Newsmakers Archives | The Football Girl https://thefootballgirl.com/conversations/newsmakers/ Because Women Love Football Too Wed, 31 Jan 2018 08:16:02 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.2.2 https://thefootballgirl.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/cropped-TFG-logo-500x500-1-32x32.png Newsmakers Archives | The Football Girl https://thefootballgirl.com/conversations/newsmakers/ 32 32 211163896 Super Bowl 52 Q&A: NBC’s Michele Tafoya https://thefootballgirl.com/super-bowl-52-qa-nbcs-michele-tafoya/ Wed, 31 Jan 2018 08:16:02 +0000 https://thefootballgirl.com/?p=2458 MINNEAPOLIS – Michele Tafoya’s commute to NBC’s Super Bowl press event Tuesday at the Mall of America was minimal. The Edina, Minnesota resident calmly arrived in heels and a glittered skirt and, along with Al Michaels, Cris Collinsworth and the rest of the NBC crew, walked a red carpet strategically reminiscent of Sunday Night Football’s....

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MINNEAPOLIS – Michele Tafoya’s commute to NBC’s Super Bowl press event Tuesday at the Mall of America was minimal. The Edina, Minnesota resident calmly arrived in heels and a glittered skirt and, along with Al Michaels, Cris Collinsworth and the rest of the NBC crew, walked a red carpet strategically reminiscent of Sunday Night Football’s open.

Tafoya joined NBC in 2011 and this Sunday will mark her fourth Super Bowl as a sideline reporter (her first was with ABC in 2006). Her grace in tense moments, ability to dig for as much information on the fly as possible, and prescient questioning are some of the traits that make Tafoya the best in the business.

She took a quick break from readying for Sunday’s broadcast, which will be viewed by more than 100 million people, to talk about the intricacies of sideline reporting, whether she would want to move up to the booth, the future of football and more.

MJ: How do you judge your performance?

MT: First of all, how I feel about it. If I thought it was a good hit or standup or whatever. But then I go back and look at it with [SNF producer] Fred [Gaudelli] and with my sideline producer Michele Froman. There are times when you think ‘That was good’ and Michele might say ‘You know it would have been even better had you flip-flopped those two phrases and that phrase had come before that phrase.’ I’ll think that she’s right.

I beat myself up a lot, but in an instance like that I won’t. I’ll think it was something to think about. I think I had that gut feeling right before I did the report and I’ll take the time to do it right the next time. We evaluate every single week and pick it apart so it’s hard. I hate watching myself on camera. I hate listening to myself. But you got to do it to improve.




MJ: When you’re preparing for the Patriots who have been in the Super Bowl so frequently, how do you keep the reporting fresh?

MT: That’s incumbent upon all of us, Guys like Brady and Belichick, we’ll be in a group meeting with them. Al, Cris, Fred, [SNF director] Drew Esocoff and me in the meeting and you’re always looking for something new and fresh, like you said. But when it comes to a game like this, it’s so much what you see on the field. There will be gadget plays in this thing. How are they going to counter Fletcher Cox in this situation? I think Cris and our cameras and everyone who watches film all week long do a great job. Now how do we make it relatable to the fans so you know that this matchup at left tackle is so important in that moment? And make it real for the audience. Or pointing out that the wide receiver made the block down the field to make that TD happen. So it’s all that preparation.

MJ: No matter the final score the ending of the Super Bowl is always mass pandemonium. What’s your postgame strategy?

MT: I am preparing for a variety of interview scenarios. I’m still trying to watch the game because something crazy could happen that you want to integrate into your interview. I’m writing. I’m thinking about how I’m going to frame a question. What’s the best way to go about this? What elephant in the room do I have to acknowledge at this moment? And it’s game to game. There’s a a lot of mental gymnastics trying to figure out how to do this absolutely perfectly to make it worthy of a Super Bowl broadcast and also leave the player engaged or the coach engaged.

MJ: This week you are being celebrated by Secret as the first female to win a sports Emmy. Within the ad you talk about how you don’t want to be known by your gender. How do you massage the two?

MT: It shocks me when I hear a young woman think I’m a pioneer. I’m not the pioneer here, Lesley Visser is. Robin Roberts is. I’m just following their path. I’ve just tried to stay true to me and it’s taken me many years to learn. I don’t care if you’re a writer, on TV or whatever you’re doing. You have to like what you’re doing and how you’re presenting yourself.

If there are young ladies out there, I also hope there are young men out there that say, ‘She’s really good at this, maybe I can do it.’ I grew up learning from Bob Costas and Dan Patrick and Al Michaels and Jim Nantz and those were the guys I watched. I would hope that just because I’m a woman up there I’m not doing something that anyone can’t model.

MJ: The NFL is having a Women’s Summit on Friday and will lend voice to the accomplishment of women. When should we just allow women to be integrated as coaches and scouts without drawing attention?

MT: When there are firsts, you have to acknowledge them. When you have a first female official or a first coach, it’s historic because this one is going in the books. She will be the first. There will never be another first. But I’m not a fan of identity politics. I’m not a fan of saying, ‘I’m a women, but therefore.’ I’m a fan of saying, ‘I’m a reporter, so therefore.’ That’s the way I like to approach it and that’s the way I’ve always approached it.

I think that has worked to my advantage. Because I’ve never thought I’m just competing with the women at this table. I’m competing with every reporter in the room. Every guy should feel that way about all the smart women that are out there. You’re not competing as men and women, you’re completing as reporters. I don’t like saying, ‘I’m a Hispanic and I’m a female and look at how great this is for me.’ I say, “’I’m Michele Tafoya. My mom is Wilma, My dad was Orlando. I have a brother and three sisters. I have two kids and a husband and this is what I do for a living. This is who I want to be.’

MJ: Since we are talking female firsts, Beth Mowins became the first woman to call a nationally televised NFL game this season. Have you every thought of making the switch to the booth?

MT: Yes, I’ve thought about it. I’ve also thought that I work with the greatest play-by-play announcer in the world in Al Michaels. I’ve thought that if I can’t be the greatest in the world, I don’t want to do it. I don’t want to climb Kilimanjaro. I don’t want to jump out of a plane. I don’t want to try and be Al Michaels because I’ll never achieve it. Right now, I’m just trying to be the best at what I do.

I think it would be fun. I’ve done play-by-play for basketball, both men’s and women’s. I’d love to do an NBA game because that was the first sport I played. But now I love my crew so much. I have such high esteem for them that I just wouldn’t see myself anywhere else.

MJ: Your NBC colleague Bob Coastas is not here today after expressing his ambivalence about football. How do you feel about football?

MT: I love the game. I’ve always loved the game. The NFL is doing so much to find safer ways to play this game. I know that bothers some people because they love the hits and the speed and the sounds. I also believe that every player walking onto a football field knows what he is signing up for and has always known that this is a dangerous game from the time they played peewee. I’ve talked to players that say, ‘I don’t care, I want to play this game.’ I love that passion. I do love the game. So we’re going to present the best way we know how in this existence and I don’t have any ambivalence about doing that.

MJ: NFL ratings were down across the board this season. Why do you think that is and what needs to happen to get an upward trajectory?

MT: The landscape of viewing things is different. I have two kids and I watch the way they watch stuff and it’s completely different with how I watch things. There are all these platforms that people are going off to and that has changed the landscape dramatically. I really think that’s a big part of it. I do think there were some fans that were disgruntled with the anthem protests and the way they showed it was to turn off the TV.

I still believe it’s a great game, it’s a beautiful game, and it’s an exiting game. Television ratings are down across the bard. This is not exclusive to the NFL. I’ll tell you this, we’re still the highest rated show on television People still love football and they’re going to watch and Super Bowl is this live occasion for people to come together and you can’t replicate that anywhere else.

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10 Questions with Steelers WR JuJu Smith-Schuster https://thefootballgirl.com/juju-smith-schuster-steelers/ Thu, 16 Nov 2017 18:45:44 +0000 https://thefootballgirl.com/?p=2133 The origin of JuJu Smith-Schuster’s name is almost as fascinating as his spectacular rookie season. “My actual name is John, so it went from John to JoJo, then kinda went from Choo Choo as a train, and then JuJu stuck, and since then, it’s been my name my whole life,” Smith-Schuster told Steelers.com. “Coaches, friends,....

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The origin of JuJu Smith-Schuster’s name is almost as fascinating as his spectacular rookie season.

“My actual name is John, so it went from John to JoJo, then kinda went from Choo Choo as a train, and then JuJu stuck, and since then, it’s been my name my whole life,” Smith-Schuster told Steelers.com. “Coaches, friends, teammates and teachers call me JuJu.”

Not only that but JuJu was simply JuJu Smith until 2015 when he added his stepfather’s name.

In a little over half a season, JuJu Smith-Schuster has become a household name for Steelers fans, social media consumers and fantasy owners alike.

At 20, Smith-Schuster is currently the NFL’s youngest player – he turns 21 on November 22nd – and his youthful exuberance has electrified the NFL. The second round pick has not only produced with five touchdowns and 521 receiving yards as part as a wide receiver corps that includes Antonio Brown and Martinis Bryant but he’s turned scoring into an art form. Along with  Brown, Le’Veon Brown and others, Smith-Schuster has helped orchestrate some of the league’s most creative touchdown celebrations.

His playful, carefree attitude has attracted a wide audience. Smith-Schuster’s @TeamJuJu Twitter audience of over 250,000 followed along as he reacted to his bike being stolen and then recovered, and more recently as he earned his driver’s license.

The former USC wideout recently launched a YouTube channel that already has over 20,000 subscribers (count us as one!) In an league always embroiled in controversy, Smith-Schuster is a refreshing bright spot.  He plays with such infectious joy and relishes his platform so much that Ravens fans aside, it’s almost impossible not to be Team JuJu.   We recently had a chance to ask Schuster about his social media presence, what he’d change about the NFL, his toughest opponent to date and more.

 


MJ: When you were drafted by Pittsburgh in the second round cameras stayed on you for almost two minutes because it was such an emotional scene. What was going through your head?

JSS: Honestly, I was just shocked. I didn’t really think I was going to be drafted here so when I got that call and realized it was Pittsburgh, I thought, ‘man, this is a blessing.’

MJ: How important was it for you and your development to come into a high-end franchise like Pittsburgh?

JSS: It was very important. I thought when you come in you have to produce for your team and to be able to get on the field early, you have to make plays. Me being young and all the negativity I got [coming out of college] that’s what I had to prove.

MJ: What has surprised you most about the NFL?

JSS: How much respect everyone has for each other. Not only that but the work ethic, how everyone worries about their business. You see different routines from people.

MJ: The hide and seek celebration was a classic. Describe the process of orchestrating these group celebrations. 

JSS: For that one [hide and seek] we had a meeting right before the game and then we did it, which worked out perfectly. For our celebrations we’ll probably meet the day before or the night before and just go over it.

MJ: Given your massive social media following, what is your expert opinion on the best thing about social media?

JSS: The best thing is that you can grow your brand and everything else.

MJ: The worst?

JSS:  You say one wrong thing and it’s on there forever.

MJ: What’s your favorite social media network and why? 

JSS: Snapchat because it comes and goes and you can see what people are doing instantly.

MJ: What is the one thing you’d change about the NFL if you could?

JSS: Probably more team bonding activity stuff or actually if you could do offseason 7-on-7 and travel the world or something like that.

MJ: What is the toughest secondary you’d faced this season?

JSS: I’ve played against a lot of good ones. I’d probably have to say the better defenses we’ve played are the Jaguars and the Bengals.

MJ: Any big plans for your big 21st birthday?

JSS: No, probably have dinner with the guys and see where we go from there.

 

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Podcast: Bob Dorfman, Baker Street Advertising https://thefootballgirl.com/podcast-bob-dorfman-baker-street-advertising/ Mon, 08 Feb 2010 21:32:01 +0000 /?p=974 If you want to talk advertising, there’s no one better than Bob Dorfman, the Executive Creative Director of Baker Street Partners in San Francisco.  And so I did.  In this podcast, we discuss the advertising futures of Drew Brees and Peyton Manning.  Has the “Manning Monopoly” been broken?  Bob also explains why Sean Payton is still a ways....

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If you want to talk advertising, there’s no one better than Bob Dorfman, the Executive Creative Director of Baker Street Partners in San Francisco.  And so I did.  In this podcast, we discuss the advertising futures of Drew Brees and Peyton Manning.  Has the “Manning Monopoly” been broken?  Bob also explains why Sean Payton is still a ways away from deals of his own.  Plus, Bob dissects all the major Super Bowl commercials, dissing Megan Fox along the way.

Take a listen here:


Meet Bob Dorfman

Bob Dorfman is one of the preeminent sports advertising executives in the country.  He puts out a comprehensive Scouting Report prior to every major sporting event (see SB XLIV’s below), and regularly appears on outfits such as ESPN, CNN and CNBC.  For Bob’s full bio, click here.


SUPER BOWL-ING FOR DOLLARS: WHICH COLTS OR SAINTS WILL SCORE

ON MADISON AVENUE?

BOB DORFMAN, SPORTS MARKETING EXPERT

AT SAN FRANCISCO’S BAKER STREET ADVERTISING,

rates the ENDORSEMENT talent

in 

The Super Bowl XLIV

Sports Marketers’ Scouting Report

Super Bowl XLIV winner’s share: $83,000. Super Bowl ring: $20,000. Bragging rights for a lifetime: Priceless.

But the real rewards? The seven-figure endorsement deals,

lucrative speaking engagements, appearance fees and other off-the-field opportunities that can follow Super Bowl success.

Yet with the economy still iffy, and the Tiger Woods scandal still fresh in marketers’ minds, it’s going to take an MVP-caliber performance in this Super Bowl—along with a charismatic personality, impeccably clean image and continued success—to

score on Madison Avenue. Not to mention a contract loaded with morals clauses.

Which Indianapolis or New Orleans players, if any, have the right moves to move product? Here’s how this expert ranks the endorsement talent:

TOUCHDOWN:

 

Peyton Manning.  Simply the funniest jock endorser ever. And one of the most successful, earning $13M annually from deals with blue chip advertisers like Sony, MasterCard, Gatorade, DirecTV and Oreo. Few athletes, if any, can match Manning’s acting chops, mainstream appeal and believability. Affable and accessible on camera, his “just-one-of-the-guys” personality attracts a broad demographic, and his goofy charm and willingness to make fun of himself work especially well in comedic spots. Brother Eli and dad Archie only add to his marketability. Another Super Bowl ring on Peyton’s finger is probably worth another $3M in annual ad deals—and he’s the overwhelming favorite to “go to Disney World,” appear on Wheaties boxes, and dominate the talk show circuit. And though Manning is spread pretty thin, marketing-wise, he still has room on his roster for a fast-food chain or automotive client. How about Peyton running a Longest Yard play on a blitzing Jack In The Box, nailing him in the groin with a point-blank bullet pass?  Or driving his Escalade in an ad headlined: “Where Peyton does his finest passing.” If you’re interested in Manning, make sure you’ve got at least a million to spend, and make sure he’s got the time for your brand.

FIELD GOAL:

 

Drew Brees.  Brees has the most marketing potential of any Super Bowl XLIV player, and a win in Miami could vault him into the upper echelon of athlete endorsers. His leadership and charitable work have made him a hero in New Orleans, and his future as a regional pitchman is secure. National deals will follow with a big game on Super Sunday; another strong season in 2010 will also help. Brees is articulate, comfortable on camera, a genuinely nice guy, better looking than Peyton, and his cheek birthmark adds a distinctive touch. Probably the only jock to ever land a diaper endorsement, Brees is currently starring in an online video for Pampers, and as the father of a toddler could also qualify for deals with Gerber or Fisher-Price. He’s also in the running for the cover of EA Sports’ “Madden NFL 11” videogame. How about a commercial showing Brees diagramming plays on Apple’s new iPad? Or a Bank of America ad headlined “Breesus Saves.” If you can’t afford Peyton dollars, see Brees.

Reggie Bush.  The most explosive endorser in NFL history, Bush inked $5M in deals as a rookie in 2006—before ever playing a down with the Saints. And a sizable portion of his earnings has gone toward Hurricane Katrina relief. But Bush has been less than explosive on the field for the Saints, only showing occasional flashes of his Heisman-winning brilliance. Still, he’s one of the league’s best-known personalities, handsome, charismatic and oozing with hipness—and having Kim Kardashian as a girlfriend certainly doesn’t hurt, either. With some game-breaking plays in Miami, Bush could help re-establish his marketing muscle, especially for products built for speed or agility, or any that play off his sex appeal. And given Kim’s recent revelation that Reggie loves to vacuum, he might consider a deal with Dyson or Hoover.

EXTRA POINT:

 

Hank Baskett.  Best known for his ditzy blond bombshell wife Kendra Wilkinson—former Playboy playmate, ex-girlfriend of Hugh Hefner, and reality TV star of The Girls Next Door and Kendra—who absolutely must be included in any deal you make.

 

Dwight Freeney.  His right ankle is the most talked about body part of this Super Bowl—even overshadowing Kim Kardashian’s booty and Kendra Wilkinson’s chest. Make it the star of a new reality series, “Freeney’s Ankle,” as we follow it through rehab, doctor’s exams and game day action.

Raheem Brock.  If Dwight Freeney can’t go, and backup Brock can succeed as his super sub, it might just earn him a Subway deal.

Pierre Garcon.  Garcon, whose parents are Haitian, has excelled on the field in the playoffs, and has excelled off the field in raising awareness of Haiti’s plight. Good name for a McDonald’s French Fries promo, or any commercial taking place in a French restaurant.

Jeremy Shockey.  Needs to do something outrageous to break through—like dating Snooki from “Jersey Shore.”

Freddy Keiaho & Jonathan Vilma.  Team up Fred & Vilma for Flintstones Vitamins or a new McDonald’s Brontosaurus Burger.

Heath Miller.  Since Budweiser is the exclusive beer advertiser of the Super Bowl, Heath should hit up Miller Brewing for the “ambush marketing” he’ll provide on the back of his jersey on Super Sunday.

Anthony Hargrove.  Has overcome drug and alcohol addiction to make it with the Saints. Good story for an inspirational autobiography, movie or speaking tour.

Joseph Addai.  Local Indy Burger King franchises might enlist Joseph in a campaign for a cheeseburger “to Addai for.”

Jermon Bushrod.  Inspirational name for a Trojans ads.

Scott Fujita.  Outspoken Saints linebacker calls himself “culturally Japanese,” which could lead to deals with Japan Airlines or Kikkoman.

Garrett Hartley.  Dreamed he kicked a 42-yard field goal to win the NFC Championship Game, then actually kicked a 40-yarder to win it. Of possible interest to the Psychic Friends Network.

Darren Sharper.  Of possible interest to Sharp electronics.

 

Austin Collie.  Of possible interest to Purina.

Jeff Saturday.  TGI Fridays. Headline: “Why Saturday prefers Fridays.”

Sean Payton.  If Payton can’t find a way to stop Peyton, he could qualify for a Southwest Airlines “Wanna get away?” ad.

PUNT:

Jim Caldwell.  Humble, low-key and uncontroversial. Three traits that guarantee no marketing deals for an NFL head coach.

Reggie Wayne.  A Pro Bowl receiver for the Colts, but today’s receivers have to be truly outrageous (see Terrell Owens or Chad Ochocinco) to catch the attention of national advertisers.

Marques Colston.  See Reggie Wayne.

Adam Vinatieri.  Appearing in his sixth Super Bowl, and still no one knows him from Adam.

Pierre Thomas.  Nothing short of an MVP performance in Miami will help Pierre get lucky with advertisers.

Dallas Clark.  Playing for the wrong team.

Randall Gay.  Networks are still too nervous about Gays in ads.

 

###

Bob Dorfman is EVP, Executive Creative Director at San Francisco’s Baker Street Advertising, and a nationally recognized sports marketing expert whose insightful and pithy punditry has been featured on ESPN, Fox, Entertainment Tonight, CNN, CNBC and NPR, and in Sports Illustrated, Entertainment Weekly, Sporting News, The New York Times, Wall Street Journal and other major media. Since 1989, he has been writing his Sports Marketers’ Scouting Reports on the Super Bowl, World Series, NBA Finals, and the Summer and Winter Olympics.

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Visanthe Shiancoe Podcast https://thefootballgirl.com/visanthe-shiancoe-podcast/ Mon, 12 Oct 2009 21:28:43 +0000 /?p=972 10/9/2009 In this entertaining podcast, Vikings TE Visanthe Shiancoe reveals the surprising genre of music Brett Favre has “sung” in the huddle, unveils important traits for aspiring football wives, and exposes himself…as a Twitter snob.

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10/9/2009

In this entertaining podcast, Vikings TE Visanthe Shiancoe reveals the surprising genre of music Brett Favre has “sung” in the huddle, unveils important traits for aspiring football wives, and exposes himself…as a Twitter snob.

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Podcast: Michael Lombardi https://thefootballgirl.com/podcast-michael-lombardi/ Wed, 10 Feb 2010 21:17:11 +0000 /?p=965 You know that guy you see all the time on NFL Network, the one who knows everything?  You might have also noticed him popping up on Showtime’s Inside the NFL.  Plus, if you really fancy yourselfl an insider, you’re probably already reading his commentary on NFL.com or his own website, National Football Post, which is....

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You know that guy you see all the time on NFL Network, the one who knows everything?  You might have also noticed him popping up on Showtime’s Inside the NFL.  Plus, if you really fancy yourselfl an insider, you’re probably already reading his commentary on NFL.com or his own website, National Football Post, which is a rich cornucopia of the best NFL news and analysis out there.   If you guessed Michael Lombardi, then ding ding ding, you are correct.

In addition to all the aforementioned duties, Michael is a regular guest of the B.S. Report, which, let’s face it, now puts me in pretty elite company.  While I could blather on about his pre-NFL analyst career as an actual personnel executive in the league, I’ll let his bio speak for itself.  In the spirit of the deep love for all things Rocky IV I share with the Sports Guy, let’s just say that based on his both stellar and varied career, Michael Lombardi would run circles around Apollo Creed  when it comes to warranting an excess of nicknames.

MIchael Lombardi, one of the smartest men in the NFL

In this podcast, Michael expounds on the NFL’s hottest off-season topics.  From pondering Favre’s future (sorry, had to ask) to a proposed solution to the Philly QB situation to an inventive cure for the overtime rule, Michael brings his knowledge and insight in this great listen. Hope you enjoy!

Listen here:

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Exclusive: Javon Walker Interview https://thefootballgirl.com/exclusive-javon-walker-interview/ Tue, 30 Mar 2010 21:14:31 +0000 /?p=962 Javon Walker has had a topsy-turvy ride in the NFL.  A promising career that started with a Pro Bowl in his second season with Green Bay took a major detour, fraught with injuries, a well-publicized mugging, and the death of his friend and Broncos teammate, Darrent Williams.  Soon after signing a 6 year, $55 million....

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Javon Walker has had a topsy-turvy ride in the NFL.  A promising career that started with a Pro Bowl in his second season with Green Bay took a major detour, fraught with injuries, a well-publicized mugging, and the death of his friend and Broncos teammate, Darrent Williams.  Soon after signing a 6 year, $55 million dollar contract with the Oakland Raiders in 2008, Walker suffered another injury and missed that whole season.  His time in Oakland was tumultuous, leading to his release on March 8th.

But Javon says he’s healed and healthy and is currently looking for a new NFL home.  In this exclusive interview, Javon addresses some of the bad publicity in Oakland, makes his case to potential GMs, and explains how he just might shock a few fantasy owners.

LISTEN TO OUR EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW WITH JAVON 

Sporting a “fro-hawk” as an homage to the fallen Darrent Williams

Excerpts

On his tumultuous last few years:
“Everybody needs to know that none of that was out of any wrongdoing on my part. It was just a situation where I was at the wrong place at the wrong time….I feel like I got put through the test of things that could happen to people and I bounced back.”

On time with Raiders:
“I was in an unfortunate situation in Oakland where I got put on the backburner… A lot of people know that situation when you go to Oakland so it’s not to no surprise.  It wasn’t the right situation for me.  .  .  When I was in Denver I performed. I was in Green Bay I performed, so now you’re trying to tell me that now I’m in Oakland I can’t perform? I never really got a fair chance.  I’m not the first athlete who went into Oakland and all of a sudden it looked like his talents have disappeared. We can all remember, you know I’m a huge fan, with Randy Moss. People thought Randy Moss was done and look what happens when he decides to leave.”

On Oakland fans calling him Bernie Madoff (referencing his 6 year. $55 million contract):
“It wasn’t my fault because obviously the Raiders gave it to me.  Everybody knows how Al Davis is.  What fans don’t realize is when I signed that contract I offered to give it back.  I don’t take money just to take it.  People need to give the money back and they said no.  I didn’t go into Oakland like Madoff.  Somebody has got to give it to you, and they gave it to me. Last year, they didn’t put me on the field so if anybody “made-off” it was Oakland. .  .  People were wondering why I wasn’t dressing, well you know what, I couldn’t tell you.  They just decided not to utilize my talent the way it needed to be utilized.”

On his surgery in Israel:
“I’m 100% healthy, finally, since I left Denver.  People are going to say ‘Wow, that’s the Javon we remember.’ I returned 110%.  That’s why if I was such a bad football player they would have let me go during training camp; they would have let me go during the season; they would have let me go during the 2009 season.  So if people can read into that, if I was such a bad player they could have let me go a whole season ago.  They didn’t because I came back 100 miles per hour, and they saw that every day.  It’s like putting a new engine in an old car.

On the future:
“Come the 2010 season people are going to say ‘wow, this is the kid we remember and I’m going to sit back and say, hey, this was always here.’”

On what he’d say to a GM:
“Javon has never been in trouble. Javon doesn’t have a criminal record.  Javon has never been caught up in anything detrimental to a team as far as my character. I’m not scared of nothing.  I’ll come in there.  I’ll workout with the team.  Run routes for whoever I need to run to because my ability is where I need it to be.  I’m the Pro Bowler who was there in Green Bay. Whatever team thinks they’re in need of a top receiver, 30 years old, in his prime, they’re going to come get me.”

On if he’d be willing to take the league minimum/incentive-laden contract:
“Yes, the thing about football right now is it’s not really about the money.  Even when I went to Oakland, I said I’d give that money back. I just want to play football and utilize my talent to help a team win the Super Bowl and everything else will take care of itself.”

On being a potential fantasy sleeper:
“Fantasy is about what have you done for me lately, and I haven’t done nothing, so I just want to mess up everybody’s fantasy league wondering where he’d come from.”

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Adewale Ogunleye Podcast https://thefootballgirl.com/adewale-ogunleye-podcast/ Wed, 04 Nov 2009 21:11:19 +0000 /?p=960 11-2-2009:  WHY YOU SHOULD LISTEN TO THIS PODCAST:  Adewale Ogunleye is a Nigerian prince.  He also happens to be quite intelligent.  And he is the Bears leader in sacks. Wale and Melissa talk a myriad of issues from NFL head injuries to the notion of football in Nigeria.  He also reveals some pretty specific traits....

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11-2-2009: 

WHY YOU SHOULD LISTEN TO THIS PODCAST:  Adewale Ogunleye is a Nigerian prince.  He also happens to be quite intelligent.  And he is the Bears leader in sacks.

Wale and Melissa talk a myriad of issues from NFL head injuries to the notion of football in Nigeria.  He also reveals some pretty specific traits he looks for in a woman.  Ladies, you might want to listen up as Wale is doubly on the market:  he’s single and an unrestricted free agent.  Perhaps he’ll be landing in a city near you.

To learn even more about Ogunleye, check out his website.

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Week 10 picks courtesy of Stump the Schwab https://thefootballgirl.com/week-10-picks-courtesy-of-stump-the-schwab/ Fri, 13 Nov 2009 21:08:02 +0000 /?p=958 The post Week 10 picks courtesy of Stump the Schwab appeared first on The Football Girl.

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Talkin Idol with The Schwab – Week 2 Semis https://thefootballgirl.com/talkin-idol-with-the-schwab-week-2-semis/ Wed, 03 Mar 2010 20:59:41 +0000 /?p=954 I know what you’re thinking, American Idol and NFL football, what a perfect combination!  We couldn’t agree more.  After all there has always been a strong linkage between America’s most sport and America’s ratings juggernaut.  Just a few examples from this season alone: Tim Tebow’s ex-girlfriend, Janell Wheeler made this season’s Top 24.  Unfortunately the lord didn’t help....

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I know what you’re thinking, American Idol and NFL football, what a perfect combination!  We couldn’t agree more.  After all there has always been a strong linkage between America’s most sport and America’s ratings juggernaut.  Just a few examples from this season alone:

Tim Tebow’s ex-girlfriend, Janell Wheeler made this season’s Top 24.  Unfortunately the lord didn’t help blondie with her tremble hand syndrome, thus leading to her elimination last week.

Big Mike (as in Michael Lynche, not Michael Oher) resembles a football player more than any real football player on the planet.  Lo and behold, last week’s syrupy intro piece revealed that Mike did, in fact, play a little football.

Personal favorite:  New judge Ellen DeGeneres singlehandedly made Kurt Warner shockingly cool last year. (See below)

But first, TFG editor Melissa Jacobs and ESPN celebrity, Howie Schwab are admittedly huge American Idol nerds, voting each week, getting livid at preposterous judges comments (like the Randy Jackson special, ‘that was two million percent better, dawg’), and generally just caring a little too much for not being teenagers or related to any of the contestants.  In that spirit, let us present the first of several Idol podcasts.  And don’t worry, we even manage to sprinkle in a little football talk.

Howie Schwab can’t be stumped when it comes to Idol passion.  Listen here:

Casey…

meet your twin, Howie

Dear Ochocinco:  Break a leg and a worthy backup is ready to samba.

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Idol Chatter: Semifinals Week 3 https://thefootballgirl.com/idol-chatter-semifinals-week-3/ Wed, 10 Mar 2010 20:56:39 +0000 /?p=952 Idol is on the brink of the milestone Top 12 and once again The Schwab (aka Howie Schwab) joins us to chat about the singers that were in tune and those that need a tune-up.  Who will be sent home Thursday night? Have the boys closed the female superiority gap?  Would you buy a Crystal....

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Idol is on the brink of the milestone Top 12 and once again The Schwab (aka Howie Schwab) joins us to chat about the singers that were in tune and those that need a tune-up.  Who will be sent home Thursday night? Have the boys closed the female superiority gap?  Would you buy a Crystal Bowersox album?  And our most important question tonight:  Has the addition of musical instruments made Idol less compelling?

Our podcasts have been known to run looooong, but this one was strategically kept to under ten minutes. Good work out of us.  So sit back, relax, and enjoy the latest installment of our Idol journey,

Tears stream (beat, beat) down her face

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