Friday's Football Diary
Dear Diary...
I don't think I could have imagined how exciting things around the NFL would get once free agency started, and I'm not even an agent or a reporter. But following all the happenings around the league the last 36 or so hours has been as exciting as riding a roller-coaster while wearing a blind-fold. Let's just say it's been fun.
I have been a football fan since I was eight years old, maybe younger but the first Dallas-Pittsburgh Super Bowl is the earliest I have memories of (not many now, but some). I have usually fallen into the same old routine as most football fans, enjoying the offseason like most directing my attention elsewhere, but this year has been different.
Staying with the sport (football) year-round I am just learning all the other fun I have been missing. Sure I read the tickers in the past and watched SportsCenter late at night to hear the scoop, but this year tracking down the updates, catching the stories as they break, sometimes it feels like I'm holding my breath.
We have rumors flying, players trading, and free agent signings, and each one seems to be better than the next. Maybe I need to sit down. We are just tapping into the free agent market, as this is only day two. I can only imagine what to expect next. While I ponder the possibilities, here's what I am thinking..
Just What I'm thinking.....
Collins blinks first.
Well it wasn't exactly top quarterback pay for Kerry Collins in Tennessee now was it? It seems to me that the aging veteran quarterback came to his senses and realized there really wasn't much of a market for him outside of Nashville. His two-year deal for $15million sounds about right, especially considering he's 36 and entering his 15th season.
Overpaid in DC.
Sure this guy is big, maybe bigger than life literally. Defensive tackle Albert Haynesworth stands six foot six inches and weighs in at over 300 pounds. Yes he's quite a load, a great talent, and can dominate a line, but in his seven years with Tennessee I don't recall the team winning any rings. There are not too many players in the history of the game that you could justify paying $100million for and I don't believe Phat Albert is one of them.
Bronco's Defense takes big step.
There's no question for Bronco fans the signing of former Eagle's safety Brian Dawkins is good news, but a five-year deal? They do know he's 35. Nonetheless, he'll add leadership, attitude, and a fire that an inept defense lacked a year ago. Dawkins is just the beginning, the signing of defensive tackle Darrell Reid and linebacker Andra Davis are sure to have this unit taking some large strides moving forward.
Warner calling Cards bluff.
Maybe the Cards actually thought Warner was just willing to sign and play, but apparently he has an agenda and it includes getting paid. There's no question he's earned top dollars ($14-$16million) deserving of any elite quarterback, but it's likely he'd sign for a little less in the $12.5-$13million range (that's my guess), if the Cards would just meet him half way. Apparently they aren't so he's now talking to other teams and also planning visit.
Could KC rise in the West?
Now that the Chiefs have Cassel, are they a player in the AFC West? With Cassel now throwing to Bowe, they look fixed to become the next big 1-2 in the league and new head coach Todd Haley is sure to turn these two into fantasy studs. With a new starter, quarterback Tyler Thigpen becomes expendable for trade, the team has LJ as possible trade bait, and they are sitting on the number three overall pick in April's draft. If they're not players yet, they sure seem well on their way.
Bronco's acquire a pair of Kevin Faulks?
Well it was thought that the team had picked up two Faulk (Correll Buckhalter and J.J. Arrington), although Adam Schefter announced today that J.J. has yet to actually sign his deal. Either way, it looks like the Bronco's are quickly turning into New England WEST. The team also added former Patriot receiver Jabar Gaffney. McDaniels is certainly stocking quite a bit of personnel that mimics what he was working with in Foxboro. Bronco fans will hope he can generate the same kind of 2007 success in the Rocky Mountains.
What the hell is McDaniels doing?
This comes as a last minute insert, considering everything that transpired today. There was no way this was going to come out well for the Bronco's new head coach. If the team was in fact entertaining offers, the only way they were going to win was by closing the deal. I would like to think McDaniels is smart enough to know this, so the fact no deal was struck makes me believe the team never considered the offer, no matter how much sense it may make to some folks. And of course, if McDaniels didn't consider the ramifications of any of this, "what the hell was he thinking?"
What's Spinning round the "Rumor Mill"....
Day Two of free agency was nothing short of interesting. From the big news out of Denver following the Cassel trade to Kansas City to the ongoing stalemate in Arizona between the Cardinals and quarterback Kurt Warner. Following the close of the day, the mill was stirring one helluva football free agency concoction!
What's the latest:
Saints keeping an eye on LT...
The Chargers are in the middle of negotiations with running back LaDanian Tomlinson. Apparently the ringing in the background is the New Orleans calling just to say, if you can't work anything out, they'd like a shot at the former NFL MVP. There are reports indicating the team in interested in LT, seriously. Now that is a shock, but how this might happen could be more shocking I would think.
Houshmandzadeh likely to sign Sunday...
The NFL Network is guessing that T.J. is likely to find his new home by Sunday. Is there really any chance that he stays put in Cincy, I would highly doubt it, not if he wants to play with a contender. Currently Housh is in Minnesota, but reports are saying he'll visit Tampa on Sunday. There is also a report indicating the race is down to just three, the Seahawks, Vikings, and Bengals. My guess is the Vikings will step up and make the offer needed to keep T.J. in town. He's a solid fit and last piece to their offensive puzzle.
Warner to become a Niner?...
Let's put it this way, the Cards have been given every opportunity to lock up Warner, but now two days in free agency and neither side has blinked. The fact that Warner is going to visit the Niners should be a great indication he intends to play and if Arizona doesn't get its' act together soon, there's no guarantee he'll play as a Cardinal. San Francisco is not that far to commute.
Cutler on the block?...
This story is beginning to sound like a regular day-time drama that continues to gain momentum with each passing moment. I contend that the team was not foolish enough to engage in such conversation, unless they were serious about getting the deal done. Many media outlets continue to report that the team was shopping and that McDaniels was trying to bring Cassel to Denver. As long as this story has life, there's no telling what Cutler will say or what the team might have to do.
My Fantasy Notes.....
The 2008 Fantasy football season was not particularly a very productive year for the NFL tightend. Only one top the 1,000-receiving yards barrier and reached double-digit scoring. Overall it may have been a down year for tight ends, but there were a lot of new faces like Dustin Keller, Kevin Boss, Anthony Fasano, and Brent Celek to indicate that could change in 2009.
Looking back at 2008:
My Top 10 Tight ends
1. Tony Gonzalez (KC)...the Chief's tight end was by far the most productive in 2008 with 96 receptions, 1,058-yards, and 10 touchdowns (led all tight ends in all three categories).
2. Jason Witten (Dal)...the Cowboy's tight end was slowed up a bit in 2008, but still finished as one of the more productive pass catchers with 81 receptions for 952-yards, and four touchdowns.
3. Dallas Clark (Ind)...the Colt's tight end completed a solid 2008 campaign catching 77 passes for 848-yards, and six touchdowns.
4. Antonio Gates (SD)...the Charger's tight end battled through injury early in the season, but still finished as one of the top pass catching tight ends. Gates completed the season with 60 receptions for 704-yards and eight touchdowns.
5. Visanthe Shiancoe (Min)...the Viking's tight end was the least targeted player to make my board, but yet finished in the top 10 with 42 pass receptions for 596-yards and seven touchdowns.
6. Owen Daniels (Hou)...the Texan's tight end had his best season yet as a pass catcher finishing 2008 with 70 receptions for 862-yards and two touchdowns.
7. Tony Scheffler (Den)...the Bronco's highly skilled pass catching tight end struggled with injuries in 2008, but was still somewhat productive, enough to make my list. Scheffler finished the season with 40 receptions for 645-yards and three touchdowns.
8. John Carlson (Sea)...the Seahawks rookie tight end emerged as a top flight pass catcher hauling in 55 passes for 627-yards and five touchdowns in his first season.
9. Chris Cooley (Was)...the Redskins tight end took a small step back in 2008 finishing the season with just one touchdown. Cooley was still productive catching 83 passes for 849-yards.
10. Greg Olsen (Chi)...the Bear's tight end continues to get better as a pass catcher improving on all of his numbers in 2008. Last season Olsen caught 54 passes for 574-yards and five touchdowns to make my list.
By David G. Ortega
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