Football for America!

By: Alyssa Pradella

Ponte Vedra High School

I just finished interviewing the Jacksonville Jaguars equipment manager Drew Hampton, which enabled me to relax and find my comfort zone before interviewing my favorite football player, Maurice Jones-Drew.   Jones-Drew was scheduled to arrive for 9AM, but didn’t show up until almost a half hour after.  I anxiously, but patiently, waited for Maurice Jones-Drew to arrive. While I was waiting my nerves began to build up again. I had a zillion thoughts go through my mind. ‘What if he doesn’t show up? Or what if he forgot?’ I kept thinking he wouldn’t show.  My emotions were going wild, but then I heard the door to the locker room open.  In walked Maurice who apologized for being late and we began our interview.

I began by asking Maurice Jones-Drew what the most difficult transition from being a star running back at UCLA to the NFL and he simply answered “the pressure is more intense and the speed of the game increases.” While growing up, Jones-Drew was always number 21. It was his family number and he wanted to carry that on to the NFL. When he was drafted to the NFL, someone already had number 21 and they were looking to sell it to him. He didn’t want to buy it so he settled with number 32 because 32 teams passed on him in the draft.  As a side note, I was able to gain some inside information from Maurice.  He is going back to college number 21 next year.

I can only imagine what he was thinking before his first NFL game. He said he was very “nervous”. I’m sure he was very nervous considering he was playing behind one of the top running back in the NFL, Fred Taylor. With Fred Taylor being the primary running back, that didn’t give the rookie, Maurice Jones-Drew a chance to shine. Jones-Drew began his pro career in 2006, compiling a list of goals which included “making it on the field, help my team go to the playoffs and go deep in the playoffs.” Now with Fred Taylor signing with the New England Patriots and Jones-Drew carry much of the workload, he has not added any additional goals to his list; rather keeping the same ones he listed when he entered the NFL.
Jones-Drew recently signed a five year deal, which makes him one of the highest paid running back in the NFL.  He hasn’t made any big purchases yet.  He says “a shallow person lets money change them; I’ve just been the same person.”

Being the star running back for the Jaguars, you may see Jones-Drew on covers of national magazines or on billboards around town. I asked him what it was like to see him everywhere, “I don’t really look for billboards, it’s cool, I see it as another step for after my career, and it’s all fun and exciting.” Jones-Drew has his own foundation called the “Maurice Jones-Drew Foundation” which sponsors a free football camp for youth.  His foundation is very important to him because growing up he didn’t have any athletes hosting football camps or giving back to the community.  He wants to give athletes’ of all ages someone to look at as a positive influence and role model.

Outside of football, Jones-Drew likes to “play video games and golf.” From day one, he has received tremendous support and love from his grandparents and mother. Their motto to him was “if you start something you’ve got to finish it.” Finally, I asked him what his favorite musicians or group was and he said “I was just listening to Lil Wayne; I like Lil Wayne, Drake, E-40, Young Jeezy, and mostly barrier rappers.”

After my interviews with Drew Hampton (http://football4america.com/so-what-does-an-nfl-equipment-manager-do/) and Maurice Jones-Drew, I gave both of them a nice leather bag with their names on it, courtesy of my dad.  They both were very grateful to receive them. I know this was a once in a lifetime deal, and I’m happy I went through with it (even if my nerves were taking over). I learned a lot about Drew and Maurice and excitement that comes from being a reporter.  I look forward for my next interview as part of the Student Sports Information Director program with Sportz Ventures and Ponte Vedra High School.

Tags: football, Jacksonville Jaguars, Jags, Maurice Jones-Drew, NFL, Running back

By Alyssa  Pradella
Ponte Vedra High School

My emotions and nerves were running wild.  I felt as if I was about to play in the Super Bowl and World Series.  The butterflies were rumbling in my stomach.  I was very intimated at the sheer fact of eventually being in the same room as the Jacksonville Jaguars head equipment manager, Drew Hampton, and my favorite Jag player, Maurice Jones-Drew. At first I wasn’t quite sure what I was getting myself into.  However, as soon as I walked into the Jaguar locker room, everyone made me feel very welcomed and my nerves immediately began to die down.

I began my interview with the head equipment manager, Drew Hampton. Drew gave me a lot of insight of what goes on before each and every game. I never knew how much there was to getting ready for a football game. I had learned that Drew became interested in becoming an NFL equipment manager through his father, who had worked with the New York Jets for 38 years. He told me “he was in the locker rooms since he could walk, up until I left for college.” Drew’s job consists of a lot. From preparing all 53 players, 22 coaches and any extra people on game days. They tend to pack for a total of 85 people and are considered the ‘den mothers’ for all the players and coaches. He only keeps two assistants on staff and works 16-17 hour days, seven days a week during the season.

Believe it or not, Drew gets a budget of one million dollars each year to handle his responsibilities. These equipment managers look at their schedules as soon as they come out. They look to see where they play and they begin looking at the weather forecasts for where they are playing to know what to pack. For colder football games, they take everything from performance thermal wear, to performance gloves and socks, beat warmers, hand warmers and much more.  Drew reiterated the importance of monitoring the weather for each and every game so that a week before the game to know what to pack.

I asked Drew what steps a person should take if they wanted to become an equipment manager, he told me “internships with professional football teams, or get involved if there’s a football team at the college you attend.” To lighten up the interview, I asked Drew what he likes to do for fun, “I say I like to play golf but I’m not good at it.” Then I asked him what he would be doing if he were not an equipment manager. This question took him a bit longer to respond to, “that’s a good question; I’d probably be a police officer because I have great admiration for them and I think it will be a pretty good job.” Being a football equipment manager takes up a tremendous amount of time. Drew is married and has three girls, who understand his job is his passion and they support him through it.

Crazy hours, lots of preparation and commitment to doing your job to the best of your ability…an NFL equipment manager has many responsibilities and is an integral part of the football team.

Tags: Equipment, football, Jacksonville Jaguars, Manager, NFL

Well, week 12 will wrap up after tonight’s Saints Vs. Packers Game, but not much has been established. The last five weeks of football figure to be extremely entertaining as teams will be fighting for playoff spots up until the end. In the AFC, the Jets dominated the unbeaten Titans to move to 8-3 in a huge statement game. They will likely win the East or at the very least claim a wild card spot.  The Steelers defeated the Bengals to improve to 8-3, but their prospects are not as clear as they are facing a tough stretch of opponents in their final five games, including a pivotal match-up against the 7-4 Ravens who are breathing down their neck for the division lead. The Broncos lost against the Raiders to fall to 6-5, but they will win the west by default as the Chargers fell to 4-7 against the Colts. The Colts look like a strong candidate for a wild card spot improving to 7-4 and facing an easy schedule in the last five weeks of the season. Elsewhere the Pats are keeping their division hopes alive by improving to 7-4 with an impressive performance over the 6-5 Dolfins.

In the NFC the Giants defeated the Cardinals to improve to 10-1 and are a lock to win the NFC East. The Cardinals fall to 7-4 but are going to win the NFC West by default. The Bears improve to 6-5 with a victory over the Rams to claim a share of the NFC North lead with the Vikings. The Vikings are sitting at 6-5 and are hoping the Packers lose tonight to the Saints to fall to 5-6. If the Packers lose they will be on the outside looking in. The Panthers fall to 8-3 against the 7-4 rival Falcons. The Falcons surprising victory keeps their division hopes alive as their jocking for position to make the playoffs along with the 8-3 Buccaneers. The Bucs look like they are going make the playoffs as they have the easiest remaining schedule of all the NFC South teams. The Cowboys improve to 7-4 with a nice win against San Francisco and appear to have an easier remaining schedule then the 7-4 Redskins. The Redskins beat the woeful Seahawks in a tight game which may prove that maybe they will not be a playoff team this year. The long and short of it is not much is settled in either conference, and the last few weeks of the season will be pivotal for virtually every team with playoff aspirations.

Tags: Bears, Broncos, Bucs, Cardinals, Colts, Cowboys, Falcons, Giants, Jets, Packers, Panthers, Pats, Playoff picture, Ravens, Skins, Steelers, Titans

Is it me or I have I seen all I need to see this season from the NFL? In just eleven weeks I think we have already seen who will be the four teams playing in the conference championships. Obviously this is just my opinion, but for the first time in a long time it seems pretty easy to identify who the best teams in each league are and at this point I already want the year to end. So with that said I am going to make a bold prediction. The teams that will play in the conference championships are actually match-ed up against each other in week 12.

In the NFC I think the two teams that will be battling to go to the Super Bowl will be the Giants and the Cardinals. The Giants are an easy pick to make, but many people might scratch their heads at the Cardinals. I think Arizona is going to make it for two reasons; they are actually a legitimate team that has strong offense and an underrated, opportunistic defense. Their offense is currently ranked second in scoring. Their defense is top ten against the run, they rush the passer, and force a lot of turnovers. Also, let’s face it, the other probable playoff teams don’t scare anyone. The only other threat besides the two I just mentioned is the Carolina Panthers. After them who is there? The team coming out of the North will not be a factor, as there is a three way tie for first with each team sitting at 5-5. The East will probably have one other team, whether it is Redskins or the Cowboys, neither team is complete, and the last team will be either the Falcons or the Buccaneers. One team has a rookie quarterback and the other team’s offense doesn’t scare anyone.

The AFC is the same story as the teams that will play in January will play this week. The Titans are playing the Jets in a game that could will give either team a chance to make a big statement as to what will happen when the playoffs begin. The only other team that may have a chance is the Colts, as any team with a Manning will always have a shot. The AFC West team will most likely be the Broncos and their whole team is Jay Cutler and Brandon Marshall. Then in the Central you have the Pittsburgh Steelers. They have a good defense, but on offense Big Ben has been sacked 32 times and has thrown more picks then touchdowns. The last team will most likely be the Dolphins or the Pats, and neither team has a good enough offense.

Well, since I’ve sorted everything out already, let’s just start the playoffs already.

Tags: big ben sack problems, brandon marshall, Football season 08, Rothlisberger sack

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“Just two good ol’ boys, never meaning no harm…,” and you know the rest. Waylon Jennings’ Dukes of Hazard theme song couldn’t be anymore perfect for the two New York quarterbacks. Both leaders have their teams in positions to control their own destinies, and they are in position to make significant playoff runs.

Eli Manning of New Orleans, after years of being criticized and negatively compared to his brother Peyton in the media, delivered a Super Bowl championship in just his fourth year with the Giants, and only his third full season as a starter. The main issue has always seemed to be his confidence and his accuracy. Those questions however have completely gone away, as Eli in attempt to get the Giants to the promise land once again, has looked great this year. Plain and simple the guy is playing like there is no situation that is to big for him. It doesn’t get any bigger then leading your team’s game winning drive and throwing the touchdown pass to complete possibly the biggest upset in NFL history. That’s the stuff legends are made of.

Brett Favre is also on a mission this year, as his Jets are in position to take the lead in the AFC East. He started off well, then hit a rough patch, but now seems settled into the position of playing quarterback in the largest sports market in the United States. The Mississippi boy is doing quite well for himself as of late, and New York City has fallen in love with him. He has the fans believing in the Jets this year, something that hasn’t happened in a long time. Say what you want about his interceptions, but like the song says, he isn’t meaning no harm. Unlike before, the Jets can actually compete in shootout games. He doesn’t have the arm he used to have, but even diminished he still has one of the strongest in the league. Thanks to the swagger of this former Super Bowl Champion, the Jets are feeling like they can compete against anyone in the AFC.

The Giants are starting to distinguish themselves as the clear-cut favorite to win the Super Bowl again, as Eli is playing at a high level which knows no boundaries. The Jets are playing as well as they have played in years, and in a weak AFC, they are looking like a serious threat to make a Super Bowl run. The Titans are undefeated, but to my eyes I see a championship defense, not a championship team, only time will tell if they are the real deal. With that said don’t be surprised if you see a good ol’ southern reunion in the final game of the season.

Tags: AFC East, Brett, Eli, Giants, Good Ol' Boys, Jets, Mississippi Boy, NewOrleans bred, NFC East

How often can you say nine games into a season that all teams from one division have a winning record? That scenario is very unlikely and rarely plays out over a whole season. With that said, only three teams from a division can make the playoffs. This is also uncommon, although it did happen twice last year as both the AFC South and the NFC East each had three teams make the playoffs.

As many people may have guessed, the NFC East is again one of the powerhouse divisions in football, with all four teams positioning themselves to make playoff runs. That division is hotly contested every single year. Another division is making its claim as the toughest in the league and that’s the AFC East. Coming into the season the AFC East was no where near as heralded as the NFC East, but they can also boast that all their teams have winning records.

Unlike the NFC East, the AFC East is yet to have a clear cut favorite to win the division. The Jets and the Patriots are both 6-3 and are heading into a Thursday night showdown that could give us a glimpse as to what might happen down the road, although the loser will be very much in the thick of things. Miami is playing the dysfunctional Oakland Raiders in what is a very winnable game. The Buffalo Bills, who have been struggling losing there last three games, are facing the 3-6 Cleveland Browns. After this week there is a good chance that there will be a three way tie for second place, with all teams being 6-4 and only one game out of first place.

The NFC East is a bit of a different story despite the overall success of the division as a whole. The New York Giants have distinguished themselves as the best team after beating the Eagles Sunday night, but that doesn’t mean that the other three teams are out of the playoff picture. The Redskins are 6-3 and find themselves playing the perennial paper champion Cowboys in what will be a crucial game that could define the future of both teams. The Eagles, coming off a loss to the G-Men, have a great chance to keep their playoff hopes alive playing the pathetic Cincinnati Bengals. So basically, nothing will be settled in either one of these divisions as far as how many teams will make it to the postseason until the last two or three weeks of the season. However, all the teams control their own destiny, and we may witness a rare situation in which six playoff teams reside in the NFL’s East Divisions.

Tags: AFCEAST, Bills, Cowboys, Favre, Fins, G-Men, Giants, Jets, NFCEAST, Pats, powerhouse div, raresituation, Redskins Eagles

Since elementary school it’s been preached; for every action there is a reaction or consequence. Every year we are urged to stay out of trouble whether it is in or out of a sports season. Sure, it has probably stuck with the majority of society but that’s not the case for two of the most talented names in the NFL. Both Dallas Cowboys’ Defensive Back/Return Specialist Adam “Pacman” Jones and Kansas City Chiefs Running Back Larry Johnson found themselves in a tough spot this past week.

Let’s start with the “experienced” one. Adam Jones was involved in a confrontation that escalated into a physical quarrel with a team-appointed bodyguard on October 8th at a Dallas hotel. The incident ended with the police being called to the scene and Jones recently getting smacked with a 4-game suspension after being reinstated to the NFL by new Commissioner Roger Goodell earlier this year. When he was first drafted by the Tennesee Titans in 2005, Jones was immediately into troubled times. Having been arressted six times since his rookie season, one must begin to ask, when is it enough? Commissioner Goodell spoke on the situation and after Jones serves his suspension, he plans to re-investigate the situation and perhaps give Jones an additional punishment.

Now although it may seem extremely difficult to live up to such high standards set by the Cowboys’ Cornerback, Chiefs Running Back Larry Johnson is doing his best. Johnson, during the same week was charged with assault on a woman in a night club. While at this club, Johnson allegedly shoved the side of a woman’s face while telling her not to touch him. He is scheduled to appear in court December 3rd and faces a maximum jail term of six months and a $500 fine. This is very similar to the charge that he faced on February 24th while at a night club in downtown Kansas City. Johnson, who has now had his third encounter with the law since entering the NFL, still has work to do in order to catch the speedy Cornerback.

These athletes haven’t proven to witty off the field to say the least. Their performance this year on the field has unfortunately seemed to have gone hand in hand with their off-field antics. Besides his 198 yard, 2-score highlight reel against the Broncos, Johnson has rushed for just over 200 yards in the other 4 games; averaging about 50 yards a game and only reaching the end zone twice. As for Jones, the “shut-down” corner hasn’t picked off a pass all season. He also fumbled a punt return in the season opener against the Browns. (How bout this Cowboy?!?!) The point is guys, your professional athletes. I’m not asking to step up your sub-par performances on the field this year, but at least set an example for some young adults who look up to you.

Tags: 2008 nfl stories, adam "pacman" jones suspended, Cowboys badboy, larry johnson charged again, nfl players suspension, nfl suspensions, nfl troublemakers

Tags: Dominic Hixon Burress debate, Giants back ups, giants substitutes

First things first, I love Brett Favre almost as much as John Madden, oh wait, that’s impossible. But how could I start without mentioning his incredible six touchdown pass performance. Everybody was ready to write his obituary after last monday night’s game, but consider this, after just four games this season his touchdown total is already at 12. He’s on pace to have a 48 t.d. pass season. Alright, maybe that’s looking Favre ahead, yeah I thought of that, but is it crazy to think he will surpass his last season’s total of 28, I don’t think so. Let’s see the New York media’s treatment of Brett if he does exceed that number, keeps the into’s under 20, but they still miss the playoffs. I’ll tell you what, if they don’t make it will because a lack of a running game, and inconsistent defense. Elsewhere around the league, just when you thought the St. Louis Rams couldn’t get any worse, well they did. Former Head Coach Scott Linehan is out, unfortunately most of the players on the team aren’t. So with that said, don’t expect any better from this terrible team. I know the Bills were 3-0, but they are a soft 3-0 who scored 31 after the Rams jumped out ahead early in the game. That’s not to say the Bills won’t make the playoffs, but lets be honest, the only real team they have played thus far is the Jacksonville Jaguars. The other three teams they have beaten, the Seahawks, the Rams, and the Raiders, have a combined record of 2-9.

Speaking of the Raiders they are bad, but they could easily be 3-1 right now. At least they have been competitive, unlike last year. I know its too late for Lane Kiffin now, but the defense has really let that team down in the second half of games this year. Last time I checked Kiffin ain’t the defensive coordinator. I got your back homey. On to the AFC South where I just have one question, who the hell is Chris Johnson? Apparently a pretty good rookie running back. Johnson and starter Lendale White have formed a formidable two headed monster at tailback which has lead the charge for the 4-0 Titans. With the defense playing great bolstered by the two great defensive tackles in the middle, Albert Haynesworth and Tony Brown, they look for real. Then there is the Jacksonville Jaguars, a team that has not been anywhere near the team they were last year, but find themselves at 2-2, second place in their division in a weak AFC, and going against the Pittsburgh Steelers. The Jaguars have won about a hundred straight games against the steelers since 2001, and I expect them to pound the Steelers again when they play. Fred Taylor will rush for one hundred yards against the NFL’s weakest 3-1 team. The Steelers have been bringing a knife to a gunfight offensively for three straight weeks now, and have been lucky to play the teams they have thus far. With Willie Parker out with an injury on Sunday, Big Ben will be going down faster then a beer on St. Patrick’s day. When the Jags get going on all cylinders, starting Sunday night, the league will have to take notice.

By Alerfi Martinez

This past Sunday had a lot of good action and hard hitting, but it also forced a lot of teams to take a good long look in the mirror and realize what they really are. For instance the Minnesota Vikings. They were a trendy pick by a lot of so called experts to not only make the playoffs, but make it to the Super Bowl. Yeah that’s not happening. They are like that High School girl who everyone liked throughout high school, then she gets to college and has to realize, hey maybe I’m not that hot.

Green Bay is also in a similar situation, with starting QB Mr. Rodgers, already suffering a serious injury after just four games, so much for following in the footsteps of NFL’s Ironman. Luckily for them, they play in a mediocre NFC North. One of the teams in that division looks like that girl who you never paid attention to in High School, then she shows up at a party over the summer and think to yourself “Hey she’s pretty cute.” The team I’m talking about definitely isn’t the Millen-less Lions, but the Chicago Bears. They play solid defense, Orton seems to be improving, and rookie running back Matt Forte looks like the real deal. They needed him to come through as Cedric Benson made their last first round running back selection, Curtis Enis, look like Eddie George.

There’s a lot of things going on in the NFC East as well. The Cowboys after being crowned as Super Bowl Champions before the season even started, better get used to the fact they are at best going to be the second prettiest girl at the party, the Giants being the most voluptuous. They better watch their back because the Redskins are looking like a pretty good team with the very underrated Jason Campbell at quarterback, and the Eagles are sitting at 2-2, and were a couple plays away from being 4-0. This is by far the strongest division in the NFL, and I would not be surprised to see the last place team finish above 500. In the NFC south the Falcons have been overachieving, but do not expect them to be any better then 7-9 or 8-8. The Carolina Panthers reminded them of their faults on Sunday. The Panthers are looking like the division champions already in a pretty good division. The Buccaneers are playing good defense like they always do, at 3-1, and the Saints are still looking like one of the leagues better offenses, despite lack of production at running back from Reggie Bust, I mean Bush.

Then we have the great NFC west. I say that with a smile on my face. I still like the Cardinals in this division, but as the weeks go on I feel like the description that best fits this division is “Okay, first team with nine wins goes to the playoffs.”The Seahawks are 1-2 and I’ll be hard pressed to think they will beat the Giants this weekend. The 49ers quarterback is J.T. O’Sullivan, enough said, and the Rams are…the Rams. In the AFC west, the Broncos are looking like an extremely one dimensional team. They play defense as bad as the Rams in thier glory years, but they are almost as good as those Rams teams on offense. Yeah they got beat by the Chiefs and Grandmama Larry Johnson, but I still see them in the playoffs. The Chargers are looking a lot better, and they should creep up and steal the division by the 11 or 12 game point of the season. The Raiders are a team in complete dismay, but could still win about 6 games despite the sideshow that is Al Davis. Now to the bottom of the barrel where it is really starting to look like the Browns, Bengals, and the Texans may be the official punching bags of the AFC. Let’s see if they punch back. (I Doubt it.)

Tags: Bears upset Eagles, buccaneers defense, Falcons overacheive, Jason Campbell comeback, Jason Campbell underrated, NFL Wrap up, reggie bush, Reggie Bush a bust, Vikings Super Bowl hopes, Vikings superbowl dud