Archive for Indianapolis Colts
Undefeated, But for How Long?
Posted by: | CommentsAfter seven weeks of what has already been an exciting NFL season, three undefeated teams remain: the Indianapolis Colts, the New Orleans Saints, and the Denver Broncos. The Saints expected these results when they first acquired Drew Brees. The Broncos, however, didn’t expect these results for at least a season. The Colts have been there and done that several times throughout the Peyton Manning era. In any event, the fact is that these teams have accomplished their goals up to this point, even though they’ve done it in different ways.
The 6-0 Saints boast the most efficient offense in the NFL, and it all starts with Drew Brees’ arm. He is third in passer rating, fourth in touchdowns, and seventh in passing yards. As a team, the Saints are fourth in total offense and lead the NFL in offense by almost 10 points per game. Without a doubt, Brees is having an MVP season, and this is exactly what the Saints envisioned when they acquired him in 2006. There have been very few shortcomings on offense ever since the quarterback arrived. And unlike past Saints teams, this 2009 version has added an aggressive defense to match their acclaimed offense. The Saints went from being ranked 23rd overall in total defense in 2008 to eighth this year. With a defense that can equally hold its own on the football field, the Saints are definitely a team that is headed in the right direction.
The Saints had sort of a close call this past Sunday when they traveled to Miami to take on the Dolphins. They uncharacteristically fell to a 21-point deficit, the biggest they have faced all season. Yet, the Saints proved that they could win another way. We’ve seen the many different ways this team was capable of winning in the past: it’s no secret that they can do it with offense, as they did in the first game of the season when Brees torched the Detroit Lions for six touchdowns. We have seen them win with defense, as they did against the New York Giants where they forced them into two crucial turnovers. This past week, we saw that the Saints have the ability to fall behind, and depend on the arm of their clutch Pro Bowl quarterback to win the game for them . . . even when he doesn’t live up to expectations to start a game. The NFL’s leading passer inked his worst game of the season to date, throwing three interceptions, losing a fumble, and taking five sacks. However, Brees performed when it mattered, leading his team to touchdown drives of 82, 79, and 60 on successive possessions in the second half. The Saints outscored the Dolphins 22-0 in the 4th quarter to capture their sixth straight victory of the season. Looking ahead at their schedule, their next significant game comes Week 12 against the New England Patriots. Yes, we have to wait four more weeks in order to tell if this Saints team is for real.
If you have been reading my other posts, then you know that the Broncos are well-chronicled on our website. Why? Because they are, by far, the biggest surprise of the year. Nobody expected them to be undefeated this far into the season. But the real test for the Broncos is yet to come. They still have two games remaining against the horrid Kansas City Chiefs, and one game against the Oakland Raiders. Would anyone kill me if I already penciled in three more victories for them? I doubt it. However, the rest of their non-divisional games are against some of the best teams in the NFL, who are also fighting for playoff positioning. The Broncos have a daunting schedule going forward, starting next week with the Baltimore Ravens. After the Ravens, they still have to face the Pittsburgh Steelers, Giants, Indianapolis Colts, and Philadelphia Eagles. We will see what the Broncos are made of after their next two games.
The Colts are the third and final undefeated team in the NFL. To be honest, I completely expected this from a veteran team. Many would argue they have the best quarterback in the league in Peyton Manning. Before the season started, I predicted the Colts would start off 8-0. I didn’t even consider that to be going out on a limb, especially once you looked at their first eight games on the schedule. Their first true test will be against the Patriots in Week 10. Circle this one on your calendar because it will be a game for the ages; that is, if the Colts remain focused on a week-by-week basis, and don’t overlook any teams in-between (such as their division rival Houston Texans in Week 9).
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Rookie of the Week: Week 2 – Donald Brown
Posted by: | CommentsOne of the most exciting reasons to collect NFL rookie cards is that you get to watch their values spike if the players perform on the field. To help capture that excitement, Upper Deck launched a new website to help collectors track 2009 NFL rookie cards, but also make predictions on which rookie would have the best week at OwnTheRookies.com.
Collectors who can successfully guess who will be Upper Deck’s “Rookie of the Week” will be entered into a drawing to win a box of 2009 NFL cards. After helping the Colts move to 2-0 on Monday Night Football, Upper Deck has recognized Running Back Donald Brown with the honors of “Rookie of the Week”. If you entered codes from Brown’s cards last week, stay tuned to the website to see if you are a winner!
Coming off of the 2008 season, the Colts were not ready to go into 2009 without a backup plan in case of injury to star running back Joseph Addai. Addai spent four games of the season on the shelf with various injuries, and playing at less than 100% often enough when he was healthy enough to play. Although the Colts were able to put together a good record, their lack of a rushing game without Addai was a problem they did not want to deal with again.
Donald Brown was drafted in the first round because of his play at University of Connecticut, mainly to fill a backup role behind Addai. They figured he could also be used as a change of pace back when their lightning fast star needed a break. He impressed collectors out of the gate with his potential, and was immediately near the top of the class in value for the running backs that were selected. Despite the fact that he didn’t have the same kind of college following as players like Knowshon Moreno of Georgia or Beanie Wells of Ohio State, his talent was undeniable.
Brown wasn’t used much in the preseason (mainly due to the physicality of the position), but still managed to score a touchdown against Detroit and put up a big run against top run stoppers in Minnesota. During the first regular season game, Brown looked great in his time on the field, putting up 50+ total yards behind Addai in a Colts win.
Last night, Brown’s carries dropped from eleven to six because the team was playing from behind during the second half, but he made the most of the reps he received. He averaged 6.5 yards per carry and became the first rookie back to score a rushing touchdown in 2009 en route to a come from behind win over the Dolphins. His touchdown tied the game late, and another catch was made later on a key play for a first down. He came away in week two again with over 50 total yards, and Colts collectors should be very happy to have him on the team to complement the revitalized Addai.
Brown has already had some pretty amazing cards hit the market, with autographs and rookie cards in every Upper Deck product so far this year. My personal favorite has been his Premier Rookie Auto Jersey out of 2009 Upper Deck, as it is the first UD card of the year to feature a certified autograph and player worn Colts jersey swatches. The card is also limited only to 40 copies, making it not only valuable, but rare as well. The design is absolutely stunning, and has already has collectors fighting for a chance to get one.
His base rookie card, also out of Upper Deck football, has one of the coolest action shots of the year as its subject. It features Brown diving for the goal line pylon while almost breaking through the front of the card. Many collectors love the base Upper Deck rookie set because of the amazing photography, and this card does not fall short in any sense of the word.
Lastly, Browns autographed parallel out of Upper Deck Heroes football is a great one to pick up in addition to the others. It features a hard signed autograph, as well as a cool design that features a game photo from Brown’s time as a UConn Husky. It is serially numbered to 199 copies, and should be an affordable option for collectors who don’t want to break the bank, but still want an amazing card.
Donald Brown definitely has the talent as well as the supporting cast to have a great career for the Colts, especially if he is going to be tag-teaming with Joseph Addai. As the NFL moves to a two back rotation for every team, Brown’s importance and involvement will grow along with his value in the hobby. His cards haven’t reached their pinnacle yet, which is great for people who want to get in at the ground level. He also has the luxury of playing for one of the best teams in the league, so his growing pains from the NCAA to the NFL should be minimal. He has already been a vital part of one of the team’s two wins, and that will only get to be more important as the season moves on. Miami and Jacksonville are not bad teams either, thus proving that he has the skills to go toe-to-toe with the better teams of the league.
Check in next week for the newest rookie to win top honors of the week, and don’t forget to enter in all your rookie card codes from the Upper Deck products you have collected so far. Not only can you win prizes, but the site has some great features to allow you to track rookies and their cards this season!
Adam Gellman runs the collecting blog Sports Cards Uncensored, and has been a collector of all things sports for over 15 years. To see more of his work, visit www.sportscardsuncensored.com (warning: strong language!).
Popularity: unranked [?]
The Ultimate 2009 NFL Preview: AFC South
Posted by: | CommentsPrevious Divisional Previews
NFC West
NFC South
NFC North
NFC East
Houston Texans
Expected Wins- 8.07
Scouting Wins- 7.08
DVOA Wins- 6.9
2008 Record- 8-8
There is a lot of good news in Houston. Matt Schaub has proven he can move the ball, and now just needs to stay healthy and stop turning it over. I’m more concerned about his durability. He is an accurate and strong-armed quarterback who should learn how to read defenses as he becomes more experienced. Running back Steve Slaton proved to be a great pick for the Texas as he gained 1,659 yards from scrimmage as a rookie. He isn’t the toughest runner, and he struggles a bit in short yardage situations, but there are specialty backs for just such situations. Right now the Texans are going with Chris Brown as Slaton’s backup. Brown should benefit from having a light workload as he has proven to be injury prone. Wide receiver Andre Johnson is playing at an elite level (think Larry Fitzgerald). Defenses double-teamed Johnson so WR Kevin Walter took advantage. Tight end Owen Daniels was another beneficiary, as he put up excellent numbers. Receivers David Anderson and Jacoby Jones were effective in limited usage. Andre Davis was ineffective in limited usage. The Texans drafted two tight ends that are going to have very different roles. TE Anthony Hill is going to be used primarily as a blocker, while James Casey is going to be groomed as Daniels’ backup. Casey was probably a steal in the fifth round.
Alright, the Texans have quality skill players on offense. Kudos to them. Unfortunately the Texans’ offensive line is not at the same level as the rest of the offense. I was surprised that the Texans went with center Antoine Caldwell in the third round, but I agree with the sentiment. Right tackle Eric Winston did a pretty good job, although not as good as the job he did in 2007. Left tackle Duane Brown got demolished, but he was a rookie and should improve. Left tackle Chester Pitts has successfully made the transition from tackle to guard. The Texans’ offensive line was exceedingly healthy last season and if there are injuries on the line the offense will likely struggle. I should note that the Texans are “Broncos South” as they are led by Gary Kubiak, and their offensive line is run by Alex Gibbs. Gibbs’ work in Denver and Atlanta was nothing short of exceptional. I’m just concerned he’s being asked to make chicken salad with chicken feathers.
The Texans’ defense was abysmal last year, particularly against the run. They picked up defensive end Antonio Smith to play opposite Mario Williams. Smith should be an upgrade over the departed Anthony Weaver, particularly against the run. Former first-round pick defensive tackle Amobi Okoye might become a bust, but he is still only 22 years old and could develop. The Texans drafted outside linebacker Brian Cushing in the first round, and signed OLB Cato June, but unfortunately June is injured and out for the season. Even without June, the Texans have decent depth at linebacker as ILB DeMeco Ryans and OLB Xavier Adibi are both returning. Ryans played very well last season but needs more help from the defensive line. OLB Zach Diles was going to spend more time on the bench this season with the addition of June, but now will be given a chance to build on his performance from last season.
Actually, upon further review, the Texans’ front seven looks like it could be pretty good. The only weak links are the tackles. Unfortunately, the defensive backfield is filled with weak links. Cornerback Dunta Robinson was superb when healthy but he was injured last season and I’m not sure he’s back to full strength. CB Jacques Reeves is nothing special. CB Fred Bennett looked promising a few years ago but has since been exposed and is now a nickel corner. Free safety Eugene Wilson is fine, but strong safety Nick Ferguson was ineffective and has been replaced by 2008 sixth-round pick Dominique Barber. Barber is athletic, but teams will attack him until he proves he can handle it.
Kicker Kris Brown is one of the best kickers in the NFL. The Texans were quite good returning punts, and exceedingly awful in punt coverage. Punter Matt Turk is near the end of his career and the Texans would be wise to find a replacement if he struggles.
I can understand all the optimism the Texans generate. They do have a dynamic offense and some talent on defense. With a softer schedule and an easier division I might share such optimism. As is, I see a losing season in Houston: 7-9.
Indianapolis Colts
Expected Wins- 9.77
Scouting Wins- 11.2
DVOA Wins- 11.5
2008 Record- 12-4
12-14-12-13-12. This combination represents the number of wins, per season, the Colts have had over the last five years. I wonder if we have taken the greatness of the Colts for granted because they only won one Super Bowl. Tony Dungy is gone but Peyton Manning remains. The Colts are no longer as one-sided as they used to be. The offense is still one of the best but the defense has now improved to the point where it is a strength. With Dungy gone the defense will likely become more aggressive.
Peyton Manning remains one of the best (and possibly THE best) quarterback in the NFL. He has a deep understanding of the game to go with his elite physical skills, although those skills do not include much in the way of mobility. If he goes down, the Colts are obviously done. Backup Jim Sorgi is generally good for one meaningless game a season.
Running back Joseph Addai was much less explosive than the Colts were expecting. The Colts only managed to average 80 yards on the ground a game. Addai is well rounded and is useful as either a blocker or receiver in the passing game. The Colts drafted RB Donald Brown in the first round; he was very productive at Connecticut and should provide a boost for the Colts.
Wide receivers Reggie Wayne and Anthony Gonzalez, and tight end Dallas Clark have been fantastic. All three should benefit with the removal of Marvin Harrison. TE Gijon Robinson’s job is to block. Wideouts Pierre Garcon and Austin Collie are competing for the slot receiver job. I have more confidence in Garcon but I trust the Colts to choose wisely.
The Colts’ offensive line was decimated by injuries and it showed in the line’s performance. They re-signed center Jeff Saturday. Backup center Jamay Richard looks like a suitable replacement but center for the Colts is a tough position (due to having to change blocking assignments as Manning switches plays) and it will take Richard some time to adjust. Right tackle Ryan Diem is consistently good in pass protection but much less effective as a run blocker. The bigger issue for the Colts is left tackle Tony Ugoh. He has struggled with injuries and hasn’t developed into the power-blocker the Colts were expecting. He remains a solid pass-blocker, but much weaker in run blocking. In fact the entire offensive line seems to have been constructed with pass blocking as the main goal and run blocking as an afterthought.
In the Dungy era the Colts’ defense was based on speed and the Tampa-2 coverage principles. Simply put, the Colts’ defense traded size for speed and traded power against the run for more field coverage to stop the pass. In football, like life, there are a variety of tradeoffs we are forced to make. Head coach Jim Caldwell and defensive coordinator Larry Coyer are moving in different directions. They drafted defensive tackles Fili Moala (second round) and Terrance Taylor (fourth round), and brought back DT Ed Johnson (previously dismissed after a drug arrest). Defensive ends Robert Mathis and Dwight Freeney are both explosive pass-rushers and will draw most of the offense’s attention. The Colts retained defensive tackles Raheem Brock and Eric Foster and can now rotate between size and speed.
I had as many sacks as the Colts linebacker corps did last season. Inside linebacker Gary Brackett rates pretty highly. The rest, well, let’s just say they wouldn’t attract too much attention as free agents.
The Colts’ secondary is excellent, although it does have some question marks. Cornerback Kelvin Hayden has developed into a top pro. CB Marlin Jackson is also very good but has to recover from an ACL tear. Tim Jennings is solid as a nickel cornerback. Rookie CB Jerrod Powers looks to be a good fit for the Colts. Strong safety Bob Sanders’s injury problems have given Melvin Bullitt a chance to develop, and he has proven to be quite capable when Sanders inevitably hurts himself. Free safety Antoine Bethea does an excellent job of playing centerfield while the strong safety cheats up near the line.
I don’t know why the Colts don’t care about their special teams units. Perhaps they simply didn’t want to make the tradeoffs required to have good coverage units. The Colts have been consistently bad on special teams. This off-season they lost one of their best special teams gunners, Darrell Reid, to free agency. Perhaps in a few years the Colts will have rebuilt their special teams units, but for now they look awful.
The Titans won the AFC South last season but it seems that so long as the Colts have Peyton Manning they remain the favorite to win the division. It is only due to the presence of a fairly tricky schedule that I have the Colts going just 11-5.
Jacksonville Jaguars
Expected Wins- 8.05
Scouting Wins- 6.93
DVOA Wins- 10.2
2008 Record- 5-11
10.2? It isn’t as if Football Outsiders thinks that the Jaguars have an easy schedule. Their projected average opponent has a DVOA of 1.4%, which is right around the median (15th toughest schedule according to Football Outsiders). The Jaguars weren’t quite as bad as that 5-11 record suggests. (6.2 Pythagorean wins), but even so, 10.2 wins is a huge improvement. The 2008 Jaguars had massive injury problems, particularly along their offensive line. They lost guards Vince Manuwai and Mo Williams in the first game. Center Brad Meester missed the first six games of the season. Tackles Khalif Barnes and Tony Pashos had off years. Overall, the offensive line was a disaster last year and the entire offense suffered because of it. KUBIAK loves when teams use high draft picks on offensive lineman and the Jaguars drafted two of the best: offensive tackles Eugene Monroe and Eben Britton. I love both picks. The Jaguars also signed offensive tackle Tra Thomas. The offensive line should be much improved but there are other issues the Jaguars have to deal with.
Quarterback David Garrard proved in 2007 that he can run an offense. He had a lousy season in 2008 but much of that can be blamed on his offensive line and receiving corps. When he did have some time to throw, usually from the shotgun, he was highly effective. Running back Maurice Jones-Drew is exceptional despite his small size. He has an elite mix of quickness, agility, hands, and vision that allow him to decimate defenses when in space. I’m not sure he’ll be able to physically handle the workload without the help of RB Fred Taylor. The Jaguars got great value in the seventh round with RB Rashad Jennings. While he played most of his college career at Liberty, he started as a freshman at Pittsburgh and should be able to adjust to the speed of the NFL.
The offensive line had an excuse for its bad performance in 2008; the receiving corps did not. Things might get even worse this season. The Jaguars cut troubled receivers Matt Jones and Reggie Williams, and traded Dennis Northcutt to the Lions. They picked up former Rams WR Torry Holt in free agency, but I think Holt is on the decline. The Jaguars drafted a pair of wide receivers. Mike Thomas could grab a job as a slot receiver, while Jarett Dillard could eventually work his way up to the No. 2 slot. Wide receivers Troy Williamson seems to be in Jack Del Rio’s doghouse, but given the weak competition they face, if he performs well in practice he should get some playing time. WR Mike Walker is tremendously talented and should have a breakout season if he can manage to stay healthy. Tight end Mercedes Lewis needs to drop fewer balls or else TE Greg Estandia is going to steal some of his playing time.
I’ll be blunt: the defensive line looks terrible. Defensive ends Derrick Harvey and Quentin Groves were awful as rookies, although Harvey flashed some talent in a two-sack effort against Baltimore. Groves might have to move to linebacker. Defensive tackle John Henderson isn’t as effective as he used to be and struggled with an MCL injury last year. DT Rob Meier was dominant in 2007 but regressed in 2008. The Jaguars drafted DT Terrance Knighton in the third round. I’m not sure how productive he’ll be as a rookie but he does give the Jaguars some defensive line depth.
The Jaguars no longer have linebacker Mike Peterson, but Daryl Smith, Justin Durant, and Clint Ingram should do a good job in his absence. Durant is a superior athlete. Smith is going to take over most of Peterson’s responsibilities and he appears well equipped to do so.
The Jaguars have taken steps to improve upon the disasters that were their offensive line, wide receiving corps, and defensive line. That just leaves the disaster that was the secondary. The Jaguars took cornerback Derek Cox in the third round. Let’s just put it this way: He didn’t even get a listing as a prospect in Pro Football Weekly’s Draft Preview. Either their scouting department found a gem (and took him in the third round), or they were merely seduced by a tremendous Pro Day performance. Cornerback Rashean Mathis was effective when healthy. He’ll start alongside Brian Williams. Williams has played both safety and cornerback for the Jaguars. Free safety Reggie Nelson takes a lot of risks, but too many backfired in 2008. The coaching staff would be happy to see him rein in his aggressive instincts in 2009. The Jaguars signed former Eagle strong safety Sean Considine. Mathis and Nelson have talent but if they don’t improve this season, the secondary will again be a weakness for the Jaguars.
The Jaguars are excellent in kickoff coverage. Apart from that, the special teams aren’t particularly effective.
I could see 10 wins from the Jaguars if the offensive line gels. I could see six wins if the defensive line and secondary perform poorly again. I expect the offense to perform well and the defense to perform poorly. Balance things out and you get an 8-8 season.
Tennessee Titans
Expected Wins- 8.68
Scouting Wins- 8.66
DVOA Wins- 9.3
2008 Record- 13-3
Twice in my life Tennessee has had the best team in the NFL. Both times they outplayed the Baltimore Ravens in a playoff matchup. Both times they lost. I actually feel bad for the Titans, as they are now far away from the Super Bowl.
Quarterback Kerry Collins did a yeoman’s job stepping in for Vince Young. After being the 2006 offensive Rookie of the Year, Young has failed to develop. He’s still young enough to learn how to read defenses and become a quality starter. I’ll be delicate and say I have concerns about his willingness to put in the work he needs to if he wants to reclaim the starting job. Patrick Ramsey might move up on the depth chart ahead of Young. Collins can continue to be effective so long as the running game is the main focus of the offense.
Running back Chris Johnson was phenomenal as a rookie and his playoff injury vs. the Ravens was the turning point of the game. Johnson is a speedster who pairs well with LenDale White. White is a physical runner who excels in short yardage situations but is not limited to them. Please note: White had zero fumbles in 2008, a massive improvement over the five he had in ‘07. White is in a contract year so expect another good performance.
The Titans decided their receiving corps needed a bit of an upgrade. They signed former Steelers wide receiver Nate Washington and drafted WR Kenny Britt. WR Justin Gage will start across from Washington. Britt is a solid possession receiver while both Gage and Washington can attack you deep. The Titans franchised tight end Bo Scaife. He isn’t an elite performer but he does fill a need as a short-yardage receiver. Rookie TE Jared Cook is a former wide receiver who could prove to be an excellent offensive weapon if he can add a modicum of blocking skills to his game.
Left tackle Michael Roos had an absolutely outstanding season. If he can maintain his level of play he’ll become a household name. Apart from center Kevin Mawae, the rest of the offensive line lacks pedigree but still turned in a great performance in 2008. The line was exceedingly aggressive and physical. I don’t expect the line to perform as well as they did last season, but even if they regress a bit they are still a major plus for the Titans.
It is hard to judge the quality of the Titans’ defensive line, as offenses had to spend two or three players to block Albert Haynesworth every play. Haynesworth has found his fortune in Washington. The Titans still have a deep defensive line. Jason Jones will likely slide down from end to tackle to replace Haynesworth. He had a great game against Pittsburgh but he, along with DT Tony Brown, will face a lot more offensive-line scrutiny without Haynesworth to distract offenses. Rookie DT Sen’Derrick Marks will provide depth and allow Brown and Jones to stay fresh. Defensive ends Jevon Kearse and Kyle Vanden Bosch are both shadows of the players they used to be. Vanden Bosch might bounce back if he returns to full health. Backup Jacob Ford had seven sacks last season and will see plenty of playing time. If either Kearse or Vanden Bosch continues to decline, defensive ends William Hayes or Dave Ball can step up.
Outside linebacker Keith Bullock leads an effective but not exceptional linebacker corps. OLB David Thornton is versatile, as he is strong against both the run and in pass coverage. I’m not sure rookie ILB Gerald McRath is ready to step in and help but if the Titans suffer an injury to one of their linebackers we’ll find out.
Cornerback Nick Harper put up excellent numbers, although he did so with significant safety help. CB Cortland Finnegan did not have equally impressive numbers, but he had the much harder coverage jobs. Free safety Michael Griffin has excellent speed and ball-hawking skills. Strong safety Chris Hope is a physical presence and was effective in pass coverage and as a run stuffer. The only concern about the Titans secondary is depth. Losing Harper would be a minor concern, but the rest are all tough to replace. The Titans grabbed CB Ryan Mouton in the third round. He is small but might be able to step in and cover slot receivers.
Kicker Rob Bironas has blossomed into a star, or at least as much of a star as a kicker can be without making multiple Super Bowl-winning kicks. I probably would have tried to find a replacement for punter Craig Hentrich. The Titans could also improve a bit on their punt return game, although they have brought in no personnel for those units.
The Titans were a great team last year due to an outstanding defense and a strong running game backed up by a consistent quarterback who didn’t make mistakes. I really like head coach Jeff Fisher but I don’t think he’ll be able to get this team to double-digit wins this season. The Titans still have enough talent on both sides of the ball for a winning season so I’ll go with 9-7.
Seth Burn has degrees in economics, accounting, and philosophy. His background is in statistical analysis and game theory. He can often be found covering his eyes at Jets games. If you have any questions or comments they can be directed to his cat Molly via sethburnatgmaildotcom.
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NFL Personalities: The Nice Guys I’ve Met
Posted by: | CommentsFans love knowing that the players they follow are genuinely nice people, or at least try hard to be. The irony is that some pro athletes get so much media coverage for their athletic accomplishments, but their real personalities rarely get to shine.
I have been fortunate to meet and interview more than 200 professional athletes over the years, mostly from the NFL. Some are as you might expect—uninterested, and issuing as many short answers as they can come up with. But I’ve also come across plenty who have been remarkably friendly and as accommodating.
Some of you can probably relate. You’ve had the chance to meet a player you’ve been following for years. Maybe he was cooler than you ever imagined. Maybe he was a jerk for whatever reason. Either experience can greatly affect your opinion of him, and how closely you’ll continue to follow him.
It’s always refreshing talking to a player who seems to be interested in meeting you. A handful stand out as the nicest and friendliest players I’ve ever met: here’s a recap of some of my experiences with them.
Terrence Newman, CB, Cowboys
When I introduced myself to Newman (a.k.a. T-New), I told him I was from Dallas and was glad that the Cowboys picked him. We just sat down and talked a bit about the Cowboys and playing his college ball in the Big 12.
Newman is a really funny guy. We were at the NFL Rookie Premiere Photo Shoot and he’d grab the photographers’ cameras and start taking his own pictures of other players.
He posed for a quick, impromptu photo shoot for the cover Beckett Football—the magazine I was covering the event for. He wasn’t being paid any extra for it, and he wasn’t contracted to do it. But he was more than willing and accommodating.
Several weeks later, when the magazine was printed with him on the cover, he even signed several copies for us to show his appreciation.
Adrian Peterson, RB, Vikings
As a life-long Texas Longhorns fan, I used to have a respectful distain for Adrian Peterson. Before I met him, I had this vision of a cocky, entitled superstar.
I was completely wrong.
Physically, my first impression of Peterson was just as I’d expected—a lean, rock-solid natural athlete. In fact, when I shook his hand, he squeezed my knuckles like they were cotton balls. He truly doesn’t know his own strength. It made me feel about a foot tall.
But Peterson has a very inviting disposition—as if he’s comfortable with anything you throw at him. He was constantly smiling every time I looked over at him. He was more than happy to pose for a couple pictures with a copy of Beckett Football with him on the cover.
It’s always cool to see a personality like Peterson taking over the league. The guy as rushed for more than 3,000 yards and 22 touchdowns in just two seasons. No doubt, he’s added a ton of fans to his crowded bandwagon: those fans can rest knowing that Peterson is a kind-hearted guy who absolutely loves football.
Matt Ryan, QB, Falcons
Matt Ryan takes home the Mr. Nice Guy trophy. In fact, he was almost too nice.
Ryan was a rookie when I interviewed him, and at first he seemed more like a church youth minister than an NFL quarterback. He was kind of thin and baby-faced, but I could tell he was smart and confident in a Peyton Manning sort of way. You can tell when a player is really listening to what you are saying to them when they start talking to you in more of a conversational tone, instead of just answering questions you are firing off. Such was the case with Ryan.
About halfway through our interview, Ryan had to be at another spot at the event we were at, but he insisted that I walk with him to finish the interview. So I did. I could tell he was trying his best to listen closely to my questions and answer them with as much detail as he could.
A couple of days later it was announced that Ryan had signed a six-year, $72 million contract with the Falcons. Maybe that’s why he was in such a good mood. Either way, Ryan is on to a great start to his career, having led his team to the playoffs in his rookie year. Heck, his first pass in the NFL went for a touchdown. It’s great to see a guy like him having such early success.
Patrick Willis, LB, 49ers
There are just a few players I’ve met who stand out as guys who seem to take football very seriously, and truly love the game. Guys like Texans WR Andre Johnson, 49ers RB Frank Gore, Lions WR Calvin Johnson, and Patrick Willis.
Willis was a beast in the SEC for Mississippi. I’ve asked several former SEC offensive players to name the toughest player they’ve ever had to face, and many of them named Willis. He led the NFL in tackles his rookie year (2007) and was second last year.
As dominating as he’s already become, when I met him, talking to Willis was like talking to an old friend I hadn’t seen in years. He also was one of the more conversational players I’ve ever interviewed. He went on and on about his approach to the game and what he needs to get better at. I could tell right away that there was no way Patrick Willis was going to fail in the NFL. If he was a stock, I would have bought all I could. He was one of those rare athletes that you just want to get to know more about on a personal level.
Dallas Clark, TE, Colts
Clark is possibly the most down-to-earth player I’ve ever come across. He instantly struck me as someone who does not belong among the superstar Hollywood-persona athletes. He had this overwhelming awe about actually being in the NFL. He’s more shy farm boy than Pro Bowl tight end.
I showed him the value of some of his early football cards in an issue of Beckett Football, and while flipping through the magazine he said, “I hope I’m not a common.”
Kind of ironic (not to mention funny), I think. Clark is now one of the best tight ends in the game, but is as much of a common man as anyone you’ll ever run across.
Trent Edwards, QB, Bills
You’d never peg Trent Edwards for an NFL quarterback. He looks as average as can be, and isn’t the prototypical big-frame, strong-arm signal caller you’d expect to see from an NFL starting QB.
Edwards’ quiet demeanor was refreshing when I met him in 2007. He was signing a bunch of autographs for NFL Auctions and I noticed how slowly he signed, which was completely different from just about every player out there. Then I looked closer and saw him signing every letter in his name in nice cursive handwriting: T-r-e-n-t E-d-w-a-r-d-s.
I asked him if it was important to him to sign a neat signature on autographed items. He responded, “Absolutely.” He said that if people are going to spend money for a simple thing like his signature, he would feel terrible if it wasn’t perfect.
Edwards clearly came across as someone who felt almost overwhelmed about making it to the NFL. He was completely respectful of the league and the career ahead of him.
Not all players can be Dallas Clarks or Adrian Petersons. But the ones who take the time to really show their respect for the game they play, and their appreciation for the fans that follow them: those are the ones who are humble at heart.
Those players are the ones who will be loved years after they retire, the ones who make cheering for our heroes so much fun.
David Lee is a Dallas-based writer, and the former editor of Beckett Football and Beckett Basketball. To see more of his work, visit his website at www.MrWriteMedia.com.
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