The Vikings nab McNabb- After drafting highly-touted QB Leonard Farsen in the 1st round with the 27th overall pick, the Washington Redskins released QB Donovan McNabb as many had expected. Promptly thereafter, the Minnesota Vikings moved to sign McNabb. Terms of the deal were not immediately available.
'Zona pulls the trigger on deal for Kolb - Another former Philadelphia Eagles QB making headlines this week is Kevin Kolb. Apparently not deciding on QB John Skelton as the future franchise QB, Arizona trades a 1st and 5th draft pick in next season's draft to Philadelphia in exchange for Kolb.
Here's a breakdown of each NFL team's top draft picks for 2011, beginning with the AFC North (Eds. note: I've re-named many of the rookies in order to more personalize the draft class):
While we'll be taking a closer look at all 32 teams' best draft picks, but here's what the experts consider the top twelve best drafting teams for 2011.No surprise that New England is No. 1 considering the amount of picks they exercised, but it's also interesting that the Patriots' fiercest division rival, the New York Jets, are right up there with them. Also quite noteworthy is that, aside from the Pats, the NFC West-winning Seahawks, and the Atlanta Falcons, none of these teams were playoff contenders in 2010. Will the 2011 season shake things up? (Eds. note: Without any scouting, I drafted for all 32 teams until the fifth round, then simmed the rest.)
Time to add more ice to Patriots owner Robert Kraft's fingers
ARLINGTON, Texas - In an epic battle that went down to a crucial onside kick in the fourth, New England held on to win its fourth championship in franchise history, winning 35-28. Not only did New England QB Tom Brady (4 TDs, 1 rushing TD, 1 INT, 393 yards, 136.7 passer rating) and Green Bay QB Aaron Rodgers (2 TDs, 1 INT, 207 yards, 111.8 passer rating), live up to their billing, but when Rodgers was temporarily sidelined with an injury midway through the game, Packers backup QB Matt Flynn rose to the occasion on the highest stage (1 TD, 0 INTs, 110 yards, 134.6 passer rating).
Pats' TE Rob "Gronk" Gronkowski was instrumental keeping the Patriots' passing attack prolific, and finished with well over 100 yards receiving on 9 receptions. Late in the fourth quarter, a timely interception by Patriots' CB Leigh Bodden, and a long TD sprint by TE Aaron Hernandez which came off an amazing catch coupled with a sick juke move, sealed the victory for New England.
Aside from the clutch finish by the Patriots, a key difference-maker was the tale of the two running backs. With Green Bay so concerned with defending the pass, Pats' RB "The Law Firm" BenJarvus Green-Ellis ate it up on the ground, running with consistency and finishing with 44 yards rushing on 10 attempts. Contrast that with Green Bay RB Ryan Grant, who ended with only 25 yards on 9 attempts.
NEW YORK, New York - What is it with the Patriots facing a late-season opponent again in the Big Dance? First it was the New York Giants back in 2007, and now it's the Green Bay Packers. Unlike '07, however, the Patriots are hoping the winner of the late-season contest will also win the Super Bowl (namely, them). The Packers will have to do a better job of defending against the Patriots' pass-heavy offense than they did in Week 15, and will have to avoid costly turnovers against relentless New England.
Patriots' suffocating defense helps overcome a 10-0 deficit to don AFC Championship Crown
FOXBOROUGH, Masschusetts - Despite New England QB Tom Brady having a very uncharacteristic game (finishing with a 76.4 passer rating) against Pittsburgh's outstanding defense, it was the Patriots' defense who stepped up their game and give New England the victory and a one-way ticket to Super Bowl XLV.
Patriots DE Mike Wright, dropping into coverage on an exotic blitz by New England, came up with a clutch pick-six of Steelers' QB Big Ben to seal the victory for the Pats.
Saints at Packers - Drew Brees' dome-team (and incumbent Super Bowl champions) New Orleans Saints takes on A-Rod's Green Bay Packers in snowy Lambeau Field. Can the Pack upset the champs?
Steelers at Patriots - Big Ben's 12-4 Steelers take on an opponent they know well, the 15-1 New England Patriots. Can Blitzburgh pull off the upset?
