FSH: DAVID'S FOOTBALL DIARY

February 14th, 2008 10:30pm PST

Friday's Football Diary

Dear Diary...

It seems this football train knows no slowing down. The combine starts in just days and I have so much to do to catch up. Before you know it the workouts will be all over and we'll be turning our focus and attention over to NFL free agency. With key signings and possible trades taking place, this locomotive will just pick up speed.

It seems too, that many of the 32 NFL teams aren't even wasting any time getting ready for free agency. More teams unloaded what I can only describe as unnecessary baggage. The Bears have just released wide receiver Marty Booker, a non-factor much of 2008, and the word is linebacker Keith Brooking could be let go.

Things definitely don't seem to be settling down around camp as many NFL teams are starting to posture and take their stance. The Giants tagged running back Brandon Jacobs, Sproles could be next in San Diego, and there are headlines indicating defensive lineman Julius Peppers could be targeted as well.

If this early player movement (release, tagging, resigning) is any indication of what we can expect in the coming weeks and months, there are going to be a lot of long nights with little sleep.


Just What I'm thinking.....

If anyone thought that the football season really ends, they're just not paying attention. I am doing my best to keep up, but it seems in the offseason, football goes from one day of action on Sundays to six days of activity and Sunday off. How ironic.

With a full week of commotion to digest, looking over recent rumors as well as news reports, my best guess to what's happening with a lot of the high-profile players in today's news, everyone's staying put! At least for the moment.


Lewis is a Raven...
Despite all the hogwash flying around connecting Lewis with the Cowboys or the Jets (oops, I may have assisted that one), he is a Raven and in all likelihood will remain. Lewis has spent his entire career in Baltimore and is the heart and soul of the that defense. I would expect in the 12th hour for management to step up and offer enough of a deal to keep Ray right where he is, in the middle of the Raven's defense.

Warner stays in the desert...
Recent word on the net, Warner's agent and the Cardinals have begun talks. A great indicator that Kurt will be back in 2009. With the combine fast approaching and free agency to quickly follow, I would expect the two sides to come to terms rather quickly and get this chapter of the Cardinal novel closed.

Vick won't play in 2009...
Former Falcon's Quarterback Michael Vick will need more than a half-way house to convince any team that he's worth consideration. Vick is still relatively young and certainly has a chance to play again, but will he? I'm not so sure, but it's already quite apparent he won't be playing in 2009. There's still just too much ill will and sentiment being hurled in his direction. Let's just say Vick still has a lot of work to do off the field, before he'll be accepted back on the field.

Collins his own enemy...
The Titan's quarterback may want to be the team's starter in 2009, but he's going to have to do it at a discount. Collins has come out and said he wants money in the Kurt Warner rent district and that's just not realistic. This doesn't mean that the Titans won't offer it, but it's just not likely that they will and I don't see any other team willing to pony up that kind of green. Collins was serviceable at best last season, but he's not even a top ten quarterback in this league.

The Farve legacy is never over...
It was bound to happen eventually, but even with the Golden boy gone he will always be remembered as one of the most exciting players to ever step on the gridiron. His legacy will forever live on in the annals of Lambeau field, where number four started 253 NFL games under center. Favre leaves the game after 18 season and a complete host of memories that fans will be able to hold to and cherish for years to come. Adding a side note, my most memorable Favre moment will always be the Monday Night game against Oakland.

The next "Three Amigos"...
I could be getting way ahead of things here, but just imagine for a moment, if you're an Eagles fan and your team has just completed one of the biggest offseason trades for the 2009 season. With speedsters DeSean Jackson and Kevin Curtis, add a physical possession style receiver like Anquan Boldin into the mix and you have yourself three dangerous compadres. If the Eagles can make a play for Boldin's services and close the deal, how would that look with Boldin on one side, Jackson on the other, and Curtis in the slot. Sure for Philly, this could be a fantasy and speaking from a fantasy side, the last time McNabb had this kind of talent he threw 31 touchdowns and lead his team to a Super Bowl.

What's Spinning round the "Rumor Mill"....

Is it speculation, guess work, or just the latest yarn being spun? Free agency has yet to start, but it's already becoming a media circus with the latest rumors having some very big names linked to new team. Fact or Fiction, it doesn't matter because it's all part of this week's "Rumor Mill."

What's the latest:

T.O. in Silver and Black?...
Now wouldn't that be fitting to see Terrell Owens ushered off to the "The Black Hole." If you ask me, this could be a marriage made in hell and there's probably never been two people more perfect for each other than Al Davis and T.O. I also hear that if T.O. does get traded to Oakland, the team is going to give him Randy's old locker. Now that would makes sense.

Sproles could get tagged...
The latest word leaking out of the San Diego Gas lamp district is the team is likely to franchise tag Sproles to prevent him from getting away via free agency. The tiny stick of dynamite is due to be an unrestricted free agent and if the team want to keep him off market, they'll need to resign or tag him. Neither may be an appealing option since Sproles would be looking at over $6 million if tagged and would probably be able to sign for more elsewhere. The team is strapped for cash and still needs to try to work a long-term deal with quarterback Philip Rivers.

Warner's not wearing green...
I read somewhere that the Jets may be interested in obtaining the services of one quarterback by the name of Kurt Warner. Amazingly, they and most of the other franchises in need of a new quarterback. Warner's agent put the "open minded" clause out there, as a good agent should, but is it really realistic to think he's not going to receive a gracious offer from the Cards that would keep the "Wonder Kid" in the desert. Warner has already made it known it's Arizona or bust. The New York media could be way out on a limb with this one, I wouldn't even give them "slim" as a chance, how about when pigs, not pigskins fly.

Falcons trying to move Vick...
You have to be kidding if you're Arthur Blank, owner of the Falcons. If he actually believes anyone going to trade for Vick's rights at this time, he's drinking too much kool-ade. Even if you had Vick displayed on someone's front lawn at a weekend yard sale and discounted heavily, no one's going to bite. Sure a fool is born every minute, but not many own NFL teams. This story may have more truth than rumor and it's not to say someone won't take the risk or gamble, but no NFL owner is going to buy that risk or Vick's rights. The Falcons are likely stuck, until they decide to free themselves of their mess by outright releasing their troubles along with Vick. Sorry Artie, this train wreck is just too much for anyone else to try and clean.

Plax on the blocks, not so fast...
Well the Giants probably wouldn't come out an advertise this and I'm sure they don't want his agent Drew Rosenhaus making any public announcements on their part, but their could be some hidden truth. It certainly would not be past the realm of possibility considering the trouble wide receiver Plaxico Burress has found himself in lately. Apparently Rosenhaus has taken it upon himself to alert the media, press, world, or just the other 31 NFL teams that Burress is available for trade and this news did not exactly sit well with the Giants.

My Fantasy Notes.....

If Fantasy football is not your cup of tea or better yet your mug of beer, than you are probably one of the lesser fortunate. Fantasy football has now become more synonymous with Sunday football, than hot Buffalo wings and an ice cold mug of brew. It seems everyone and their sister plays and including the kid bagging your groceries at the local market.

In 2008 I estimated that a whole lot of people, more than I could count participated in fantasy. If they didn't play in a fantasy league somewhere, then they were of no use to me and wouldn't have known who the best fantasy football running backs were last season.

Here's my top ten, based on the NFL.com scoring, as well as considering overall production.

Looking back at 2008:

My Top 10 Running backs...

1. DeAngelo Williams (Car)...the Panther's durable running back started all 16 games, carried the ball 273 times, and rushed for over 1,500-yards in 2008. Williams added 22 receptions for 121-yards and scored 20 total touchdowns.

2. Michael Turner (Atl)...the Falcon's running back in his first season as a full time starter rushed for nearly 1,700-yards on 376 carries. Turner was not much of a pass receiver in 2008 with only six, but he did manage to find the end zone 17 times.

3. Brian Westbrook (Phi)...the Eagle's running back despite missing a couple of games and being slowed by injury still managed to be one of the leagues more productive runners. The versatile back rushed for over 900-yards, caught 54 passes for 402-yards and scored 14 touchdowns (9 rushing, 5 receiving).

4. Adrian Peterson (Min)...the Viking's running back did win the NFL rushing title , but was only the fourth best fantasy runner in 2008. Peterson finished the season with 1,760 yards on the ground and 10 rushing touchdowns.

5. Matt Forte (Chi)...the Bear's rookie running back had a fine 2008 campaign finishing 7th in rushing this past season. Forte carried the ball 316 times and ran for 1,238-yards. He was also a very versatile back finishing the season with 63 catches for 477-yards and 12 total touchdowns (8 rushing, 4 receiving).

6. Thomas Jones (NYJ)...after a disappointing campaign in '07, the Jets runner bounced back in 2008. Jones completed his '08 run as the league's 5th leading rusher finishing with

7. LaDanian Tomlinson (SD)...the Charger's one time dominant runner, slide down the pole a bit in 2008. Tomlinson was still productive, but not his usual numbers finishing with 292 carries for 1,110-yards on the ground and 11 rushing touchdowns. LT was still the versatile one catching 52 passes for 426-yards and another touchdown.

8. Steve Slaton (Hou)...the Texan's rookie runner was impressive in his first season starting in 15 games for the franchise. Slaton finished the season as the league's number six leading rushing gaining 1,282-yards on the ground. Slaton also added 50 receptions for 377-yards and scored a total of 10 touchdowns.

9. Chris Johnson (Ten)...the Titan's had a rookie running back this past season worth boasting. Johnson finished 2008 with over 1,200 yards on the ground and scored nine rushing touchdowns. Johnson also added 43 pass receptions for 260-yards and another touchdown.

10. Clinton Portis (Was)...the old man in DC started out 2008 very strong leading the NFL in rushing for the first half of the season, but as the season wore on he tapered off a bit. Portis still finished the season with 342 carries for 1,487-yards rushing and nine rushing touchdowns. He also caught 28 passes for another 218-yards.


By David G. Ortega