There’s a rather disturbing story about Marvin Harrison in the new ESPN Magazine (01.26.09). I’ve always admired Marvin for his stellar play and the way he performed his job. Who hasn’t? He and Peyton Manning hold the record for most receptions between a quarterback and receiver with 956. All the while, Marvin has seemed like a good guy — quiet and unassuming. He’s a lunch pail kind of player. He comes to work, does his job (well, I might add) and goes home. In this era of overpaid, high maintenance, loud mouth, prima donna receivers, he’s been a breath of fresh air.

That was on the field. Off the field, I guess like most people, I didn’t know much about Marvin. And I still don’t. And I don’t need to. I respect the guy’s right to have his privacy. I know I wouldn’t want the media meddling in my life if I were in his position. The only thing I can remember about him (from a Monday Night Football interview many moons ago) is that he likes junk food — which seems strange for a professional athlete. Anyway, after last April’s shooting incident left three people wounded in Marvin’s hometown of Philadelphia (two witnesses are pointing at Marvin as the shooter), it brought to light an entirely different side of Peyton Manning’s favorite target — the great Marvin Harrison, a future Hall of Famer, was something of a thug. As it turns out, he showed a violent side before this shooting. Now in his late 30s with steadily declining numbers and these off the field problems, his National Football League playing days appear to be numbered.

Source: ESPN.com

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Who is the Real Marvin Harrison?

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The Pittsburgh Steelers defense is on the cover of the new ESPN Magazine (December 29, 2008). And rightfully so. The modern day “Steel Curtain” is currently ranked first in pass defense (163.3 ypg) and total defense (239.1 ypg). They’re second in run defense (75.8 ypg) only because the Arizona Cardinals completely abandoned their ground game against the Minnesota Vikings last weekend, carrying the ball only seven times for 43 yards, padding the Vikes into the top spot — for now. Before all is said and done, the National Football League might be pushing for more offense, but it’s still defense that ultimately wins championships. My interview with linebacker Lawrence Timmons (second from left on the ESPN Mag cover) follows this post.

Source: ESPNtheMag.com

Post from: Every Morning Quarterback

Steelers D on ESPN Magazine Cover

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A year after Washington Redskins safety Sean Taylor’s death, NFL players are still living scared. And with good reason. There’s an interesting article in the 11.24 Dec 01 2008 ESPN Magazine that features seven current NFL players discussing their own concerns and experiences with crime and the issue of safety in their own lives — Clinton Portis, Ben Roethlisberger, Dunta Robinson, Kevin Mawae, Derrick Brooks, Branden Albert and Fred Taylor. In the “special report,” ESPN senior writer David Fleming writes:

“When asked about their fears, players cite the same frightening flashpoints: New Year’s Day 2007, when Broncos defensive back Darrent Williams was shot and killed outside a Denver nightclub while riding in his limo; November 2007, when Taylor was murdered; June 2008, when Oakland receiver Javon Walker was robbed and beaten unconscious near the Vegas strip; and September 2008, when Jaguars lineman Richard Collier was paralyzed and had to have his leg amputated above the knee after he was shot 14 times in what police say was a retaliatory shooting.”

Two things really stood out to me in this report and both were related to the issue of vulnerability. Denver Broncos security chief Dave Abrams said he fears for players’ families, as in kidnapping for ransom. And Fred Taylor pointed out that would-be criminals know athletes can’t have guns with them at the team facility — not even in the parking lot. So players are even more of a target between where they work and where they live.

NFL players are targets. They’re in the public eye so they’re easy to find. And it’s well known they have money. Lots of money. So, it’s not uncommon for an NFL player to live in a gated community with an elaborate security system. Or to own a gun. Or to hire a bodyguard. At just about every NFL event I’ve been to, players are accompanied by one or more guys who look like bodyguards. It’s all about protection and safety. And sadly, there seems to be less and less of it. Sure, NFL players (and people in general) need to be smart about where and when they are. But even at home — as was the case with Sean Taylor — the issue of safety is a major concern now more than ever.

Source: ESPNtheMag.com

Post from: Every Morning Quarterback

NFL Players Are Still Living Scared

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I meant to post this a few days ago. There’s a great article on Minnesota Vikings running back Adrian Peterson in the latest issue (10.06.08) of ESPN Magazine — “Please Don’t Remain Calm: Adrian Peterson’s Rocky Road to NFL Stardom.” Check it out. It should be on newsstands by now.

Source: ESPN.com

Post from: Every Morning Quarterback

Adrian Peterson in ESPN Magazine

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Great story on New Orleans Saints tight end Jeremy Shockey (”Shockey’s Revenge!” as told to David Fleming) on the cover of the new ESPN Magazine (11.19, September 22). Outspoken as always, you’ll hear what J was thinking as he watched his former N.Y. Giants team win Super Bowl XLII without him.

Source: ESPNtheMag.com

Post from: Every Morning Quarterback

Jeremy Shockey on ESPN Magazine Cover

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ESPN Magazine’s “NFL Preview 2008″ is out and about. Houston Texans defensive end Mario Williams is on the cover. If you’re a subscriber, you probably already have this. If not, it will be in stores this week.

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ESPN Magazine ‘NFL Preview 2008′

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There’s a great story on Minnesota Vikings defensive end Jared Allen in the June 30, 2008 ESPN Magazine (”The Fight Has Just Begun”). Since Jared quit drinking 20 months ago, he led the NFL in sacks last season and signed a new six-year, $73 million contract with the Vikes. Still, the road ahead won’t be easy for a guy with two DUI arrests in Kansas and a four-game suspension for violating the NFL’s alcohol and substance-abuse policy:

“I wanted to show people I could man-up. I’ve been rewarded for that, and I don’t want to jeopardize that now. People ask if I became a better player because I stopped drinking. Well, I always felt like a pretty good player, but not drinking was part of my growth as a man.”

It seems as though Jared has turned his life around, but there will be a lot of pressure to do the right thing in the future. With his new contract and new lease on life, he has everything to lose with another mistake. As long as Jared can keep his attention on football and doing the job he is so well paid to do, the Vikings could have the NFL’s best defense in 2008.

Source: ESPN.com, Photo: Newscom

Post from: Every Morning Quarterback

Jared Allen’s Fight Has Just Begun