FSH: MORE FOOTBALL

January 24th, 2008 11:30pm PST


Water-Cooler Chat

The talk going around:

Well Sports fans, we’ve had a whole week to simmer as we wait for Super Sunday to inch another day closer. And sure while the first week leading up to the big dance remains relatively quiet, there’s still plenty to discuss around the league.


The Shanahan Chronicles:

So what did we expect once we learned that the Bronco’s and Mike Shanahan decided to part ways? His coaching accolades precede him, 138 wins to 90 losses, an 8-5 post season record, three division titles, three conference championship appearances, and two Super Bowl titles.

It was only natural, once Mike became a free agent, his name would continually resurface as a front runner for any job vacancy, that is of course, until he takes a new job. It now looks like that won't be until 2009 despite all the recent scuttle butt.

Earlier in the week, ESPN rumors surfaced linking Shanny with the Chiefs, but as the days passed these rumor lost much of their steam. On Saturday in an interview on ESPN radio, NFL Insider Chris Mortensen basically confirmed the falsehood or inaccuracies of the story.

The first and probably most intriguing part of this story was the lack of sense that it made. Bill Cowher has been a subject of many job openings, but it has been made clear his lack of interest in coaching this season, and also the speculation that he'd require more control.

Is Shanahan not the same as Cowher? Isn't control going to be an issue for Shanny, wasn't he a GM and head coach? Wouldn't it figure that wherever he goes, he'd be looking for this same situation?

Since this story first sprang up, Adam Schefter of the NFL Network has now confirmed that Shanahan was "Adamant" he would not take the KC job. According to Schefter, Shanahan is more likely to take the 2009 season off from coaching.

Contrary to the earlier reports from ESPN, it has also been learned that not only are these rumors likely false, but the two sides (KC & Shanny) may not have even spoken.

Gee, what a surprise.


Trade Talk: Is this Bad Timing?

Following the so-called circus melee (according to most media folk) that occurred on the Arizona sideline in the NFC championship, the Cards would like nothing more than to get their whole squad refocused and committed to the big prize. This continually becomes difficult when several media members feel it necessary to circulate stories, rumors, and innuendos that ultimately do otherwise.

With the leagues annual championship soiree only a week away, could the recent scribing of some of today's football sites be a concern for the Cardinals and their faithful as the team prepares for the biggest game of its history?

The Sporting News is citing a recent report by Rotoworld (not to name drop) claiming that ESPN's Chris Mortensen believes the Cardinals will listen to trade offers for Anquan Boldin this offseason. While the conjecture has merit, do we really feel it's necessary to travel this road at this particular time? Sure, if you want to catch everyone's attention and find yourself caught up in the middle as well.

Isn't that how the media game is usually played?

By some media players looking to create their own circus maybe, but my whole contention is that this is taking advantage of an easy target at prehaps the most inappropriate time. Maybe it was a tantrum, but playing through a horrific injury and an offseason contract dispute to post Pro Bowl numbers again should earn him a little slack. It's not like the guy was caught with a prostitute, arrested for a DUI, or M.I.A, just before the team's biggest game this season.

He is guilty of only wanting to play.

Maybe his timing a week ago could be construed as bad form, but he and the team appear to have moved past it together in unison. It doesn't make much sense to now call him out and take shots at the his questionable future with the team, with the Super Bowl so close.

Why create the fanfare and attention buzz that can only distract and detract from what Boldin and his teammates have accomplished this season. Shouldn't that be this week's topic of focus?

Sure there is a lot of speculation of what may happen at the conclusion of Super Sunday, but for all affected, the Arizona Cardinals, the fans of Arizona, the fans of the NFL and wide receiver Anquan Boldin, isn't it just better to wait until then and see?

That's my take.


LT could be out of SD?

That sure seems to be the flavor of talk going around at this time. After recent reports of LT posting on his web-site saying he has not intentions of leaving San Diego, GM A.J. Smith responded with a quote stating he has not intentions of leaving either. While Smith went on to add his utmost respect for the team, the players, and the Spanos family, I think his message was pretty clear.

He is the GM and his job is to recommend and do what is in the best interest of his employer (Dean Spanos). It doesn't appear that Smith is saying that LT will be traded, but I believe he is saying the team will do what's in its' best interest, even if that includes parting ways with LT.

This should come as no surprise to anyone with even a shred of football knowledge.

I said this a few weeks ago, if there ever was a right time (and there may never be) to trade LT, this could be it. Although arguably one of the most popular players in Charger's history, LT's demise from immortality may have tarnished some of the shine that once carried him as one of the leagues most heralded players.

For the past two seasons, the Chargers have had a disappointing finish and usually one of the team's main catalyst has been absent at the end of those two campaigns. Injuries have become somewhat of a frequent occurrence of LT the past two seasons and his popularity may have taken a slight hits from the diehard locals.

Two years ago, Smith wouldn't have a chance a moving LT without committing PR suicide, but considering where the state of the Chargers lie, making some kind of move with LT becomes a difficult accepted solution.

There is little doubt that LT still has gas left in the tank, but with the salary he's carrying, it becomes difficult for the Chargers to justify paying him, especially when you have alternative options. There is speculation that the team will approach the All-Pro running back about restructuring his deal.

Tomlinson has been well paid and it is conceivable he could accept a reasonable offer to stay in San Diego, but when you already have a Darren Sproles and a potential (should have been) Pro Bowl quarterback (Rivers), is that the smart move for the Chargers.

It is no secret the Chargers will undoubtedly address many of the issues that plague their defense. How does hanging onto LT and resigning Sproles make this process any easier to manage? I would have to believe, most Chargers fans know the team needs to resign Sproles, but many maybe unsure what to do about LT.

It's definitely a tough call, but one that Smith and the Chargers will have to make, and not one that I believe LT will make any easier. San Diego may have to get ready for the post-LT Era.


By David G. Ortega

.