featured site on the
F.R.O's Managing Partner Dr. Bill Chachkes talks with Kevin Boss at Giants Training Camp on 8/15/08 (Photo by A.C.Fumai)
www.nfldraftmag.blogspot.com
and www.nflbiz.blogspot.com
are our Blog Pages hosted in conjunction with Sports Business Simulations
we can also be found at: www.yardbarker.com/DrFootball
Currently on our NFL Page: Mike Porpora tells us how the Dolphins turned it around & Mike Ingram talks about the Greatest Game ever played! Click"the NFL" from the top nav bar.
!!DON'T FORGET OUR SUPERBOWL SPECIAL!!
SUNDAY 2/1/09 From 3-6 PM@
SOUTHWESTNY Your downtown destination for fine southwestern food!
Follow This Link for a Map and Directions: www.Southwestny.com
CURRENT NEWS-Reported by F.R.O Staff
Wild Again?
By Micheal Porpora for Football Reporters Online
One example of how consistent the teams across the league are, and the likelihood for a Wild Card to emerge as champions, can be the matchup between the 12 and 4 Colts, who have to go to San Diego and face the 8 and 8 Chargers (AFC West division winners). That might just a case for the terrible AFC West division, but it begs the question, who is the better team playing away from home? This will surely even the playing field a bit more and makes this game a toss-up. Once a team reaches the Division Championship game anything can happen and that means even a Wild Card team can go all the way.
In the end, the 2009 Super Bowl winner could undoubtedly be playing this weekend. The road to the title is far less challenging than that of the Giants last season, with much more parity among all 12 playoff teams this year. Last season the winner had to go through the undefeated Patriots who seemed to be far and away the best team in football, week after week. This year the Super Bowl will roll through Tennessee and East Rutherford, but don’t be surprised if one of those teams gets knocked off by a hot and hungry team playing with a chip on their shoulder.
Jets And
Their Fans Learn Tough Lesson The Hard Way
From
the time he was selected as the New York Jets’ first pick in the 2000 NFL
draft, until the time the Jets unmercifully dumped him for Brett Farve, Miami
Dolphins’ quarterback Chad Pennington was always criticized no matter how much
heart he showed, nor how steady he was in leading the Jets through good times
or bad.
This town can be tough for a guy like Pennington, and it was, for a player thrust into such a high-profile position, coming from a smaller college program like Marshall. Unless you’re a superstar who helps deliver at least one championship, it’s never easy playing in New York. Some players who fail to make New York a title town, handle that level of demanding pressure well and with class, with nary a single complaint, and some don’t at all. Pennington was one of the rare ones to be counted among the former, and never the latter.
Yet,
with everything on the line, Pennington returned to the place he once called
home, to outduel Favre. He went a much more efficient 22-for-30, for 200 yards,
with a pair of touchdown passes and no interceptions, while Favre struggled to
a 20-for-40 day, for 233 yards, a single touchdown, and three very costly
picks, in the Dolphins’ AFC East-clinching 24-17 win over the Jets, on the 2008
regular season’s final day.
Eds. Note-I once met Chad in the Home Depot in East Meadow N.Y. This was while he was at the zenith of his popularity, and i was still covering the team on a regular basis. When i said hello to him by name, he begged me "not to blow his cover" I told him that i knew him from covering the team, and i assured him that the last thing i would do was Scream at the top of my lungs "LOOK EVERYONE CHAD PENNINGTON's In HOME DEPOT BUYING a TOILET!!!" That made his day. Even Before Mangini, even before Tannenbaum, This team had it's players believing that Interaction with outsiders has to be "permitted" and set up through the Jets media department. Sad.
JET BETS ARE IN AS COACHING SEARCH BEGINS
by TJ Rosenthal for Football Reporters Online
The search for the right fit began today for the NY Jets and their coach in 2009. Here is a bettors guide to who will become the 17th coach in the clubs 48 years history. Hopefully they are looking for a guy who can provide stability and win, not just make a splash or be a name guy to sell PSL licenses.
1-Bill Cowher 3-1 The Jets are in talks now with "The Chin." 161-99 in 15 years in Pittsburgh. 15 years. That's stability. The Jets have had 17 coaches in 48 years. Then again this is Pittsburgh we're talking about, where stability is the foundation to winning. Cowher won the Super bowl in 2006 then called it quits to be with the family and take up piano. He's ready gain but he wants power as far as personnel decision making goes. Current GM Mike Tannenbaum said today that he is willing to go get coffees again, I meant, be reassigned within the organization. Tannenbaums 2008 highlights included the signing of key free agents Calvin Pace, Alan Faneca, Damien Woody, Brett Favre and the drafting of 1st round bust Vernon Gholston who finshed with two more tackles than Jay Feely. Mr T is apparently a shrewd accountant and ought to be left with this job at least. Leave the math and Cowher alone.
2-Marty Schottenheimer 5-1- A successful and winning coach who has had his share of playoff struggles . His son calls the plays for the Jets. Family reunion?Always the motivator. Had Earnest Byner never fumbled in the 1987 title game, Marty might not be carrying the stigma of being a loser around. San Diego let him go after a monster 14-2 season that ended in a crushing loss to the Pats at home. Who doesn't lose to Belicheck in the playoffs? Norv Turner , the new Chargers coach is having the Herm Edwards effect as Shotts replacement. Each season the team wins a few games less. i know, late season run. 52-21 over the Broncos and now AFC West champs. Hey, if Denver didn't lose all five running backs then collapse like the Jets, Turner would be on this list too. Keep that in mind. The fire may still be burning for Marty. Unfinished business anyone?
3-Steve Spagnulo 10-1-The hot coordinator. Has made the Giants defense interchangable. Strahan retired? No problem. Umeniyora out for the season?
No worries. Home field advantage throughout. This one wreaks of one of two directions. The direction of John Fox ,former Giants defensive coordinator who has done a great job in Carolina. The Spagnulo hiring could also go the way of Pete Carrol, star Jets coordinator whose 6-5 Jets ran the table backwards in 1994. He was fired days later.
4-Brian Billick 25-1 This smells like the perfect Jet hiring. The Super Bowl guy with the best defense in football who was sold on Kyle Boller long enough to ruin his own chance at a dynasty. Has alot of winning qualitites in that he's won but a big ego. The Boller thing and the fact that Baltimore was touchdown challenged under him scares me.
5-Mike Shanahan 50-1. Now that Denver just canned him, let's throw the running back guru into the mix. He's won titles in Denver, and can make any RB an impact .
The Broncos lost their whole backfield this year and it caught up with them. They also couldn't stop a pee wee team from scoring but hey, this is what the Jets have to work with. Bet you if Shanny signs on Leon becomes the feature back and a host of no names with speed soon become his understudies.
6-Bill Parcells 100-1. Goodness. Him again? If Wayne Huzienga sells the team, Parcells can actually walk , and walk away with 9 million extra too. That would mean he'd have to show up somewhere. He's tried to be horse racing weirdo at OTB but he gets bored. THe Jets could appeal to him, but not for long. Of course it would be fun, the team would win but there are no guarantees that it would last or a solid foundation be in place when he leaves again. Remember when Bellicheck came to the podium and resigned? Ugly moment. Only the Jets. Nonetheless this IS Parcells. Giants super bowls, built New Englands first run, then the Vinny Jets,
then Dallas who is currently egotistically challenged and can't follow up, now 1-15 Miami. He's the best. A miracle worker. The Jets dont need a miracle worker. It's not THAT bad. Who though would turn Bill down? Would he do it is the bigger question.
7-Jimmy Johnson 500-1 I know. I know. Who the heck is bringing Jimmy Johnsons name up? I am! He valued speed on the field. Took advantages of mismatches and made stars like Michael Irvins threats by using them alot. Knew Marino was over but was stuck with him. His tenure in Miami would have looked different had he not had that albatross hanging over him. He looks comfortable in the studio but I tell you, there'd be no let downs in snowy Seattle against a 2 win team with him. Guarantee you that.
8-Josh Mcdaniels 1000-1 The Pats offensive coordinator HAD to be a major reason as to why Matt Cassel became a household name. From sprint roll outs to the full playbook, with great decision making thrown in, there's no reason why Mac can't make a Brett Ratliff functional. This being of course if the Jets who once were dominated by Patriot envy, still have a bad case of it , and want to raid Belicheck ..AGAIN. Mcdaniels would then of course be locked out of the Foxboro facility where his car keys are.
9-Greg Schiano- 1,000,000-1 Let's just use Schiano as the example, or in Jet land, the PATSY here. The hot college guy that everyone wants. I know Rutgers struggled this year but you can't get Urban Meyer. He's busy trying to coach every single divsion 1 team before the NCAA goes to a playoff format in 2050. A college coach going straight to the Jets? Lou Holtz. 1976. Forced the team to sing a stupid fight song. Then quit. The Jets went 3-11. I'm not throwing this all on Schiano, I'm just saying..
10-Mike Martz-1,500,000-1 Now why would the Jets do that? well, simple. They are the Jets. This guy may be the only guy who will interview for the job and actually want Favre back. If Woody is sold on Brett, and inflexible about it, it could come down to a guy like this. Jim Fassel would be better if Brett in 2010 was the case. Warning: Either way, this direction will be an utter and total disaster.
By Michael – Louis Ingram and Wendell P. Simpson
BASN/FRO
11/16/08
Editor’s Note: In BASN’s continuing series about the plight of the disposable heroes of the National Football League, we take a look at a former player’s vision for solving a problem the League will never admit to…
When Leonard Marshall speaks, everyone should listen.
As a defensive stalwart for the New York Giants, Leonard Marshall had assets which belied and defied most casual observers. Speed, power, fluidity of movement and overall technical skill as a defensive lineman that paved the way for his inevitable entrance and acceptance into pro football’s Hall of Fame.
Unlike many of his peers, however, as Marshall wrapped his arms around many an offensive player, he knew when to let go. And unlike even fewer of said peers, Marshall, while acknowledging the accolades, knew when and how to assimilate into the real world.
“That is without question the paradigm facing the player in his post – career phase of life,” reveals Marshall, speaking to us from Florida. “What do you do when the cheering stops? And, more importantly, are you prepared for life after you leave that locker room for the last time?
Marshall, who left Louisiana State University early for his football career, received his Master’s degree in Business Administration, and is now working on his doctorate while teaching sports management at Seton Hall University.
“When you come into the League, you are given a pad, a pencil and an itinerary – and you follow that itinerary knowing this is how it will be as long as you are there.
“But there is no pad or pencil or itinerary when you leave – and this is where so many young men – and older men – have fallen by the wayside.”
Implementing the Game Plan
While attaining his MBA, Marshall took mental notes of the situation regarding the class action suit against NFLPA and Players, Inc. as well as sharing his feelings and listening to other peers and current players in the League. “I observed what was going on around me and I could see there was a void in this transitory phase of these players’ lives.
“So I began working on a formula that would address some of the very issues everyone talked about –as well as some that didn’t merit as much immediate concern.
“I discussed this with some like – minded gentlemen, and from those conversations we created the Game Plan Foundation.”
Partnered with Corey Crowder, a 10 – year veteran of the National Basketball Association, and Andrew Neitlich, an MBA from Harvard, Marshall created the Game Plan Foundation (GPF); a non – profit organization designed expressly to provide medical and financial support for former players, most of who are unprepared for life after football.
Neitlich, a strategy consultant and author, reveals one truth that resonates from press box to locker room. “The sad reality with many of these kids we seek to reach is that in the three year span which encompasses most of their careers, they will make more money than they ever will again in life; but what they do with the money is the issue.
“But while many of them squander the cash on self – indulgence, they lose sight of the fact one day the phone will stop ringing – and the need for their services will have disappeared.”
Marshall also says one aspect not to be forgotten is this psychological effect to many a player once that phone does stop ringing. “There is a ‘midlife crisis’ many of these young men come to grips with years before they chronologically are in sync with their work life spans – which creates a disconnect.
“Most of these guys are feeling in their early 30s what other men in the workplace feel 10 or 15 years later, and that can create serious depression into a young man who just an eye blink ago was running for the end zone or making a game – saving stop.”
Education is the key, according to GPF – but that doesn’t always manifest itself in the world of pro football supply – and – demand. “You have guys going to school to play football, but many of them have little or no education when they leave,” said Marshall, “and the rate of success for guys like that in the NFL is very, very small – try one percent.
“Unless an epiphany or real – world situation hits that young man, they don’t realize until it’s too late that they need to find a job once they are out of sports.”
Neitlich feels that through GPF, many former players can restore their confidence by remembering what made them successful in the first place. “Many of the attributes these players brought to the table make them prime candidates to be successful in the corporate world.
“The commitment and discipline they used to make it in the league can be used in going back to school – or going into business. There is never a fear of failure when a cornerback gets beat on a long bomb; they just line up and go at it again.
“Sometimes it just takes a rekindling of that fire to get a young man’s head straight and apply it to his present situation – be it a new job or getting his degree.”
Marshall revealed how little regard the NFL has for its charges. “When I came into the league, I had to join the NFLPA – every player does. And you had to deal with (former NFLPA president Gene) Upshaw whether you wanted to or not.
“But one thing Upshaw encouraged players to do was to take advantage of the programs that were at our disposal. Unfortunately, that’s not the case now as the NFL sprinkles crumbs down to the players. Out of a multi - billion dollar conglomerate like the NFL, only $45,000 was squeezed out for a program to provide continuing education for players.
“There was a young man who was with me on the Giants, his name was Philippi Sparks. You might remember him even more now because his daughter, Jordan, was the winner on American Idol.
“Coming in the league as a young father, I told Sparks the same things that had been passed on to me – to keep focus on what life would be like after football. Because for every cat that makes it, too many others are broke or broken by the game.”
Gridiron Sham?
When asked about the organization Gridiron Greats, which was founded by former HOF member Mike Ditka and ideally supposed to do what GPF is already doing, Marshall paused before speaking frankly about its inability to follow through on its mission.
“The thing with Ditka was he and his people started Gridiron Greats with the intention to help with the disconnection ex –players feel -- but in truth, the organization hasn’t helped any one particular player.
“They raised money at golf events and such, but after their records show over $700,000 in donations, they have spent only $57,000 of it in a donation to a Catholic church, not any players. If you check their IRS 990 form, it shows the same.
“Two people that were with Gridiron Greats, my former teammate Harry Carson and Chris Visser (brother of sportscaster Leslie) resigned from the organization in large part because of this and a failure of management to grasp the concept behind those disconnected players. The person Ditka brought in to run it (Jennifer Smith) didn’t have a clue.”
(BASN & FRO attempted to contact Gridiron Greats Executive Director, Jennifer Smith to get her take on this, but as of press time, was unable to respond.)
“There are too many lives at stake, too many people we can help but no time to waste,” reminds Marshall. I made a point of creating this with others who would collectively bring forth a model which would work in providing a lifeline for former players that the League could utilize to generate a positive environment for those who play this game we love.
“While some may feel the League doesn’t owe them anything, improving their quality of life should be morally imperative to a League which wants to be seen as upright and a caretaker of the most popular spectator sport in the country.”
Rest assured this Game Plan will not be the last you hear from Leonard Marshall.
mike@footballreportersonline.com
Managing Partner's Note: We want to thank Wendell Simpson of Black Athlete Sports Network for his contribution to this article.
Read More on pour AFL page or at the NFL Business Blog
| Mike Ingram talks about the Movie "The Express" on our College Football Page. |
|
||||||||
chrislong View Original |
gholston View Original |
jakelong View Original | ||||||
dorsey View Original |
mattryan View Original |
mcfadden View Original |
||||||
The View of the Stage at Radio City on Day two of the 2008 NFL Draft.
Lester, A long time Browns fan, shared his thoughts with us.
True Packers Fans who Braved the chill of New York City to be at the day 2 draft festivities.
All photos Above by Jon Wagner for Football Reporters Online. All Gallery Photos and the shots below
by A.F. Chachkes Or Dr Bill Chachkes for Football Reporters Online
Dr Bill Chachkes Speaks with "Bill Walsh"
Jon Wagner speaks with some Giants Fans waiting for their Wristbands
Bill has a good time with some Steelers fans
Jon has a calming moment with long time Giants fan"Blue Shrek"
As we Wrapped up outside on day one, Jon met this Broncos fan who came all the way from Colorado with his flag
Even the Last pick in the Draft deserves some Love
with just a few picks to go, Bill and ESPN's John Clayton talk it up....
(thanks to Yardbarker.com's Dewey Hammond for taking this shot)
