ESPN's Minnesota Vikings reporter Ben Goessling on Vikings' Defensive Tackle Tom Johnson's unusual arrest and game status for Sunday against the Detroit Lions

ESPN's Minnesota Vikings reproter Ben Goessling broke a story yesterday on the arrest of Minnesota Vikings' Defensive Tackle Tom Johnson. Tom Johnson was arrested on Sunday morning and charged with the misdemeanors of trespassing and disorderly conduct while having dinner at the Seven Steakhouse in Minnesota. The thirty year old Tom Johnson was then taken to the Hennepin County jail and was shortly released after posting a $78 bond. During the arrest, Tom Johnson was not only pepper sprayed but also hit with a taser gun by Minnesota Police. There has been a fair amount of protest to the events that transpired last Sunday night. This wasn't a case of a high profile NFL player acting rudely like that of Lesean McCoy's (Philadelphia Eagles star RB) twenty cent tip debacle/ social media war. Ben Goessling reveals in his article that Tom Johnson may have been a victim of possible police brutality or at the very least misconduct on behalf of police force which made the arrest.

The article goes on to explain that Tom Johnson was asked to leave during closing time at Seven Steakhouse around 2 A.M. on Sunday morning. All reports made thus far have clearly stated that Tom Johnson wasn't inebriated. Johnson was reportedly told, repetitively, to leave the restaurant. Johnson was at a booth waiting for the restaurant's valet service to bring his vehicle. Johnson inquired as to why other patrons of the restaurant were not asked to leave as well. Johnson was also unaware that he was required to be outside the establishment while waiting for his valet service. When Johnson refused to leave the establishment, an officer hit him with pepper spray. Afterwards, Johnson received a towel and water from security for his pepper-sprayed face; Johnson would also reach out to the security guard and gave money to thank him for his help. The Minnesota defensive lineman would take a picture of the officer who sprayed him and a video (believed to be from Johnson's cell phone) of the event. It was shortly after this time when one of the two off duty police officers began asking for Tom Johnson's identification. The police officer would then strike the cell phone out of the hand of Johnson (who was recording the event). When Johnson bent down to pick up the cell phone, the police officer would strike his arm and hand and then used a taser on the Vikings' DT.

Minnesota Viking Head Coach Mike Zimmer said that Tom Johnson would be on the field and playing for the Vikings game against the Detriot Lions on Sunday. Tom Johnson's lawyer, David Valentini made a statement about the event and possible actions to be taken in the near future:

"You saw the video he took...It sure doesn't seem like he was doing anything wrong. He's not raising his voice. There's nothing wrong with videotaping an officer."

Valentini also stated that he will deal with the criminal aspect of the case, before taking any legal actions against the Minnesota police. Johnson's agent, Bardia Ghahremani, made a statement claiming that the charges against Johnson were baseless. Additionally, Ghahremani stated legal action would be taken after the criminal charges against Tom Johnson were settled.

References:

http://espn.go.com/nfl/story/_/id/11659403/minnesota-vikings-dt-tom-johnson-track-play-arrest

http://espn.go.com/nfl/story/_/id/11653143/police-used-stun-gun-minnesota-vikings-tom-johnson

Photography/ Image Courtesy:

Tom Johnson: Jeffrey Beall

ESPN Reporter Andy Jasner Is Worried About Philadelphia Eagles' Sack Drought And Why You Should Be Concerned

ESPN reporter Andy Jasner is woried about the Philadelphia Eagle's defensive effeciency and thinks you should be just as concerned. If you remember three weeks ago, the Eagles recorded a respectable three sacks during their come from behind victory over the Jacksonville Jaguars. Those pass rushes are an element in what would become a 34-17 shootout win. Andy Jasner is much more concerned with the fact that since that game the Eagles haven't posted another sack as of yet. While offensive productivity is relatively good and Philly can boast a solid rating for their QB, Nick Foles, who is in the top ten performing quarterbacks, leaving the game with no sacks for your defense is a worrying statistic. The NFL and football itself is evolving and its general trend on defensive effeciency is tightly related to how much pressure you can place on your opposing quarterbacks. Sacks in a game are often under appreciated, many DBs around the league will tell you if you can get a sack it takes pressure of your back and places it on the offense. When teams pass rush effectively it deters and keeps offenses honest, the less time the quarterback has in the pocket, the more likelihood that the plays turns out in the defense's advantage.

The Philadelphia Eagles are no stranger to this defensive philosophy. The great and revered former Eagles Defensive Coach Jim Johnson was a pass rush intensive playcaller, which gave a reputation and respect around the league for the heavy hits and blitz rushes back in the day with great pieces to that stellar defensive puzzle such as Brian Dawkins at strong safety who molded well with playcalling and style for consecutive successful years of a strong Eagles defense. Very talented stars have took up that helm at defense like Trent Cole, who has impresive speed and power, yet ever since the new direction along with the failure of the last couple years with the 'Wide 9' style, which saw disasterous results in pass rushing, getting sacks has been a big gap and great detriment to Ealges defensive productivity. Many Eagles recognize this recurring problem such as Connor Barwin who made the statement that "I think we're rushing the passer really well when we have the opportunities,But the opportunities haven't been what we've wanted them to be. And that's on us to make it happen. Or else everybody's going to keep talking about it -- and rightfully so."

Frankly, Philadelphia Eagles just have been unable to bring their defense back to the luster and productivity of Jim Johnson era of Ealges defense. The wide 9 gimmick defense seemed to bring in even less sacks than less intensive pass rushing teams during the last two seasons. While the defense seems better positioned in many areas of personell and playcalling, there is noticeable disconnect with what the Eagles set out to do on defense and what the numbers and statistics state. Even Connor Barwin addressed that he believed that their defense was getting good pressure but quick releases (from opposing QBs) and other factors lead to no sacks in the last two outings. Nonetheless, many Eagles realize that if they want their undefeated season to stay that way, Eagles defensive coordinators, defensive leaders like Cole and Barwin and others will have to figure out this conundrum and start getting QBs on the ground.

References: http://espn.go.com/blog/philadelphia-eagles/post/_/id/8034/eagles-stuck-on-sack-total-since-opener

Chip Kelly Philadelphia Eagles Head Coach overworking his players? CB Cary Williams Believes so

After another hard fought comeback victory on Sunday, is there already unrest in the locker room for the undefeated Eagles? Apparently, that is indeed the case. Corner Back Cary Williams is carrying on in his sixth season yet, he negatively expressed after game remarks on the conditioning program set forth by Kelly:

"I am just gonna be honest with you, its hard to go out there and fight for 60 minutes when you are fighting throughout the week to make it to one practice. I'm not the only one, I'm just the only one that's man enough to stand up here and talk to you about it. It is my opinion its an issue in our start"

While it may offer an explanation to the apparent slow start, quick finish type of play seen in the last three outings; ESPN Analyst and Hall of Famer Chris Carter discussed the naivety of the quote and stated that earlier on in his career he regrets not being more disciplined with conditioning. Whether or not these concerns have reached Chip Kelly's desk is unclear as of now or if any other voices will come up on the subject. One this is for certain, despite an untarnished record there is discord in the Eagles locker room.

References:

ESPN's Mike and Mike In The Morning Radio Show

Photography/ Image Courtesy:

Eagles' Practice: Brian O'Mahoney

Chip Kelly: Zennie Abraham

Cinderella Start For Unbeaten Philadelphia Eagles

The most unlikely of underdogs is emerging in the NFC East this season to take the first NFL top spot this week as currently the only unbeaten team. The Eagles now are the first team in the NFL to have ever won their first three games all the while trailing 10 or more points in the game.

Eagles' are slowly be named as the underdogs to watch out for as they have trumped their NFC East rival Washington today and last week taking out the heavy favorites in the Indianapolis Colts. Spectacularly, the Eagles have not held any lead at all before half time so far. Despite the odds and points scored against them in first halves, the Eagles have dominated the second half this season with 3 come from behind victories all aided by intensive, fast paced offensive play-calling. Additionally, Lesean McCoy has been the Running Back with the moves and is regarded as the best this year for his position. Despite the great lateral agility of McCoy, he only averaged 1 yard a carry this week, as the majority of the offensive second half onslaught was carried throughout the air thanks to a near impecable 115.2 QB rating from second season superstar Nick Foles.

Second Year Head Coach Kelly currently has the NFL defenses shaken with the fervent pace and high risk, high reward play-calling on offense paired with a steadfast well disciplined defense making huge plays when needed despite the laundry list of 1st string defesive backs injured already this season.

The Eagles take NFL history and another win on their belt this week from yet another come from behind 2nd half shootout leading to victory. The already unlikely Cinderella story of the Eagles unbeaten season keeps getting better and better despite the statistical odds placed against them.

Photography:

Eagles' Swoop: Kevin Burkett