Week 6 Power Rankings by ESPN

Here is the Week 6 power ranking from ESPN.Com. Where did they rank the Dallas Cowboys after the crushing lost at Cowboys Stadium thanks to the Chicago Bears?

RANK	TEAM	RECORD	COMMENTS
1	Texans	5-0	Upcoming games against Green Bay and Baltimore should finally test the Texans. (Clayton)
2	Falcons	5-0	The Falcons are 3-0 in games decided by TD or less. They were 1-2 in their final three such games last season. (Sando)
3	49ers	4-1	They racked up 621 yards against the Bills and easily could have approached the 700 range. (Sando)
4	Ravens	4-1	Model of consistency: This marks the third straight season that Baltimore has started 4-1. (Hensley)
5	Patriots	3-2	New England’s offense looks like the 2007 version. Patriots’ last two games: 83 points, 10 touchdowns, two field goals. (Hensley)
6	Bears	4-1	They don’t even need the ball to beat you. In their past three games, the Bears’ DEFENSE has scored five touchdowns. (Graziano)
7	Giants	3-2	If the champs can run the ball the way they ran it Sunday, they could have the best offense in the league. (Graziano)
8	Vikings	4-1	They appear to be legit. They can run the ball and can stop the run. Successful teams have been built on less. (Graziano)
9	Cardinals	4-1	The Cardinals ranked last in yards per carry before losing Ryan Williams for the season. (Sando)
10	Steelers	2-2	Ben Roethlisberger recorded his 82nd career win and 25th winning drive in the fourth quarter or overtime. (Hensley)
11	Eagles	3-2	A two-point loss in Pittsburgh is easy to excuse. Two more Michael Vick turnovers… not so much. (Graziano)
12	Packers	2-3	Yeah, they really should be 3-2, but they’re not. And blowing a big lead to the Colts is a serious alarm bell. (Graziano)
13	Cowboys	2-2	Jay Ratliff’s post-bye return should help the defense. Dez Bryant needs to step forward and help the offense. (Graziano)
14	Chargers	3-2	If the Chargers beat Denver at home on Monday night, they will have a two-game lead in the AFC West heading into their bye week. (Fox)
15	Bengals	3-2	Andy Dalton has a better career record on the road (7-4) than at home (5-5). (Hensley)
16	Seahawks	3-2	The Seahawks’ top-rated defense (by yards) faces the Patriots’ top-rated offense. (Sando)
17	Broncos	2-3	The Broncos’ defense has to be able to get off the field on third down to allow Peyton Manning to do what he does. (Fox)
18	Rams	3-2	The Rams must reconfigure their receiving corps while Danny Amendola rehabs from injury. (Sando)
19	Dolphins	2-3	Miami is winning battle up front. The Dolphins rank No. 8 in rushing offense (136.2 per game) and first in run defense (61.4). (Hensley)
20	Lions	1-3	A tough post-bye test is coming this week in Philadelphia as Matthew Stafford & Co. search for that lost 2011 magic. (Graziano)
21	Redskins	2-3	They gave the Falcons all they had, but RG3 is concussed, and Skins Nation wails in panic. (Graziano)
22	Colts	2-2	Beating the Packers for Chuck Pagano was one of the best NFL stories in years. (Clayton)
23	Buccaneers	1-3	We need to see improvement from Josh Freeman and the offense following the team’s bye week. (Sando)
24	Saints	1-4	Even with a victory, the bye comes at a perfect time for a team needing to regroup. (Sando)
25	Jets	2-3	After scoring 48 points in the season opener, the Jets have recorded one offensive touchdown in their past two home games. (Hensley)
26	Panthers	1-4	It’s feeling like a sophomore slump for second-year quarterback Cam Newton. (Sando)
27	Bills	2-3	Are the Bills quitting? In the fourth quarter of the last two games, they’ve been outscored 52-7. (Hensley)
28	Titans	1-4	How did the Titans get this bad this quickly? Their defense can’t stop anyone. (Clayton)
29	Raiders	1-3	Desperately needing a win, the Raiders must travel to Atlanta, where the Falcons rarely lose with Matt Ryan at quarterback. (Fox)
30	Chiefs	1-4	It appears the Brady Quinn era is upon us. (Fox)
31	Jaguars	1-4	Instead of putting a tarp on empty seats, how about putting a tarp over the team? (Clayton)
32	Browns	0-5	Cleveland, which plays Cincinnati this week, is looking for its first AFC North victory since Oct. 3, 2010. (Hensley)

Source: ESPN.Com

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Welcome Back……..

Football Fans nationwide rejoice……

The NFL and the NFLRA have reached an agreement after a three-month lockout for the regular NFL officials to return to work starting tonight for the Cleveland Browns versus the Baltimore Ravens Thursday Night game.  The new collective bargaining deal was announced early Thursday morning.

Union officials will meet in Dallas, Texas this weekend to ratify the new eight year deal.

Key Points to the NFL and NFLRA Agreement

• 8 year deal through 2019 NFL season.
• Annual game compensation rises from 149K in 2011 to 205K by 2019.
• Current pension plan remains in place for the current officials through 2016.
• NFL has the option to hire full-time officials beginning with the 2013 season.

*Agreement must be Ratified by the Union.

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Agreement reached?

Chris Mortenson of ESPN.Com is reporting that the NFL and NFLRA reached an agreement to get officials on the field as of this weekend. 

 

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ESPN Power Rankings: Week 4

ESPN has released their NFL power rankings for week 4.

RANK	TEAM / RECORD	Last Week Rank	COMMENTS
1	Texans 3-0	2	Could the Texans clinch the AFC South before the end of the baseball regular season? (Clayton)
2	Falcons 3-0	3	All signs point to the Falcons taking the next step, becoming a legit contender. (Sando)
3	Ravens 2-1	6	They’re riding a 12-game home win streak, which is a franchise record and the longest current one in the NFL. (Hensley)
4	49ers 2-1	1	Before their loss at Minnesota, the 49ers had been 5-0 under Jim Harbaugh in 10 a.m. PT road kickoffs. (Sando)
5	Cardinals 3-0	14	The surprising Cardinals are 3-0 for the first time since 1974. (Sando)
6	Giants 2-1	8	The champs clicked on all cylinders in Carolina. Can they do same this week in Philly? (Graziano)
7	Packers 1-2	4	A clearly tainted 1-2, but this doesn’t look like the same offense. (Graziano)
8	Patriots 1-2	5	New England has a losing record for the first time since it lost the 2003 season opener. (Hensley)
9	Eagles 2-1	7	The turnover problem is reaching critical mass. Is Michael Vick on the hot seat? (Graziano)
10	Seahawks 2-1	17	The Seahawks are usually the ones complaining about unfortunate officiating. (Sando)
11	Bears 2-1	12	Still waiting for Jay Cutler and Brandon Marshall to rediscover that old Denver magic. (Graziano)
12	Cowboys 2-1	15	The offense should have looked better vs. Tampa Bay. The line could sink the season. (Graziano)
13	Chargers 2-1	11	The Chargers are coming off a tough home loss to Atlanta and now must win at Kansas City. (Fox)
14	Broncos 1-2	10	The Broncos can’t spot their opponents 20-point leads in the fourth quarter and expect Peyton Manning to bail them out. (Fox)
15	Bengals 2-1	16	First time in seven years that the Bengals have won two straight in which they’ve scored more than 30 points. (Hensley)
16	Steelers 1-2	9	Giving up winning drives late in games has become a frustrating habit for a prideful defense. (Hensley)
17	Jets 2-1	18	The defense has failed to pick off a pass the past two seasons when Darrelle Revis isn’t on the field. (Hensley)
18	Lions 1-2	13	Last year’s discipline problems still in evidence. Too many penalties. (Graziano)
19	Bills 2-1	22	Buffalo goes from one injured running back (C.J. Spiller) to one who is coming back from injury (Fred Jackson). (Hensley)
20	Buccaneers 1-2	21	The Bucs rank last in yards per game, yards per play and third-down conversion rate. (Sando)
21	Vikings 2-1	29	Upset of the week was Christian Ponder’s best game as a pro. (Graziano)
22	Redskins 1-2	20	They’ve scored more points than any team, but only three have allowed more. (Graziano)
23	Panthers 1-2	19	The Panthers are averaging about eight fewer points per game this season. (Sando)
24	Titans 1-2	26	If the Titans can’t be the Texans Sunday in Houston, they will be three games  behind in the AFC South. (Clayton)
25	Rams 1-2	23	Shortcomings on the offensive line stood out during tough defeat at Chicago. (Sando)
26	Chiefs 1-2	28	The Chiefs got a clutch win over New Orleans with a huge game from Jamaal Charles and the defense. But what about QB Matt Cassel? (Fox)
27	Raiders 1-2	30	The Raiders finally got Dennis Allen his first win as a head coach. Can they get him a second at Denver on Sunday? (Fox)
28	Saints 0-3	24	Nothing like a game against the ticked-off Packers to brighten the mood. (Sando)
29	Dolphins 1-2	25	The Dolphins play their next two games on the road, where they have lost eight of their past 10. (Hensley)
30	Jaguars 1-2	31	It looks as though Maurice Jones-Drew has shaken off the rust from his holdout. (Clayton)
31	Colts 1-2	27	Andrew Luck looked a little like a rookie in Week 3, but wow, is he good. (Clayton)
32	Browns 0-3	32	The Browns’ traditional poor start has dropped them to 4-15 under coach Pat Shurmur. (Hensley)

HOF Class Of 2012

Jack Butler, Dermontti Dawson, Chris Doleman, Cortez Kennedy, Curtis Martin, and Willie Roaf will be inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame today in Canton, Ohio at Fawcett Stadium today Saturday, Aug. 4.

Congratulations Gentlemen!

Could Football Become an Olympic Sport?

Could Pro Football become an Olympic Sport? According to NFL Commissioner Goodell taking are looking into it ask we speak.

Roger Goodell told Mike Florio on the Dan Patrick Show that football has taken many of the steps necessary to get recognized by the International Olympic Committee.

“Absolutely. We’re already taking steps to gain that IOC recognition. We have, I think, 64 countries that are playing American football now, and that’s one of the requirements. That’s been growing dramatically — I think it was 40 just five years ago,” Goodell said.

“Our point is just to keep growing the game,” Goodell said. “We’re having a tremendous reaction in London and the UK for the game of football, our regular season game over there is sold out again this year, we are seriously contemplating as early as 2013 playing two NFL games next season and I think we’ll do that. It’s a response to the tremendous fan reaction and the growth of the game. If we can continue to grow the game there and have the fan reaction that we have, there very well may be a franchise in London.”

Source:ProfootballTalk.com

FOXSports.com Top 100 NFL Players List

Fox Sports.Com has complied a list of their top 100 NFL Players. This is how Fox Sports made their list. They asked three key questions.

1. Which player would I rather have on my team?  2. Which player would make the most impact on my team? 3. Which player will be the best in 2012, specifically?

Some other considerations to keep in mind: Incoming rookies are not eligible. Stats matter, but only to a certain point. Injuries weren’t a game-breaker. Long-term future or career accolades don’t matter here — this season does.

Click here to view the NFL’s Top 100 players: 100-51.

Dallas Cowboys that made the list so far:

No.68- Tyron Smith, OT

No.67- Tony Romo, QB

No.58- Jason Witten, TE

Source:FoxSports.com

Mike Williams Released

The Seattle Seahawks recently released 6th year pro Mike Williams. With the 3rd receiver spot wide open do you think Jerry Jones should go after Williams?

Mike Williams Career Stats

Receiving
Year	Team	G	Rec	Yds	Avg	Yds/G	Lng	TD	20+	40+	1st	FUM
2011	Seattle Seahawks	12	18	236	13.1	19.7	55	1	2	1	13	0
2010	Seattle Seahawks	14	65	751	11.6	53.6	68	2	8	1	40	0
2007	Tennessee Titans	2	0	0	–	0.0	–	0	0	0	0	0
2007	Oakland Raiders	6	7	90	12.9	15.0	24	0	1	0	3	1
2006	Detroit Lions	8	8	99	12.4	12.4	21T	1	2	0	5	0
2005	Detroit Lions	14	29	350	12.1	25.0	49	1	3	1	20	2
TOTAL		56	127	1,526	12.0	27.2	68	5	16	3	81	3

Stats by NFL.Com

Source: NFL.Com

NFL Stadium Fans Will See Same Replays As NFL Refs

The NFL plans to allow fans in the stadium to view the same replays of calls under review as the game official sees them under the hood on the sideline.

“They’ll see the exact same angles at the exact same time as he does,” Falcons president and NFL competition committee chairman Rich McKay said earlier this week.

“I think this is another example of the league listening to its fans about what they want from the in-game experience,” McKay said. “I think throughout this edition of replay, the league, the teams and our broadcast partners have done a nice job of using the available technology to make the game better and make the experience better for the fans.”-Via ESPN.com

 

Source: ESPN.Com

NFLPA files suit against the NFL.

ESPN.com

The NFL Players Association filed a lawsuit against the NFL on behalf of the three players suspended in connection with the bounty investigation, calling commissioner Roger Goodell “incurably and evidently biased.”

Click on the link below for the full story:

http://espn.go.com/nfl/story/_/id/8131618/nflpa-files-suit-new-orleans-saints-bounty-matter

Source: ESPN.Com and The Associated Press