2009 Contract Year Motivation List
The following list of players includes restricted free agents (RFA) as well as unrestricted free agents (UFA) following the 2009 campaign. Read more...
Caption This: Flaming Entrance
We shuffled through some photos earlier in the week and came across this interesting angle of former Atlanta Falcons defensive tackle Grady Jackson heading out to the field amid flames and smoke to face the Chicago Bears in a contest earlier in the 2008 season.
It appears Jackson is a little too close to the fire for comfort, but sometimes things aren't really as they appear. Now it's up to you to caption the above photo to distort reality even further, so head down to the comments section below and give it your best shot!
Photo: Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images
Steve McNair Shot to Death
As the nation celebrated the July 4th holiday, tragedy unfolded for the NFL as news spread that former Pro Bowl quarterback Steve McNair was found shot to death in a downtown Nashville condominium Saturday afternoon. McNair, who played the majority of his career for the Tennessee Titans, was found along with an unidentified deceased female victim as well.
According to NewsChannel5.com in Nashville, both had suffered gunshot wounds, but further details of the incident are unknown.
Several people were taken to police headquarters for questioning, but no one is in custody at this time.
Drafted by the Houston Oilers (who eventually became the Tennessee Titans) in the first round (No. 3 overall) in 1995, McNair went on to a career in which he was once named co-MVP, led the Titans to a Super Bowl, and retired as just one of three quarterbacks to throw for 30,000 yards and run for more than 3,000. Even though the final years of his career were marked by a variety of injuries, McNair will always be recognized for his toughness and leadership.
Which Type of Fantasy League Should You Join?
For the beginner, just figuring out which type of league to join can be as confusing as figuring a quarterback's passer rating without a calculator, so About Football has put together an explanation of some of the more popular types of fantasy football leagues. Read more...
Fantasy Football Guidance on the Forum
So on the forum we're taking a survey as to the best free fantasy football leagues out there to join and what makes them so great. We also want to know which are the worst fantasy football leagues and why they should be avoided. We're also interested in the various structures and rules and types of fantasy football leagues. Which ones do you like and why?
Join the discussion. (You don't have to be a member to read the forum.)
Funny Fantasy Football Team Names
For those of you who are fantasy football veterans, I'm sure you're aware of the plethora of incredibly creative team names that are affixed to teams throughout the thousands and thousands of fantasy leagues. So we're asking for your help in assembling a list of some of the more clever, witty, humorous, and perhaps obnoxious nicknames ever assigned to a fantasy team.
We'll start the list off with a few of our favorites, and you can leave your contributions in the comments section below.
No Punt Intended
Orton's Neckbeards
Favre's Flip Flops
Urine Trouble
Rings Around Uranus
Victorious Secret
The Cereal Killers
Favre to Vikings a Done Deal?
Well, it seems Brett Favre to the Minnesota Vikings is all but inevitable now. According to a WCCO source, the former league MVP and the Vikings have come to a contractual agreement, "with heavy incentives", and the Vikings equipment manager has already ordered number 4 purple jerseys with Favre's name on it. If true, this confirms a report by Profootballtalk.com over the weekend.
Per the report, Favre will be at training camp when it opens in late July.
Though he is a better option at this point than anyone currently on their roster, I'm not convinced Favre is the right piece to complete the Vikings' championship puzzle. Read more...
Officials, Referees, and Umpires... What's the Difference?
Officials play a very important role in the game, from keeping things moving along to making sure the athletes don't unnecessarily hurt each other. Officials are responsible for monitoring the game clock and play clock, enforcing the rules of play, and recording all rule infractions.
You often hear them referred to by the general term of referee, but there is actually only one referee on the field during a game. Each official (usually seven in college and NFL games) has his own title and assigned responsibilities. Read more...
And if you've ever wondered what it takes to become an NFL official, we have all the details.
Photo: Eliot J. Schechter / Getty Images
Fantasy Red Flag - Running Backs Over the Age of 30
Following is a list of all NFL running backs who are, or will be over the age of 30 at some point during the 2009 NFL season. Read more...
Vick Released By Falcons, Future Uncertain
As has been reported by numerous media outlets, Michael Vick was released by the Atlanta Falcons over the weekend. The move was hardly unexpected as the Falcons understandably found little interest in Vick's services on the trade market.
So where does that leave the former NFL superstar?
Obviously Vick is free to sign with any team that will have him. However, a number of clubs have gone on record as saying they have no interest, so his options most likely are going to be very limited in that regard.
Then there's the issue of a potential suspension by the NFL further delaying Vick's return to the gridiron. There's been no indication thus far from the commissioner's office as to any santions that might be imposed, if any. But if there are any of significance, it will make it harder for clubs to justify potentially alienating a portion of their animal-loving fan base to land a guy with marginal quarterbacking skills to begin with who has been out of the game for a relatively long time.
Another option for Vick is the new UFL, which plans to kick off its inaugural season in October. But of course his preferred route back to the NFL is a direct one.
Should Vick, though, even be allowed to play professional football again?