NFL Weekly Whip Around

A few hits on the week, many dates, and events with holidays, announcements, anniversaries and even celebrations all through out the league and world. Busy week all around, voluntary workouts commence, the 2014 NFL schedule, Earth day, Chicago’s Wrigley’s Field celebrated 100 years, MLB has its first instant replay, the first American since 1983 wins the Boston Marathon and only 12 days till the 2014 NFL Draft is here.
Hope you all had an amazing holiday weekend whether it was Easter or Passover and that it was filled with special family and friends. Before I plummet into a sea of dates numbers and events, essentially go into full football tourettes, I wanted to pause or venture back a little more than a week ago on some do-gooding, charity events continue to happen mostly off the media radar, but I had the opportunity to be at two different events Saturday before last, here a quick look.


Kick’n it with the Pros Dinner
Jerseys clad, aprons secured, as Dinner with the Pros was an amazing scrimmage of trays, plates, players and celebs serving food to a ballroom of guests.  All benefiting 5 different organizations with an emphasis on church, youth and the community. John Carney and Steve Weatherford hosts of the amazing fun filled event.
Fan for Life

The meaning of love was defined at Seaport Village in San Diego, I was fortunate to be in attendance for this years #FFL, an amazing event put on by the John Brockington Foundation, essentially Diane and John Brockington who started this phenomenal organization, organs and tissue donation. This issue has even greater value when you hear their beautiful story.
The mission of the John Brockington Foundation is to create a culture in which organ donation is commonplace; to provide financial and resource support for those donating, awaiting, and/or receiving organs; and to promote health education to minority communities who are disproportionately represented on the transplant waiting list.
Former Charger and Giant, Pete Shaw was there to support his friends,

"John and Diane Brockington are very close personal friends of mine
if you don't know their story, Diane donated one of her kidneys to John and they wound up getting married it's one of the greatest love stories ever made
her donating her organ to John helped save his life……………..
If it helps save lives and it did save a friend of mine's, I'm all in!"

Celebrations
Congratulations to Meb Keflezighi the 2014 Boston Marathon winner, the first American to win since 1983 and what an amazing thing especially after last years bombings, grateful it was a smooth day for all. NFL’s Daniel Jeremiah has ties as well, his brother-in-law and Meb are best friends, they train together in Mammoth, CA.  I know a little stretch, but he was in the wedding.
Happy 100^th Birthday Wrigley’s Field with numerous historical moments in baseball along with football ties as most of you know, the Chicago Bears we’re there from 1921-1970. CBS Sports, Matt Snyder put out a fun piece on what facts you might not know, definitely worth a gander.
One more special occasion, Colts LB, Andy Studebaker and wife Mallory welcomed home their new baby girl.

Thankful to bring home another girl this weekend! I'm way outnumbered and I love it! pic.twitter.com/x7imTxOFqz
— Andy Studebaker (@studie32) April 21, 2014

Its Starting!
Phase 1; this week 19 teams started voluntary workouts on April 21. Followed by the same versed sound bites, but it has commenced. One reminder per the Collective Bargaining Agreement,

"Phase One activities shall be limited to strength and conditioning and physical rehabilitation only. ... No footballs shall be permitted to be used (only "dead ball" activities), except that quarterbacks may elect to throw to receivers provided they are not covered by any other player. Players cannot wear helmets during Phase One."

Who started;  Arizona Cardinals, Atlanta Falcons, Baltimore Ravens, Carolina Panthers, Cincinnati Bengals, Dallas Cowboys, Denver Broncos, Indianapolis Colts, Jacksonville Jaguars, Kansas City Chiefs, Miami Dolphins, New England Patriots, New Orleans Saints, New York Giants, New York Jets, Philadelphia Eagles, St. Louis Rams, San Francisco 49ers and Seattle Seahawks.
Next stop the Radio City Music Hall, may 8^th thru the 10^th, the delay this year due to scheduling conflicts however the NFL will continue to calendar the event in May in the future. What does the extra few weeks time do for teams, is it good or is there too much attention to the 6^th-7^th round now? I guess we will find out. Some bold predictions hover now with Johnny "Football"Manziel one that Jerry Jones and the Dallas Cowboys will take him if available at 16^th, another that he will win 9 games as a starting QB, somewhere? Clowney stays on top of the board however, that hasn’t changed, but any given Sunday.

Every team. Every week. Every game. 2014 NFL Schedule: http://t.co/csAs6CW2xn #NFLSchedule pic.twitter.com/kbIJsc9Edd
— NFL (@nfl) April 24, 2014

  Schedule, YES!! Yahoo! It’s here! The 2014 schedule for all 32 NFL teams was released Wednesday at 8 PM EST and yes, if you forgot, Saturday as you know are back! Along with Flex games as early as week 5, incept from NFL.com, The "cross flex" mechanism will serve a similar purpose. Select games can be flexed between CBS and FOX. In the past, a game with two NFC teams had to be on FOX and a game with two AFC teams had to be on CBS. Now, the league can theoretically move an all-NFC game to CBS or an all-AFC game to FOX in select cases. This will help balance out the television schedule, especially in a week where one network has all the most intriguing games. Protocol remains the same and in the hands of The NFL in decision making factors after consultations with the TV Networks.
Season opener with a bit of deja vu as we've known the SB48 Champions the Seattle Seahawks would host at Century Link field, however its become a reunion game vs the Green Bay Packers, the game that brought the replacement refs situation to a stop. Many variables will of course be different; one that stands out is that that the receiver of the controversial catch, Golden Tate, will be in Detroit.
Sunday, August 3, 2014 ,NFL Hall Of Fame Game. Wide receiver , Andre Reed  (who played for the Bills for 15 of his 16 years) along with defensive end, Michael Strahan (who spent his entire 15 year career with the Giants) will both be inducted for the 2014 HOF, a special special night !
Thats a wrap for this week!
Remember Earth Day is and can be every day, reduce, reuse, recycle, replenish and restore. Let's all protect our world!
Desiree

Photographer, producer, host, reporter, radio & TV, One-man-army, artist, skateboarder Time out with Desiree, the silver linings An optimistic realist with intermittent football tourettes all the while searching for the 3rd dimension. TheDesireeSHOW

NFL Weekly Card Count

NFL Free Agency is like a game of go fish with some serious poker faces as players, teams and agents barter for stakes. Tournament brackets, Pro Days all over the country, the changing of the guards in locker rooms, offices and even the NFLPA, just a few of the wager goings-on this week.

Opening week of the free agency ended with a bang, after one of the best players in franchise history, Steve Smith said goodbye to Carolina, he signs a three-year,  $11.5 deal with the Ravens, where he’ll be playing catch with Flacco.  7-year-old Gavin Simone’s emotions flew high and viral on youtube as this young Panther fan was immensely affected, but he did hit the jack pot!   Smith surprised him with a hug and the first “Smith SR” no 89 Ravens jersey on ABC’s “Good Morning America,” he also promised to bring him to his football camp this spring in Charlotte.

On #GMA with gavin pic.twitter.com/OQY0ODIgJh
— Steve Smith (@89SteveSmith) March 20, 2014

Who will Cam throw to now?  Jerricho Cotchery makes deal with Panthers for $8.015M,  but first things first, Newton went in Wednesday to undergo surgery on his left ankle with an anticipated recovery time of four months, sending PMA with full and speedy recovery wishes to him.  While stakes are high I'm keeping on the recovery and well wishes note to Colts owner Jim Irsay, who checked himself into rehab Monday, his daughter Carlie Irsay-Gordon step into her father's role in his absence. Prayers and good to all the Irsay and Colts family, Commissioner Roger Goodell will have some tough decisions to make, right now however, its one day at a time.

According to a team statement, Irsay "took the first step toward regaining good health. He voluntarily checked into a highly-respected health care facility and is committed to undergoing the treatment and care necessary to help him meet his challenges head-on. Jim, the Irsay family, and the Colts organization are all deeply appreciative of the incredible outpouring of support and compassion from our fans and the Indiana community."

#FBF Jared Allen Hunting- Photo Jay Drowns/SportingNews

Although Vegas is all in with the NCAA’s March Madness with sportsbooks, hotels and casinos filled.  Hunter on and off the field, Jared Allen is holding his cards for the weekend after meeting with SB48 Champions, The Seattle Seahawks.

Jared Allen heads home. After what were termed “good discussions” with #Seahawks, they made an offer. He’ll consider, decide this weekend
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 20, 2014

Amazing veteran back, Maurice Jones-Drew also will hold after a 2 days visit in Pittsburgh he left without a contract.

John Elway feeling like he got the royal flush, one more for the active Denver Broncos as they give former Steeler WR, Emmanuel Sanders a 3-year, $15M contract, however CBA gives Chiefs the ability to file grievances vs Sanders agent for bad-faith negotiations.

RAIDER HQ; (l to r)  Insta
Antonio Smith, Tarell Brown, LaMarr Woodley & Justin Tuck

Raiders busy with the defense house, picking up former Texan, Antonio Smith, former Giant, Justin Tuck along with former Steeler, LaMar Woodley and Tarell Brown from just up the road, Niners.  This just in Oakland  aquires Houston's Matt Schaub, too.

Texas hold em or full house in Dallas, where thirty plus is the new Cowboy QB, 30-year-old Brandon Weedon signed a 2 year $2.1M guaranteed contract, hence there were three......... as he  joins 34-year-old Tony Romo and 31-year-old Kyle Orton.

Newly former Bronco, Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie agrees to 5-year $39M deal with NY Giants, $14M guaranteed and warmly greeted by Antrel Rolle.

DRC DRC DRC DRC!! We need him @Giants 🙏🙏
— Antrel Rolle (@antrelrolle26) March 17, 2014

While out west, earlier this week, Chargers LB, Donald Butler went all in recruiting on The Mighty 1090’s Darren Smith show vying for Vince Wilfork.

"It's a perfect match. If Vince is listening, come to San Diego!"

The road to the NFL, odds sway up and down throughout the country pre and post pro days mostly talks of late have been on Manziel and Bridgewater.                                                                                                                                   

John Clayton on Johnny “He's not Tim Tebow he's better than that…I don't think going to be a top 10 pick.”

Usually during Pro Days, you hear "the ball didn't hit the ground." Won't hear that with Teddy Bridgewater's Pro Day at U of L. Good arm tho
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 17, 2014

His long anticipated Pro day March 27th, while Thursday in Fresno Derek Carr impressed with an outstanding workout where all 32 NFL teams were represented.

During the annual NFLPA Player Reps meetings in Orlando, Congratulations are in order to NFLPA new President Eric Winston who will be succeeding Dominique Foxworth.  Also in Florida,  Anquan Boldin was presented with the most prestigious honor the NFLPA Byron “Whizzer” White Award and is awarded $100k to the Anquan Boldin Foundation.

A whirlwind of news, trades, deals, awards have come and continue while dreams lay ahead.  Sorry I couldn't hit it all, but here's the complete  up to date #NFLFreeAgency !  Until next week!

Desiree 

Photographer, producer, host, reporter, radio & TV, One-man-army, artist, skateboarder Time out with Desiree, the silver linings An optimistic realist with intermittent football tourettes all the while searching for the 3rd dimension. 

TheDesireeSHOW