In case you haven't noticed, Rotoworld launched our very own forums this week. I've never been a huge message board guy, but topics like this one could change my mind.

Posted by Gregg Rosenthal at 06:58 AM | Permalink | Comments (267)

About as relaxed and funny as you'll ever see him. Rich Eisen and Marshall Faulk's Hawaiian shirts, in addition to a Super Bowl trophy will do that to you.

After Manning gave team-oriented answers, Faulk tried to hard to get Manning to say what the title meant only to him, "I haven't really answered those questions ... people always ask that. I always spun the question... gave a cliche answer to all those questions. Hopefully I won't have to answer those questions."

Talking about the game, he thought Dominic Rhodes, Joseph Addai, or Kelvin Hayden could have won the MVP.

"As much as we felt like we were dominating the game at he line of scrimmage, I looked at the score and it was only 22-17. If Hester breaks one return or Muhammad catches a deep one, and they got the lead, and anything can happen. I wanted to make it a two score game so bad, and the defense finally did it."

All the players and stars at the Pro Bowl were congratulating Manning at the pool, and Manning was overwhelmed. Steve Hutchinson, a close friend, kidded Manning, "You've changed."

"I'm still the same guy that could never win the big game," Manning replied. "I'm a choke artist. I want to known as the same guy."

Manning and Faulk joked about offensive coordinator Tom Moore's smoking habit.

"That 45-minute halftime was the greatest thing of his whole life. He got a whole pack in."

NFL Network also showed a tape of Manning doing a tango in middle school, something he referenced as the most nervous moment of his life. A girl in the play sold it after Manning told the story at a press conference last week.

"I wish I still had hips like that," Manning said.

Okay, I leave for Tokyo on vacation in the morning, I have a column to write before I go, and haven't started packing ... and I'm liveblogging an interview no one cares about.

Posted by Gregg Rosenthal at 07:31 PM | Permalink | Comments (2)

Jason La Canfora, whose blog is also in contention for best New Artist, has the details on Jon Jansen's contract.

The important thing to note here is that Washington appears to be doing business as usual. Which means endlessly finding ways to push cap hits into the future by paying more money upfront. Washington will save more than $3 million against the cap this year, but they will owe Jansen $10 million guaranteed in the next two seasons. And unless he's still playing near a Pro Bowl level at age 33 in two years, the contract could get ugly.

Continue reading "Same Old Redskins" »

Posted by Gregg Rosenthal at 12:45 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

The fascinating and depressing duel cases of the Reid boys has taken some nasty turns. I'd love to make it through one day without hearing a columnist tell Reid how to parent or how to do his job.

John DeShazier of the Times-Picayune has a great idea. Induct Paul Tagliabue into the team's Ring of Honor. It's a shame Tags was passed up for the Hall of Fame this year, but I suspect this honor would mean almost as much.

When a lot of forces were pulling the Saints away from New Orleans, including the owner, Tagliabue forcefully made sure the NFL did right by the city, regardless of finances. I bet Tagliabue rightfully watched this Saints season unfold with a lot of pride.

Posted by Gregg Rosenthal at 12:40 PM | Permalink | Comments (261)

The early favorite for new blog of the year is Instant 49ers from Matt Maiocco of the Santa Rosa Press Democrat. It's quickly become indispensable.

Okay, it's not a new blog. It's been around since July. But they gave the Best New Artist award at the Grammy's to Shelby Lynne about ten years after she started recording. I have no idea why I remember this.

Another one of my favorite NFL blogs comes from the Dallas Morning News, although it took a crippling hit when it's leader Matt Mosley left a few weeks ago.

Mosley has turned up over at ESPN.com as part of an article about the Dallas coaching search. First DJ Gallo gets a bigger role, then Jackie Macmullan, then Stephen A. Smith loses his show and now this! The Worldwide leader on a roll.

Mosley, incidentally, reports that Norv Turner doesn't believe Jason Garrett is ready to be an offensive coordinator.

Posted by Gregg Rosenthal at 07:46 PM | Permalink | Comments (650)

Tomlinson said he and Bill Belichick had a long conversation Monday about the Chargers-Patriots game, aftermath, and even hugged it out. Today they were laughing. I really can't imagine that conversation.

I'll sleep better knowing this pressing issue is settled.

Posted by Gregg Rosenthal at 07:24 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

Tony Romo seems to be over his fumbled snap in the playoff. He was able to laugh about it, but it took him a while.

"That whole week, I went from my bedroom to my living room to my bedroom to my living room just for the next 3-4 days just because you can't grasp really what happened."

Romo came to the conclusion that it just "wasn't meant to be."

Romo is going to hold this week at the Pro Bowl. Romo said he was talking to NFC coach (and former Cowboys assistant) and said, "I'm thinking about holding."

"You're going to hold," Payton said.

"All right then. Let's hold," Romo replied.

Romo was upset with Payton for telling the entire team his room number after practice.

"I already know Larry Allen is in there ordering some drinks on my tab."

Posted by Gregg Rosenthal at 07:15 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

If the Pro Bowl is the true test of a gambling addiction, then watching any pre Pro Bowl festivities on NFL Network is the true test of an NFL loser.

Some good television comes from Hawaii, though. Rich Eisen and Marshall Faulk will sit down with Tony Romo during the hour. Bill Belichick has already been joking with LaDainian Tomlinson (that one settled down quickly) and even was seen ... smiling. When asked if he would wear a Hawaiian hoodie on Sunday, Belichick paused and replied that it would be a "game time decision."

Posted by Gregg Rosenthal at 07:05 PM | Permalink | Comments (2)

Paul Zimmerman writes what I wish I wrote in the last day. Sunday's game was an interesting and entertaining Super Bowl. A better ending would have been great, but you couldn't pack more action into the first three quarters. Perhaps people just expected Rex Grossman to implode at the end, and implode he did.

Zimmerman credits Joseph Addai and the Colts rush defense mostly. While Dominic Rhodes enjoyed a monster fourth quarter, Addai helped win the game when it was in doubt. A few beautiful cuts helped convert key third downs. Rhodes' big fourth quarter should help Addai in the long run anyhow. Now Rhodes is more likely to get paid elsewhere in 2007 while Addai racks up 350 touches and a top-ten fantasy ranking.

Am I the only one (other than Zimmerman) that thought Sunday's game was a better-than-average Super Bowl?

Posted by Gregg Rosenthal at 06:02 PM | Permalink | Comments (2)

It looks like Tony Dungy will probably return, answering one of my questions from last night. That means Dallas is likely to be the only coaching vacancy in the league this week.

The Colts will have their work cut out for them next season, defending their title in a loaded AFC. But as long as Dungy and Peyton Manning will be around, they will have a chance every season. The improving AFC South, led by Jacksonville and Tennessee, won't make life any easier.

The gambling odds are already out for the 2008 Super Bowl. Here's the order ...

Chargers (11/2)
Colts (6/1)
Bears, Patriots (10/1)
Bengals (11/1)
New Orleans (12/1)
Philadelphia (14/1)
Baltimore (16/1)
Dallas, Denver, Pittsburgh, Seattle, and Carolina. (20/1)

I completely agree the Chargers should be the favorites, with the Colts right behind. The Eagles at 14-1 would be my slight favorite in the NFC. The Steelers look like a nice bet. Of course I managed to quit gambling this season, (and made it through), so this is just for entertaininment purposes only.

Posted by Gregg Rosenthal at 12:41 PM | Permalink | Comments (11)