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Monday Morning Huddle
What to expect in 2009?
The 20009 season is really not that far off when you think about it. We're only 47 days away from the draft. Many of the teams will start their mini-camps shortly thereafter and before you know it teams will be opening summer training camps (only five and half months away).
Sure I am getting ahead of myself, but with all the recent moves in the NFL, there is so much to speculate and even more to debate. Questions like; Will the Bills get anywhere with their newest acquisition, Terrell Owens? Will the Cardinals keep Boldin waiting for the new deal he's looking for or will they eventually trade him? How about the Bengals letting T.J get away and then signing Laveranues Coles?
I'm sure the odds are not entirely in his favor, but if Brady's knee has healed and his rehab continues to go well, would we expect anything less than the former NFL MVP that we have grown accustomed to? I would hardly think so and while he start was slow a strong finish in 2008 by quarterback Peyton Manning should be a good indication that the guy is money. If you are a betting fan, I would expect to see these two, back and tall in the saddle in 2009.
With quarterback Kurt Warner finally getting a deal done in Arizona, whether Boldin returns or not, he'll have enough weapons in 2009 to repeat what he did in 2008. The question in the desert will be do the Cards have enough to repeat what they did last season? Their recent signing of free agent cornerback Bryant McFadden will help, but they still need a pass rush.
As I mentioned only moments before, T.O. is back, but he's not so hot these days. At least he won't be in November and December playing in Orchard Park. His arrival to the Northeast has come as a shock to most of the NFL community, but it could be Owens who could be in for the biggest shock if this move out of left-field falls short. I don't see the Bills overtaking the Patriots or Dolphins, so you just have to wonder what will become of unquestionably one of the leagues biggest malcontents.
With so many questions to be answered, one thing I am certain of there's going to be plenty to look forward to in 2009. And just think less than six months to kick-off!
Fantasy Fixx
It's quite often that many fantasy sites focus only on offense and don't talk much defense. But with the ever popular growing hobby sport of fantasy football, more and more custom leagues are including IDPs (individual defensive players). So I would like to take a moment here to acknowledge the boys that get down and dirty and seldom receive much accolades for their efforts.
In 2008, there was not just one, but there were two exceptional players that deserve to be recognized for their dominance on the gridiron.
First, in Pittsburgh, the Steelers linebacker James Harrison (also named the AP Defensive Player of the Year) was by far one of the leagues most ferocious skill players on defense. Harrison led his team with 16.5 sacks and was second with 101 total tackles (including 67 solo). The Steeler's linebacker also led the NFL with seven forced fumbles to earn his honors here.
In 2008, there was not just one, but there were two exceptional players that deserve to be recognized for their dominance on the gridiron.
First, in Pittsburgh, the Steelers linebacker James Harrison (also named the AP Defensive Player of the Year) was by far one of the leagues most ferocious skill players on defense. Harrison led his team with 16.5 sacks and was second with 101 total tackles (including 67 solo). The Steeler's linebacker also led the NFL with seven forced fumbles to earn his honors here.
(Photo by John Biever/SI)
Defensive Stud(s) of the Year:
James Harrison, LB (Pit)
My second winner, the Cowboy's linebacker DeMarcus Ware. Ware was an unstoppable force at times during the 2008 season leading the entire league with 20 sacks. The Cowboys pass rush specialist was also solid against the run racking up 84 tackles (including 69 solo)and forcing six fumbles in 2008.
(Rob Tringali/Sportschrome/Getty Images)
Defensive Stud(s) of the Year:
DeMarcus Ware, LB (Dal)
WHAT'S IN THE MIX
...Latest News, whispers, and tid-bits...
New places for old faces...
Well if you belong to the fraternity of those that love the game of (American) football, you are probably like me and already thinking about the upcoming 2009 season. Okay, the season is not quite upcoming, but with free agency already in full-swing and the NFL draft less than two months away, it will be here soon enough.
As I take a quick peak ahead I am seeing so many notable players changing scenery and I have to wonder just how well some of them will do in their new uniforms?
(AP Photo)
In Kansas City, the Chiefs new quarterback Matt Cassel will have some fine targets to throw to, but without a running game (ranked 16th in 2008) and decent pass protection (37 sacks allowed last season) will he have a repeat of 2008? I wouldn't bank on it. Remember a bad team is still bad, until it gets better and the Chiefs have hardly done enough to get better. There defense ranked only better than the Lions and allowed 27.5 points per game (ranked 29th), not exactly the makings of a winner.
With former Bengals receiver T.J. Houshmandzadeh signing a very lucrative contract with Seattle, the team quickly filled a desperate need. Now that the Seahawks have quality help at the receiver position, their quarterback position could quickly become it's next priority. Last season Hasselbeck was hardly healthy enough to help the offense, even if they added a great running back, unless their quarterback can get healthy in 2009 this signing could be just expensive.
The Patriots made some modest signings at the opening of free agency with former Jaguar running back Fred Taylor and former Jets tight end Chris Baker. Taylor joins an already crowded backfield with Morris, Maroney, Faulk, and Green-Ellis. Just where will the 11-year veteran fit in remains to be seen. At his age, he may still have little juice, but likely won't see enough touches in the Patriots Brady-style offense (short passing game) to be any kind of factor. Baker gives the team depth at a position that hardly contributed to the offense in 2008, nuf said.
The former Jets wideout Laveranues Coles landed in Cincinnati during free agency and he'll be expected to fill the void created by the departure of Housh. Coles has typically been a solid durable receiver, but has never had one of those monster seasons. It's not likely he'll find one of those in Cincy this season. With Ocho lining up on the other side the two receivers should compliment one another well making Coles the likely number two and propelling Johnson back to his favorite number one role. If Palmer returns to form, all three could have a bounce back year in 2009.
Check back every Monday for more Monday Morning Huddle!
With former Bengals receiver T.J. Houshmandzadeh signing a very lucrative contract with Seattle, the team quickly filled a desperate need. Now that the Seahawks have quality help at the receiver position, their quarterback position could quickly become it's next priority. Last season Hasselbeck was hardly healthy enough to help the offense, even if they added a great running back, unless their quarterback can get healthy in 2009 this signing could be just expensive.
The Patriots made some modest signings at the opening of free agency with former Jaguar running back Fred Taylor and former Jets tight end Chris Baker. Taylor joins an already crowded backfield with Morris, Maroney, Faulk, and Green-Ellis. Just where will the 11-year veteran fit in remains to be seen. At his age, he may still have little juice, but likely won't see enough touches in the Patriots Brady-style offense (short passing game) to be any kind of factor. Baker gives the team depth at a position that hardly contributed to the offense in 2008, nuf said.
The former Jets wideout Laveranues Coles landed in Cincinnati during free agency and he'll be expected to fill the void created by the departure of Housh. Coles has typically been a solid durable receiver, but has never had one of those monster seasons. It's not likely he'll find one of those in Cincy this season. With Ocho lining up on the other side the two receivers should compliment one another well making Coles the likely number two and propelling Johnson back to his favorite number one role. If Palmer returns to form, all three could have a bounce back year in 2009.
Check back every Monday for more Monday Morning Huddle!
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