Josh Gordon: What's Good For The Goose....

I didn't get a chance to blog about this Thursday before last, when it was a hot topic, but to me it's still worth talking about.
The news about Josh Gordon's 1 year suspension sent "shock waves" around the league. The questions began. "Why should he get 1 yr? Maybe the League is too harsh on Marijuana infractions?! Shouldn't Josh be allowed more inclusion to his team EVEN though he's suspended"?! It was like a literal love fest for Josh Gordon. The man smoked pot and got busted. He even tried to say it was second hand smoke (I mean really!).  Let me get this right. This Wide Receiver, Josh Gordon, who plays for the Browns (*Snicker*), is a Fantasy Football hero in many circles, is on a team that has had 20 something Quarterbacks in 15 yrs, plays on the same team with Johnny Manziel and all of these things make a case for "bending" the rules for a player that can't be bothered with trying to follow the rules and stay clean?! Hold On Playa.
Everybody is losing their minds over Josh Gordon and I'm over here like what about Justin Blackmon? What about letting him be closer to HIS team? He SURELY hasn't been helped with the distance that comes from suspension. Did anyone think of him this week when leniency ruled the day for JG?! No. Not one person. But I did. Because once you are on my team, you are on my team. Lots of similarities between JG and Justin Blackmon. Both in trouble in college and come into the NFL with those same problems.
Unfortunately, I have to wonder why no one felt this way about Justin Blackmon last year? Was it lackluster Quarterback play that would likely not garner much attention, fantasy football or otherwise? Was it that he played for Jacksonville Jaguars and we are considered low man on the totem pole in the NFL? Jacksonville: not storied enough, not proven enough, no rabid fan base? Please. You don't even know me.
Well, Josh Gordon, I just want you to know, second hand pot smoke or not, What's Good For The Goose Is Good For The Gander. You aren't better than Justin Blackmon. Please get clean and stay clean.

PS- Peeps. I can't say this enough. There is nothing, NOTHING, special about the Browns. But guess what?! The NFL and the Players Union are now "negotiating" to find a better solution than 1 yr suspensions. I will repeat. Where was everyone when Justin Blackmon was suspended last year?! Oh yeah. I forgot. He's JUST a Jaguar. 

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Fashionably Late: Settling up on Jaguars 1st and 2nd Round Picks and Girl Talk

I realize this post is late at best, but sometimes these things must simmer.

You must watch this:




http://www.nfl.com/videos/jacksonville-jaguars/0ap2000000348083/Jaguars-select-Bortles-with-No-3-pick



I must say, I didn't think it would go that way. I was pretty sure the Texans were going to take Bortles because one of their new coaches was his college coach. So, it would only make sense for the Texans to take him for many reasons and from a comfort standpoint. Not to mention, Matt Schaub (bless his heart!! After being followed and harangued by fans at his home!!?? #HOP That's what gated communities are for!!!) going to Oakland.  So, the Texans have a lights out defense. What do they do? They take Clowney, the top defensive prospect. Well ok. I hope you are confident in that training wreck of a QB situation in which you find yourself in, Texans. Offense wins games, defense wins championships, as the saying goes. But you can't win games without a QB.



So, I was surprised the Jaguars take Bortles. Not unhappy, throwing the "you're number one sign" at the draft party and stomping out because it wasn't Manziel. I thought it could be Manziel, but he just didn't fit. Too much splash. So my friends are blowing up my phone. Some good. Some bad. Some say "What do you think?". What I think is this: let me let this insanity sink in. Somehow I seem to recall this as I'm walking back to my car following the draft party:

You see the date!? That's a week and a half before the draft.  So what, you ask?! Leadership ability to say the least?! Stepping up may be his thing. Stepping up to the responsibility plate, stepping up into the pocket to make throws. Maybe he can handle leading a team unlike another QB who shall not be named who we sent to the 49ers for a 6th round pick? Maybe he doesn't cave with pressure? Maybe he thrives in pressure?! I don't know and I kinda don't care. I just care about the future. The future of winning in Jacksonville.

Now the question is, when will he start? Chad Henne is the starter for the foreseeable future and I guess that's ok. We know what we have in him. Does part of me close my eyes and giggle about  Bortles not really being sat his first year? YEAH!! But realistically, I don't need a QB situation like the previous QB now with the 49ers. So I can wait. 

But to me, the real news is the acquisition of Marqise Lee and Allen Robinson. That's exciting. Maybe, for the first time in a long time, the Wide Receiving Group will not be an issue the way it's been since Jimmy Smith left. That would be so nice to enter the 21st century of football. Don't get me wrong, I'm not knocking our Running Back Group, MJD and Fred Taylor.  But, I believe and correct me if I'm wrong, the first RB was not picked until the 4th round this year. That's huge. The league is more than ever a passing league. And we need to be driving that bus.  Not to mention Marqise Lee is an extremely nice guy who you just want good things to happen to him. Well, now that we've discussed the State of The Jaguars Draft, let's get down to girl talk.

One of my ultimate dream/bucket list item is to be at the draft. I'm totaling kicking myself for not making it happen this year. But maybe next year. I digress. To the fine woman who was seen after Bortles was picked, in the crowd around, 46 secs into the video, with a PINK (not teal/black) shirt/sweater with Detroit Lions pin (SERIOUSLY??!!!???) and a Jaguar pin holding a Jaguars sticker above her head: I'm sure you are a lovely woman. However, I really hope to be standing where you are standing next year. I will be wearing Teal and Black. I will be rocking a recent highlight and cut by Marissa Buttner. And I won't be wearing a Detroit Lions pin. 

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Do Heisman Winners Translate To The NFL?

Ever wondered why a college player who is so fantastic goes to the NFL and doesn't do much? I'm not sure I know the answer to that question. But in an effort to show the elite players, mostly offensive, Heisman trophy winners, I have decided to do a little research. Hopefully this research is impartial. I'm at least trying. Only tangible things like years in the NFL, Pro Bowl and Super Bowl appearances are being considered. Certainly no "eye tests" here. As to why some players do not translate, I really think that sometimes when you are so good at say college level football, it can be difficult to transition to the next level that is indisputably the best of the best. Intimidating? Maybe. Disillusionment? Possibly. Too tired or injured? Maybe. Drafted to the wrong team, a losing team? Quite possibly. I will present evidence of past Heisman winners and their viability in the NFL.

I wondered how far back I should go. So, I thought maybe just until the USFL disbanded (that's when players salaries skyrocketed). Then I saw several players just before that time period who were successful in the NFL ( in an effort to be fair).

My personal belief is that being a Heisman winner somewhat stacks the deck against you. Sometimes, when you are so good in college, you have a hard time translating to the pro game. Yet, we shall see.

We will begin with year, player's name, years in the NFL, Pro Bowl appearances, and Super Bowl appearances.

1980 George Rogers, 1981-1987, 1 Super Bowl, 2 Pro Bowls.
1981 Marcus Allen, 1982-1997, 1 Super Bowl, 6 Pro Bowls.
1982 Herschel Walker, 1986-1997, 2 Pro Bowls.
1983 Mike Rozier, 1985-1991, 2 Pro Bowls.
1984 Doug Flutie, 1986-1989, 1998-2005, 1 Pro Bowl.
1985 Bo Jackson, 1987-1990, 1 Pro Bowl.
1986 Vinny Testaverde, 1987-2007, 2 Pro Bowls.
1987 Tim Brown, 1988-2004, 9 Pro Bowls.
1988 Barry Sanders, 1989-1998, 10 Pro Bowls.
1989 Andre Ware, 1990-1993 (1994-1995 practice squad).
1990 Ty Detmer, 1992-2003 (2004-2005 practice squad).
1991 Desmond Howard, 1992-2002, 1 Pro Bowl, 1 Super Bowl.
1992 Gino Torreta, 1993-1997.
1993 Charlie Ward, NBA
1994 Rashaan Salaam, 1995-1999 (2003 practice squad).
1995 Eddie George, 1996-2004, 4 Pro Bowls, 1 Super Bowl.
1996 Danny Wuerrfel, 1997-2002.
1997 Charles Woodson, 1998-current, 8 Pro Bowls, 1 Super Bowl.
1998 Ricky Williams, 1999-2003, 2005, 2007-2011, 1 Pro Bowl.
1999 Ron Dayne, 2000-2007, 1 Super Bowl appearance.
2000 Chris Weinke, 2001-2007, 1 Super Bowl appearance.
2001 Eric Crouch, 2002-2005.
2002 Carson Palmer, 2003-current, 2 Pro Bowls.
2003 Jason White,   None (2005 practice squad).
2004 Matt Leinart, 2006-2012 (2013 preseason), 1 Super Bowl appearance.
2006 Troy Smith, 2007-2010 (2012 off season).
2007 Tim Tebow, 2010-2012 (2013 preseason).
2008 Sam Bradford, 2010-present.
2009 Mark Ingram, 2011-present.
2010 Cam Newton, 2011-present, 1 Pro Bowl.
2011 Robert Griffin, III 2012-present, 1 Pro Bowl.
2012 Johnny Manziel, Still in college.
2013 ??????


So, out of 32 Heisman Trophy winners, only 8 have been to a Super Bowl. Mind you, that's not necessarily WINNING the Super Bowl. That's about a 25% chance if you win the Heisman you will go to the big game. 16 H.T.W. have been to the Pro Bowl. That's a 50% chance at a game that is quite similar to a popularity contest.

After totaling up all the seasons played divided by the number of HTW (taking out those currently still playing) the average seasons played by HTW is 7.96. In today's terms, you'll get through the rookie salary cap contract and a few more years.

Is that translating? I just don't know. To me, if winning the Heisman makes you "great", then you should be really spectacular in the NFL. But the reasons listed before are why I think they don't translate. Or maybe when you get to the NFL, it truly becomes a team sport at that point. Thought s are welcome in the comments as always.

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We Must Protect This House