The NFL All-Injured Team

Everyone knows injury happen in sports everyday. Whether it’s a pulled hammy in a backyard wiffleball game, or a torn ACL on the professional field…nobody is immune(well, maybe Brett Favre). However, injuries are most notable in the NFL.

The other major sports have their share of bumps, bruises, surgeries, and concussions, but it doesn’t compare to the NFL. The league loses a score of marquee players every season, with no end in sight.

Is it the nature of the game? Sure. It is extremely violent, and with a short season, it’s difficult to rehab in time to make it back. But, you can’t help but wonder if there is more the NFL can do to protect the players. Maybe they already are…with more personal fouls and fines coming from gruesome hits, but still we have had a season with numerous season ending injuries.

I don’t believe the league should wear a “collective skirt”…but maybe it’s time for players to start looking out for one another a little bit.

Anyway, here is a list of players, who have either been on the injured reserve all year, or have been placed on it this season. This team could be a serious contender for the Super Bowl.

Let’s also not forget that the NFL can’t be too happy when superstars are out of the spotlight. I’m sure Tom Brady jersey sales are a bit down this season.

note…not all injuries were induced by legal or late hits.

QB: Tom Brady, New England: Last Year’s MVP…enough said.
QB: Brady Quinn, Cleveland: He finally got his chance, and it lasted three weeks before
going down.
QB: Carson Palmer, Cincinnati: A long year in the ‘Nati has been even longer without him.
Honorable Mention: Brodie Croyle, Derek Anderson, Jon Kitna

RB: Earnest Graham, Tampa Bay: Averaging over 4 yards per carry before the injury
RB: Laurence Maroney, New England: Hasn’t been the same since rushing for 300 yards in the playoffs last year.
Honorable Mention: The Denver Broncos

FB: Brian Leonard, St Louis: The Rams lost nearly 500 all-purpose yards from 2007 when Leonard went down.

WR: Nate Burleson, Seattle: Coming off a 50 catch year, only played in one game.
WR: Greg Camarillo, Miami: Don’t laugh…he was leading the Dolphins in receptions before going down.
WR: Javon Walker, Oakland: Tried to make a bit of a comeback…still talented…now injured.
Honorable Mention: Joe Jurivicous, Mike Furrey, David Tyree

TE: Randy McMichael, St. Louis: Just another target missing this season for Marc Bulger.

OL: The Jacksonville Jaguars
OL: Kendall Simmons, Pittsburgh

DL: Kelly Greg, Baltimore
DL: Robaire Smith, Cleveland
DL: Osi Umenyiora, NY Giants

LB: Angelo Crowell, Buffalo: Knee surgery has kept him and his 100+ tackles off the field all season.
LB: EJ Henderson, Minnesota: The Vikings possibly lost 100+ tackles when EJ went down.
LB: Keith Rivers, Cincinnati: Was projected to have over 100 tackles in his first season before Hines Ward jacked him.
LB: Zach Diles, Houston: Had 66 tackles in just games before his injury.
LB: Shawne Merriman, San Diego: They played well while he was suspended…not so much while he has been injured.

CB: Chris McCallister, Baltimore: Still one of the better corners in the league…had 3 picks before going down.
CB: Rasheen Mathis, Jacksonville: Was one of the high points this season for the Jags.
Honorable Mention: Marlin Jackson and Nathan Vasher

S: Rodney Harrison, New England: He may have slowed down, but the Pats lost his intimidation and toughness.
S: Roy Williams, Dallas: Like the Pats, the Boys lose toughness
Honorable Mention: Sammy Knight,

K: Martin Gramatica, New Orleans: 6/10 on field goals and perfect on PAT’s before a groin injury sidelined him

P: Mat McBriar, Dallas: Was averaging 49 yard per punt before the injury

KR: Felix Jones, Dallas

NFL Power Rankings

Here are your official NFL Power Rankings

1 – Dallas Cowboys

2 – New York Giants

3 – Philadelphia Eagles

4 – Tennessee Titans

5 – Denver Broncos

6 – Buffalo Bills

7 – Green Bay Packers

8 – Washington Redskins

9 – San Francisco 49ers

10 – Baltimore Ravens

THE OFFICIAL CENTRAL MAINE SPORTS BLOG NFL POWER RANKINGS

Here is a new weekly addition to the Central Maine Sports Blog..The NFL Power Rankings. The rankings will be compiled by votes from the contributors of the CMSB, so you will have us and only us to blame.

1 Dallas Cowboys – Hard to argue the strength of this team. Tony Romo and TO are in mid season form and the D, while not as strong against Philly, will have more than enough power to keep them high on the list.

2 New York Giants – While blasting the St Louis Rams is all that noteworthy, this team looks to be firing on all cylinders on both sides of the ball.

3 Green Bay Packers – while they have beaten 2 weaker teams, looks like the Packers aren’t missing Brett Favre at all.

4 Pittsburgh Steelers – The Steelers biggest test will be in the upcoming week, but they have proved to be strong on both sides of the ball. The game vs the Eagles could cause a free fall or move them closer to the top.

5 New England Patriots – The Patriots defense obviously has something to prove, that the Pats season indeed continues, played ferocious D against the Jets and with a multiple running back attack, the Patriots will keep their hold on being one of the better teams in the NFL.

6 Philadelphia Eagles – Monday Night should prove to the neigh-sayers wrong and that the Eagles are here to stay.

7 Denver Broncos – All that needs to be said about the Broncos…Jay Cutler

8 Carolina Panthers – Jake Delhomme has had a resurgence, and the D has played strong against pretty good teams.

9 Tennessee Titans – Chris Johnson and Kerry Collins lead the offense to a big win. A Titans tidbit last time the Titans were 2 – 0, 1999….Can we say Super Bowl

10 Buffalo Bills – The Bills comeback agains a strong Jags team puts them in the Top 10.

11 Indianapolis Colts – Even with all the injuries, this team deserves to be knocking on Top 10 door.
12 San Diego Chargers
13 New Orleans Saints
14 Arizona Cardinals
15 Tampa Bay Buccaneers
16 Chicago Bears
17 Jacksonville Jaguars
18 New York Jets
19 Washington Redskins
20 Baltimore Ravens
21 Minnesota Vikings
22 Cleveland Browns
23 San Francisco 49ers
24 Houston Texans
25 Seattle Seahawks
26 Atlanta Falcons
27 Oakland Raiders
28 Miami Dolphins
29 Detroit Lions
30 Kansas City Chiefs
31 Cincinnatti Bengals
32 St Louis Rams