The NFL is a smorgasbord of awesome storylines. Some are analytical, others are critical, and some are just down right stupid. It’s the stupid ones I live for – they make my day. Welcome to Quick Slant. I created this column as my way of sharing with you the headlines from around the NFL that I feel are most interesting. I try to offer my own take on the story in as few words as possible – some of us have a wife, kids and a job and don’t have time to read 5000+ word novels! So, without further ado, I give you today’s version of Quick Slant:
In yesterday’s column, I mentioned how James Harrison through his agent said he would welcome a return to Pittsburgh. The Steelers today just slapped his agent across his face for having even hinted at that. Sorry James, there’s no room at this inn……Why are there so many stories comparing Welker to Amendola? Who cares? Can they each catch a ball? Check. Do they each have a first ballot guaranteed Hall of Famer chucking the ball at them? Check. Jeez, c’mon men…….Apparently someone stole Shaun Rogers‘ jewelery from his hotel room while he was sleeping – $440,000 worth! Can you imagine that grizzly waking up to see you making off with his bling (do people use “bling” anymore? I’m no longer hip)?……Let’s end today with some college news. Two weeks ago it was Geno Smith, last week Ryan Nassib, and now it’s EJ Manuel‘s turn to be covered to death. Media love to find the new “big thing”. There is speculation that the Bills will take EJ with their first pick as Buddy Nix is said to be a huge Saved by the Bell fan, and Manuel went to Bayside High (though in Virginia, not California)……Dez Bryant is claiming he can be the first 2,000 yard receiver – then the hallucinogens wore off and he realized he’s stupid……I’ll leave you with something regarding the Draft, ’cause I know you never hear much of that! As far as Linebackers are concerned, Manti Te’o might not be a snail, but he’s still far from a hare. The Notre Dame product ran somewher between a 4.75 and 4.68 (depending on whose stopwatch you believe), an improvement of close to a tenth of a second vs. his last workout. The problem is that most elite LB’s clock in the 4.5-4.6 range. Of course the bigger question is, does it matter? When have you ever seen a Linebacker run 40 yards, in a straight line, at a full on sprint with no obstacles in his way? The reality is that if a team liked Te’o prior to his two runs at the combine, and two runs yesterday, they likely still like him, and if they didn’t like him before, they won’t now.
That does it for today. Check back tomorrow and I’ll have sifted through the day’s headlines and give you what you need to know.
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