Ryan Mallett was released on Tuesday, October 27, by the Houston Texans for missing the teams flight to Miami on Sunday, a game in which the Texans were embarrassed by the Dolphins 44-26. It was reported that Mallett missed his flight due to oversleeping that morning.
Mallett, 27, was drafted in the third round in 2011 to the New England Patriots. After backing up Tom Brady for three years, Mallet was traded, in 2014, to the Houston Texans for a conditional 2016 sixth or seventh-round draft pick. He got his first chance to start, week 11 of the 2014 season, against the Cleveland Browns. In that game he passed for 211 yard, two touchdowns while completing 66 percent of his passes to defeat the Cleveland Browns 23-7. The next week he had his season ended early due to an injury against the Cincinnati Bengals.
Entering the 2015-16 season it wasn't clear who head coach Bill O'Brien would name the starter, between Mallet and former and Cleveland Brown quarterback Brian Hoyer. When the season opener came around, Hoyer would be named the starter against the Kansas City Chiefs week one. At the end of the game Mallet was put in the game to replace Hoyer but the Texans were still on the losing end, coming up short 27-20. Mallet would also get the opportunity to start in the next four games following week one. In those four games, he [Mallett] passed for 672 yards, two touchdowns and four interceptions, with a record of 1-3. In week five vs the Indianapolis Colts, on Thursday Night Football, he was pulled in the second quarter for Hoyer who would out-perform Mallet. After being sidelined they continued to show the frustrated Mallett pacing the sidelines. That would be the last opportunity that Mallet would get as a starter in Houston for coach O'Brien.
It was reported Sunday Morning that Mallett did not travel with the team. It would come out later that he was didn't travel because he said that he overslept, resulting in him missing the flight.
Mallett for most of his career, pro and college, has been put in a bad position to succeed and be the long-term answer for a team.
Coming out of high school, Mallett was a five-star recruit and one of the top prospects in the country and would commit to Michigan. After his freshman season, Mallett would then have to deal with the offense changing over as Lloyd Carr retired and the team would name, now Arizona and former West Virginia head coach, Rich Rodriguez as the new head coach. Rodriguez had a much different offensive system than coach Carr, a system that didn't fit well with Mallett's style of play. After Michigan announced the new coaching regime, Mallett transferred to Arkansas where he would have to sit out his first year. He played the 2009 and 2010 season as the starter for the Arkansas Razorbacks - passing for 7,493 yards, 62 touchdowns and 19 touchdowns - declaring for the NFL after his junior season. He was drafted in the third round to the Patriots organization and he would have the benefit of sitting behind Tom Brady and learn more about the quarterback position at the professional level from one of the greatest to ever play the position.
Being traded to the Texans in 2014 seemed to be the gate opening for Mallett to be a starter. However, over the offseason, when the Texans signed Brian Hoyer the more the doubt grew that Mallet was going to be the leader of this offense. After losing out to Hoyer, it was clear that O'Brien didn't have much faith in Mallet as a starter. This Texans team doesn't seem to have much stability and after getting off to an rough start (2-5) it appears that they aren't even sure if Hoyer is the answer.
Mallett, now a free agent, may benefit the most from this situation the more you look at it.
The Texans look bad, I don't think they'll be able to recover from this poor start, they look to be fighting for the no.1 pick more than a playoff spot at this point. Mallett might not be a starter again this season, but I can think of three teams that could use him on their rosters right now - San Francisco, Dallas, and Cleveland would all be good fits for Mallett and he could be one player being injured away from receiving that phone call. You never know, given the right opportunity, Mallett could one day get his chance to prove he could be a starting quarterback in this league.
Talk Sports. Live Life. All opinions are my own. If you want you can agree with me. "To be the man, you gotta beat the man" - Ric Flair
Wednesday, October 28, 2015
Friday, October 23, 2015
NFL: Five Things from Week 6
Flashback Friday: Shareef Abdur-Rahim
Shareef Abdur-Rahim was drafted no.3 overall in the 1996 NBA draft by the Vancouver (now Memphis) Grizzlies. Abdur-Rahim spent his first five years with the Grizzlies before being traded to the Atlanta Hawks in 2001, which helped land the Grizzlies current NBA all-pro Pau Gasol. In 2000, Abdur-Rahim was on the U.S. Olympic team that took home the Gold medal in Sydney, Australia.
Abdur -Rahim played 12 seasons in the NBA and was named to the NBA all-star team in the 2001-02 season. He also did a little acting through his NBA career, playing a role as himself on the popular sitcom 'The Jamie Foxx Show'. Adbur-Rahim had a very impressive career averaging 18 points per game and 7.5 rebounds; six seasons he averaged over 20 points per game ('98-'02 & '04).
After leaving the Atlanta Hawks in '02, Abdur-Rahim had a small stint with the Portland Trailblazers - '03-'05 - before joining the Sacramento Kings, where he would spend his three final seasons as a player. His career would end after suffering numerous injuries and after the '07-'08 season he would decide to hang up his basketball shoes for good. He didn't have a hall-of-fame career, no, but his style of play during that time was something that teams had trouble guarding and his mid-range shooting ability was one thing that made him such a special big man.
Looking back, I can honestly say that him being drafted no.3 in the 1996 draft speaks volumes for the type of skills that he had and displayed.
Notable players he was drafted ahead of: Ray Allen, Stephon Marbury, Antoine Walker, Kobe Bryant, Peja Stojakavic, Steve Nash, Jermaine O'Neal.
Abdur -Rahim played 12 seasons in the NBA and was named to the NBA all-star team in the 2001-02 season. He also did a little acting through his NBA career, playing a role as himself on the popular sitcom 'The Jamie Foxx Show'. Adbur-Rahim had a very impressive career averaging 18 points per game and 7.5 rebounds; six seasons he averaged over 20 points per game ('98-'02 & '04).
After leaving the Atlanta Hawks in '02, Abdur-Rahim had a small stint with the Portland Trailblazers - '03-'05 - before joining the Sacramento Kings, where he would spend his three final seasons as a player. His career would end after suffering numerous injuries and after the '07-'08 season he would decide to hang up his basketball shoes for good. He didn't have a hall-of-fame career, no, but his style of play during that time was something that teams had trouble guarding and his mid-range shooting ability was one thing that made him such a special big man.
Looking back, I can honestly say that him being drafted no.3 in the 1996 draft speaks volumes for the type of skills that he had and displayed.
Notable players he was drafted ahead of: Ray Allen, Stephon Marbury, Antoine Walker, Kobe Bryant, Peja Stojakavic, Steve Nash, Jermaine O'Neal.
Wednesday, October 21, 2015
What's Next For The 6-0 Cincinnati Bengals?
Thursday, October 15, 2015
Flashback Friday: Cadillac Williams
Carnell "Cadillac" Williams was drafted in the 2005 draft by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers with the no.5 overall pick. Coming out of college, Williams was one half to the dynamic-duo running back committee at Auburn along with no.2 draft pick that year Ronnie Brown. In his rookie campaign, Williams rushed for more than 1,100 yards and six touchdowns. Williams helped carry the Buccaneers to the playoffs and he also won the 2005 Offensive Rookie of the Year award. Known for his bruising, physical style of play and speed to match, Williams was poised to have a great back in the league. However, after suffering a disastrous knee injury in 2006-07 season, Williams was never the same again. Williams made a full recovery in 2009 but would return to the same form. In his last two season with the Buccaneers (09-10) Williams rushed for 1,260 yards ( a little over 3 ypc) and a combined 6 rushing touchdowns. It was obvious that Williams was not the franchise back that they had drafted and his better years were behind him. Williams played one last season in the NFL after leaving Tampa Bay, joining the St. Louis Rams in 2011. In his final season he carried the ball 11 times for 87 yards and a touchdown. In his six-year career, Williams rushed for 4, 038 yards, 21 rushing touchdowns, adding 1,002 yards receiving and 4 receiving touchdowns. Cadillac Williams is a great example of how fast a great career can be cut short and or altered by an unexpected injury.
Video courtesy of Alpod on Youtube.
Video courtesy of Alpod on Youtube.
NFL: 10 Things from week 5
We've made it through five weeks of the NFL season and what a season it's been thus far. We've seen Brady be Brady 2.0; Peyton Manning doesn't seem to be the same throwing more interceptions than touchdowns on the season; Tony Romo is injured, again; The Lions still haven't found a win.
Here are 10 things that I took away from the miraculous fifth week of the NFL:
1. "Who-dey" think is going to beat them Bengals? - The Cincinnati Bengals continue to roll, staying undefeated, as they made a tremendous comeback from a 17 point deficit against the 'legion of boom' and the stout defense of the Seattle Seahawks. The Bengals (5-0) are in the driver seat of the AFC north and could be in talks for Super Bowl contenders.
2. The Patriots came off the bye looking like the Patriots - Tom Brady showed up in Dallas with a winning demeanor. With the Cowboys having Greg Hardy coming off of his four-game suspension, hoping that would a big difference, it didn't seem to make that much of a difference. Hardy got a few hits on Brady and a sack. However, Brady got the win and it did convincingly routing the 'Boys' 30-6. I always thought there was a "D" in Dallas. I guess not this week.
3. Eli did another "Eli" thing - After giving up the lead, late in the fourth quarter, the Giants found themselves almost giving the game away. On their final drive, Eli and the Giants showed a lot of toughness and determination. Prior to the final drive, Odell Beckham Jr. was injured and it was announced that he was done for the remainder of the game, after injuring himself on a touchdown celebration in the third quarter. On the final drive running back Shane Vereen caught several passes for over 50 yards; Eli Manning's pass (which was terrible) that was thought to be intercepted by Tramaine Brock was ruled an incomplete pass because the ball hit the grown; Odell Beckham Jr. returned and ended up getting a pass interference call in the end zone, setting up the Eli Manning game-winning touchdown pass to Larry Donnell. Eli is still making miracles happen in the Meadow Lands.
4. The Falcons are flying high - After trailing the entire game, the Atlanta Falcons found a way to get the game into overtime. With another great performance by running back Devonta Freeman- 27 carries 153 yards and touchdown with seven catches for 44 yards- it made it easy for the Falcons to tie the game up and take it into overtime. But, in the end, it took the Falcons defense to save the day for the high-powered offense. Cornerback Robert Alford returned an interception for a game-winning touchdown and helped the Falcons fly to 5-0.
5. Ravens fans, panic - The Baltimore Ravens are having a rough start to their season. Coming into week 5, people felt optimistic still about their season, they were 1-3 and were playing the Divisional rival Cleveland Browns at home. Josh McCown has been one of the hottest quarterbacks in the league since returning from his injury several weeks back. Josh McCown passed for over 450 yards, two touchdowns and even rushing for a touchdown and the Browns squeaked past the Ravens 33-30. Baltimore is now 1-4 and 1-2 in the division. Not all hope is lost... It's just hard to imagine they'll recover from this start.
6. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are the best team in Florida - The Buccaneers are coming off of a thrilling game with the state-rival Jacksonville Jaguars, who both entered the contest with a record of 1-3. Theirs a lot of young talent on these Florida teams but none of them can just seem to put it together. The Jaguars are 1-4; The Miami Dolphins are 1-3; and the Buccaneers are now 2-3. I don't know if being the best team in Florida is saying much, but the Buccaneers, by record, hold the trophy through the first five weeks.
7. Magic of Vick in 2015 - The Pittsburgh Steelers went into San Diego needing a win badly to keep them in the race for the AFC north. The Steelers, a week prior, suffered a loss to the hands of the Baltimore Ravens and were criticized heavily for the play calling on a fourth & short situation. Who would've thought the Steelers and their coaching staff would have a chance to redeem themselves a week later... With seven seconds on the clock and the game on the line, the Steelers were on about the one-yard line and this time they give the ball to all-pro running back Le'Veon Bell on a direct snap and plowed through the defense for a touchdown to win the game.
8. The Chiefs need more help than ever and a prayer - The Kansas City Chiefs suffered a loss in week 5 to the Bears, yes. But, more importantly, they will lose their star running back Jamaal Charles for the remainder of the season, due to an ACL injury that he suffered in the first half of the game. The chiefs were the early favorites to compete with the Denver Broncos for the AFC west. Charles had 71 carries for 364 yards with four touchdowns, adding 21 receptions for 177 yards and one receiving touchdown. The Chiefs (1-4) are currently on a four-game losing streak and it doesn't look to get any easier for them down the road.
9. The Eagles could be flying... and that could spell trouble for other teams - The Philadelphia Eagles looked very good after a frustrating first quarter of football. Sam Bradford had two red zone interceptions early on and a lot of people started calling for Sanchez in the crowds. However, the Eagles found a nice balance of run-and-pass in the offense and that helped to keep Brees and the Saints offense off the field. Running Back Demarco Murray had his first respectable start for the Eagles, touching the ball over 25 times, accounting for over one-hundred yards total and a touchdown. The Eagles are now closer to the top of their division (AFC east) which has been abysmal and the total opposite of what every one expected it to be coming into the season -- It's truly anyone's division to win.
10. Someone can tell Peyton it's no longer preseason - Peyton Manning is coming off of a un-Peyton like performance. Passing for 266 yards on 22/35 passes (63 percent), Manning had no touchdowns and two interceptions against the Oakland Raiders. Now, I know that the Raiders are getting better. I understand that one-hundred percent. However, Manning has now accounted for more interceptions on the season than touchdowns through five weeks. He hasn't done that since 1998. Luckily for him, he has one of the better defenses in the league and they helped to lead them to victory. Peyton can't continue to play like this through the rest of the season. But, in his defense, the lack of a running game their is making the offense more one-dimensional.
My top five teams in the league right now are: Patriots, Falcons, Packers, Bengals, Panthers.
My top five teams on the rise: Giants, Steelers, Seahawks, Colts, Eagles
Here are 10 things that I took away from the miraculous fifth week of the NFL:
1. "Who-dey" think is going to beat them Bengals? - The Cincinnati Bengals continue to roll, staying undefeated, as they made a tremendous comeback from a 17 point deficit against the 'legion of boom' and the stout defense of the Seattle Seahawks. The Bengals (5-0) are in the driver seat of the AFC north and could be in talks for Super Bowl contenders.
2. The Patriots came off the bye looking like the Patriots - Tom Brady showed up in Dallas with a winning demeanor. With the Cowboys having Greg Hardy coming off of his four-game suspension, hoping that would a big difference, it didn't seem to make that much of a difference. Hardy got a few hits on Brady and a sack. However, Brady got the win and it did convincingly routing the 'Boys' 30-6. I always thought there was a "D" in Dallas. I guess not this week.
3. Eli did another "Eli" thing - After giving up the lead, late in the fourth quarter, the Giants found themselves almost giving the game away. On their final drive, Eli and the Giants showed a lot of toughness and determination. Prior to the final drive, Odell Beckham Jr. was injured and it was announced that he was done for the remainder of the game, after injuring himself on a touchdown celebration in the third quarter. On the final drive running back Shane Vereen caught several passes for over 50 yards; Eli Manning's pass (which was terrible) that was thought to be intercepted by Tramaine Brock was ruled an incomplete pass because the ball hit the grown; Odell Beckham Jr. returned and ended up getting a pass interference call in the end zone, setting up the Eli Manning game-winning touchdown pass to Larry Donnell. Eli is still making miracles happen in the Meadow Lands.
4. The Falcons are flying high - After trailing the entire game, the Atlanta Falcons found a way to get the game into overtime. With another great performance by running back Devonta Freeman- 27 carries 153 yards and touchdown with seven catches for 44 yards- it made it easy for the Falcons to tie the game up and take it into overtime. But, in the end, it took the Falcons defense to save the day for the high-powered offense. Cornerback Robert Alford returned an interception for a game-winning touchdown and helped the Falcons fly to 5-0.
5. Ravens fans, panic - The Baltimore Ravens are having a rough start to their season. Coming into week 5, people felt optimistic still about their season, they were 1-3 and were playing the Divisional rival Cleveland Browns at home. Josh McCown has been one of the hottest quarterbacks in the league since returning from his injury several weeks back. Josh McCown passed for over 450 yards, two touchdowns and even rushing for a touchdown and the Browns squeaked past the Ravens 33-30. Baltimore is now 1-4 and 1-2 in the division. Not all hope is lost... It's just hard to imagine they'll recover from this start.
6. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are the best team in Florida - The Buccaneers are coming off of a thrilling game with the state-rival Jacksonville Jaguars, who both entered the contest with a record of 1-3. Theirs a lot of young talent on these Florida teams but none of them can just seem to put it together. The Jaguars are 1-4; The Miami Dolphins are 1-3; and the Buccaneers are now 2-3. I don't know if being the best team in Florida is saying much, but the Buccaneers, by record, hold the trophy through the first five weeks.
7. Magic of Vick in 2015 - The Pittsburgh Steelers went into San Diego needing a win badly to keep them in the race for the AFC north. The Steelers, a week prior, suffered a loss to the hands of the Baltimore Ravens and were criticized heavily for the play calling on a fourth & short situation. Who would've thought the Steelers and their coaching staff would have a chance to redeem themselves a week later... With seven seconds on the clock and the game on the line, the Steelers were on about the one-yard line and this time they give the ball to all-pro running back Le'Veon Bell on a direct snap and plowed through the defense for a touchdown to win the game.
8. The Chiefs need more help than ever and a prayer - The Kansas City Chiefs suffered a loss in week 5 to the Bears, yes. But, more importantly, they will lose their star running back Jamaal Charles for the remainder of the season, due to an ACL injury that he suffered in the first half of the game. The chiefs were the early favorites to compete with the Denver Broncos for the AFC west. Charles had 71 carries for 364 yards with four touchdowns, adding 21 receptions for 177 yards and one receiving touchdown. The Chiefs (1-4) are currently on a four-game losing streak and it doesn't look to get any easier for them down the road.
9. The Eagles could be flying... and that could spell trouble for other teams - The Philadelphia Eagles looked very good after a frustrating first quarter of football. Sam Bradford had two red zone interceptions early on and a lot of people started calling for Sanchez in the crowds. However, the Eagles found a nice balance of run-and-pass in the offense and that helped to keep Brees and the Saints offense off the field. Running Back Demarco Murray had his first respectable start for the Eagles, touching the ball over 25 times, accounting for over one-hundred yards total and a touchdown. The Eagles are now closer to the top of their division (AFC east) which has been abysmal and the total opposite of what every one expected it to be coming into the season -- It's truly anyone's division to win.
10. Someone can tell Peyton it's no longer preseason - Peyton Manning is coming off of a un-Peyton like performance. Passing for 266 yards on 22/35 passes (63 percent), Manning had no touchdowns and two interceptions against the Oakland Raiders. Now, I know that the Raiders are getting better. I understand that one-hundred percent. However, Manning has now accounted for more interceptions on the season than touchdowns through five weeks. He hasn't done that since 1998. Luckily for him, he has one of the better defenses in the league and they helped to lead them to victory. Peyton can't continue to play like this through the rest of the season. But, in his defense, the lack of a running game their is making the offense more one-dimensional.
My top five teams in the league right now are: Patriots, Falcons, Packers, Bengals, Panthers.
My top five teams on the rise: Giants, Steelers, Seahawks, Colts, Eagles
Monday, October 5, 2015
Was Joe Philbin Fully To Blame?
Friday, October 2, 2015
Are The Seahawks Putting Too Much Pressure On Russell Wilson?
The Seattle Seahawks have gotten off to a slow start in the 2015 season. As of right now, Seattle sits with two losses to just one win going into week 4. In their first two games Seattle was without one of their star safeties, Cam Chancellor, who is maybe the most athletic, hard-hitting defensive backs in the league. Russell Wilson recently received a contract extension that locks him in going into the future for this franchise. But does his contract make them overwork their young quarterback.
Russell Wilson, without doubt, is a great player and has been one of the most cautious quarterbacks in the national football league since being drafted. Wilson, through three games, has 101 passing attempts. What does that mean? Well, Wilson is currently on pace for what would be a career high 539 attempts for the season. His current career high came last season (2014) at 452 pass attempts. In the first game of the season, when the Seahawks traveled to play their division rival St.Louis Rams, Wilson set a new career high in passing attempts in a single game with 41, he was sacked six times and also added eight rushing attempts in that game. Wilson is tied for second in sacks for quarterbacks (Marcus Mariota also has been sacked 12 times), the only player sacked more times is Chiefs' quarterback Alex Smith.
The Seattle Seahawks obviously have had the keys to success over the past several years, appearing in the Super Bowl for the past two years, winning Super Bowl XLVIII, defeating Peyton Manning and the Denver Broncos. If Seattle wants to get their record back on the winning side, running the ball more and having Wilson pass less would probably be more beneficial. I don't think that him passing more is only hurting their record, but it's getting them away from what has made them successful over the past few years. And let's be honest, after their Super Bowl play on the one-yard line, did anyone think that this team would NOT want to run the ball more.
Coming up this week, the Seahawks look to get their records back even as they host the Detroit Lions (0-3) on Monday Night Football. Kickoff is 8:30 PM ET on ESPN.
Russell Wilson, without doubt, is a great player and has been one of the most cautious quarterbacks in the national football league since being drafted. Wilson, through three games, has 101 passing attempts. What does that mean? Well, Wilson is currently on pace for what would be a career high 539 attempts for the season. His current career high came last season (2014) at 452 pass attempts. In the first game of the season, when the Seahawks traveled to play their division rival St.Louis Rams, Wilson set a new career high in passing attempts in a single game with 41, he was sacked six times and also added eight rushing attempts in that game. Wilson is tied for second in sacks for quarterbacks (Marcus Mariota also has been sacked 12 times), the only player sacked more times is Chiefs' quarterback Alex Smith.
The Seattle Seahawks obviously have had the keys to success over the past several years, appearing in the Super Bowl for the past two years, winning Super Bowl XLVIII, defeating Peyton Manning and the Denver Broncos. If Seattle wants to get their record back on the winning side, running the ball more and having Wilson pass less would probably be more beneficial. I don't think that him passing more is only hurting their record, but it's getting them away from what has made them successful over the past few years. And let's be honest, after their Super Bowl play on the one-yard line, did anyone think that this team would NOT want to run the ball more.
Coming up this week, the Seahawks look to get their records back even as they host the Detroit Lions (0-3) on Monday Night Football. Kickoff is 8:30 PM ET on ESPN.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)