QUOTE: “It is the search for the truth, not possession of the truth, which is the way of philosophy. Its questions are more relevant than its answers, and every answer becomes a new question.” -- Karl Jaspers
This has been a very busy week in the league, which is strange since things usually tend to slow down the week before the owners meetings. From all the interest in Tim Tebow to Seattle acquiring a new quarterback, this is hardly a slow time in the NFL. Here are a few of the top stories:
Shawn Andrews says goodbye to the Birds
The Shawn Andrews era ended in Philadelphia, and it will be interesting to see if any team in the NFL makes a move to sign him. Andrews, who was released by the Eagles on Wednesday, has never been known to love the game of football going back to his days in college. Besides his lack of motivation, he’s also had back problems, so his questionable passion and concerns about his health should make Andrews’ return to the NFL questionable.
Many teams, however, will view him as a Pro Bowl guard who might be able to get back on track. Great in theory but bad in reality if teams think they can change Andrews. He’s talented, but as we all know, talent alone won’t carry an offensive lineman. They must have toughness along with a love of the game and intelligence to handle the scheme, and they must be able to deal with the pain that comes with playing the position. Andrews will work out very well and will be a dancing bear, but it will also be questionable whether he plays well every week.
The legacy of Shawn Andrews should remind teams to make sure they select offensive linemen with the necessary skills and not just talent alone. This cut serves as a perfect reminder before the draft.
Charlie Whitehurst gets 10 million
Many fans emailed me last night to wonder how Charlie Whitehurst could get $10 million for two years from the Seahawks. The most popular question: What has he done to make Seattle think he can be a starter?
What did Matt Hasselbeck or Mark Brunell do in Green Bay or Matt Schaub in Atlanta to make any team think they could be starters? What made Brunell, Schaub or Hasselbeck successful with their respective teams, and what made A.J. Feely fail in Miami? The key to making this move successful is that the offensive coordinator knows the talent he needs to run his offense, and the player they’re bringing in will be able to properly execute the system.
I like the move, in part because the Chargers liked Whitehurst. They liked his work habits, his leadership skills, his arm, his toughness. He just never had an opportunity to display those skills while in San Diego. This move now lets the Seahawks concentrate on other positions in the draft and not worry about finding their quarterback of the future.
Why $10 million over two? Simple. There was competition for his services, and nothing makes a contract expand like competition. The Cardinals really wanted Whitehurst, and all along, even before free agency started, I knew he was going to be in demand. Being in demand means a better contract.
Tim Tebow
The University of Florida was very busy hosting the NFL on Wednesday as its draft prospects worked out. Obviously, the biggest name, Tim Tebow, showed that he’s changed his delivery to carry the ball higher, making his release quicker. But the key to determining his real draft status will be the private workouts and who actually attends them.
Currently, New England, Carolina, Buffalo, Washington and Seattle have plans to work out Tebow privately. Once those are done, Tebow’s draft status will be updated. But from what I’m hearing, he won’t make it past the second round.
Buon giorno, Baldy
NFL Network’s Brian Baldinger is in Bergamo, Italy, coaching a semi-pro team and enjoying the Italian life. Baldy loves football and loves traveling the world, so this allows him to combine the two. Here is his blog if you want to follow his experiences.
http://baldi-in-bergamo-italy.blogspot.com/
Follow me on Twitter: michaelombardi
The Chargers loved him so much they had him running the scout team!!! He was 3rd string, he is 29 years old and he is an illusion. I understand the Hawks had to get a QB but..... This deal is probably one that never would have been made with a salary cap, as I doubt they could afford to risk $5 million this year on such an unknown.
I'd love to see Michael and Charlie Casserly (who says Tebow is a 4th rounder at best) go at it on NFL network Casserly's concerns center on Tebow's ability to read defenses - i'd like to hear that explored a bit.
!@#$ Tim Tebow. Enough already. Why does White America feel the need to create Hype Machine Heroes? Someone made a point about Tebow being a creation of the religious Right. I could care less about politics or religion until they cause an incessant infringement upon my enjoyment of sports. Before we anoint the young man as the Second Coming of Christ, why not let him bear a few crosses as an NFL football player?
Hey Thom, I doubt seriously the religious right has any influence over the NFP. Why the hype? It's not hard to understand. Tebow is arguably the best college football player ever and he wants to make it at his position at the next level. What's driving the story is that his potential is getting traction in the form of several teams taking an interest.
If you don't like the stories don't click on them. But don't chastise writers for covering what is in reality a big story.
And remember, soon enough you will be complaining about why the writers make Brett Favre such a big story every summer. Enjoy this while it lasts. Or don't. Your choice.
The argument that Tebow's story has any connection to reality sounds good, but is uncreative and off-base. Tebow is, like Duke basketball, an inflated creation of the hopeful yet desperate media. And as unfortunate as such a paradox may be, it is the one under which these stories mask themselves as "reality." Is this Michael Lombardi's fault? Of course not, but I would rather have read about the style with which Tebow performs the sign of the cross, which would have at least made me laugh.
I wonder who Tebow compares best with at the next level? I would say Chris Cooley. The difference being Cooley is a guy fans could see themselves having a beer with. Tebow is a guy you could see yourself bombing an abortion clinic with.
@Thom...you fail.
It's sad to see such a lack of thought coming from a poster poseur dropping 10cent words. You sir and your ilk are what is wrong with this world. Arrogant knowitalls who can't grasp that they don't understand a subject and so assume that the dissonance is a product of others failings. There's your unfortunate paradox.
I don't know if Tim Tebow is as good as his college record suggests he is, I don't know if the NFL hivemind is correct in suggesting he isn't. I am very interested to see if the man can overcome the machine.
Hi Guys - I love your blog and website. Hey, I was wondering....What's the likelihood of A.J. Smith signing recently released Offensive Guard, Shawn Andrews. I know he's had a kind of "up and down" career, but he was a Pro Bowl player as recent as 2006 and 2007. He's only 27 and if he's healthy, he can sure help us plug a hole at right guard.. Do you think A.J. would try to sign him? We can probably sign him for a lot less than what he was scheduled to make this year and next...$1.8M plus incentives. What do you guys think?
Andrews leaning to tip off the play call - guess what? Andy Reid called another pass play!
Hoped his brother coming to the team last season would line the man out, it didn't.
The best take on Tebo I've heard comes from a fellow Raider fan. Asked on Tebow's locker room presence as Mr.Nice Guy, friend states "he's the modern rebel." An anti hero, in the form of the traditional square cut hero. Welcome to the new millenium?
Can he play? That's what you should be asking. Can he play and prepare to a level you expect of a team leader? He's showing something with this workout, a guy with trophy wins who is still very coachable. The league needs more of that!
I hear all this crap about these small corner backs and how fast they are. Never a word about how tall they are. When the other team is in the red zone and they have two 6'5' wideouts speed doesn't matter, but size does. They just outreach these little backs every time. I would rather take a chance on Tim Tebow than some little rinky dink back that is always two inches shorter than what they say he is.
Thoughts:
Tebow's a winner, doesn't mean he will be a great player but I wouldn't bet against him.
Whitehurst move was smart - a good player who has been coached by a GREAT offensive coordinator. He bloom into a starter this year.
Shawn Andrews is all that is wrong with football. I hope he signs with the Giants or Redskins.
Go Dallas!
The move is a year late on Shawn Andrews. Now we're stuck with his brother. Its a real shame about Shawn Andrews though. He could have been a perennial All-Pro, instead he's just a guy playing on Twitter. I guess he never got a hold on his battle with depression. That seems to be his biggest obstacle. I wish him well but I'm glad the circus has left Philadelphia.
Good Riddance to Sean Andrews and buyer beware on any gm who takes a shot. The guy's upside is insane, but he has spent the last two years actively avoiding the playing field. Would you hire a plumber who never plumbed? A driver who wouldn't drive? As sympathetic as I try to be to a man who obviously suffers greatly from mental problems, he is a waste as a player and a distraction to the nth degree. Considering that one of the Eagles greatest problems last year was literally RUNNING OUT of quality OLs, I am greatly suprised by the lack of fingers being pointed at a man who missed the last two seasons with health issues that have no tangible evidence. Personal issues(Depression) and then back pain(no structural cause found)?!!! Are you serious?!! I wouldn't call out of work for either of those and neither would most of you. Easily my least favorite player of all time...
Hey Socrates, you are even more arrogant. Can't even think of an original name? How's the pederasty coming?
Hey Douche...I mean Bill Nelson....I chose the name Socrates to emphasize the pseudo philosophical tenor of the previous post on paradoxes and right wing conspiracies. As for the pederasty, ask your father about that.
The seahawks had an awesome draft Noe if they focused on Shawn Andrews we could be good next year!!! Why haven't we signed this guy yet when we can get him from nothing?
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Mar 18, 2010
10:56 AM
I think the Whitehurst deal was a good, potentially great, move by Seattle. I'm sorry the Redskins didn't move on him.
I wonder if Tebow is hurting the market for Mike Vick? In an odd way, they are similar, both good runners with questionable arms. Of course, Vick is a speed burner but judging from his combine numbers, Tebow can move very well himself. If a team wanted to try this type of QB, they might well be inclined to see if they could snag Tebow cheaply in the draft and avoid all the Vick baggage. Plus, they get a younger, less injury-prone player.