An Ode To Upshaw: Good for the NFL

Although I might be too young to remember his playing days, as a football fan and a football writer, I have seen the affect that Gene Upshaw has had on the NFL. I know that Upshaw has had a lot to do with the way things are going in the NFL today, particularly with how much players are paid and how revenue generated by the NFL is divided. I remember him discussing labor negotiations just a few short years ago, making regular appearances on the NFL Network to talk about the situation. While I may not have understood what he was trying to do at the time, it has much clearer for me now.

I now realize that Upshaw has had a lot to do with what has happened to the NFL since he took over as the head of the Players Union. Having the insight that a former NFL player should have, he knew what was best for the players and used his experience and forethought to help those that played the game get their fair share of the huge profits that the league was bringing in. He also had the insight to undertake many different initiatives while he was in charge.

Today’s NFL players should thank Upshaw for all that he has done for them. He not only helped increase the pay that players are getting but he also helped increase the amount of revenue that teams and players get through the marketing of licensed NFL products. Knowing that selling licensed products would be a way to generate a lot of revenue, Upshaw saw this as way to earn more money across the board. Upshaw also saw free agency as a way for players to not only earn more money but to also change teams and quite possibly win a championship (with the right team of course). This was revolutionary.

His leadership and caring for the league’s players should be well noticed and he should be remembered for what he accomplished for NFL players.

Upshaw should also be recognized for his on the field accomplishments as well. He was the only player to have played in a Super Bowl in three decades. Upshaw had many other on the field accomplishments as well and was one of the best players of his time.

Upshaw’s impact on the league will surely be felt for several decades but now, in his absence, a big hole has opened up for both the NFL and it’s players and things aren’t going to be getting any easier. With a huge labor disagreement looming, whoever steps in for Upshaw has their work cut out for them. It’s going to be a long and messy road.

The man known as Eugene Upshaw has left his mark on an institution that has grown to become the biggest and most popular organized sporting league in the world. No other sport garners as much attention, press and fan support as the NFL does. And if you think about the people that brought the NFL to the current stage of popularity that they are at (i.e. Pete Rozelle, Paul Tagliabue, George Halas etc) you now have to include Upshaw as one of those people. He contributed a lot to the NFL and to so many others. He will be missed.

By Brian Dietzler

Early Sack Leader Diyral Briggs, Bowling Green

Last year South Florida’s DE George Selvie burst onto the national scene after just two games into the 2007 College Football season when he led the country in sacks and tackles for loss (TFL). Now it’s safe to say that if Selvie enters the 2009 NFL Draft as a junior he will certainly be a first round pick.

Now I am not saying senior defensive end Diyral Briggs has the same draft potential as Selvie, Briggs is only about 6’ 4” 230 pounds, so he will probably be converted to outside linebacker, but Briggs is in the same elite company this season after the first two games. He currently leads the nation with 5 sacks and is ranked 2nd in the nation with 5.5 TFLs with an additional 3 quarterback hurries after only two games. He did this against some solid teams, he recorded 2 sacks in Bowling Green’s stunning upset over Pitt in week one and last weekend against Minnesota he recorded 3 more sacks. So his stats are not inflated by playing against some non division-one powder puffs. Briggs is very strong and explosive and is definitely a sleeper pick and someone to keep an eye on for the 2009 NFL Draft.

Last season (2007), Briggs was a first-team All-MAC selection, played in 12 games and led Bowling Green with five sacks. His seven tackles for loss ranked him second on the team.

In 2006 as a sophomore he played in all 12 games and started the final six, he totaled 69 total tackles, including 10.5 tackles for a loss and seven sacks. He was named MAC Player of the Year following the game at Ohio and tallied double digit tackles in back-to-back games against Eastern Michigan (10) and at Central Michigan (11).

As a freshman in 2005 he played in all 11 games and had five TFLs, recorded 4.5 sacks for a loss, recovered three fumbles and had 11 QB hurries.

High School: Chose Bowling Green but was heavily recruited by Miami, Maryland, West Virginia, Wisconsin, Pitt, South Carolina and Illinois. He went to the Virginia Tech Nike Camp after high school and this is what his high school Coach (Commins) said. “I took him there and he did extremely well there. It was about 45 degrees outside and raining and he ran on the grass and he ran a 4.68 on the grass, so he’s probably a solid 4.6 right now. So he’s looking really good.”

Ben Owens Added to the 2008 Bronko Nagurski Trophy Watch List

Arkansas State linebacker Ben Owens jumps into the national spotlight and emerges as a legitimate 2009 NFL Draft Prospect. All-Sun Belt Conference Arkansas State linebacker Ben Owens has been named the FWAA/Bronko Nagurski National Defensive Player of the Week for games of the weekend of Aug. 30. Owens, a 6-2, 230-pound senior from Bearden, Ark., registered seven tackles, one tackle for loss, one sack, an interception and a fumble recovery.

He helped the Arkansas State defense pitch a second-half shutout in an 18-14 upset of Texas A&M in College Station. Owens was responsible for stopping the Aggies' last two drives of the game after the Red Wolves went ahead, 15-14. He recovered a fumble on the Texas A&M 39-yard line, setting up a field goal that gave Arkansas State a four-point lead with 1:12 left to play. His interception ended Texas A&M's final drive with 10 seconds remaining. Ben Owens’ NFL Draft Stock Is Rising and he has been added to the prestigious 2008 Bronko Nagurski Trophy Watch List.

A speedy linebacker (4.55) with outstanding character and smart, he carries a 4.0 GPA. In 2007 as a junior he recorded 96 tackles, 3 tackles for loss and 1 sack. In 2006 as a sophomore he played in all 12 games and recorded 34 tackles, 2 sacks and 1 interception and in 2005 as a true freshman Owens Played in 10 games, mostly on special teams and recorded five solo tackles.

Fantasy Football Busts for 2008

We have recently given you some excellent fantasy football sleeper picks and now we want to highlight a few players that you should probably stay away from.

Quarterbacks:

1. Derek Anderson-Sure he threw 29 touchdown passes last season and over 3700 yards but that was one year. In the 2nd half of last season Anderson threw more interceptions then TD passes. I would stay away from this one year wonder. I think 21 TD passes this season is more realistic.

2. Vince Young- All they hype about this guy and he is an absolute joke. It makes me laugh when they try to compare him to Donovan McNabb. Let's keep this real simple boys and girls. Mr.Young couldn't throw a football to save his life. Only 9 TD passes to go with 17 picks last season. Are you kidding me? When I read those stats I thought it was a misprint. Stay away form this guy and all the hype, cause they hype aint worth
the pick and neither is he.

Running backs:

1. Frank Gore- I know what you thinking. This guy has all the tools to become a great back and you would be right. There is one problem here...Mike Martz is the offensive coordinator of the 49ers now. Last year when Martz was the offensive coordinator, the Lions ran for only 1288 yards. Last season their were four players on there respective teams that ran for more yards then that total. You see what I'm getting at. This guy hates to run the ball. I seriously doubt Gore will gets 20 plus carriers on a regular basis.

2. Edgerrin James- Who knows how much James has left in him. Word around Arizona is they might take some carries from him to keep him fresh at the season goes on. James used to be one of the best running backs in the league. Now is just a mediocre back. Stay away from him at all costs.

3. Stephen Jackson-As talented as Jackson I still think he will be a bust this year. Certain questions remain about the Rams offensive line and the health of Marc Bulger. Jackson missed four games last season and held out until mid August trying to get a new contract. He now has his new contract, I'm just not sure about the rest of the supporting cast.

4. Larry Johnson-Here is another great player, but talk about bad pieces around you. There is no hope with either Huard or Croyle at QB. The offensive line is a joke. The only thing positive here is that Johnson should be fresh to start the year. He missed the last 8 games of the season with a foot injury.

Wide Receivers:

1. Chad Johnson....I mean Ocho Cinco- You know I love this guy. I really do but I would love him even more if he kept his mouth shut. Please just play football and do what you do best, catch footballs. Ugh, this guy is a nightmare. Every year there is some clown in your fantasy league taking him way to early in the draft. Sometimes he goes before the likes of Reggie Wayne or Steve Smith. His stats look great, but with the torn labrum and who knows what type of distraction he will be this season I would just pass on him. Let him be someone else's headache.

2. Anquan Boldin-All off season Boldin has complained about wanting a new contract. Larry Fitzgerlad got paid and now he wants his. Well guess what, your not getting it so move on and play. Boldin has the talent to be a number one on any team. The problem I see with him that scares me is his attitude. After having a career games against the Ravens last season Boldin sat out three games with a hip pointer. At the time it didn't seem like it would hold him out longer then one game, but every week came and gone and Boldin declared himself unfit to play. In week 16 versus the Falcons, Boldin has a superb game, but for most of the 2nd half his stats were just decent. I wouldn't mind having Boldin on my team, but I'm not going to waste an early pick on him. Wait until the 5th rounder or later to get him.

By David Gorman