VSN Countdown to Madden 10 Release

[Poundtherock]

7 days and counting!!!!
Official Madden ‘10 Guide…Today!

“Mr. Everything“…just in time for HOF Weekend!

#7 End/DE George “Papa Bear” Halas
Decatur Staleys/Chicago Staleys/Chicago Bears (1920-1928)
College: Illinois - 1919 Rose Bowl MVP
6 NFL Championships (1921, 1933, 1940, 1941, 1946, 1963)
2× Sporting News Coach of the Year (1963, 1965)
2× AP NFL Coach of the Year (1963, 1965)
2× UPI NFL Coach of the Year (1963, 1965)
NFL 1920s All-Decade Team
Chicago Bears #7 retired
Pro Football Hall of Fame
​

Halas was associated with the Chicago Bears and the National Football League from their inception in 1920 until his death in 1983. He represented the Bears, originally known as the Decatur Staleys, at the NFL’s organizational meeting held in Canton, Ohio.
During his incredible career he filled the shoes of owner, manager, player, and promoter, and was an influential leader among the NFL’s ownership.

Named to the NFL's all-pro team in the 1920s, his playing highlight occurred in a 1923 game when he stripped Jim Thorpe of the ball, recovered the fumble, and returned it 98 yards, a league record which would stand until 1972.

​

It was, however, as a coach that he excelled and was best known. Although Halas coached his Bears for 40 seasons, he stepped away from the coaching ranks three times – 1930-1932, 1942-1945 (to serve in the military), and 1956-1957. Each time a rejuvenated Halas returned to the sidelines to coach and won an NFL championship. Twice, in 1934 and 1942, Halas’ teams had undefeated regular-season records. His 318 regular-season wins and 324 total victories were long-standing NFL records until broken by Don Shula in 1993. His Chicago Bears teams won six NFL titles, the first coming in 1921 after the Staleys moved to Chicago. George's Bears won three other divisional titles and finished second 15 times. Only six of Halas' 40 teams finished below the .500 mark.
As a coach, Halas was first in many ways: the first to hold daily practice sessions, to utilize films of opponents' games for study, to schedule a barnstorming tour, and to have his team's games broadcast on radio.
In the late 1930s, Halas, with University of Chicago coach Clark Shaughnessy, perfected the T-formation system to create a revolutionary and overwhelming style of play which drove the Bears to an astonishing 73-0 victory over the Washington Redskins in the 1940 NFL Championship Game. Every other team in the league immediately began trying to imitate the format. The Bears repeated as NFL champions in 1941, and the 1940s would be remembered as the era of the "Monsters of the Midway."

Halas and Shaughnessy had created a revolutionary concept with the T-formation offense. The complex spins, turns, fakes, and all around athletic versatility required to execute the scheme, limited the possible players available. Halas recruited Columbia University quarterback Sid Luckman in 1939. Luckman launched his Hall of Fame career, playing the position from 1939 to 1950.

Halas dissecting plays with two Hall of Famers, tackle
(and later linebacker) George Connor (81) and quarterback
Sid Luckman (42), as well as then-rookie quarterback
Johnny Lujack (32), at the Bears' 1948 training camp.
​

Halas went on a second three-year hiatus during World War II, serving in the Armed Forces from 1943-45, while the Bears won another title in 1943. Returning to the field in 1946, he coached the club for a third decade, again winning a title in his first year back as coach. After a brief break in 1956-57, he resumed the controls of the club for a final decade from 1958 to 1967, winning his last championship in 1963. He did not, however, enjoy the same success as he had before the war. He did win his 200th game in 1950 and his 300th game in 1965, becoming the first coach to reach both milestones. In 40 years as a coach, he endured only six losing seasons.

George Halas' career ledger reads as follows: 63 years as an owner, 40 as a coach, 324 wins, and 8 NFL titles as a coach or owner. He was a charter member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1963; the Hall of Fame is appropriately located on George Halas Drive. The NFC championship trophy also bears his name. In both 1963 and 1965 he was selected by The Sporting News, the AP and the UPI as the NFL Coach of the Year. In 1997 he was featured on a U.S. postage stamp as one of the legendary coaches of football. He has been recognized by ESPN as one of the ten most influential people in sports in the 20th century, and as one of the greatest coaches. In 1993, Miami Dolphins coach Don Shula finally surpassed Halas' victory total. To this day, the jerseys of the Chicago Bears bear the initials "GSH" on their upper left sleeves in commemoration of Halas.

​

 

[krulmichael]

He's coming baaaaack...

 

[FishStickZ]

Introducing the man who was able to hold off Peyton Manning and the Colts...

#7 - Billy Volek

 

[PEYMAN18]

Have fun Houston!!!

 

[PEYMAN18]

You call that a pro QB? lol Madden 10 awareness = 0

The sad thing is its a 68 in Madden 10........

 

[Derrville]

Nick Folk

Keep doing your thing man.

 

[Poundtherock]

6 days and counting!!!!

#6 QB Benny Friedman
Cleveland Bulldogs -1927
Detroit Wolverines - 1928
New York Giants - 1929-1931
Brooklyn Dodgers (NFL) - 1932-1934
Team(s) as a coach/administrator
New York Giants - 1930
Brooklyn Dodgers (NFL) - 1932
Brandeis University - 1951-1959
College: University of Michigan
College Football Hall of Fame
Pro Football Hall of Fame
​

Benny Friedman, a two-time All-America quarterback at Michigan, played with the Cleveland Bulldogs (1927), Detroit Wolverines (1928), New York Giants (1929-1931), and the Brooklyn Dodgers (1932-1934). When he turned pro, the college football sensation was greeted with fanfare that was exceeded only by the media attention given future Hall of Fame halfback Red Grange when he turned pro in 1925. A versatile player and field general, Friedman could run, kick, and most importantly pass the ball better than any player who preceded him and for many years better than those who followed him.
During his first four pro seasons, Friedman’s play was nothing short of remarkable, earning him first-team All-NFL honors each season. Although official statistics were not kept, he is believed to have completed more than half his passes, at a time when 35 percent was considered a very good performance. From 1927 through 1930 Benny tossed 11, nine, 20, and 13 touchdown passes, leading the league each year. In 1928, he led the league in both rushing touchdowns and touchdown passes; no other player has ever accomplished that. His 20 touchdown passes in 1929, including four in one game, were both NFL records for years.
Following the 1928 season New York Giants owner Tim Mara purchased the Detroit franchise just to secure the services of Friedman. Mara’s decision was based not only on the quarterback’s league-leading performances, but also on his all-important gate appeal. He proved to be an asset in both categories, not only for the Giants, but for the emerging pro league as well. Although very durable, a knee injury coupled with the rigors of serving as an assistant coach at Yale, Friedman’s productivity dropped in 1931. Still the player-coach managed to earn third-team All-NFL honors that year and second-team All-NFL honors in 1933.

​

After leaving the Dodgers, Friedman coached City College of New York until 1941. He served in the Navy during World War II. He then moved to Brandeis University in Massachusetts, where he served as athletic director from 1949 to 1961 and head football coach from 1951 to 1959, when the football team was disbanded due to high costs.

Despite his impressive numbers, Friedman was not chosen for the Pro Football Hall of Fame until 2005. Some people attributed this to Friedman's relentless self-promotion and campaigning for induction, which was considered bad form.

Suffering from severe diabetes, Friedman committed suicide in 1982.

March 18, 1905-November 24, 1982
​

 

[T.Dot]

Charlie "3rd string" Whitehust, the reason Volek is still our backup

 

[Poundtherock]

5 days and counting!!!!

#5 HB/S/PK Paul Horning - Green Bay Packers (1957-1962) (1964-1966)
College Notre Dame
Career stats Rushing Yards, 3,711; Average, 4.2; Touchdowns, 50.
Pro Bowl (x2) (1959, 1960)
NFL 1960s All-Decade Team
1956 Heisman Trophy
1961 NFL MVP
1961 Bert Bell Award
Green Bay Packers HOF
College Football Hall of Fame
Pro Football Hall of Fame

​

Even though the Green Bay Packers had quality players at almost every position during the "dynasty years" of the 1960s, many insist that Paul Hornung, the team's bonus draft pick in 1957, was the most important contributor to the Packers' successes.
Said to have a "nose for the end zone," Hornung scored 760 points in nine seasons on 62 touchdowns, 190 PATs and 66 field goals. As his record clearly shows, Paul did more than just score points. He gained 3,711 yards rushing and 1,480 yards on pass receptions.
In addition to his placekicking, he was a superb blocker and highly effective on the halfback option pass. Known as "The Golden Boy," Hornung was above all a leader to whom the Packers looked for the big plays in the big games.
He reached the zenith of his colorful NFL tenure with three exceptional seasons in 1959, 1960, and 1961. Paul led the NFL in scoring each year and, in 1960, he posted a record 176 points. The 1956 Heisman Trophy winner as a Notre Dame quarterback; Hornung was the NFL's Most Valuable Player in 1961. In the 1961 NFL Championship Game, Paul was on Christmas leave from the Army when he stunned the New York Giants with a record-smashing 19-point outburst as Green Bay won, 37-0.

​

Idolized by fans, and wealthy from numerous commercial endorsements, Paul Hornung enjoyed his success and the good life that fame and money brought. On more than one occasion, he was fined by his team’s coach for staying out past curfew. He is famously quoted as having once said: "Never get married in the morning - you never know who you might meet that night".

His penchant for high-living would prove disastrous when, in 1963, a major scandal erupted and Hornung and Alex Karras of the Detroit Lions, were suspended from football indefinitely by commissioner Pete Rozelle for betting on NFL games and associating with undesirable persons. Forthright in admitting to his mistake, Hornung's image went relatively untarnished, and in 1964 his suspension (and Karras') was re-evaluated by the League and Hornung returned to play for the Packers for another three seasons before injury problems forced him to effectively retire at the end of the 1966 season. The one-year suspension to Hornung and Karras, for an offense unrelated to drugs, would not go matched until that of Pacman Jones for the 2007 season.

On the wall around Lambeau Field where the names of Packers' stars are commemorated, the 1963 season is omitted from Hornung's career years, showing 1957-1962 & 1964-67.

Following his retirement he entered the business world, primarily as a real estate investor, but remained involved with professional football as the producer and host of a nationally televised sports program. He also did commentary on television broadcasts of college and NFL football for several years to a generally favorable reception. Hornung, currently is 73.

Golden Boy….

..an autobiography Hornung wrote, which was published in 2004
covers a great deal of his early life and personal experiences
that had not previously been publicized during his active career.

"Lombardi and Me:........

Players, Coaches, and Colleagues
Talk About the Man and the Myth,"
his second book, was published in September 2006.

Honorable mention:

​

Bad case of insomnia!

 

[Justo]

dam Brennan's b-day is a day after mine

 

[Sharkweather]

The greatest quarterback in NCAA history and potentially NFL history if he ever gets a shot.

Marcus Howard says otherwise...

 

[Tengo Juego]

Marcus Howard says otherwise...

Marcus Howard is irrelevant.

 

[Saluki]

Just FIVE inches worth of Joe Flacco's eyebrows away from Madden 10

 

[Rayman]

Colt Brennan
College: Hawaii
6-3/212 pounds
Born: August 16, 1983
Laguna Beach, CA

Colt Brennan threw 131 TD passes in three years
at Hawaii. That tremendous number included an
incredible 58 TD's in 2006. As Brennan
continues to learn the Redskins offense, there is
a growing buzz that he'll soon be and impact
player in Washington. After finishing 3rd in the
Heisman voting in 2007, Brennan wasn't drafted
until the 7th round. However he has been
impressive in his limited outings and many
pundits see lots of upside.

The greatest quarterback in NCAA history and potentially NFL history if he ever gets a shot.

:jonesy:

 

[T.Dot]

Mike Scifres > all

5 DAYS LEFT

 

[Derrville]

Clint Stoerner

* Dallas Cowboys (2000-2003)
* Scottish Claymores (2001)
* Miami Dolphins (2004)*
* Amsterdam Admirals (2004)
* Dallas Desperados (2005)
* Nashville Kats (2006-2007)
* Philadelphia Soul (2007)
* Team Arkansas (2008)*​

 

[T.Dot]

FavRAH in Madden 09

 

[Poundtherock]

4 days and counting!!!!

#4 RB Tuffy Leemans - New York Giants - (1936-1943)

College: George Washington, Oregon
Career totals - 3,132 yards rushing, 2,318 yards passing, 422 yards receiving
Had 25 TD passes, 13.8-yard punt return average
Led NFL rushers as rookie, 1936
5x Second-team All-NFL
1930s All-Decade Team
2x All-NFL
Pro Football Hall of Fame, 1978
​

The New York Giants first learned of future Hall of Fame running back Alphonse “Tuffy” Leemans after a vacationing high school boy, reported to his father what he had witnessed during a game between George Washington College and Alabama.

What he saw was a sensational performance by Leemans who from 1933 to 1935 starred for George Washington. The high school boy was Wellington Mara, son of the Giants owner Tim Mara. Thanks to young Mara, Leemans became the No. 2 draft pick of the Giants in the National Football League's first-ever college draft in 1936.

​

Tuffy was named the outstanding player in the 1936 College All-Star game and, upon joining the Giants, immediately took over as one of the NFL's most dependable workhorses. The 6-0, 195-pound fullback led the league in rushing as a rookie with 830 yards. He was the only rookie named to the annual all-league team.
During his outstanding eight-year career, he was named first- or second team all-league every year from 1936 through 1942, by either or both the NFL and a major wire service. A versatile player, at one time or another played fullback or halfback and excelled on defense. At the same time and certainly as a direct result of his play, the Giants were consistently contending for a title berth.

A native of Superior, Wisconsin, Leemans finished his pro career in 1943 with 3,132 yards rushing, 28 receptions for 422 yards, and 2,318 yards passing to his credit. He scored 17 touchdowns rushing, three on receptions, and passed for 25 more.
His career ledger also includes punt return and pass interception statistics. His marks become even more significant when it is remembered that the Giants of that era employed a system that saw two separate units divide playing time both offensively and defensively.

​

At the last regular season game in 1941 the Giants wanted to honor Leemans for his contributions to the team. On December 7 they celebrated "Tuffy Leemans Day," presenting him with a silver tray, a watch, and $1,500 in defense bonds.[1] During the course of the game the stadium announcer had paged Col. William Donovan to answer a call from Washington and had told all servicemen to return to their units, but it was only when the game let out that players and spectators learned of the attack on the naval base at Pearl Harbor earlier that day.

​

 

[krulmichael]

This kicker deserves all the love he can get. Poor guy.

 

[krulmichael]

I suck lol
I was such a bust
sorry Lions fans
3 days till Madden bitch

lol...I'll contribute to this a little more.