Second thoughts

Sunday, January 5, 2014

Goofballs not needed in the NFL

Troy Aikman -himself once the highest-profile quarterback in a college draft and then among the most scrutinized stars on “America’s Team” - knows his way around the areas of criticism, leadership, talent and expectations.

So he knows what “celebrity” quarterback Johnny Manziel faces when he moves from Texas A&M to the NFL.

“I think the intangibles are what’s going to ultimately determine whether he’s successful or not,” Aikman said. “Indications at least last year are that maybe he’s a bit immature. I watched him during the (Aggies’ 52-48 comeback win over Duke) in the bowl game and on the one hand you say, ‘Wow, there’s some great leadership there.’ And on the other hand, I saw some things that I’m not real sure I’d be that fond of.”

FOX Sports columnist Mike Fisher asked Aikman whether the quarterback position in the NFL allows anyone -even “Johnny Football” - to be “Johnny Goofball.”

“No,” Aikman said, “you’re not gonna be a goofball and make it very long.” More to the party

If Cowboys owner Jerry Jones had his way, more than 12 teams would be in the postseason right now.

Jones was asked on 105.3 The Fan (via ESPN.com) whether he would support expanding the playoffs from six teams per conference to eight teams per conference, and he said he likes that idea because it would allow more teams to enter the playoffs and give more fan bases a reason to get excited about the NFL in January.

“From the standpoint of looking at how exciting it isfor a city or a community to be involved in the playoffs and the fact that you can have a team that might have literally operated at .500 or in that area … you can have that team win the Super Bowl,” Jones said. “That makes a big case for adding a couple of more cities or communities that have NFL teams to the playoffs.

It just creates that much more excitement and that much more interest for people in those communities. So I fall on the side of the ledger that would increase the playoffs.”

Good news for No. 1

From Janice Hough of leftcoastsportsbabe.com: “Houston Texans owner Bob McNair said he is open to trading the team’s No. 1 pick in the NFL draft. Which is great news - for potential No. 1 draft picks.” Two-sport star

If you listen to the college football pundits, South Carolina defensive end Jadeveon Clowney has “2014 Rookie of the Year” written all over him.

“Just one question,” wrote Dwight Perry of The Seattle Times. “In the NFL, or NASCAR ?”Quote

of the day

“We became each other’s backbone. We made each other strong.”

Receiver Julian Jones on all the adversity ASU’s senior class endured during their five seasons

Sports, Pages 22 on 01/05/2014