FFSpiral BLog

The NFL Lockout has finally come to an end.  On Monday, the eighteen week lockout was put to rest.  This was the first time in 24 years that there had been a work stoppage in the NFL.  A new deal was created, and there is no possibility of renegotiation for the next ten years.  The new negotiations allow owners to receive 53% of revenue and players to receive 47% of revenues, while the original deal was to allow a more 50-50 agreement.

Today, free agents and 2011 draft picks will be signed. Wednesday, training camps will start for ten teams, such as the New England Patriots and the Dallas Cowboys. The remaining twenty two teams will start training on Thursday, Friday, or Saturday.

The highly anticipated start of NFL Season has finally begun!

The NFL secret talks continued with another meeting on Tuesday from an undisclosed location in Washington. They are in the 12th week since the lockout started on March 11 and with about 80 days left until the 2011 NFL Kickoff on Thursday, Sept. 8. The National Football League Players Union (NFLPU) and the NFL owners have met three times this week and have yet to come to an agreement on the final terms of the negotiations. This means that both sides can’t come to an agreement on the three main issues at hand; better benefits for injured players, better pay for the rookie players and increasing the length of the regular season to 18 games. These issues remain at the core of the negotiations and with payroll cuts affecting 7 teams as of today, the issue has become critical.  It’s so serious that the NFL sent a letter this weekend asking the members of the negotiations to prepare to stay overnight in the next meeting if necessary. Some members of the NFL have placed some concern that if the league doesn’t come to an agreement soon, the preseason will cost the league around a billion dollars. There are also signs that the negotiations are moving forward, for example the lawyers of both sides were attendance in Tuesday’s meeting, something that was not allowed in the last two meetings this month. Both sides are said to be in a “deal making move”. Some NFL veteran players are not waiting for the negations to settle and are taking the initiative to start practice on their own. This is the case of Redskins Brandon Banks and Saints Mark Ingram. These two players have been conducting practice on their own. But not everyone in the league is on board with this option, as some critics state these types of practices risk injuries since there is no NFL supervision and no approved protection worn. Is it worth the repercussions for all of us? All of these questions are going to affect the upcoming negotiations, all we can hope is that the negotiators realize what is at stake for the NFL and their fans!!!

Plaxico Burress was one of the stars to propel the New York Giants to their last super bowl win in Super Bowl XLII in 2008.  After the Championship, he was charged  of  two felony convictions for possession of a weapon in a nightclub. He served 20 months in jail and was released early Monday June 6th. Plaxico’s agent says he is physically and mentally ready to play  in the NFL. Plaxico has a reputation for being a bit undisciplined, but still has a chance of contributing to an NFL team and making an impact on any roster. Michael Vick, who was recently released from jail, commented today on his respect for Plaxico and wished him the best. The Eagles are in need of a third wide receiver and Plaxico would be a great addition since it would open up the secondary for Vick to be more lethal with his legs on the field. Plaxico’s time with the Giants was “OK”, in 2006 he had 10 touchdowns which were career highs and in 2007 he was the top receiver for the Giants with 70 receptions but fell shy of the 1,000 yard mark.  He was a nightmare for defenses because of his size and soft hands. He disturbed defenses and made acrobatic catches rarely performed by a man of his size. These  are the two main characteristics that make Plaxico so attractive to teams in the NFL. He runs the  40-yard dash in the  4.40’s making Burress a normal speed wide receiver but with great hands and agility. The list of teams in need of a receiver of his caliber is not short. Buress is not just a tall receiver, he knows how to use his abilities. We can hope that the last couple of years in jail helped him gain a bit of maturity, which is a key quality in any sport. Plaxico states he was practicing in jail 4 times a week, keeping his body in top shape. The only issue right now is the strike going on with the NFL and the rumors circulating that the season might be cancelled. This can delay and maybe hurt any possibilities Plaxico signing a deal this season. One major drawback of any team signing Plaxico is his questionable claims of injuries before pre-season. Plaxico had incidents of this sort with the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2005 and with the Giants in 2007 and 2008. The recurrent injuries and off-field “drama” are the biggest issues with Plaxico Burress, but not enough to disqualify him as third choice or maybe a back-up for some teams. Let us all hope that the only reason Plaxico Burress doesn’t play is because of his past and not because there is not a season in the NFL.

This past season Randy Moss played for three different teams; the New England Patriots, the Minnesota Vikings and finally the Tennessee Titans. Now, Moss is up as a free agent again. It has been speculated the New York Jets may want to scoop up the veteran wide receiver from the Titans. Although he is historically an ideal player, Moss had a career-low 28 passes this past season. The Jets will have 3 wide receivers up as free agents; Santonio Holmes, Braylon Edwards and Brad Smith. The Jets may not have enough leverage to keep all three which is why Moss is viable option for Rex Ryan, Jets head coach. Ryan has spoken about his need for another talented wide receiver and his admiration of Moss’ “vertical” advantage in the game. Ryan also openly discusses his aspirations to beat the Patriots. With Moss on his team instead of the New England Patriots, Ryan may have a better chance in beating his long-time rival, Bill Belichick.

Peyton Manning of the Indianapolis Colts and Michael Vick of the Philadelphia Eagles were among several NFL players to get franchise tags. The Colts are currently working on a long-term contract that could make the four-time league MVP the highest paid player in the NFL. Meanwhile, the Eagles are taking steps to ensure Vick’s spot in the roster next season. The AP Comeback Player of the Year set a number of career highs last season leading the Eagles to the NFC East title. Fans of Peyton Manning memorabilia will find a great collection of Peyton Manning signed football helmets and other autographed Indianapolis Colts collectibles.

Yesterday, the Green Bay Packers returned to Lambeau Field to celebrate their winning season for the last time. Over 56,000 fans attended the “Return to Titletown” event to celebrate the Super Bowl XLV winners. Following their 31-25 victory over the Pittsburgh Steelers, the Packers brought the Vince Lombardi Trophy back home with them for the first time in 14 years. Those who are fans of Green Bay Packers memorabilia will find an extensive selection of photographs, footballs, helmets, and other items including Aaron Rodgers autographed collectibles.

DeAngelo Hall came away with the MVP title as the NFC defeated the AFC 55-41 at the NFL Pro Bowl on Sunday. The NFC was able to pull away with a 42-0 lead in the first half when AFC quarterbacks Philip Rivers, Peyton Manning and Matt Cassel each threw costly interceptions. Adrian Peterson rushed for 80 yards in 14 carries. Fans will find an extensive collection of autographed football jerseys, helmets and other items from the NFL’s top players such as Peyton Manning memorabilia.

Football fans may have been shocked to hear that head coach Jeff Fisher is parting ways with the Tennessee Titans after coaching for the last sixteen seasons. The announcement was made at a press conference last night, where it appeared that he and owner Bud Adams had reached a mutual agreement about the change. The Titans organization is already working on finding a replacement. Fans will find a great selection of Tennessee Titans memorabilia including Tennessee Titans signed football jerseys and photographs available.

With the Super Bowl quickly approaching, many football fans and critics have begun speculating who would be recognized in the 2010 NFL Awards which will be announced on the NFL Network. While the awards presentation will start on February 1^st and continue through Super Bowl Week, the last award will be NFL MVP which will be given on Super Bowl day during the pre-game show. This season’s top contenders for the award are Tom Brady and Michael Vick among others. Fans will find a large collection of Tom Brady signed memorabilia and Michael Vick collectibles in addition to Philadelphia Eagles and New England Patriots memorabilia.

Yesterday, the Chicago Bears fell to the Green Bay Packers and the Pittsburgh Steelers defeated the New York Jets in the conference championships. Subsequently, the Packers will be facing the Steelers in the Super Bowl this year. Throwing 244 yards, Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers led the Packers to a 21-14 win and their first Super Bowl in thirteen years. Meanwhile, Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger led the Steelers to a 24-19 win and what could be his third Super Bowl title. Fans and collectors of Pittsburgh Steelers memorabilia will find a large collection of Ben Roethlisberger signed collectibles. Those interested in Green Bay Packers memorabilia will also find signed football helmets and other items.