Stampede Blue is the #8 NFL Blog on Internet, #1
SB Nation Blog

post from Stampede Blue on 04 July 2009 09:24:00 PM. © Stampede Blue

Via Music City Miracles, here's a list that reveals Stampede Blue as the #8 NFL Blog on the Internet. Also of note is that Stampede Blue is the top NFL Blog on SB Nation. Having been a member here since April Fools Day, it's not that hard to believe. Here's a few other interesting things I noticed from the list:

18 of the top 30 blogs are SB Nation blogs. That's just incredible. SB Nation really created a blogging empire here.
As much as I hate Mike Florio, his profootballtalk.com is #1 on the list. Like him or not (and I don't), people still read his filth.
Shake's favorite site, footballoutsiders.com, makes a surprise appearance at #13. It seems to be gaining popularity.
The #1 overall sports blog? Fanhouse.com, a site I've never heard of before. The #2 site is one that I have heard of, Deadspin.com.

Congrats BBS, Shake, Colts Homer, MRW, mgrex03, and KR for making this site the best SB Nation Blog!

Read The Full Article:
http://www.stampedeblue.com/2009/7/4/938234/stampede-blue-8-nfl-blog-on

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Jaguars' Player Biography: Mike Thomas, WR,
Arizona

post from Big Cat Country on 04 July 2009 06:45:00 PM. © Big Cat Country

What would your definition of a Shack Harris wide receiver be? My definition would be tall, slow, poor route runner, and a knack for substance abuse. Since Jimmy Smith retired following the 2005 season, the Jaguars have been plagued at the position. Enter Mike Thomas, the antithesis of a Shack Harris receiver. Thomas is short and an excellent route runner with 4.3 speed. He is the PAC-10's All-Time leader in pass receptions. In addition, he started returning punts his senior year. He took to it well, returning two for touchdowns and was named 1st team All PAC-10 as a returner and wide receiver. What does Mike Thomas offer the Jaguars that made him such a great pick in the fourth round?

Video Killed The Scouting Report

video details and more

(Yeah, I know this video has been posted on this site a half dozen times)

Mike Thomas:By The Numbers

At A GlancePosition 1: Wide Receiver
Height: 5'8Position 2: Special Teams
Weight: 195
Class: SeniorAge: 22Projected Round: 4

40time: 4.30

Thomas has the kind of speed you want from a wide receiver, at least on paper. There are some questions as to whether he can with stand an entire NFL season with his frame. In addition, how well can he handle being pushed around by physical corners.

According to The Experts

Positive

Draft Countdown

Great speed and quickness with a burst...Has a strong, solid build...Very elusive with terrific vision and instincts...Runs good routes...Nice body control and ball skills...Pretty good leaper...Tough and isn't afraid to work the middle...Good work ethic...Extremely competitive...Can also contribute as a return man...Super productive.

FF Toolbox

He has better than average top-end speed and will be an excellent possession receiver out of the slot in the NFL. His quickness will allow him to separate against man coverage against most nickel and dime defensive backs in the NFL. He is a polished route runner and shows tremendous elusiveness after he catches the ball

Negative

Draft Countdown

Does not have the height that you look for...Will have lapses in concentration and drop some balls...Has trouble beating the jam...Isn't really a vertical threat...Minor character concerns ... Upside is limited.

FF Toolbox

May not be able to be more than a slot receiver

Why Is Mike Thomas a Jacksonville Jaguar

There is always going to be a spot on a NFL roster for a guy who can get open and has reliable hands. Mike Thomas fits both of those categories. In addition, he brings added value as a returner that will only boost his chances of making the roster. Thomas isn't quite as squeaky clean as some of the other 2009 picks have been, but I doubt we'll hear about him being found in the back seat with cocaine.

What To Expect in 2009

With the departure of Dennis Northcutt, Thomas seems primed to grab the #3 receiving spot. I would expect a battle between him and fifth rounder Jarrett Dillard for playing time in that role. Regardless, I believe Thomas will entrench himself as the Jaguars return man. He is too fast and too good with the ball in his hands to not make plays on special teams.

Poll

Which wide receiver will have the biggest impact for the Jaguars?

Read The Full Article:
http://www.bigcatcountry.com/2009/7/4/937019/better-know-your-jaguars-4th-round

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Better Know Your Jaguars 4th Round Pick: Mike
Thomas, WR, Arizona

post from Big Cat Country on 04 July 2009 06:45:00 PM. © Big Cat Country

\

What would your definition of a Shack Harris wide receiver be? My definition would be tall, slow, poor route runner, and a knack for substance abuse. Since Jimmy Smith retired following the 2005 season, the Jaguars have been plagued at the position. Enter Mike Thomas, the antithesis of a Shack Harris receiver. Thomas is short and an excellent route runner with 4.3 speed. He is the PAC-10's All-Time leader in pass receptions. In addition, he started returning punts his senior year. He took to it well, returning two for touchdowns and was named 1st team All PAC-10 as a returner and wide receiver. What does Mike Thomas offer the Jaguars that made him such a great pick in the fourth round?

Video Killed The Scouting Report

video details and more

(Yeah, I know this video has been posted on this site a half dozen times)

Mike Thomas:By The Numbers

At A GlancePosition 1: Wide Receiver
Height: 5'8Position 2: Special Teams
Weight: 195
Class: SeniorAge: 22Projected Round: 4

40time: 4.30

Thomas has the kind of speed you want from a wide receiver, at least on paper. There are some questions as to whether he can with stand an entire NFL season with his frame. In addition, how well can he handle being pushed around by physical corners.

According to The Experts

Positive

Draft Countdown

Great speed and quickness with a burst...Has a strong, solid build...Very elusive with terrific vision and instincts...Runs good routes...Nice body control and ball skills...Pretty good leaper...Tough and isn't afraid to work the middle...Good work ethic...Extremely competitive...Can also contribute as a return man...Super productive.

FF Toolbox

He has better than average top-end speed and will be an excellent possession receiver out of the slot in the NFL. His quickness will allow him to separate against man coverage against most nickel and dime defensive backs in the NFL. He is a polished route runner and shows tremendous elusiveness after he catches the ball

Negative

Draft Countdown

Does not have the height that you look for...Will have lapses in concentration and drop some balls...Has trouble beating the jam...Isn't really a vertical threat...Minor character concerns ... Upside is limited.

FF Toolbox

May not be able to be more than a slot receiver

Why Is Mike Thomas a Jacksonville Jaguar

There is always going to be a spot on a NFL roster for a guy who can get open and has reliable hands. Mike Thomas fits both of those categories. In addition, he brings added value as a returner that will only boost his chances of making the roster. Thomas isn't quite as squeaky clean as some of the other 2009 picks have been, but I doubt we'll hear about him being found in the back seat with cocaine.

What To Expect in 2009

With the departure of Dennis Northcutt, Thomas seems primed to grab the #3 receiving spot. I would expect a battle between him and fifth rounder Jarrett Dillard for playing time in that role. Regardless, I believe Thomas will entrench himself as the Jaguars return man. He is too fast and too good with the ball in his hands to not make plays on special teams.

Poll

Which wide receiver will have the biggest impact for the Jaguars?

Read The Full Article:
http://www.bigcatcountry.com/2009/7/4/937019/better-know-your-jaguars-4th-round

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Steve McNair found dead

post from Niners Nation on 04 July 2009 05:33:00 PM. © Niners Nation

Steve McNair found dead

great qb.great person. R.I.P. Steve "Air" McNair

Read The Full Article:
http://www.ninersnation.com/2009/7/4/938126/steve-mcnair-found-dead

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Terrible: Former Titans QB Steve McNair murdered
in Nashville

post from Stampede Blue on 04 July 2009 04:57:00 PM. © Stampede Blue

Apologies for interrupting your Fourth of July festivities, but this is just a terrible, terrible tragedy within the NFL family:

Former Titans quarterback Steve McNair has been killed. Police said McNair suffered a fatal gunshot wound to the head in downtown Nashville.

An unidentified female was also found dead at the scene. The police are calling it a homicide. We all remember Steve McNair as a rival for Peyton Manning and the Colts when he played for both the Tennessee Titans and the Baltimore Ravens. We disliked him. We booed him. We were always happy to beat him. But none of that matters now. Despite the rivalry, he was respected by most football fans. He was especially respected by Peyton, who wrote him a personal letter wishing him well when McNair retired. Manning and McNair shared the 2003 NFL MVP award.

Now, Steve McNair is gone. He was only 36. This is a horrible tragedy.

Music City Miracles (our Tennessee Titans blog) has a FanShot up on McNair and the shooting. When we get more information, we'll post it.

Read The Full Article:
http://www.stampedeblue.com/2009/7/4/938081/terrible-former-titans-qb-steve

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Steve McNair Murdered

post from Daily Norseman on 04 July 2009 04:46:00 PM. © Daily Norseman

Steve McNair Murdered

Pro Football Talk and Nashville news outlets are reporting that former Oiler, Titan, and Raven quarterback Steve McNair and another victim have been found dead in McNair's Nashville apartment. They're saying the case looks like a double homicide.

Read The Full Article:
http://www.dailynorseman.com/2009/7/4/938082/steve-mcnair-murdered

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The Media Must Handle the McNair Tragedy With a
Soft Touch

Steve McNair at a press conference before his retirement.

When celebrities or well-known sports figures pass on, the media is quick to hop on the story and get as many details as possible.

First, they attempt to gain details from the police and do some investigative digging to try and find out the scoop on what happened. Then, they will turn to friends and family looking for something they can slap in quotations and post on the front page.

Watching the recent circus around Michael Jackson's unfortunate death left me appalled and ashamed of every person holding a microphone, or a pen and pad.

His body was recorded being transported from the hospital to the helicopter, every gruesome detail of the autopsy was presented in the same way the great Harry Kalas used to analyze a Phillies game, and anyone who ever knew the man had a microphone shoved in his/her face just looking for a quote to gain some reads.

When someone of high profile is lost, too many members of the media look at it as a way to get some more viewers, more subscribers, and more readers. Rather than realizing that a human life has been lost they see it as simply another news story.

Don't get me wrong, it is the job of the media to get the information and to report the facts. But it is the way in which the reporting is done and the way the facts are attained that will be the judgment of the individual.

As in the case of Steve McNair and the woman with whom he shared his final moments, a senseless act of violence took them away from this world and ended the one thing of which we all take advantage.

What we like to forget is that these people, high profile or not, were in fact people.

Steve McNair was a family man. He had a wife and children, he had relatives. He had friends who loved and cared for him. He was not simply a walking trading card, or the real-life version of a man in a video game.

In short, the media professionals reporting this story should not be judged so much on what details they report or how quickly they get them, but rather how they got them.

A soft touch must be used in an instance such as this awful tragedy. There are countless people suffering right now because of the loss of this man.

Do not shove a microphone into the face of his wife, or his children, his friends, or any other extended family member simply to gain popularity with your article, radio show, or on-screen report.

I once heard the saying, "Journalists are here to comfort the afflicted, and afflict the comfortable."

Right now, these people are afflicted. Comfort them, rather than furthering their pain. Have some restraint in the time and manner in which the story is approached.

Remember, this was not simply the death of Steve McNair: potential Hall of Fame quarterback. It was also the death of Steve McNair: father, husband, and friend

Read The Full Article:
http://www.2minutestomidnightgreen.com/2009/07/media-must-handle-mcnair-situation
-with.html