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Liam Blackburn
No Substitute For Age & Experience
The rather intelligent Albert Einstein once declared that "the only source of knowledge is experience". It's a mantra that NFL teams seem to have considered long and hard this off-season when considering who should fill the position of the most-knowledgeable man on the sidelines
... ( full article )
Chris Brophy
Power Ranking The Decade: The Final Poll
#10-1
In the final part of our countdown of team rankings over the course of the decade we take a look at the elite teams. Who is king of the mountain? Who could have been king had they not slipped up just a couple of times? Who is the best team of this past decade not to win the ultimate prize? Read on to find out
... ( full article )
Chris Brophy
Power Ranking The Decade: The Final Poll
#20-11
Continuing our ranking of all 32 teams over the course of the past ten years we now look at the middle of the pack, we've ranked how we feel each team has performed power ranking style over the course of the 00's. Sure, they could have been worse but then again, they could have been a lot better. If it were an end of term report it would be written: could do better
... ( full article )
(... Or view the COMPLETE Features Page ...)
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Chris Brophy
Mock Draft
1st Round V2.0
Updated Mar 11th
1, Rams: Sam Bradford QB Oklahoma
2, Lions: Russell Okung OT Okla' State
3, Buccs: Gerald McCoy* DT Oklahoma
4, Redskins: Trent Williams OT Oklahoma
5, Chiefs: Eric Berry S - Tennessee
6, Seahawks: Ndamukong Suh DT Neb'
7, Browns: Dez Bryant* WR Okla' State
8, Raiders: Bruce Campbell* - OT Maryland
9, Bills: Jason Pierre-Paul* - DE S.Florida
10, Jaguars: Joe Hadan CB Florida
... ( complete 1st round )
Brian Davis & Paul Hopkins
Mock Draft
1st Round V1.0
Updated Feb 22nd
1 Rams Ndamukong Suh DT, Nebraska
2 Lions Gerald McCoy DT, Oklahoma
3 Buccaneers Eric Berry S, Tennessee
4 Redskins Patrick Okung T, Okla' State
5 Seahawks Jimmy Clausen QB, N. Dame
6 Chiefs Bruce Campbell T, Maryland
7 Browns Anthony Davis T, Rutgers
8 Raiders Sam Bradford QB, Oklahoma
9 Bills Dan Williams DT, Tennessee
10 Jaguars Joe Haden CB, Florida
... ( complete 1st round )
Jody Jamieson
Mock Draft
1st Round V3.0
Updated Feb 21st
1. Rams Jimmy Clausen, QB, Notre Dame
2. Lions Ndamukong Suh, DT, Nebraska
3. Buccaneers Gerald McCoy, DT, Okla'
4. Redskins Sam Bradford, QB, Okla'
5. Chiefs Russell Okung, OT, Okla' State
6. Seahawks Anthony Davis, OT, Rutgers
7. Browns Eric Berry, S, Tennessee
8. Raiders Taylor Mays, S, USC
9. Bills Bruce Campbell, OT, Maryland
10. Jaguars Jason Pierre-Paul, DE, South Florida
... ( complete 1st round )
(... View the FULL NCAA Scouting Section ...)
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Prospect Profiles
Quarterbacks
The Football Diner draft experts take a look at the top gun slingers coming out of the NCAA hoping to be the next Peyton Manning. Each prospect gets a full breakdown...
Colt McCoy - QB - Texas
Tim Tebow - QB - Florida
Tony Pike - QB - Cincinnati
Daryll Clark - QB - Penn State
Dan LeFevour - QB - Central Michigan
Sean Canfield - QB - Oregon State
Zac Robinson - QB - Oklahoma State
Jevon Snead - QB - Mississippi
Sam Bradford - QB - Oklahoma
Jimmy Clausen - QB - Notre Dame
Brian Davis
Big Board
Updated Feb 4th
1 Ndamukong Suh Nebraska DT
2 Gerald McCoy Oklahoma DT
3 Russell Okung Oklahoma State OT
4 Eric Berry* Tennesseee S
5 Jimmy Clausen* Notre Dame QB
6 Anthony Davis* Rutgers OT
7 Dez Bryant* Oklahoma State WR
8 Derrick Morgan* Georgia Tech DE
9 Rolando McClain Alabama LB
10 Joe Haden* Florida CB
... ( complete Big Board )
Jody Jamieson
Big Board
Updated Jan 2nd
1. Ndamukong Suh, DT, Nebraska
2. Eric Berry, S, Tennessee
3. Jimmy Clausen, QB, Notre Dame
4. Gerald McCoy, DT, Oklahoma
5. Russell Okung, OT, Oklahoma State
... ( complete Big Board )
Paul Hopkins
Five reasons to look forward to 2010 in the NCAA
With the Senior Bowl taking place yesterday and with a record number of juniors jumping ship to the NFL to get their hands on the money ahead of the end of the CBA and a looming lockout, I was drawn to begin wondering just who would be left in the college world to entertain this in 2010. I really shouldn't have been concerned
... ( full article )
(... View the FULL NCAA Scouting Section ...)
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Interviews
Diner Exclusives...
Jaguar RB
MAURICE JONES-DREW
Just days before the Super Bowl, the Diner caught up with the Jaguars' offensive centrepiece and asked him all about his career year, his future goals, and whether the Jags' fierce rivals Indianapolis can be stopped by New Orleans in this weekend's Super Bowl
...
( full article )
SMU Coach
JEFF REINEBOLD
Ahead of returning to the UK to once again be a part of Sky's coverage of Superbowl XLIV, current SMU Wide Receivers coach and all round cool cat Jeff Reinebold checks into the Diner to chat about the Mustangs season, as well as a wide range of issues in the college ranks and the NFL, plus makes a big prediction for this Sunday's big game
...
( full article )
Panther Kicker
RHYS LLOYD
Kicking. It's easy right? Hold on there Einstein, then why are so many kickers missing clutch FGs these days? The Diner asked Carolina Panther kicker Rhys Lloyd back for a second visit to help clear the mystery up and tell us exactly why special teams is the most crucial part of the game
... ( full article )
49ers RB Legend
ROGER CRAIG
Back for his 3rd visit to the Diner, Roger Craig tells us of his excitement at being a finalist at this year's Hall of Fame class, offers us his thoughts on the 2009 regular season, predicts the Championship game and Super Bowl winner, whilst also taking a look at the 49ers season, giving us his 49ers MVPs and a possible surprise if the 49ers play a Wembley game in 2010...
( full article )
Recent Interviews:
PHIL SIMMS
ANDRE CALDWELL
CHRIS BAKER
NAT COOMBS
DAVID TUCKMAN
(... Read other EXCLUSIVE interviews in our Archive ...)
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The Fantasy Maverick
Ask The Maverick !
Got a Fantasy dilemma? Can't decide what to do? Your toubles are over as the doctor is in session...fire your questions at the Maverick and we will publish the most needy patients...
Peter McManus : What does the Antonio Bryant to the Bengals and Thomas Jones to the Chiefs mean for Chad Ochocinco and Jamaal Charles two players who are big parts of my dynasty team?
Maverick:
Peter, there's no doubt that this time of year while exciting as an NFL fan can be a nightmare for the nerves of dynasty/keeper fantasy owners. Too often, he or she can only watch helplessly as key players' stock is terminally compromised by new blood brought in through free agency or the draft. Think about what happened to Chester Taylor in the wake of a 1400-yard season for Vikings a few years back (AP was drafted a few months later) or how Terrell Owens went from stud to dud a year ago when he was unceremoniously shunted to the Bills from Dallas.
As a Bryant and Charles owner, you might feel you know exactly what I'm talking about.
But in your case, it's really not as bad as all that...
( full article )
Two question-posers have written in with an eye to promising backs for 2010.
Mark Godden asks "how does LeSean McCoy stack up as the apparent number one for the Eagles?" and Tess Gayle is wondering "of this year's top rookie RBs, who will make an impact, and for which team?"
Maverick:
There's nothing quite as exciting as speculating as to the success of tomorrow's stars and I'm pleased to say there is indeed a promising group of nascent running backs set to enter the league in 2010, not to mention sophomores like McCoy ready to run, literally, with any chances they're given.
Let's make no bones about it McCoy is someone whose stock went through the roof when Brian Westbrook, noble fantasy football soldier that he was, was finally released by Philadelphia last month. The thinking is that McCoy is simply a younger version of everything Westbrook came to be a rounded, dynamic jitterbug with long-range scoring potential...
( full article )
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Michael E Lawrence
New coach Carroll to stick with Hasselbeck at QB
Qwest Field available for hire every January moving forward
Newly employed head of football operations Pete Carroll has given incumbent Matt Hasselbeck his full support as the Seattle Seahawks' starting quarterback.
The longtime USC mastermind made no bones about the identity of his offensive centrepiece just hours after his hire, pledging: "Matty is my guy."
Insiders report Carroll was not known to be taking any kind of confusion-inducing medication at the time...
( complete feed )
Michael E Lawrence
Fletcher snubbed for Pro Bowl again
Linebacker more inconspicuous than tinsel on a tree
Redskins' middle linebacker London Fletcher has spoken out against the Pro Bowl voting system after yet another snub by balloters.
It's not known exactly what Fletcher said, since all available reporters were at a press conference for Brian Orakpo instead.
"Yeah, bit of a snafu on that front," noted new general manager Bruce Allen, "London was real peeved about it I understand. At least, I'm pretty sure that was London. The tall guy with the dreads right?"...
... ( complete feed )
Michael E Lawrence
Romo's Cowboys shock America, win December game
But unlikely upset of Saints portends end of time, warn prognosticators
Tony Romo and the Cowboys' surprise defeat of the previously unbeaten New Orleans Saints Saturday may spark a chain reaction of chaotic events that prompt the demise of the known universe, said concerned pundits Sunday morning.
Analysts argue that Dallas's December win was so unprecedented that the reverberations may yet be felt on a catastrophically cosmic scale. The team owns a 19-41 record in December games since 1997 and had been 1-5 over the last two seasons going into Saturday's must-win game.
"When Dallas win in December," explained Harvard-based quantum physicist Gregory Engelsperger, "you question how much longer the laws that bind the universe together can hold
... ( complete feed )
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Jody Jamieson
NFL Weekly Review
Super Bowl XLIV
Saints 31 Colts 17
For the city of New Orleans, the Saints are the only show in town. After the dreadful Saints teams of the 70's and 80's the real devastation came in 2005 when Hurricane Katrina hit and caused mass loss of life and billions of dollars worth of damage to the city. The recovery continues on but for Saints fans, the wait is finally over. Any neutral fan will have been delighted to see this city finally catch a break, and Saints fans are overjoyed that their heroes brought the Vince Lombardi Trophy back to the State of Louisiana for the first time.
Courtney Roby looked to have fumbled the kickoff, but he was luckily ruled down by contact. New Orleans were looking very conservative on their second drive with Brees throwing underneath a lot. Brees hit Reggie Bush underneath on 3rd and 6 and he took it for 16 yards and their initial first down of the game. Marques Colston made a bad drop two plays later which ultimately killed the drive and New Orleans punted from midfield to the IND 4. The Colts did an excellent job getting off their goalline with a completion to Donald Brown and two good runs by Joseph Addai. Addai came up big again on 3rd and 1, scampering for 26 yards to give them a first down on the NO 22. A 3rd and 6 just inside the redzone was a huge chance for the Saints to hold the Colts to another field goal, but Peyton Manning found Pierre Garcon for the touchdown and a 10-0 lead
...
( view complete report )
Michael E Lawrence & Rich Lawrence
Diner TV
Pro Football's answer to Anc & Dec are back on yours screens with another issue of Diner TV. Up today is the Super Bowl Stir Fry ahead of Sunday's big game, and live on the phone are Sky TV's Nick Halling & Kevin Cadle...
... ( watch now )
(... Visit the complete Review Section ...)
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Ed English
No Place Like Home
There's no place like home. The Giants should know. During their long history the team has had 5 stadiums to call home. The Polo Grounds (1925-1955), Yankee Stadium (1956 - 1973), Yale Bowl (1973-1974), Shea Stadium (1975) and Giants Stadium 1976 - present. The Diner takes a tour of these historic stadiums
... ( full article )
Sam Monson
Bert Bell
This season the NFL is marking the 50th Anniversary of the AFL The American Football League the rival league that fought a bitter war with the NFL for most of the decade of the 1960s, and ultimately succeeded in forcing a merger between the two leagues. This season also marks 50 years since the death of the man that guided the NFL through a war with another league, 14 seasons before the AFL ever existed, a war definitively won by the NFL. Bert Bell, perhaps more than any other man, is responsible for the NFL that we know and love today, yet he remains forgotten in the mists of time, and his 50th anniversary went largely unnoticed
... ( full article )
Chris Brophy
Number Crunching:
#22
After a couple of visits to the more recent past we take a leap back to the middle of the last century for our next all-time great. A player who was so successful his old team is still feeling the after-effects of his departure.
A player who won championships for his team but in modern times, as fans, players and coaches suffer through many a losing season, is blamed for the franchises failure. He is the man in possession of one of pro football's most infamous curses. Read on to find out more about our all-time #22 and his curse over the Detroit Lions
... ( full article )
(... Visit our FULL History Archive ...)
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Patriot WR
WES WELKER
Mighty mite receiver Wes Welker is the oil that keeps the Patriots' slick passing attack running smooth. His return to the lineup in week six after an injury-related absence powered the Patriots to a 59-0 drubbing of Tennessee, and the Patriots hope for more of the same in Wembley. He answered questions posed by a posse of media types including the Diner at length on Friday
...( full article )
NY Giant Legend
PHIL SIMMS
Phil Simms is a legend both as a player and as a broadcaster. With CBS in London to cover this Sunday's International Series showdown between the Patriots and Bucaneers, the Diner pounced on the opportunity to pick the former Giant's brains and take a trip down Super Bowl-memory lane
...( full article )
Michael E Lawrence
Football Diner @ Wembley 2009
 The Patriots were finally in town for 2009's installment of the International Series. The Football Diner crew got themselves down to Lord's cricket ground for a full day of coverage ahead of this Sunday's big matchup... ( full report ) ( gallery )
Richard Lawrence
Patriots Gallery
 More exclusive Football Diner shots from the Patriots media day...
( full gallery )
(... Visit the full International Series archive ...)
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