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Saints March to NFL Title

Photo - QB Drew Brees - Saints

The New Orleans Saints finally reached NFL heaven with a thrilling victory over the Indianapolis Colts in Super Bowl XLIV. The Saints marched in to NFL history with a dramatic second half comeback to defeat the Colts 31-17 in Miami. It was the Saints first NFL title in the wild 43-year history of the franchise that included the loveable Aint’s of yesteryear to the team that rallied a city to recover from the horrors after Hurricane Katrina in 2005.

Brees rallied the Saints to upset the Peyton Manning directed Colts with some late game heroics.
“We just believed in ourselves and we knew that we had an entire city and maybe an entire country behind us,” said Brees, the game’s MVP. “What can I say? I tried to imagine what this moment would be like for a long time, and it’s better than expected.”

“Four years ago who ever thought this would be happening when 85 percent of the city was under water from (Hurricane) Katrina,” Brees said. “Most people not knowing if New Orleans would ever come back or if the organization and the team would come back. ... This is the culmination of that belief and that faith.”

Brees tied a Super Bowl record with 32 completions, the last a 2-yard slant to Jeremy Shockey for the winning points with 5:42 remaining in the game. He went 32 for 39 for 288 yards and 2 TDs while completing 29 of his final 32 passing attempts in a brilliant clutch performance. Head coach, Sean Payton, managed to boil it down to three words: “Brees was magnificent.”

Brees was named the MVP of Super Bowl XLIV after completing a Super Bowl record 32 passes. Of the seven incompletions, at least one was dropped while another was a spike. Two passes went for TDs and he also threw for a two-point conversion. For the postseason, Brees completed 71% of his passes with 8 TD passes and no interceptions while beating three divisional winners – the Cardinals, Vikings and Colts. The Saints trailed in each of those crucial victories by at least 7 points, a first time for the NFL postseason.

For the '09 season, Brees put up incredible passing numbers - a 70% completion rate with 4388 yards passing and 34 TDs and 11 interceptions. His leadership can not be measured as he has become the leader of a team that rallied around him and a city in pursuit of NFL history.

Saints’ coach Sean Payton deserves applause for several gutsy calls over the game especially the onside kick that opened the 2nd half that sparked the Saints’ comeback. The much maligned Saints defense made several key stops with Tracy Porter’s 74-yard TD interception return off an errant pass from Manning clinching the victory for the Big Easy.

For the '09 season, the Saints finished 16-3 overall and won three postseason games after winning only two in their previous 42 year history. They beat Arizona, Minnesota and Indianapolis (16-3) — all division winners — for their first title, scoring 107 points and allowing only 59.

Percy Harvin Wins Rookie Award

Photo – Percy Harvin - Vikings

The Vikings first year receiver Percy Harvin was named the NFL Rookie of the Year this week after an outstanding '09 season. Harvin was selected in the 1st round last April by the Vikings and has become a key weapon in their explosive offense.

Harvin was among five nominees, including Texans LBers Brian Cushing and Packers Clay Matthews and Ravens OT Michael Oher and Bills S Jairus Byrd.

Harvin set a Vikings record with 2,081 combined yards during the 2009 season that was the second overall production in the NFC. He had two kickoff returns for a touchdown, including a 101-yarder, and ranked fourth in the NFL with a 27.5-yard kickoff return average (42 returns for 1,156 yards). In 15 games, Harvin had 60 receptions for 790 yards and 6 TDs and 135 rushing yards on 15 attempts.

Harvin, who attended the University of Florida, was nominated for seven Pepsi NFL Rookie of the Week awards, winning twice.

Scouting Report on Percy Harvin last March in DraftInsiders.com Yearbook prior to being selected in 1st round by Vikings

* Percy Harvin #1 - 5’11” 190 lbs. - Florida - Sp. 4.40 / Rating 90
Hindu Theory - Steve Smith (Carolina)
Electrifying all-purpose junior playmaker has been one of the most explosive performers from the college ranks to enter the NFL early in recent years. Percy is a fast receiver/return specialist who shows explosiveness quickness after he gets his hands on the ball whether as a runner, receiver or a return specialist. He is a premier playmaker who has been instrumental in the Florida national title victories. Despite some concerns about size, he is a tough athlete who is well built, though he has only marginal NFL measureables for the position. He is a highly developed athlete as both a receiver and returner. He is both fast and quick with the explosive burst to separate easily and dangerous to score from any on the field. As a receiver, he possesses fine hands with the separation speed to get deep and hit the home run regularly. He also has outstanding openfield running skills after he gets his hands on the ball to create special problems for a defense. He has the components to become an NFL star - speed, quickness, hands, great vision and the natural running skills to strike from anywhere. After helping the Gators win another national title, he declared for the NFL Draft ’09. He has elite speed to get deep and hit the home run and displayed this consistently over his career. He has the top burst of speed to separate and get past cover men in the deep game to hit the big play. At the line, he needs to show he can beat the bump and run vs NFL caliber defenders after rarely facing that technique in college. His ability to handle the physicality of the NFL game is a major concern despite his big play ability at a very high level in the SEC. Once into his patterns, he can take the short hitch pass and create room to break a big play. His excellent running skills after the catch will warrant a very early selection and probably in the mid first round area. He is especially dangerous on the shorter routes to take the play the distance and is ideally suited for the West Coast offenses. His ability to find the end zone and natural running ability will make him a top commodity in April with every club looking for playmakers. He has fine hands and shows the ability to run sound routes and create separation consistently. He must prove he has the ability to stay on his routes and go over the middle in the NFL game. On the deep pass, he has developed good instincts tracking and the body control and hands to make the big play. He shows the ability to track the deep ball with the savvy to be in position to make the big catch. He is well developed as a route runner and recognizes coverage quickly with the ability to adjust and help his passer. His speed off the line puts him in a position to eat up a corners cushion when he comes off the line clean. Once into his route, he retains his top speed very well at the breakpoint and creates consistent separation. He has sudden speed and is very quick into his routes and cuts with the ability to create space in patterns. He needs some strength development to battle the jam and fight through being pushed off his routes. As a collegian, he was rarely tested with the bump and run and must prove he can beat that technique to become a starting NFL receiver.
The Numbers: As a junior, he started 11 of 12 games and caught 40 passes for 644 yards and 7 TDs for an 16.1. yard average per catch that earned him SEC honors. As a sophomore, he started 10 of 11 games and caught 59 passes for 858 yards, a 14.5 yard average per catch. As a freshman, he started 5 of 13 games and caught 34 passes for 427 yards and 2 TDs for a 12.6 yard average. At the NFL Combine, he checked in over 5’11” and a chiseled 192 lbs. He ran 4.39 and 4.41 times with and 10 reps in the lifting. He stopped due to an ankle injury.
The Skinny: Fast explosive playmaker with the speed and well developed talent to change games quickly as a receiver and returner. He can provide major impact as a rookie return specialist. He is one of the best return specialist in this class and one of the special playmakers in several roles. With the return game playing a bigger role in the NFL, return sensations like Devin Hester have provided incredible impact and Percy can be the next dangerous returner. As a receiver, he is one of the better deep threats in this class, displaying the special burst of speed to get behind the secondary, in addition to terrific run after the catch ability. He needs work on his strength and hand use to better fight off the bump-and-run from physical cornerbacks. As a return specialist, he combines both elusiveness and the sudden speed to pressure defenders. He needs some strength development to hold up vs big NFL athletes. He is a chiseled cut athlete who has been surprisingly durable as a collegian, though he was nicked up during the late ’08 season. He has a nose for the end zone and has produced vs. a high level of competition where he often beat double coverage situations. He is similar to the Panthers’ Steve Smith and former NFL Pro bowl returner Desmond Howard in size, athleticism and big play ability. Top 20 player and an excellent addition to a passing and return game, but he needs a creative coach to get him the touches to make a difference. He is not your classic #1 receiver and how he is used as a receiver will determine his pro success. He needs movement, reverses and slip screens to maximize his big play ability. Teams like the Texans, Chiefs and Bucs have on their short list for the 1st round. Playmaker with the talent to become an impact performer and an NFL star, but only if used properly in the passing game. Big play performer with character issues that hurt his final grade.
Draft Projection: 1st Round

Texas vs.the Nation Classic Finishes 2010 All-Star Season

Photo - QB Ryan Perrilloux - Jacksonville St

El Paso, Texas
The rosters for the Texas vs. the Nation All Star event are set and players have completed the practice sessions for the week. They now prepare for the annual classic game. The Texas/Nation All-star game is the final postseason game for pro prospects and has earned a fine reputation during its short existence. This weekend will mark the 4th annual Texas/Nation event with the game scheduled for this Saturday February 6, 2010 in El Paso, Texas. Kickoff is set for 2 pm est.

* Feb. 6 - Texas/ Nation All-Star Classic - Sun Bowl, El Paso, Texas
For Full Rosters go to http://www.texasvsthenation.com

The upcoming Super Bowl between the Indianapolis Colts and the New Orleans Saints will feature a few former players from this All Star game. The Texas vs. The Nation games two years ago featured a small college wide receiver from D-III Mount Union named Pierre Garcon. He was drafted by the Colts and has become a core weapon in their potent passing game directed by Peyton Manning. Garcon set an AFC Championship game record of 11 receptions and 151 yards in the Colts 30-17 win over the New York Jets.

Garcon is a big, physical receiver who makes numerous plays down the field in the Colts big play potent air attack. He has been a key addition to one of the NFL’s most explosive offenses after joining the Colts as a 6th round pick in the NFL Draft 2008.

Garcon has been playing with a heavy heart since the devastating earthquake rocked his parents’ home land of Haiti. He was able to use the tragedy as motivation to promote assistance for the tragedy. His ability to make big plays has also brought attention to the Haiti situation while helping the Colts reach their 2nd Super Bowl in four seasons.

Heading up the coaching staffs for this year's game will be Howard Schnellenberger, head coach for the Nation, and Bill Bates, head coach for Texas. Schnellenberger has been part of four collegiate national championships including the 1983 Miami Hurricanes who won the school's first national title ever defeating Nebraska in the 50th Orange Bowl. Schnellenberger returns to the Sun Bowl to defend the title the Nation captured under his leadership beating out Team Texas 27-24.

After a collegiate career at the University of Tennessee, Bates signed as an undrafted rookie free agent with the Dallas Cowboys in 1983 and went on to spend his entire 15 year NFL career in Dallas, winning three Super Bowls while with the Cowboys. Bates is making his second appearance on the coaching staff for Texas vs. the Nation after serving as an assistance coach for Gene Stallings in the 2009 outing.

First Round Mock Draft for the NFL Draft
Mock Draft after Senior Bowl week

Scouts Frank Coyle & Don Hope
Prior to the NFL Combine
* Underclassmen /x - Coin flip at NFL Combine

Photo - CB Joe Haden - Florida

1st Round
Team / Player / Pos / School
1 St. Louis * Sam Bradford - QB - Oklahoma
2. Detroit - Ndamukong Suh - DT - Nebraska
3. Tampa Bay - * Eric Berry - S - Tennessee
4. Washington - * Jimmy Clausen - QB - Notre Dame
5. Kansas City - * Gerald McCoy - DT - Oklahoma
6. Seattle - C.J. Spiller - RB - Clemson
7. Cleveland - * Joe Haden - CB - Florida
8. Oakland - Russell Okung - OT - Oklahoma St
9. Buffalo - * Rolando McClain - LB - Alabama
x 10. Denver (Chicago) - * Derrick Morgan - DE - Georgia Tech
x 11. Jacksonville - Taylor Mays - S - Southern Cal
12. Miami - * Carlos Dunlap - DE - Florida
13. San Francisco - * Brian Bulaga - OT - Iowa
14. Seattle (Denver) - * Anthony Davis - OT - Rutgers
15. New York Giants - Mike Iupati - OG - Idaho
x 16. San Fran (Carolina) - Brandon Spikes - LB - Florida
x 17. Tennessee - * Dez Bryant - WR - Oklahoma St
18. Pittsburgh - Trent Williams - OT - Oklahoma
x 19. Atlanta - * Jonathan Dwyer - RB - Georgia Tech
x 20. Houston - Patrick Robinson - CB - Florida St
21. Cincinnati - * Everson Griffen - DE - Southern Cal
22. New England - Jerry Hughes - LB - TCU
23. Green Bay - * Earl Thomas - S - Texas
24. Philadelphia - Brandon Graham - DE - Michigan
25. Baltimore - * Jermaine Gresham - TE - Oklahoma
26. Arizona - * Navorro Bowman - LB - Penn St
27. Dallas - Sergio Kindle - LB - Texas
28. San Diego - Dan Williams - DT - Tennessee
29. NY Jets - Jared Odrick - DT - Penn St
30. Minnesota - * Brian Price - DT - UCLA
y 31. New Orleans - Greg Hardy - DE - Mississippi
y 32. Indianapolis - * Jason Pierre-Paul - DE - South Florida

Full Subscribers will get Exclusive email Reports thru the NFL Draft 2010

Kurt Warner Announces Retirement

Photo – QB Kurt Warner - Cardinals

Arizona Cardinal’s QB Kurt Warner has called an end to one of the great storybook careers in sports and NFL history.
'It's been an amazing ride': Warner stated after retiring after long NFL career on Friday that took a number of unorthodox turns.

The 38-year-old veteran QB announced his retirement from the game after 12 years in the league that included two NFL season MVP awards, one Super Bowl MVP award and 5 Pro Bowl nominations. He came from nowhere to lead the lowly St. Louis Rams to two Super Bowls, winning the first of them.

Before playing in the NFL, Warner played three seasons with Iowa in the Arena Football League and one year in NFL Europe around working as a stocking grocery shelves in Iowa. He grew up in Cedar Rapids, Iowa and played at Northern Iowa as a collegian. Over his incredible NFL career, he went on to rank among the NFL's career leaders in a variety of passing statistics. He was the fastest player in NFL history to 10,000 passing yards and tied Marino as fastest to reach 30,000 yards. He made the St Louis Rams as a backup in 1998 and was thrust into the starting job in 1999 when veteran Trent Green was injured. That began an incredible season that started his career that should earn him a Hall of Fame invitation. Though not a first time Hall of Fame entry, he has all the credentials to earn a place in Canton next to other great NFL passers. His overall performance rivals and surpasses many of the current Hall of Fame passers in Canton.

What is amazing is that he made his first NFL start at the age of 28. He led the Rams to a 13-3 regular-season record that season, then a Super Bowl triumph over the Tennessee Titans. He was selected both the league and Super Bowl MVP. He also has the top three passing performances in Super Bowl history. His 1,156 passing yards in the 2008 playoffs broke the NFL record of 1,063 that he set with St. Louis in 1999.

"It's been an amazing ride," he said. "I don't think I could have dreamt it would have played out like it has, but I've been humbled every day that I woke up the last 12 years and amazed that God would choose to use me."
Warner had one of the greatest playoff performances ever in the Cardinals' 51-45 overtime wild-card victory over the Green Bay Packers on Jan. 10th. In the following playoff game vs the Saints, he sustained a brutal hit in a 45-14 divisional-round loss at New Orleans. It was the last game of his illustrious career.

In a comparison with the 14 quarterbacks to make the Hall of Fame in the last 25 years, Warner has a better career completion %, more yards per pass attempt and more yards per game. Only Dan Marino, Brett Favre and Peyton Manning had more career 300-yard passing games than Warner. In 124 regular-season games, he completed 65.5 % of his passes for 32,344 yards and 208 TDs. He and Fran Tarkenton are the only NFL passers to throw for 100 TDs and 14,000 yards for two different NFL teams. Overall, he has thrown for 32,344 yards and 208 TDs, in addition to winning a Super Bowl and playing in three - two with different franchises. Both franchises, St Louis Rams and the Arizona Cardinals were among the worst in the league, historically before Warner directed them to the title game.

What he was able to accomplish after leaving the Giants was truly amazing. He was mired in a five-year slump and was considered only a backup from 2002 to 2006 when he threw a total of 27 TDs. He rose again to lead the long-suffering Arizona Cardinals to the Super Bowl last year.

He is a committed Christian and man of deep faith who carried his Bible to news conference, walked away with one year left on a two-year, $23 million contract, knowing he still had the skills to play at the highest level. The five-time Pro Bowler was the league Most Valuable Player in 1999, when the Rams also defeated the Tennessee Titans in Super Bowl XXXIV. Warner also was selected Super Bowl MVP. He got hurt in 2000 and wasn't the same player. In 2001, he was magic again, earning NFL MVP honors and The Cardinals He signed to a one-year contract in 2005 largely because no other team would give him a chance to be a starter. Over the next two years, his performance was erratic and when new HC Ken Whisenhunt took over as the Cardinals' coach in 2007, he was the backup to Matt Leinart. He returned to starting duty in 2007 during his third season in Arizona, replacing Leinart. He started 48 of the remaining 49 games of his late career. Over the past three seasons, he threw 83 TDs.

Warner passed for 377 yards in Super Bowl XLIII last year, continuing his tradition of stepping up big in playoff games.

Most passing yards in Super Bowl history
Player / /Team / Yards / Super Bowl
Kurt Warner / Rams / 414 / XXXIV
Kurt Warner / Cardinals / 377 / XLIII
Kurt Warner / Rams / 365 / XXXVI
Donovan McNabb / Eagles / 357 / XXXIX
Joe Montana / 49ers / 357 / XXIII

Kurt Warner’s Career
Statistic / Regular season / Playoffs
Record / 67-49 / 9-4
Completion % / 65.5 / 66.5
Passing Yards Per Game / 258.8 / 304.0
300-Yard Games / 52 (of 125) / 6 (of 13)
Touchdown Passes / 208 / 31
Interceptions / 128 / 14
Passer Rating / 93.7 / 102.8

Warner said he plans to spend time watching his children grow up, do some preaching and perhaps get into football broadcasting. And he knows what he wants his legacy to be.
"It's not the way I threw the football, it's not particular games that I won, but that they remember that here's a guy that believed, that worked hard," Warner said. "Although things didn't always go in his favor, he continued to press through, and with his faith in himself and his faith in God, he was able to accomplish great things."

Tebow and Rolle in Senior Bowl Spotlight

Photo - Safety Myron Rolle - Florida St
Senior Bowl Game – Sat - 4 pm Est

Senior Bowl – Game Day
The 2010 Senior Bowl comes to completion today with the All-star classic that NFL scouts will view extensively over the ensuing weeks. There are many high regarded pro prospects to view but none more interesting than Florida’s QB Tim Tebow and Florida St’s safety Myron Rolle. Both prospects have been scouted with a critical eye this week for various reasons. Each of these pro prospects have incredible intangibles to get the most out of their top athletic abilities.

QB Tim Tebow of Florida drew incredible attention over the practices this week and may be the most over analyzed prospect in recent memory. He improved over the week on his throwing mechanics and taking the snap under center. He struggled during the opening workout but displayed a shorter delivery over the week with fine ball security under center. His delivery will be a huge issue in NFL front offices this spring and he will have to show progress in his mechanics and adjusting to a pro set at the NFL Combine to dispel concerns about his pro potential. He is capable of being the catalyst for the South team today.

Safety Myron Rolle - 6-2 / 218 - Florida St suited up for football for the first time since Dec. 2008 this week. He has worked out since Dec. '09 to prepare for this All-star classic. He opted to go to Oxford, England on a Rhodes scholarship the past year to pursue his education. He is the first Rhodes Scholar to ever play in the Senior Bowl. He is a defender who carried a top 100 and NFL starting grade off his experience and athletic ability. He needs to have a good game and postseason to return to those levels. His workout efforts this week showed the talent that made him an All-American, in addition to the smarts to pick up a new system quickly and flash the talent that made him a star defender as a collegian.

Players to Watch
Offensive Players
Jacoby Ford - WR - Clemson
Shay Hodge - WR - Ole Miss
Dexter McCluster - WR - Ole Miss
Andre Roberts - WR - The Citadel
Mike Iupati – OG -Idaho

Defensive Players
Daryl Washington - LB TCU
Sean Weatherspoon - LB - Missouri
Chris Cook - CB - Virginia
Perrish Cox – CB - Oklahoma St
Kyle Wilson - CB - Boise St