According to the National Football League Players Association, the average NFL career lasts only 3.3 years. Whether that is because of injury, skill level, or desire to play, the bottom line is that NFL players have the shortest average career length of any of the four major professional sports. While quarterbacks tend to rank among the longer lasting, the average also includes kickers and punters, which somewhat skews the number.
After a protracted standoff, the Giants and Victor Cruz recently have finally come to a deal, with Cruz signing his $2.879 million tender. Now, Cruz can at least show up to camp, after skipping the entire offseason program.
All the coverage on positional battles this offseason seems to revolve around the quarterback position – will it be Sanchez or Smith in New York, will Matt Flynn hold onto the starting job in Oakland, is EJ Manuel ready for prime time. But it turns out other positions also have battles – I know, I'm as shocked as you are. It's not always the teams at the bottom of the standings, either – even good teams are struggling in OTAs, trying to figure out who will replace key starters at key positions.
This week, the NFL mourned the passing of a true legend of the game. The first-ballot Hall of Famer, Los Angeles Ram legend – the man who came up with the word "sack" to describe his relentless pursuit of quarterbacks. Deacon Jones died in his home Monday night, from natural causes. He was 72 years old.
The Jets aren't the only team locked in a quarterback controversy this offseason. But while they're dealing with trying to decide between a disappointing known quantity and some new hope for the future, the Oakland Raiders find themselves with three giant question marks, trying to figure out which unproven player will fit best in their offense in 2013.
Mark Sanchez has not had the best offseason. When teammates are coming out of the woodwork to say that, while you're still a good guy and all that, "there's a general feeling among some of the players that maybe it's time to give someone else a chance,"well, that's not a good thing. When your team goes out in the draft and takes the top-rated player at your position, it may be time to start hitting the classified ads. And, when, with all the media around you, you are picked off three times in eleven throws in OTAs, you're going to find yourself in trouble.
It had to happen. The San Diego Chargers saw outside linebacker Melvin Ingram tear his left ACL in OTAs, and be set to miss essentially the entire 2013 season. Now, this isn't the biggest blow in history, as he only scored one sack in his entire rookie season, but Ingram is a good player with a bunch of athleticism to spare, so his loss is going to hurt. Making it worse was the player behind him – Larry English, the 2009 draft bust, was penciled in as the backup after Shaun Phillips left for Denver. The Chargers had no depth, so they had to make a move.
Dan Snyder sure knows how to handle awkward situations, doesn't he? When confronted with the issue of his team's name, brought to the forefront for the nth time by a DC councilman attempting to pass a non-binding-resolution that would force the team to abandon "Redskins" in favor of "Redtails", he came out guns blazing – the Washington Redskins will never change their name.
These days it is very common for rookies to come into summer camps and find themselves competing for starting jobs or solid playing time. Many rookies over the past few seasons such as Cam Newton, Robert Griffin III, AJ Green, and Luke Kuechly have come into the league looking like star veterans from the beginning. This year’s draft figures to have some star rookie talent as well. I have broken down the draft round-by-round to predict which stars will have the biggest impacts this fall.
Last week, we looked at the best remaining offensive players left – now, let's go to the defensive side of the ball and check out what players are left on that side of the ball.
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As always, we don't deal in short term, limited content here: there are no game recaps, daily rumors, or roster lists because, here at www.thebestsportsblog.com, we are all about analyzing the big stuff.
With that, I invite you to check out all our content! Below you will find our top articles on current questions and issues; questions that have not yet been answered and demand a high level of analysis. If you don't find what you are looking for, don't despair: it's either in the archive or coming your way very soon. Of course, we want everyone involved so please post your thoughts, comments, and article ideas on the forum. We are all about giving everyone the best analysis in sports so, if it's not here yet, we want to know that and get it to you!
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How Important Are NFL Running Backs? Delving into the importance of NFL running backs after strong seasons from Adrian Peterson, Arian Foster, and rookie Alfred Morris.
Praising the NFL's Wild Card Games Explaining why the NFL's Wild Card games still have great value, despite poor performances by the Cincinnati Bengals and Minnesota Vikings.
Why NFL Players Go Broke Why do NFL players go broke? This piece examines the recent trend of NFL bankruptcies, including those of Deuce McAllister and Michael Vick.
NFL Football and the Phenomenon of Ties Profiling the tie between the St. Louis Rams and San Francisco 49ers and how it relates to the history of ties in NFL football.
Who else will be a Chicago Bear in 2012? So far, the Bears have made a few nice moves this offseason picking up Brandon Marshall, Eric Weems, Jason Campbell, and Michael Bush to go along with resigning Tim Jennings and Kellen Davis.
Peyton Manning is Going to Denver Peyton Manning chose to play for the Denver Broncos. Let's wish him the best. Now, what does that mean for Tim Tebow?
What are the Consequences of NFL Bounty Programs? The NFL's investigation into the New Orleans Saints' bounty program under defensive coordinator Gregg Williams is all over the news. What are the consequences of NFL bounty programs? Hint: not good....
2012 NFL Playoffs Preview The second (and better) NFL season is in full swing. Here's our 2012 NFL Playoffs Preview
2011 NFL Preview With the lockout ended, it's time for football. Here's our 2011 NFL preview.
No Trust? No Football The NFL and its players are like polar-opposite conjoined twins: they are attached to one another irrevocably and need one another to survive but they share no love or trust. Trust is the big problem at the moment.
NFL Owners Have a Point Everyone seems to think the NFL owners have no case. But, I can see their point. Here it is:
2011 NFL Draft Grades Lot's of surprises in the first round of the draft. Here's our 2011 NFL Draft Guide.
Consequences of the NFL Lockout Ruling What are the consequences of the NFL lockout ruling? Will it affect the 2011 pro football season? Find out in this article.
NFL Lockout Summary
Will the NFL Owners and Players screw themselves and the fans with a lockout? We explore the reasons behind the current labor dispute and the potential for a 2011 NFL lockout.
How To Rebuild an NFL Franchise What are the steps a pro football team needs to think about in a rebuilding process? Here's an article about how to rebuild an NFL franchise.
Best NFL Players of All Time There are many true football legends. But who are the greatest NFL players to ever play the game?
Best Player in the 2011 NFL Draft The best player in the 2011 NFL draft is someone you may not have even heard of. We think it's Missouri's quarterback Blaine Gabbert. Let's see if the pro scouts agree.
Top Pass Rusher Prospects in 2011 NFL Draft -- One day we will look back on this year's draft as "The Year of the Pass Rushers." Here's our 2011 NFL Draft top pass rusher prospects.
Top Quarterbacks in 2011 NFL Draft Having or getting a quality QB is always a major focus for any professional football team. Here are the top quarterback prospects in the 2011 NFL draft.
Top Tight Ends in 2011 NFL Draft The class of 2011 provides several intriguing prospects at the TE position. The top talents in this class excel primarily in possession situations, displaying
SEC Offensive Line Prospects in 2011 NFL Draft During a time where protecting your investments has become as voluntary a practice in the NFL as it is in finances, offensive linemen from all across the
NFL Playoffs AFC Conference Preview Previewing the wild card playoffs from the AFC, featuring the Cincinnati Bengals, Baltimore Ravens, Indianapolis Colts, and Houston Texans.
NFL Football Playoff Snapshot Analyzing NFL football at the midway point and analyzing potential NFL Playoff teams, including the Atlanta Falcons, Green Bay Packers, and Chicago Bears.
NFL Top Sleeper Picks 2012 There's lots of great teams in the NFL. But, which are the sleepers? Which will we be surprised when they make the playoffs?
Profiling Gabe Carimi TIf you live in Chicago and love the Bears then you already know who Gabe Carimi is and probably love him.If not, you soon will. Here's a brief profile on him.
NFL Lockout Ruling What are the consequences of the NFL lockout ruling? Will it affect the 2011 pro football season? Find out in our article about the Nfl Lockout Rulling
NFL Lockout Breakdown
Wow, didn't think it would really come to this. But it has. Here's our NFL lockout breakdown and prognosis for the future.
The Haynesworth Dilemma We all know NFL players are paid a lot of money to hit people. But are they slaves to those massive contracts once they sign them?
NFL Draft Early Impact Prospects The biggest names in the 2011 NFL draft (like Cam Newton) likely won't contribute much to their teams this year. But here's a list of the prospects we think most likely to impact their new teams immediately.
Steelers - Packers 2011 Super Bowl Preview Look for a great Super Bowl with a late score to win it. We're picking Pittsburgh to win an NFL record 7th Super Bowl. Here's our Steelers - Packers 2011 Super Bowl Preview.
Super Bowl XLV Review Congratulation Packers!!!! Green Bay Packers win Super Bowl XLV. Here's our Super Bowl XLV Review.
NFL Hypocrisy Bears Vikings Icebowl The Bears-Vikings game on Monday Night Football was awful. Yet what it symbolized, beyond the game itself, was even worse: money trumps all.
Three NFL Teams Ready to Break Out While the usual suspects-like the Patriots and Steelers-remain contenders, three teams-the Falcons, Eagles, and Bears, look poised to make title runs.
Are the Old Patriots Back? The Patriots are currently the best team in the NFL but they lack a lot of true superstar performers. That's because this group isn't like the 2007 Patriots; this group has the chemistry of the first dynasty a decade ago.
NFL Salary Cap Carnage Professional football is back in business, but look out for the NFL salary cap carnage all around.
History:
NFL Mock Draft: Part 2 Previewing the best picks and potential busts of the upcoming 2013 NFL Draft.
Best Current NFL Players Eventually, a few of the players in the NFL today will become Hall of Famers. Looking now, which players are the best in the game at their respective positions?
NFL Holdout Problem Holdouts are becoming one of the biggest problems facing the National Football League. What causes them and how can they be fixed for the long term?
2011 NFL Mock Draft -- Football fans get a break from the litigation news and can focus for a while on the upcoming draft. Here's our 2011 NFL mock draft.
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