Tough Road to Success - Demaryius Thomas

As you all know, Demaryius Thomas was the first receiver picked the 2010 draft. This Denver Broncos rookie has the size and talent to upgrade the Broncos passing game. Maybe his strongest trait is his maturity and focus. In a recent article, we find out that Demaryius could have ended up like many outcasts in our society. His family life was initially full of drugs and strangers with crack pipes entering his house. Lindsay H. Jones, of the Denver Post, provides a peek behind the curtain, so to speak, of this young man's journey from Montrose, Georgia to soon becoming a Denver Bronco and playing in the NFL.

Broncos rookie receiver Demaryius Thomas has run a tough route to success

It is a deeply moving story about this young man's ability to overcome seeing his mother and grandmother sent to prison at the age of 12, finding stability with extended family, and growing up to be successful in life and football. Take the opportunity to read the complete article because it will (or may if you are manly man . . . LOL) a tear to your eye and warmth to your heart.

Regardless of you are rooting for in the AFC West, this story brings positive energy about a man, who just happens to be a football player. DT will be success in life . . . period. We Broncos fans just hope he can be a success in Denver for years to come!

FORGOTTEN HEROES!

THE LAST COUPLE OF YEARS THERE HAVE BEEN MANY NAMES MENTIONED WHEN TALKING HOF , MEN WHO JUST SEEM TO BE OVER LOOKED ! AT THIS TIME I WOULD LIKE TO BRING UP ONE FORGOTTEN HERO . BORN TO BLIND PARENTS THIS MAN BECAME A HIESMAN TROPHY WINNER AND WEATHERED A LONG ROAD UNTIL GIVEN A CHANCE BY AL DAVIS WHEN THE STARTING JOB CAME HE LED THE SILVER AND BLACK TO TWO SUPERBOWL VICTORIES . IF YOU CHECK HIS STATS THERE WORKMAN LIKE FOR HIS CARRER BUT WHEN GIVEN THE TOOLS THIS MAN PROVED TO BE A LEADER OF MEN AND A CLASS ACT ! SO I SAY AFTER AIR CORYELL IS INDUCTED AND IF THERE LOOKING FOR THAT THROW BACK PLAYER TO INDUCT LET IT BE JIM PLUNKETT !! WHEN TALKING STABLER I OFTEN GET CHARACTER ISSUES IS WHY , WITH BROWN HE SHOULD BE A NO BRAINER , BUT THIS CAST AWAY AL DAVIS PUT ON THE ROSTER CAME THRU BIG TIME ! JUST MY THOUGHTS . WHO DO YOU THINK IS THAT JOURNEYMAN GUY WHO SHOULD BE INSHRINED ??

WHY NO CELEBRATION ?

FROM BILLY WHITE SHOES FUNKY LIKE CHICKEN TOO CHAD (IM GOING TO CHANGE MY NAME AGAIN )OCHO CINCOS RIVER DANCE TOO MAYBE THE SHOW STOPPER HIMSELF T. OWENS I ASK , WHAT THE FLIPPIN HELL IS WRONG WITH THE CELEBRATION !!?? WHEN A MAN SCORES CANT HE DANCE ?? YES I SAY HE CAN ! EVEN BACK IN MY DAY WHEN I HIT THE END ZONE IT WAS TIME TO CELEBRATE (GET MINE ) ! SO I STAND HERE ASKING WHAT LIGITAMATE REASON CAN YOU GIVE THIS LOYAL FAN OF THE END ZONE SCHUFFLE HOW IS IT DISTRACTING ! IF ITS IN THE END ZONE AND ITS NOT IN BAD TASTE I SAY DO THE CELL CALL HOME , A FAKE PUT IS OK BY ME ! PROPS MIGHT BE EXCESSIVE BUT UNLESS ITS IN BAD TASTE WHY FINE ?? I SAY TO CELEBRATE IN THE END ZONE IS EARNED ! BRING BACK THE CELEBRATION !! MAYBE I DONT UNDERSTAND THE RULE ? MAYBE THE DANCE IS JUST A DYING FAD AND ITS JUST PART OF MY MIDDLE AGE HISTORY ? IF SO THAN I SAY FAREWELL DEAR FRIEND AND THANKS FOR THE ENTERTAINMENT AS I WILL LOOK FOWARD TO THOSE RARE TIMES YOU MAKE THE HIGHLIGHT REEL! IN CONCLUSION I SAY TO THEE,,,,,,,,, TEBOW !

Friday Fun: Stolen Chargers-Raiders Truck Found

Now here's something you don't see everyday.

Yes, it's a truck that is painted half Raiders and half Chargers. If you are like me then you're initial thought is: WTF?

Well, this is actually a feel good story. I know it may be off topic and that it's not as relevant to our humble blog as signing draft picks or restricted free agents. But I think it is still interesting.

Earlier this week this unique vehicle was stolen from its owners, Emily and Angel Cuadra, in National City. Yesterday the vehicle was spotted in Spring Valley (like it's not that hard to notice this truck from all the rest...) and returned to Emily and Angel.

Emily, the wife, is a Charger fan.

Angel, the husband, is a Raider fan.

They've been married 15 years.

Wow.

Personally, I don't know if I could be married to someone who is a Raiders' fan unless she looked like Kate Beckinsale or Jessica Biel. But props to these two... I can only imagine what their house is like on the two dates each season when the Raiders and Chargers tango.

If you want to read a little more about the story, check it out here: http://www.nbcsandiego.com/news/sports/Stolen-Chargers-Raiders-Truck-Found-99069279.html

Chiefs Ink Moeaki

4 years, $2.47mil. That's the current worth of 3rd rd pick, 6-4 250lbs TE Tony Moeaki, to the Kansas City Chiefs. Moeaki becomes the 3rd Chiefs draft pick to sign with the club.

He's probably one of the most anxiously watched rookies on the Chiefs roster. Moeaki was predicted as a 1st rd pick as early as his freshman year by some pundits. Injuries ended up costing him two rounds in this year's draft. The Kansas City faithful are hoping that the Chiefs managed to grab one of the steals of the draft with the young Iowa alum.

Moeaki was a career starter at Iowa and was named to the team's Leadership Group in 2007, 2008, and 2009. He was a 2009 All-Big Ten athlete and a semi-finalist for the John Mackey Award. He was named Permanent Captain for the 2009 season.

Known most for his blocking ability, Moeaki put on a clinic all season along against some of the top DEs in college football, including Derrick Morgan in the Orange Bowl. He also demonstrated excellent pass catching and route running, despite playing in the "3 yards and a cloud of dust" Big Ten.

He doesn't possess the natural athleticism of Tony Gonzalez, but is considered a more rounded TE with his ability to block. It would appear that he will see extended playing time and is projected to be in a battle for the starter's role with Leonard Pope and Brad Cottam.

Predictions for this season: Starter by Week 9. 15-20 receptions. 3 TDs.

Diamonds In The Rough

I got to thinking about this certain topic when someone in the ESPN AFC West blog mentioned that Tim Tebow is the hardest working person to get into the NFL. I disagreed with the poster mainly because it seems to me that Tebow came up from a healthy upbringing so he didn't have to deal with some hardships like losing family members or being homeless. And then I got to thinking, will Tebow be the hardest working person now that he is in the NFL. And to that too I disagree. It is true that Tebow will have the motivation to prove plenty of doubters wrong but imagine a player that excelled in college, showered with praise by the students, revered in his hometown, and has that feeling that 'hey maybe I will be in the nfl,' only to not have his phone ring during the days the NFL draft is held. And then the undrafted player receives a phone call to come to camp and compete for at most three spots against 20 other highly motivated undraftees. And even if they do make the cut, ever year or even every game could be their last until they have definitely proven themselves to the team. These players are the hardest working in the NFL. The biggest of them all I think is Kurt Warner, but the Chargers are littered with them most notably:

Antonio Gates. Who in my opinion will at the least end his career as #1B to Gonzo's #1A as the best tight end to play in the NFL.

Kris Dielman. Talk about coming from nowhere, Kris has been a probowler 3 of the 5 years he's started for the team.

Stephen Cooper. Not exactly the tackling machine that Donnie Edwards was, but Stephen has more and more every year taken the leadership role for the Chargers defense.

Malcolm Floyd. M80 has shown flashes of brilliance opposite of VJ, and this coming season will see how he is as the number one wideout.

Other key Chargers' undraftees: Jacques Cesaire (starter), Ogemdi Nwagbuo (starter), Mike Tolbert, Brandyn Dombrowski, Steve Gregory, David Binn, Jyles Tucker, and Antwan Applewhite.


I tried thinking about other key UFA's in the AFC West but the only ones I can really think of are Brian Waters(awesome guard) and Corey Mays of the Chiefs and Tommy Kelly and Hiram Eugene of the Raiders. I would like to include Tyler Polumbus for the Broncos, but personally I thought he played horrible filling in for Ryan Harris.

Chargers' Thoughts: Signing Ryan Mathews

As mentioned over on the ESPN AFC West blog and in Kevin Acee's S.D. Union Tribune article, Ryan Mathews is eager to get into camp and start working. He has been driving home the point that he wants to sign as quickly as possible.

Great.

Love to hear that.

But I have a hard time believing it is going to be that easy.

Here is a reason to be optimistic: (From Kevin Acee's article) "The player expected to take over for LaDainian Tomlinson as the team’s primary ball carrier has demonstrated in several conversations since the Chargers moved up 16 spots to select him 12th overall that he might be the type to sign on time. And his agent, Frank Bauer, is one of the rare agents Smith speaks to personally. According to several who were present, Smith and Bauer engaged in a lengthy conversation at Fresno State’s Pro Day this spring."

Here is reason to be pessimistic: (Again, from Acee's article) "First-rounders are always the last to sign, because of the money and more complicated contracts involved. With a possible lockout looming in 2011, the signings at the top of the draft could take even longer. If a new collective bargaining agreement is not reached, the suspicion is that the owners will lock out players on the first day of the new league year, at the beginning of March. At issue for all new contracts, including those of rookies, is when certain bonuses would be due. If, for instance, a player signs a deal with a bonus due March 15, 2011, he would not get that bonus if a lockout has already commenced."

Across the entire league, not a single first round draft pick has signed with his team. And only one 2nd round pick has been signed (Some bloke with the Jets). And we are about a week away from most teams opening up their training camps. The truth is, the water surrounding contract negotiations is murky. No one is ready to jump in cause they can't see how deep or shallow it is. I doubt we will see a lot of first round picks signing contracts anytime soon. The uncertainty of a new CBA is making owners and GM's proceed with very cautious steps.

(Kevin Acee's full article: http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/2010/jul/19/mathews-earnest-but-pragmatic/)