Peyton Manning, Broncos ready to mesh on field

Watching John Fox and Peyton Manning lead separate NFL teams in the previous decade would suggest they have some work to do to get on the same offensive playbook page.

Fox is a head coach raised on the defensive side of the line of scrimmage. He has operated his offense as if half his thoughts are with his defense. Pound the running game. Milk the clock. Keep the defense on the sideline. Mix in an explosive pass play. Pound the running game.

Read more: denverpost.com

2012 NFL team OTA, minicamp dates

After drafting Brandon Weeden, the Cleveland Browns need to say goodbye to Colt McCoy, Bud Shaw writes

The old saying about the backup QB being the most popular guy in a losing football town might be even more true if he’s last year’s starter, stood up to the hardest of knocks, and has shown a toughness about him that fits the city’s self-image.

It’s especially true if the perception exists that last year’s tough, likeable boy-next-door No. 1 quarterback had no substantial help and is now paying the price for it.

Read more: cleveland.com

NFL releases regular-season schedule

The nation won’t have to wait long to see Peyton Manning in a Broncos uniform.

Manning’s first game as Broncos quarterback will come in prime time as Denver hosts Pittsburgh on the opening Sunday of the NFL season. The four-time MVP was released by Indianapolis after missing the 2011 season following neck surgery. After conducting a four-city lottery for his services, Manning landed in Denver, which hasn’t won a Super Bowl since his new boss, John Elway, was behind center.

He won’t have an easy assignment against the Steelers, who ranked first in overall defense and against the pass last year.

Read more: msn.foxsports.com

NFL investigated Green Bay Packers for ‘bounty rule’ violations in 2007

The New Orleans Saints weren’t the only team to be investigated by the NFL for violations of the league’s “bounty rule” in recent years. The Green Bay Packers were investigated in 2007 for lesser infractions and wound up suffering no punishment after agreeing to discontinue their actions.

In 2007, Packers players reportedly offered to pay the team’s defensive linemen $500 each if they were able to hold Minnesota Vikings tailback Adrian Peterson under 100 rushing yards and the Carolina Panthers under 60 rushing yards as a team.

Read more: nola.com

Miss America Laura Kaeppeler Wants Aaron Rodgers to Call Her

Aaron Rodgers may have lost in the Divisional Round of the NFL playoffs, but at least he has an uplifting consolation prize. Miss America 2012 Laura Kaeppeler may be interested in the Packers quarterback.

While doing introductions for the Miss America competition, Kaeppeler, who is also Miss Wisconsin, told the All-Pro QB to call her. Check out the video:

Read more from LarryBrownSports.com

1.16.12

NY Giants’ Eli Manning vs. Green Bay Packers’ Aaron Rodgers will be first matchup of Super Bowl MVPs in NFL playoffs

Eli Manning and Aaron Rodgers will make history at Lambeau Field on Sunday: They will be the first Super Bowl MVP quarterbacks to start against each other in the playoffs after winning the award.

Manning won it after taking the Giants on a last-minute drive to beat the undefeated Patriots in Super Bowl XLII four years ago. Rodgers won it last year in leading the Packers over the Steelers in Super Bowl XLV.

One will keep his dream alive for a second Super Bowl title with the winner advancing to the NFC Championship Game. When they faced off in December, the Packers won, 38-35. Manning and Rodgers each threw four touchdown passes.

Read more: http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/football/giants/eli-manning-aaron-rodgers-duel-matchup-super-bowl-mvps-article-1.1004919#ixzz1jFa7dOhb

1.12.12

Aaron Rodgers, Drew Brees should share MVP award

I hate ties. OK, maybe tie-goes-to-the-runner is all right and tied shoelaces are a must, but I hate all other ties, from the ones you knot around your neck to the ones that occasionally pop up in sports, dangling there like perpetually uncompleted thoughts. I must make an exception, though, and advocate a tie in this NFL year wrapping up its regular season Sunday.Quarterbacks Aaron Rodgers of the Packers and Drew Brees of the Saints must share the league’s MVP award. Picking either would be a crime to the other.

Read more here: http://www.miamiherald.com/2011/12/30/2566234/aaron-rodgers-drew-brees-should.html#storylink=cpy

12.30.11

Aaron Rodgers is league’s best, but how do other quarterbacks rate? NFL Insider

The catchphrase for decades has been “the NFL is a quarterback-driven league.” What does that mean?

All the rules and all the trends the past 20 years favor the quarterback. So the elite quarterbacks rise above everything — elite defenses, elite running games, elite coaches — and generally emerge with the ring at the end.

An elite quarterback historically is found high in the first round of the draft, but not always. Eleven of the past 20 Super Bowls…

cleveland.com
12/24/11

Former New Orleans Saints assistant coach Mike McCarthy paid his dues to become a Super Bowl 2011 winner

Dallas – From Sean Payton and Drew Brees to Mike McCarthy and Aaron Rodgers. 

Two coaches who paid their dues, then climbed the mountain to win a Super Bowl for a small-market franchise. Two quarterbacks who overcame setbacks, one with a shoulder injury that could have ended his career, the other forced to play a waiting game, waiting for a legend to finally retire and give him a chance to prove he was a winner.

nola.com
2/8/11