The “friend” of all NFL fans is a reworked or compromise CBA… and certainly our hopes are up for a prompt resumption of a “regular” NFL season… Meanwhile, I kill the time surfing old NFL Films of legendary Eagles…popping on to NFL Network for periodic updates…spinning the AM radio dial for late-night sports talk from Philly, Boston, Detroit, Chicago…waiting, anticipating…all the while trying to persuade the wife that I’m performing valuable “research” in the search for a cure for concussion…
I dig up a few nuggets…maybe I can string them together and create an “Around The NFL”-type blurb?
Nah… it’s just another dead-season fluff piece.
Much like “Wednesday, 3 A.M.” — an old Simon & Garfunkel tune that to this day remains haunting to me—yet lyrically meaningless.
Kinda like this post tonight.
First order of business— strange news that Aqib Talib, the Bucs CB, was indicted this week for firing a gun at his sister’s boyfriend. There is an important lesson here for all young men – don’t date Aqib Talib’s sister.
Next, Jason Thompson of Foxboro Blog reports the “NFL in LA” committee has been reformed and has held talks with five teams regarding a return to downtown Los Angeles. “You think it’s tough to breathe the thin air in Denver?” asked Thompson. “Try catching your breath in downtown L.A. You’d be better off chain smoking Kenny Britt’s cigars in the huddle. Still, I don’t think it’s likely a team will move there. It will be a tough sell to get a team to relocate to a city that is scheduled to fall into the ocean next winter. Trust me, I saw the video. If John Cusack says it, you can take it to the bank!”
Thompson also commented on the report that Alex Smith expects to be the starting quarterback for the 49ers next season. “I expect to become a relevant blogger and successful health and fitness coach next year,” said Thompson. “Never discount the power of positive thinking!”
Meanwhile there’s a guy in the national football media whose star is shining through all this lockout fog. His name is Charles Davis, a Fox Sports analyst. Daniel Eliesen did a piece on Davis for Phins Phocus…here are some excerpts:
For those who don’t know Charles Davis (@CFD22) , he spent his college years as a defensive back for the Tennessee Volunteers and has steadily become one of the biggest voices in the football world. Whether it’s on NFL Network doing NFL Total Access, Path to the Draft, or on FOX doing play by play on Sundays, Charles is becoming recognized as one of the brightest football minds out there.
Daniel Eliesen: How often do you go home after a long day and just go DAMN I wish this lockout was over?
Charles Davis: Every day, man, every day. We all do. We want it for all of us, for the fans, for the analyst, for the merchandisers, the hotel owners, the concession stands, everybody is getting hurt by this lockout. Football is a part of who we are.
Daniel Eliesen: You call games on FOX. How much work do you guys put in behind the scenes before each game?
Charles Davis: Well, we get to the city on Friday, and we go to the home team’s practice, we speak to the coaches, the coordinators, and some players and then the team’s media people… and we try and figure out as much information as possible before the game. We will also try and talk to a local guy we know and get the scoop, and as soon as we’re done calling a game, right away we get started for the next week. We certainly put in our work.
Daniel Eliesen: Knowing that you’re a former Volunteer, does that mean you’re “Manning over Brady”?
Charles Davis: Well yeah, we Volunteers got to stick together, so I’ll go Manning, but I certainly wouldn’t shed a tear if Brady was my QB either. We got a saying though— VOL for life, so yeah, I’ll stick with Peyton.
Daniel Eliesen: This is a bit of a fan question but do you ever sit there and just think I got the best job in the world?
Charles Davis: All the time. I try not to do it on air and to focus but when I am alone or I am tired or stress you just realize how great this job is. I have plenty of guys who wouldn’t mind being in my shoes.
Okay, this final Q&A response is going to hurt, so bite the bullet, fellow Eagles fans and posters…
Daniel Eliesen: Lots of guys come on the NFL Network… which player has impressed you the most with his NFL knowledge?
Charles Davis: The guy I work with most— Warren Sapp. His knowledge of football and of assignments, and where to be and understanding of the game, is amazing. I call him Professor Sapp. You wouldn’t think, because he is a defensive lineman, he would be so knowledgeable, but it’s amazing watching him talk football and the terms that he knows. I try to take it all in when he talks. So I could choose a lot of guys but Ill go with Sapp.
Wait! He said Warren Sapp! I thought he was going to say Jamie Dukes! I apologize!
Then there is still hope for order in the NFL universe… I feel better now.
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