Now, it doesn't exactly have to be the face of the franchise and the reason for the desigination has to be that said "Rock Star" has the type of shadiness that causes opposing fans to want to sling beer bottles at their head. For instance, Steelers fans LOVE Hines Ward because he plays hard, goes from whistle to whistle and his blocking skills are an asset to the run game. Opposing fans, however, find his physical style is a bit dirty and would like to ring his neck. So, we split the 32 teams up between the two of us and I will lead off with my initial 16(Part 2 will come somewhere between tonight and tommorow)
Buffalo Bills: WR Terrell Owens: T.O. might be the David Lee Roth of NFL Rock Stars, in that, even the guys in his own band want to give him the boot. Fans of whatever team T.O. is on tend to tolerate his actions in exchange for his consistant production, but his me-first attitude and his overwhelming need for showmanship driving players(both opposing and otherwise) insane.
New York Jets: LB Bart Scott: The only thing tougher than Scott's bite, is his bark. As arguably the NFL's biggest trash talker, Scott's in-your-face antics helped light a spark for the Ravens defense, while opposing offenses stopped at nothing to shut him up. Now without Ray Lewis and the friendly confines of that Baltimore defense for the first time, Jets fans are hoping plays as good a game as he talks.
Baltimore Ravens: LB Ray Lewis: For one, being an accessory to a double murder during Super Bowl weekend tends to make opposing fans reluctant to cheer for you. Another thing that chaps the asses of people outside of Baltimore is when Lewis jumps in on a gang tackle behind the line of scrimmage and dances like he's on Soul Train. Ravens fans swear by Ray-Ray, but the recent lack of interest this past offseason while Lewis tested the waters gives you the sense that the feeling doesn't extend far past the Beltway.
Cleveland Browns: QB Brady Quinn: OK, so he's not exactly edgy, but Quinn certianly has the LOOK of a Rock Star. With his million dollar smile and Calvin Klein model good looks, Quinn has the ladies of the Dawg Pound in heat. Naturally, the male football population tend to be a bit skeptical(read: envious) of star quarterbacks who looked like they were ripped off the cover of GQ Magazine.
Tennesee Titans: QB Vince Young: Well, Young certianly knows how to party like a rock star...
Indianapolis Colts: QB Peyton Manning: Manning's detractors surface from not what Peyton does on the field, but off of it. A wide array of commercials, TV appearences and various other promotional oppurtunities has led to fans suffering from oversaturation. While certianly everyone would love to have Manning as their QB, some are a bit tired of hearing about his laser rocket arm.
Denver Broncos: WR Brandon Marshall: Broncos fans love Marshall's sure hands and playmaking ability. Me personally? I tend to turn my nose at guys who can't seem to keep their asses out of trouble and try to blame a forearm injury on slipping on a McDonald's wrapper.
San Diego Chargers: LB Shawne Merriman: There's something about convicted steroid abusers who dance like their having a seizure after every tackle that rubs people the wrong way.
Green Bay Packers: S Atari Bigby: He's the Packers' defensive enforcer(or at least was, as recent injuries have possibly made him the odd man out in the secondary). Bigby's huge hits get Packer Nation hyped up, while getting opposing players and fans crying foul.
Minnesota Vikings: QB Brett Favre: I know, I know, Favre's not a Viking.....yet, but does anyone fit the Rock Star prima donna attitude more to a T than The Riverboat Gambler. Despite achieving icon status in Green Bay, Favre remains adamant on selling what's left of his legacy for another 15 minutes of fame. He's like Bret Micheals, doing whatever it takes to stay relevant while looking for love from strangers.
Washington Redskins: Owner Dan Snyder: His fat pockets have brought in more declining veterans than VH1 reality television. 'Skins fans love Snyder because his never ending wallet makes thier team contenders every year(at least on paper). Others find his careless spending, while more detriment than anything, sets a bad example for other teams trying to compete.
Dallas Cowboys: Owner Jerry Jones: His greed will single-handedly kill any chance of their being a salary cap past this season. For that alone, you should hate him.
St. Louis Rams: DE Leonard Little: Sorry, I tend to be a bit sour on guys who are convicted of DUI vehicular manslaughter and then decide to drive drunk 6 months later. Sadly, Little's play has declined to the point where his body count might actually surpass his sack total one day.
Arizona Cardinals: WR Anquan Boldin: His Favre-like indecisiveness during his ongoing contract negotiations have been a source of frustration for both Cardinals fans and fans of teams hoping to see Boldin line up in their team colors. Now that Boldin has changed agents, maybe Boldin will be able to finally fly solo, Ice Cube style, and leave the band and the dramatics behind.
New Orleans Saints: RB Reggie Bush: He was supposed to be Gale Sayers, but he's been more Gayle King. After all the hoopla over being snubbed by Houston, Bush hasn't exactly made the detractors pay by lighting up the scoreboard. In 3 seasons in New Orleans, he has 1,550 yards rushing....or only 300 yards more than what Packers undrafted running back Ryan Grant had all last season. The anti-Bush crowd also tend to be angered by Bush's Hollywood girlfriend(Kim Kardashian) and non-stop commercials that don't seem to be justified given his lack of production.
Carolina Panthers: WR Steve Smith: Look, tempers flare during the hot tempatures of training camp, but when you punch out a teammate not once, but TWICE, it makes it hard to shake that whole bad guy label. As long as Smith keeps making the highlight reel though, Carolina fans will continue to turn the other cheek.
......and now, I'll tag in Gabe for Part 2
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