[The Evening Edition]
Monday Morning Huddle
Combine stirring lots of interest...
Watching the NFL Network's coverage of the combine has been interesting and from the many headlines I am reading each day, there's no question it's stirring interest. Names like Aaron Curry, Jason Gilbert, B.J. Raji, and Clay Matthews are turning heads and impressing the broadcasters (mooch, Gruden, & Dukes).
The Combine, which began last Wednesday with the arrival of the 300+ NFL prospects will move into its' final day on Tuesday Feb. 24 with the defensive backs up next and the big names to watch are; Vontae Davis, Malcolm Jenkins, Darius Butler, Rashad Johnson, Louis Delmas, and Primtime (joining the NFL Network crew).
Fantasy Fixx
When I look at 2008, there are several players that come to mind when I think about the Sleeper of the year. Now that the season is over, some of these names have become household, but how many fantasy owners knew Kurt Warner would be the starter in Arizona when their league held its' draft back in August.
How about the 2008 Rookie Brigade; special teamer Eddie Royal earned a starting gig at the wideout position, Matt Forte and Chris Johnson emerged as stars last season, and running back Steve Slaton burst onto the scene in Houston.
Warner was not the only veteran to surprise last season, in Atlanta Michael Turner came from out of the shadow of LT, wide receiver Lance Moore stepped up, and if you take a look back at the 2007 season, there is one name that does not appear on any fantasy team's owners roster and that's wide receiver Antonio Bryant.
The Buc's wideout, who was out of football and missed the entire 2007 season, bounced back in 2008 with an impressive campaign, catching 83 passes for 1,248-yard with seven touchdowns. Although his performance was impressive, it only gets him the runner-up nod.
My choice for the "Sleeper of the Year" goes to Panther's running back DeAngelo Williams.
In 2007 Willliams only rushed for 717-yards and scored just four touchdowns, but with the release of running back DeShaun Foster, it figured that Williams would inherit the starting job. That was until the team went and drafted running back Jonathan Stewart. Stewart was so impressive in training camp and the preseason, many experts believed he would supplant Williams at some point during the 2008 season. They may have been the only ones, because DeAngelo Williams not only ran like the wind, but a man possessed and hardly one that would relinquish his starting role. The Panther's running back carried the ball 273 times and gained 1,575-yards on the ground for a 5.5-yds/carry average. Williams also added 20 total touchdowns for a spectacular 2008 season very few, if any believed he could have.
How about the 2008 Rookie Brigade; special teamer Eddie Royal earned a starting gig at the wideout position, Matt Forte and Chris Johnson emerged as stars last season, and running back Steve Slaton burst onto the scene in Houston.
Warner was not the only veteran to surprise last season, in Atlanta Michael Turner came from out of the shadow of LT, wide receiver Lance Moore stepped up, and if you take a look back at the 2007 season, there is one name that does not appear on any fantasy team's owners roster and that's wide receiver Antonio Bryant.
The Buc's wideout, who was out of football and missed the entire 2007 season, bounced back in 2008 with an impressive campaign, catching 83 passes for 1,248-yard with seven touchdowns. Although his performance was impressive, it only gets him the runner-up nod.
My choice for the "Sleeper of the Year" goes to Panther's running back DeAngelo Williams.
In 2007 Willliams only rushed for 717-yards and scored just four touchdowns, but with the release of running back DeShaun Foster, it figured that Williams would inherit the starting job. That was until the team went and drafted running back Jonathan Stewart. Stewart was so impressive in training camp and the preseason, many experts believed he would supplant Williams at some point during the 2008 season. They may have been the only ones, because DeAngelo Williams not only ran like the wind, but a man possessed and hardly one that would relinquish his starting role. The Panther's running back carried the ball 273 times and gained 1,575-yards on the ground for a 5.5-yds/carry average. Williams also added 20 total touchdowns for a spectacular 2008 season very few, if any believed he could have.
(Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)
Sleeper of the Year:
DeAngelo Williams, 283 fantasy points.
WHAT'S IN THE MIX
...Latest News, whispers, and tid-bits...
Tag, You're it...
So, if your looking for a headline that could best describe the events of last week, that's it right there "Tag, You're it!" That certainly was the on going theme for last week, with many NFL franchises making moves to secure players and allow themselves time to either resign or deal away.
The Chargers tagged running back Darren Sproles, but what makes this an interesting move, the team will need to decide what to do with LT before it can work a long-term deal with Sproles (if that's what they plan). LT has not been the same dynamic player the last couple of seasons and is due to make big dollars. The word is the team is working to restructure his deal, but it seems very likely that only one of these backs will remain in San Diego. But which one?
The Buccaneers tagged wide receiver Antonio Bryant last week and it appears he's definitely looking for more than a one year deal. According to his agent, Bryant may not sign the one year tender from the team. It all sounds like idle threats, since the reality is the team will likely work a multi-year deal for the maverick receiver, but the tender should at least buy the team a little time to work a deal.
Linebacker Karlos Dansby was franchise tagged by the Cardinals last week and likely this was a preemptive move to allow the team to get quarterback Kurt Warner locked up, before locking up other veterans including Dansby. The Titans pulled what I would describe as a similar move by tagging tight end Bo Scaife. The move will force other interested teams to ante up, if they want Scaife's services (not likely).
One of the more surprising, but sensible moves was made earlier in the offseason, by the New England Patriots when they tagged quarterback Matt Cassel. By tagging Cassel, the Patriots have allowed themselves time to make decisions. The truth of the matter, it's really hard to know what the team might be planning with Cassel who's due to earn over $14million. That's a lot of bling to be tied up at the quarterback position. I would speculate the team will likely trade Cassel, but that's a risky move with Brady coming off knee surgery. One thing for certain is the Patriots will hardly show their cards before playing their hand and they're likely to wait until the River card before laying their final bet.
This is just something more to keep fans on the edge of their seats and interested throughout the offseason!
Check back every Monday for more Monday Morning Huddle!
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