Football Reporters Online

By Dr. Bill Chachkes-Executive Editor-Football Reporters Online

As many of you who follow us on the website and radio show know, I recently made a big change in my life. Driving cross country, my wife and I re-located from Long Island NY to the Verde Valley region of Northern Arizona for health & lifestyle reasons.  Although the pace is a bit slower here, folks are still passionate about their football. Believe it or not, there are almost as many Giants, Pats, and Jets Fans here as there are in the NY tri-state  & Boston metro/ New England areas!

But try talking about tomorrow’s big game with any native Arizonian and the talk turns to their beloved Cardinals and their own current QB issues. Seems that people are realizing that Kevin Kolb may not be the answer to the long-term situation at QB in the valley of the sun. Hence the rise of  “Peyton Manning to the Cards” rumors, and talk of if John Skelton will ever be a legitimate NFL QB. I’m here to tell you that Skelton will one day be a very good NFL QB. I state my reputation on it. I saw him play enough College Football to know he has the goods.

That being said, Arizona would be a great fit for Mr. Manning should he decide to continue his football career, as he continues to intonate. Will he get to be a starter? As surely as the sun rises each day. Would he get a long term contract (four years or more)?  That’s the tougher question that needs to be answered, along with Manning’s long term heath status.

Saturday’s announcement of the Hall of Fame Class of 2012 revealed some induction surprises.  People almost expected Former Pats & Jets RB Curtis Martin to get elected and he did, but the four linemen who were elected to the hall left little room for other players like Cris Carter, Jerome Bettis, and Will Shields, who were passed over this year, as well as coach Bill Parcells, and former 49ers owner Ed DeBartolo.

Joining Martin in this class are Chris Doleman, Cortez Kennedy, Willie Roaf, Dermontti Dawson, and senior selection Jack Butler.

On to todays’ “Big Game.”  So much has been said between the two teams at this point that I’m not sure what or who to believe yet. One thing we know for sure is that it will be a tight, hard fought game that comes down to the last possession.  Everyone sees the key match up being the Giants’ Pass rush against the New England offensive linemen. I also look at the Giants receivers against the Pats’ defensive backs. I’m not so sure about how well the pats can “stick” the Giants  wide outs and slow them down.

I’m also one who watches the Special teams closely as an ex-coach and former kicker.  While the Giants coverage teams have had trouble in the past, that unit improved a bit this year, and I see the specialist’s for the Giants s having the edge.

Our thanks to Players Sports Bar In Cottonwood for allowing us to Broadcast from their establishment today, and enjoy the Game!

(Listen to the show from 4pm t0 6pm ET at www.blogtalkradio.com/Football-Reporters)

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By Jon Wagner-Sr. Writer at large-Football Reporters Online

Between 2003 and 2009, Indianapolis Colts fans watched their team produce an NFL-record seven straight seasons with at least twelve regular season victories, a Super Bowl victory, two Super Bowl appearances, three conference title game appearances, and four league MVP’s for future hall of fame quarterback Peyton Manning.

The second of those two Super Bowl visits came just two years ago, and although the 12-win streak ended last season, the Colts still made the playoffs for a ninth consecutive season.

So, it was a pretty safe bet that when the National Football League named Indianapolis as the host city for this year’s Super Bowl, the Colts would have more than a decent chance at becoming the first NFL team to play a Super Bowl in their own stadium.

Especially, when Manning was the NFL’s reining iron man with 227 straight starts.

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By David Levy-Fan Experience Reporter-FRO

The New York Jets controlled the big apple during the post season over the last two years. In fact, Jets fans like myself anticipated that the team would finally be the Kings of New York instead of the Giants. After all, since 2008 the Giants hadn’t come close to returning to the Super Bowl, while their former weak sisters nearly went there twice.  The Jets had control for once in New York.

But a whole new season can make a really big difference, considering where New York’s two teams are right now. Not only have the Jets free fallen into the murky abyss, they may have lost their chance to seize control of New York permanently at this rate while the Giants approach another Super Bowl.  Both teams were in control of their destiny this season.  The Giants took control while the Jets let control slide from their hands.

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By Anthony Carillo-contributing writer-Football Reporters Online

1. Andrew Luck, Stanford,

2. Robert Griffin III, Baylor,

3. Brandon Weeden, Oklahoma St.

4. Ryan Tannehill, Texas AM

5. Nick Foles, Arizona

6. Kirk Cousins, Michigan St.

7. Ryan Lindley, San Diego St.

8. Kellen Moore, Boise St.

9. Russell Wilson, Wisconsin

10. Chandler Harnish, QB, Northern Illinois

This quarterback draft class may have set the most records over their respective careers. You have Kellen Moore breaking the record for most wins as a starting quarterback, you have Robert Griffin III becoming the first Baylor football player to win the Heisman trophy, and you have Case Keenum, who shattered pretty much every passing record in the Football Bowl Subdivision.

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By Rafael Garcia-Sr. Contributing Writer-Southeast Region

Houston 41 Tennessee 7

In all the years this team has been in Nashville, no loss was ever this bad. The Titans last game was a trouncing by the Steelers, followed by the bye week. The bye was to be used to correct the mistakes of that blowout. It was supposed to be used to get ready for the biggest game this town has seen in years. It was for first place in the AFC South and what would have amounted to a two and a half game lead. What the fans and the team got was worse than expected.

Football is more than just skill and effort. It requires a passion and a deep commitment to your craft. You must come out every game on fire ready to hit the first opponent near you. After a bye week the Titans were expected to come out firing and fired nothing but dud after dud.

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By Rafael Garcia-Sr.Contributing Writer-Southeast Region-Football Reporters Online

September 28, 2011

Tennessee 17 Denver 14

During the week there was some trash talking between the teams. Some of the Bronco players said that last year the Titans played dirty at times. Courtland Finnegan was the main target and he heard what was said. He would not play into it and did his talking on the field. The rest of the Titan defense made some noise too. On this day it would be physical and there would be some casualties by game’s end.

With only two weeks gone in the season, the lack of a running game began worrying the team and fans as well. Chris Johnson had not made a dent yet and the Broncos didn’t allow much more from him. He carried the ball 13 times for 21 yards. That gives him a grand total of 98 yards in three games. He kind of did breakout but his two impressive runs were called back because of penalties. Punter Brett Kern matched his rushing total on a botched punt turned first down. After two weeks of saying that they would wait and be patient, Johnson and the coaching staff now feel the pressure of getting this ground game going. The contract Johnson signed is making the fans boo and the team wonder when will he get off. It puts pressure on him to perform and right now he just aint getting it done.

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