Starting soon....I'll update it as Big Red speaks...
Injuries:
Akers had MRI this morning -- complaining of sorenes is another area of the hamstring. David has a TORN HAMSTRING and it was lower than the original area. David will not kick this weekend. They will have to make a roster move soon. Didn't say he was out for the year yet.
McNabb - has a shin contusion. His chest started hurting after Sapp hit him in the back. He is still sore today. His lower abdomen is sore...no worse than what it was though.
Owens - still feeling soreness in his lower ab area..no worse than what it was a little better than last week.
Juqua Thomas - knee strain...thought it was a cartiledge tear but is was not
Walker has a "sustantial" thigh contusion. It is bleeding a lot internally. He took a knee to the thigh on Friday. They'll have to see how it goes the rest of this week.
Rod Hood - slight hamstring spasm yesterday, OK today
Akers - soreness in different area of hamstring. MRI today = torn hamstring, most likely out for this Sunday..
DMac - shin contusion, chest hurts again after Sapp hit, abdomin is still sore, no worse than yesterday
TO - still soreness in abdomin, no worse than yesterday
Juqua Thomas - knee strain, no tear
Darwin Walker - substantial thigh contusion
Rod Hood - hamstring spasm, not a big problem
damn, Phreak beat me
Rest of the stuff:
Credits the fans for making so much noise that contributed to Raider motion penaalties.
Need to knock off the penalties. Cannot have that. Must be a good football team and eliminate them.
Gives the Raiders credit as he always does..says they have a good team and once they get going they'll be a nice team.
They will see how Donovan does tomorrow and Wednesday. He should be fine for Sunday...
he was asked if Akers could be out 3-6 weeks and Reid said that they do not know if it'll be that long yet but he will miss this week.
Todd France will be the kicker in hsi absence.
Reid is worried about Donny's chest because it keeps reoccuring. They have to get it settled down. The shin will be fine, but they have to get the ab and chest feeling right this week.
Akers' tear is not extreme, but it is enough to be concerned.
It happened on the opening kickoff
They were going to activate France but David was doing so well in pre-game and the medical opinions were supportive to allow him to kick.
It is is a different spot from the original injury he suffered against the 49ers
Suposedly the new injury was not related to the old injury
Quote from: PhillyPhreak54 on September 26, 2005, 12:11:22 PM
Akers' tear is not extreme, but it is enough to be concerned.
It happened on the opening kickoff
They were going to activate France but David was doing so well in pre-game and the medical opinions were supportive to allow him to kick.
It is is a different spot from the original injury he suffered against the 49ers
Suposedly the new injury was not related to the old injury
i find that hard to believe, but that's neither here nor there
Right now they will not seek any other opinions on Donovan's abdominal injury. They believe they have it right but a 2nd opinion could come later.
This will not affect him all year necessarily
As of today they are not considering shutting him down.
Reid is not worried about the 4-man pass rush
And that's all folks...
Quote from: Sun_Mo on September 26, 2005, 12:12:04 PM
Quote from: PhillyPhreak54 on September 26, 2005, 12:11:22 PM
Akers' tear is not extreme, but it is enough to be concerned.
It happened on the opening kickoff
They were going to activate France but David was doing so well in pre-game and the medical opinions were supportive to allow him to kick.
It is is a different spot from the original injury he suffered against the 49ers
Suposedly the new injury was not related to the old injury
i find that hard to believe, but that's neither here nor there
So do I, but that's what Reid said. So who knows...
the good thing here is that he will not be out for the year.
Let's say he's out 6 weeks...I can deal with that in order to have him in crunch time
why does he even hold pressers...just issue a mass fax on injuries and start preparing for the next week
Quote from: Sun_Mo on September 26, 2005, 12:12:04 PMi find that hard to believe, but that's neither here nor there
It depends on how you relate it. I suspect that Akers was trying to "protect" the area that was already sore, and that, in turn, put undue pressure on another part of the hammy. So while this new issue isn't directly connected to the old injury, it came about as a result of it.
Overcompensating for an injured part of your body will usually cause injury to another part.
Exactly. So while they're not related, they are related.
Quote from: Susquehanna Birder on September 26, 2005, 12:44:55 PM
Exactly. So while they're not related, they are related.
I agree...but I think Reid meant it wasn't the same thing he was hampered with all week.
thanks for the recap, Phreak.
Anyone know anything about this France guy?
I usually don't worry much, but I am absolutely paranoid about McNabb. I don't have a good feeling about all of his little injuries.
Quote from: Susquehanna Birder on September 26, 2005, 12:44:55 PM
Exactly. So while they're not related, they are related.
no, that means they are related, but that's semanitcs. if i hear an injury is unrelated, to me it means he sustained that injury totally independent of the previous injury. but if he sustained the injury for overcompensation of the 1st one, that means they are related because 1 caused the other.
but like i said, it's all semantics.
Quote from: Syracuse on September 26, 2005, 01:36:39 PM
Anyone know anything about this France guy?
They give off offensive odors, drink dry wine, and eat colored cheeses.
Quote from: Die-Hard on September 26, 2005, 01:57:03 PM
Quote from: Syracuse on September 26, 2005, 01:36:39 PM
Anyone know anything about this France guy?
They give off offensive odors, drink dry wine, and eat colored cheeses.
Sounds like a Raiders fan.
Quote from: Susquehanna Birder on September 26, 2005, 12:44:55 PM
Exactly. So while they're not related, they are related.
Like married people in Kentucky.
Quote from: Syracuse on September 26, 2005, 01:36:39 PM
Anyone know anything about this France guy?
I usually don't worry much, but I am absolutely paranoid about McNabb. I don't have a good feeling about all of his little injuries.
He was among the final cuts from the Bucs this year. It was a camp battle between him and Matt Bryant. I was talking w/ a co-worker yesterday (a Bucs fan) and he said he liked France... and he figures the Bucs kept Bryant over him because of experience. Said it was a really tough call. France also had a really good year over in NFLE this past summer where I believe he was the top rated kicker over there.
Sounds like he can be serviceable for a few weeks so we won't have to rush Akers back.
Quote from: EagleFeva on September 26, 2005, 03:41:14 PM
Quote from: Syracuse on September 26, 2005, 01:36:39 PM
Anyone know anything about this France guy?
I usually don't worry much, but I am absolutely paranoid about McNabb. I don't have a good feeling about all of his little injuries.
He was among the final cuts from the Bucs this year. It was a camp battle between him and Matt Bryant. I was talking w/ a co-worker yesterday (a Bucs fan) and he said he liked France... and he figures the Bucs kept Bryant over him because of experience. Said it was a really tough call. France also had a really good year over in NFLE this past summer where I believe he was the top rated kicker over there.
Sounds like he can be serviceable for a few weeks so we won't have to rush Akers back.
Thanks.
Didn't France kick with the Gints in preseason last year...I think he almost knocked the 1 & 2 kickers out of a job as he was perfect (as the #3 guy) in preseason ;)
Inside the Huddle - Todd France
May 26, 2005
By Henry Hodgson
NFL Europe
Hamburg Sea Devils kicked Todd France is on the verge of rewriting the record books in NFL Europe. With two weeks left to play in the 2005 season, France is already the holder of a new league record for the most field goal attempts in a season, and has moved within touching distance of a handful of other all-time marks.
France has converted 22 of 29 field goals (54 long) and 14 of 14 PATs this season for a league-leading points haul of 82. That puts him on the verge of breaking single season records set by Barcelona Dragons kicker Scott Szeredy in 1995. Szeredy was the holder of the single season record for field goals attempted (27) until France broke it against Berlin in Week 8, and still holds the marks for field goals made in a season (23) and points scored (85).
France needs to convert two field goals in the final two games to make the field goals made record his own, which in turn would give him the single season points record.
"It is funny how this season has turned out for me," admits the Tampa Bay Buccaneers allocated kicker. "In the first game of the year I had six attempts, which is the most I have ever had in a game. I just assumed that was a freak thing, but it actually dictated kind of how things have gone this season. I had six attempts again two games ago, and four last week."
The Sea Devils own the league's highest redzone scoring rate in NFL Europe, getting points on 92% of their trips inside the 20-yard line. Unlike every other team, however, the majority of those points have been field goals rather than touchdowns – with a 9-13 touchdown to field goal ratio.
"I keep hoping for opportunities," admits France. "Fortunately we have been able to win some games, but unfortunately we have also lost more than I think we should have too. The priority now is to win our next two and have a chance to make it to a championship."
France's success has not only come inside the redzone. The strong-legged kicker has nailed two kicks of over 50 yards this season – worth four points in NFL Europe, and 8 of 11 from over 40 yards.
"Coach Bicknell has let me try the long ones, and I have played for coaches in the past who have been skeptical about that kind of thing because they are hard to make, and if you miss you hand over good field position," France explains. "He has shown his faith in me so far, and hopefully that will continue."
Bicknell's faith in France has been repaid by the league's top points scorer, who has had a hand in all four of the team's victories this season.
"Todd is a very solid and consistent kicker," said head coach Jack Bicknell. "He practices hard and when game time comes he's ready to perform. We are very happy to have had him on our squad this season."
The 2005 campaign is France's second stint in NFL Europe, having spent the 2003 season with the Rhein Fire. That season he made it to World Bowl XI, where he ended up on the losing side, but did manage to kick a 39-yard field goal in their 35-16 loss to the Frankfurt Galaxy. He enjoyed his first experience in the league, and it was an easy decision to return when offered the chance by the Buccaneers. In his eyes, this Hamburg Sea Devils team is a more accomplished and exciting squad to play for.
"It is a different type of season, and I have to say I am having a much better time over here this time around," he admits. "A lot of that has to do with having a better personal season, but also I am surrounded by a great group of guys and our team chemistry is a lot better. It would be disappointing for me if we don't make World Bowl this time, but I am taking away a lot of great experiences too.
"I really wanted to go to the team that would give me the best opportunity. I know Düsseldorf well, but I was hoping to be on a good team that would let me get good experience and win some games."
One of the major differences between kicking in the league then and now is the lack of national kickers. Until this year every NFL Europe team had a national kicker, who would attempt all kicks under 30 yards and all PATs. That meant less opportunities for an American kicker to shine.
"Having national kickers on the scene was understandable in the way that it promoted the game to the locals, but it did not necessarily make it easy for the American kickers that came over here," says France. "Two years ago I only had nine attempts in 11 games, and there would be some games where you would only get to kick off. By the time you got in it was tough to get in a rhythm, and you were only making long field goal attempts, so your percentage would go way down and it was really frustrating."
With additional opportunities for kickers to excel, France believes that the league will produce more NFL specialists of the caliber of Pro Bowlers David Akers (Berlin 1999) and Adam Vinatieri (Amsterdam 1996) – both NFL Europe graduates.
"It is a great situation for us over here, especially without the national kicker rule in place. For the longest time, though, NFL Europe has been a great league for guys like me to come in and show the professional coaches that we are capable of competing at this level and getting us more experience to make a squad back home. I think NFL Europe accelerates that process."
Earning a kicking spot in the NFL without that path through NFL Europe can be a tough job, with the naturally conservative demeanor of NFL head coaches limiting opportunities for young kickers to prove themselves on that stage. More often than not an NFL coach will side with an older, experienced kicker ahead of one fresh from college, no matter whether the younger one has out-kicked the veteran in practice and camp.
"There are a lot of teams that just won't even consider a guy like me who does not have experience kicking in the NFL," France says. "You can look at it both ways – maybe they are missing out on an opportunity, but at the same time they are playing safe and going with a guy who they know will make you a high percentage of kicks. I have heard some stories about guys who feel that they have kicked as well or better than the veteran, but don't get the job and were not given the fair chance because of who they are and their lack of experience at the professional level."
"There are coaches out there, though, who will take a risk and give guys like me who have been out of college for a few years another chance at it, and I am hoping that I get that chance this year with Tampa."
The opportunity that France has to make it in training camp with the Buccaneers has been a long time coming for the Toledo graduate. France is the all-time leading points scorer among kickers in MAC history with 320 in his career with the Rockets, and was a Lou Groza award nominee as a senior. However, the 25-year old never imagined he would get an opportunity to pursue football as a profession.
"It has been a long road, and one that when I came out of college I never expected to follow," he says. "I came out from Toledo thinking that I would try out for one year and see what happened, but after being released from Minnesota in my first training camp the head coach told me that I would get a chance to play over here. I really wanted to see and experience Europe, and this gave me the opportunity to continue my football career, and hopefully get a chance to make it next season. I didn't win a job after my last time out here, but year on year I find myself saying 'one more time, next year it will happen for me'. I think last year with the Giants was my best opportunity, and I had a pretty good preseason, but I guess it was not enough, because I still got cut."
After almost winning the Giants job, France reapplied himself, and wound up being signed by the Buccaneers. The Bucs have ranked last in the NFL in field goal accuracy the past two seasons, and went through two kickers in the 2004 season, releasing both Martin Gramatica and Jay Taylor after inconsistent performances. France will compete with Matt Bryant – another NFL Europe grad who was with Frankfurt in 2002. Ironically, Bryant and France went head to head in training camp for the Giants job in 2004, and both players tried out for the Miami Dolphins midway through last season when Olindo Mare went down with an injury. This time, however, it looks like being a straight head to head battle for the job, rather than the multiple kicker contests he has found himself in in the past.
France will compete with Matt Bryant for the Buccaneers kicking job. (waynepaulo.com)
"I am used to three man competitions in the past, but it looks like it will be between me and Matt Bryant," Bryant says. "He is a good kicker who I know from last summer in New York, so I am hoping for a fair shot, and we will see how things work out."
Like many kickers, France started out playing soccer before turning his hand – or foot – to football.
"I started playing soccer at the age of four with my two elder bothers. I watched my oldest brother change to football as a senior in high school, and I did the same," he says. "I was able to get a college scholarship which helped me pay for my education and which I am very grateful for. Hopefully I can continue to make a career out of it."
If he does make a career out of it – and on recent evidence there is no doubt that he can – France has one secret that he perhaps should not admit to Tampa Bay head coach John Gruden or too many of his teammates.
"I am a much bigger soccer fan than a football fan," France laughs. "Truthfully I have never really played football, I don't know any plays or schemes or defenses or anything like that. I have a pretty simple job to do and I just go out and do it as well as I can. Most of the time I would really rather be playing soccer!"
OK, I'm all good with France.
22 of 29 isn't that good.
He may not even be used to tough weather conditions either. I'd prefer Cundiff if he's healthy and I think he is.
GET CUNDIFF!!
Quote from: Avenger on September 26, 2005, 04:25:39 PM
22 of 29 isn't that good.
He may not even be used to tough weather conditions either. I'd prefer Cundiff if he's healthy and I think he is.
GET CUNDIFF!!
You're right... he only played in Germany. There's no kind of rain/wind over there. ;)
As long as France can do decent on kickoffs and hit the occassional 20-35 yard FGs and EPs then we'll be fine. It's not like Akers was kicking all that well even when he was healthy. It's encouraging that France wants to play in the NFL, this will more or less be a tryout for him and could make or break his career...he'll want to do well :yay
or snow
but they play in domes out in NFL Europe. You know how those nancy boy euros are with their god damn tea cups.
Quote from: Avenger on September 26, 2005, 04:34:22 PM
or snow
but they play in domes out in NFL Europe.
I take it you've never actually
watched an NFLE game.
I haven't missed a game to date.
Quote from: Avenger on September 26, 2005, 04:34:22 PM
or snow
but they play in domes out in NFL Europe. You know how those nancy boy euros are with their god damn tea cups.
Domes? Are you sure?
Quote from: Avenger on September 26, 2005, 10:45:16 PM
I haven't missed a game to date.
Then unless that was some attempt at humor I assume you know that they don't play in domes.
Quote from: Jerome99RIP on September 26, 2005, 02:49:20 PM
Quote from: Susquehanna Birder on September 26, 2005, 12:44:55 PM
Exactly. So while they're not related, they are related.
Like married people in Kentucky.
Or shagging your step sister. ;D :paranoid
Who blamed Roger Ruzak.