Jean Fugett: Around the NFL
By Jean Fugett; thanks to Charlie Campbell – @draftcampbell
WalterFootball.com is proud to partner with former Redskins and Cowboys tight end Jean Fugett, Jr. Esq. Fugett grew up in Baltimore, Maryland and attended Amherst College. He was the last pick of the 13th round in the 1972 NFL Draft. Fugett made the Cowboys as a backup to future Hall of Famer Mike Ditka. Fugett eventually became a starter for Tom Landry’s Cowboys and started in Super Bowl X. He made the Pro Bowl in 1977.
As a free agent, Fugett went from being the lowest-paid starting tight end to the highest-paid with the Washington Redskins. While playing for legendary Redskins coach George Allen, Fugett attended law school at George Washington University at night.
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During and after his playing days, Fugett worked with CBS, the Washington Post and other media. He went on to serve as Director and Vice-Chair of the McCall Pattern Company Management Committee, founded a Baltimore law firm and partnered with Fanfone in Europe. After the death of his brother Reginald F. Lewis in 1993, Fugett took over TLC Beatrice International Foods, the largest black-owned and black-managed business in the world at the time. Fugett has served on committees with the NFL Players Association and on the Leadership Council for the American Diabetes Association Maryland Chapter. |
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WalterFootball.com would like to thank Redskins general manager Bruce Allen and senior vice president/executive producer of media Larry Michael for connecting us to Fugett. Now, let’s let Jean take over.
Offensive Player of the Week: Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson
Defensive Player of the Week: Houston Texans defensive tackle J.J. Watt
Coach of the Week: Mike Zimmerman, Vikings
Rookie of the Week: Terrence West running back Cleveland
Goat of the Week: Bill Belichick Coach New England
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AFC – The Unexpected Happened Last Week The Jaguars were in upset mode in a surprising week in the NFL. What makes the NFL so entertaining is the fact that we never know for sure about our favorite teams. The games last week are a great example. In our season preview, we said that we could not figure out the Jacksonville Jaguars. Well, who knew they were good enough to jump out to a two-touchdown lead at Philadelphia? In the second half, the Jaguars-Eagles game reverted to form. The D.C. football club must wonder which Jaguars team will show up to play in Week 2. It is always sad to report on injuries, and I was sorry to see Jadeveon Clowney, the 2014 NFL Draft’s No. 1 pick, go down for four to six games in his first league game. Fortunately for the Texans, that injury did not cost the team last week thanks to J.J. Watt turning in a huge, MVP-type performance. Teams build great defenses around great defensive players, and in J.J. Watt, the Texans have that great player. When you have a great player like that, it makes the other defenders a lot better. Clearly that’s the case with Watt. |
Former Redskin and Cowboy tight end Jean Fugett was a Pro Bowler in 1977 and a starter in Super Bowl X. |
The Cleveland Browns surprised with their great comeback that forced the Steelers to mount a comeback. It was not a surprise the way the Bengals beat the Ravens in Baltimore, although Raven fans in Baltimore were stunned. You have to wonder if the Ravens and their fans can recover in time for the Thursday night when the 1-0 Steelers take on the 0-1 Ravens.
We thought the Chiefs would take a step back this season, and they started the year by scoring only 10 points against the Titans’ defense.
Maybe the biggest surprise last week was the Buffalo Bills going to Chicago to beat what looks like an overrated Bears team. Meanwhile, the Jets continue to find a way to win. Rex Ryan has a young quarterback with a good running game along with his usual good defense. The Jets will be competitive in most games.
Statistically, the result of the Patriots-Dolphins game should not have been a surprise, but the way it went down … Miami really took it to the Patriots. The game was physical and New England really got hit in the mouth on Sunday. I know Bill Belichick is not happy. Today the joke in Baltimore is: what do the Patriots and the Red Sox have in common?
NFC – Surprise and Disappointment in Week 1
The Seahawks looked tremendous and were clicking on all cylinders on Opening Night last week. Russell Wilson made a statement to include his name in the discussion for the top quarterback in the NFL.
The resilience of the Atlanta Falcons was a pleasant surprise. The Falcons entered the season under a lot of pressure due to their failure last season. The team this season could rebound or go the other way. Last year, the Falcons would pack it up and fold in some games. Give credit to coach Smith and the team leadership both demonstrating determination not to be beaten by the Saints. That overtime victory was thrilling; the result a surprise!
The Panthers were expected to struggle against the Buccaneers without Cam Newton, but they found a way to get a division road win with a second-string quarterback at the helm. What a strong start for Carolina.
We expected the Vikings to beat the Rams, but not to score 34 points against a talented defense. Many are not convinced the Bears are going to be good this year, and Chicago’s play on opening day is an example why. Green Bay has no reason to be concerned after losing to Seattle on the road in the first game of the season. Concern will commence with a poor performance versus the Jets this week.
AND “How about those Cowboys?” Who knows? Although there is a new play-caller, the quarterback is still Tony Romo. How long will Jerry Jones put up with all the interceptions from Romo? Many were stunned when Romo got that big contract and further shocked when the Cowboys passed on Johnny Manziel in the 2014 NFL Draft. Well, Johnny Manziel may not have been the Cowboys’ guy, but they are going to have to think of somebody other than Brandon Weeden as the future quarterback in the near term if Romo continues to play like he did last week against San Francisco.
It looks like D.C. is not settled along the offensive line. Who is convinced that we are seeing the same quarterback that we saw two years ago when Robert Griffin III debuted as a rookie? When will the Redskins dust off the read option and bring that offense back? Heck, even Andy Dalton ran the read option last week and was most effective. There is a ton of pressure on D.C. If you think there is a lot on President Obama, there is even more on the D.C football club!
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Jean Fugett: Around the NFL - 1/8
Jean Fugett's Around the NFL Week 15 Recap - 12/21
Jean Fugett's Around the NFL Week 14 Recap - 12/11
Jean Fugett's Around the NFL Week 13 Recap - 12/4
Jean Fugett's Around the NFL Week 12 Recap - 11/27
Jean Fugett's Around the NFL Week 11 Recap - 11/21
Jean Fugett's Around the NFL Week 10 Recap - 11/13
Jean Fugett's Around the NFL Week 9 Recap - 11/6
Jean Fugett's Around the NFL Week 8 Recap - 10/30
Jean Fugett's Around the NFL Week 7 Recap - 10/23
Jean Fugett's Around the NFL Week 6 Recap - 10/16
Jean Fugett's Around the NFL Week 5 Recap - 10/9
Jean Fugett's Around the NFL Week 4 Recap - 10/1
Jean Fugett's Around the NFL Week 3 Recap - 9/25
Jean Fugett's Around the NFL Week 2 Recap - 9/18
Jean Fugett's Around the NFL Week 1 Recap - 9/10
Jean Fugett's 2014 NFL Season Preview - 9/5
NFL Picks - Nov. 20
2025 NFL Mock Draft - Nov. 20
NFL Power Rankings - Nov. 19
Fantasy Football Rankings - Sept. 4
