Friday's Football Diary
Dear Diary...
This has been quite an exciting past couple of weeks following the Super Bowl. With the Scouting combine well under a lot of the focus and direction has been turned to the NFL Draft. This weekend in Indianapolis is the usual showcase of collegiate talent for both scouts and coaches to evaluate. While the workouts are only beginning, there's a buzz of anticipation for something big in the air and already there has been big news with the absence of Michael Crabtree (foot injury).
And while the combine is less one notable participant, there are still over 300 players to watch that should still put on an entertaining weekend of skill and talent. The Players that will catch my eye and hold my attention will be USC quarterback Mark Sanchez, Wake Forest linebacker Aaron Curry, Missouri wide receiver Jeremy Macklin, USC linebacker Clay Matthews, North Carolina wide receiver Hakeem Nicks, Florida wide receiver Percy Harvin, Ohio State running back Chris Wells, Oklahoma State tight end Brandon Pettigrew, and USC linebacker Brian Cushing.
Coverage of the combine started today on the NFL Network and I will be watching.
Just What I'm thinking.....
Teams like Arizona, Tennessee, and Cincinnati have begun or will be in the process of negotiating deals with key players that will figure into their 2009 plans. These signings or lack there of will have a direct impact on the teams offseason plans that will include the draft.
Only one place for Warner...
It is certainly sounding more and more like Kurt Warner will be back and from statements made following the team's Super Bowl loss to the Steelers, there's little doubt he'll end up in the desert. The two sides have begun negotiations and it really shouldn't take too long for a deal to be struck. According to ESPN's John Clayton, Warner and the Cardinals are far apart on the numbers, but there' definitely appears to be plenty of middle ground to get this done.
Youth movement at tight end has begun...
The tight end has never been one of the more glamorous positions on offense or in fantasy football and last season was pretty evident of that factor. Only one tight end surpassed the 1,000-yard receiving mark in 2008 and there were only two among the top 30 receivers all last season. With such production deficiencies at the position, more teams are making a move to younger talent; Celek in Philly, and Keller in New York (Jets). The Ravens have also expressed the need to upgrade at the tight end position this offseason and could go searching in the draft.
The T.O. and Roy Show...
If the Cowboys can manage to keep Terrell Owens on the roster heading into the 2009 season, at least on paper the offense has the look of something special. There's little doubt about the talent of wide receiver's Roy Williams and T.O., but many experts may question their character. Roy came over from the Lions in the middle of last season in a trade, but did not make much of an impact once he arrived. Both receiver's have proven talent and in the past have put up big numbers. If these two can get in sync with their quarterback. 2009 could be big for the Cowboys.
Titans are still in the running...
All signs point towards the Titans defensive tackle Albert Haynesworth becoming a free agent and while so experts are estimating he'll be looking for a six-year deal $100 million deal, Tennessee may still have a shot. With the economy hitting all aspects of today's cultures, it would not be surprising to see some initial offers come in far below the century mark. No question Haynesworth is a tremendous talent, but with his recent off-the-field legal issues he comes with a lot of baggage. You have to wonder what teams are going to be willing to risk the big dollars.
What's Spinning round the "Rumor Mill"....
What's the latest:
Denver interested in Ward...
The Denver Post is reporting that the team could have interest in potential free agent running back Derek Ward. Certainly the position was a weak spot in the offense last season with an unusual amount of injuries, but with a lot of questions to answer and holes to fill on defense, I can't see this team getting into a bidding war for the services of Ward. The Broncos will have other fish to fry and still have a full stable of ponies to consider at the running back position, not to mention the draft. I would be surprised to see the team make a serious push to sign the former Giant.
Ocho Cinco "on the block"...
This has been a continuing saga since the season ended. There has been a lot of speculation that the team could entertain offers, then a report indicating that Johnson would likely be with the team in the 2009 season. And of course we can all believe the notorious player's agent Drew Rosenhaus, when he sends out a memo to all 32 NFL teams that his client is available for trade.
Kitna trade is non-sense...
Apparently the recent rumors of the Lions trading quarterback Jon Kitna to the Jets are not just false, but there seems to be no validity to the story. The word is the Jets have no interest in Kitna even if he becomes a free agent. The fact is even if this were not a rumor, it would be non-sense or just plain ridiculous for the Jets to be considering this move.
Suspension is looming for Lynch...
The Bills running back Marshawn Lynch may have been able to avoid felony charges and serious jail time related to his gun possession arrest, but it is not likely he'll be out of the woods with NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell. This latest incident was not Lynch's first off-the-field incident and could land him a possible four game suspension to start the 2009 season.
Jets eyeing Lewis?...
According to the New York Daily News, the Jets have a big hole to fill on the defensive side and the speculation is they will be targeting an inside linebacker. It's no secret that Lewis has a great relationship and is very familiar with the Jets new head coach Rex Ryan. It would only make sense that the Jets would give him a look, but the question is will the Ravens make Lewis an offer he can't refuse?
My Fantasy Notes.....
A lot of the success I had in 2008 was a result of selecting some solid, talented receivers such Anquan Boldin and Roddy White. These were two players that played big and finished well in 2008. When you take a look at the numbers from last season, it was another big "Year of the Receiver" with 22 players finishing with more than 1,000-yards receiving.Looking back at 2008:
My Top 10 Wide Receivers...
1. Larry Fitzgerald (Ari)...the Cardinal's receiver emerged as the class of the NFL wideouts with 96 pass receptions for 1,434-yards receiving and 12 touchdowns in 2008.
2. Andre Johnson (Hou)...the Texan's receiver hand a number of big games throughout the 2008 NFL season and finished off the year with 115 receptions, 1,575-yards receiving, and eight touchdowns.
3. Calvin Johnson (Det)...the Lion's tremendous talent at the receiver position emerged from the shadows of the Roy Williams with a breakout season. Johnson grabbed 78 balls for 1,331-yards and 12 touchdowns.
4. Steve Smith (Car)...the Panther's speedy big playmaking wideout missed two games in 2008, but still managed to finish amongst the best with 78 receptions, for 1,417-yards, and six touchdowns.
5. Anquan Boldin (Ari)...the Cardinal's other receiver in his own right proved his worthiness as one of the leagues best, finishing the 2008 season with 89 receptions, 1,038-yards, and 11 touchdowns, in just 14 games.
6. Greg Jennings (GB)...the Packer's wide receiver had his breakout season in 2008 finishing with 80 receptions, for 1,292-yards receiving, and nine touchdowns.
7. Roddy White (Atl)...the Falcon's wide receiver emerged as one of the leagues top-flight elite, finishing his 2008 campaign with 88 pass receptions, for 1,382-yards receiving, and seven touchdowns.
8. Brandon Marshall (Den)...the Bronco's wide receiver followed up his strong sophomore campaign with another solid performance in 2008. Marshall caught 104 passes (not 140) for 1,265-yards, and six touchdowns to complete his first Pro Bowl year.
9. Antonio Bryant (TB)...the Buccaneers found a superstar in their maverick receiver who finished his first season with the team with 83 receptions, for 1,248-yards, and seven touchdowns. This after being out of football for all of 2007.
10. Randy Moss (NE)...the Patriot's wideout saw his numbers dip with the loss of his normal quarterback, but still finished the 2008 campaign strong. Moss caught a total of 69 passes for 1,008-yards and 11 touchdowns.
By David G. Ortega
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