to walk again, he was able to visit his teammates in Buffalo before their last home game of the year against the New York Giants.

Kevin is just one of many great stories of courage in this year’s class. Baltimore Ravens CB Samari Rolle gathered the courage to return to the football field after being diagnosed with epilepsy. Detroit Lions RB Kevin Jones was honored by his teammates for returning to action after suffering a season ending foot injury. When Kevin spoke at the Lions Courage House dinner, he told the crowd of a different hero. His stepfather, who had the courage to take-in Kevin, his brothers and sisters, and his mom when he was young. And how his real father was shot and killed when he was eight years old.

This year’s class also boasts three playoff quarterbacks. Pittsburgh’s Ben Roethlisberger, Tampa Bay’s Jeff Garcia, and Seattle Seahawks back-up QB Seneca Wallace will all represent their teams. Listed below are all the 2007 winners:

• Arizona Cardinals, Bertrand Berry
• Atlanta Falcons, Alge Crumpler
• Baltimore Ravens, Samari Rolle
• Buffalo Bills, Kevin Everett
• Carolina Panthers, Mike Rucker
• Chicago Bears, Tommie Harris
• Cincinnati Bengals, Reggie Kelly
• Cleveland Browns, Gary Baxter
• Dallas Cowboys, Jay Ratliff
• Denver Broncos, John Engleberger
• Detroit Lions, Kevin Jones
• Green Bay Packers, Chris Francies
• Houston Texans, Anthony Weaver
• Indianapolis Colts, Ryan Lilja
• Jacksonville Jaguars, Greg Jones
• Kansas City Chiefs, Eddie Kennison
• Miami Dolphins, Andre Goodman
• Minnesota Vikings, Chad Greenway
• New England Patriots, Steve Neal
• New Orleans Saints, Roman Harper
• New York Giants, Amani Toomer
• New York Jets, Laveranues Coles
• Oakland Raiders, Justin Fargas
• Philadelphia Eagles, Montae Reagor
• Pittsburgh Steelers, Ben Roethlisberger
• San Diego Chargers, Darren Sproles
• San Francisco 49ers, Eric Heitmann
• Seattle Seahawks, Seneca Wallace
• St. Louis Rams, Dane Looker
• Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Jeff Garcia
• Tennessee Titans, David Thornton
• Washington Redskins, Marcus Washington

I’ll be posting more on these stories here at EMQB and talking with some of the players for the BPR NFL Podcast leading up to the award ceremony March 11. In the meantime, check out my interview with Cleveland Browns DB Gary Baxter.

Post from: Every Morning Quarterback

Kevin Everett Highlights Courage Awards