FSH: WATERCOOLER CHAT

June 4th, 2009 11:15pm PST

WATERCOOLER CHAT

Lienart/Young: Not What We Expected

When both Matt Leinart and Vince Young were drafted in 2006, many analysts figured that both of these talented players would one day be stars in the league. Three years later and that have yet to happen for either. So what happened?

Both Leinart and Young entered the league with high hopes, but in the three seasons each has been a part of the league, neither has made much of an impact. When both broke into the NFL, both had their shots at starting, but neither was able to sustain any kind of run to hold forte. In their rookie seasons, Leinart started 11 games and Young started 13, but just last year both spent most of 2008 season as spectators with only Young season action as a starter (only start came in week 1).

It’s been three years since both took the step to the next level, but with Leinart sitting in wait behind two-time NFL MVP Kurt Warner he’ll have to continue to play the waiting game. In Tennessee, Vince Young’s meltdown last season was a great indicator that this young man lacks the maturity to handle the pressure and may still need some seasoning.

With Warner pushing 40 years of age, it really does appear it’s just a matter of time before Leinart’s day in the Arizona sun will come, if he’s patient. In Tennessee Young could see his chance come sooner, if he can get himself straight and back on the field doing the things that made him successful at Texas.

With quarterback Kerry Collins resigned, but also climbing in years (pushing 37 in December) Young would appear to be the heir apparent. Young had some personal issues that set him back last season, but head coach Jeff Fischer appears stead fast behind his former 1st round selection. With only 22 touchdown passes to 32 interceptions, Young has a lot of work in front of him.

On the fantasy scene, neither of these two looks like promising prospects for the 2009 season, but in Dynasty and keeper leagues these two potential future stars still hold value. In redraft leagues avoid the class of 2006, but if they are available, they are worth grabbing and holding until the 2010, when both figure to have a real shot at seeing extended action.


Let’s Play GM…

To sign or not: Should Denver Resign Marshall

One of the toughest decisions for an NFL GM has to be resigning one of its players. While you can base your decisions on the past, with the future always changing it tough to know if any player, good or bad fits in with the team’s plans. What’s always going to weigh-in on the decision making process, is this guy worth the trouble or worth the coin he’s going to demand.

At one point or another during each offseason, every team must come to the crossroads of what to do about signing a high profile player in demand. And this offseason the Broncos will face that very same tough decision when it comes to their superstar wide receiver Brandon Marshall.

The GM Game…
While on the surface the decision appears to be pretty simple; the bottom line on Marshall is in two full seasons as the Broncos featured pass receiving target, he’s been one of the very best in the league. Last season he completed his second consecutive 100-plus reception season and surpassed the 1,200-receiving yard barrier again.

Marshall has all the tools to be among the most elite in the league, but he seems to be a loose cannon off the field. The kid has a lot of maturing to do as evident with his one game suspension last season.

It’s obvious that before the end of this season, the team would like to lock him down for a long term deal. There’s no question that he deserves big dollars for what he has accomplished. The only hesitation would be tying up a lot of guaranteed money to a young player that seems to have diificulty staying out of trouble.

With most of today’s primadonna’s looking for bonuses and guaranteed bank, the question is “Is Marshall’s upside worth the risk?” In three seasons he has caught 226 passes for 2,899-yards, and 15 touchdowns and he’s just getting started. The boy has earned his money, should get paid, but the team must learn from other’s mistake. He’ll demand the big dollars and get the deal he’s looking for, but this team will lace the deal with clauses in case he stumbles again and jeopardizes his playing availability.

Word to the wise, don’t do the crime if you can’t pay the price.

Keep checking back for more football....

By David G. Ortega