[NFL] American Football 2008 #2 Training camp

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Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Joe Horn said he wants to be traded or cut so badly that he has "contemplated" restructuring or forfeiting part of the $2.5 million in guaranteed base salary he's owed.

"I'm even contemplating giving some money back to further this thing along," the disgruntled wide receiver said Tuesday. "I'm ready to get it solved and move on. The longer I stay here, the worse it's going to get."

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Op woensdag 13 augustus 2008 18:35 schreef Plastic_Power het volgende:
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Somewhere, deep inside EA's corporate headquarters, marketing executives have my picture framed on the wall. Or at least I think they do, as it seems every advertising decision designed to fuel the Madden hype machine targets my individual weaknesses. It's like they ask, "What will Roark fall for next?" and then stick that on the front of the box.

You see, each year since 2005, I've sworn I wouldn't get the new Madden. After all, I was still enjoying the great NFL 2K5, and was going to cast my vote against license exclusivity by withholding a purchase of EA's football juggernaut. However, each year since 2005, Madden's found its way into my home and onto my TV. Like my weaknesses for a good milkshake or piece of Batman memorabilia, I can't seem to avoid the spell a virtual John Madden casts.

Part of it is the updated rosters. There's something about getting "official" rosters that trumps the homebrew versions needed to keep 2K5 fresh. I like seeing the new draftees, complete with player photos and correct (usually) body types and playing styles, or checking out how traded players look in their new uniforms.

I think most of all though, it's the "shiny new car" aspect of each new Madden that makes me buy in: the new cover athlete, the special editions, new modes, slick graphics.

Also, I am a sucker for the list of new features, despite the legendary practice of removing them temporarily. Superstar mode? Ate it up the first year. The weapon system? I liked the clean and clear way to view mismatches -- despite the effects on gameplay. Even the radio guy was somewhat unique upon first playthrough. I guess I like trying new things, and when new features are listed as a number -- like this year's 85 -- I feel I must try them all. It's like a checklist and I don't want to miss one.

Friends have also convinced me to buy the game in the past. Last year, a friend (finally) got an Xbox 360. His first game, of course, was Madden 08, so I bought it so we could someday play online. He forgot to mention that he didn't have Live, or even broadband Internet in his new house.

I think most of all though, it's the "shiny new car" aspect of each new Madden that makes me buy in: the new cover athlete, the special editions, new modes, slick graphics. I get swept up by viewing trailers or full games, and playing the demo. Each of these feeds my appetite for a new football game, and the machine rolls right over me as I lap up each piece of information. And then, annually, like a recovering addict, I fall back into the old routine, until I am mindlessly standing at the video game counter with Madden in-hand. And, like so many vices, it's consistently left me feeling empty and disappointed.

Back in the fall of 2005, I grabbed Madden 06 for my new Xbox 360. It was my first sports game on the new console, and I couldn't wait to see virtual football in high definition. It also had my favorite player on the cover, so it couldn't be bad, right? Like the 2005 Eagles season, the game was a disaster. It was like an extended tech demo -- it impressed friends who came over, but had little replay value, especially outside of the multi-season Franchise mode.

Madden 07 was a similar negative experience; however, last year was the worst, as I had high hopes for an improved experience. For the first time, I went to the store on launch day; I even contemplated picking it up at midnight, which was extra crazy considering only months before I had (once again) sworn off Madden for good. After throwing and picking a combined nine interceptions in one half, I had finally had enough. This was it, the final time, never again.

Throw in the special, ultra-premium-20th-anniversary-new-and-improved-collector's edition -- "Now with NFL Head Coach!" -- and my wallet hand is trembling.

Yet, here we are again, in the midst of full-speed, all-out Madden hype: countdown clocks, Broadway Brett trailers, feature lists, and forum buzz. That exec must have looked at my picture when he pushed for improved presentation, adaptable AI, improved graphics -- all things sure to make me cave in once again. Throw in the special, ultra-premium-20th-anniversary-new-and-improved-collector's edition -- "Now with NFL Head Coach!" -- and my wallet hand is trembling.

However, thus far cooler heads have prevailed. I haven't pre-ordered it. And I have no plans to get it this week or next. After all, I've been burned enough by the unexpected glitches, missing features, and half-finished presentations. The free homemade rosters for 2K5 look pretty good this time out, and none of my friends are pressuring me this year.

So, to Mr. Executive, I say "tear down my picture!" I've learned my lesson (x3). Your gimmicks won't do it this time.

Well, until more impressions start rolling in from the community; followed by a phone call from my Internet-less friend...

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Cincinnatti Bengals wide receiver Chad Johnson, addressing several topics Wednesday on ESPN's Pardon the Interruption, playfully suggested that while he likes following Michael Phelps in the Olympics, he's a better swimmer than Phelps.

"The problem with Michael Phelps is there's no competition where he is," Johnson said. "Now if he came to where I'm from, which is the inner city, Liberty City (in Miami), I was the three-time Charles Hadley Pool champ." When co-hosts Tony Kornheiser and Michael Wilbon chuckled, Johnson said, "Don't laugh. ... I know a couple people who could beat Michael Phelps right now. Seriously, I'm telling you. And I'm one of them."

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Op donderdag 14 augustus 2008 16:26 schreef Playmaker het volgende:
Hij is werkelijk zo gek als een deur, maar je blijft lachen met Ocho Cinco:
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Op donderdag 14 augustus 2008 16:26 schreef Playmaker het volgende:
Hij is werkelijk zo gek als een deur, maar je blijft lachen met Ocho Cinco:
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Op donderdag 14 augustus 2008 18:07 schreef Terreros85 het volgende:

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Ik ben benieuwd wat hij dit jaar weer in petto heeft. Misschien moet hij toch de tour van celebrations afmaken. De laatste keer dat hij op dreef was, was in week 2 (?). Daarna was het huilen met de pet op

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Cincinnatti Bengals wide receiver Chad Johnson was fined $5,000 for wearing “Ocho Cinco” on the back of his jersey before a game in 2006.

To avoid getting fined, Johnson hasn’t done it since then. But Johnson now has a plan for how he can get away with having “Ocho Cinco” spelled out over the “85″ on his back.

We’ve learned that Johnson has taken the first steps in the state of Florida toward legally changing his last name to Ocho Cinco.

Seriously.

If Johnson follows through on this, his actual, legal name will be Chad Ocho Cinco, and the NFL would then (we assume) allow him to put his new last name on the back of his jersey.

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Op donderdag 14 augustus 2008 18:14 schreef kidkash19 het volgende:
hmmmmmmmmmmm ongelukkig met zn situatie, enkeloperatie in offseason....ik ben benieuwd wat hij gaat doen

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The New England Patriots have reached an agreement with nine-time Pro Bowl safety John Lynch on a one-year, $1.5 million deal, NFL Network's Adam Schefter is reporting.

Patriots coach Bill Belichick met with the 36 year old Lynch on Wednesday, and the former Denver Broncos star took a physical. The Patriots have been hit by injuries in the secondary, both at safety and cornerback. Safety-linebacker Tank Williams had a season-ending knee injury in their first exhibition game.

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Op vrijdag 15 augustus 2008 00:10 schreef Playmaker het volgende:
De verjonging bij de Pats zet zich voort:
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Op zondag 17 augustus 2008 13:54 schreef Tazmaniac het volgende:

Bills winnen van de Steelers.. dat moet toch een leuke opsteker zijn.. en wat te denken van die van Leodis McKelvin!!!!

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Op zondag 17 augustus 2008 13:54 schreef Tazmaniac het volgende:
ff wat opmerkingen na weer een mooie ronde preseason football

Bills winnen van de Steelers.. dat moet toch een leuke opsteker zijn.. en wat te denken van die van Leodis McKelvin!!!!

Eagles met een leuke victory over de Panthers, Desean Jackson en McNabb erg sterk bezig imo.. spel van de Eagles ziet er wel erg wild uit

Favre met z'n 1e TD voor de Jets

Pennington vind zijn draai al snel in Miami

Die rookie kicker van Seatlle gaat nog veel leuke dingen doen

Cowboys nu 0-2

Leuke WR van de 49'ers die Josh Morgan

Dustin Keller word een redzone favorite voor Favre.

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Op maandag 18 augustus 2008 09:00 schreef LeChiffre04 het volgende:
ze zeggen vaak over brady dat hij een system QB is en dat hij zonder BB nooit zo succesvol zou zijn in de NFL. ik denk dat de eerste 2 pre-season wedstrijden van de pats wel duidelijk maken hoe belangrijk Brady voor de pats is. De backups QB's kunnen nog geen fatsoenlijke drive samenstellen, en dat nog wel in pre-season

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Op maandag 18 augustus 2008 14:47 schreef Michigan het volgende:
Pats 0-2, Lions 2-0

Zo zie je maar dat pre-season games erg veel zeggen.

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Op maandag 18 augustus 2008 17:52 schreef zjroentje het volgende:

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lol, popo?

En Tazmaniac, de Chiefs winnen de AFC West? Waar haal je dat vertrouwen vandaan?

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Op maandag 18 augustus 2008 18:25 schreef Tazmaniac het volgende:

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Chargers halen het dit jaar niet, dus tijd voor de Chiefs om die plek over te nemen

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Op zondag 17 augustus 2008 14:47 schreef Tazmaniac het volgende:
Winnaar Superbowl: Seahawks

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The suspense about who would line up under center Sept. 7 in the season opener in Indianapolis ended Monday when Kyle Orton was anointed the Bears’ starting QB.

Coach Lovie Smith cited several factors in choosing Orton over Rex Grossman, concluding a widely publicized competition that began in the spring and continued into the summer.

Kyle Orton has compiled a 12-6 record as a starting quarterback in three seasons.
“To come to a decision like that, we’ve taken a lot of things into consideration—last year, how we finished the season, OTAs, training camp, preseason games,” Smith said. “In the end it comes down to a gut feeling that you have, and I feel good about Kyle leading our team.”

Smith informed Orton of the decision during a meeting Monday.

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Op maandag 18 augustus 2008 21:42 schreef PirE het volgende:

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Record van de Jets: 3-13

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Op dinsdag 19 augustus 2008 10:25 schreef kidkash19 het volgende:
die doet al een aantal weken de ronde in het Nederlandse Football circuit en deze formatie is jammer genoeg niet legaal in de NCAA omdat je altijd 5 man moet hebben die een nummer tussen de 50-79 hebben en die zijn per definitie niet eligible als WR. Ook in de NFL is hij niet legaal
De enige x dat je hem zou kunnen doen is op kicking downs, het zou dus een leuke formatie kunnen zijn voor trickplays maar niet zoals die High School om je hele offense op te baseren.

Ik hou er wel van, beetje out of the box denken

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Cleveland Browns quarterback Derek Anderson left Monday night's 37-34 exhibition loss to the New York Giants early in the second quarter with what the team said was a possible concussion.

Anderson was hurt when he was sacked by Osi Umenyiora. He walked off the field and went to the locker room for further examination. He was replaced by Brady Quinn.

Anderson was 4-of-10 for 20 yards.

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The Cincinnati Bengals are close to signing Chris Henry, four months after they released the wide receiver following his fifth arrest since 2005, Henry's agent said Monday.

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Op dinsdag 19 augustus 2008 12:16 schreef zjroentje het volgende:

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En Orton wordt de starter voor de Bears.

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Op dinsdag 19 augustus 2008 12:16 schreef zjroentje het volgende:

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En Orton wordt de starter voor de Bears.

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Op maandag 18 augustus 2008 22:11 schreef zjroentje het volgende:
lol, die missed FG van de Jets op het einde. Waarom wil Mangini in hemelsnaam naar de OT?

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Op naar 2009 met de Bears.

Orton , The face of the franchise:

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» There is increasing chatter around the league that Green Bay still will wind up signing a veteran quarterback to back up Aaron Rodgers. One prime candidate could be Buccaneers quarterback Chris Simms, whom Tampa Bay might release after its fourth preseason game.

» Bengals coach Marvin Lewis on July 22 about the chances of Cincinnati re-signing wide receiver Chris Henry: "I'm not interested. I don’t think it would be productive for our football team. You have to be a productive part to be an NFL player, and there's responsibilities to being an NFL player. It's a privilege, it's not a right. There's a lot that comes with being an NFL football player." Apparently someone in Cincinnati with more clout than Lewis disagreed. And so Henry already has caused division within the team.

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Op woensdag 20 augustus 2008 00:22 schreef kidkash19 het volgende:

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Pfffff vind dit altijd zo'n onzin, NFL spelers zijn ook mensen, mogen ze ook in hun offseason (waar ze trouwens niet eens in betaald worden aangezien ze alleen in het seizoen betaald worden) wat leuke feestjes bezoeken en wat drinken?

Tsja het is kiezen tussen 2 manieren om geexecuteerd te worden....Grossman of Orton