Kurt Warner

Finding an all pro in the Undrafted Rookie pool.

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nfl

Some teams find Undrafted Rook Free Agents (URFA) and other teams don’t. Fans need to know what to look for in URFAs and how you can tell if your team is a Pittsburgh Steeler type scouting team or that of the Cleveland Browns.

The thing that makes a URFA become a contributor is one great quality. After the 2nd round, every player has holes in his game or danger signals from his past. From the 65th pick on, the secret to success is finding players that have at least one outstanding quality.

Exhibit 1—Fast Willie Parker RB URFA Pittsburgh

Parker came out of North Carolina with an insignificant college career (84 att 355 yrd). He was not used more by Coach Bunting because he thought the back needed to “bulk up.” But the Steelers saw one outstanding ability—speed. They signed him but he did not start his first year. All he has done since is rush for nearly 5,000 yards in 4 years as a starter. He holds the longest run in Super Bowl history and has helped the Steelers win 2 championships in his time as a starter.

Exhibit 2—James Harrison LB URFA Pittsburgh

Harrison didn’t light … Read more at FryingPanSports

If you draft out of fear of failure you will fail.

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Fryingpan Sports

If you draft out of fear of failure you will fail.

By Bill Smith

Given all the failures of QBs early in the NFL draft over the recent years, this year there is more talk than ever of drafting not to fail. The new administration of the Lions is going to have to byte the bullet about their first overall pick.

There was the first overall pick in 1999 with the Browns taking QB Tim “I’m on the” Couch (Kentucky). The team never has recovered.

That same year the Bengals drafted Akili Smith (Oregon) with the 3rd pick overall. The Bengals ended up drafting QB Carson Palmer (USC).

There was the first overall pick in 2002 with the Texans taking QB David Carr (BYU). The Texans languished for 5 years before putting their QB on the used Carr lot.

In 2006, Arizona took Matt Leinart (USC) with the 10th pick. He now holds the clip board for 38 year old Kurt Warner.

There was the first overall pick in 2007 with the Raiders taking JaMarcus Russell (LSU). A herd of coaches have yet to make him a NFL quality QB.

Although Vince Young (Texas) was the … Read more at FryingPanSports

Kurt Warner is my 2008 MVP—Most Valuable Person

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Frying Pan Sports

Kurt Warner is my 2008 MVP—Most Valuable Person

By Bill Smith

Technorati Tags: NFL,Kurt Warner,MVP,Football,Arizona,Terrorism,WW3,St. Louis,Rams,New York,Giants,Manning,Cardinals,Colts,Browns,Cleveland,Draft,First Things First

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OK, I will admit, I am a Kurt Warner fan. I even included him in a novel I wrote Terrorism—Fighting WW3 about a conservative Arizona Governor that runs for President. So right up front, I admit my bias.

I was watching the 1999 expansion draft for Cleveland and dropped my coffee cup on the floor when I saw Warner’s name as available from the Rams. I had seen him play in NFL Europe and a little in college. I was heart-sick when the Cleveland Tans failed to pick him. Even then, at the very least I felt he could be a great backup that would develop into a starter. But the Tans brain trust in their infinite wisdom passed on Warner and used the first overall pick for Tim “I’m now on the” Couch. Bad move!

That same preseason, the Tans could have traded picks to Indy for RB Marshall Faulk and given the team an offensive combination that would have been special. Didn’t that same combo is St. Louis win a Super Bowl that year? … Read more at FryingPanSports

A few after Christmas Gifts for the NFL

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Christmas Gifts for the NFL

by Bill Smith

I have some gift ideas for those of you that need to buy something for the NFL player, coach or administrator that has everything.

TO Romeo Crennel, the ex-coach of the Browns: A fire extinguisher. Given how hot your seat has been after the abysmal season you perpetrated on Browns fans, you need it. You are a nice guy but nice guys finish last. And the Tans are last after they lost to the Bagels and to Pittsburgh while Cincy beat KC. By the way, your back pants pocket is currently smoldering.

Romeo Crennel 2008

TO Phil Savage, GM of the Browns: An email editing program to delete expletives from your responses to fans and a financial advisor to help you invest your contract payoff. You really need to get a grip. The fans are your customers and we pay your salary. Before you write another email that would choke a dock worker, take a moment to appreciate your life. You may not have any job for quite awhile so spend your money wisely.

TO Mike Brown, owner of the Cincinnati Bagels: A long distance calling card. Face it, you are going to need … Read more at FryingPanSports