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Never heard of him, you say? Well, you have football highlights and game study footage because of Blanton Collier. Walsh took much of Collier’s development of film study and molded it into his own planning. Walsh was a master of planning going back to his days as head coach of the Stanford Cardinals. Walsh served as an assistant with Brown in Cincinnati before resigning to become an assistant to Tommy Prothro in San Diego. Then it was on to Stanford for Walsh. There, he made wine out of water until the NFL came calling again.

Walsh would say years later that he never wanted to come back to the NFL, but he loved a challenge. The 49ers were just that. He was 47 when he took over in the bay area. In just a decade the Niners went from the bottom to the top. They won 3 Super Bowls, including two over Walsh’s former pupil Sam Wyche of the Cincinnati Bengals.

Former 49ers quarterback Joe Montana said, “Outside of my own dad [Walsh] was the closest person to me. The most influential person in my life. I am going to miss him.”

Another who spoke on the condition that he remain nameless told us late Monday night, “I never met a kinder gentleman in my entire life. I was truly blessed to know him even briefly.”

Many said that Coach Walsh had a temper. But it only came out when something truly angered him. He was once so enraged at a player for a cheap shot in a practice that he cut him on the spot. Then following him with a security guard to the locker room screaming “Don’t even let him get a f—— shower!”

The most prolific quote however comes from Seattle Head Coach Mike Holmgren who says, “He was an artist. The rest of us were blacksmiths.”

Some said that Walsh was falling behind the times when the 49ers lost to the Giants 49-3 in a 1986 playoff game. Attending that game personally, I scanned the sidelines looking for the coach to see if he was visibly upset. If he was he didn’t show it. Walsh just shrugged it off and reloaded the Niners again. Many will miss him, and all loved him.

Thanks for reading.
Bill

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Tommie Harris is already scary enough. Darwin Walker is a tackle cut of the same cloth. He’s quick, athletic, instinctive. Walker can play the run, collapse a pocket, and he is paired up with on of the few tackles in the league that is arguably as good or better than he is.

The Bears suffered mightily when Harris was lost to injury. With Walker on the roster, the defensive front has another pressure player who does the same kinds of things and has caused the same kind of havoc throughout his career. If the two are both healthy and start side by side, the Bears will have an push up the middle rivaled by very few teams in the league.

So the Bears waved good bye to Tank Johnson after he proved too much trouble off the field. I don’t think anyone in Chicago is going to realize he’s gone. Those that do, will be glad to say they don’t miss him.

In Cleveland, Couch never had a chance. He got pummeled regularly behind an awful offensive line. He had no running game to lean on. He battled injuries to his throwing arm that were never allowed to heal. Then Browns Head Coach Butch Davis played head games with Couch and back up Kelly Holcomb. Couch was given every opportunity to fail. Fail he did.

After a short stint in Packers training camp, Couch fell away from football but he never stopped working. He had surgeries on his throwing arm. He worked on his mechanics. He stayed in shape. In 2006 he worked out for two teams but neither signed him.

Now, Couch is a wild card. Coming out of college, Couch was considered one of the best. He has a strong arm. He was accurate. Much better than his 55% completion numbers in Cleveland indicated. Couch has ability and if his head is right, if he has shaken those awful beatings he took in Cleveland, he is a contender.

Byron Leftwich is the anointed starter for the Jaguars. But most agree that Leftwich’s job security is tenuous at best. David Garrard has proven he is a solid back up but no more than that. Couch, if he is at all back to his former self, could threaten Garrard as the second quarterback. If Leftwich continues to struggle with turnovers, Couch could conceivably be a starting quarterback in the NFL again.

I don’t know what to expect from Tim Couch. But I love a good Rocky Balboa story. Couch has worked hard to get this chance. To make more of it in Jacksonville is a major long-shot. But given their quarterback situation and Couch’s potential, it’s a situation worth paying close attention to.

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Tampa Bay drafted defensive end Gaines Adams in the first round. Adams signed his contract and is scheduled to be in camp on time. Rice’s release also happened after Adams was securely under contract.

Why the Bucs released Rice is less intriguing than wondering where Rice will end up. At 32 years old, Rice is still an elite edge rusher. But many teams are jumping on the 3-4 bandwagon. If Rice ended up at such a team he would probably be asked to convert to outside linebacker. At 32, Rice may be an old dog not ready to learn a new trick. However, there are some teams, not surprisingly with roots in Tampa Bay’s Tampa-2 defense, that may be interested.

Chicago Bears?

Adewale Ogunleye was imported from Miami to be a pressure edge rusher in Lovie Smith’s version of the Tampa-2. But Ogunleye has been hampered by injury. Smith has the wrecking ball tackle in Tommie Harris but lacks an elite edge rusher who can also play the run well enough to be more than a situational player. Rice is coming off of a shoulder injury of his own. But Rice and Ogunleye could form an excellent duo that would be a fair comparison to Ogunleye’s days in Miami opposite Jason Taylor.

Playing the run was a weakness in Rice’s game early in his career but he showed exponential improvement in that area during his time in Tampa. While Rice is not exactly at Taylor’s level anymore, Rice and Ogunleye would match up and complement each other the exact same way that Ogunleye did with Taylor.

Minnesota Vikings

Mike Tomlin, another former Bucs coach, left Minnesota for Pittsburgh. But first, he built last season’s top run defense in Minnesota as the defensive coordinator. Minnesota was devastated against the pass least year. However, that had more to do with a lack of pressure on the quarterback than poor secondary play. Opposing quarterbacks could just sit back and wait to pick apart the coverages.

Star defensive end Erasmus James was lost to injury forcing Kenichi Udeze to play out of position. Meanwhile a collection of role players tried to replace Udeze on the other side. By adding Rice to the defensive end rotation, Udeze and a healthy James would be fresher. They would also have a third star-quality defensive end to go along with their exceptional tackle tandem. Adding Rice could push Minnesota’s defense to elite status.

Detroit Lions

Rod Marinelli coached Rice in Tampa. Marinelli already snapped up former Buc Dwayne White and would love to complete his book ends with Rice. Kalimba Edwards has been somewhat of a disappointment and the rest of the Lions end rotation is forgettable. Rice would be an instant pressure player. This situation looks fantastic in that Rice would be paired up with a former teammate, and a coach that he knows and respects. He would also play in a system in which he excels. However, he may not want to spend his final career stint on a team that has a slim chance of competing for a Super Bowl ring before he retires.

Indianapolis Colts

The Indianapolis Colts would love to start Simeon Rice opposite Dwight Freeny. With both of last year’s starting cornerbacks gone via free agency, the Colts need the pass rush to help their young and unproven secondary. With Rice and Freeny on the rush, no quarterback in the league could sit back and pick them apart. Plus, Tony Dungy coached Rice in Tampa Bay and the two have respect for each other.

Houston Texans

Mario Williams.

Larry Johnson is a beast. He’s the real deal. I don’t doubt for one second that Johnson is a premier talent. But it seems that the odds are stacking up more and more against Larry Johnson. Until now, I didn’t care. I figured that Johnson is a workhorse. He’s the Chiefs’ offensive centerpiece. He’s the man.

But last night I took part in a mock draft and I was sitting second overall. Last season that meant I was guaranteed Johnson. I even loaded him up in my queue as my pick. Sure enough, Tomlinson went first. I went to click on Johnson and my finger froze above my mouse. I got this gnawing feeling in my gut. I stared at his name for a second and then changed to Steven Jackson.

I thought the next owner would pick him up. But the next guy picked Frank Gore. The fourth picker took her time. I sat there staring at Johnson at the top of my pre-ranking sheet. I wondered if it was all too much? Had the odds finally stacked against Johnson so much that owners were going to let him free fall like Brady Quinn?

Johnson is already a question mark to start the season. That alone would scare many owners off. But it’s the things that Johnson cannot control that scare me most.

The Chiefs offensive line lost a leader and an anchor in Willie Roaf last season. But a surprise return of former Pro Bowler Kyle Turley and the always superior play of guard Will Shields kept Johnson churning up the yards. This season the Chiefs released Turley and Shields retired. Who is going to spearhead that devastating left-side running game that has been the Kansas City offense’s bread and butter?

Next, the Chiefs parted ways with underrated veteran Trent Green. So even with Tony Gonzalez returning and the selection of Dwayne Bowe at receiver, the Chiefs passing attack will merit much less attention. The Chiefs are looking to second year pro Brodie Croyle or 34 year old Damon Huard. I’ve always been high on Huard as a potential NFL starter who kept finding himself behind established players like Trent Green or Tom Brady. But until Huard can prove he can make a collection of solid to mediocre veterans and a promising but unproven rookie legit, opposing defenses will stack up against Johnson and his patchwork line.

Finally, the reported return of Priest Holmes muddies the waters. No one can count out Holmes just because he’s been out of the league with an injury for two seasons. Holmes was considered finished after a severe hip injury but he returned to rush for over 1,400 yards and a record-setting 27 touchdowns the following season. So his presence puts Johnson’s hold out hopes and playing time in jeopardy. If the Chiefs become a back by platoon, Johnson’s numbers will take enough of a hit that he could become a second back on a fantasy roster as opposed to a top back.

No one knows if Holmes is in football shape. But everyone knows you cannot count him out. So what is going to happen with Johnson?

In my fantasy draft the fourth pick ended up being Larry Johnson. In most fantasy mocks, Johnson continues to be a top five mainstay. There is no doubt he is everything he appears to be. He can grind out tough yards and carry the ball 20% more often than most NFL backs and stay healthy. But as the questions pile up Larry Johnson’s future as a fantasy stud is beginning to fog up a bit.

Atlanta Falcons Quarterback Question

Michael Vick has been asked to stay away from training camp while the NFL conducts a probe to decide his fate under the Personal Conduct Policy. If Vick is suspended, or as many speculate, has played his last game as a Falcon, Head Coach Bobby Petrino cannot let the offense falter. So who will step up and keep the Falcon’s post season dreams alive? Will they be a stop gap or possibly the answer to life after Michael Vick?

Despite the best attempts by many in the media cram Daunte Culpepper and the Falcons together, Culpepper is not the type of player that Falcons GM Rich McKay likes to sign. Culpepper has injury concerns, but those are probably less of a problem for McKay than how Culpepper handled his Miami exit. Culpepper’s actions showed some selfishness and a willingness to take internal problems to the media. So my opinion is that Culpepper is not the answer.

Joey Harrington and D.J. Shockley will compete but Harrington will get the nod. Harrington has several seasons experience starting in the NFL. He is also a passer more in the mold of what Petrino likes. Harrington has a quick delivery and moves well in the pocket. He isn’t a prototypical running quarterback like Vick but that shouldn’t hurt him in Petrino’s system.

Buffalo Bills Give up McGahee to Lean on Lynch

In a risky move, the Buffalo Bills let star running back Willis McGahee go to Baltimore and placed their running game in the hands of rookie Marshawn Lynch. Lynch was a star at Cal and runs harder between the tackles than his 5′11″ 215 pound frame suggests. He also has excellent hands and is tough to get a hold of in the open field. But it will be interesting to see if Lynch can make it work for him at the NFL level.

Former rookie of the year Anthony Thomas is presumed to start but will soon be behind Lynch on the depth chart. Thomas never did much in Chicago after his stellar rookie season. But since becoming a journey man, Thomas has put together some good performances. Thomas would love nothing more than to resurrect his career. He’ll fight to stave off Lynch. It is doubtful he’ll be successful no matter how well he plays if Lynch proves effective. Lynch was the Bills first round draft pick this year and if he can play, Thomas will be asked to step aside.

Dallas Cowboys Nab Hamlin for Help at Free Safety

Strong safety Roy Williams is a devastator to opposing offenses when he is patrolling the line of scrimmage. However, last season the Cowboys found that Williams was devastating to his own team when asked to drop into deep coverage. While he is rangy enough, he often took poor angles on the ball and ended up getting burned.

This season, Williams will be back to his bread and butter. The Cowboys acquired former Seahawk Ken Hamlin, an elite talent to compete with second year pro Patrick Watkins for the free safety position. Watkins started last season after a strong training camp where he went almost a week with a daily interception. But Watkins struggled early and battled confidence problems which led to his being benched. He resumed the starting role late in the season but failed to perform at the level he did in camp.

Hamlin is presumed to be the starter but Watkins is more than just a dark horse for this race.

Green Bay’s Life After Ahman Green

After sending Ahman Green to Houston, the Packers are looking at former Houston back up Vernand Morency and second round rookie Brandon Jackson out of Nebraska. Morency currently tops the depth chart. He averaged about 4.6 yards per carry last season as a back up and has experience in the NFL.

However, many back ups produce excellent averages in limited time. Players like Derrick Blaylock and Troy Hambrick looked great as backups. Hambrick averaged over 5 yards a carry. But once they were asked to carry a load, they failed. That is not to say that Morency falls into that mold but the job isn’t quite his to lose. He won’t get there without a fight from the Pack’s second round draft choice Brandon Jackson. Jackson came off of injury for the Cornhuskers and became a break-away threat in his last season. He has a powerful burst between the tackles despite weighing only 210 pounds.

Houston Texans …

Is Matt Schaub going to be the real deal? An excellent game against the Patriots in relief of an injured Mike Vick doesn’t hurt to convince people. But the Texans hung their hat on Schaub. No one really knows who Matt Schaub is. His first poor showing is going to draw naysayers out in droves and the Texans haven’t historically been known to protect their quarterback. Scary, scary situation for Schaub.

Indianapolis Colts Hope to Fill June’s Shoes by August

The Indianapolis decided to let several key defensive contributors go via free agency. Cornerback Nick Harper left for Tennessee and Jason David for New Orleans leaving Marlin Jackson and Kelvin Hayden to see if they can be starters. The biggest loss was weak side linebacker Cato June who left to play the same position in Tampa Bay.

Now the Colts will haev to see if Freddie Keiaho or Kieth O’Neil can step in play. Curiously, the Colts did not address the weak side position in the Draft. Is that a vote of confidence in Keiaho or O’Neil?

Will Dwayne Bowe Legitimize the Kansas City Receiving Corps?

For years, the Chiefs receiving corps struck lethargy into the hearts of opposing defenses. A few years ago, the corps was solid with Johnnie Morton and Eddie Kennison. But lately it just looks old with Kennison and those other guys. Dwayne Bowe is a smooth route runner. He lacks elite speed but has the routes and enough speed to gain separation. He is also 6′2″ and 215 pounds making him troublesome to most typical defensive backs.

However, Bowe is still a rookie. If he doesn’t contribute early, then the passing game will continue to center on Tony Gonzalez and Larry Johnson.

Colston is the New Horn. Who is the New Colston?

Seventh round draft pick Marques Colston played so well last season that he supplanted Donte Stallworth as the second receiver. The Saints sent Stallworth to Philadelphia last year and sent Joe Horn to free agency this year. Colston takes over as the number one. Who will move into the number two spot?

New Orleans is basking in this problem. They have talented young receivers in Devery Henderson and Terrence Copper who both put up huge games last season when called upon. The Saints also drafted big, fast Robert Meachem this year. Even if Meachem nurses injuries this year, the Saints are deep with young and vibrant talent at wide receiver.

Tennessee Running Back Question: The Limper, the Loafer, or the Last One on the Roster?

Why, oh why did they let Travis Henry go? Now the Titans are faced with Chris Brown, who is great when he is not in the training room. Or they can give LenDale White the job who has talent, but also has shown a poor work ethic, and spat in a teammates face last training camp he was invited to. Or they can cross their fingers and throw rookie Chris Henry into the fire.

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Now your going to say “Bill, I thought that’s what a draft is for.” But the Supplemental Draft is more like a reverse lottery for players that didn’t earn the right to be drafted in April. The downside to the supplemental draft is if you select a player you loose that corresponding selection in next year’s regular draft.

In this year’s class, 11 players were available to be selected. Maryland offensive tackle Jared Gaither was believed to be the most talented of the available players. Therefore, it was no surprise that he would be selected with the next to last pick in the 5th round by The Baltimore Ravens. Ozzie Newsome, the Ravens GM, feels Gaither could have a long NFL career ahead of him. Newsome is willing to take a risk, given Gaither’s prior issues in the classroom and off the field.

The Chargers needed some additional defensive backfield help, so they selected Georgia’s Paul Oliver with their 28th pick in the 4th round. Although Oliver was not the best of the 3 available defensive backs, he will bolster a needy chargers defense.

This marks the first time in 9 years (1998) that more then one player was chosen in the supplemental draft. With Scouting becoming more advanced over the last 2+ decades, GM’s and personnel men must look to every avenue to acquire the needed talent to fill out their rosters. The remaining 9 players are able to be signed as unrestricted free agents after this Sunday.

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This move would seem to be suicide on the part of Kansas City but K.C. has appeared to be reluctant in resigning Johnson to a longterm contract. If they were able to acquire Julius Jones from the Cowboys and perhaps a draft pick or five it would make sense from a monetary standpoint. Remember, journeyman Damon Huard will probably start the season at QB but at some point this year or next will give way to third round pick Brodie Croyle. However this is a presumption on my part as Head Coach Herm Edwards has stated throughout the offseason that the quarterback position is “up for grabs.”

If the team concludes (as they should) that this is a rebuilding year it makes sense to part with the soon to be very expensive LJ. Do you remember the expression “rode hard and put away wet”? In the last two seasons LJ carried the ball 752 times. In a game where the average players’ career averages three and half years LJ certainly has high miles. “And what”, may you ask, “Do you do with a high mileage vehicle?” Most people would agree that you should trade it in.

I would drive it till the wheels fell off.

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“Awww, Bubbie. I’m sowwy. We didn’t mean it. Come on back?”

The fact remains that a grown man who was on final notice from his head coach, general manager, and the NFL Commissioner, consumed alcoholic beverages and decided to drive. I’m not saying anything more should happen to him. But he forced Bears General Manager Jerry Angelo and Head Coach Lovie Smith to make good on their word. Even if they didn’t want to waive Johnson, they publicly stated there would be zero tolerance for brushes with the law. Zero tolerance. What else could happen?

To Johnson’s credit, I have read no accounts or statements issued from him or anyone in his camp proclaiming his innocence and trumpeting the fact that he’d been wronged. To the contrary, when the Bears released him, he was very classy about it. Said he understood why it had to be that way. Thanked the organization for the support they had given him in the past. I’m not mad at Tank. I’m not even convinced that he is a bad person. But I also know that he is a grown man who is responsible for keeping himself out of any situation that poses a risk. He neglected to do that. He got exactly what he was told would come to him.

Message boards and blogs are blaring right now with fans saying the Bears unfairly waived the guy. They should have waited for the toxicology report to come back. They executed an innocent man. But these fans are being a little short sighted. Anyone remember the two weapons charges? The history of marijuana possession? The altercation that resulted in the shooting death of his friend and body guard? Most relevant, does anyone remember the zero tolerance ultimatum that was issued?

The Bears reaction was not knee jerk. The Bears supported Johnson through a lot of embarrassing legal issues. Finally, they drew a line in the sand. Johnson crossed that line. End of story.

There is a positive in all of this. Johnson’s arrest did not result in charges. The fact that his blood alcohol content was .072, 8/100ths below the legal limit, may mean that while he violated his trust agreement with the Bears, he did not technically break the law in terms of DUI. He did get pulled over for speeding but was not cited. Therefore, he may not receive a lifetime ban from NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell.

There are rumors that the Dallas Cowboys among other teams are interested in Johnson. I would be surprised if the Cowboys rumor was true. I’d be surprised if Johnson got a chance on a roster this season unless a team experiences a rash of injuries during training camp and absolutely needs a body.

But as long as Goodell doesn’t see fit to ban Johnson, he has a shot at fixing his life and rejuvenating his career next season. To do so, he’ll not only have to keep his nose clean. He’ll have to stay in shape. He’ll have to exhibit the kind of discipline that illustrates he is trying to change. And maybe, the Tank will have another shot.

Culpepper’s grievance hearing was pushed back to July 18. That is just 10 days before many teams, including the Jacksonville Jaguars, possibly Culpepper’s only suitors, go to training camp. Arbitrator John Feerick, who heard Steve McNair’s grievance last season, took two weeks to deliberate before finally ruling in McNair’s favor. If Feerick takes the same amount of time just to rule, as he is expected to do, then Culpepper would need Feerick to rule in his favor. He would then have to find a team that wanted him and begin negotiating a contract.

Since Culpepper is under contract to the Dolphins, a team negotiating a deal as if he were a free agent would violate NFL tampering rules. So Culpepper cannot have such a deal in place until the arbitrator rules in his favor … IF the arbitrator rules in his favor.

Let’s take a look at the situation from a strictly mathematical position. IF the July 18 hearing happens, and IF the arbitrator rules in Culpepper’s favor he can begin moving forward with a contract negotiation. IF the arbitrator rules in ten days or less and Culpepper and the team can agree to terms in time for training camp, Culpepper would have a legitimate shot at going to a training camp and competing for a job. IF Culpepper can find a suitor that is looking for someone to compete for a starting job then he might find the situation and contract figure he is fighting so doggedly for.

Basic mathematics. Basic rules governing probability. The more times an “if” is required to direct events to a favorable outcome, the more odds exponentially stack against you. Complicating Culpepper’s equation is the constant of time. He doesn’t have enough. There is a chance that the arbitrator won’t rule in his favor and thereby negate the rest of the hypothetical.

Here’s where the situation gets worse for Culpepper. Because he has refused to allow himself to be marketed as a trade, he has put himself into a situation where even if he restructured his deal to facilitate a trade, who would take him now?

This late in the off season, most rosters are more or less solidified for the start of training camps. Teams have already decided how they are going to approach their quarterback mix. They don’t want a player coming in with injury questions complicating their quarterback situation. They certainly don’t want to pay another team for that player.

Even possible suitor Jacksonville has shown that they aren’t interested in a trade. And why would they say otherwise? Jacksonville loses nothing if the arbitrator rules against Culpepper. They already have two experienced quarterbacks competing for the starting job. So why pay the Dolphins for him?

The Dolphins don’t care. Unlike the Steve McNair grievance last season where the Titans barred McNair from team facilities, the Dolphins allow Culpepper to continue to use the facilities to rehab his knee. Where the Titans violated McNair’s contract, the Dolphins have not. So how likely is it that the arbitrator will rule against them? They’ve honored their contract and paid Culpepper. It makes fiscal sense to try to get at least a late draft pick for him. So carry him into camp and see what happens. If they lose the grievance, then best of luck Daunte. If they win, they continue to dangle him until they get something for him. But why let him go for nothing unless they absolutely have to? And that would happen late in training camp when first or second cuts came around. By then, who wants a high-priced quarterback who has played in 11 games in two years?

Culpepper’s chances of making the active roster anywhere this season are slimming with each tick of the clock. Culpepper should eliminate the ifs. Restructure his contract and dangle himself as trade bait. It may suck for a guy who was staring at millions a year last season to sign a back=up’s contract for back-up money and no chance at starting this season. But how much more would he like to sit at home inactive making teams more and more uncertain if he’ll ever return to form? At least as a back up there’s always that chance.

Restructure and you’ll have the Dolphin’s blessings to seek a trade right now. Do it Daunte. It’s basic math.

While I applaud the commitment the NFL has to broaden the appeal of American rules football worldwide I have to say I’m a little disappointed that NFL Europa will no longer exist. While I admit that seldom do I actually watch a game I am an avid reader and enjoy the articles written about prospective talent. It is a shame that players on the fence talent-wise will no longer have this avenue to hone their skills. Both the players and their respective teams can only view this development in a negative light.

However, when it’s all said and done it was just a business decision. The league was losing approximately thirty million dollars a season. Pretty easy math:

NFL Europa= -30 million

-NFL Europa= 30 million.

Figure it out.