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Adam Schein
Adam Schein has strong opinions on NFL teams, players and the news they make, and shares them as a columnist on NFL.com. He also hosts "The NFL Blitz" on Sirius NFL Radio and co-hosts "Loudmouths" on SNY TV in New York. Previously, he was a columnist for FOXSports.com. Schein is a graduate of Syracuse University. He lives in Manhattan.
I love Mike Munchak. I consider myself the founder of the unofficial Mike Munchak Fan Club. I've even made T-shirts. However, problems abound. Munchak hitched his wagon to Jake Locker. Munchak's team is chock full of drama. Munchak, entering his... more
We're only one week into training camp, and it already feels like we've been underway for a month. Major injuries and other significant developments in camps across the country are shaping the 2013 season with each passing day. Let's take a look at nine... more
When it comes to Rex Ryan, I've written both columns at NFL.com ... I've penned the take explaining why Rex is the perfect guy to handle New York and, one day, lead the Jets to their first Super Bowl title since the days of "Broadway" Joe Namath.... more
Do you smell what I smell? That smell is football. Training camps are open. You can feel it in the air. And every NFL season is shaped by the developments of these summer days. With that in mind, I offer up nine predictions for the coming weeks of... more
On Thursday, we highlighted the most important players in the AFC . Now we introduce our list for the NFC. Remember, I'm not looking to identify the best player on each roster, but rather the most important -- the pivotal guy who must excel for the team... more
You can feel it. You can taste it. Training camp is right around the corner. To help whet the appetite, let's take a look at the most important player for each team in the NFL. We'll start with the AFC today and hit the NFC on Friday. Now, this isn't... more
On Tuesday, we named the New Orleans Saints the NFL's most fascinating team in 2013 . Now, it's time to address individuals of intrigue, Schein Nine style. Here are the nine most fascinating players in the league this season: 1) Reggie Bush, RB, Detroit... more
It's becoming an annual tradition here at NFL.com. Each summer, I seek out the league's most fascinating team for the upcoming season. I try to find a team that has intriguing storylines and potential drama, a team that has both a very high ceiling and a... more
Hey, America: Happy birthday! OK, that's a bit premature, but I just love the Fourth of July. It's the appreciation. It's the celebration. And who doesn't like fireworks? Speaking of fireworks, the NFL always supplies its fair share. Every year,... more
It's a big Year 3 coming up for Christian Ponder. I don't think it is summertime hyperbole to call 2013 a make-or-break season for the Minnesota Vikings quarterback. While Ponder's first two years in the league have represented a roller coaster, I... more
Of all the veteran player transactions this offseason, I believe the single most impactful move -- one that will affect the standings, playoff seeding and football into January (and maybe February) -- was the Atlanta Falcons' signing of Steven Jackson.... more
I love the fact that the Cincinnati Bengals are going to be featured on "Hard Knocks" this year . NFL Films and HBO do an amazing job with the series, providing viewers with behind-the-scenes access, compelling drama and sensational stories. But... more
There are three guarantees in life; death, taxes and Adam Schein picking the Green Bay Packers to win the Super Bowl. I do it every year. I get the fever. I come down with a case of Packer-itis. This season, the guarantee will be tested. If I... more
The buzz sparked by the news that Tim Tebow would sign with the New England Patriots nearly broke the Internet on Monday afternoon. At least, it felt that way. In March, I wrote an open letter to Tebow in which I begged him to sign with the Patriots.... more
Some say the NFL is sleepy in June. I say those people are clueless. Schein: Indispensable defenders Adam Schein tabs nine vital defensive cogs. One major twist: The reigning Defensive Player of the Year isn't among them. More ... A week of... more
Ric Tapia/NFL Oakland Raiders owner Mark Davis is facing a lot of negative backlash for the termination of P.R. head Zak Gilbert. In 2007, an NFL head coach heard something I said live on my SiriusXM radio show about an NFL organization being... more
On Tuesday, I delivered a Schein Nine highlighting the most indispensable offensive players in the NFL (excluding quarterbacks). Now it's time to shift focus to the other side of the ball. In compiling this Schein Nine on the most indispensable... more
There are certain NFL players teams simply cannot live without, players who are truly indispensable. Merriam-Webster's dictionary defines indispensable as "absolutely necessary" or "essential," and "not subject to being set aside or neglected." Top... more
The news coming out of San Francisco was jarring and sobering. Michael Crabtree tore his Achilles tendon in organized team activities on Tuesday and quickly had surgery to repair it. While 49ers head coach Jim Harbaugh told the media on Wednesday that he... more
Stop what you are doing. Listen closely. Do you hear that creaking sound? That's the window closing on Peyton Manning's bid to win that ultra-important second Super Bowl. He's an all-time great, a legendary quarterback. On a personal note, he is my... more
On Wednesday afternoon, I received a text message from David Garrard. His comeback to the NFL, an attempt resurrect his career with the New York Jets, would in essence be over before it started. Garrard told me exclusively, "Having to call it quits. My... more
In sports, when you are known by just your first name, there's a reason. Basketball has LeBron and Kobe, as well as Michael, Magic, Larry, Wilt and Kareem before them. The 2004 Red Sox were led by Pedro and Manny. You know Eli, Peyton and Ben.... more
Every year in the NFL, certain folks step out of the shadows. Promising youngsters blossom into stars. Guys finally grow up and live up to the hype. Players join new teams and thrive. Backups become starters and seize the opportunity. Let's get ahead of... more
I love this time of year in the NFL, just after the draft. It's filled with hope, promise and the dawn of a new day as teams prepare for the coming season. There's just this problem I can't get past when it comes to Cam Newton, Ron Rivera and this... more
Andy Reid became synonymous with Philadelphia, brilliantly leading the Eagles for 14 seasons. The end came in December, at the conclusion of a 4-12 season, the worst of Reid's career. He deserved to be celebrated for his 130-93-1 record and eight seasons... more
The 2013 NFL Draft is in the past. All of the moves -- from the controversial to the impactful -- are behind us. Now it's time to look ahead, Schein Nine style, shifting the focus to who'll feel the most pressure as a result of last week's decisions. 1)... more
The 2013 NFL Draft was called the most wide open draft ever. And that proved to be the case on Thursday night. We have winners and we have losers from Round 1, "Schein Nine" style. 1) Vikings dominate another draft I thought Sharrif Floyd was the... more
NEW YORK -- I am an idiot. I know nothing. Or at least it feels that way. This is the most wide open and subjective draft in NFL history. But that won't stop me from making nine bold predictions about how things will unfold tonight at Radio City Music... more
No player defines the drama, intrigue and ambiguity of the 2013 NFL Draft better than Geno Smith . There has never been a more wide-open draft in NFL history, and there's such a significant range of opinions out there about players. This is... more
Offensive guards aren't sexy. They don't provide sizzle. They don't boost your fan base. They rarely appear on the cover of your media guide or as the featured player on your game-day ticket. 2013 NFL Draft: Position rankings With the draft right... more
It's the Baltimore Ravens' world, and we're all just living in it. That's not hyperbole, folks. The Ravens just won a Super Bowl after a regular season during which nobody thought they were the NFL's premium team at any point. They were dominant --... more
It's so easy to rip the New York Jets. You do it. I do it. They've earned it. But what if, perhaps, just maybe, they're handling this Darrelle Revis saga with aplomb? What if, perhaps, just maybe, the New York Jets know exactly what they are doing?... more
Matthew Emmons/USA TODAY Sports Bill Belichick (left) has three Super Bowl rings, but he's lost his last two games on the big stage to Tom Coughlin. The Mike Rice video made me sick. There's no place in athletics for that kind of abuse. But... more
There are two kinds of teams in the NFL: those with a quarterback and those without. The Dallas Cowboys have major, deeply embedded issues . One issue they don't have is a QB quandary. Tony Romo is a top 7-10 quarterback in the NFL. I think he's closer... more
Congrats to the Oakland Raiders on cutting Tommy Kelly . He was overpaid, overweight and underperforming. The move was a no-brainer. The old regime should've never given Kelly obscene money in the first place. It's a great step in the right direction.... more
Associated Press Florida Gulf Coast turned the sports world upside down. Can Stevie Johnson (right) and the Buffalo Bills follow suit? A No. 15 seed made the Sweet 16 for the first time in the history of the NCAA men's basketball tournament on... more
In a bit of a bombshell late Wednesday afternoon, the Chicago Bears announced they had broken off negotiations with one of the franchise's (and the NFL's) all-time greats, Brian Urlacher. After his selection as the ninth overall pick in the 2000 NFL... more
Associated Press Dallas Cowboys QB Tony Romo (left) and owner Jerry Jones haven't made the playoffs since the 2009 season. There's good news and bad news for the Dallas Cowboys. The good news: They won't have to hear the familiar refrain this... more
The free agency frenzy is zany and well under way. We are all over the good, the bad and the Patriots. (I can't believe I wrote that, either.) Here's what we love and what we hate, Schein Nine style. 1) New England Patriots are the biggest losers A... more
Associated Press Greg Jennings, Reggie Bush and Paul Kruger (from left to right) are three players generating buzz in free agency. I loathe the NFL's "legal tampering" period. Everyone is being so careful -- it's boring. We are here to spice it... more
Charlie Riedel/Associated Press Teammates Rashard Mendenhall (left) and Mike Wallace likely have played their last games as Pittsburgh Steelers. At this time next week, there will be a lot of stupid money being thrown around the NFL with free... more
Kathy Willens/Associated Press Tim Tebow only appeared in 12 games for the New York Jets in 2012, logging 32 rush attempts and eight passes. Dear Timothy Richard Tebow, Hope this letter finds you well. I know the 2012 season didn't go as you... more
EDITOR'S NOTE: The San Francisco 49ers have agreed on a trade that will send quarterback Alex Smith to the Kansas City Chiefs, according to a Wednesday report by FOX Sports insider and NFL Network contributor Jay Glazer. Earlier this week -- before... more
Anonymous sources blasting teammates. ... Players apparently out of shape and not focused on winning. ... Defensive gurus exhibiting delusional behavior. Your 2012 New York Jets? Nope. This is a sudden and stunning review of the state of affairs for the... more
On Monday night's Total Access on NFL Network, Andrea Kremer sat down with New York Jets cornerback Darrelle Revis for a revealing interview . There were plenty of revelations, and I came away with three strong convictions: » Revis wants to be the... more
Associated Press Dwight Freeney, Drew Stanton and Dashon Goldson (from left to right) carry plenty of value on the open market. By now, you know the names of the wide receiver free agents who put up fantasy stats. But this free-agent class... more
Genevieve Ross/Associated Press Down the stretch, divisional rivals -- like Adrian Peterson's Vikings and the Packers -- always turn up the heat. President Obama is set to address the nation with his State of the Union speech on Tuesday. I... more
My editor emailed at 3:18 p.m. ET on Wednesday with a simple request: Give me one team that missed the playoffs in 2012 that will make it in 2013. I love the Chicago Bears' potential under Marc Trestman. But that's a conventional wisdom take; that's not... more
What an epic NFL season that just went into the books. It was a true joy writing about the wild events on NFL.com. From the emotionally powered Indianapolis Colts to the league's dazzling rookie quarterbacks to the victorious Baltimore Ravens, this was an... more
NEW ORLEANS -- Super Bowl Media Day already feels like a lifetime ago. I've eaten enough seafood for the year. I'm ready for what should be an epic Super Bowl. We've talked to all the coaches and players from the San Francisco 49ers and Baltimore... more
Did you know that the coach of the Baltimore Ravens has the same parents as the coach of the San Francisco 49ers? Yes, Super Bowl XLVII will feature Harbaugh v. Harbaugh , and the lives of brothers John and Jim -- and their brilliant and bold coaching... more
Finally, the coaching carousel has stopped spinning. But questions remain. In the latest edition of The Schein Nine, I look at burning questions facing those teams that filled vacancies as they head into the offseason. 1) Who is in charge in... more
Tony Avelar/Associated Press Jim Harbaugh has enjoyed amazing success in his first two seasons as head coach of the San Francisco 49ers. Coaches win or lose games at this time of year. Just look at what happened last Saturday, when Denver... more
After a zany, confusing and occasionally embarrassing head-coaching search, the Philadelphia Eagles got their man, dropping a bomb on the NFL. On Wednesday, the Eagles announced that they had hired Chip Kelly. Hold on while I pick my jaw up off the... more
We will always remember the divisional round of these NFL playoffs as epic. But part of the drama included some losing efforts, questionable decisions and overall head-scratchers. So in this edition of The Schein Nine, I present the nine biggest losers... more
The Seattle Seahawks are going to beat the Atlanta Falcons in Atlanta this weekend because they have the advantage at the quarterback position. You read that correctly. I don't want to hear that Seahawks starter Russell Wilson is a rookie. That's... more
The Buffalo Bills were one of the NFL's biggest disappointments in the 2012 season. The offseason champs became the in-season chumps when Mario Williams and Co. flopped miserably. Coach Chan Gailey was rightly fired at the end of the season. He couldn't... more
Ric Tapia/NFL Dubbed the "Fail Mary," Golden Tate's game-winning score vs. the Green Bay Packers was mired in controversy. With the coaching carousel moving in a rapid motion, the playoffs have taken a back seat. Get refocused and buckle up.... more
The New York Jets made former general manager Mike Tannenbaum the fall guy for their bumbling, grotesque, laughable 6-10 season of underachievement. They fired Tannenbaum on "Black Monday" via a statement from owner Woody Johnson, which included the... more
Forget The Masters. "Black Monday" is a tradition unlike any other. Yes, I'm talking about this coming Monday, one day after the regular season's completion, when we experiences mass terminations of the NFL's worst coaches and general managers, fueling... more
Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to our great readers. It's also important to remember the NFL fans going through a classic case of "Bah, humbug!" at this time of year. In the latest edition of The Schein Nine, I've collected the NFL's biggest... more
Kyle Terada/US Presswire Matthew Stafford has been a big reason why the Detroit Lions have struggled; his 78.9 rating ranks 24th in the NFL. They are an embarrassment. They are impossible to watch. They are a clown show. They slip on the... more
Move past the greatness of guys like Peyton Manning, Tom Brady and Aaron Rodgers. Have you noticed how bad quarterback play has been in the NFL this year? It's been worse than ever. Christian Ponder can't complete the forward pass for the Minnesota... more
There's nothing quite like the stretch run in the NFL. The games are bigger. The pressure is on. Playoff lives/seeding and jobs are at stake. Have you noticed how amazing and intense the storylines and games are this week? We have a fantastic... more
We have three weeks left in the regular season. There are major races for the final playoff slots in both conferences. But the cream is rising to the top. I think there are just five teams that can truly win the Super Bowl. And I think there are... more
The San Francisco 49ers lost last Sunday to the inferior St. Louis Rams, and young quarterback Colin Kaepernick didn't dazzle. Now the critics, the skeptics and the media elite are out in full force. They are wondering whether Niners coach Jim Harbaugh... more
I am one of the 50 voters for The Associated Press' NFL awards. It is a responsibility that I take a lot of pride in -- and one I take very seriously. I start taking notes and compiling names for the various awards in late October. I watch the games. I... more
Earlier this week, I hit you with nine guys not to be trusted down the stretch of the season . Schein: Players who can't be trusted As we hit the stretch run of the 2012 campaign, Adam Schein identifies nine key players who simply cannot be trusted.... more
Associated Press Joe Flacco (left) and Michael Turner could decide the fates of the Baltimore Ravens and Atlanta Falcons, respectively. John Madden always likes to say that it isn't worth judging a team and projecting its fate until after... more
I had a list of the nine biggest turkeys in the NFL this season, but I opted instead to be super positive heading into the holiday. Below you'll find the nine things I'm thankful for in the NFL this year. Take a look back at this long-standing NFL... more
When looking at the AFC wild-card chase, the famous line from Dumb and Dumber comes to mind. Your team might have anywhere between four and six wins, and you can start to get excited. "So you're telling me there's a chance." Yes, Lloyd. Yes we... more
Week 11 is upon us, and the most important game on the slate features a pair of three-win teams. What was supposed to be an exciting clash between the Washington Redskins and Philadelphia Eagles is instead defined by one gigantic question. Can Mike... more
It's November and the NFL is hotter than ever, buzzing with playoff chatter and the inevitable turning of the coaching carousel . Greg Schiano and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers are at the center of both. Really. The Bucs are back. Tampa Bay has scored 28... more
The New York Giants are still the New York Giants. The Chicago Bears are better than the Houston Texans. The Seattle Seahawks are Rex Ryan's vision. And don't tell Doug Martin he's the next Ray Rice. As usual, I have nine strong takes on what's going on... more
We're halfway through a wild 2012 season, and it's time, once again, to get bold. I was looking back at my bold predictions from the preseason , and I did pretty well. (Just pretend I never wrote that the Buffalo Bills would have the best defensive line... more
Tim Heitman/US Presswire Stop us if you've heard this before: Brian Urlacher (54) and the 6-1 Chicago Bears are getting it done on defense. The league doesn't give you points for style. So don't downgrade the Chicago Bears. Plus, we explain... more
The Atlanta Falcons are 7-0 and it means absolutely nothing. If you don't believe me, just ask them. Falcons players and staff know the drill. Atlanta has put up gaudy statistics before. The Falcons have had home-field advantage in the playoffs. And... more
On Monday, I wasn't sure if I was hosting my SiriusXM NFL radio show or a fan hotline. Many of the callers were angry, and rightfully so. In this edition of The Schein Nine, I examine nine teams in pressure-packed situations and lay out what each one's... more
The 3-3 Pittsburgh Steelers have the look and feel of an 8-8 team. They're banged-up, depleted. They've lost to inferior opponents. Individual players have grossly underachieved. But they're still legit contenders. In a wide-open and weak AFC, the... more
The Green Bay Packers actually have a replacement for the irreplaceable Charles Woodson. One Cam has issues in Carolina, and another Cam has bigger issues in Baltimore. Plus, we examine the Cincinnati Bengals' meltdown, Robert Griffin III and the sequence... more
The San Diego Chargers were up 24-0 on the Denver Broncos at the half on Monday night . Then Philip Rivers forgot how to play football, Peyton Manning looked like vintage Peyton Manning and the Broncos somehow won the game by double digits. Wyche: Glass... more
The bad news is, the Dallas Cowboys have many problems. The good news is, they can begin to fix them with one solution. The Dallas Cowboys need a fresh set of eyes. If Jerry Jones the owner won't go down the hall to fire Jerry Jones the general manager,... more
The Mark Sanchez apologists make their familiar case: The New York Jets offense lacks weapons. ... GM Mike Tannenbaum didn't give the team depth. ... Santonio Holmes and Darrelle Revis are hurt. ... Dustin Keller has been injured and a non-factor. ...... more
Phelan M. Ebenhack/Associated Press Lovie Smith has the Chicago Bears playing excellent defense and tied for first place in the NFC North at 4-1. There is no offseason in the NFL. The moves that are made in the draft, during the free-agency... more
The New Orleans Saints are a grotesque 0-4. I've heard all of the excuses. Let's list 'em: » Blame the defense. Steve Spagnuolo hasn't made a difference as defensive coordinator. » Blame the coaching. The Saints are guided by the interim to the... more
Here's a nugget that will smack you right between the eyes. Since 1990, 201 NFL teams have started the season with a 2-2 record. Of those, 71 went on to make the playoffs (about 35 percent). Rapoport: Cowboys at crossroads The Cowboys head into a... more
Finally, after three weeks of purely inept work by the replacement officials -- including the single worst call in league history on Monday night -- we have the real refs back at work ! We get back to football by uncovering the biggest surprise flying... more
Associated Press Eli Manning's Giants are poised to top Tony Romo's Cowboys, Robert Griffin III's Redskins and Mike Vick's Eagles. According to preseason conventional wisdom, the NFC East was going to be the best and most competitive division... more
After picking the Seattle Seahawks to beat the Dallas Cowboys last week, I get a little "upset special happy" this week. I also identify Green Bay's key ingredient. But first, let's acknowledge a new star quarterback in our latest Schein Nine. 1) San... more
The Philadelphia Eagles are back! Tom Brady is in trouble! Matt Cassel stinks! Jay Cutler stinks! More Tim Tebow! I'll separate false perceptions from reality in the Tuesday edition of The Schein Nine. 1) Perception: The Eagles are undefeated -- and... more
Matt York/Associated Press Since entering the NFL in 2007, Arizona Cardinals QB Kevin Kolb's career has been anything but predictable. The ultimate redemption could literally be in the Cards. Plus, we get you set for Week 2 with upset... more
Dear Redskins Nation, I am happy to admit I was dead wrong on Robert Griffin III walking into a hornet's nest Sunday. Color me ultra-impressed with his incredible poise, accuracy and strength. He was the best player and biggest story in Week 1.... more
Did we just witness Tony Romo's best? Are we about to witness Robert Griffin III 's worst? Plus, a team will score 50, two upset specials, a survivor pick and a relationship that could be even rockier than a Kardashian marriage -- all in our Thursday... more
Welcome to the inaugural edition of the Schein Nine. Every week of the 2012 season, I'll have nine thoughts about what's going on in the NFL, ranging from the latest hot-button topics to issues that slip through the cracks. This week, I'll break down... more
The Dallas Cowboys will blame the quarterback. The Oakland Raiders will need a new quarterback. The New York Jets quarterback is a running back and will lead the team to the playoffs. Now that I have your attention, here are nine bold predictions for... more
Ted S. Warren/Associated Press Pete Carroll encourages competition at every position, making the Seattle Seahawks an intriguing team to watch. With less than two weeks until the first game of the 2012 NFL season, I'm ready to officially declare... more
Pick a word, any word. Inept. Pathetic. Grotesque. Embarrassing. Lackluster. Obviously, we are describing the New York Jets' offense in the preseason. Schein: Why Rex will get a ring Rex Ryan is truly the perfect coach to lead the New York Jets to... more
GREEN BAY, Wisc. -- On Tuesday, I spent the day at Lambeau Field with the winner of Super Bowl XLVII in New Orleans. Congratulations to Mike McCarthy, Aaron Rodgers and company. When it comes to talent, drive, coaching and intangibles, the Green Bay... more
Stephen Brashear/Associated Press The Tennessee Titans can give Jake Locker a head start as their QB of the future if they let him start now. Football is back, and so is the controversy. That's why I'm here: to help guide coaches, players,... more
Charles Rex Arbogast/AP The Cleveland Browns could spend some time without star CB Joe Haden, who faces a possible four-game ban. I can hear it now ... It's exactly 8 p.m. ET in late April. Radio City Music Hall is jam-packed and buzzing. NFL... more
Rex Ryan is the perfect coach to lead the New York Jets to their first Super Bowl title since the days of "Broadway" Joe Namath. I've never been more convinced of this. You read that correctly. Brace yourselves, haters. He is polarizing. He can be... more
Every August, fans and media alike get swept up in hype, positive and negative. Consequently, assumptions form. And as these assumptions gain traction, they transform into genuine myths. That's where I come into play. In my debut effort for NFL.com ,... more
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