Jammer bouncing back, off the field and on - Kevin Acee
He is emerging from the fog of a season, in football and in his life, in which he drifted through days unable to focus. For months, he fought only half-heartedly to escape an encompassing sadness. He would drive home from practice and go straight to bed, desiring to get most days over with. Many nights, he marinated his despair in alcohol.
Fantasy: The Top 10 Safety Performances of 2011 - Daniel Ciarrocchi
Games like this are why Eric Weddle is one of the first defensive backs taken off the board in IDP leagues. Weddle pleased all of his owners, as he surely had a season to remember in 2011, snatching seven of his 13 career interceptions. Two of those came in a memorable performance versus the Kansas City Chiefs, where he also batted away two more pass attempts and recorded seven solo tackles.
The nonexistent intersection of the NFL's popularity and its violence - Chuck Klosterman
So … football is extremely controversial, and football is mega-popular. And logic (or at least pop history) would suggest that those things should be connected. But they're not (and that's weird). They are like two complicated people standing next to each other at a cocktail party, refusing to make eye contact.
Keep it simple - Jamaal LaFrance
Chargers defensive coordinator John Pagano would prefer his players not have to think too much on the field.
Tolbert relishing new opportunity with Panthers - Steve Reed
While fullback Mike Tolbert was happy playing football in San Diego, when free agency arrived and the Panthers came calling he couldn't resist an opportunity to return home to the Carolinas.
Life after NFL a challenge for many - Jeffri Chadiha
Instead of using his smarts and charisma to become the golden boy many anticipated, Barber was fixating on "The Golden Girls" when his life after football fizzled. "I realized how fast the opportunities disappear," said Barber, who played from 1997 to 2006. "You've been replaced on the field and you've been replaced in people's minds. That's when you start getting depressed."
Big and Tall, Short and Wide, Young and Old, who in the NFL are the leaders? - Damond Talbot
There is a tie for the tallest in the league right now, but two guys who measure in at 6’9 are King Dunlap of the Philadelphia Eagles and Jared Gaither of the San Diego Chargers.
Hating on Athletes And Teams and The Crisis In Which Fans Are Engaged - Neal Coolong
Are we above anything? While I'm also not a fan of the people who look down upon passionate sports fans (and cannot judge those who had a few too many and yelled at a TV during a game...or challenged Jameel McClain to a fight after he hit Heath Miller...ahem), but you just don't see rage to that level often. It made the stories about Maddox's yard and kids believable.
Two tight end formations will hit NFL by storm in 2012 - Bucky Brooks
Given the success of the New England Patriots offense behind the tight-end tandem of Aaron Hernandez and Rob Gronkowski, more teams are implementing two-tight end packages into their game plans.