NFL Off Season News

[eagle eye]

Two huge items hit the news today. Actually, one hit the news yesterday. It was the announcement by University of Missouri defensive lineman Michael Sam that he is gay. It's a gutsy move by Sam and it may open the door for more gay athletes to come forward. This is the first time in league history an athlete has come out either before or during his career. The other athletes to come out did so after they retired. Sam is considered a tweener D-lineman meaning he's a little undersized to play defensive end in the NFL but would probably be converted to a 3-4 outside linebacker. Sam is the SEC Co-Defensive MVP for 2013 and he is certainly talented enough to get a real chance to be drafted anywhere from the mid first round to the third round of this year's draft. Some are predicting that Sam coming out of the closet publicly will hurt his draft status because teams won't want to put up with the media circus that may or may not surround Sam. I personally don't think it's a big deal. He's been accepted by his Missouri teammates and it's worth noting that none of them betrayed him by outing him in social media. It speaks well of Sam's Missouri teammates and it speaks well of Sam who inspired that loyalty. He's first and foremost a football player and it's certainly not like he was humping legs in the locker room. For heterosexuals this shouldn't be a big deal. The important thing NFL teams should decide is, can he play? For gays it's a big deal going a long way to help them with social acceptance. I have never in my life been asked what my sexual preference is and that's ok. It's nobody's business. My company didn't ask if I am a heterosexual, all they care about is do I do my job well. It just happens I am heterosexual but either way it's nobody's business outside of friends and family. It's a big deal now but by the May draft I predict it will be old news and non-issue.

The other news is that two congressmen are threatening the NFL with congressional action if the Washington Redskins don't change the name from one that is considered a racial slur. Here's a link to an ESPN article on this issue.

http://espn.go.com/nfl/story/_/id/10430475/senator-threatens-nfl-tax-exempt-status-washington-redskins-name

[eagle eye]

I've posted on this site before how I believe that former Cleveland Browns GM Michael Lombardi is a major tool bag. I don't need to expound on this any more but earlier this week Browns owner Jimmy Haslam seemed to come to the same conclusion because he fired Lombardi after just over a year on the job. Lombardi wasn't the only casualty because gone is CEO Joe Banner. There was a major disconnect between Banner and Lombardi and it was really manifested during the coaching search Cleveland conducted after the season ended. Lombardi was too picky and Banner was reportedly borderline rude to prospective coaches Ken Whisenhunt and Greg Schiano. Haslam also learned through the grapevine eventual Texans coach Bill O'Brien wouldn't go to Cleveland on a bet. Things got so bad that Banner was on the verge of firing Lombardi when word came down both men were no longer needed by the Browns. In his press conference Haslam stated that he was undergoing a learn-as-you-go situation and he owned up to any mistakes he had made in putting together his organization. He also said that his goal of making the Browns a contending team has not faltered and he is moving forward to that end.
That's all well and good and you kind of respect a guy who admits his mistakes. Let's not forget Haslam is rich, rich enough to buy an NFL franchise so he ain't no dummy. He also isn't egotistical enough to pass the buck when he surely could have. So this should give the long suffering Browns fans hope things will change. The new management has a slew of draft picks from the few good things Banner and Lombardi did including the Trent Richardson deal which sent him to Indianapolis and netted some picks for the Browns. It's a deep QB draft and the Browns do have Brian Hoyer, who was really doing a nice job before tearing his ACL, coming back. The Browns have a good defense and some nice offensive receivers. They need O-line help and a running back. Not a bad scenario for new head coach Mike Pettine going forward. The key for Pettine will be whether or not Cleveland's scouting department is worth a crap and whether Pettine has a plan to make the Browns better.
The last straw for Cleveland fans was the firing of native Ohioan Rod Chudzinski after less than a year on the job. For those outside of Cleveland the Browns were looked upon a joke after Haslam fired Banner and Lombardi but local writers in Cleveland saw this as addition through subtraction. Cleveland grew to hate Banner and they already hated Lombardi after his pissed off the whole fan base during his first stint as GM from 1987 to 1996. I don't know just exactly how he did this but when he was hired fans were angry and Lombardi never did a press conference as the GM in this past tenure to shield him from the venomous Cleveland press. Cleveland has had a horrendous run as a bottom feeder team in the NFL for 20 years. You kind of hope their fortunes will change.

[eagle eye]

Looks like we're playing emotional tennis here in Miami. First Jonathan Martin is leaving the team because he can't take the harassment from teammates especially Richie Incognito. Then it got all touchy-feely with both Martin and Incognito claiming to be friends and Kumbaya was being sung by all. Then on eve of the report on the harassment investigation Richie goes all balistic on Martin calling him a backstabbing so-and-so. All you can do is scratch your head and mutter WTF!!!! Now NFL.com has an article slamming Miami head coach Joe Philbin and team leadership for being "clueless". As in most things, we won't be rid of this story until a final resolution comes down from the NFL. All this overshadows the nice season Miami had in light of the bullying scandal. A late season collapse denied the Dolphins a spot in the playoffs but they were in the conversation right down to at least Week 15. Anyway, if you're interested here's the summery of the independent report made by Ted Wells from NFL.com.

http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap2000000325899/article/summary-of-ted-wells-report-on-miami-dolphins

[eagle eye]

The biggest thing going for NFL football aside from the draft is taking place right now. Actually, since this past Wednesday events at the NFL Scouting Combine have been taking place with interviews with individual teams, medical probing and prodding and bench pressing. The on-field stuff began today and of course is being televised by the NFL Network.

According to draft guru Mike Mayock this is the deepest draft in the past 10 years which bodes well for all 32 teams but with Texas teams both needing lots of help that is really good news.

The drills began with the offensive linemen began this morning and there are huge raves for those guys. Texas A&M's Jake Mathews, Michigan's Taylor Lewan and Auburn's Greg Robinson wowed analyzsts. These three were even compared to the top tackles taken last season in Luck Joekel, Eric Fisher and Lane Johnson as possibly being even better. Mike Mayock was most impressed with Robinson who is listed at 6'5" and 335 lbs and ran a 4.92 40, benched 225 lbs 36 times. Mayock is quoted as saying, "He's saying, 'You know what, I am your top tackle'".

Michael Sam did his press conference today and you may not agree with his lifestyle choice but you can't help being impressed with him as a person. Here's a link to that presser.

http://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-combine/0ap2000000327928/Michael-Sam-I-did-it-on-my-time-my-terms

How seriously with the repercussions will be for Ray Rice cold cocking his fiancée in an Atlantic City hotel elevator this past week are still unknown but the GM of the Ravens, Ozzie Newsome, was asked about it at the combine and he said, "It doesn't look good.". Newsome did say he hasn't spoken to Rice since the incident but he did see the video on line. Newsome said he will speak to Rice soon and decide what to do about the incident. Rice and his fiancée Janay Palmer were both arrested at the hotel for aggravated assault at both apparently hit one another in the elevator. In the video Rice is seen dragging an unconscious Palmer out of the elevator and his attempts to pick her up a go to their room which were unsuccessful. Palmer looked like she was coming around late in the video.

http://www.tmz.com/2014/02/19/ray-rice-unconscious-fiancee-atlantic-city-video-arrest/

[eagle eye]

Here's a Day 2 recap of today's work by the quarterbacks, wide receivers and running backs by NFL Network's Mike Mayock.

http://www.nfl.com/combine/story/0ap2000000328516/article/mayock-takeaways-manziel-bortles-draw-mixed-reviews

Kent State's Dri Archer (pronounced dree) set a 2014 combine record of 4.26 which was just a whiskey away from breaking Chris Johnson's all time combine record of 4.24.

[Hey Guy]

Hey guy... that's a lot of reading. Can we get cliff notes guy?

[eagle eye]

Here's a link to a list of all the unrestricted free agents in the NFL this season. You may be surprised at some of the names who may change teams chasing that big contract. The listed is divided by position which is pretty convenient.

http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap2000000316567/article/2014-nfl-free-agents-position

[eagle eye]

This Richie Incognito thing just won't go away will it. After the report about the hazing in the Dolphins locker room came out Richie was all mad at Jonathan Martin again. Then after a couple of days they are BFFs again and now the latest news is that the cops were called out to investigate why there were dents in the hood of Incognito's Ferrari. Turns out Richie wailed on the hood himself with a baseball bat! OMG what is wrong with this dude? It seems Richie has issues that go way beyond football. It's beginning to look like this story will ever be dead until after Richie retires or somebody kills him during a psychotic incident. Who beats up a Ferrari that doesn't have a screw loose? Nobody.

[eagle eye]

The NFL deadline for designating their franchise and transition tags passed yesterday. One week from today the free agent period begins and a lot of guys are being allowed to test the FA waters. Here's an article from NFL.com listing players who have been tagged along with a short list of the many players who didn't.

http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap2000000330283/article/franchise-tag-tracker

A couple of players were released today which are somewhat surprising.
> The Eagles released WR Jason Avant. Avant was drafted the same year as Jeremy Maclin and he was Maclin's replacement when he was injured last season.
> RB L'Ron McClain was released by the Chargers. McClain is a fullback who can run the football as a tailback became expendable by San Diego who are likely making the move for salary cap reasons.

Here is an article from NFL.com listing the top 10 running back free agents going on the market next week.

http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap2000000330467/article/free-agency-primer-top-10-running-backs

[eagle eye]

There is a definite change in the mood in the Crescent City, New Orleans if you didn't know the city's nickname. Moves made in the last week change the landscape of the Saints offense. All World tight end Jimmy Graham was tagged with the franchise player designation and he's not too happy about it. Players don't like the franchise tag because it's only a one year deal and a long term contract with a fat signing bonus is much preferred.
Another move was the release of WR Lance Moore. Moore has been a top notch receiver for the Saints and he's really been clutch and a TD scoring machine. He was released for salary cap purposes but his production will definitely be missed.
Among the biggest surprises is the impending release of RB Darren Sproles. Sproles has been an uber free agent signing since he came to New Orleans after several productive seasons in San Diego. Sproles touched the ball a whopping 165 times in 2013 and he has been one of Drew Bree's favorite weapons. He's also been a money fantasy football player. It can be argued that he's been much more productive than first round draft choice Mark Ingram has been. Now it will be up to Ingram, Pierre Thomas, Khiry Robinson and whoever else they draft.

[eagle eye]

The Detroit Lions owner, William Clay Ford, passed away from pneumonia today. He was 88 years old. Ford was the only remaining grandson of Henry Ford. Ford bought the Lions in 1963 for $6 mm and he was beloved by the teams he owned because of his loyalty to his employees but the Lions suffered through years of futility. They won only playoff game in the 51 years he owned the team. William Clay Ford Jr, Ford's only son among his four children is CEO of the Lions.

Arizona Cardinals RB Rashard Mendenhall is going to retire after a 6 year career which began in Pittsburgh in 2008. Cowboys fans will remember that Dallas passed on Mendenhall so they could draft Arkansas RB Felix Jones as a compliment to then starting RB Marion Barber. Mendenhall suffered a torn ACL in 2011 and his career was never the same again. He signed with Arizona as a free agent in 2013 but at the end of the season in a meeting with head coach Bruce Arians Mendenhall indicated at the time he was thinking about retiring from the NFL and pursue other interests. Arians planned on building his offense around their 6th round pick in 2013, Andre Ellington, anyway and Arizona already sports a full compliment of RB's including Alfonzo Smith, Stepfan Taylor and 2011 2nd round pick Ryan Williams so it would have been a challenge for Mendenhall to find a spot on the Cardinals roster.

[eagle eye]

A big piece of Seattle's front four just removed himself from consideration as free agent tomorrow. Michael Bennett has signed a 4 year deal worth $28 mm with $16 mm guaranteed. There was a lot of speculation that Bennett may go to the Chicago Bears and NFL.com's Albert Breer reported that the Bears and a mystery team offered Bennett more money than he ultimately signed for. In the end Bennett decided Seattle was home and he'll be staying for another four years at cost that's considered to be a nice hometown discount for Seattle.

NFL.com is reporting that Carolina is shopping for a deal to trade WR Steve Smith. This is a huge move considering what Smith has meant to the Panthers over the years. Just when Carolina is getting good again apparently the Panthers don't want Smith along for the ride.

It's being reported that defensive end Julius Peppers is on the trading block and if a deal is made Lamarr Houston will step into Peppers vacated spot for the Bears that is of course, Chicago can sign him. Houston is currently with the Oakland Raiders but will hit the free agent market tomorrow along with the rest of the NFL players eligible for free agency. Houston is good player and Chicago isn't the only team looking at Houston. On the Cowboys web site there was a point-counter point debate about who Dallas should sign as free agent. Current Dallas DT Jason Hatcher or Houston with good arguments on both sides.

Speaking of the Bears--again--the team has cut RB Michael Bush. Bush has had some very productive years in Oakland and Chicago but he's sort of outlived his usefulness in the Windy City. There is talk that he could be signed by his old team, the Raiders, because of the impending free agency of oft injured RB from Arkansas Darren McFadden.

Finally, here's a link to NFL.com's Adam Schein's list of logical free agent-team matchups when free agency begins tomorrow.

http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap2000000332395/article/jairus-byrd-ben-tate-to-browns-logical-matches-in-free-agency

[eagle eye]

Free agency began on Tuesday and there have been a lot of signing but the most high profile signings are these:

CB Aqib Talib signed with Denver
WR Eric Decker signed a deal with the New York Jets
DE DeMarcus Ware has signed with Denver
CB Darrelle Revis signed with New England
WR Golden Tate has signed with Detroit

These are but a few of the signings. If you want to keep up with your favorite players you can keep track of all the free agent moves on NFL.com.

[eagle eye]

It seems like there is one fan of the Carolina Panthers sorry to see Steve Smith released this week. A post by a boy's father explaining that Smith was no longer a Panther cause the boy to tears swearing he didn't want to root for anyone on the Panther team now and that he didn't want to root for any team again! It seems like the man and his kids actually have met Smith and the little boy and Smith's youngest son are friends. Here's a link to an NFL.com interview with Smith include a partial video only of the boy's meltdown.

http://www.nfl.com/videos/baltimore-ravens/0ap2000000334492/Smith-s-exit-brings-child-to-tears?continuous=true

After a miserable two year stint in San Francisco that saw him hurt more that he was healthy, WR Mario Manningham is returning to old team, the New York Giants. Manningham signed a one year deal with Big Blue. Manningham's last big play was a pivotal grab in Super Bowl XLVI that enabled the Giants to score several plays later giving them the lead and eventually the win. Since then he spent more time in the hospital and training room than he did on the field.

Believe it or not, the Philadelphia Eagles are open to trading WR DeSean Jackson. I'm serious. Not only that but it seems the Patriots, who seem to be in an arms race with Denver signing talented free agents this off season, and the 49ers. Sign an aging Darren Sproles and trade your best WR? Interesting.

The Panther have more to worry about than a broken hearted little boy right now or how empty their WR cupboard is. Cam Newton released today he will undergo surgery on his ankle to tighten ligaments that have given him trouble since he rolled on it in a late season game against the Saints. It has given him pain ever since and that's why he's doing it now. The rehab is about 4 month meaning Newton should be back in time for training camp but he will likely miss all of the Panthers OTAs and QB schools.

[eagle eye]

If folks didn't have enough to talk about football-wise with free agency and the upcoming draft we now have the Raiders talking about moving back to Los Angeles. Mark Davis, son of Al, says that if a deal can't be worked out to get a new stadium in Oakland he's sure the Raiders will be embraced in LA. Really Mark? Like they were last time when pop moved the team in the 80's and moved them right back to the Bay Area when he couldn't make a go of it there. No new stadium there either. Maybe it'll be different this time. Or maybe not. This just speaks of a guy trying gain a little leverage with the city fathers to get a new stadium. Maybe it'll work, maybe not but one thing's for sure. There is no "off season" in the NFL.

[eagle eye]

You wouldn't believe it but Philly isn't playing when they said they want to trade DeSean Jackson. I was skeptical about it until I heard Michael Vick on Mike and Mike this morning and in a roundabout way Vick answered the question of why would Philly want to get rid of one of its best playmakers and the reason is D-Jax is just not a good guy in the locker room, at least from Chip Kelly's perspective and Kelly would like to see Jackson gone. The fact is Kelly feels he can do without him and may be better with Jackson gone. Now comes the search for a team willing to trade for him.

Looks like former Jets QB Mark Sanchez will end up in St Louis assuming.........wait, now he's receiving interest in Philadelphia. Talking about passing a physical and everything. Does Sanchez really want to sign on as a backup? Does he really want to languish on the bench rather than find a team who needs to a guy to come in and start? That's what he'd do in St Louis and Philly. I kinda feel sorry for Sanchez because I think he got a raw deal playing for the Jets. No weapons, spotty O-line and a head coach who couldn't care less about offense.

[eagle eye]

The NFL annual meetings has made news but I'm not sure you'd call it "good". They have banned players from doing the slam dunk over the goal post crossbar as a celebration after a touchdown. Why? Because, one game last year involving the Saints Jimmy Graham who scored on a 44 yard pass and he celebrated with a two-handed slam over the crossbar than resulted in knocking the goal post out of whack. The game had to be stopped while the problem was fixed. Micro managing the game? Maybe. Legislating the fun out of the game? Maybe. It just seemed a little silly to me.

Roger Goodell said in a press conference today that it looks like there is great interest for expanding the playoffs to the point of support. What? That sounds like double talk to me. The NFL.com article seem to infer that expanded playoffs are inevitable but to say interest to the point of support seems a big wishy-washy to me. It sounds like a item for discussion, probably great debate, but no real support for it exists. Personally, I hope they never do. There is already talk about doing away with division winners getting a home field advantage because the playoff teams will be seeded according to their record. Or do away with divisions altogether and set up each conference as one big group and the top 12 teams record-wise make the playoffs and are seeded according to record. I think that sucks. The NFL isn't basketball. The NBA who has a bloated playoff structure where sub .500 teams routinely make the playoffs. The NFL has based their system on division play for as long as I can remember. The first goal of every team is to win their division because it MEANS something. It makes pro football unique. People who whine about wild card teams with a better record don't get it. Winning your division matters and should continue to matter. Wild card teams should be happy there are wild card teams otherwise you wouldn't be in the playoffs. Winning and losing for teams and divisions is cyclical and it shouldn't matter if the division is on a down cycle and you win the division with 8 or 9 wins and a wild card team is 10-6 or 11-5. Nobody complained because the 49ers of the 80's played in a weak division and routinely won their 8 division games with ease (there were 5 teams per division so home and home games with the other 4 teams gave you 8 division games.) That was half you schedule back then. Now with 4-team divisions you have 6 division games or roughly 40% of your schedule so your strength of schedule should be proportionally better. Each division plays the teams from one division in the NFC and one from the AFC leaving two games awarded by how you finished the previous season. So unlike years past when the only common opponents were division rivals for 8 games now you have division rivals (6 games) and common interdivisional opponents (4 NFC, 4 AFC) giving divisions a total of 14 games vs common opponents to decide the division. If you win your division you deserve to go to the playoffs and should be entitled home field advantage for at least one game. This ain't basketball and it shouldn't try to emulate the NBA structure. Nor should there be more playoff teams. Unless of course you routinely want sub .500 teams making the playoffs that have virtually no shot of winning the championship. There extra wear and tear on the players is bad enough right now. That's why I'm against an 18 game schedule. The NFL wants to talk about player safety and then add games to the schedule or playoffs seems like a pretty severely mixed message to me.

[eagle eye]

Denver has upgraded their talent on their team a lot during free agency but they just lost a big piece of their offense today. RB Knowshon Moreno was just signed by the Miami Dolphins. Details of the deal are not public as yet. Moreno just completed his fifth season in the NFL. The first two saw Moreno get stuck with the nickname "No Show" because he spent a lot of time out of the lineup due one nagging injury or another. But, 3 years ago with his job and maybe his NFL future on the line he stepped up and had a great season. In 2012 the Broncos drafted Ronnie Hillman of San Diego State figuring to replace Moreno but Moreno was having none of that. He had another great season that fell one game short of the Super Bowl. In 2013 Denver drafted Montee Ball out of Wisconsin figuring, I suppose, to replace Moreno and, again, Moreno wasn't having it. He had a great season running the ball and being a valuable target in the passing game. His pass protection was unheralded but he excelled at that too. Hillman fumbled his way in John Foxes dog house and Ball never really showed much until December rolled around when you could see his game pick up. So, fantasy mavens, Montee Ball will be the bell cow in Denver and in all likelihood Moreno will share touches with Daniel Thomas and Lamar Miller. Neither of these two has done anything to distinguish themselves so far in their NFL careers so look for Moreno to be "da Man" in Miami.

[eagle eye]

It doesn't make sense. Oakland must have had a bazillion dollars in cap money available considering how many moves they have made signing players. They have resigned 4 players of their own and they signed nine players in free agency and they are not chopped chicken liver or "B" caliber players. They have signed WR James Jones away from Green Bay, Antonio Smith from Houston, Justin Tuck from the Giants and Lamarr Woodley from Pittsburgh to name a few. The most recent addition Oakland has made is RB Maurice Jones-Drew from Jacksonville. Jones-Drew will be signed to a three year deal pending a physical which is significant since he is coming off Lisfranc surgery that cut his 2012 season short. He is an 8 year veteran which is old for a RB.

It's official, Mark Sanchez has been signed by the Philadelphia Eagles. He swears he wants to start but in the back of his mind he has to know he'll be riding pine unless Nick Foles gets hurt.

Just a fantasy heads up. Arizona Cardinals head coach Bruce Arians has been quoted as saying that RB Andre Ellington may catch 10 balls a game in 2014....... Just saying.

[KABrother88]

In all honest I think Oakland started free agency $55 million under the $133 million cap (over 40% available)...when I first saw that number I thought it must have been an error...then I tried to name a handful of players on their team...

[eagle eye]

The back and forth about DeSean Jackson's status with the Eagles is over. The Eagles have released Jackson today. ESPN is reporting that the main reason is due to ties with west coast gang affiliations. D-Jax is only a six year vet who has been the Eagles best receiver since he was drafted. Right now there are people who will certainly be interested in D-Jax but the baggage he seems to be carrying with him could make a team stop and think him over. My boy Boomer said that a real possibility would be with his old head coach, Andy Reid, in Kansas City. KC has been looking for a compliment to Dwayne Bowe for a while and it really makes sense.

[eagle eye]

Here is the latest in the long list of signs the apocalypse is coming soon. Remember Ray Rice? You know, the fantasy footballer's beast the last few years? The RB who has starred for the Baltimore Ravens? The same RR who was caught on camera dragging his unconscious fiancée out of an elevator in Altantic City? The RR who, just seconds before, had cold cocked said fiancée in that very same elevator moments after she slugged him? Yep, THAT Ray Rice! Well, this past week Rice was indicted on third degree aggravated assault which carries with a conviction of up to 3-5 years in prison. That was Thursday. On Friday NFL.com is reporting that Rice and his punching bag---I mean---fiancée Janay Palmer got married!

-The Baltimore Sun reported that Ravens wide receiver Torrey Smith visited Rice and Palmer after Friday's ceremony and said the newlyweds are "in a good place." - NFL.com

It's not often newlyweds are described as being "in a good place". Best wishes to the happy (?) couple.

[BigNasty92]

At this point, she gets what she deserves.

[eagle eye]

There is a new "bus" in Pittsburgh. No, Jerome Bettis isn't coming out of retirement. Legarrett Blount, most recently of the New England Patriots, is now a Steeler. Now the Steelers have a really potent one-two punch in Blount and Le'Veon Bell. Toss in Jonathan Dwyer and you could say that the Steelers won't likely draft a RB too high.

Jermichael Finley isn't currently employed. He's a free agent and it looked like he would sign with Seattle at the beginning of free agency but Finley still hasn't been cleared to play as yet from the serious neck injury that got him carted off the field last season.

DeSean Jackson is still making the rounds with Kansas City already dropping out of the race presumably due to cap issues. My question is this, I know D-Jax is good but his alleged shady affiliations mean he is getting a very serious background check during this whole process but if the New England Patriots didn't have the Aaron Hernandez issue in their closet would you think the Pats would like a new and improved version of Deion Branch?

[eagle eye]

There have been a couple of moves of note in the NFL in the last day or two and one affecting fantasy football aficianados. Well, maybe two.

After a day or two of rumors the Tennessee Titans have released RB Chris Johnson. That's right, CJ2K is on the open market. The past two years have be rather mediocre for Johnson and he's been a bit of a disappointment to fantasy owners too. At one point early in his six year career the debate was, who's better? Johnson or Adrian Peterson but those comparisons are long gone after the past two disappointing seasons. Under Jeff Fisher and Mike Munchak CJ2K averaged 300 touches a year. 300. He's 29 now and he's slowed some. He's still fast but he really doesn't break tackles or make people miss the way he used to. New Titans coach Ken Whisenhunt or the Titan's GM figured they could replace Johnson and save $8 mm on their salary cap. All the Titans have now really is Shonn Greene which aint' saying too much but there are prospects in the draft.

Houston fans will be happy to know former TE Owen Daniels has a new job. The Baltimore Ravens signed him to a deal that reunited him with former Texans head coach Gary Kubiak who is not the OC for the Ravens. This give Baltimore a good one-two punch at TE with Daniels and Dennis Pitta. The Ravens have also signed veteran running back Justin Forsette who will be entering his 8th season. The played for Jacksonville last season and has also played for Houston, Seattle and Indianapolis in his career.

The Buffalo Bills have acquired WR Mike Williams from the Tampa Bay Bucs in exchange for a sixth round draft pick. This deal reunited Williams with his college coach at Syracuse Doug Marrone. In fact Williams quit the 'Cuse football team midway through the 2009 season. Now, 5 years later the two are back together and Marrone is apparently okay with the move. Buffalo get him for cheap, $1.8 mm this year and Tampa escapes a bad contract given Williams last July worth $40.5 mm over six years. Williams has had off-field issues including an arrest this past December for trespassing and criminal mischief not to mention being fined for missing meeting with the team last year. Buffalo has got a lot of talent at WR now including Stevie Johnson. Tampa Bay does not but they are picking high enough in the draft to last a top WR like Mike Evans or Sammy Watkins.

The first round pick of the 2012 draft for the New York Giants David Wilson was lost last season due to a neck injury that required surgery to repair. The Giants filled in for Wilson as best they could with guys like Brandon Jacobs and Peyton Hillis but none was the breakaway threat Wilson poses. He is still not cleared to practice yet and head coach Tom Coughlin swears he won't use Wilson in any contact drills until he gets a 100% clean bill of health from his doctors. This past week the Giants signed RB Rashad Jennings who was with Oakland after spending his first three seasons with Jacksonville. Jennings is a definite upgrade for New York but the caveat with him has been his lack of ability to stay on the field. Maybe things will be different in the Big Apple.

[eagle eye]

I found an article that I thought may be of interest. During the draft process like the scouting combine and player pro days you hear all the commentators spew endlessly about 1-technique and 3-technique defensive linemen as it relates to a 4-3 scheme. This is an article from SBNation.com from an April 2011 post that explains the 1 and 3 and 5 with a visual to explain where these techniques line up. I thought it was helpful for those who don't know and want to understand when the talking heads start to spew their intelligence on all of us.

http://www.dawgsbynature.com/2011/4/11/2082375/draft-terminology-the-three-technique-and-the-five-technique

[eagle eye]

Okay, here's news that I thought would never, in a million years, be said without a tongue planted firmly in cheek. There won't be a running back drafted in the first round of the 2014 draft. That's not me saying it. NFL.com's Daniel Jeremiah said as much in his latest mock draft. No running backs in the first round. The same with Bucky Brooks and Charles Davis. In fact, a total of 8 analyst's mocks did not have a RB being selected in the first round. There is no article I've seen mentioning a word about a running back in the draft. I never, in a million years, thought that a running back would be out of the discussion as top ten pick much less out of the first round. No Tre Mason or Bishop Sankey or Jeremy Hill to be seen as a first round option. This is a situation worth noting. A true passing of the torch. You knew the NFL has become a QB driven league. You know because the NFL throws the ball like never before. You know because colleges have morphed in spread offense machines that feed the NFL with QBs and WRs galore but no running backs. There was a time in the not-too-distant past when teams built around their running backs but no more. Even Minnesota, who has the hands down best running back in football, is looking for a franchise QB and WR's to keep up with Lions, Packers and Bears in their own division not to mention the rest of the NFL. The NFC North was once known as the black and blue division because of the brutal ground games and hard-nosed defenses they played. Adrian Peterson and Matt Forte and still carrying the torch for running backs but NFL teams are not really showing any interest in signing a free agent running back unless he comes at the right price. Nobody will overpay for a RB in today's NFL when the perception seems to be that RB's are a dime a dozen and a good one can be picked up in the late rounds or signed as an undrafted free agent. Case in point, Arian Foster. This is a guy who had a really nice college career but was totally overlooked in the draft. The bang for your buck value of high round running back draft picks just doesn't seem to be there. In recent years there have been more first round busts than there have been stars. It's a new day and age I guess but I think most would agree with me that the era of the running back as a top NFL draft prospect is, if not completely over, it certainly isn't what it used to be. Is this a good thing? Yes, for people who love wide open passing attacks. But they still clamor for a running game so their team can be "balanced". Cowboys fans seem to think that a more balanced offense is the solution to their recent 8-8 funk. Wrong. In 2013 they had their first 1,000 yard rusher since 2004 but it didn't do them any good. Not when their defense was racked by injuries and was epically bad. The offense isn't the problem in Dallas. Not when you have a QB who has thrown for 4000+ yards in every season that hasn't been shortened by injury. No, Dallas Achilles heel has been their defense. Even when the defense was fairly good they never have been able to stop anyone when their backs were to the wall. When the game was on the line, over the last decade, when Dallas needed a stop to win a game, the defense was a no-show. Dallas isn't the only franchise to suffer a poor defense. Look at Detroit or Chicago or New England. Teams who don't necessarily depend on a run game or a balanced offense to score points. Their lack of success is tied directly to sub-par defense. NFL and college teams need to learn how to play defense again. Find a way to shut down these high flying offenses and maybe you will see the return to prominence of the running back. Just look at the two teams with the best defenses from last year, Seattle and San Francisco. You know who their backs are because their defense makes Marshawn Lynch and Frank Gore a necessary piece of their offenses. Why? Because their defenses keep their opponents from turning a game into an offensive shootout. Look no further than this past Super Bowl. The most prolific offense in football had no chance against a team who played defense well and kept the game out of the opposing QB's hands and into their own running back's corner. Simple but not sexy enough for most fans. Unless your team is winning.

[eagle eye]

Something has happened to make 49ers coach Jim Harbaugh lose more than a night or two of sleep. His start QB Colin Kaepernick along with teammate Quinton Patton and Seahawks WR Ricardo Lockette have been named as persons of interest in an April 4th incident in Miami, Fla. The article doesn't say what that "incident" is but it appears to be a sexual assault on a young woman. I want to stress that no details of the incident has been released so it would be wrong to judge Kaepernick or make assumptions about the lady in question. Nobody knows the details of the case except those involved and the police. The investigation, as referenced in the article, is in its early stages but to have your franchise QB involved in a police investigation isn't what a coach or a GM or an owner wants to hear.

http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap2000000340524/article/kaepernick-patton-lockette-named-in-incident-report

Eli Manning has undergone a successful surgery on his left ankle, the same ankle he suffered a high ankle sprain in the 2013 season finale against the Redskins. As Manning was beginning getting busy with his off season workouts he was still feeling discomfort in the ankle and Manning and his doctors decided to go ahead with the surgery. Manning is projected to begin running again in 6 weeks and he should be ready to go for training camp.

For those who need the football fix the movie 'Draft Day' with Kevin Costner begins tomorrow. Pre-reviews seem to be very favorable. Not only that Costner seems to really do well with sports movies although this is his first foray into the world of football. 'Field of Dreams', 'Bull Durham' and 'For the Love of the Game' all focused on baseball but all those stories were character driven and it looks like this takes a realistic look at a football team's war room.

[eagle eye]

Mocks, mocks, mocks. The draft should be next week but instead we have to wait a little over three weeks. I get this vision in my head that the guys from ESPN and NFL.com all get together and do beer pong to decide picks. Whatever name that's on the bottom of the cup is the next pick. McShea, Kiper, Brooks, Mayock drunk off their asses having a great time trying to justify their latest mocks. Awesome.

Add Aldon Smith to the list of NFL dumbasses. Seriously, who goes through security at an airport and in the midst of his annoyance with airport security he claims he had a bomb. This is at LAX now, those people don't play. He was booked on a charge of falsely reporting a bomb threat which could result in up to a year in jail. Last spring Smith was at a party in which he was stabbed, he missed 5 games while going through substance abuse rehab and last November he pleaded not guilty of 3 counts of felony weapons charges. I would not be surprised to see the LA county throw the book at this idiot. Unfortunately, his problem seems to be way past disiplinary action on the part of the court system. This dude needs psychiatric help. No more, no less.

[eagle eye]

The New York Jets have signed CJ2K to a two year deal. He will compete for a starting job with Chris Ivory, Bilal Powell, Mike Goodson and Alex Green. At first glance it looks like Johnson and Ivory would make a nice tandom. Of course we'll have to see if it was poor line play in Tennessee that saw Johnson's numbers decline or if age and a lot of touches was the reason. The Jets have quietly gotten better except at WR. I know they signed Eric Decker but Decker is really a #2 or #3 receiver. The Jets will have tap into the rather deep WR draft class in May to get better on the outside.

The 49ers are being reported as shopping former Oregon Ducks RB LaMichael James. With Frank Gore, Kendall Watkins and former South Carolina RB Marcus Lattimore set to make his NFL debut after rehabbing a severe knee injury suffered in the 2012 season and sitting out his rookie season after being drafted in the 4th round of the last year's draft. If Lattimore comes back to form the 49ers should have Frank Gore's replacement on the team. As for James the plethora of talent at RB is too crowded and the 49ers loss should be someone else's gain. James is a quality RB with some speed and at the right price someone could get their own sleeper pick with a great value. The Cowboys and Texans both could use a guy like James---at the right price.

The Donald (Trump) is reiterating his desire to purchase the Buffalo Bills and he is saying if he is able to buy the team he will keep it in Buffalo. That's a good thing for Buffalo fans and IMO it's a good thing period. Buffalo was a founding team in the old American Football League way back in the 1960s and they have built quite a storied history there including an AFL Championship led by future congressman Jack Kemp at QB and in the 1990s becoming the only team to go to four straight super bowls. Unfortunately, they didn't win any of those 4 games but the feat is no less impressive. There is another group headlined by rock and roller Jon Bon Jovi who want to but the Bills and move the team to Toronto Canada. Bon Jovi was part of an ownership team that had the Philadelphia Arena Football League franchise. I'm rooting for Trump because I don't want to see the team leave Buffalo.

[eagle eye]

Greg Cosell is the senior producer for NFL Films and he's a regular on the Colin Cowherd radio program on ESPN radio. Cosell is purported as being a guy who has no dog in any hunt, he plays no favorites. He just watches hours and hours of film and he's a guy who has done just that for years. According to Cosell Kahlil Mack is the best value in the draft over and above Jadeveon Clowney the current wunderkind at the top of most draft boards. Cosell goes on to say that for a 3-4 team like the Texans Mack is the better fit as the weak side outside linebacker. Cosell didn't say that Clowney could be moved to WOLB if Houston drafts him. He is assuming that he will be a defensive end for Houston. I really disagree. As a defensive end it would be a waste of Clowney's athleticism in MHO. This makes the first pick of the 2014 draft such an interesting subject. Houston could literally go in at least 4 different directions by either picking Mack or Clowney, trading down and still taking Mack or they could opt for trade down that would allow them to pick a QB like Bortles, Bridgewater and, yes, even Johnny Football. It's a far cry from 2012's draft when everybody and their brother knew Indy was taking Andrew Luck or even last year when the only cliffhanger was which of the big 3 tackles in the draft, Eric Fisher, Luke Joeckel or Lane Johnson would be Kansas City's pick. (It was Fisher in case you forgot.)
Another interesting thing in this year's draft is the plethora of QBs who will be available. General consensus is that there isn't a QB worth the No 1 pick there are plenty who are worth a later first or second round pick for someone in the market for the "quarterback of the future". Many speculate, me included, that Houston will opt for a QB in the second round. However, Texans head coach, Bill O'Brien, saw Blake Bortles up close and personal when Bortles' UCF team travelled to Penn St and put a whoopin on what was then O'Brien's Nittany Lions. The most common comparison of Bortles to an NFL QB has been to Pittsburgh's Ben Roethlesberger. There are a lot of correlations between Bortles and Big Ben but the biggest one seems to be both were passed on by the big boys in college football and they ended up at smaller schools. Bortles at UCF and Ben at Miami of Ohio. Both did well in college and both were underappreciated in the weeks leading up to the NFL draft. If Houston does go Bortles don't you think Houston would love the two Super Bowl wins and a third appearance like Ben gave Pittsburgh? Darn tootin' they would.

BTW - 12 days to the draft.

Tidbits
> Earl Morrall who quarterbacked the Colts, then in Baltimore, to a Super Bowl V victory over the Cowboys and also was the backup to Bob Griese when the Dolphins completed the only perfect season in modern NFL history with a win in Super Bowl VII has died at the age of 79. Morrall spent 21 years as a player in the NFL. His senior year in college at Michigan State he led the Spartans to a Rose Bowl victory and later that spring he played shortstop and third base for the Spartans in the College World Series. Morrall died of complications from Parkinson's Disease.
> Auburn RB Tre Mason will need surgery on his wrist after the NFL draft. At least this what NFL teams are being told despite Mason tweeting that he won't need surgery. If he does he should be available for training camp but not for team OTA's. This news could drop Mason's stock in the draft.
> NFL.com is saying that Detroit may consider trading Ndomakong Suh. The often controversial DT might get some interest but he's got as much bad baggage as he has talent and the baggage may make a trade for anything worthwhile to Detroit might be difficult.

[eagle eye]

Such media luminaries as Warren Sapp keep dogging out #1 draft prospect Jadeveon Clowney claiming he's not worth the #1 pick because his work ethic is poor. I hope you know that my tongue is placed firmly in cheek when I refer to Sapp as a "luminary". Sapp has already put his oversized foot in his mouth enough to know what leather tastes like and this rant Sapp is on about Clowney's work ethic is a bit of a joke to me. I would be willing to bet he doesn't know squat about what kind of work ethic Clowney has. There are questions about Clowney's work ethic and motor and heart and questions about whether or not Clowney even likes football. Sapp seems to want to take it to the next level. That's okay. So called pundits like to stir the pot to get their name out there and on the off chance Clowney is a bust then Sapp can puff his chest out and say, "See, I told you!". I wonder if he ends up being what most think he can if somebody will remind Sapp what he said. He may be a pro football Hall of Famer but as a journalist or reporter or whatever the hell he is---he ain't much.

The end of Candlestick Park in San Francisco is looming near. On July 12th there will be a flag football game at The Stick featuring two HOF legends squaring off one last time in a celebrity event that will be the final game in that storied stadium before the move to the new Levi's Stadium in nearby Santa Clara. This game will feature in a rematch of sorts Super Bowl XIX QB's Joe Montana now 57 vs Dan Marino who is now 52. It's a charity event and it should be fun to see these two geezers in action and you wonder if there's any life left in those two arms. I'm better there is.

Jermichael Finley who suffered a neck injury last October that required surgery to repair will be getting an X-ray on Monday to determine how well he is doing in his rehab. Finley is training in Arizona and the X-rays will be sent to his doctor is Pittsburgh. If the results are positive then Finley will undergo a CAT scan and MRI as part of his six to eight week evaluation process. As of March 21st he was considered at least 2 months away from being cleared to practice. It is still not certain that Finley will ever play football again but if he does it is being reported that several teams are interested in the former all-pro and pro bowl tight end. Green Bay released Finley earlier this year.

Johnny Manziel is winning over his critics--at least to some extent. Jon Gruden is a buyer of Manziel stock. I watched a repeat of the episode of Jon Gruden's QB camp featuring Manziel and I have to say, the kid said all the right things. What was interesting to note is when Gruden talked Manziel listened to the point of taking notes on Gruden's critique of him. It seemed the most important advice Gruden gave Manziel was he needed to learn to check down which is something that Johnny hasn't done well in the past. Gruden listed Drew Brees, Matthew Stafford, Andy Dalton and Andrew Luck while showing film of all of them pointing out they are all from Texas just like Manziel and to make his point Gruden asked Manziel what they do that he doesn't and he correctly replied, "They check down.". Manziel was impressive in the program and I believe him when he says he's all football. Why, because his teammates love the guy and you see it on the sidelines whether he's encouraging a player or his whole team or getting in someone's face when needed. The guy is special and I know everyone is tired of hearing about him. I get it. But, I also feel if he gets in the right system he can be really good. He's not just a scrambler he's learning to play his position better. He's working at it. You could see a big improvement in his pocket passing last season and he continues to work at getting better. He has been working in San Diego with noted QB guru George Whitfield Jr to get better. Despite all the negative publicity surround Manziel I don't think he's a problem. He's young and he's reaped some benefits of his celebrity like hanging out with Lebron James and getting courtside seats at basketball games but I think, in the right circumstances, Manziel will be a damn good NFL quarterback and some team will be lucky to get him. Even Steve Young is saying that Manziel can be the next Drew Brees and Jerry Rice has said that Manziel has a lot of the same traits as Young did when he came to the NFL. High praise, indeed. Will Houston take Manziel? I don't think so but maybe they should.

[eagle eye]

Yesterday was May the 4th which was significant for several reasons but maybe the most novel of those reasons was that it was the official Star Wars Day. Get it, May the 4th as in "May the 4th be with you!". For all you non-Star Wars fans out there the main catch phrase of the series was, "May the force be with you." This is the first time for a Star Wars Day and it may be because there will actually be an episode 7 which will feature original stars Harrison Ford, Carrie Fisher and Mark Hamill and it will be written by the same people who wrote The Empire Strikes Back and Return of the Jedi. Again, for non-Star Wars fans, this is a pretty big deal since the last three films were more about the special effects than the story. Star Wars was the brain child of famed director George Lucas but I sort of think he lost focus and he wasn't fully into the series beginning with Episode One, The Phantom Menace. The first two films in the last trilogy were weak with a bit of a comeback in Episode Three. All that being said NFL.com decided to join in the fun of Star Wars Day by doing a Star Wars mock draft. I have to say, as a Cowboys fan, I'm not amused by their choice as the Cowboys pick. Who is it? Check out the link below.

http://www.nfl.com/photoessays/0ap2000000346372/star-wars-mock-draft

[eagle eye]

I think the guys at NFL.com are posting their final mock draft--number 1,658--today. Mike Mayock will post his really, honest to gosh last top 50 players in the draft list this afternoon. I wish the draft was back in April because the extra weeks of build up have been excruciatingly long. But, at long last, the draft is TOMORROW NIGHT! I really didn't plan to do it but I'll probably be watching every minute of the Thursday and Friday editions of the draft. I can't help myself. For an OCD person like me it's inevitable that I will have to watch. Heck, it's quite possible my Saturday is spoken for too. Thank God the draft ends Saturday and I can give my wife her due on Mother's Day. I'm extra lucky that it's supposed to rain tomorrow and Friday because I have a built in excuse to plant my butt in my recliner flipping between ESPN and the NFL channel. By Saturday evening I may be a candidate for an intervention and a trip to rehab. I'm as jacked as Sheldon Cooper going to see the Serne supercollider. I have been burning up the Fanspeak.com mock draft simulator for the last week. I didn't dare download the deluxe version that allows trades up or down in the draft because I knew I would be AWOL from the rest of my life as I alternated between being the Cowboys and Texans GM. My dream is that Jerry Jones hears of my prowess at the mock draft simulator and he decides he MUST hire me to be special draft consultant and team leader setting me up with a mid six figure salary and my own luxury box at AT&T Stadium. Sometimes I worry that I'm losing it........

I'm tired of all the talk. It's time to cue up the Black Eyed Peas and get this party started. Just one more day--damn it's going to seem like an eternity. Okay, got to get back to the draft simulator, I have to snap up Kony Ealy before someone else gets him leaving the Cowboys without a replacement for D-Ware.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=arZdeg_fL-I&feature=player_detailpage

[KABrother88]

The NFL got exactly what it wanted by moving the draft back a month...keeping itself in the news that much longer...having such differing opinions for all the "experts" on the QBs available and nobody being the sure fire #1 pick has helped that...that being said I'm with you EE...move the damn thing back to April...I can't handle it anymore...you can only read so many mock drafts until they just all become the same...than you get one that has team like SF (my rooting interest) taking a D-Lineman...if these people paid attention SF has stock piled DL the last couple drafts and have glaring holes at CB and WR. Most mocks have us taking a WR...just pray to God we don't take Benjamin, the guy from Indiana, or trade up too far for Beckham. Would rather have a guy like Marquis Lee who should be available at 30 than those other 3 options. In all honesty I am hoping to see a big move to get a guy like Mike Evans...we don't have too many roster spots open so we really don't need all of the 11 picks we own...if there was a way to be able to get into the top 10 while saving one or 2 second rounders (56 & 61) for a CB I would feel great

[eagle eye]

From what I have learned there aren't too many CB's worth taking in the first round. Justin Gilbert from OK St and Darqueze Dennard from Mich St are the top candidates and one, maybe both, could be available in the middle part of the first round. For the price of a 1st, 2nd and 4th Dallas could conceivably be convinced to trade back. I think Dallas would prefer to trade to an earlier than pick #30 though. I've heard that Cleveland with #26 or possibly Arizona at #20 may be looking for a trade.
I'm not sure why you don't like Kelvin Benjamin. A guy with megatron size, but not quite his speed, would seem like the perfect foil to the loudmouth from Seattle. The Niners may be interested in a linebacker with Aldon Smith's status in doubt. That dude is mentally unstable and needs medical help.

I hope that Dallas can snap up three defensive ends in the draft. I would love to see them get Kony Ealy (Missouri), Jackson Jeffcoat (Texas) and Kareem Martin (North Carolina). They would restock a position of need and maybe one of them or a combination of them could replace DeMarcus Ware. I think it's possible to get at least two of the three. I'd take Scott Creighton from Oregon St too. In a perfect world Dallas could trade back with Arizona for a 2nd and 4th and pick up Ealy in the first, LB Telvin Smith in the 2nd (#1) and Jeffcoat in the 2nd (from Arizona) and Martin in the third and if possible either RB Jeremy Hill (LSU) or WR Josh Huff from Oregon in the 4th. With the other 4th I'd get G Dakota Dozier from Furman. If this happened I would care about the rest of the draft. Right there Dallas has gotten better on defense and added depth to the offense. There is one sleeper I'm sort of looking at and that linebacker Tyler Starr out of South Dakota. He's 6'4" 249 and ran a 4.58 and 4.59 at his pro day. Dallas is pretty good at finding small school guys and with measureables like this he's seems like a guy who you'd give a chance to. A 7th round prospect or UFA.

[KABrother88]

We are ok at OLB...we picked up the option on Smith for 2015 and my guy feeling is he will be suspended for 4-6 games this year and be eligible for the final 10-12 games plus playoffs...have very capable backups and 2013 draftees who I think will eventually replace him when he more than likely walks after the 2015 season...but yes the guy needs some serious help with his laundry list of issues.

To be honest i don't really know why i'm not a fan of Benjamin...I mean it seems to be so obvious...we have failed to score a TD inside the 5 the last 2 postseason that could have won a Super Bowl and took us to another...a big red-zone target is the answer...but I'm just not a fan of him...but like I said in the other post, we have 11 selections but not 11 roster spots...so why not trade some picks to move up and get a guy like Evans who matches Benjamin size wise but shows better speed, and a better history of production between the 20s

As for SF trading again with Dallas...last year we gave Dallas out 1st (#31) and and 3rd (#74) for #18...this year we are at #30 and Dallas at #16 so I couldn't see us giving a 2nd, & 4th to swap 1st rounders

But there is a beauty to the NFL draft...no one has a friggin clue what is gonna happen lol

And speaking of that loudmouth in Seattle earlier...he just signed a extension worth 54 million with 40 guaranteed...so now they have the higher paid S and CB...so hopefully they'll run outta money soon

[boomer]

Darqueze Dennard from Mich St is the real deal, not sure I saw the Okie Dokies play any Def last year. I think another spin for the texans would be to trade down and get the heir apparent to Andre. Getting Sammy Watkins in the first and a QB in the second would have alot more impact pn this team than Clowney would. I also would not count out Keeping the stud from AtM in the area...no not that one I mean Jake Mathews. here is a top guy that will fill aneed for ten years. Just some out of the box thoughts from ya boy. Fantasy Nation is getting ready to roll out in the next few weeks. Don't think we forgot about you guys we have been on out winter grind. The Lions have made it known they really want Watkins to line up with Calvin Johnson. That would be an incredible duo for the Lions. I also like the Texans to look at Tre Mason RB Auburn to replace Tate.

Khalil Mack cannot be counted out he is the #2 best player in the draft and the #1 best fit for the texans at this point. Don't forget this isn't Madden there is no plug and play scheme is everything.

others sleepers I like Aaron Murry QB from UGA coming off of injury, Lache Seastrunk BAY solid RB with the best 40 of any of the top RB's and I love the little guy from Kent State Dri Archer not just the fastes man at the combine but a beast last year in college doing it all. I still have a guy I cant keep thinking about how he will fit, thats Jordan Lynch Norther Ill. he was a man among boys in college and reminds me a little of Woddy Dantzler but a better QB some have him going at RB.

[eagle eye]

It's great to see Boomer back on the site and bringing some unique views. I like the idea of Houston picking Sammy Watkins because Andre Johnson is getting on in football years and I don't see anyone on the roster who could become a #1 receiver. There is a lot of depth in defense in this draft but elite type of receivers are not deep at all. The Texans could trade down with Jacksonville so the Jags can get Clowney and Houston can get some more draft picks but they would have to hold their breath and hope to goodness the Rams don't draft Watkins. It wouldn't be bad if the Rams do take Watkins because the Texans would get Mack. I really don't see Houston taking a QB with the first pick or even a trade down and pick.
I doubt that Houston takes a CB. I don't look for a RB to be taken until the 2nd round minimum. That said, both RBs Boomer mentioned would make good compliments for Arian Foster and IMO would be better than Ben Tate. Speaking of Tate, I don't think he has any breakaway speed. I saw that when Arian Foster came back 2 seasons ago from a minor injury. Tate was stopped on a sweep inside the opponent's 20. Foster ran a sweep to the same side and he saw a crease and shot through the hole and was tackled about the 3 yard line. I think Tate will be serviceable in Cleveland but I think the Browns will be looking to replace him or pair him with a guy who does have some burst.

BTW---THE DRAFT IS HERE! I will be parked in front of my TV with my Cowboys Star Magazine Draft guide and my computer to see the Cowboys war room and toggle between that and the Texans war room if there is a feed. My TV will be going back and forth between the NFL Channel and ESPN and I will have enough supplies to survive a nuclear winter.

[eagle eye]

The Cleveland Browns found out just prior to the draft that their star wide receiver Josh Gordon failed a drug test. It's Gordon's 3rd failed test meaning it's quite likely he will be suspended for the entire 2014 season. Evidently, the Browns brain trust (?) weren't fazed by this news because despite plenty of opportunities the Browns did not draft a wide receiver regardless of the fact that this draft was extremely deep at WR. During free agency Cleveland had signed Nate Burleson and Andrew Hawkins but they were going to play second fiddle to Gordon. Now, with the potential loss of Gordon, Cleveland has now decided to take a chance on hamstring plagued Miles Austin who is a post June 1st cut by the Dallas Cowboys to save $5.5 mm on their salary cap which should be enough to sign all 9 of their draft picks. Details of the deal are not available as yet. The re-evaluation of Gordon's knucklehead score has not been updated either.

[eagle eye]

Cleveland is stockpiling wide receivers in light of the Josh Gordon deal. They signed former UT receiver Earl Bennett, most recently of the Chicago Bears, to a deal just hours after Cleveland signed Miles Austin. Cleveland has also signed four undrafted free agent WR's this week among the 11 total UFA's signed.
In other Cleveland news despite the Johnny Football fever that has swept though Cleveland, Browns owner Jimmy Haslam has stated this past week they are not handing the starting QB job over to Manziel. In the Browns view Brian Hoyer is the starter and if Manziel wants to start he will have to earn it on the field.

Former Patriots TE Aaron Hernandez was officially indicted this week for murder but it's not the killing you're thinking of that got Hernandez in such hot water in the first place. No, this is for a double murder Hernandez allegedly committed when a vehicle he was in pulled up to another SUV at a traffic light and Hernandez opened fire killing two people, Daniel Abreu and Safiro Furtado, on June 26, 2012. Authorities are contending Hernandez, after a chance encounter with the victims, "...were stalked, ambushed and senselessly killed by Mr Hernandez.". Hernandez was in the news earlier this month when he was indicted by a Bristol Connecticut jury for an assault of a fellow inmate while he was in jail for the murder of Odin Lloyd in 2013. Hernandez BTW has pleaded not guilty to Lloyd murder. It appears pretty obvious there is a screw loose in Hernandez' head and he is a person who handles his issues with violence.

The Raiders have already signed their first round draft pick, Kahlil Mack, to a contract. This would have been almost unheard of before the rookie salary cap was instituted as part of the new players collective bargaining agreement a couple of years ago.

Daryl Richardson is now the former RB for the St Louis Rams after he was released by them yesterday. Two years ago Richardson had a very solid rookie season after being a 7th round draft choice in 2012. Injuries cost him most of 2013 and Zac Stacy emerged as the bell cow in the Rams offense. The Rams drafted Auburn RB Tre Mason in the draft last weekend making Richardson expendable. The Rams had actually tried to trade 3rd stringer Isiah Pead during the draft but found no takers so the Rams found another avenue to reduce their stable of RB's.

Former Wake Forest RB Josh Harris is blaming the coaching staff at Wake for bad mouthing him to NFL scout and he's claiming that is the reason he went undrafted last weekend and unsigned as an UFA this past week. The Dallas Cowboys have invited Harris to attend Cowboys rookie mini camp beginning today on a try out basis along with 10 other players. Here's the complete article about the Duncanville, Tx native from NFL.com.

http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap2000000350525/article/exwake-forest-rb-josh-harris-says-coaches-sabotaged-him

[eagle eye]

Some off season NFL news.

> Atlanta Falcons WR Roddy White's 1/2 brother, Tyrone Moore Jr was shot to death outside a James Island S.C. nightclub on Friday night.
Charleston Post & Courier:
At 2:51 a.m. Saturday, deputies was dispatched to 222 Mosquito Beach Road for a report of a shooting, Charleston County Sheriff's Maj. Eric Watson said.
Arriving deputies were told that some type of altercation occurred in front of the Lake House Club on Mosquito Beach. Witnesses told deputies that several gunshots were fired and Moore was shot. He was rushed to Medical University Hospital, where he was pronounced dead, Watson said.
Detectives are still looking for suspects and a motive in the shooting.

White and grew up together and this has to be a terrible blow for White and his family. Keep them in your prayers and let's hope the police can catch the person responsible.

> Colts star outside linebacker Robert Mathis is going to be suspended the first 4 games of the 2014 season for violating the NFL PED policy. Mathis said that he failed the test because he was taking a furtility drug called Clomid. The drug hasn't been cleared by the FDA for use and it has been a banned substance for years. Mathis said he should have check with the NFL and the NFLPA before taking the drug. Colts head coach Chuck Pagano said the Colts would stand behind their pro bowl player.

> It was big weekend for former Tulane football player Devon Walker. He participated in his graduation ceremonies at Tulane earlier today and later this afternoon his dream of being an NFL player was fulfilled when the Saints signed Walker to a contract. What makes this such a big deal is that Walker is a paraplegic. He has been confined to a wheel chair since a collision in a Tulane football game in which Walker was playing DB when a collision caused him to be paralyzed. This is a real feel-good story and here's the article from NFL.com about his big day.

http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap2000000351218/article/saints-sign-paralyzed-safety-devon-walker

> The proposed documentary on Michael Sam's life by the Oprah Winfrey Network has been put on hold indefinitely. It is being reported that after meeting with the Rams, who drafted Sam in the 7th round of this year's draft, Sam's agent and reps from OWN decided not to go forward with the production of Sam's life story. I have a sneaking suspicion that Jeff Fisher, in an effort to give Sam the best opportunity to succeed in making the Rams football team, put the ki-bosh on this whole TV deal. General consensus by the media agrees that it's hard enough to transition to the NFL from college without TV cameras filming your every move. That's especially true of late round picks who are generally considered a long shot to make the team anyway.

[eagle eye]

Ok, I'm going to make some of you feel a little bit old right now. This past weekend the Baltimore Ravens had a wide receiver in their rookie mini camp with a very familiar name. His dad was a wide receiver and now his son and namesake didn't make the Ravens team but he is slated to try out for his father's former team, the San Francisco Forty-Niners. Give up? I bet some of you guessed already but for those who didn't that young man's name is Jerry Rice Jr. Jr graduated UCLA with a BA and he attended UNLV to go for his masters and use his last season of eligibility with the Rebels football team. He sure has a lot to live up to and even though he probably won't live up to his father's standing as the greatest receiver in NFL history you hope the kid is able to carve out his own niche as a player.

The Raiders continue to push to upgrade their roster has signed recently released WR Greg Little. My response to this is "eh". My prediction is he will now drop passes in the Bay Area now.

If Gregor "The Mountain" Clegane is a name you are familiar with you are obviously a fan of the HBO series "Game of Thrones". Here's a little article about the actor who plays The Mountain, Hafthor Bjornsson, who could have been harassing the masses as a member of the Indianapolis Colts.

http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap2000000352172/article/colts-once-flirted-with-signing-game-of-thrones-giant

[eagle eye]

Some new from the Fantasy Nation news desk---Need a sleeper pick in this year's fantasy draft? Try this one on for size---Michael Floyd WR for the Arizona Cardinals. His coming off his first 1,000 yard season in the NFL and he's also entering his 3rd season in the NFL which is about the time WR's begin to blossom, it's about the time they figure out how to play in the NFL. Floyd has one the best guys to learn from in the business in Larry Fitzgerald which may have sped up his learning curve too. Need a 1K receiver in the middle rounds of your draft Floyd should be on your radar. It may help Fitz in terms of his overall numbers because Floyd certainly is the best compliment he's had since Anquan Bolden left as a free agent after the 2009 season.

When will these boys ever learn to stay away from strip clubs? The latest guy with issues in the newest Bronco DB signed this off season, T J Ward, who came from Cleveland after signing a 4 year $23 mm contract in free agency this spring. There was a warrent issued for Ward's arrest involving an incident at a Denver strip club called Centerfold. Ward is being charged with simple assault and disturbing the peace which are both misdemeanors. The warrent was issued yesterday and he has yet to turn himself in to the police. Ward was one of the prized free agent prospects this spring and Denver signed him to bolster their defense at the safety position after Champ Bailey was not resigned by the Broncos which allowed him to test the free agent market. Bailey was signed by the New Orleans Saints. Nobody seems too concerned with the arrest per se since the charges are simple misdemeanors but it is a little concerning to see yet another NFL player in trouble as a result of going to a strip club.

The NFC West seems to have a prerequisite for it's players, particularly defensive backs, to talk smack even when there's no real reason for it. The latest incident is Arizona Cardinals DB Patrick Peterson saying that he doesn't think Seahawks DB Richard Sherman is a shutdown corner. Peterson admits Sherman is good but he is not a true shut down CB. Peterson maintains that Sherman is a cover 3 CB and nothing more. He contents Sherman is a beneficiary of Seattle's system which Peterson says has more to do with Sherman's intereseption total of 20 picks since 2011 than any transcendent skill set. BURN! Peterson went on to say if you study film you will see he's not a shutdown corner at all and if Sherman played in the Cardinals system he wouldn't last because he can't do what Peterson is able to do. BURN!!! Sherman responded as expected on twitter but it was pretty subdued and showed none of the bluster or venom Sherman usually displays. I suspect this isn't over because of the fact they play for division rivals.

I didn't know it but last week Johnny Maziel had a lawsuit filed against him for sexual harrassment in a Florida court. Manziel's lawyer, Erik Burkhardt, said the lawsuit is 1,00000% fake and the charges are a joke. NFL.com's Ian Rappaport reported that the suit was likely filed by a "frequent flyer" who files many lawsuits. The clerk who filed the suit said that the name on the suit, Samantha Schacher, could be an alias. The suit is asking for a restraining order on Manziel and $25 mm in punitive damages for emotional distress. Burkhardt said that they would pursue legal action in response to this suit declaring, "We absolutely will protect our client to the fullest extent of the law,".
-Information from NFL.com-

One last fantasy note; Cincinnati's RB Giovanni Bernard set a franchise record for receptions in 2013 and the Bengals coaches would like to see him catch even more. Bernard's RB coach said they intend to use him not just in the slot but all over the formation. Bernard himself has said he likes the slot and feels it's easier to work out of the slot. In 2013 he caught 56 balls for 514 yards to go along with the 695 yards rushing for a total output of 1,209 yards. The coaches have said that they want to get the back in Bernard's hands even more in 2014. Just a little heads up here.

[eagle eye]

OTA's have begun for 24 of the 32 teams in the NFL. I'll wager none of the them other 23 have the drama of losing their best defensive player the way Dallas has but it doesn't mean there is no news. In the words of the Joker in Batman Begins, "So, here we.....go.".

Tampa Bay owner Malcolm Glazer died at age 85. He was a good owner who did a lot of good in his tenure as the Bucs owner. The way he had it set up his family which includes his wife, Linda, his five sons and one daughter will continue to own and run the team. Glazer also had bought the Manchester United soccer club which has won 5 Premiere League championships and the 2008 UEFA Champions League championship.

The Browns newest QB, Johnny Manziel went to Vegas to watch an MMA fight. He got photographed with celebrities and a handful of hot women on his days off between rookie mini camp and OTA's which began Tuesday. Why he can't have a weekend off to do what any of us might do without getting thrown under the bus is beyond me. He hasn't taken a snap in a game yet and still he's being portrayed as a slacker. Please. Note to sports media; give it a rest will ya? Nobody I know gives a crap about him going to Vegas other than wishing they could party with hot women like he does. BTW Manziel took first team snaps in practice today so I guess his coach isn't having heart burn over nothing.

Giants signal caller Eli Manning took first team reps in OTAs today. This is first "action" since having off season ankle surgery.

Aaron Hernandez pleads not guilty to 2 counts of murder in court today. Hernandez is accused of the murder of 2 men he had an encounter with in a club in which one of the men bumped into Hernandez and spilled his drink. Prosecutors are saying Hernandez tracked down the men in traffic and shot them and third man who was wounded. This is further evidence that Hernandez is a homicidal lunatic who needs to go to directly to jail and no passing GO and no get out of jail free card.

The Bills lose two players who they really need for a time at least. LB Kiko Alonzo and DE Mario Williams both underwent hip surgery this off season. Head coach Doug Marone didn't give many details but he said they should be ready to go by the start of the regular season. Also WR Robert Woods had ankle surgery but he to is expected to be ready to go, if not for training camp, then the regular season.

President Obama is expected to address sports injuries with a bevy of coaches, parents, medical people and interested organization in a summit at the White House tomorrow. He is also going to mention donors to the cause of reducing or eliminating injuries in youth sports with the NFL expected to donate $25 mm to the cause.

[eagle eye]

Right now there's just info around the league that sort of qualifies as, "blah, blah, blah, yackety-shmackety". There was one item that caught my eye. The news that Colin Kaepernick got a new deal from the 49ers is not exactly earth shaking until you hear what he did. He got paid a lot of money but, as it turns out, he got a lot less than he could have. It was Kaepernick's desire to get a nice payday but he wanted to leave enough on the table to be able to sign his teammates. Maybe there's not enough to pay everyone but when you think of it you just don't hear that every day. It reminds me of Tom Brady taking a pay cut a couple of years ago so there would be more room to sign players. It's just this type of unselfishness that gives me hope that we aren't on the way to hell in hand basket as fast as one might think. Humanity isn't a lost cause after all. How about that.

[eagle eye]

A couple of significant moves were made this past week and one retirement of note.

> KC Chiefs cornerback Brandon Flowers was released by the team on Friday. It is speculated that the 5'9" cornerback was no longer in the Chiefs plans unless he renegotiated his contract to lessen his cap hit. Flowers has not been present in the team's OTA practices thus far and now he won't be there at all any more. Flowers was considered around the league as the Chiefs best CB but word is that KC GM likes the bigger CBs like Richard Sherman. He may not be out of work long because ESPN.com is reporting that Atlanta is interested in Flowers.

> Also on Friday, Detroit release CB Chris Houston. Houston, like Flowers is considered the best CB on his team. Unlike Flowers though Detroit may have been looking at an injury situation in relation to Houston. He has a degenerative problem with his foot that has bothered him since high school and he underwent surgery this spring to repair some damage to his toe. It was not for certain he'd be back in time for the start of the season. By releasing Houston is also freed up enough cap space for Detroit to sign their first round draft choice Eric Ebron the TE from North Carolina. Ebron signed his deal on Friday.

> For all you UT fans it was kind of a sad day yesterday. QB Vince Young who led the Longhorns to a National Championship in 2005 and was Rookie of the Year in 2006 for the Tennessee Titans and made the Pro Bowl in 2006 and 2009 has announced his retirement. Young's career went sharply downhill after an altercation with then head coach Jeff Fisher. Young was released after the 2010 season by the Titans and he spent 2011 with the Philadelphia Eagles. He was given brief looks in several training camps for the Bills (2012), Packers (2013) and Browns (2014) but he was never able to make any of the final rosters. 2011 was the last season Young played in the NFL. He is said to have a job with the Longhorns that was promised him upon his retirement. Despite a $25mm guaranteed contract in 2006 when he signed with the Titans he ran into some severe financial problems and was forced to file for bankruptcy in January of this year but later that same month he petitioned to withdraw the bankruptcy motion because he has settled with his creditors. It's a shame that Young is even in financial difficulties because in his NFL career he has made $34mm and he also made $30mm in endorsement deals. Hopefully, Young will get his life together and be able to move forward.

> John Football was drafted in the 1st round of the NFL draft by Cleveland. Y'all knew that. This past week Cleveland head coach Mike Pettine said that as of right now incumbent QB Brian Hoyer is the starting QB of the Browns. Manziel has gone through some rookie growing pains as can be expected and he's been, in my opinion, unfairly judged for a trip to Las Vegas to watch a UFC fight and party with other celebs like Rob Gronkowski between OTA practices. It's similar to the crap Tony Romo had to put up with when, on a bye week, Romo and his friends and teammates Jason Witten and Bobby Carpenter took a trip to Cabo. That Romo trip, BTW, was taken at the urging of his head coach Wade Phillips but people don't remember that. Give Manziel a break. You and I aren't expected to be on the job 24-7 but we expect pro athletes to be? Please, Johnny Manziel, is a known gym rat and practice rat. His teammates loved him at TAMU. The media can be such a bunch of bitches at times. I know they (the media) has a job to do but news isn't so scarce that they have to make mountains out of ant hills.

[eagle eye]

Right now there aren't many newsworthy items floating around. For a change nobody has gotten arrested, involved in a strip club incident or shot anyone. That's a pleasant surprise. For the next month head coaches around the league are sitting with their fingers crossed, rubbing a rabbit's foot and praying to the gods of sanity that one or more of their players are not involved in something legal, embarrassing or stupid. The month between the end of mini camps and training camps are the most nerve wracking of the whole year. After all boys with be boys.
NFL.com has their on-going countdown of the top 100 players in the NFL which is fun but doesn't mean much. Not much from ESPN's Todd McShay or Mel Kiper Jr. Just tossing out trivia and nonsense to fill the time until football gets going in earnest at the tail end of July.
I did find an amusing article about the best names in college football. For an example, a kicker named Blewitt. So here's a link to the article. Hope you get a smile out of it. Actually there are several top names in college football categories which you may find funny or interesting. Nice intro to the coming college football season.

http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap2000000354752/article/14-for-14-countdowns-of-college-footballs-best

[eagle eye]

Just when I thought there was no news what pops up? Word today out of Miami Dolphins camp is fairly bad news for the Fish's offense. First, Dolphins pro bowl center, Mike Pouncey, will be lost for 3 months after he had hip surgery. Next, their prize free agent RB, Knowshon Moreno, who had been puzzling onlookers in OTAs and mini camp with his relative inactivity, underwent arthroscopic knee surgery. He expected to miss one month which is just about the time between now and training camp. Pouncey's loss will last through September which mean he will miss 3 or 4 games.

David Wilson was making some noise for the NY Giants as their lead RB until a neck injury and subsequent surgery ended his season. Gone is former offensive coordinator Kevin Gilbride and in comes new OC Ben McAdoo. A man with no history with Wilson. Now, Wilson has been cleared to participate in training camp beginning July 27th he's being relegated to a role as the change of pace back behind free agent signee Rashad Jennings. Paying attention fantasy playas?

[eagle eye]

This from a guy who knows department: Former NFL and CFL QB Doug Flutie said in an interview that the NFL is looking more and more like the Canadian Football League. Flutie drew parallels between the NFL now and the CFL when he played in the 80's and 90's. Nice article, nothing earth shattering or ground breaking but one item in the article mentioned that in the CFL the time between plays is 20 seconds instead of 40 seconds in the NFL. You could see this as possible avenue the NFL could pursue in the future.

http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap2000000361324/article/doug-flutie-nfl-becoming-more-like-the-cfl

Aaron Rodgers was interviewed yesterday and he says that the Packers are bigger and more intimidating that they have been. In a physical division like the NFC North that's a little scary. The Packers have won a lot of games and Super Bowl but Rodgers claims in the past that compared to some teams it felt sort of like they were a JV team. It's nice to have some size like a Julius Peppers, Adrian Hubbard, Datone Jones and adding size at wide receiver and tight end like Derek Sherrod and Richard Rodgers (no relation to Aaron) respectively. Aaron Rodgers admitted that NFL teams are emulating the success of the Seattle Seahawks by adding size upon size to their roster. Not only has Green Bay added some big players they have some important players coming off injury riddled seasons. Clay Matthews comes to mind here. Watch out Norris Division foes in particular and the NFL in general. These ain't the same ol' Packers!

While Aaron Rodgers is bragging about the size of the Packers team the Steeler's Ben Roethlesberger is tooting the horn of his defense! It's not how big they are it about how fast they are! The addition of the fastest linebacker since Brian Uerlacher came into the NFL in Ryan Shazier among others Big Ben is stoked about his defense. Not just the D. The O-line has seen some upgrades in the last few years and the weapons he has to work with has got Big Ben ready for training camp!

[eagle eye]

The NFL has announced today that non-standard facemasks on helmets will be banned going forward. I can't describe what is a non-standard facemask so here's the link to the NFL.com article.

http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap2000000362461/article/nfl-prohibiting-nonstandard-facemasks

In a related article former Cowboy, for NY Giant and current Baltimore Ravens player Chris Canty, who claims he invented the non-standard mask as a result of an eye injury suffered in college. He claims if he can't wear the non-standard mask and the eye shield he can't play football. According to NFL spokeman Brian McCarthy this is an important safety matter. In 2013 4 players, including Canty, had medical clearance to wear the modified masks and he said these players plus any other players could be evaluated before the season as long as they have had medical examinations. The troubling thing is the NFL didn't do a good job communicating this rule because Canty didn't know anything about it until Baltimore Sun sportswriter Aaron Wilson questioned Canty about it.

One last thing, this morning Colin Cowherd opened a whole can of worms when he pretty much said that Johnny Manziel is too immature and too much of a party animal to be anything but a bust in the NFL. He rattled off a number of names of players who people had high expectations of that ended up a complete bust in NFL. Nevermind there have been party boys who succeeded. Cowherd didn't want to hear about them or as in Brett Favre's case his raw talent overcame his party ethic. I think it's pretty rash to make a prediction about a guy on his days off having fun without knowing his work ethic when it's time to go to work. This is one time I sincerely hope Colin Cowherd eats his words. He said the only people taking up for Manziel were Manziel fans, Browns fans and frat boys. That's pretty harsh. Let's let Manziel play some before we judge. Hell, it may be a few years down the road because in Cleveland there's talk about giving Brian Hoyer a long term deal. Very interesting.

[eagle eye]

In a world where Saints TE Jimmy Graham had better receiving numbers than a lot of NFL wide receivers it was decided in arbitration today that Graham would be considered a tight end and not a wide receiver which is going to cost Graham a butt load of cash since TE salaries are not as lucrative as WR salaries. Why is this an issue with Graham? Because the Saints designated Graham their franchise tag which means the team has to pay Graham, or any player for that matter, the average of the top 5 players at the same position. The franchise tag is for only one year which means in 2015 Graham would be able to be a free agent unless he and Saints come to terms on a long term deal or the Saints can franchise him again.

The Buffalo Bills took a hit on the defensive side of the ball when it was announced that LB Kiko Alonzo tore an ACL while training in Oregon. This means that Alonzo's season is done and like the Cowboys Sean Lee he will be watching games from the sideline or on TV.

NFL.com is putting out a feature called 14 for 14 and in this particular list they are giving their take on the top college football uniforms.

http://www.nfl.com/photoessays/0ap2000000362372/14-for-14-best-uniforms-in-college-football

[eagle eye]

The NFL wished three players a happy Fourth of July by handing down suspensions for violating the NFL substance abuse program.

The Miami Dolphins first round draft pick in the 2013 draft, Dion Jordan, will be suspended 4 games for PED use. Jordan and his advisors checked out the testing process and found not challengeable issues so Jordan issued a statement apologizing for letting his team and coaches down. He will be eligible to return after the Week 4 game against the Oakland Raiders.

Kansas City backup offensive lineman Rokavious Watkins has been suspended 4 games for violating the NFL substance abuse program. Watkins was drafted in the 5th round of the 2012 draft by the St Louis Rams. He was released by the Rams in the off season and he was subsequently signed by KC. He made one start for the Chiefs last season. NFL.com is reporting that this suspension could cost Watkins his roster spot.

Last but not least, Colts WR LaVon Brazill has been suspended for at least one year for violating the substance abuse program. This is Brazill's second suspension, he was suspended the first four games of the 2013 season for testing positive for marijuana. At the time Brazill released a statement that it was time he chose between "money or marijuana". Apparently, he made his choice. For at least one year he won't have any income from the NFL to spend on weed.

Another guy who can't leave the wacky tobacky alone is Cleveland WR Josh Gordon who tested positive this spring for violating the NFL substance abuse policy. He also has had to sit out a 2 game suspension and a 4 game paycheck fine to begin the 2013 season for smoking weed. Gordon also tested positive for marijuana while still at Baylor resulting in his dismissal from the team. Unlike the previous three players who are backups Gordon has emerged as top flight wide receiver and he is facing the loss of the entire 2014 season for a second offense. His suspension would not only penalize Gordon it would cost the Browns their best receiver. His suspension was not announced today because of the timing of his appeal it won't be heard until the end of July when the Browns should have started training already. Gordon's appeal could be reduced or cancelled altogether if the NFL and the players union can strike a deal in this case.

[eagle eye]

Well, if Josh Gordon wasn't a card carrying member of the NFL Dumbass Club they should be getting his membership badge and blazer ready for his initiation. Why? Because last night Gordon was arrested for suspicion of DUI in Raleigh North Carolina. He was pulled over doing 50 in a 35 mph zone. About a month ago he pleaded not guilty to a speeding charge of doing 74 in a 60 mph zone. A passenger in his car was arrested for possession of marijuana. For a guy with his talent and the ability to play a sport most of us would kill to play you just can't fathom what goes through his mind as he seems to be doing everything he can to throw away a dream job.

There are always sour grapes when the NFL Channel unveils it yearly top 100 players list but one writer got down right incensed of the ranking of Aaron Rodgers. In this year's poll Rodgers was ranked #11. To me, that's not bad considering he missed a big portion of the season and the rankings are based on the previous season's performance. However, NFL.com's Adam Schein felt his #11 rank was "an outrage". Really? First of all, who GAS about a stupid poll like this. It's just to kill time for when REAL NFL news begins later this month when training camps across the NFL landscape begins. It's fluff. Window dressing. Barely worth the money spent compiling and broadcasting the damn thing. It occurred to me that maybe this is Adam Schein's version of fluff. Nevermind.

[eagle eye]

The fact that Josh Gordon got busted again can give you reason to believe he's not the sharpest tack in the box. Alcohol is addictive, marijuana is habitual. I don't think anyone has proven there is an addiction to weed. People like to smoke weed and have for a long time but it is not addictive in the same way alcohol and crack and heroin are. The ease of getting weed and the proclivity of users to use daily make it a bad habit that's hard to break. Some of that is due to the crowd you run with. It's cliche but there's a reason cliches become cliches---they are true. It could be Gordon is an alcoholic. A lot of bad stuff happens as a result of alcoholism. Alcoholism is an insideous disease that bleeds over into all sections of your life. But, if weed is Gordon's problem then he should be smart enough to realize the high from smoking weed is nothing compared to the opportunities you get from playing a professional sport. Gordon just threw away his chance to play in 2014 because the NFL and NFLPA simply can't ignore Gordon's utter failure to change his ways. The guy needs help but if he doesn't see it or want it there's nothing anyone can do. Maybe the guy needs some new friends. I used to smoke but when my company announced it would be doing drug testing I quit. I have too good a job that pays too well to jeopardize losing it over smoking weed. I'm nobody special in terms of will power but I am able to understand what is more important in my life. Isn't that included in the realm of common sense? I'm thinking the one year suspension will only allow Gordon to drink and get high more often. I feel sorry for Gordon because he can't seem to get out of his own way. It's the same reason I'm mad at a guy who can do what he does and doesn't appreciate it enough to protect his part in it. I'd give just about anything to have the God given talent and ability to play in the NFL and I sure as hell wouldn't throw it away to smoke weed.

[eagle eye]

Regardless of his mistakes Cleveland safety Donte Whitner is fully supporting troubled WR Josh Gordon. Whitner claims most of his teammates feel the same. NFL.com's Marc Sessler disagrees with ESPN's Chris Carter who stated last week that perhaps the Browns should send a wakeup call to Gordon by releasing him. Carter's statement came on the heels of the arrest for suspision of DWI in North Carolina. To make matter worse Gordon was waiting on word of a possible suspension by the NFL for a 2nd violation of the NFL substance abuse program. Gordon has a history of getting in trouble over marijuana use that dates back to his college days. He was dismissed from the Baylor team for substance abuse (weed) and he was not allowed to play at Utah where he went after being dismissed by Baylor for marijuana use. Carter based his opinion on how he was cut from the Philadelphia Ealges in the 1980s by then head coach Buddy Ryan. Carter had substance abuse issues and Ryan told Carter at the time he just couldn't trust Carter not to mess up in the future. For Carter, this was just what was needed to motivate him to change his life and he thought maybe a similar fate for Gordon in Cleveland would help. Sessler disagreed saying today's NFL is different than in the 80's where free agency didn't exist and there was no salary cap. Gordon is 23 with his best days ahead and Sessler feels Cleveland should stand behind Gordon and reap the benefits down the road.

All news in sports seems to be in Cleveland these days. All I have to say is for the 'talking heads' who report on the NFL get real people. All they do is report on Johnny Manziel going on his days off to Vegas and various parties but his teammates, WR Andrew Hawkins, and head coach Mike Pettine both have been very vocal praising Manziel's work ethic while at practice and in the classroom. Pettine lauded Manziel for the way he was picking up the offense which isn't easy for a rookie. Maybe we should turn a deaf ear to the media who likes to stir the pot on any news, real or imagined, they can sink their teeth into. Let Johnny Football prove himself on the field before we pass judgement.

[eagle eye]

For you 49er fans out there you probably know this already but the official closing of the Candlestick Park happened yesterday when the flag football game dubbed The Legends of Candlestick vs the Legends of the NFL took place. All the old famous 49er legends of the last 30 years were there. Young, Garcia, Craig, Rice--hell, even former owner Eddie De Bartolo was there. They faced off against an all star team led by Dan Marino but wouldn't you know it, Joe Cool, Joe Montana led the Niner team back from a 40-32 deficit to a 45-40 win with Montana tossing the game winner to De Bartolo. Here's a recap from a local San Fran TV station. Even though I didn't like the Niners I always liked Montana. Looked like Montana could still play but probably not if he got hit.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=akojZqKVRJ4

Here's an article from NFL.com about the day by the Bay.

http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap2000000364893/article/joe-montana-49ers-legends-blow-out-flame-at-candlestick

[eagle eye]

A couple of references that matter to fantasy players;

Dwayne Bowe who had a down year in 2013 is said to have lost some weight and gotten in better shape in an effort to get back to previous years' form. Something to file away for a nice WR pick as you watch preseason games.

Jimmy Graham is now the highest paid TE in the NFL. He signed a 4 year $40 mm contract with Saints avoiding playing under the salary for a franchised player. Graham received a $12 mm signing bonus with $20 to 21 mm guaranteed. Graham will be paid $13 mm this season which is more than Graham would have received if his bid to be paid as a franchised wide receiver. What this means fantasy wise is that, barring injury, a happy Jimmy Graham is a productive Jimmy Graham and with this contract Mr G has got to be one happy camper!

[eagle eye]

There is only one week until training camps begin across the NFL and like the past three weeks since OTAs ended there's little, if anything, interesting going on.

The appeal of Gordon's suspension for voilating the NFL substance abuse program should be coming up soon. NFL.com is reporting that Gordon's agent, Drew Rosenhaus, will work with the Browns to help his client. Earth shattering right? Gordon is facing a year-long suspension because this is his second violation. His only hope is that the NFL league office and the NFL players union can work out a deal to reduce his suspension. Whether or not that happens may have been made moot by Gordon's arrest on suspision of DWI in North Carolina earlier this summer. Until a ruling is arrived at Gordon will be able to practice with the team assuming the League's decision doesn't come before training camp begins.

[eagle eye]

There is some breaking news, Rock and roller, Jon Bon Jovi and a group of investors are getting squared away with a bank for financing in a bid to buy the Buffalo Bills. There is a contingency of the sale that anyone who buys the Bills has to keep the team in Buffalo. Bon Jovi is also a primary owner of the Arena Football team the Philadelphia Soul. Another Jersey kid made good.

[eagle eye]

Training camps are beginning all over the league with some Johnny-come-lately's like the Texans not having their first practices until tomorrow. But, the awesome thing is the NFL for the 2014 season has begun and that ain't a bad thing.

> Rob Gronkowski is back on the field and not on PUP which, for New England, is a good thing. Now, if he stays healthy in the pre season he'll likely be the No. 2 TE taken in fantasy drafts. The biggest question is, are his injury woes behind him? Hmmmmm.

> The Ravens Ray Rice got a 2 game suspension from the NFL for cold cocking his then fiancée in an Atlantic City elevator earlier this year. Keith Olberman had a rant on his ESPN program decrying the NFL for only giving Rice 2 games to think about abuse of a woman. He correctly pointed out that Albert Hainesworth got 8 games for ripping off Dallas center Andre Guroud's helmet and stopping on his head that resulted in 30 stitches to close the wound. You say yeah but 30 freaking stitches! You could argue that but Olberman's point was the NFL cares less about domestic violence victims than it does about violence gone amok in a violent game. The NFL got the black eye in Hainesworth's case and the commish always protects The Shield. The message, according to Olberman, was a star player can get away with domestic abuse on his own time but it counts more on company time. I would think that women's rights advocates are seething right now.

Andre Johnson reported to Texans training camp and claimed he was ready to give his all as usual. I get it. WRs just need to blow off some steam and who needs those stinking OTAs anyway for a 10+ year vet? I'm glad Dre is back in fold, let's hope his learning curve isn't too steep that Johnson lands in Bill O'Brien's dog house--again. Seems like O'Brien and his staff are like Belichick in one way--they don't put up

[eagle eye]

There were significant moves in the NFL over the weekend and yesterday so lets take a look.

> Thought Cincy was going to cut ties with Andy Dalton? Guess again. The Bengals and Dalton agreed on a 6 year $96 mm extension. The difference in this and most other extensions you read about is that there isn't a lot of up-front money. He only got a $12 mm signing bonus and he will receive a $5 mm roster bonus later this week. The rest of the deal is a sort of pay-as-you-go deal that allows the Bengals to cut ties with Dalton without a huge cap hit if he doesn't do any better in the playoffs than he has to date. This gives the two young guys, 2nd year QB from Arizona Matt Scott and 2014 5th round draft choice A J McCarron from Alabama, time to develop and be ready in year two or three or whatever of Dalton's deal. Now, Cincy has to focus on a new deal for A J Green.

> The New York Giants have advised RB David Wilson to retire from the NFL after only 2 years in the league because of the neck injury he suffered last season. Illustrating how serious the Giants are they waived/injured Wilson yesterday. It's too bad because of the promise he showed in his brief opportunities. He was going to be a third down back/change of pace back this season as Rashad Jenning was signed to be the lead back. This gives a rookie from Boston College, Andre Williams, a bigger opportunity to play going forward. Williams was impressive in the Giants win on Sunday in the HOF game.

> C J Spiller could be traded? That's the speculation in Buffalo as the Bills traded a 4th round draft pick to Eagles for backup Bryce Brown in May and they signed Freddie Jackson to a one year extension in July leaving CJ Spiller feeling a little unloved in Buffalo. Spiller is a good fit in Doug Marone's offense and with his production the last couple of years and his fumbling issues way back in the rear view mirror it's incredible that Spiller would even be considered for a trade. But, it's true that Spiller said yesterday that he hopes he's still in Buffalo this season.

> The Bears TE Martellus Bennett who has been criticized so far in training camp for his lackadaisical effort slammed teammate Kyle Fuller to the ground in practice on Monday in frustration has been fined and suspended. How much and how long is not known right now but according to the CBA the rules for punishment for conduct detrimental to the team is either a fine of one week's salary and/or up to four weeks unpaid suspension. The altercation between Bennett and Fuller occurred about 10 minutes before the end of practice and head coach Mark Trestman figured that was enough for one day and he called the practice over. Bennett, who had his issues while with the Cowboys was quoted as saying, "It's practice. Practice is practice," Bennett said Monday. "I know I sound like Allen Iverson right now, but at the end of the day it's practice. In practice, (stuff) happens. You learn from it, that's why you practice. You learn from things that happen in practice." Bennett obviously doesn't get it and he probably never will. Talent isn't the issue with Bennett, never has been. It is the space between his ears that has been the problem since he was drafted by Dallas in 2008. Fuller, BTW, is the Bears first round pick out of Virginia Tech that Chicago hopes to fill a void at cornerback. Bennett not only pulled a boner of major proportions but he pulled it on a first round draft pick. It's no wonder Trestman decided to make a example of Bennett.

Finally, I don't understand people at all. The so-called experts made up their minds about Alex Smith when he struggled under his first head coach Mike Singletary. When Jim Harbaugh took over in 2011 Smith shined until Harbaugh decided to replace Smith with Colin Kaepernick in 2012. In 2013 Smith joined QB friendly coach Andy Reid in Kansas City and all he did was lead the previously woeful Chiefs to the playoffs after beginning the season 9-0 and finishing 11-5. In the Wild Card game vs Indianapolis Smith led the Chiefs to a 38-10 lead but ultimately fell to Indy 45-44 because injuries to the defense made the Chiefs incapable of stopping the Andrew Luck led Colts. Now questions on NFL.com are asking, Is Alex Smith better than a mid tier QB? I think Smith is more than a mid tier QB and he's proven it when given a chance. He deserves to be paid like a starting QB and the Chiefs undoubtedly will. Smith will continue to flourish under Andy Reid and the Chiefs are a team to contend with in the strong AFC West.

[eagle eye]

Had to check out the Browns game last night. Johnny Football and all. This was a typical first pre season game. Some good, some bad and some eh. Manziel wasn't great and he wasn't bad. Decent first effort. BTW Detroit trailed most of the game until the 4th quarter when they scored the only TD of the game giving them a 13-12 win. Prior to that last TD Cleveland was ahead 12-6 on 4 Billy Cundiff field goals.

The highest scoring game of the weekend was in the Bears 34-28 win over Philly. The game featured two QBs trying to restart their careers. Mark Sanchez in relief of Nick Foles was 7-10 for 79 yards in his time on the field and the Bears featured former No 1 pick from Notre Dame Jimmy Clausen who went 7-13 for 150 yards and 2 TDs. Speaking of Foles, his night wasn't all that special. After tossing just 2 INT's in 2013 he equaled that total in his brief appearance Friday night. Oh well, it is preseason.

It seemed like half the starting QBs in the NFL sat out the first week's games. It wasn't half but the list is impressive. Drew Brees, Matthew Stafford, Tony Romo, Tom Brady, Cam Newton, Sam Bradford and Aaron Rodgers.

[eagle eye]

Aside from injuries, and there haven't been that many unless you consider Dallas' defense it's been a rather uneventful preseason. After only one game a lot can't be judged as yet. The Browns did release Tyler Thigpen and sign Rex Grossman but that's neither here nor there because the competition is between Hoyer and Manziel. Mike Pettine has said that H and M have been splitting 1st team reps so that doesn't leave much for a 3rd QB to work with.

The Arizona Cards GM is bragging that he hasn't seen a receiver like rookie John Brown since Anquan Bolden. High praise indeed.

Broncos LB Danny Trevathan will be out 6-8 weeks with a fractured knee cap. Trevathan, Cowboys fans will remember, was the guy whose diving interception ended the final Cowboys drive in the thrilling 51-48 Broncos win last season.

The newest member of the D-line in Denver had a good 1st game last weekend recording a sack, a couple of QB pressures and a tackle behind the line. Of course I'm talking about former Cowboy DeMarcus Ware. All things considered with the Cowboys injury woes in training I'm sure they wish they had Ware back but all they, and we, can do is wish Ware luck and good health going forward.

[eagle eye]

What is with these NFL players anyway. Do they think they won't get caught when the do something? The latest addition to the NFL Knucklehead Club is Kansas City Chief WR Dwayne Bowe who will serve a one game suspension to begin the season as a result of being arrested last November for possession of marijuana. The charges were bargained down to defective equipment and littering (WTF?!) but the NFL felt compelled to suspend Bowe for the possession charge. The NFL has come down hard on recreational drug users like Josh Gordon who is still waiting for a ruling on his marijuana use appeal is facing a year long suspension if so ruled. Orlando Scandrick of the Cowboys was suspended 4 games for using a recreational drug while on vacation in Mexico. He admitted taking a Molly which I have come to find out is ecstasy. The four game suspension came as a result of the fact that form of ecstasy has an amphetamine in that is considered a performance enhancing substance. Hence, the 4 game suspension. I'm showing my age here I guess but to me a "molly" was speed. There were black molly's and yellow molly's but both were used for a variety of things including recreational use. Now, in the club scene, Molly means something completely different. Either way, Bowe gets to sit for a game and think about it.

I think I will quit posting to this thread and start relaying NFL new to the Fantasy Nation 2014 thread since the news now has a direct impact on fantasy football and the status of players who may be affected. Thanks for following this thread and check Boomer and me on the other thread.