March 2nd, 2008 9:07pm PST
[The Evening Edition]
Monday Morning Huddle
WHAT JUST HAPPENED?
Trying to make sense of the Weekend...
If most of you are like me, you're probably scratching your head and trying to figure out just what happened this past weekend as the National Football league has entered its' free agency stage and anything goes, so it seems. The Redskins fire out with $100million to sign Albert Haynesworth, DeAngelo Hall inks $54million, the Chiefs get quarterback Matt Cassel, the Broncos are a mess with the whole Cutler fiasco, and still no one wants Kurt Warner (at least not at his asking price).
How did the Chiefs land quarterback Matt Cassel and linebacker Mike Vrabel for only a second round pick? How could the Broncos front office allow this whole
While most of us are trying to figure out just what happened, it has occurred to me, while teams were stock piling all this cabbage for what most thought would be a free agency free-for-all, it has been just the opposite. Well except in Washington where team owner Daniel Snyder has no shame for spending.
Many teams were expected to be in the hunt for the high stakes free agents that were available, but other than Haynesworth, many of the leagues top rated Free Agents have languished in the free market much longer than many expected. Quarterback Kurt Warner, linebacker Ray Lewis still remain unsigned and only Monday did the ex-Bengals wide receiver T.J. Houshmandzadeh (signed by Seahawks) and the ex-Giants running back Derrick Ward (signed by Bucs) ink deals with new teams. Players like Larry Johnson, Torry Holt, and even LaDanian Tomlinson that were thought could likely be changing zip codes have not moved. So what gives?
The economy.
A lot could still happen over the next couple of days, weeks, and even months, but one thing is certain, with already so much commotion coming out of free agency, things are not likely to quiet down anytime soon.
Fantasy Fixx
WHAT'S IN THE MIX
...Latest News, whispers, and tid-bits...
The Quick Fixx...
With a growing market of free agents, the quick remedy could be the latest trend. If you're looking for the quick fix, with teams stalling more and more players becoming available and likely for cheap, it seemingly becomes more possible to rebuild for the short term. Players that could resurface with a new team; Jason Taylor, Laveranues Coles, Devery Henderson, LJ Smith, Bobby Engram, and Leigh Bodden.
In places like Denver and New York, these franchises are remaining active in free agency and putting the pieces together to rebuild or flat out just get better for the 2009 season. It would not surprise to see one or more of these players
The Jets may have the more difficult road to travel with the departure of retired quarterback Brett Favre. The team had one of the leagues better defenses, in particular against the run, but that didn't stop new head coach from trying to make it better. With the signing of linebacker Bart Scott, he joins an already talented core of linebackers with Calvin Pace and David Harris. The addition of cornerback Lito Sheppard to play opposite corner Darrelle Revis should make the Jets defense a top 10 pick in most fantasy leagues.
The Broncos have a rough road ahead, but with most of their offensive weapons in place, the focus in the free agent market has been to remake the defense. The front office made big news with the signing of former Eagles safety Brian Dawkins, then added linebacker Andra Davis to play inside linebacker. With talented key players like linebacker D.J. Williams, cornerback Champ Bailey, and linebacker Boss Bailey, the team also added free agents safety Renaldo Hill and defensive lineman Darrell Reid.
The pieces of this Mile High puzzle are a work in progress, but it is apparent the new administration is not wasting time with a long rebuilding process, but rather are milking the market for a quick fix in 2009!
Check back every Monday for more Monday Morning Huddle!
[The Evening Edition]
Monday Morning Huddle
WHAT JUST HAPPENED?
Trying to make sense of the Weekend...
If most of you are like me, you're probably scratching your head and trying to figure out just what happened this past weekend as the National Football league has entered its' free agency stage and anything goes, so it seems. The Redskins fire out with $100million to sign Albert Haynesworth, DeAngelo Hall inks $54million, the Chiefs get quarterback Matt Cassel, the Broncos are a mess with the whole Cutler fiasco, and still no one wants Kurt Warner (at least not at his asking price).
How did the Chiefs land quarterback Matt Cassel and linebacker Mike Vrabel for only a second round pick? How could the Broncos front office allow this whole
While most of us are trying to figure out just what happened, it has occurred to me, while teams were stock piling all this cabbage for what most thought would be a free agency free-for-all, it has been just the opposite. Well except in Washington where team owner Daniel Snyder has no shame for spending.
Many teams were expected to be in the hunt for the high stakes free agents that were available, but other than Haynesworth, many of the leagues top rated Free Agents have languished in the free market much longer than many expected. Quarterback Kurt Warner, linebacker Ray Lewis still remain unsigned and only Monday did the ex-Bengals wide receiver T.J. Houshmandzadeh (signed by Seahawks) and the ex-Giants running back Derrick Ward (signed by Bucs) ink deals with new teams. Players like Larry Johnson, Torry Holt, and even LaDanian Tomlinson that were thought could likely be changing zip codes have not moved. So what gives?
The economy.
A lot could still happen over the next couple of days, weeks, and even months, but one thing is certain, with already so much commotion coming out of free agency, things are not likely to quiet down anytime soon.
Fantasy Fixx
The 2008 fantasy football season was filled with many talented rookie stars that were equally up to the task of walking away with this award. In Denver the Broncos receiver Eddie Royal turned in a spectacular rookie season catching 91 passes to lead all rookie receivers. In Atlanta, their quarterback Matt Ryan led his team to 11 wins and a playoff berth in his first season. In Carolina the Panthers running back Jonathan Stewart topped 800-yards and scored 10 touchdowns, but my choice for this year's rookie of the year is the Chicago Bears running back Matt Forte.
(photo by Dilip Vishwanat/Getty images)
The Bear's rookie was a versatile weapon for the offense this past season in the passing game as well as the run. Forte carried the ball 316 times to lead all rookies. He finished the 2008 season with 1,238-yards rushing (ranked 2nd), scored eight rushing touchdowns (ranked tied for 5th), caught 63 passes (led all running backs) for 477-yards, and scored four receiving touchdowns.
(photo by Jeff Gross/Getty images)
Rookie of the Year:
Matt Forte, RB (Chi)
WHAT'S IN THE MIX
...Latest News, whispers, and tid-bits...
The Quick Fixx...
With a growing market of free agents, the quick remedy could be the latest trend. If you're looking for the quick fix, with teams stalling more and more players becoming available and likely for cheap, it seemingly becomes more possible to rebuild for the short term. Players that could resurface with a new team; Jason Taylor, Laveranues Coles, Devery Henderson, LJ Smith, Bobby Engram, and Leigh Bodden.
In places like Denver and New York, these franchises are remaining active in free agency and putting the pieces together to rebuild or flat out just get better for the 2009 season. It would not surprise to see one or more of these players
The Jets may have the more difficult road to travel with the departure of retired quarterback Brett Favre. The team had one of the leagues better defenses, in particular against the run, but that didn't stop new head coach from trying to make it better. With the signing of linebacker Bart Scott, he joins an already talented core of linebackers with Calvin Pace and David Harris. The addition of cornerback Lito Sheppard to play opposite corner Darrelle Revis should make the Jets defense a top 10 pick in most fantasy leagues.
The Broncos have a rough road ahead, but with most of their offensive weapons in place, the focus in the free agent market has been to remake the defense. The front office made big news with the signing of former Eagles safety Brian Dawkins, then added linebacker Andra Davis to play inside linebacker. With talented key players like linebacker D.J. Williams, cornerback Champ Bailey, and linebacker Boss Bailey, the team also added free agents safety Renaldo Hill and defensive lineman Darrell Reid.
The pieces of this Mile High puzzle are a work in progress, but it is apparent the new administration is not wasting time with a long rebuilding process, but rather are milking the market for a quick fix in 2009!
Check back every Monday for more Monday Morning Huddle!
2 comments:
i love champ, i hope he & his brother can stay healthy this season!
I'm a fan of the Baileys too, Champ is solid and brother is a player as well. If healthy I think both these boys could have a huge2009.
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