Bulluck Unsure About Future with Titans

Email Post Email Post

Update: According to the Tennessean, Tennessee Titans' LB Keith Bulluck admits he is unsure if he will stay the Titans. Bulluck's contract expires soon and on March 5 he will become an unrestricted free agent. Bulluck, who is recovering from ACL surgery on his left knee, said he never got his hopes up as the season went by without any overtures from the Titans. Yet if this is the end, Bulluck said he's not bitter. "I have seen guys who have been figureheads here being released,'' he said. "I prepared myself over the years for this, because I knew at some point my time would come. My time is here now. I have appreciated this organization for giving me the opportunity — 29 other teams passed over me. I made the most of my opportunity here, so we'll see what happens.''

Fantasy Impact: A first-round pick in 2000, Bulluck is the franchise's third-leading tackler all-time and he led the Titans in tackles six of the past eight seasons.



Texans let Robinson become Unrestricted Free Agent

Email Post Email Post

Update: According to the Houston Chronicle, the Houston Texans have informed CB Dunta Robinson they will not be using the franchise tag on him for a second consecutive year, according to a person with knowledge of the situation. This means Robinson will become an unrestricted free agent on March 5 and will be able to sign with any team. Robinson, a first-round draft choice in 2004 who played six seasons with the Texans, earned $9.957 million last year when he was designated as the franchise player. Before he was franchised, Robinson turned down an offer that would have guaranteed him $23 million.

Fantasy Impact: Expect the Texans to use a high draft choice on a replacement.



Hanson files civil suit against Raiders

Email Post Email Post

Update: According to the Oakland Tribune, former Oakland Raiders' assistant coach Randy Hanson filed a civil suit against the Raiders and coach Tom Cable on Tuesday, according to court documents. The suit, filed in Alameda County, cites assault, battery and intentional infliction of emotional distress. The suit stems from an incident in training camp in Napa last August, when Cable allegedly punched Hanson in the face and threatened several times to "kill" him. Hanson is seeking damages in excess of $25,000.



Raiders Tag Seymour

Email Post Email Post

Update: According to the Boston Herald, the Oakland Raiders franchised DE Richard Seymour at a cost of $12.398 million for 2010, but the two sides have been in contract negotiations for a long-term deal that are still continuing. Seymour recently told the Herald he would be “happy to stay with the Raiders and be a part of bringing them back to the playoffs.”



Jackson Likely To Get NFL Suspension

Email Post Email Post

Update: According to the San Diego Union-Tribune, San Diego Chargers' WR Vincent Jackson will receive four days in a work-release program after pleading guilty to his second drunken-driving offense since 2006. Jackson will also likely receive a suspension this fall from the NFL. Jackson, 27, was sentenced to five years’ probation, a $2,408 fine and 15 days of community service stemming from his DUI arrest in January 2009. Since it’s his second DUI offense, Jackson likely will be suspended by the NFL, according to the league’s substance-abuse policy. The suspension could be about two games, but his overall punishment could have been much worse. Jackson’s blood-alcohol content in January 2009 was measured at 0.17 percent, more than double the state limit.



Westbrook won’t retire

Email Post Email Post

Update: The Philadelphia Daily News is reporting that running back Brian Westbrook, released yesterday by the Eagles after eight seasons, said he has no plans to retire and has already heard from three or four teams that are interested in his services. He also said he is "completely healed" from the two concussions he suffered this past season. Westbrook made his first public comments since his release in a radio interview with 97.5 The Fanatic this morning. "My plan is not to retire," he said. "My plan is to continue to play football. I’ve already startred training for next season. That doesn’t necessarily mean there are teams that will pick me up … I’m going to put all my effort into [returning]. I will make a return to the NFL. It will just not be with the Philadelphia Eagles."

Fantasy Impact:  The Eagles didn't even offer Westbrook a pay cut, which does seem odd.  They must be convinced that the one time star running back's best days are behind him.  He will find work with another team. 



Westbrook won’t retire

Email Post Email Post

Update: The Philadelphia Daily News is reporting that running back Brian Westbrook, released yesterday by the Eagles after eight seasons, said he has no plans to retire and has already heard from three or four teams that are interested in his services. He also said he is "completely healed" from the two concussions he suffered this past season. Westbrook made his first public comments since his release in a radio interview with 97.5 The Fanatic this morning. "My plan is not to retire," he said. "My plan is to continue to play football. I’ve already startred training for next season. That doesn’t necessarily mean there are teams that will pick me up … I’m going to put all my effort into [returning]. I will make a return to the NFL. It will just not be with the Philadelphia Eagles."

Fantasy Impact:  The Eagles didn't even offer Westbrook a pay cut, which does seem odd.  They must be convinced that the one time star running back's best days are behind him.  He will find work with another team. 



Panthers not concerned about RBs

Email Post Email Post

Update: The Rock Hill Herald is reporting that Panthers general manager Marty Hurney expressed no concern over the recent surgeries to running backs DeAngelo Williams and Jonathan Stewart. Williams had minor surgery on his foot, and Stewart's surgery was to help stop the pain in his achilles. 

Fantasy Impact:  The Panthers will have both these guys back and healthy, and there is no concern about they missing any regular season action. 

 



Cardinals looking for veteran QB

Email Post Email Post

Update: The Arizona Republic is reporting that the Cardinals are expected to bring in a veteran quarterback to compete with newly appointed starter Matt Leinart this offseason. Leinart has been declared the team's starting quarterback since Kurt Warner retired, but the team is clearly worried about whether or not he can be an elite starter. 

Fantasy Impact:  There will be a few names out in free agency who may land in Arizona's camp.  Guys like Chad Pennington and Marc Bulger are the first that come to mind. 



Felix Jones to take over in Dallas

Email Post Email Post

Update: Josh Ellis of Dallascowboys.com is speculating on his Twitter page that running back Felix Jones will lead the backfield in carries for the Cowboys in 2010. Ellis speculates that Tashard Choice will also see an increase in carries.

Fantasy Impact: It is no secret that Marion Barber lost touches last season, and his role may continue to dwindle.  Fantasy owners should move Jones up their draft charts.  



Brees Tweets for Saints to land LT

Email Post Email Post

Update: New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees posted on his Twitter page that he would love to get recently released running back LaDainian Tomlinson in New Orleans. "Crazier things have happened," wrote Brees.

Fantasy Impact:  Crazier things have happened, but this won't.  The Saints aren't going to bring in LT to play behind Pierre Thomas when they are already trying to decide what to do with Reggie Bush.



Jacksonville looking to trade down

Email Post Email Post

Update: Jaguars.com is reporting that Jaguars general manager Gene Smith has said he would like to trade down from their spot in the first round of the upcoming NFL draft in order to acquire extra picks. The Jaguars will draft either 10th or 11th, depending on a coin flip.

Fantasy Impact: The Jags are reportedly interested in getting a top pass rusher.  



Hilariously Entertaining Episode of “Auto-Tune the News”

Email Post Email Post

I know that the whole auto-tune thing is relatively played out and that a lot of people are sick of it. In many instances, I am too. However, when it’s done well, it can be wildly entertaining and very funny. The video below is an example of exactly that. (And since it talks about the Super Bowl at the end, I can justify putting here on MSF.)

Enjoy.

(If you’re here on a mobile device, here is the link to the YouTube video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qizNQKzatXA)

Email the author of this post: jerod@midwestsportsfans.com



Video: Scott Van Pelt Gets Pranked on SportsCenter by Howard Stern

Email Post Email Post
howard stern pranks sportscenter

Watched this live last night. (Hat tip to @Franchise23 for sending me the video link.)

Someone from the Howard Stern Show called in impersonating Brian Westbrook and got on the air for a live interview with Scott Van Pelt. (For more background, read Robert’s post at BSO.)

How do we know the caller was from the Howard Stern Show? Well, listen to the last thing “Brian Westbrook” says.

Scott Van Pelt, easily one of the best anchors left at SportsCenter, has a reaction that is priceless.

[Read more...]

Email the author of this post: jerod@midwestsportsfans.com



No easy games in Big East as Pitt, Notre Dame clash

Email Post Email Post

Online betting players have no idea how to handicap the Big East, which is by far the toughest conference in the country and should have at least two No.1 seeds in the NCAA Tournament after three last season.

A recent hot streak has Pitt in the thick of the battle for the conference title, but they have to be careful when they head to explosive Notre Dame on Wednesday.

[Read more...]