Author Archives: Haven Barnes
Marcel Reece: Player profile
Marcel Reece, fullback for the Oakland Raiders may be the first in a new movement of multi-use fullbacks.
The 6’3”, 250 lbs. Marcel Reece played wide receiver at the University of Washington and tallied 761 yards and eight touchdowns his senior season.
He also holds the Huskies’ record for longest play from scrimmage with a 98-yard reception against Arizona.
Then UW Head Coach Tyrone Willingham may not have known that he was sitting on a future pass-catching fullback in the NFL, or he may have changed his lineup to give first-year starter Jake Locker more closely positioned playmakers.
Manning and salary cap spell doom in Oakland
The combination of desperate free agency cuts, and the Denver Broncos’ signing of Peyton Manning, the Oakland Raiders have once again found themselves in the back seat of the AFC West.
Too little, too late, Denver: Manning can’t do it alone
With the apparent signing of Peyton Manning, it would appear the Denver Broncos have bought themselves AFC West titles, and transformed into possible Super Bowl contenders for the next several years (depending on the contract length). The buzz will be loud coming from the Mile High City, but I warn them, not so fast, Denver, Manning needs help.
Oakland Raiders Named ‘Most Likely to Succeed’ in 2012
All signs from the 2011 season point to the Oakland Raiders being the most likely non-playoff team to be playing in the postseason next year. Considering the circumstances in which the Raiders were placed, or placed themselves, this season, the argument can (and should) be made that Oakland firmly placed itself as a “team to watch” in 2012.
The first indicator that Oakland is much better than an 8-8 record would indicate, is their schedule. The AFC West was matched up this season with the NFC North and the AFC East, which combined to produce three playoff teams and another two that were in contention until the final week. In addition, the Buffalo Bills and Chicago Bears both showed great promise at one point or another during this season. The NFC North contained the best team of the regular season in the Green Bay Packers, who finished the season an amazing 15-1. The AFC East has the current AFC Champion New England Patriots. Obviously this does not distinguish the Raiders from the rest of their division, but the schedule will most certainly be lighter next season.
Speaking of next season’s schedule, the Raiders loss to the San Diego Chargers on the final week of this season, resulted in a drop to third in the division. This means that Oakland will be paired against the three other third-place finishers in the AFC, Miami, Cincinnati, and Jacksonville. Meanwhile, the division-winning Denver Broncos will be matched against the likes of New England, Baltimore, and Houston.
The Raiders dealt with injuries this season that seemed to go unnoticed by most of the media, due to the systematic changes in their roster from week to week. Let us not forget that Oakland played at least half of their regular season games without starting quarterback Jason Campbell, running back Darren McFadden, and wide receivers, Jacoby Ford and Louis Murphy. For comparison’s sake, imagine if the Green Bay Packers had lost their top skill players this season (Aaron Rodgers, Ryan Grant, Greg Jennings, and Jordy Nelson). A 15-1 season and home-field advantage throughout the playoffs would have been practically impossible. We can expect that next season, based on the law of averages, the Raiders will not have so many key injuries.
Not all of the adversity Oakland faced this season was due to luck, fate, or karma. The silver and black had more yellow thrown their way than any team in league history, overtaking the 1998 Kansas City Chiefs. The Raiders finished the season with 163 penalties for 1,358 yards, both NFL records. Historically, the Raiders have been one of the more often penalized teams, but with even a reduction of 15-20%, giving Oakland 250 yards more progress during the season, would make a world of difference. Had Oakland managed 250 more yards of total offense this year, it could have meant winning both last-second losses to Detroit and Buffalo, and finishing an impressive 10-6. In fact, just one more win this season would have put the Raiders in the playoffs as the AFC West winner, and that could easily have been with lesser penalties.
Given the circumstances of the 2011 regular season, it appears the Oakland Raiders are in position to not only win the AFC West in 2012, but possibly earn a bye week and host in the feared Black Hole of O.com Coliseum. These signs should put the AFC West, and the rest of the league, on watch for the silver and black. A slow road back, is about to be paved with championships.
Haven Barnes is an NFL writer for The Penalty Flag. He can be contacted at HBarnes@thepenaltyflagblog.com.
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AFC West Quarterbacks: Pick Your Poison
Now that the Denver Broncos have named Tim Tebow the starter for 2012, at least going into camp, it’s time to put you in the owner’s box of the AFC West teams. Ask yourself, going into the 2012 season, which starting quarterback grants you the most confidence that your team can win the division? Your choices: Tim Tebow, Philip Rivers, Carson Palmer, or Matt Cassel.
Denver Broncos’ Tim Tebow: This season’s Mr. Controversial, setting aside the likes of Michael Vick, Terrell Owens, and Randy Moss, Tim Tebow had horrific passing statistics, but still managed a positive win-loss ratio. Although putting up most of his numbers in the waning minutes of games, Tebow has still managed a 9-7 record in his first 16 starts. Seven of those wins have come while trailing at the beginning of the fourth quarter. Tebow has a motivating factor for his teammates and the fans that gives him an emotional edge late in games. However, in regards to statistics, throwing motion, and general command of the offense, Tebow is conceivable the worst quarterback in the NFL, let alone the AFC West.
San Diego Chargers’ Philip Rivers: Once one of the most feared quarterbacks in the league, his team has diminished around him and left him mostly unprotected and alone. Free agency has taken outlet receiving backs like LaDanian Tomlinson and Darren Sproles, as well as third wide receiver Legedu Naanee. Rivers’ limited options have lured him into throwing 20 interceptions this year. Those errors, combined with an attitude you would expect to see from an impatient 12-year old, lead the Chargers to an over-inflated 8-8 team record. In contrast, Rivers had thrown for over 4,000 yards and 27 or more touchdowns in four consecutive years.
Oakland Raiders’ Carson Palmer: Palmer was thrown to the wolves in his first start with Oakland this year, resulting in three interceptions in a half. That pattern would slow, but continue nonetheless. Palmer finished his partial season with 16 interceptions. However, in nine starts, Palmer threw for over 2,600 yards and 13 touchdowns. He holds ten team, game and career, passing records for his previous team, the Cincinnati Bengals. Although Palmer is a seasoned leader, he has no playoff experience in over his nine-year career.
Kansas City Chiefs’ Matt Cassel: Arguably the most statistically average quarterback in the NFL, Cassel has neither amazed nor disappointed the Chiefs since being traded from New England in 2009. Over the past three seasons, Cassel has an average quarterback rating of 79.8 with 53 touchdowns and 38 turnovers (interceptions and fumbles lost, combined). The Chiefs are 21-27 since Cassel took over as the starter, an unimpressive record, without presenting enough impetus to make a quarterback change. On the bright side, Cassel threw 27 touchdowns to only 7 interceptions in 2010 and put the Chiefs into the playoffs as the AFC West winner.
All four starting quarterbacks have their strengths and weaknesses, and none of them seem completely detrimental to their team. However, there also seem to be no “world beaters” in the AFC West, and it’ll be a matter of time until one of them will need to shine if this division plans to return to prior glories. Now, the question falls on the owners and general managers of who increases the likelihood of winning in 2012. You decide.
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Tim Tebow Confused About His Beliefs?
Week after painful week, fans of the modest and unpretentious athlete are smacked in the face by the success of the Denver Broncos, and their emotional leader, Tim Tebow. The second-year quarterback has made it abundantly clear that his religion is paramount, and that his success is a direct result of his personal faith. The problem with this is that other people know what his holy book says.
Tim Tebow has been prepped since his days as a Florida Gator to love himself, and all the attention that success has brought him. Sure, fans will say that he is humble, that he puts the team before himself, and that he does all the right things. I say, if he’s true to his beliefs, he’s doing it all wrong.
First and foremost, we get it, Tim. We understand that you do a thing when you score a touchdown, or win a game. We identify that this scripted move is intended to draw attention your personal belief system. Yes, we fully comprehend that the sports world has given it a name, and it happens to be yours. But that, my friend, is not being humble.
After the game-winning pass against the Pittsburgh Steelers in the wildcard playoff game this past weekend, Tebow could not have been any more obvious about setting up his move, almost like a WWE wrestler about to finish off his opponent. The still and video cameras focused on him more intently than they did the man who caught and ran the final 80 yards. The world was watching as Tim Tebow unleashed his own personalized brand of conceit and self-importance.
I took a look at the book that so closely represents Tebow’s belief system and I found something very interesting. Humility is actually looked at as a virtue. Pride and vanity are, in fact, frowned upon. In Philippians 2:3 it says “Do nothing from selfishness or conceit, but in humility count others better than yourselves.” It also states in Proverbs 26:12 “Seest thou a man wise in his own conceit? there is more hope of a fool than of him.” A man who holds his values proudly enough to share with the world might consider viewing these statements carefully.
It’s not only the moves on the field that make me take notice of Tebow’s arrogance. It is also the powdery, scripted, good-boy attitude he presents in the post-game press conferences. After an emotional win, every player with a competitive spirit has something creative to say to the press. Even players that regularly show class and dignity will occasionally display more raw emotions when passions run high. Not, Mr. Tebow though, he has a public persona to uphold and does it with little sincerity. Those of us that have seen the likes of Dennis Rodman, Terrell Owens, Albert Belle, and Tiger Woods know the difference between genuine humility, and the fake, annoying kind. Tebow’s holy book mentions this as well. In Matthew 23:25 it is written,
“… you hypocrites! You clean the outside of the cup and dish, but inside they are full of greed and self-indulgence.”
While attending the University of Florida, the Gators took a loss and Tebow let his emotions come out, as we no longer see in his post-game press conferences. He had a long rant about no one working harder than he would for the rest of the season, and so forth. The University decided, while Tebow was still a student-athlete, that they would engrave that quote on the football building in which the team went in and out every day. I think his holy book says something about that too. Oh yes, here it is… Psalm 40:4 says,
“Blessed is the man who makes the LORD his trust, who does not look to the proud, to those who turn aside to false gods.” Eh hem, Mr. Tebow.
Additionally, Tebow understands where his fame puts him in the world, and uses it to further the spread of his personal religious and political beliefs. We all remember the anti-abortion Super Bowl commercial he and his mother did in 2009. His celebrity value accrued from his success at Florida and put him in a bright enough spotlight to make people tune in to his value-based campaign. For those of us that love our sports without the player’s political opinions, this was a display we could have done without. Tebow’s holy book appears to feel similarly as it states in First Corinthians 10:29, “For why should my freedom be judged by another’s conscience?”
If you’re not sold yet, I have a side note that is more for your amusement. Let us remember that ex-Alaskan governor and failed vice presidential candidate, Sarah Palin, thinks Tim Tebow’s religious compass is fully functioning. In Fox News interview she said, “Oh I am so pro-Tebow, you know he is so unashamed of his savior, Jesus of Nazareth. He knows Jesus is going to rock your world when you give it over to him, and he’s bold about it, and he knows that the son of God should be honored and praised. Tebow does that and I respect it.”
If you recall, Palin is the politician that took several months to travel around the United States on a bus draped in the Constitution to show us all how concerned she was with the state of the union. All of this drama with the perceived intention that she would announce a run for the presidency in 2012, which never came. If anyone knows humility, it would be her (dripping with sarcasm).
In all, the 2011-12 NFL season has been drenched with talk about Tim Tebow and his inexplicable come-from-behind victories, his poor throwing mechanics, questionable decision-making, and his physical and spiritual divisiveness. I argue that it’s about time this nonsense stops, and we all realize that Tim Tebow is not the first marginally successful religious man in the NFL, and he does not represent the millions of football fans that wish to keep their sports and faith separate. After all, it is Exodus 35:2 that states, “Six days work shall be done, but on the seventh day you shall have a Sabbath of solemn rest, holy to the Lord”? I think games are generally held on Sundays. Looks like someone needs to read more closely, and leave us out of it.
Haven Barnes is an NFL team writer for The Penalty Flag. He can be contacted at HBarnes@thepenaltyflagblog.com.
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Raiders Victories Have Become ‘Take ‘Em Where You Get ‘Em’
Over the past nine seasons the Raiders have not managed a winning season, quarterbacks and coaches have come and gone, and the silver and black have watched every AFC West team win a division title except them. For a brief moment in 2011, Oakland held their fate in their own hands, and possessed the ability to win the division outright and earn a playoff spot. With late-season losses to the Dolphins, Packers, and Lions, those hopes have been all but swept into the Pacific Ocean.
The Raiders have a young and talented team that simply has not found a way to finish games in the fourth quarter. The organization, and its fans, are hoping these players will grow and learn how to win over the next few years, but in the meantime, the thrills come by the way of two legs… two powerful, swift, and accurate legs. These super appendages are attached to future Hall-of-Fame kicker and punter, Sebastian Janikowski and Shane Lechler.
The luster of last-second victories, the ever-elusive NFL record for longest field goal, and the punts that send the receiver backpedaling have become Raiders fan’s most exciting prospects. For the devotees watching the Raiders game in the Overstock.com Coliseum this past weekend, this was abundantly clear.
No team likes to punt the ball away, but when Lechler comes onto the field to a cheer, you know the fans expect to see a great punt. A great punt is exactly what they get, time after time. Late in the fourth quarter, with the Raiders leading by six, Lechler connected on a high, spiraling punt that landed on about the 15-yard line and rolled and bounced inside the five, and was downed on the two-yard line. The crowd was audibly pleased, although additionally unsurprised. Lechler has been booming punts, and putting them where he wants them, since he was a collegiate punter at Texas A&M from 1996-99.
The ultimate anticipation, and overall excitement, in O.CO this past weekend was in the final two seconds of the fourth quarter, when Sebastian Janikowski entered the game for what would be a 65-yard attempt. There was not a football fan in the stadium that was not completely prepared to see NFL history made before their eyes. When most kickers step up for a long, desperation-type field goal the crowd watches out of the corner of their eye as they gather their belongings and head toward the exits. This was not the case when Janikowski stepped on the field on Sunday. The crowd cheered, clapped, and yelled at the top of their lungs for silver and black’s prized possession. This is not a one-time occurrence, but the norm when #11 makes his appearances.
When a team plays themselves into a position where small victories become the big ones, the Raiders have two kickers that offer those triumphs. Instead of a division title, a deep playoff run, or a top-notch statistical season, the Raiders will have to find solace in the fact that they will regularly witness some of the longest and most accurate kicks in the history of the NFL.
Haven Barnes is an NFL team writer for The Penalty Flag. He can be contacted at hbarnes@thepenaltyflagblog.com.
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Changing the NFL’s Big Hit Culture, One Penalty at a Time
NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell, and the powers that be in the NFL, have deemed violent and unnecessary hits an act that degrades and disrespects the game of football. The resulting 15-yard penalties, and ensuing financial penalties, levied against the players are adding up quickly as the league aims to change the big-hit culture that has spread over the past several decades.
The rule regarding illegal helmet contact, or helmet-to-helmet, was adopted in 1996. The rule is as follows: A 15-yard personal foul penalty will be called when a player”us(es) any part of a players helmet (including the top/crown and forehead/hairline parts) or facemask to butt, spear, or ram an opponent violently or unnecessarily; although such violent or unnecessary use of the helmet is impermissible against any opponent, game officials will give special attention in administering this rule to protect those players who are in virtually defenseless postures.”
The fans love to blame the officials, as always, but that is not where the problem lies. The problem is the players, and their apparent inability to alter the way they contact their opponents. For example, Pittsburgh Steelers’ linebacker James Harrison, who has been fined six times for helmet-to-helmet hits over his nine-year career, has been extremely vocal about the league (and officials) having it out for him. Although many other players have been penalized and fined for their illegal helmet contact, Harrison feels that he has been unfairly targeted.
This, of course, is not true and based solely on the fact that Harrison has not been willing to change the way he lays hits on opposing players. This past week Harrison laid a hit on the Cleveland Browns’ Colt McCoy that was designed to either injure him, or make the crowd “ooh” and “ahh”. Regardless of intentions, it was not only deemed worthy of a penalty during the game, but also a full paycheck fine and a one game suspension, which he will serve this week against the San Francisco 49ers.
The argument against penalizing, fining, and suspending players for illegal hits is that it takes away from what people love about football. Fans and commentators will often complain that Goodell and the referees are taking away a fundamental element of the game, and consequently making it less entertaining.
The inherent problem in this logic is that the game was not created in order to injure or maim other players. Nor was the helmet designed as a weapon used to gain an advantage. Players that are being penalized are doing just that, which, in fact, demeans the nature, history, and honor of the game. In addition, it devalues the sport for it’s stakeholders, players, and it’s true fans. Anyone that does not see this as true, has a number of other sports that rely exclusively on violence to achieve their viewership, and is welcome to become a fan of those sports instead.
Harrison’s trifecta of penalization for his helmet-to-helmet hit on McCoy is not only justified, but should also be applauded. This will be the first of many suspensions to come for players that continue to ignore the rules and good spirit of the game. The message is being sent by the NFL to the players that this behavior is unacceptable and will not be tolerated. Protecting the core values and decency of the most popular game in America is paramount, and trumps any popular distaste for a rule or it’s corresponding penalties.
Haven Barnes is an NFL team writer for The Penalty Flag. He can be contacted at hbarnes@thepenaltyflagblog.com.
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Ickey Shuffle to Lambeau Leap: NFL Celebrations Graded
In this day in age of the National Football League, it seems the player celebrations that take place after big plays are more important than the impact of the plays themselves… to the player that makes the play, that is. In 1965 the New York Giants’ Homer Jones celebrated a touchdown with what is known now as a “spike”. Forty-five years later celebrations have morphed into choreographed dances, signature moves, and persona-specific displays. Now, I will go through the different types of celebrations, and rate them on a scale from A-F, regarding sportsmanship, humor, choreography, and overall effectiveness.
First let me clarify what I mean by each category. Sportsmanship is in reference to how much or how little it embarrasses someone, including the celebrating player(s), detracts from the game, or lowers the overall respect for the moment. Humor is graded by how much effort went into making the audience laugh. Choreography is graded on the amount of practice time applied to the celebration, instead of the act of being able to replicate the feat being celebrated. Finally, the overall effectiveness grade is based on the combination of the above factors, and the likelihood the celebration should be generally accepted as reasonable, professional, memorable, and entertaining.
Ickey Shuffle
Brought to the world in 1988, Cincinnati running back “Ickey” Woods’ rookie season. Following a touchdown, Woods would hold the ball in his right hand, hop three times, then switch to his left, and repeat. Then he would spike the ball and aim his pointer finger in the air, rotating it in a circle and shaking his hips. Many teammates would join in the dance until the NFL banned dances in the end zone. Woods moved the celebration to the team bench, and continued the tradition until a career ending injury in 1990.
Sportsmanship: C-
Humor: B+
Choreography: A
Overall Effectiveness: B+
Leaping High-Five
Wide outs Art monk, Gary Clark, and Ricky Sanders made up the “Fun Bunch” of the 1984 Washington Redskins. Upon scoring touchdowns, these receivers, plus any additional players in the vicinity, would simultaneously leap into the air and connect hands in a “high-five”. Although paling in comparison to today’s standards, the leaping high five was recognized league-wide as one of the best celebrations.
Sportsmanship: B
Humor: D
Choreography: B+
Overall Effectiveness: B
Sharpie Sock
Wide receiver Terrell Owens could be on this list numerous times, and in fact appears more than once. In 2002 Owens scored a touchdown on Monday Night Football, and promptly pulled a Sharpie pen out of his sock and signed the football. After signing the ball, he gave it to the agent for cornerback Shawn Springs, who was attempting to cover him on the play.
Sportsmanship: D-
Humor: A
Choreography: B-
Overall Effectiveness: C+
Plax Tribute
Two weeks ago, Buffalo Bills’ wide receiver Stevie Johnson scored a touchdown against the New York Jets, and took that opportunity to mock fellow wide out Plaxico Burress with a tribute to his recovery from his 2008 accidental leg-shooting incident. Johnson danced, pretended to shoot himself in the leg, limped for a moment, and then replicated the Jets’ airplane arms celebration.
Sportsmanship: D
Humor: B
Choreography: B
Overall Effectiveness: C-
Fake Moon
2005 Minnesota Vikings versus the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field. Vikings’ wide receiver Randy Moss scores a long touchdown and works his way to the goal post where he bends forward and pretends to show his rear end to the fans in the closest seating section. Commentator Joe Buck would follow the celebration with a much criticized, “That was a disgusting display by Randy Moss”.
Sportsmanship: F
Humor: A
Choreography: C+
Overall Effectiveness: B
The Anti-Celebration
The Detroit Lions’ running back Barry Sanders made popular the celebration that wasn’t. Nearly every time Sanders would cross the goal line, he would seek out the nearest official and flip or hand the ball to him gently. Thereafter, he would find his way modestly to the sideline receiving congratulatory slaps and head butts along the way.
Sportsmanship: A+
Humor: F
Choreography: F
Overall Effectiveness: A+
Exit Stage Right
This past Sunday San Francisco 49ers rookie linebacker Aldon Smith made a fourth-down stop that forced the St. Louis Rams to punt. Smith, after picking himself off the turf, ran Forrest Gump style to the sideline, bypassing all teammates, took his helmet off and sat on the bench as if he’s been there all game.
Sportsmanship: A-
Humor: A+
Choreography: D-
Overall Effectiveness: A+
High Step
Cornerback Deion Sanders publicized this move during kickoff, punt, and interception returns for touchdowns during his 15-year career. This celebration involved, once clear of all potential tacklers, putting one hand behind his helmet and bounding with high kicks while in full running stride (a la the Rockettes).
Sportsmanship: D+
Humor: C
Choreography: C
Overall Effectiveness: A
Dallas Star Taunt
Again we find Terrell Owens on the list. In the 2000 season, Owens scored two touchdowns against the powerful Dallas Cowboys. After each score he ran to the middle of the field, where the star logo was painted, and raised his arms towards the sky. On the second attempt, Dallas safety George Teague attempted to push him off of the logo, resulting in an ejection for the Cowboy.
Sportsmanship: F
Humor: B
Choreography: C
Overall Effectiveness: C+
Lambeau Leap
Invented by Green Bay Packers’ safety Leroy Butler in 1993, this celebration involves the scoring player, solely of the home team, leaping into the front row of the crowd closest to the end zone. This has caught on in stadiums nationwide and continues nearly 20 years later.
Sportsmanship: B
Humor: C
Choreography: C
Overall Effectiveness: A
Haven Barnes is an NFL writer for The Penalty Flag. He can be contacted havenbarnes@gmail.com.
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For Oakland Raiders’ Foes; Don’t Hate, Concentrate
The Oakland Raiders were playing the Chicago Bears this weekend. The Denver Broncos were playing the San Diego Chargers. I never would have know that had I been dropped out of a time capsule into the middle of the sports bar I was attending this weekend. The Raider hatred ran thick in this bar, and it had nothing to do with the current games on the televisions. This seems to be a common theme in my travels to different stadiums, sports bars, and even local neighborhoods. It is not dependent on the region, the state, or the city that I am currently in. It happens everywhere, under all circumstances.
I have a yearly tradition to attend an NFL stadium that I have never been to. This season it was Kansas City, and I scheduled my trip the week of the Kansas City Chiefs - Broncos game. When I attend games, regardless of the teams playing, I show my support for my beloved Raiders. I am not ashamed to don my gear in enemy territory, that is for sure. In this particular game I decided the t-shirt with “Raiders” on the front and the feared emblem on the back, would be the attire. This decision was crafted to make sure those fans, both in front and behind, knew that the silver and black was my team of choice.
Although the Chiefs and Broncos played a close game, with divisional implications on the line, the focus in my seating section was on my Raiders gear and me. No, it wasn’t the visiting Broncos, with the hated Tim Tebow at the helm (who would eventually defeat the Chiefs), it was the silver and black emblem staring them in the face. It was the fear of the most hated team in the NFL that had infiltrated their precious game. Both Chiefs and Broncos fans alike had noteworthy words to say about my shirt, my team, and me.
This phenomenon is not limited to the AFC West.I have received similar treatment in Baltimore, Arizona, Philadelphia, Cleveland, and Seattle. It’s the same comment everywhere I go and it sounds something like this, “Whaaat? The Raiders!? I f***ing hate the Raiders”. I smile, maybe have a comment or two in return, and walk away gleeful. The grin comes from the clichéd quote, “it’s better to be hated than to be ignored”. However, with all the “Raider hating”, I ask myself what the motivations for this loathing stem from.
It could be that the Raiders have improved their play over the past couple of seasons and are again a factor in the AFC West. It could also be that Oakland currently leads the division, and if the season ended today they would be a playoff team. Possibly it’s because they hold a winning percentage of 53% all-time against the AFC West. The 13 Hall of Fame inductees, more than all the other AFC West teams, may be a factor as well.
All in all, it likely falls to the fact that the Raiders have been one of the most successful franchises in the history of the NFL. They have three Super Bowl Championships, to the rest of the AFC West’s two (combined). Even with eight consecutive years of sub-.500 records, they still rank fourth in all-time winning percentage. The Raiders have had some of the greatest player to ever play the game, and certainly many of the dirtiest. This has created, in the division as well as around the league, a hatred for the silver and black. Apparently so much so, that the fans lose their concentration on their team’s current game, and are taken in by the eye-patched pirate with two crossed swords.
I would use this as an opportunity to tell the fans of teams not based in Oakland, to move on, concentrate, and worry about your own team, but I take the hatred as too much of a compliment. In addition, the overly aggressive and all-consuming aversion to the Raiders can only benefit the players, the coaches, and the fans to return to NFL glory. So, bring on the hate, just don’t forget your team might actually be playing too.
Haven Barnes is an NFL team writer for The Penalty Flag. He can be contacted at havenbarnes@gmail.com.
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NFL 2011: A Rookie Odyssey
Every year for the last seven years I have signed up for fantasy football with ESPN. In each of those years I have added yet another team to the list, and one of them has been a team called Rookie Magic. Yes, it’s exactly what you think it is. The entire team, from top to bottom is made up of the rookies from that season’s class, minus the D/ST spot of course. In five of the last six years, Rookie Magic has finished in last place. In the one year they didn’t, they were second to last, just ahead of the “Schmoe” that didn’t update his team once, and had three players on injured reserve in his starting lineup.
This year? Well, this year is different.
Rookie Magic has been amazing, and is currently in fourth place, which is a playoff spot if the fantasy football regular season ended today. The Magic are solid at every position, except for tight end, and should continue to do well despite not having a single player with more than nine games of NFL experience. The fact that this team is doing so well made me realize something was happening. We, as NFL fans, are witnessing history.
Many draft analysts, prior to this year’s NFL Draft in April, were saying that this class was nothing exceptional. Many of them even looked past this draft and began discussing the race for Andrew Luck. Much attention was being paid to Cam Newton, and not for his ability as much as his potential collegiate integrity issues. However, as is often the case, the experts were wrong. The 2011 rookie class may be the best set of players, in regards to immediate impact, ever.
Now, don’t get me wrong, there have been amazing rookie performances by an individual… *see Randy Moss or Eric Dickerson. There have also been rookie classes that have produced a high percentage of Hall of Fame-type players… *see 1983 with the likes of Dan Marino, Jim Kelly, John Elway, Roger Craig, and Darrell Green. But this year, more than any other, has seen immediate impact from many different players, at many different positions. Let’s go through the list, and I apologize in advance to any NFL rookie that I don’t mention, but this is, after all, a tribute to your entire class.
Obviously you might think that the first mention is Carolina’s Cam Newton. Although his fantasy numbers are magnificent, Cincinnati Bengals’ quarterback Andy Dalton has put up more competitive numbers (and wins). Dalton has completed 60.3% of his passes, edging Newton by .1%, and thrown three more touchdowns and one less interception.
With that said, and much to the chagrin of fans interested in decent players having a high level of integrity, Newton has exceeded nearly every expectation of him. He is not winning many games, but the Panthers weren’t winning before he got there either. What he is doing is throwing for more yardage (and scoring more fantasy points) than nearly every quarterback in the NFL. He is averaging, even with a lackluster performance this past Sunday, 290 yards per game and has thrown or passed for 18 total touchdowns. In addition to Dalton and Newton, we mustn’t forget that Blaine Gabbert (Jax.) has played well enough for the Jaguars to have him as the only viable quarterback on the roster.
Impact wide receivers, A.J. Green (Cin), Julio Jones (Atl.), Denarius Moore (Oak.), Torrey Smith (Bal.), and Doug Baldwin (Sea.) are either leading, or close to leading their teams in receiving. All of these men have at least 400 yards of total offense to their credit. It seems as if Green had a touchdown in nearly every game, as he has six on the season. Jones, Moore, Smith, and Baldwin, have all been serious targets for their respective quarterbacks, and each make one or two jaw-dropping play per game.
DeMarco Murray (Dal.), Daniel Thomas (Mia.), Mark Ingram (N.O.), Delone Carter (Ind.), and Kendall Hunter (S.F) have all had serious impacts on their teams. Murray has earned himself a starting position in Dallas, and Ingram, if healthy, would have the same honor. Thomas is spitting carries with the resurging Reggie Bush, but offers a change-of-pace for the Dolphins. Carter and Hunter offer a spark when their teams are lacking momentum, which has been nearly every game in Indianapolis this season.
The only skill position on the offensive side of the ball lacking in this year’s crop of rookies is tight end. Lance Kendricks (Stl.) and Kyle Rudolph (Min.) are the only rookie tight ends with more than seven catches, and neither of them have scored a touchdown. There seem to be openings for them to make more of an impact in years to come, but that’s not working to prove my point, now is it?
Let’s not forget about the defensive side of the ball. Defensive linemen J.J. Watt (Hou.), Phillip Taylor (Cle.), and Marcell Dareus (Buf.) each have more than 25 tackles, at least two sacks, and have either forced or recovered at least one fumble.
Linebackers Von Miller (Den.), Ryan Kerrigan (Was.), and Mason Foster (T.B.) have all been a factor in their team’s defensive schemes. Miller has totaled 38 tackles with eight sacks, while Kerrigan has 41 and five respectively. Foster leads all rookies in tackles with 46.
Arizona cornerback Patrick Peterson has not only lead all rookies in interceptions and passes defended, he also leads the entire NFL in punt return yardage. He has a league-leading three punt returns for touchdowns, two of which were eventual game-winners. Speaking of special teams, Randall Cobb (G.B.) has been lightening in a bottle on kick and punt returns this season. He has averaged over 30 yards per kickoff return and has both a kickoff and punt return for a touchdown so far.
As our fantasy season’s move forward, and my Rookie Magic team makes it’s push for the playoffs, let us not forget what fantasy numbers mean. They indicate that a player has something to offer his NFL team (and fantasy owner). If fantasy points are a gauge for the general value of an NFL player, than this may very well be the best “immediate impact” rookie class of all time. Here’s to history, and a fantasy football victory.
Haven Barnes is an NFL team writer for The Penalty Flag and can be contacted at HBarnes@ThePenaltyFlagBlog.com
Related articles
- Which NFL Rookie QB is Head of the Class in 2011? (thepenaltyflagblog.com)
- Cam Can Break NFL Rookie Records (thepenaltyflagblog.com)
- Why Julio Jones will be the 2011 NFL Rookie of the Year (thepenaltyflagblog.com)
- Cam Newton Is More Than Just Michael Vick 2.0 (thepenaltyflagblog.com)
Al Davis’ Death Breathes New Life in Oakland
I couldn’t possibly address the Oakland Raiders without talking about the death of long-time owner Al Davis, who passed away on Saturday at his home. The divisive and controversial man added and detracted from the success of the Raiders franchise for nearly 50 years. Davis took over as head coach and general manager of the Raiders after the 1962 season, left in 1966 to become the commissioner of the AFL, which he promptly and aggressively attacked the NFL until a merger was formed in 1970. Davis then went back to the Raiders as the head of football operations, and assembled a team that would immediately win the AFL Championship.
