Presenting an interesting and new statistic from Football Outsiders: the forced drop. Contrary to what it sounds like, it occurs when a receiver drops a ball without contention from the primary defender. And guess who “forced” the most drops in 2009?

“Based on film breakdowns of the 2008 season, more NFL receivers dropped passes when Tillman was the primary defender than any other cornerback in the league. Of the 113 passes thrown in his direction, 10 were dropped.” (more…)

Take a good look at the photograph to your right. Isn’t it ironic, don’t you think so?

I’m sure if the Detroit Lions realized how little the fortunes of the franchise would be swayed by the four gentlemen standing here in 2004, they probably would have skipped the press conference all together.

Now, four years later and with only the two guys holding jerseys still left in the NFL, the Bears travel to the Motor City to take on the Lions in their first matchup of 2008. (more…)

Depending on whose version of events you believe, Bucs tackle Jeremy Trueblood either acted like a dick, or was grabbed near his during overtime of the Bears 27-24 loss on Sunday.

Trueblood was visibly atop Bears defensive end Adewale Ogunleye, throwing elbows to his head, immediately after a third-down play turned up unsuccessful for the Bucs midway through OT.

The obvious infraction went uncalled, but led to a skirmish that resulted in a shoving match between Charles Tillman and Bucs wide receiver Michael Clayton. Tillman was subsenquently, and unfairly, called for unecessary roughness, giving the Bucs new life and eventually the game. (more…)