FSH: TUESDAY (FOOTBALL) TALK

March 11th, 2009 9:37pm PST



TUESDAY (FOOTBALL) TALK


First I have to ask, what is going on in the world of football? The week is moving quickly, but as usual there is more football drama to discuss. The Chargers have come to their senses and re-signed LaDanian Tomlinson or is that the other way around? The team made a play, bet with the house money and LT did not call their bluff. A.J. Smith could be one of the luckiest men today.

What about this whole Terrell Owens surprising release and then in just a few day, he's a Bill, unbelievable. I guess we better believe it, but will he when the temperature up north drops to single digits? I just have to wonder how that will ever work.

And what about of the trouble brewing in the Mile High City? There is enough heat between their quarterback and new head coach to melt the Rockies. Could this have been the worst hire of all time or will time heal all wounds and put this franchise back together?



Making all the Wrong Moves...

I'm sure when the Denver Broncos owner Pat Bowlen decided to go in a new direction by firing former head coach Mike Shanahan, he never expected to see the heir apparent run his team in this direction (into the ground). At least for the moment that appears to be where this team is heading if new head coach Josh McDaniels can't rectify this whole daytime drama of a situation he has created since his arrival.

It took the Broncos new hire just 48 days to disrupt the harmony in the team's locker room and cause quite a stir with the alleged trade rumors involving the team's former first round pick, quarterback Jay Cutler. First you try to trade for your former quarterback, bad move one. Then you allow the inquiry to leak and reach the media, bad move two. And bad move three, you allow this news to reach your quarterback not having told him what could happen and without getting the deal sealed. We know the kid is inexperienced and that this is his first crack at the big time, but talk about all the wrong moves.

Now in an effort to smooth the choppy waters in Denver, Mickey-D has pulled a Brittany Spears; "Oops, I did it again." There are many reports feverishly circulating about the internet and all across many football communities indicating that the situation is now worse. Instead of reaching an understanding apparently the new head coach has announced there is a new sheriff in town, with a new regime, and everyone is expendable.

(cartoon by Drew Litton)

This is a nice message to send to your young and apparently sensitive quarterback just after you've shattered his trust and confidence in you as his coach. I can't imagine where all of this will eventually go, but I have to wonder would Shanny have ever pulled this kind of stunt.

Sure Cutler is young and does not have the winning pedigree yet, but many felt he was the next rising star in Mile High. Compared to a young Elway, Cutler has 54 touchdowns in less than three full seasons (37 games), while "the Duke" (Elway) had thrown just 47 in 42 games. This is not saying Cutler is better. He's got a very long way to go to ever be considered as good, but he's off to a good start.

So why would you trade him? It just doesn't make sense or add up. It's just a bad move. With already a short history for making bad calls, Mickey-D will have a lot of work ahead of him if he's going to remain in Denver the full four years.


What's Blogging....

As I normally do every week spending time checking out other Blogs online, I often find what I read to be quite entertaining, informative, and at times enlightening. For my nightly does of entertainment, I read at "Eagleschick.com" about the employee that got fired for ripping the team for not signing Dawkins. He posted his discontent on his Facebook page and apparently the Eagles follow social media. For some entertainment I read to at "Chicks in the Huddle.com" how a "Fox Sideline Reporter Does it 'Doggy Style." Yeah, I'm not going to give this one away, you'll have to check it out. Apparently I wasn't the only shocked by Terrell Owens signing with the Bills, just ask "...On Being a Sports Girl." Then of course my favorite source for NFL news and information can always be found at "Football News From A Chick", check out the latest in "Happenings around the league tonight, in FA."

As long as these sites keep it coming, I will keep reading and I encourage all of you to read too!

Fantasy Football Watch

I have to ask, but does Jerry Jones honestly believe that Austin Miles is going to replace Terrell Owens? We already saw a disinterested Roy E. Williams last season make little contribution. Sure with T.O. gone Roy will get more looks, but he played with Owens and couldn't get open much. Does that mean with Owens gone, he's going to be open more?

With Roy on one side the Cowboys will look to either Patrick Crayton or Miles to step in as the number two. Crayton is what you call a journey-man receiver forever doomed to be a number two. Miles a bigger and more athletic receiver did show another gear last season, but he's raw and unproven. Heading toward summer training camps, Miles is the odds-on favorite to win the job and he'll definitely be given every opportunity to start.

It may be too early to make any predictions, but with Williams the slower of the two he'll likely play the possession receiver role with Austin taking the deep routes. If the 4th year player out of Monmouth can develop, he could become a nice sleeper play especially in touchdowns leagues (but it is too early to tell).

The Chargers and running back LaDanian Tomlinson have finally reached a new agreement. LT will remain a Charger, likely to the dismay of the entire AFC West division. Contrary to the beliefs of some, at 29 Tomlinson has plenty left in the tank to make a difference and make the Chargers the favorite to win the West once again. While it is debatable how effective LT will be in 2009, the big question right now is will running back Darren Sproles even be around?

The Chargers were forced to make a move concerning LT after the team placed the franchise tag on Sproles. With both players due to make over $6million, the team had too much money tied up to one position and needed help with cap space. Sproles was guaranteed with the tag, so LT became to fall guy. Now that LT has restructured, he will return as the starter, but will the Chargers actually pay Sproles so much to be a back-up?

It's looking like the backfield in San Diego could become a time-share with Tomlinson and Sproles. If Sproles remains in San Diego, he could be a decent RB3 in most fantasy leagues. If by some chance he gets traded Sproles would likely go somewhere to be a featured back and his value could rise significantly.

Check back with me every Tuesday for more of my "Fantasy Football Watch."

Fantasy Fallout...

With free agency almost two full weeks in, quarterback Jeff Garcia since his release from the Buccaneers has not seen much interest in his services. According to ESPN's John Clayton "no teams are moving on him." This really is not surprising, coming off a season filled with injury and at the age of 39 Garcia's best days are now behind him. While he still has some mobility, he's lost a lot of arm strength and at his age becomes an injury risk. He's not likely to sign with any team prior to training camps opening and could have to wait for an opportunity to arise as the 2009 season gets started. Without a team and without a home Garcia offers no value in fantasy next season.

The Rams receiver Torry Holt could be sitting in a similar boat to Garcia. While there is every indication that the Rams will eventually release Holt, he has not generated a lot of talk, yet. Holt has lost a step or two, but still has pretty good hands. If released he could get snatched up by someone prior to summer camps opening, but at the moment there doesn't seem to be too many places for him to start. Once a top fantasy pick as a WR1, Holt's value has taken a nose-dive the past couple of seasons.

Check back every Wednesday for more football at "The Watercooler!"