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Article Title: NFL Enters The Â"NervousÂ" Season
Author: Jay Nault
Word Count: 756
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As the headlines from the draft and minicamps fade from the headlines, coaches, scouting staffs and players all tend to head in separate directions this time of year for some final R&R before the last minicamps and final preparations for training camps begin in a few weeks.
The NFL has become a year-round job in the past 20-25 years, and many team employees regularly put in 80-hour weeks or more throughout the year. This time is much needed by many to recharge before the grind of the season begins.
That doesnÂ't mean that team officials will sleep easily for the next month, however, as this time of year has become Â"NervousÂ" Season for the league due to the fact that many players find trouble, or trouble finds them, depending on the point of view you believe, when there is nothing structured in place to keep them focused.
One only needs to look at the headlines from the past few of weeks to understand why certain teams are scrambling to come up with contingency plans just in case players who have run afoul with the law are suddenly unavailable for any period of time.
1. Ricky Manning, Jr. and Maurice Drew
Although the incident in question here actually allegedly took place in April, the news hit the stands in the past couple of weeks, and the ramifications could be troubling for two NFL teams. According to police reports, Manning, Jr., Drew and another player with UCLA ties viciously assaulted a UCLA student at a DennyÂ's restaurant in Westwood in the early morning hours, resulting in serious injury and serious charges. Manning, Jr. was recently signed to a big-money contract by the Bears, and Drew was a second-round draft choice by the Jaguars.
2. Jake Plummer
Plummer was reportedly involved in a road rage incident where he cut off another driver and kicked the other car. Before leaving the scene, Plummer allegedly backed his car into the other driverÂ's automobile. There are two sides to this story, but itÂ's one large headache for the Broncos and their starting QB.
3. Cory Rodgers
The PackersÂ' recent fourth-round draft pick was involved in what is believed to be a confrontation with gang members in a Texas bar after refusing to buy drinks and sign autographs for patrons in the bar. According to police reports, Rodgers fled the scene of the altercation, but police reports indicate that he allegedly discharged a gun into the air as he left the melee. Rodgers was going to be given a chance to contribute to the PackersÂ' special teams in a big way, and still may do so, but heÂ'll have to clean up this mess before he can proceed with his football career.
4. Reuben Droughns
Three days after being acquitted of a DUI charge, Droughns was charged with domestic violence-related offenses in relation to an incident on May 12 where he allegedly threw his wife out the back door of their home after she told him she wanted a divorce. Although the charges are misdemeanors, Droughns once again has legal problems, and the BrownsÂ' featured RB could be distracted as he heads to training camp.
5. Santonio Holmes
Holmes was arrested for disorderly conduct at a Miami-area hotel after a confrontation with local police. The details of the incident are unclear, but this is not the way a classy organization like the Steelers wants to introduce its top rookie to the rest of the NFL.
A few things need to be stressed. First, none of these players have been convicted of anything, and everyone must assume theyÂ're innocent until proven otherwise. Secondly, these are only a few examples of legal issues faced by players.
However, these incidents definitely affect the way teams operate, as no one can predict a player being unavailable for duty as a result of legal troubles any more than they can predict injuries. Not to mention, the NFL may get involved with any of these incidents and issue its own discipline by way of fines and/or suspensions if the situations warrant it under the current CBA.
Regardless of what happens, team officials around the league may be trying to take it easy these days, but everyone will breathe a little easier when players report for the season and the time for distractions and trouble has passed.
About The Author: Written by Jay Nault sponsored by stubhub/ . Stubhub sells sports tickets: stubhub/ , concert tickets, theater tickets and more to just about any event in the world. Please link to this site when using this article.
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The final division in the breakdown. The division which has future and former powerhouses. New Coaches. New Quarterbacks. New star Runningbacks. The addition of one of the best receivers in the NFL. Tons of injuries, but mainly to one team. This is going to be fun. It’ll be sad too cause I was getting used to communicating with each of you everyday. You’ll just have to read my Nascar posts people. Jim Rome has his Cronies, Opie and Anthony have Pests. You will now and forever be known as The Cans (as in MexiCANS).
Denver Broncos (1st) â€" When was the last time the Denver Broncos didn’t produce a 1000 yard rusher? Yeah, I can’t remember either. Jake Plummer had the best year of his career and will, that’s right, I said it, will improve on his career year numbers. Why, you ask? Because not only will Rod Smith still be a solid wide receiver for Jake the Snake, but because Javon Walker will be on the other side of the field. This is one of the top wide receiving tandems in the NFL this season and will prove it. Plus, think about it, it’s the year of the Snake: Snakes on a plane. I knew you’d see my reasoning. THERE’S A SNAKE ON THE FIELD. Keeping with this theme, look at the other teams in the division:
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Kansas City: THERE’S A CHIEF WITH A PIGSKIN IN HIS HAND
Oakland Raiders: THERE’S A THREAT OF AN EARTHQUAKE ON THE FIELD (no scary football threats).
San Diego Chargers: THERE’S A RUNNING BACK THAT LOOKS LIKE ROBOCOP ON THE FIELD.
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Ok, so my theme game doesn’t really prove why the Broncos will win the division because Minnesota’s would be “THERE’S A BUNCH OF CONVICTS ON THE FIELD,” but Denver takes the top spot because their defense is full of Pro-Bowlers including John Lynch, Champ Bailey, and Al Wilson.
Kansas City Chiefs (2nd) â€" This is going to be a very good team. They have definitely been a run happy team in the past, and will continue the trend thanks to new Head Coach Herm Edwards. They’ll “play to win the game,” but will struggle at times because their offensive line has taken a hit over the offseason due to injury and old age. Trent Green is still a very good Quarterback, but lacks a go to receiver that is very reliable. Eddie Kennison is ok, but he’s not a Marvin Harrison, Chad Johnson, or even a Derrick Mason type player. Dante Hall is extremely inconsistent and undersized. His speed works wonders for the return game, but just doesn’t seem to translate to the receiving aspect of this offense. Larry Johnson will prove that he’s an elite running back this year and will get out of Priest Holmes’s shadow. He has the potential to exceed Holmes’s contributions in past seasons and should the O-line hold up, he will. Edwards is a defensive minded coach and will show that this Chief’s defense is much improved. Kendrell Bell had a terrible year by his standards last season, but that could be because he was coming off injury. He will improve and become the Line backing stud he once was. The secondary is vicious. Sammy Knight (Pro-Bowler), Ty Law (Pro-Bowler, best corner back in the league), & Patrick Surtain (Pro-Bowler). The question remains, are their Linebackers good enough to stop some of the potent offenses that this team will face.
San Diego Chargers (3rd) â€" Even though they’ll be starting a rookie Quarterback, I still feel that this team can win. That is mainly because of LT. LaDainian Tomlinson is the best running back in the NFL hands down. If anyone argues with you and tells you that Shaun Alexander is better, just slap them because they’re idiots. Then tell them that LT is the best because The Cans say so. I’ll explain exactly why in my next article. I have the breakdown of stats and there’s not that much difference, but I’ll explain the differences to you. This guy, up until Antonio Gates came along, was the only offensive threat in San Diego. Over 5 seasons, he has averaged 1472.2 yards a season and 14.4 TDs. Also, he’s averaged 478.4 yards by air and about 2 TDs per season. Name another running back that has been able to compile numbers like that without any other offensive threat since Barry Sanders. You can’t because there isn’t one. Shaun Alexander has a top 5 quarterback in Seattle, not to mention 4 above average wide receivers. He also has Walter Jones, arguably one of the best Tackles to ever play the game. Can you name any offensive linemen on the Chargers squad? Me neither. Phillip Rivers won’t be lighting up the football world, but if he’s as advertised, then he should be able to hold his own and not flounder too much throughout the season. San Diego, Superchargers. San Diego, Superchargers. Yeah, that song won’t be played much this season. But it will be played enough to win about 8 games. The ferocious shut down defense is a main reason for that.
Oakland Raiders (Last) â€" Their offensive line stunk last year and has now been plagued with the injury bug. Aaron Brooks is by no means an improvement over Kerry Collins. Randy Moss and Jerry Porter could be one of the top duos in the NFL if they both wanted to be there. By season’s end, they’ll both be begging the front office for trades. I’m not even going to bother breaking down the rest of the team because there are too many flaws and this article has gone on way too long thanks to my Samuel L. Jackson impression and my rant on L.T.
Denver Broncos Schedule
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