NFL Nation: Chris Kluwe
Saints Bounty Scandal
An NFL investigation found that the New Orleans Saints operated a bounty system rewarding between 22 and 27 players for hard hits and injuring opposing players. ESPN.com Topics brings you full coverage of this developing story. Profile »
Vilma, whom the NFL said offered a $10,000 reward for any player who knocked then-Vikings quarterback Brett Favre out of the 2009 NFC Championship Game, received a one-year suspension. We haven't yet heard from Sullivan, but Kluwe said via Twitter that the suspension is "just."
Kluwe also provided an extended and nuanced analysis of the what he called a "tough spot" for the NFLPA, which has already pledged to "vigorously protect" Vilma and the three other suspended players and "pursue all options on their behalf."
Here's what Kluwe tweeted:
"Vilma and the others deserve the right to an appeal; while I agree with the commissioner's decision others may not, and that's fine, this is America. However, the union has to simultaneously balance defending four guys against the judgment, of [Roger] Goodell (which needs oversight, make no mistake) while at the same time recognizing those four guys were attempting to harm other union members, who also deserve that same protection. The union cannot be just about appeals when someone does something wrong. It also has to be a shield for those men who are a part of it that you never hear about, but pay the same dues and play the same game. I can only hope that the leadership of the NFLPA realizes this, and acts in *all* of its members' interests, however that takes place."
I find this a fascinating, if subtle, subplot of this story. The NFLPA argues the NFL hasn't provided evidence of its accusations, but obviously there are at least some players -- and union members -- who are convinced otherwise. By definition, players engaging in a bounty system are trying to harm other players. Why isn't the union jumping to the defense of the targeted players, which according to the league includes Favre, Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers, Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kurt Warner and Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton?
I realize this is a tough day in the NFL for a lot of reasons. I just think this issue merits some discussion along with everything else. The story has thus far centered around the aggressors. What about the victims?
John Sullivan: Saints were 'despicable'
Chris Graythen/Getty ImagesVikings center John Sullivan, shown helping QB Brett Favre to his feet in the second half of the NFC title game Jan. 24, 2010, in New Orleans, ripped the Saints for their tactics in that game.Most importantly, Sullivan made clear he thinks the Saints were playing to hurt quarterback Brett Favre in that game.
"If you want to offer money to knock somebody out of a game on a clean hit, fine," Sullivan said. "But the guys that went after it in the wrong way, that's the exact opposite of sportsmanship. It's just disgusting. To think that you're going to take money to hit someone illegally and hurt them out of the game, I can't even fathom that somebody would do that."
Sullivan cited a number of instances, starting with McCray's hit on Favre after a second-quarter handoff. McCray was penalized 15 yards and ultimately fined $25,000 by the NFL. He implied that at least one of Sharper's two hits on Favre were illegal and said that, although neither Sharper nor McCray are in the NFL anymore, they can still be disciplined in a meaningful way.
"I really think if you go back and look at that game, anybody who took a shot at Brett illegally and you can see with the intention of trying to injury him [should be banned]," Sullivan said. "And the big two that come to mind are Sharper and Bobby McCray. They've got to do something to those guys, too, whether it's no Hall of Fame [or] you're not allowed to be associated with the NFL anymore. I have a hard time talking about it. It just disgusts me that you would go out there and try to hurt somebody and take away their livelihood. It' s just gross."
The NFL's investigation has dredged up some obvious animosity from Vikings players who participated in the game. We know now that team officials complained to the league days after the game, and whether or not there was a bounty, there has obviously been a feeling for some time that the Saints crossed the line many times. McCray grabbed Favre's ankle during a high-low hit that caused both an interception and an injury, and defensive tackle Anthony Hargrove was also called for a 15-yard penalty following a hit on Favre.
(Hargrove has denied his hit was motivated by a bounty).
Clearly, those who remain from that game are repulsed by the backdrop of the Saints' bounty system. NFL commissioner Roger Goodell is working with the NFL Players Association to determine a punishment for the players involved, and Sullivan threw down the gauntlet Friday should union officials be conflicted.
"As a union member, I'll be very upset if we come to the defense of these acts," he said. "They're indefensible. You can't defend them. It's despicable, has no place in the sport."
Will the strong sentiments of Sullivan and Kluwe sway Goodell one way or the other? It's doubtful. But this unprecedented story has brought us a rarely, if ever, seen development: Multiple NFL players calling for the ouster from their brethren. Strange days indeed.
Chris Kluwe: Ban Jonathan Vilma for life
"I think this is a spot," Kluwe said, "where the [NFLPA] definitely has to take a stand and say, 'Look, you put other guys' livelihoods in danger. You're jeopardizing other guys' chances to play.' Football is violent enough as it is. It's hard enough to stay healthy in the league and so by maliciously trying to hurt people they need to show, we need to show, that there's no place in the game for that kind of behavior."
Based on the Saints' abuse of Favre, Kluwe said he spoke with Vikings place-kicker Ryan Longwell during the game about the possibility of a bounty.
"But you don't want to believe that something like that is happening because you think better of the other players."
Kluwe's point is well taken, and Goodell has already surprised most observers with the harshness of his initial penalties. A lifetime ban might be unrealistic, but we've already learned our lesson about projecting Goodell's plans in this instance.
It’s time for a new chapter in the sad saga that is the fallout from the New Orleans Saints bounty program. Now, it’s Minnesota punter Chris Kluwe telling a Minnesota radio station he believes New Orleans middle linebacker Jonathan Vilma should be banned from the NFL.
"My position has always been that I think Vilma and [former New Orleans defensive coordinator] Gregg Williams should be banned for life and then [coach Sean] Payton should get a year, their GM [Mickey Loomis] should get a year and anyone who knowingly took money after a hit that injured someone should get a year as well,’’ Kluwe said.
Vilma was specifically named in the NFL’s report for putting up $10,000 of his own money to anyone who injured Minnesota quarterback Brett Favre in a Jan. 24, 2010 playoff game in New Orleans. Kluwe recalled it was obvious something out of the ordinary was going on.
"Me and [kicker] Ryan [Longwell] were kind of looking at each other on the bench going, 'Are they really going after Brett?'" Kluwe said. "Like, 'Is this really what they're doing?' But you don't want to believe that something like that is happening because you think better of the other players.
"You don't want to think that they're doing something like that. I think that was part of the thing that the league was looking at [in its investigation] was like, 'OK, we've really got to make sure that this is true because otherwise it's going to make the sport look really bad.'"
Payton has been suspended for a year and Williams has been suspended indefinitely. There has been no disciplinary action taken against Vilma yet. NFL commissioner Roger Goodell is expected to first meet with representatives from the NFL Players Association before issuing any punishment for players involved.
Cullen Loeffler injury leads to $20,000 fine
Friday, the NFL fined Meier $20,000 for the hit, ruling it was an "illegal blindside block to an opponent’s head area," according to the NFL Network's Jason La Canfora.
"Well, hopefully Meier learns from that one. Good job front office," Kluwe tweeted Friday.
Rapid Reaction: Packers 45, Vikings 7
GREEN BAY, Wis. -- A few thoughts on the Green Bay Packers' 45-7 victory over the Minnesota Vikings:
What it means: The Packers are more than halfway through an undefeated season at 9-0 after a laugher that carried none of the drama of a typical NFC North game in November. The outcome was never in doubt, and the Vikings need to take a hard look at how and why they arrived at Lambeau Field with so little energy.
RodgersWatch: Ho hum. Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers finished with a 140.3 passer rating, courtesy of four touchdown passes, a 76.7 completion percentage and no interceptions. The game got so out of hand that Rodgers departed after throwing his final score with 10:59 remaining.
Questioning: There is no doubt the Vikings were outmatched in this game. The only time their offense made it to the red zone came after Packers punt returner Randall Cobb lost a fumble at his own 14-yard line. But I didn't see a lot of fight from a team that seemed to know it would lose this game before it even started. That's too bad. The Vikings seemed to want this game to be over as quickly as possible. It's rare that you'll see a prime-time division game so poorly competed, regardless of the teams' records.
No question: After a week of discussion about their performance against the pass this season, the Packers defense found plenty of ways to pressure quarterback Christian Ponder. Defensive coordinator Dom Capers blitzed often, but linebacker Clay Matthews took advantage of a pair of 1-on-1 matchups to record his first two-sack game of the season. The Vikings finished with 266 yards and 14 first downs.
CobbWatch: Cobb essentially put the game away less than two minutes into the game by returning Chris Kluwe's first-quarter punt 80 yards for a score. Cobb seems to save his best games for prime time. In the Week 1 kickoff game, Cobb had a 108-yard kickoff return for a touchdown. The fumble represented the risk-reward of a flashy but young punt returner.
What's next: The Packers will host the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday at Lambeau Field and the Vikings host the Raiders.
Hypocrisy Police have a point on NFL fines
Minnesota Vikings punter Chris Kluwe was among the first to take to Twitter: "A.J. Hawk fined 10k for flashing a middle finger as an inside joke. Harbaugh and Schwartz fined nothing for fighting. #doublestandardmuch"
Part of me wants to note that there are two different sets of circumstances here. The other is begging me to quote the NFL's own 2011 standards for game-related discipline. Here it is:
"It is important to note that the unsportsmanlike conduct rules apply to all personnel in the team area, including players, coaches, team employees, and officials. Lack of respect or other unsportsmanlike conduct will not be tolerated during games or at other times, including postgame interviews. This includes abusive, threatening, insulting, or profane language or gestures, and physical acts by coaches, players, and other club personnel directed at opponents, officials, game personnel, or fans."
Normally I like to push back on the Hypocrisy Police, but in this case they have a point. It's true that NFL players are governed under a collectively bargained system of discipline they have tacitly agreed to. And yes, we should point out that Schwartz and Harbaugh didn't actually fight. Harbaugh did slap Schwartz on the back during their post-game handshake, and Schwartz bumped Harbaugh's shoulder from behind. But otherwise there was just a lot of yelling, screaming and "hold-me-backs."
Coaches aren't governed under the CBA, but they are supposed to be held to the standard quoted above. The NFL said neither man was disciplined because they didn't fight. But I think you could make an argument that their behavior was "unsportsmanlike" and "threatening," not to mention "insulting" and "profane." I don't think anyone would have protested had they been fined.
So where does this leave us? Hawk has no room to complain about his fine. He got caught in an act that is clearly covered under the rules he plays under. The coaches? Quite frankly, they caught a break. The money itself is not as big of a deal as is the message: The NFL tacitly condoned a coach melee on one of its fields minutes after an emotional game. We'll file that away for the next one.
NFL Twindex: Another Brown on top
AP Photo/Mark DuncanCarlton Mitchell leads this week's Twindex.Many tweet Bible verses or favorite passages, particularly in the morning when they get in a prayer and a daily reading.
It can be a piece of a well-rounded tweeter, though it's not something that typically scores for a guy in the NFL Twindex.
We seek well-rounded players who deliver good humor, good commentary and good football insight.
You can find what I consider the best player tweets of the week by looking at my favorites.
I try to scan through as many tweets as I can, but it's difficult to see them all and I can always use your help. Call my attention to anything of interest at @ESPN_AFCSouth or @PaulKuharsky.
This week's list:
1. CARLTON MITCHELL
Receiver | Cleveland Browns ... Last Poll: NR 
@C_Mitch18 -- He's back. Frequently at or near the top in the early days of the Twindex, Mitchell returns to the top spot with an entertaining week. "Why is it when you run into a spider web, you suddenly turn into a ninja?"Good name for a band. Spider Web Ninja."I always know the right thing to say, after the right time to say it has passed" "Just because I don't reply within 10 minutes doesn't mean I hate you." "Have you noticed each generation is getting ruder and shorter?" Ruder sure. Not sure about shorter.
2. MATTHEW STAFFORD
Quarterback | Detroit Lions ... Last Poll: NR 
@Staff_9 -- Sometimes all it takes is one. In his first tweet since Aug. 29, Stafford let everyone know how he felt about a Cris Carter critique of Calvin Johnson: "Does anyone think 8 tds in 4 weeks will change chris carters mind about an 'elite' receiver? #megatron" We know you're busy, Matthew, but drop these a little more frequently.
3. JOSH CRIBBS
Receiver | Cleveland Browns ... Last Poll: NR 
@JoshCribbs16 -- "I call this #HalfStaffing must be in a public place or gathering 4 it 2count!!! Keep it going have some fun!" [Picture may be broken. He's doing a TV interview in a suit, waist up, and shorts.] This is a popular technique. And details of a tough practice day: "I was stung twice by a bee during practice 2day... Smh ouch I started running like i was trynna score lol"
4. CHRIS KLUWE
Punter | Minnesota Vikings ... Last Poll: 2 
@ChrisWarcraft -- "Without intelligence, morality is impossible." Thoughtful. Grammar talk with @SI_PeterKing "You're your there their they're too to two. Grammar is the only thing that separates us from the animals!" Admitted on a tackle against Detroit: "#ibitmytongueandithurtstoeat"
5. KIRK MORRISON
Linebacker | Buffalo Bills ... Last Poll: NR 
@kirkmorrison -- Got on a roll during the wondrous last night of regular season baseball: "Bon Bons > Papelbon" "Carl Lewis singing the National Anthem > Carl Crawford" Gave us a list of key people who were not walking through the door to save teams that were on their way out. Off of the ESPN documentary: "Steve Bartman swore he couldn't hear nothing with those old school headphones on his head. He was acting like they were some BEATS by Dre's."
NFL Twindex: Chicago's Harris leaps to top
AP Photo/Nam Y. HuhBears safety Chris Harris had an interesting take on the penalties in the Broncos-Raiders game.When Randall Cobb gets his charitable foundation up and running, he’s likely to be using a logo he acquired thanks to a simple tweet.
Perhaps a young graphic artist out there will be able to add a line to his or her résumé after designing a mark for an NFL up-and-comer.
Cobb had a big debut in Green Bay’s season-opening win. Days later he decided to take advantage of the eyes on him. I’m guessing he’ll land a good logo out of it.
The smart marketing ploy gets him the No. 2 spot in this week’s NFL Twindex.
You can influence the poll by calling my attention to quality Tweers from NFLers. I’m @ESPN_AFCSouth and @PaulKuharsky.
1. CHRIS HARRIS
Safety | Chicago Bears ... Last Poll: NR 
@ChrisHarrisNFL -- "Why does it come as a total surprise to my son that he has to put on pajamas n go to bed EVERY night?" Reminded people the windshield is bigger than the rearview mirror. Nice interjections while watching games. From a college Saturday: "Can't take college angles in Professional football" and off the Raiders-Broncos game: "BREAKING NEWS: The head official needs a new battery pack for his mic from all the usage because of penalties"
2. RANDALL COBB
Receiver | Green Bay Packers ... Last Poll: NR 
@rcobb18 -- Took advantage of his big debut to seek assistance for his future foundation. "Help, need a logo! Send best design to rlcobb18@gmail.com b4 9/19! I'll pick & winner gets my signed GB gear." And then updated us: "Some good entries for the logo contest. Keep em coming the end date is 9/19. The logo is for me and my future foundation. Rlcobb18@gmail.com" Did you get that email address, all you graphic designers?
3. TOM CRABTREE
Tight End | Green Bay Packers ... Last Poll: 2 
@TCrabtree83 -- "Female apathy toward whether to watch HD or standard definition TV bothers me." Would bother me too, though I have not run into any at my house. "010010000110010101111001001000000111010001110111011001010110010101 1100000111001100100001 #binarytweet" That's not normal, but I did find it amusing. Was critical of Sebastian Janikowski "barely" making his big field goal for Oakland. Acknowledged last week's second place with they can outtweet me, but "they can't outsweet me."
4. AUSTEN LANE
Defensive End | Jacksonville Jaguars ... Last Poll: NR 
@A_Train_92 -- "#TheAwkardMoment at Cheesecake Factory when a guy stares at me for 5 mins., then comes up & tells me that Im an ethnic conundrum." First time I've heard that expression. Said his Wisconsin friends won't wish him good luck this week against the Jets, they'll ask for Jim Leonhard's autograph. Questioned Facebook: "#TheLastTimeIChecked its not socially acceptable to randomly poke somebody in public so why would u do it on my facebook?"
5. CHRIS KLUWE
Punter | Minnesota Vikings ... Last Poll: NR @ChrisWarcraft -- "Deep Thought Thursday - The true measure of a society is how those in power apply the law to personal friends and acquaintances." That is deep. He's also concerned about curriculum: "That we're even thinking of cutting science programs when it's such a small drop in the budget yet provides a huge benefit makes me ill." Said early reports on his correspondent piece for Jim Rome was that it's like "The Ring." But I missed it.
NFL Twindex: Unique Foster takes top spot
Howard Smith/US PresswireThe Texans' Arian Foster leads the way in this week's Twindex ranking.While I sift through hundreds of players' tweets, only five will make our weekly list, though there will be quirky honorable mention categories for stuff that grabs my attention.
As always, I ask for your assistance. If there is a tweet that needs to be considered, call it to my attention at @ESPN_AFCSouth or @PaulKuharsky.
You can see the “finalists” by looking at favorites at the ESPN account.
An announcement to our fine player pool: It’s time to crank it up fellas. Camps are over, you’re back home and getting to your in-season schedule. It demands a lot of time to rest. During said rest, why not cleverly tweet us insight into football and life and football life?
We’ll be watching.
1. ARIAN FOSTER
Running back | Houston Texans ... Last Poll: NR 
@ArianFoster -- Please don't let people who don't like your Twitter style to alter it. The hamstring MRI was classic. And your stance on people who are too fanatical regarding fantasy football was dead on: "I know opinions are usually cement. But, I love all my fans. My quarrel is with people who value a digital game over a humans health" Stood up to @ESPN_Colin too: "Did you want to be a critic as a child? Or did your dreams die with your humility?"
2. TOM CRABTREE
Tight End | Green Bay Packers ... Last Poll: 3 @TCrabtree83 -- Emphatically corrected people on the always misused "couldn't care less." Offered advice to someone who asked what round to pick him in a fantasy draft: "Other than 1st? Probably 2nd." Claimed to share a picture of himself from the future. Considered a life talking in tweets: "Have you ever tried to SPEAK at 140 characters at a time? Really challenging."
3. CONNOR BARTH
Kicker | Tampa Bay Buccaneers ... Last Poll: NR 
@ConnorBarth -- "funny when you pull up to the stadium and the fans have no clue which team is in the buses...some wave and some flick us off. #priceless" Just the sort of football life stuff we crave. Also quality observational stuff like: "You know you are a baller when you have to use cranes to plant palm trees at your house..." And "Kinda funny to read about how Gadhafi's son was dating a Dutch playboy model...must be the money!!!"
4. CHAD OCHOCINCO
Wide Receiver | New England Patriots ... Last Poll: 9 
@ochocinco -- Wish I could be as delicate. To a fan who asked what number he'd be wearing with the Patriots, he replied: "Kind sir did u think b4 u sent this?" Also encouraged random reach-outs: "Variety is the spice of life n the expansion of 1's mind,Now tweet random people u don't know n tell them u luv them.You'll feel great after" Someone then actually tweeted me he loved me. Powerful stuff.
5. RYAN CLARK
Safety | Pittsburgh Steelers ... Last Poll: NR 
@RealRClark25 -- Served himself up on a platter: "Yessir! I am super fool! I love it" Followed in short order by: "Autocorrect. Lol. Clearly I don't consider myself a fool." Also shared advanced word on his training plans for 2012: "I'm not training next offseason. I'm getting one of these Captain America machines!"
Item: Chicago Bears tailback Matt Forte reported to training camp on time Friday after general manager Jerry Angelo assured his contract would be upgraded. "He told me a deal will get done," Forte said. "He said I'm a priority of his. What that means, hopefully that means soon. I mean, there's no telling with them. But to me priority means soon."
Comment: Timing is only half of the uncertainty. Angelo's idea of a fair deal for a running back might be different than Forte's. It's good to know the Bears will make an effort. But after DeAngelo Williams scored $21 million in guarantees from the Carolina Panthers, will their effort match Forte's demands?
Item: Bears camp opened without center Olin Kreutz, who remains an unrestricted free agent.
Comment: Kreutz is in discussions with the Bears but also has interest from the San Francisco 49ers. Odds remain he will return to Chicago, but Kreutz might be wise to let the Bears have a few practices without him to emphasize his value to them. And I'm guessing he won't be too disappointed if his time in Bourbonnais, Ill., is cut short a bit anyway.
Item: The Bears signed defensive end Vernon Gholston to a free agent contract.
Comment: I just googled Gholston to find his career stats. The first suggestion was "Vernon Gholston bust." That tells you all you need to know. The No. 6 overall pick of the 2008 draft has no career sacks. But there is no downside to giving him a flyer for camp, and if anyone can get something out of him, it's Bears defensive coordinator/line guru Rod Marinelli.
Item: The Detroit Lions placed left tackle Jeff Backus (pectoral) and cornerback Alphonso Smith (foot) on the active/non-football injury list.
Comment: Originally both players were destined for the physically unable to perform (PUP) list. The difference? Because the injuries occurred during the lockout, the contracts of both players would void (with no injury settlement) if the Lions decide to part ways. I don't think that's going to happen in either case, but it's an available option.
Item: Referring to defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh's brand-building activities this offseason, Lions coach Jim Schwartz said: "There were more Suh sightings than Bigfoot."
Comment: I'm glad someone said it.
Item: The Green Bay Packers agreed to terms with first-round draft pick Derek Sherrod, according to the Green Bay Press-Gazette and others.
Comment: The new collective bargaining agreement has rendered rookie negotiations pretty uneventful, at least until agents start finding some loopholes. But at this point, it would be a surprise if an NFC North team had a rookie holdout. The Packers' first practice is Saturday night.
Item: Packers coach Mike McCarthy and his wife, Jessica, welcomed baby daughter Isabella Conroy late Thursday night.
Comment: Sure, McCarthy won the Super Bowl last season. But if he really wants to show us something, he'll take the 2 a.m. feeding throughout training camp.
Item: New Minnesota Vikings quarterback Donovan McNabb secured his No. 5 from punter Chris Kluwe in a deal captured on video by the team's web site. McNabb agreed to donate $5,000 to a charity Kluwe supports. He also pledged to mention Kluwe's band in five separate news conferences and finally to buy Kluwe an ice cream cone.
Comment: Kluwe, who will wear No. 4, is one of the breakout stars of the lockout.
Item: The Vikings are presumably still in negotiations to sign a free agent receiver, but coach Leslie Frazier had this to say: "Bernard Berrian is going to step up and have a great year."
Comment: Berrian could be one of the biggest beneficiaries of the transition from Brett Favre to McNabb. For reasons that haven't fully been explained, Favre and Berrian never connected on a personal or football level.
Kluwe has worn No. 5 for the Vikings since his 2005 arrival. Upon the news that quarterback Donovan McNabb had agreed to a trade that would send him to the Vikings, Kluwe immediately placed a price (via Twitter) on the number McNabb has worn for his entire career.
So here's the deal. If McNabb comes and wants 5, it's his, BUT he has to promise to mention Tripping Icarus in at least 5 press conferences.
Who (or what) is Tripping Icarus? Naturally, it's a Minneapolis-based alternative rock band. Kluwe is the bassist.
Let's see if McNabb shares in the humor.
What number will Kluwe take? No. 4 would work, he tweeted, because "pi is not an option."
Michael Heiman/Getty ImagesCreative tweeting earns Packers tight end Tom Crabtree the top spot on the latest Twindex.Me neither.
That’s not what I am looking for on Twitter. But I am curious what NFL players are saying and I have made a commitment to sort through it all to give you the highlights from NFL players since the last edition of the NFL Twindex.
Comedy is key during the lockout, but once things are settled we expect far more football talk to be involved here.
It’s not all about laughs on Twitter, and Amy Nelson illustrated so well in this piece about Brandon Phillips of the Cincinnati Reds.
Check out tweets I made favorites. That's the list I then worked with to craft our new poll.
1. TOM CRABTREE
Tight End | Green Bay Packers ... Last Poll: HM 
@TCrabtree83 -- Made himself available for photos with fans and his new Super Bowl ring with an announcement of his location. "Time for the ring tour! Lunch first! And then i'll be roaming Bay Park Mall! Come say hi and get a pic of the bling!" And, "I think i'll watch Lord of the Rings with my ring on. No big deal." Also offered a critique on the direction comic book heroes are heading and shared a classic Michael Scott quotation.
2. CARLTON MITCHELL
Wide Receiver | Cleveland Browns ... Last Poll: 1 
@C_Mitch18 -- Not the quantity of the last poll's No. 1 effort, but still very amusing. "I'm really a very persuasive person. I can convince myself of anything." "The easiest way to get me to stop correcting you is for you to just stop being wrong. #ProblemSolved" "I need to either get a new air conditioner or move into my refrigerator." "Don't knock the weather. If it didn't change once in a while, 9 out of 10 people couldn't start a conversation."
3. CHRIS HARRIS
Safety | Chicago Bears ... Last Poll: NR 
@Chris HarrisNFL -- A voluminous, wide-ranging couple of weeks after complaining about missing the Twindex all together. He touched on NFL Network's top 100 players, child rearing, Dhani Jones versus Brian Urlacher, independent black films and plays, Father's Day and the Miami Heat's bandwagon. Also hit a home run here: "I think the use of the word #grind is getting out of hand by #NFL players on twitter. I'm gonna try to refrain from using it as much" Bravo. "This #Lockout has really allowed me to step my twitter game up and perfect my craft I'm shooting for #1stTeamAllTwitter" Third is First Team, right?
4. SHAWN ANDREWS
Guard | New York Giants ... Last Poll: NR 
@IMShawnAndrews -- For all the bad travel stories, he provided a funny account of getting to and spending time in Turks & Caicos. "Well there is a Big dude & I mean Big dude seated next to me!! For this trip FC doesn't mean First Class! Try F.at C.lass" "Im always nervous about my luggage when Traveling abroad!!! I know they dont have a Big & Tall Casual male Store where I'm headed!!" He also said he tells everyone his passport photo is so bad because of a dare.
5. BLAINE GABBERT, CHRISTIAN PONDER
Quarterbacks | Jacksonville Jaguars, Minnesota Vikings ... Last Poll: NR 
@BlaineGabbert and @cponder7 -- The two engaged in a highly entertaining back-and-forth over Gabbert heading on vacation. Gabbert followed up with some quality pictures of his view, his fishing trip and a Key West sunset. But major strike against Gabbert for his summation tweet: "The best part is @cponder7 and I did that to see how seriously people take twitter"
6. STEVE WEATHERFORD
Punter | New York Jets ... Last Poll: NR 
@Weatherford9 -- "I wish Jolly Ranchers had nutritional value." Detailed his swap of a Hummer for a Mini Cooper. Joked, I think, about his qualifications while job hunting. Took advanced orders for "Real Men Love Bieber" bumper stickers.
7. AUSTEN LANE
Defensive End | Jacksonville Jaguars ... Last Poll: 7 
@A_Train_92 -- "It is one of my all time dreams to see the day Cool Ranch #Doritoflavoring is packaged and sold separately!" " Rome wasn't built in a day, but it was built faster then it takes for a #lockout resolution!" "4 days since I've got my Twitter verified and #TaylorSwift still hasn't talked to me. Ecoma is the only excuse im accepting from her!"
8. CHRIS KLUWE
Punter | Minnesota Vikings ... Last Poll: HM @ChrisWarcraft -- "Scrolling through the TV listings. Come across a 30 minute infomercial titled 'Ninja Kitchen System'. Why do I not have a Ninja Cook?" Now I want one too. Do the gaming stuff if that's your thing, but give us more of the rest, too, please.
9. NICK BARNETT
Linebacker | Green Bay Packers ... Last Poll: NR 
@NickBarnett -- "You know NFL lockout has been too long when you get super excited at the smell of grass... Reminds me of training camp" Also chronicled a long road trip that included a stop in tornado-ravaged Joplin, Mo.
10. JOE HADEN
Cornerback | Cleveland Browns ... Last Poll: NR 
@JoeHaden23 -- Basically ran a tab for drinks for fans who met up with him at a Cleveland sushi restaurant. I'm a huge fan of any such share-the-wealth interaction. Also tweeted where he and a friend were sitting at an Indians game, offering another chance to mingle.
Seeing quality tweets you want to make sure are considered? Point me to them. I'm @ESPN_AFCSouth and @Paul Kuharsky.
NFL Twindex: Relative unknown new No. 1
Getty ImagesCarlton Mitchell and Steve Breaston were the cream of the NFL tweeting crop in the latest Twindex.Yawn-inducing, akin to, “What up [insert city here]?”
Over the last two weeks, we heard who came close to missing a flight and who was delayed and what they thought of the airports they were delayed in.
But even in such a desolate landscape, wonderful things popped up.
Little known Carlton Mitchell, a second-year Browns wide receiver, was consistently hilarious and emerged from nowhere to take the top spot -- not by a nose, but in a landslide.
Laughs are aplenty among the rest of the field in the second edition of the NFL Twindex, one man’s subjective rankings of the best NFL tweeters out there over the last two weeks.
Big names who did well in the feature’s debut disappeared, with only three players retaining a spot in the top 10.
Without further ado, the new list:
1. CARLTON MITCHELL
Wide Receiver | Cleveland Browns ... Last Poll: NR @C_Mitch18 -- An incredible, standard-setting two weeks and an easy choice. "I'm changing my Facebook name to 'NOBODY' so that.. Anytime i see any boring status.. I will 'LIKE' it.. It'll say 'NOBODY LIKES THIS'" Brilliant! "Don't think of yourself as an ugly person. Think of yourself as a beautiful monkey #ProblemSolved" Very funny. "I think that limiting the nuggeting of animals to only chicken was a mistake." Pork nuggets? Check the timeline, it's gold.
2. STEVE BREASTON
Wide Receiver | Arizona Cardinals ... Last Poll: NR 
@SBreaston15 -- "Where's the 8th U.S Circuit Court of appeals in St. Louis? RT @AdamSchefter: the NFL's top 10 toughest venues: http://es.pn/kA2LYT" Everyone wished they'd thought of it. Heck, I might have voted for it if I thought of it. His video, a League Deferred, is a great watch.
3. J.J. Watt
Defensive End | Houston Texans ... Last Poll: NR 
@JJWatt -- "Dirk Nowitzki kinda looks like Captain Sig Hansen from Deadliest Catch." I see Sig every game now. Even better: "Guy at the airport saw my Texans shirt & asked how I thought they'd be this year. He said "I hope that big white kid from Wisconsin is good""
4. SHAUN PHILLIPS
Linebacker | San Diego Chargers ... Last Poll: 1 
@ShaunPhillips95 -- Volume and quality dipped. "Someone just mentioned that we don't have any black super heroes except hancock and he was a drunk. Someone prove me wrong." I didn't see anyone able to change his thinking.
5. PAT MCAFEE
Punter | Indianapolis Colts ... Last Poll: HM 
@PatMcAfeeShow -- Suffered a beat down from @jayfeely and will hate ranking behind Phillips. "It's nice to have a backyard I can punt in, slammed my future neighbors freshly built home a couple times. But all in all nice lil workout." Also quesioned the truthfulness of "Locked Up Abroad" and wondered if the "nudetube" airport security guy had missed him when he finally made it back to the airport.
6. ANTONIO GARAY
Defensive Tackle | San Diego Chargers ... Last Poll: NR 
@antoniogaray71 -- Solid callout of teammate Jacques Cesaire: "Why is it that every time @pray74 invites me over to eat he tries to get me to help him do house chores?" Also liked "Miami Vice > Miami Heat" and his interest in the national spelling bee.
7. AUSTEN LANE
Defensive End | Jacksonville Jaguars ... Last Poll: 7 @A_Train_92 -- "If anybody in my twitter feed mentions their excitement for the new #Twilight movie they will be deleted and blocked on the spot." Also, "Anyone know a good counselor I can talk to? #Chipolte just abused me with their $2.00 guacamole prices." A fair complaint. Tasty, but pricey.
8. CHAD OCHOCINCO
Wide Receiver | Cincinnati Bengals ... Last Poll: 3 @ochocinco -- Offered $2,000 as a reward for a pair of size 11 Reebok NFL 4 speed lows, his "route running" cleats, which reside in a locker he's locked out of. Tweeted a farewell to Montreal after a visit in French. But went crazy with conversation with himself about how much he loved himself, losing points.
9. SCOTT FUJITA
Linebacker | Cleveland Browns ... Last Poll: NR 
@scottfujita99 -- "Oprah said San Luis Obispo is the happiest city in America. Well I can't find a parking space. I'm not happy." Also revealing: "Cruising in Juanita Fujita, the family RV. Just saw an eagle soaring overhead with a 3-foot snake in its grasp. Wow." I liked named vehicles.
10. ERIC SMITH
Safety | New York Jets ... Last Poll: NR 
@Esmitty33 -- One-hit wonder. "Just witnessed a grown man run down an escalator the wrong way. Most embarrassing thing...it was my dad #SMH" Family-friendly family humor.
Have a tweet I need to see? A Tweeter who needs more consideration? Find me at @ESPN_AFCSouth and @PaulKuharsky.
Presenting your 2010 All-NFC North team
US PresswireAaron Rodgers, Julius Peppers and Ndamukong Suh were slam-dunks for the All-NFC North team.More than 800 responses later -- via the comments, Twitter and the mailbag -- I am glad to admit my concerns were unwarranted. There was great interest in putting this team together, and you can see the results in the chart to your right. Below, I've offered explanations and context for the final decisions.
From the top, many of you were surprised that I didn't make Minnesota Vikings tailback Adrian Peterson a "lock." Wrote kprugger2010: "I will consume my first born child ... if you don't immediately make Adrian Peterson the undisputed/unanimous/worship-worthy RB on this list."
I realize Peterson led the division with 1,298 yards and 12 touchdowns despite missing one game. But I thought Chicago Bears tailback Matt Forte had an exceptional second half of the season, and I wanted to see where that conversation went. In the last six weeks of the season, during which the Bears locked up their NFC North title, Forte had the third-most yards from scrimmage (718) in the NFL.
In arguing Forte's case, drhodes77 wrote: "Forte for RB. No other real RB's in the league that did anything consistently. And by league I mean NFCN. Peterson had another standard year for him but in terms of being all important to his team, his team [stunk]."
In the end, I cheated a little and converted the TE/FB category to "RB." I thought both Peterson and Forte were among the top players in the division. Both were deserving of inclusion.
Offensive line was a struggle for me and many of you as well. The only position I felt certain about was right guard, which the Green Bay Packers' Josh Sitton manned consistently all season. The other four? Let's just say this wasn't the best year for NFC North offensive lines.
Although Packers left tackle Chad Clifton was named to the Pro Bowl, I went with the Detroit Lions' Jeff Backus. @JohnWayne506th pointed me in the direction of these STATS Inc. analyses for Clifton and Backus. By STATS' measure, Backus gave up half as many sacks as Clifton over the course of the season. Sack responsibility is open to interpretation, but others have shared in this opinion as well.
For the rest of the line, I went with Vikings left guard Steve Hutchinson, Packers center Scott Wells and Packers right tackle Bryan Bulaga.
While Hutchinson's play slipped in 2010, I don't think any of us could argue that the Lions' Rob Sims, the Packers' Daryn Colledge or the Bears' Chris Williams was better. At center, it was pretty much a toss-up between Wells, the Lions' Dominic Raiola and the Bears' Olin Kreutz. I went with Wells because several Packers coaches and players said at the Super Bowl that he had his best-ever NFL season in 2010.
Right tackle was particularly challenging. I chose Bulaga because he had an uneventful year after making the conversion from left tackle. For offensive linemen, "uneventful" often equals "successful." I'll admit that isn't the most scientific explanation, and the Lions' Gosder Cherilus had a case here. But as hendrix197731 noted, the Lions' offensive line was ranked No. 32 in the NFL by Football Outsiders, whose methods I trust. In a close decision, that ranking pushed me in the other direction.
Moving over to defense, I picked the Vikings' Jared Allen over the Packers' Cullen Jenkins and the Lions' Kyle Vanden Bosch. Allen had more sacks (11) and was the only one among that trio who played in all 16 games.
Levy50613 pushed to have Bears linebacker Lance Briggs removed and replaced by the Vikings' Chad Greenway, a move I considered. Wrote Levy50613: "He had 20 more solo tackles than Briggs had total tackles! 144 total tackles for Greenway. About 20 DB's had more tackles than Briggs (89)."
Ultimately, I wasn't going to downgrade Briggs based on tackles, an unofficial statistic. Greenway had a really good season, but I'm good with Briggs on this list.
There was some discussion about making the Vikings' Antoine Winfield the second cornerback, but I agreed with LamboLeak's observation of the Super Bowl: "We saw what happened when [Woodson] went out of the game Sunday: 21-3 turned into a game." Woodson had a quieter season in 2010 than he did in 2009, but that doesn't mean his play slipped beyond that of All-NFC North status.
As for safety, I flipped several times between the Bears' Chris Harris and the Lions' Louis Delmas to pair with the Packers' Nick Collins. I think we can agree that Harris -- like Forte -- was exceptional during the Bears' division title push. Harris had all five of his interceptions after the Bears' Week 8 bye.
Finally, special teams provided an opportunity to let flow my Vikings bias. (SARCASM ALERT.) Place-kicker Ryan Longwell missed only one field goal all season and punter Chris Kluwe led the division in net average (38.9) and punts downed inside the 20-yard line (32). I realize that Kluwe punted 12 more times than the candidate many of you pushed for, the Packers' Tim Masthay, but I didn't consider that difference large enough to make up for their respective production disparity.
Again, thanks to everyone for participating. Hopefully, the NFL's looming labor strife won't disrupt our plans to do it all over again next year.
