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Parcells among Pro Football Hall of Fame Inductees

Bill Parcells as head coach of the New England Patriots

The man they call “The Big Tuna” is finally getting what he deserves, a seat at the table of the Pro Football Hall of Fame in after a life of coaching the sport he loves.

Parcells who played football at Wichita State was picked in the 7th round of the 1964 NFL Draft but never played a game as a professional.  That football season he started his coaching career at Hastings as the linebackers’ coach.  The following season he would go back to his alma mater, Wichita State, and coach linebackers there too.

From 1966-69 he spent time coaching linebackers and being the defensive coordinator at Army in West Point NY where he came in contact with an influential basketball coach and a basketball player who one day would become one of the greatest coaches in the game himself.  Friends for life Parcells now shares his achievement with those men, both Basketball Hall of Fame members, Bobby Knight and Mike Krzyzewski.

The 1970’s saw Parcells stay in the college game as linebackers’ coach at Florida State (1970-72), Vanderbilt (1973-74) and Texas Tech (1975-77 before being named the head coach at the Air Force Academy in 1978.

His stay in Colorado would only last one season as the NFL and the New York Giants came calling and he took over as linebacker coach in 1979 but he would resign before the season started an take a job with a land ddevelopment company in Colorado.  But he was unhappy with his new profession and in 1980 went to New England as linebackers’ coach.  After one year, he would return to the Giants as the defensive coordinator.  In 1983 he would be named the head coach when Ray Perkins left to become the head coach at the University of Alabama.

It wasn’t always sunshine and roses for Parcells as those early years in the Meadowlands were about building a team which he did as the New York Giants won two Super Bowls under his watch.  They defeated the Denver Broncos in Super Bowl XXI and the Buffalo Bills in Super Bowl XXV.

It would be after that second Super Bowl victory that Parcells would step away from coaching the game and enter his first of several forays into the World of Television when he became a NFL analyst for NBC.

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Three years later Parcells would get the itch to coach again and this time he would go back to Foxboro and take over a poor Patriots team with questionable ownership.  In four seasons and with a new owner he would turn the team around by drafting QB Drew Bledsoe and lead them to Super Bowl XXXI where they would lose to the Green Bay Packers.  The next day he was gone, off to the New York Jets because he wasn’t allowed to buy the groceries.   Parcells and his ego wanted total football autonomy and Robert Kraft wouldn’t give it to him, so he left for some one who would.

After leaving the Patriots, his Jets teams would contend and get to an AFC Championship game but Parcells would never again get to another Super Bowl.  After stepping down from his post with the Jets as General Manager in 2000 he would once again turn to television taking a studio job with Bristol CT based ESPN.

In 2003 he would once again get an urge to coach and he ever took over the Dallas Cowboys for four seasons under his longtime friend Jerry Jones.  It was there in the Big D that Parcells would reunite with Bledsoe in an effort to get back to another title game but father time was running out on Drew.  He wasn’t the same guy he was in Foxboro or even early in Buffalo and he was replaced by a young Tony Romo.

The last game Parcells would coach the Cowboys had a chance to win.  It was a playoff game in Seattle, Romo was holding for a field goal and botched the snap and run for the goal line only to get crushed and get stopped short.

That was the end of the line for “The Big Tuna” as far as coaching but it was an incredible ride.  In 27 years as a NFL coach he would win two Super Bowls with an iconic NFL franchise, take a different team to a third Super Bowl and go to a 4th conference championship game with a third team.

In late 2007 he would take over the Miami Dolphins as Executive Vice President of Football Operations until he resigned in 2010.  He currently works for ESPN.

Parcells coached some great players, Lawrence Taylor, Phil Simms, Drew Bledsoe, Andre Tippet, Keyshawn Johnson, Vinnie Testaverde and many others.  He would have a regular season record of 172-130-1 and go 11-8 in the post season for a overall record of 183-138-1 (.570) only ten men in the game have won more games the Parcells, ever. 

He was a two-time AP NFL Coach of the Year (1986,1994), The Sporting News NFL Coach of the Year (1986), Pro Football Weekly NFL Coach of the Year (1994,1996) and named to the NFL’s 1990’s All-Decade Team.

Parcells is also known for spawning his coaching tree as many significant coaches in the game have worked under Parcells.  Among them Bill Belichick, Charlie Weis, Romeo Crennel, Tom McLoughlin, Sean Payton, Tony Sparano, Ray Handley, Chris Palmer, Al Groh and Eric Mangini.

The man has left a wonderful football legacy and I am sure the Kraft family will celebrate it, as he was extremely significant to the development of the New England Patriots as we know them today.

If it weren’t for Parcells, Bledsoe and Kraft there would be no New England Patriots they were candidates for relocation to St. Louis.  He and his team saved football in New England there’s no other way to put it.  For that alone he deserves a special place in football history but it’s great to see the entire body of work will be represented forever in Canton.

Follow Steve on Twitter @SteveMichaelsII

photo credit: ap photo

Putting a Wrap on the 2012 NFL Season

Quarterback Colin Kaepernick #7 of the San Francisco 49ers during the NFL game against the Arizona Cardinals at the University of Phoenix Stadium on December 11, 2011 in Glendale, Arizona

I thought it might be interesting as we put a wrap on the NFL for another year that we play a little game of “Did you know…”.

This was the 40th anniversary year of the 1972 Miami Dolphins undefeated season in which they finished 17-0 and won Super Bowl VII beating the Washington Redskins 14-7.

Tennessee Titans QB Jake Locker was drafted to play baseball by the Los Angeles Dodgers, not once (2006 Round 40) but twice (2009 Round 5). 

The Arizona Cardinals have won their last three season openers (2010-12). 

Baltimore Ravens LB Ray Lewis is the only player in NFL history to have a 40 sack and 30 interception career and that the only other player in the NFL history to have a 30/30 career is former New England Patriots S Rodney Harrison.

The last time the Buffalo Bills were in the playoffs the lost in the “Music City Miracle” to the Tennessee Titans.

The Jacksonville Jaguars, Cleveland Browns, Houston Texans and Detroit Lions are the only four current NFL teams to have never played in a Super Bowl. 

The Seattle Seahawks are the only NFL team to have never worn their white jersey at home. 

Denver Broncos QB Peyton Manning is the only 4-time winner of the NFL MVP Award. 

That Philadelphia Eagles announcer Merril Reese is the most tenured announcer with one team as he enters his 37th season in 2013.

That the Thanksgiving night butt fumble by New York Jets Mark Sanchez may just be the funniest thing I have ever seen happen on the field of play.

The Rams franchise has won three championships and each occurred when the team called a different city home.  They won the Super Bowl as the St. Louis Rams (1999), and NFL titles as the Los Angeles Rams (1951) and Cleveland Rams (1945).

Buffalo DT Alex Carrington had two blocked field goals in 2012 and that the team record is 3 in one season by DE Bruce Smith in 1996.

San Francisco QB Colin Kaepernick has the two longest runs by a QB in Niners history both were for 50 yards breaking Steve Yong’s record 49-yard run.

Bill Belichick is one of five head coaches in NFL history whose father (Steve Belichick) played in the league.  The others are former Kansas City head coach Todd Haley (Dick Haley), former San Francisco head coach Mike Nolan (Dick Nolan), former Cincinnati head coach David Shula (Don Shula) and former NY Jets head coach Joe Walton (Frank Walton).

QB Ryan Tannehill set the Miami rookie record for passing yards (3,294) when he passed Dan Marino (2,210).  He was the first rookie QB to start a season opener and all 16 regular season games in Dolphins history.

In response to the horrific shooting that took place at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, CT. on Dec. 14, the Houston Texans pledged to donate the proceeds from the team’s gameday silent auction. Texans owner Bob McNair pledged to match every dollar raised at the auction, while Texans players and coaches also contributed to the fund and the team was able to donate more than $70,000.

Follow Steve on Twitter @SteveMichaelsII

photo credit: getty images

Nike’s 2013 NFL Pro Bowl Uniforms

2013 Nike NFL Pro Bowl Uniform

Today the NFL and Nike unveiled the new retro-modern 2013 Pro Bowl uniform design just ahead of Sunday’s match-up in Honolulu, Hawaii.

Both the AFC and NFC looks feature a clean, simple, distinctly American design inspired by the Pro Bowl uniforms of the 1970s, combined with the highly innovative Nike Elite 51 uniform chassis built for speed. The combination of modern innovation and traditional design speaks to the Pro Bowl’s rich history while providing a distinct tribute to the red, white and blue.

Designed and engineered from the inside out, the Nike NFL Elite 51 uniform creates a system where the baselayer, padding, jersey and pant work in concert. Lightweight padding is also integrated directly into the crucial “hit zones” in the baselayer. New innovations include integrating Flywire technology into the neckline to reduce weight and provide lockdown fit over pads, increasing sleeve articulation for better range of motion, and integrating new four-way stretch fabrication to provide a streamlined shrink-wrap fit.

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2012 NFL AP All-Pro Team

While we'll have to wait a few more weeks for the Associated Press to announce their yearly award winners, they have announced their All-Pro Teams for the 2012 NFL season.

APThe New England Patriots only had two members on the team. DT Vince Wilfork made the AP All-Pro First Team while G Logan Mankins made the AP All-Pro Second Team.

AP All-Pro First Team:

OFFENSE:

QB:  Peyton Manning, Broncos

RB:  *Adrian Peterson, Vikings, Marshawn Lynch, Seahawks

FB:  Vonta Leach, Ravens.

TE:  Tony Gonzalez, Falcons

WR:  Calvin Johnson, Lions; Brandon Marshall, Bears

OT:  Duane Brown, Texans; Ryan Clady, Broncos

OG:  Jahri Evans, Saints; Mike Iupati, 49ers

C:  Max Unger, Seahawks

DEFENSE

DE:  *J.J. Watt, Texans, Cameron Wake, Dolphins.

DT:  Geno Atkins, Bengals; Vince Wilfork, Patriots

OLB:  Von Miller, Broncos; Aldon Smith, 49ers

ILB:  Patrick Willis, 49ers; NaVorro Bowman, 49ers

CB:  Richard Sherman, Seahawks; Charles Tillman, Bears

S:  Earl Thomas, Seahawks; Dashon Goldson, 49ers

P:  Andy Lee, 49ers

K:  Blair Walsh, Vikings

KR:  Jacoby Jones, Ravens

* unanimous selection

For a look at the AP All-Pro Second Team, please click on the continue reading button below if you're on the home page.

AP All-Pro Second Team

OFFENSE

QB:  Aaron Rodgers, Packers

RB:  Alfred Morris, Redskins; Jamaal Charles, Chiefs

FB:  Jerome Felton, Vikings

TE:  Jason Witten, Cowboys

WR:  A.J. Green, Bengals; Andre Johnson, Texans

OT:  Joe Thomas, Browns; Joe Staley, 49ers

OG:  Marshal Yanda, Ravens; Logan Mankins, Patriots

C:  Maurkice Pouncey, Steelers

DEFENSE

DE:  Justin Smith, 49ers; Julius Peppers, Bears

DT:  Justin Smith, 49ers; Ndamukong Suh, Lions; Haloti Ngata, Ravens

OLB:  Chad Greenway, Vikings; Ahmad Brooks, 49ers; Clay Matthews, Packers; and DeMarcus Ware, Cowboys

ILB:  Daryl Washington, Cardinals; London Fletcher, Redskins

CB:  Champ Bailey, Broncos; Tim Jennings, Bears

S:  Eric Weddle, Chargers; Jairus Byrd, Bills

P:  Thomas Morstead, Saints

K:  Phil Dawson, Browns

KR:  David Wilson, Giants

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2013 NFL Divisional Playoff Weekend Predictions

Here are our predictions for what we think will happen in the 2013 NFL Divisional Playoffs taking place on Saturday and Sunday.

2012 NFL Divisional PlayoffsAFC Divisional Games

Ian – Denver Broncos 24 Baltimore Ravens 14

Steve – Denver Broncos 35 Baltimore Ravens 20

Ian – New England Patriots 35 Houston Texans 10

Steve – New England Patriots 31 Houston Texans 24

NFC Divisional Games

Ian – San Francisco 49ers 35 Green Bay Packers 31

Steve – San Francisco 49ers 28 Green Bay Packers 24

Ian – Atlanta Falcons 34 Seattle Seahawks 31

Steve – Seattle Seahawks 31 Atlanta Falcons 30

Follow Ian on Twitter @soxanddawgs. And be sure to like us on Facebook as well. Follow Steve on Twitter @SteveMichaelsII.

2013 NFL Wildcard Weekend Predictions

Here are our predictions for what we will think will happen in the NFL Wildcard games that will be played on Saturday and Sunday.

NFL WildcardAFC Wildcard games:

Ian – Houston Texans 24 Cincinnati Bengals 17

Steve – Cincinnati Bengals 27 Houston Texans 21

Ian – Indianapolis Colts 23 Baltimore Ravens 13

Steve – Indianapolis Colts 24 Baltimore Ravens 20

NFC Wildcard games:

Ian – Green Bay Packers 35 Minnesota Vikings 31

Steve – Green Bay Packers 35 Minnesota Vikings 24

Ian – Washington Redskins 24 Seattle Seahawks 21

Steve – Washington Redskins 21 Seattle Seahawks 20

Follow Ian on Twitter @soxanddawgs. And be sure to like us on Facebook as well. Follow Steve on Twitter @SteveMichaelsII.

2013 NFL Playoff Schedule

NFL Playoffs

AFCIn the AFC:

1. Denver Broncos (13-3) – First Round Bye

2. New England Patriots (12-4) – First Round Bye

Wildcard Round

Saturday, Jan. 5

No. 6 Cincinnati (10-6) at No. 3 Houston (12-4), 4:30 p.m. ET (NBC)

Sunday, Jan. 6

No. 5 Indianapolis (11-5) at No. 4 Baltimore (10-6), 4:30 p.m. ET (CBS)

Divisional Round

Saturday, Jan. 12

Baltimore at No. 1 Denver, 4:30 p.m. ET (CBS)

Sunday, Jan, 13

Houston at No. 2 New England, 4:30 p.m. ET (CBS)

NFCIn the NFC:

1. Atlanta Falcons (13-3) – First Round Bye

2. San Francisco 49ers (11-4-1) – First Round Bye

Wildcard Round

Saturday, Jan. 5

No. 6 Minnesota (10-6) at No. 3 Green Bay (11-5), 8 p.m. ET (NBC)

Sunday, Jan. 6

5. Seattle (11-5) at No. 4 Washington (10-6), 4:30 p.m. ET (FOX)

DIVISIONAL ROUND

Saturday, Jan. 12

Green Bay at No. 2 San Francisco (11-4-1), 8 p.m. ET (FOX)

Sunday, Jan. 13

Seattle at No. 1 Atlanta (13-3), 1 p.m. ET (FOX)

AFC & NFC Conference Championships

Sunday, Jan. 20

NFC – San Francisco @ Atlanta, 3 p.m. (FOX)

AFC – Baltimore @ New England, 6:30 p.m. ET (CBS)

Super Bowl XLVII:

Sunday, February 3rd

AFC vs NFC

Mercedes-Benz Superdome in New Orleans, LA (CBS, 6:30 ET)

Note: Schedule will be updated as needed

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2013 NFL Pro Bowl Rosters

The 2013 NFL Pro Bowl rosters came out on Wednesday night and the San Francisco 49ers led all teams with nine players chosen. The AFC was led by the Houston Texans who placed eight players on the team.

Our New England Patriots had seven players named to the team.

2012 NFL Pro BowlThe 2013 NFL Pro Bowl will be held on Sunday, January 27, 2013 at the Aloha Bowl in Honolulu, HI. Since the game is being played a week before Super Bowl XLVII, any members of the two teams playing in the Super Bowl will not participate in the game.

For a full look at the 2013 NFL Pro Bowl rosters, hit the read more button below if you're on the home page.

AFC NFC
Offense Offense
Position Player(s) Position Player(s)
QB * Peyton Manning, Denver QB * Aaron Rodgers, Green Bay
Tom Brady, New England Matt Ryan, Atlanta
Matt Schaub, Houston Robert Griffin III, Washington
RB * Arian Foster, Houston RB * Adrian Peterson, Minnesota
Jamaal Charles, Kansas City Marshawn Lynch, Seattle
Ray Rice, Baltimore Frank Gore, San Francisco
FB * Vonta Leach, Baltimore FB * Jerome Felton, Minnesota
WR * A.J. Green, Cincinnati WR * Calvin Johnson, Detroit
* Andre Johnson, Houston * Brandon Marshall, Chicago
Reggie Wayne, Indianapolis Julio Jones, Atlanta
Wes Welker, New England Victor Cruz, NY Giants
TE * Rob Gronkowski, New England TE * Tony Gonzalez, Atlanta
Heath Miller, Pittsburgh Jason Witten, Dallas
T * Joe Thomas, Cleveland T * Russell Okung, Seattle
* Duane Brown, Houston * Joe Staley, San Francisco
Ryan Clady, Denver Trent Williams, Washington
G * Logan Mankins, New England G * Jahri Evans, New Orleans
* Marshal Yanda, Baltimore * Mike Iupati, San Francisco
Wade Smith, Houston Chris Snee, NY Giants
C * Maurkice Pouncey, Pittsburgh C * Max Unger, Seattle
Chris Myers, Houston Jeff Saturday, Green Bay
Defense Defense
Position Player(s) Position Player(s)
DE * J.J. Watt, Houston DE * Jason Pierre-Paul, NY Giants
* Cameron Wake, Miami * Julius Peppers, Chicago
Elvis Dumervil, Denver Jared Allen, Minnesota
DT * Geno Atkins, Cincinnati DT * Justin Smith, San Francisco
* Vince Wilfork, New England * Henry Melton, Chicago
Haloti Ngata, Baltimore Gerald McCoy, Tampa
OLB * Tamba Hali, Kansas City OLB * DeMarcus Ware, Dallas
* Von Miller, Denver * Aldon Smith, San Francisco
Robert Mathis, Indianapolis Clay Matthews, Green Bay
MLB * Jerod Mayo, New England MLB * Patrick Willis, San Francisco
Derrick Johnson, Kansas City NaVorro Bowman, San Francisco
CB * Johnathan Joseph, Houston CB * Charles Tillman, Chicago
* Champ Bailey, Denver * Tim Jennings, Chicago
Antonio Cromartie, NY Jets Patrick Peterson, Arizona
SS * Eric Berry, Kansas City FS * Dashon Goldson, San Francisco
LaRon Landy, NY Jets Earl Thomas, Seattle
FS * Ed Reed, Baltimore SS * Donte Whitner, San Francisco
Special teams Special teams
Position Player(s) Position Player(s)
P Dustin Colquitt, Kansas City P Thomas Morstead, New Orleans
PK Phil Dawson, Cleveland PK Blair Walsh, Minnesota
KR Jacoby Jones, Baltimore KR Leon Washington, Seattle
ST Matthew Slater, New England ST Lorenzo Alexander, Washington

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Brandon Bolden Suspended Four Games By NFL

Brandon Bolden #38 of the New England Patriots carries the ball during an NFL game against the Buffalo Bills at Ralph Wilson Stadium on September 30, 2012 in Orchard Park, New York.

New England Patriots running back Brandon Bolden has been suspended for four games by the NFL for testing postive for PED's.

Here's the statement from the NFL:

Brandon Bolden of the New England Patriots has been suspended without pay for four games for violating the NFL policy on performance enhancing substances.

Bolden’s suspension begins immediately. He will be eligible to return to the Patriots’ active roster on Monday, December 3 following the team’s December 2 game against the Miami Dolphins.

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photo credit:  getty images