Around the NFL: Goodbye to a Legend
This week has mostly been dominated by trade rumors and further debate about which player the Detroit Lions should select with the first overall pick in the draft next week. I’ll touch on those two topics later in this article, but first I want to talk about my favorite announcer.
John Madden Retires
As the clock ticked down on the Arizona Cardinals in this recent Super Bowl defeat, many Arizona fans wondered if that was the only chance they’d have. They wondered if they spoiled their opportunity to be world champions. Only time will tell. Little did everyone else know, as the Pittsburgh Steelers celebrated their sixth Super Bowl victory, that this game would be historical both on the playing field and in the broadcasting booth. Beloved NFL icon John Madden, after spending roughly thirty years announcing games retired today, signifying this most recent Super Bowl as his last game. Madden retired unexpectedly at a young age from his head-coaching job with the Oakland Raiders back in the mid-1970s. While his tenure as a broadcaster was longer in duration, his retirement still somehow seems to be a surprise.
Madden is sometimes mocked for saying things that most may find obvious, and his reluctance to fly has been noted on several occasions. However, his simplified way of expressing knowledge about the game of football is one of the things that made him the best. Madden is not just a football icon, but a character icon as well. His moniker has made the Madden Football video game one of the most popular games of all time. And if imitation is the most sincere form of flattery, then people like Frank Caliendo and other comedians have honored Madden for years. Madden has always added such great commentary to the game and his famous phrases are some of the reasons why he is so endearing to football fans everywhere. So in honor of John Madden, my favorite broadcaster, I’ve compiled a list of my top ten John Madden quotes from the past three decades:
- “The offensive linemen are the biggest guys on the field, they’re bigger than everyone else, and that’s what makes them the biggest guys on the field.”
- “Boom!”
- “The fewer rules a coach has, the fewer rules there are for players to break.”
- “A receiver has to know where the first down marker is on third down.”
- “The road to Easy Street goes through the sewer.”
- “The goal of football is to score more points than your opponent.”
- “Manning gives him a little pat on the butt, and I’m surprised the defense hasn’t caught on to that.”
- “Here’s a guy who can use his arms and legs at the same time.”
- “Big ole (Fill in the Blank)”
- “The only yardstick for success our society has is being a champion. No one remembers anything else.”
Thank you John, for providing so many great moments and guiding me through my football addiction throughout the years.
> Find a great selection of Arizona Cardinals Championship Apparel and Pittsburgh Steelers Super Bowl Merchandise online through Pro Football Fans and check.
Trade Rumors
There are a few trade rumors out there. The trio of WR’s in Braylon Edwards, Anquan Boldin, and Chad Ochocinco have all been rumored to be on the trading block. I think it’s doubtful you’ll see all three of them go elsewhere, but if I’m the Giants, I’m offering my late first round pick for Boldin or Edwards. I’d also be calling the Bengals offering them a third rounder, because unfortunately that’s about where I’d say Ochocinco’s value is currently. I was shocked the Bengals didn’t unload him last year for the two first round picks Washington offered them. Think they regret that move?
Julius Peppers continues to be a hot story. He has complained and said he wants to sign elsewhere, but he’s not signing his franchise tender, making it more difficult for the Panthers to move him. I don’t understand why he wants to leave so badly. He’s a perfect DE for the Panthers scheme and he’s a hometown favorite. He says he wants to go to a 3-4 style defense, but I just don’t see him being as successful in that scheme.
Jason Peters wants to be the highest paid LT in all of football, and the Bills don’t want to pay him that. I think this is fair, especially since Peters went to the Pro Bowl this year purely off of name recognition. If the Bills can find someone who wants to give up a first round pick and pay him the kind of money he wants, they should jump all over the opportunity to ship off this overrated crybaby.
Bottom line, marquee trades are rare in the NFL, and this off-season we’ve already seen the unprecedented Jay Cutler trade come to fruition. While some movement is exciting and very possible, I wouldn’t count on more than one or two of these guys actually changing uniforms, and if it does happen it’ll likely come before next week’s draft.
Roaring Decision
Barry Sanders once said that he would restore the roar in Detroit. I think it’s fair to say that he did that for ten years. However, since his retirement a decade ago, the Lions have been a perennial bottom-feeder in the league and seem to be hapless each and every year. However, 2009 brings a new coach, a new GM, and the first overall pick in the draft. At this point, sign ability is an important factor and the Lions will be looking to lock up a player in the next week or so prior to the draft itself. Many are speculating on who that player will be. I think that it comes down to Georgia QB Matt Stafford, Baylor OT Jason Smith, Wake Forrest LB Aaron Curry, or Virginia OT Eugene Monroe - in that order. I think they’ll try hard to work out a deal with Stafford, but I expect they’ll be negotiating contracts with at least two and maybe all four of these players in the next week. If Stafford can’t come to terms on a contract, the Lions won’t hesitate to take Smith, and so forth. I think it’ll be Stafford, and he’d be smart to sign ahead. The QB needs are thin in the top ten and he might see himself slide if dollar signs prevent the Lions from pouncing.
Once again, thanks to John Madden for his years of broadcasting excellence, and have a great week leading up to the 2009 NFL Draft!
By: Brandon Niles
ProFootball-fans.com Staff Writer