Archives October 2009

The Cleveland Browns have agreed to trade troubled wide receiver Braylon Edwards to the New York Jets on Wednesday morning.

Terms of the deal are still being finalized but it is believed the Jets agreed to send key special teams player Jason Trusnik, wide receiver Chansi Stuckey and a pair of draft picks to Cleveland. The draft picks are the final details of the trade and are believed to be a 3rd and 5th round selections.

There was talks swirling since the off-season that Edwards would be dealt. Then there was talks he would be out by the trade deadline. After a game on Sunday where he was catchless against the Bengals he found a way to make the headlines in other ways…

Late Monday morning outside an Ohio night club Braylon Edwards caused some trouble with Lebron James and friends. Finally punching one of Lebron James friends and sending him to the ground. Charges were not filed, but Lebron James went on to say it is a jealousy thing with Braylon. This seemed to be the last and final straw for coach Eric Mangini and the Cleveland Browns.

There is no doubt Edwards has talent, and could potentially be a top 7-8 wide receiver in this league but; it has widely been discussed that his first priority is being a celebrity rather than a football player. Let’s see if that improves any in the big city of New York.

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At one point Crabtree threatened to sit out the entire season. At that point it looked like another troubled wide receiver was entering the NFL.

However, after months of holding out Michael Crabtree sat down with the 49ers and has agreed to a 6-year contract that allows him to void the final year of his deal if he surpasses performance clauses.

Crabtree and agent Eugene Parker met into the early-morning hours Wednesday with 49ers owner Jed York, general manager Scot McCloughan and Paraag Marathe, vice president of football operations. The two sides had gone almost three weeks without talking.

As we know this league is about TALENT, and that is exactly what Michael Crabtree will bring to a team that lacks an explosive wide receiver. Coach Mike Singletary, whose 49ers lead the NFC West at 3-1 are off to their best start since 2002 isn’t stupid – He wants things to remain that way. With it’s best offensive player in Frank Gore out until at least October 25th getting Crabtree signed was a bigger priority.

If Crabtree wasn’t signed by November 17th he would not of played for the 49ers this season and would of been eligible to re-enter the NFL draft next season.

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Nobody wanted it to happen but, reality is this situation was going to happen sooner than later.

After another loss on Saturday coach Bobby Bowden said Sunday morning he isn’t planning on quitting anytime soon.

Florida State is 2-3 for the first time since Bowden’s inaugural season at the school 33 years ago, and 0-2 in the Atlantic Coast Conference for the first time. After more than a few years in decline, Florida State is no longer the powerhouse they were, or want to be.

In a statement most some people saw coming but, hoped it wouldn’t – Jim Smith, the chair of the university’s Board of Trustees, told the Tallahassee Democrat it’s time for a change.

“My hope is frankly that we’ll go ahead, and if we have to, let the world know that this year will be the end of the Bowden era,” said Smith, according to the newspaper. “… I do appreciate what he’s done for us, what he’s done for the program, what he’s done really for the state of Florida. But I think the record will show that the Seminole Nation has been more than patient. We have been in a decline not for a year or two or three but I think we’re coming up on seven or eight. I think enough is enough.”

When Florida State brought Jimbo Fisher on board it was understood he would be Bowden’s successor after he stepped down.

After Saturday’s 28-21 loss at Boston College, it looks like FSU is wanting Fisher to take over the head coaching duties starting next season.

These thoughts not only are coming from the higher ups within the Football Program but two Florida newspapers, including the hometown Democrat, also said Bowden should call it a career at the end of this season.

“The love and admiration we all have for Bobby doesn’t put fans in the seats, money in the coffers or national championships in the trophy case,” Orlando Sentinel columnist Mike Bianchi wrote. “Bobby used to be able to do all those things, but clearly he cannot anymore.”

Steve Ellis, the Democrat’s beat writer who frequently doubles up with opinion pieces, wrote that Florida State must make a tough decision while Bowden’s successor, Jimbo Fisher, calls the plays for the offense.

“It is time,” Ellis wrote in Sunday’s edition. “This should be Bowden’s last season.”

Bowden’s 384 wins are three fewer than Penn State coach Joe Paterno, the career leader in victories among major college coaches. Bowden turns 80 in just over a month, and has a contract that gives him the option to return in 2010 — but no later, or the school will have to pay Fisher a $5 million bonus.

Bowden, known for turning a program in shambles to a Nation Powerhouse, and affable personality that will be remember forever, said Sunday that he’d make the decision on his future in conjunction with the university president when the time is right.

“We are the ones who will determine what we do and what kind of progress we make,” Bowden said. “I will determine my situation. I won’t let some guys’ speculation tell me when to move.”

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If losing game after game wasn’t enough, the Raiders have some serious turmoil within. It appears as if the training camp rumors were true about Tom Cable getting into it with one of his assistants.

The Oakland Raiders are bracing itself for the possibility that head coach Tom Cable could be arrested soon in relation to an alleged assault on an assistant coach. Criminal charges against Cable could lead to a suspension by the league.

Napa Valley (Calif.) police have declined to comment on the investigation but, the attorney for Raiders assistant coach Randy Hanson said that Hanson told police he had been assaulted by Cable on Aug. 5 while the Raiders were in training camp. Hanson was treated for a broken jaw and his attorney, San Francisco-based John McGuinn, said three other coaches, including Marshall, witnessed the attack.

McGuinn did not return three messages left by Yahoo!, but told NFL.com that the situation was “a textbook case of felony assault.”

Napa Valley police Commander Andy Lewis declined to discuss the matter, but defended the progress of the investigation even though no arrest had been made in nearly two months.

“I’m not going to address the case, but it’s not as simple as just making an arrest,” Lewis said. “You don’t know the issues involved with the case.”

If arrested, Cable could also face a suspension from the NFL for violation of the personal conduct policy. Under the policy, coaches and executives are held to the same standard, if not a higher one, than the players.

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