Retweet of the Day - October 30, 2013

The NFL trade deadline has come and gone and there were no significant transfers of talent that took place. Every year, there is speculation about certain players on the trade bubble. Sometimes those trades happen, but blockbuster trades are rare in today's NFL.

Sports media speculated for weeks that Atlanta Falcons tight end could be traded back to the Kansas City Chiefs, the team with which he played most of his career. There were also speculations about New York Giants wide receiver Hakeem Nicks, Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald, and even Minnesota Vikings defensive end Jared Allen and even Vikings running back and reigning league MVP Adrian Peterson. Speculation turned into rumors which, for fans, became "facts". Nothing happened and it is unlikely that anything was ever in the works for these star players.

Still, each year, NFL fans get visions of sugar plums and impact players dancing in their heads. Each year, the spaceship for the pipe dream fails to launch. Today's retweet, from Demarcus Robinson (@DOCisChief)  sums it up with a lot of pragmatism and common sense.

"@fergoe it was people doing their "they should trade such & such so they can go for a ring!" thing. Wishful thinking turned into "rumors"" 

The only way Chiefs Fan is going to see Gonzalez in a Kansas City jersey this year is with the aid of a time machine.

 

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Moving and Shaking Up the League

NFL free agency starts today and teams have already begun moving, snipping, rearranging, and contorting to make their power moves within the confines of the league’s salary cap. There have already been several noteworthy moves.

Having trouble keeping up? Don’t worry. The changes will continue! Here are a few of the transactions sure to impact the coming NFL season.

Power Moves

Anquan Boldin traded to the San Francisco 49ers from the Baltimore Ravens

This is a huge win for the 49ers. The Niners have spent the past three years trying to find a threatening bookend for Michael Crabtree. Their passing game has been limited and predictable during Head Coach Jim Harbaugh’s tenure. After being carved up by Boldin in Super Bowl XLVII, I guess the Niners’ brass saw all they needed to see. Baltimore’ salary cap misfortune is the 49ers’ good fortune.

The floor demonstration made an impression on the 49ers. 1

Percy Harvin traded to the Seattle Seahawks from the Minnesota Vikings

Harvin is a game breaking superstar. The Vikings had a bit of a problem with Harvin’s diva like tendencies (which are found in most exceptional NFL wide receivers) and a big problem with the money that Harvin said he wanted in a new contract, either now or when his current deal expires after next year.

The Vikes knew they could not afford Harvin’s market value. Coach Pete Carroll and the Seahawks said, paraphrasing rapper Ill Al Scratch and singer Brian McKnight, ”If you don’t want him don’t waste your time! I’ll take him.” The arms race is on in the NFC West.

Harvin (left) is coming and apparently Leon Washington (right) is going. 2

Wes Welker reported to be testing the open market

Welker, who is an unrestricted free agent, has been reported by multiple outlets to be set to shop the NFL free agency market after failing to agree to terms on  new deal with the New England Patriots. Those of you who read the Hat Trick often know I don’t like Brady or the Patriots, so I would love to see Welker find greener pastures. Frankly, from an on the field standpoint, Welker fits best with the Patriots and the Patriots’ offense is a clear step better with Welker than without him. They need each other and that is why I expect, in the end, that New England will make the most attractive offer to Welker.

I'm sure Welker checked with his wife, Anna Burns, before shopping around. 3

Tony Gonzalez to return to the Atlanta Falcons in 2013

To my bitter disappointment as a Saints fan, as I indicated earlier today, tight end Tony Gonzalez announced that he will not retire and will return to the Falcons for another campaign in 2013. This is HUGE for Falcons Fan. The Falcons waived running back Michael Turner for salary cap reasons. Turner was productive, but declining and expensive. The assurance that Gonzalez (93 receptions in 2012) will be back next year means there is one less hole for the Falcons to fill.

(sigh) 4

Mike Wallace gets 60 million reasons to take his talents to South Beach

Wallace reportedly agreed on a deal with the Miami Dolphins for approximately $60 million over five years. With the trade of Brandon Marshall to the Chicago Bears last season, the Dolphins were is great need of a big threat wide receiver for second year quarterback Ryan Tannehill to throw to. They’ve got it in Wallace. The Dolphins defense is fairly solid and Tannehill had a good rookie campaign considering what he had to work with on the offensive side of the ball. Perhaps the Dolphins will make a push for one of the AFC’s Wild Card spots.

With Wallace at wideout, Ryan Tannehill (left) can be excited about hooking up during and after work (his wife, Lauren Tannehill is on the right). 5

Tomorrow: Belt Tightening – Nnamdi Asomugha, James Harrison, DeAngelo Hall, Beanie Wells, and Eric Winston.

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Retweet of the Day - March 12, 2013

Within the last hour, news broke that future Hall of Fame tight end Tony Gonzalez announced that he would not retire, but instead return to the Atlanta Falcons in 2013. As a football fan, sports fan, and blogger, I am happy to see him return. Not only is he the best tight end ever to play the game, but, based on performance, he's still among the top three TE's in the NFL, 9th in the league with 93 receptions last season (2nd among tight ends to Jason Witten of the Dallas Cowboys).

Being a Saints fan, I cannot help but express a little disappointment. I'd have been happy to throw the man a going away party if I were acting on fanhood. Still, there is always room for humor. With 16 NFL seasons under his belt, Gonzalez was never on a team that won a playoff game until last season, when the Falcons slipped past the Seahawks with a desperate last minute drive and a go-ahead field goal in the final seconds.

Today's retweet, from NOT SportsCenter (@NOTSportsCenter), capitalizes on this shortcoming.

"BREAKING: Tony Gonzalez will officially return to the #Falcons for a chance to blow one last playoff game"

In his late 30s making catches like this? They need to check him for PEDs!

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Witnessing Greatness – Tight Ends

In this latest installment of The Daily Hat Trick, we are going to have a look at the great tight ends in the game today and discuss who among them may be the greatest of all-time. Tight end is a different, and quickly evolving, position. The men in the position have to help block, but also have to be competent route runners and receivers.

For all of the responsibility of the position, tight ends do not often get their due. The Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio has inducted 267 people. Only eight of those people are tight ends. However, the role of position has developed and has had a much greater impact on the game over the last 20 years. For that reason, the Hat Trick is presenting the following players for your consideration.


SLAM DUNK

Tony Gonzalez, Atlanta Falcons – The criteria for a great tight end in the modern era should be how much the player impacted the passing game. Nobody expects a tight end to post receiving numbers comparable to that of a wide receiver. Tony Gonzalez, however, has done just that.

Tony Gonzalez is the NFL’s second all time leading receiver, behind Jerry Rice (who may never be matched in our lifetimes). Gonzalez is a tight end who changed the way coaches use and strategize with the position. Still, the fact that Gonzalez’s career numbers, at a position still regarded as a safety valve for the quarterback, dwarf nearly all wide receivers that played during his time defies logic.

To put Gonzalez’s career in contrast, compare his numbers to those of Shannon Sharpe, another tight end who was slam dunk induction to the Hall of Fame this year. Sharpe is the NFL’s 22nd all-time leading receiver. Gonzalez is second. Sharpe is 34th all-time in receiving yardage. Gonzalez is 13th, first among active players on an NFL roster. Shannon Sharpe is 58th all-time for receiving touchdowns, with 62, fewer than his brother, former wide receiver Sterling Sharpe, who is not in the Hall of Fame. Gonzalez is first among active players on an NFL roster and 9th all time for receiving touchdowns with 92.

The “yes” vote couldn’t be any easier.

Slam dunk 1

ON TRACK

Antonio Gates, San Diego Chargers – The seven-time Pro Bowler and 3 time first team Associated Press All-Pro would likely have a bust in Canton, even if he stopped playing today. Gates, a former college basketball player, like Gonzalez, helped revolutionize the way that offensive coaches utilized the tight end in the passing game, especially near the goal line. Gates, in only his ninth NFL season, is sixth all-time among tight ends, and third among active tight ends, in career receptions and second all-time, among tight ends, in receiving touchdowns. Gates could crack into the top 30 all-time, regardless of position, for touchdown receptions, as early as this Sunday, should he catch a touchdown.

At this point in Gates’ career, all he can do is continue to pad his career statistics. He is indisputably among the best of his time and, at age 30, is not likely to raise the bar any higher for himself. The only factor keeping me from placing Gates in the “Slam Dunk” category is his lack of longevity, relative to other recent Hall of Fame tight ends.

Few receivers have touched pay dirt as often as Gates. 2

Jason Witten, Dallas Cowboys – Jason Witten had been a gamebreaker since he came into the NFL in 2003. With seven Pro Bowls and two AP First Team All-Pro awards on his resume, his Hall of Fame induction, like that of Gates, may already be a forgone conclusion. Witten has five seasons of 950 receiving yards or more, impressive for a wide receiver (let alone a tight end), five seasons with 80 or more receptions, and is on pace to make 2011 his sixth such season in both of those statistical categories.

Like Gates, Witten has only played for nine seasons in an era in which the rules are favorable to receivers. Still, when compared to past tight ends, few have done more in such a relatively short period of time. If Witten simply remains healthy and productive for three more seasons, I cannot think of any reason that he will not be wearing a crème colored jacket and giving a speech on a future August day in Canton.

In addition to being a great receiving tight end, Witten's toughness, at a position that demands toughness, is unquestionable. Some, however, may describe this image as "insanity" instead of "toughness". 3

POSSIBLE BRIDESMAIDS

Jeremy Shockey, Carolina Panthers – The four time Pro Bowler, former All-Pro and Super Bowl champion is a player that defensive coordinators have always had to account for. Shockey is fourth all-time among active tight ends for receptions. Shockey’s value over the course of his career is evident.

The factor that may stifle a possible Hall of Fame candidacy for Shockey is that of injuries. Shockey has never played a full 16 game season and has missed two or more games in five of the first nine years of his career. His productivity appears to be declining. In an era in which tight ends are expected to be more comparable to wide receivers, Shockey may not make the cut for Canton.

DeMeco Ryans (left) is boldly going where few men have gone before: mixing it up with Shockey. 4

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Lies, Damned Lies, and Statistics – NFL 2011

One of the many addictive elements of sports is the number of permutations available for performance statistics to analyzed, presented, and evaluated. In a number of discussions I have had with NFL fans, I have noticed that some fans are surprised by some statistical realities in the NFL, especially regarding career achievements.

Often, the longevity of an above average player can yield counter-intuitive all-time leader rankings for that player. For example, is should surprise nobody that Peyton Manning is the NFL’s all-time leader is passing attempts, completions, and yards among active players. How many of you, unless you read the same fact recently, knew that Kerry Collins was #2, all-time among active players? Number 3 (in passing yards) is Donnovan McNabb and McNabb is not likely to catch Colling this year, even if Collins does not play a single down. Actually, I could publish a Kerry Collins “did you know” fact every day for a month, but I digress.

Here are a few statistical facts that may make you go, “Hmmm…”


Kerry Collins is the NFL’s #11 all time leader in passing yards.

I promise not to make this a collection of Kerry Collins facts. But for a guy who has a career completion percentage well below 60% and has often, in several seasons, thrown more interceptions that touchdowns, it may surprise you to know that Collins is ahead of a lot of Hall of Fame QBs in career passing yards, likely to crack into the top 10 all time by passing Joe Montana this season.

It isn't so hard to forget that Kerry Collins led the Giants to the Super Bowl, is it? 1

Chad Pennington’s career passer rating is over 90, 12th all time in NFL history.

Pennington’s career efficiency rating is better than the likes of Hall of Fame quarterbacks Dan Marino, Jim Kelly, Troy Aikman, and Warren Moon.

Perhaps the Dolphins wouldn't have had the tough years they had if Pennington could stay on the field.  2

Matt Schaub owns the record for the sixth-highest single season passing yardage total in NFL history.

This may not be a cardiac surprise. The Texans have had an explosive offensive attack in recent years. Still, when thinking of the greatest single season performances in the history of the NFL, Schaub’s name is not the first to come to my mind.

Schaub threw for 4,770 yards in 2009, leading the Texans to their first winning season in franchise history. For contrast, Peyton Manning, a virtually certain Hall-of-Famer, has no single season yardage totals in the top 10, all-time, though he does hold positions #11 (4,700 yards – 2010) and #19 (4,557 – 2004).

The Texans have had a number of problems holding them back in recent years, but the quarterback isn't one of them. 3

Thomas Jones, Clinton Portis, and Ricky Williams are all among the NFL’s top 30 all time leading rushers.

All three of these players have had good careers and been named to Pro Bowl teams. Still, that there are fewer than 30 men ever to play the running back position with more rushing yards is surprising to me. These three players have more career rushing yards than Hall of Fame running backs Earl Campbell, Jim Taylor, and Larry Czonka.

Ricky Williams is the biggest surprise to me in this group. Williams has an excellent chance to surpass the 10,000 career rushing yards plateau this season. Keep in mind that Williams has not been an every down, starting running back in 8 years and he missed the entire 2004 and 2006 seasons and, for all practical purposes, missed the entire 2007 season (played in one game).

However, of those three missed seasons, only the 2007 season was missed due to injury. Williams has also averaged over 4 yards per carry in his career. This means that when Williams did, in fact, play, he was healthy and efficient. The consistent performances have added up over time.

People can crack all of the jokes they want. Ricky Williams...Robert Parish...Kareem Abdul-Jabbar...Chris Simms...they all played much longer than they "should have". Coincidence? I think not! 4 

Derrick Mason is the NFL’s 12th all time leading receiver.

Sure, Mason has played for a long time and is a former Pro Bowler and All-Pro. Still, with 924 receptions, he is the NFL’s #12 all-time leading receiver and will likely crack the top 10 this year, barring injury. Mason is ahead of Hall of Famers Steve Largent, James Lofton, Michael Irvin, and Charlie Joiner for career receptions and should pass Art Monk and Andre Reed in 2011 if he has any significant playing time with the New York Jets.

Derrick Mason - This isn't a retro/throwback jersey. This is Mason when he played with the Oilers. Yes, he played when the Oilers still existed as a current NFL franchise. He's been around a L..O..N..G time! 5

Tight end Tony Gonzalez is the NFL’s 10th all time leader in receiving touchdowns.

Tony Gonzalez is a slam dunk to have a bust in Canton, Ohio after his playing days are over. However, for a tight end, as trailblazing and dominant as Gonzalez has been, it gives me pause for reflection, considering that his career total of 88 receiving touchdowns dwarfs Hall of Fame WIDE RECEIVERS such as Fred Beletnikoff, James Lofton, and Bob Hayes. The next closest tight end in career receiving touchdowns is Antonio Gates of the San Diego Chargers, with 69 scores. For contrast, newly inducted Hall of Fame tight end Shannon Sharp is #58 all time in receiving touchdowns, with 62.

I wonder how Gonzalez would have faired in basketball. 6

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