MJD Wants A New Deal in Jacksonville

MJD is Now Running Alone and Wants A New Contract (photo courtesy of flickr)

According to all of the NFL media outlets, Maurice Jones-Drew agent is now demanding a new contract for his player.

The newly appointed #1 running back will probably get a new deal with the Jacksonville Jaguars because they released veteran Fred Taylor (now with the Patriots) earlier this off-season.

The amount of the contract remains disputable though. Jones-Drew has not had a full year starting and many have questioned his ability to make plays. His ability to block, though, is not in question.

Fans only have to look at Jones-Drew’s hit on former Defensive Player of the Year Shawn Merriman of the San Diego Chargers:

But can he carry the ball consistently for an offense know primarily for carrying the rock? Many argue that there aren’t many passing threats on the team. We will find out.

Another Johnson (Tank) Moves to Cincy

The Tank is rolling into Cincinnati (Photo Courtesy of David Jeon)

According to multiple reports from ESPN, the NFL Network, and the Bengals own website, Cincinnati has signed DT Tank Johnson.

Johnson, who had an off year last year recording only 22 tackles and 1 sack, is known around the league as dominant presence in the middle. Although Dallas used Johnson as a NT, Bengals Defensive Coordinator Mike Zimmer will install Johnson into a rotation with starters Domata Peko and second-year player Pat Sims. This is an interesting move for the team, now removed from the 4-11-1 season they suffered last year with an already 12th ranked defense.

Although Johnson is known as an “aggressive” player around the NFL, he is also only two years removed from being cut from the Chicago Bears, missing 8 games due to suspension, and spending a couple months in prison. This may cause fans to speculate that owner Mike Brown has made another move to try to change the life of a 27 year-old football player. Tank Johnson said he is passed that, we will see soon when he plays a year in a city that arrested 11 Bengal players during 2006 for off-field behavior.

According to Geoff Hobson, Mike Zimmer told Bengals.com last week that Tank is “a quick, penetrating kind of guy” This move immediately changes many NFL Mock Draft boards. If BJ Raji is the best player on the Draft board at 6, will the Bengals still take them? We don’t know. We do know though that the Bengals have taken a hiatus from their usual off-season stance and have plugged another hole in their defensive depth.

It still remains to be seen, though, if the Bengals can compete with other AFC North teams.

No Home For Michael Vick Yet

Where will Michael Vick land after all of the dust settles? (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)

With former NFL superstar Michael Vick set to get out of prison the July, the question of the tip of every NFL fan’s tongues is “Where Will He Land?”

The NFL has stated that Michael Vick has agreed to pay the Atlanta Falcons $6.5 Mil. back from his contract so that they will release him.

According to reports from ESPN.com his “most likely” suitor the Miami Dolphins have already refuted a report stating they would be interested. These aforementioned articles mentioned that Vick would be a “good fit” in Miami because of his mobility as a QB. However, they also alluded to his use as a running back. Will Micheal Vick still play QB when he comes back to the NFL?

We all know that the Michael Vick was never a “pure passer.” In fact, he made most of the highlight reels (and got the Falcons to an NFC Championship game) by making quick plays with his feet. Does that mean that he is done as a QB? A couple of weeks ago (around the combine), a new coach by the name of Mike Singeltary sat down with the NFL Network crew for an interview. Singeltary’s “new” ‘Niners could use a signal caller with the double-threat ability, right? Moreover, the signing of Michael Johnson as new QB Coach (Michael Vick’s QB coach for 3 years) in the Bay Area has fans stirring. Wouldn’t it be something if the ‘Niners offense finally thrived under a strong armed, fast legged QB like Vick?

Most of the running Mock Drafts have the 49′s taking USC QB Mark Sanchez at 10th overall (if he lasts that long). If Miami or San Fran don’t take a chance, who will?

I’m not sure if it matters presently. When Vick gets out of prison he still has to comply with the courts’ system, get out of bankruptcy, and have a LONG LONG meeting with Roger Goodell. The expected sentence is another year watching (and not playing) for the embattled QB.

For now, lets speculate on other teams that may be interested in Vick’s services a year from now:

(in no particular order)

Boom or Bust for Russell?

The Oakland Raiders– Al Davis’ Raiders could be looking for an upgrade at QB after this year if Jamarcus Russell doesn’t work out. Although Russell was a very highly rated QB coming out of college and the #1 overall pick a couple of years ago, he has not been able to get on the field that much. When he has been on the field he has still suffered “Rookie” mistakes. This is his third year and, although he may not sense it, could be very decisive because of the “Win Now” mentality that has taken hold of NFL teams?

The St. Louis Rams– The Rams have an injury prone Pro Bowl QB in Marc Bulger. Fans may be getting restless and don’t want to see Trent Greene return. Steven Jackson can only carry the load for so long…

Will Childress trade in Young-Legged Jackson for and Older Model with similar parts?

The Minnessota Vikings– For the last couple of years the Vikes have been that team in which the fans cry, “If only they had a good QB they could make it all the way!” Let’s face it, ownership is about to call it quits on the Tavaris Jackson experiment and Childress is still searching for an answer that may or may not be named Sage Rosenfels. If Childress doesn’t get fired after this season, he may be far enough on the fryer to coax the troubled Vick into playing for his “playoff contender”

Is Change coming to Washington?

The Washington Redskins– Yes, yes I know…really I do! Owner Dan Snyder is always looking to give his team the edge in the rough and tumble NFC East. His team has to play the Giants, Cowboys, and Eagles twice a year. If the ‘Skins end up in the NFC East cellar again this year (even with the $100 mil contract of Albert Haynesworth), I have faith Dan Snyder will pay anyone that may bring hope again to the nations’ capital.

This is The NFL Hook. We have no off-season.

Welcome to The NFL Hook

Do you bleed the colors of your favorite football team? There is no such thing as the NFL off season.

The NFL Hook is a place where I’ll post blogs about current NFL news stories and my reactions to them. This  much of a journalism site. Instead, it is a vibe lounge. Here, feel free to comments on what you like that the NFL is doing and what you dislike.

This is a blog from a fan’s perspective. I have watched the NFL for years and am sort of a statistician when it comes down to it. Hope you enjoy the blog

Hello world!

Welcome to WordPress.com. This is your first post. Edit or delete it and start blogging!