It’s official. Michael Vick is now a full-fledged member of the Philadelphia Eagles (complete with practice privileges). Michael was removed from the Eagles’ exempt list today and added him to their 53-man roster. To make room on the team, receiver Hank Baskett was released. Keep in mind that while Michael is eligible to participate when the team resumes practice tomorrow, he is not eligible to play in a game until Week 3 when the Eagles host the Kansas City Chiefs.
What’s even more interesting about Michael’s return is the state of the quarterback situation in Philly. Starter Donovan McNabb is nursing …read more

It’s about time someone signed Jeff Garcia. Today, the Oakland Raiders agreed to terms with Jeff on a one-year deal. Considering the fact that he started 11 games last season for the Tampa Bay Bucs, he’s an impressive insurance policy for the Raiders behind incumbent starter JaMarcus Russell. In fact, if JaMarcus should falter, I have every confidence Jeff can step in.

As far as free agent QBs are concerned, I was very surprised to see Jeff continue unemployed this far into the offseason. I mean, last season he had 2,712 yards passing, a 90.2 rating and 12 touchdowns to just …read more

National Football League Blogcast, NFL Blogcast
The Minnesota Vikings defensive line — and the strength of their entire team (sorry Adrian) — is in jeopardy of being completely dismantled. Defensive tackles Kevin and Pat Williams are scheduled to meet with NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell tomorrow to discuss testing positive for a weight-loss diuretic (aka StarCaps) that is on the list of substances banned by the league. They’re both looking at possible four-game suspensions. And defensive end Jared Allen will also meet with Commissioner Goodell to talk about his recent questionable hits on quarterbacks Aaron Rodgers (Packers) and Matt Schaub (Texans). He’s …read more

National Football League Blogcast, NFL Blogcast
When you run the ball on offense and stop the run on defense, you’re supposed to win football games. It’s a tried-and-true recipe for success in the National Football League. The Minnesota Vikings have been very good at both over the past couple seasons, but their record would not indicate that. After this afternoon’s heartbreaking 18-15 loss to the Indianapolis Colts to start this 2008 season 0-2, Vikings fans are exasperated. And the team isn’t very happy, either. So what’s the problem? Let’s spread the blame around:

Quarterback Tarvaris Jackson has not developed into the player …read more

National Football League Blogcast, NFL Blogcast
Tampa Bay Bucs head coach Jon Gruden has the quarterbacks. He might as well use them. Coach Gruden named Brian Griese the team’s starting QB for this weekend’s game against the Atlanta Falcons:
“We’re going to start Brian Griese in the game (against Atlanta). It’s just my opinion, and we’ve talked about it a lot with our coaches, (that) Jeff right now is not himself. We’re going to give him a week off and try to get him ready to go. Brian Griese’s a guy that’s had a good training camp. We’re going to give Brian …read more

National Football League Blogcast, NFL Blogcast
Rumors are heating up over Brett Favre’s potential trade to the Tampa Bay Bucs. But keep in mind these are merely rumors and with the way this whole Brett Favre “unretirement” fiasco has gone, I’m not taking anything I hear — from any source — as the next great possibility to end this slow motion train wreck that has been the divorce of Brett Favre and the Green Bay Packers. Brett and his wife Deanna left Green Bay today and Brett’s agent, James “Bus” Cook, confirmed in an e-mail to The Associated Press that the …read more

Blogcasting the National Football League, Blogcasting the NFL
The Tampa Bay Bucs collect quarterbacks like football cards. It seems to be something of a hobby for head coach Jon Gruden. In taking a look at the Bucs’ current roster with the release of Bruce Gradkowski a couple days ago, there are now six QBs listed — Jeff Garcia, Brian Griese, Josh Johnson, Luke McCown, Jake Plummer and Chris Simms. The team will probably keep three. So who gets the ax next? Well, Jake Plummer is semi-retired and hasn’t played since 2006. He’s a good candidate. But Chris Simms recently told the …read more

Blogging the National Football League, Blogging the NFL
I don’t really know what to make of the Pro Bowl anymore. My email inbox was so flooded with Pro Bowl alternate announcements last month, I lost track of them all. I guess I had better things to think about — like the Super Bowl. But I can tell you there are 41 first-timers in Hawaii for the practices/vacation and game tomorrow. That’s the most since the year 2000 when there were 44. I realize it’s mostly due to injury that a player would not participate in this event after being awarded with …read more

Blogging the National Football League, Blogging the NFL
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 …read more

The rich are adding to their wealth. The New England Patriots (remember they were in the AFC Championship game) signed one of the most sought-after free agents on the market this off-season by stealing Pro Bowl All-World LB Adalius Thomas from the Baltimore Ravens. What better place for an athlete who can handle practically any defensive position than with the creative Bill Belichick? This is as perfect a fit as there will be in free agency this year. Thomas is coming off his best season (106 tackles, 11 sacks) and is ideally built for the Pats defensive scheme. He lined …read more