So, I was planning on my next post being about my second round draft selection advice, but sadly, there have been two major knocks against it.
1. No one commented on the first one, and I, like many other bloggers, am an attention #### and my feelings are hurt. Forget the fact that I'm right and being very helpful. I need feedback.
2. I have entered an NFL fantasy league with some fellow Fox bloggers, and posting my second round list seems foolish until after our draft next week.
So, instead, I will commit myself to the topics of the week and try to be quick about it...
First off... Vick. I don't want to blog about Vick. I said he was going to jail. I said prison will make him a fantasy bust. Now he's been snagged by the feds, and the flurry of responses has come, and for now, nearly went... BUT...
I do have to say people amaze me. I've seen, read, and heard people all week make outrageous claims. Some have advocated Vick receive the same treatment as those dogs... really people? Look, what he did was horrible, but take a look around your major cities and surrounding suburbs. You'll find a dog fight if you want one.
In Denver, there was a city-wide ban placed on pitbulls, and many of our surrounding areas have followed suit. Just last week, a pitbull went mad, attacked a grandmother and her grandchildren, and only went down after being stabbed a dozen times and shot twice. I have a co-worker now who wants Vick to be tortured for his mistreatment of these animals, and the breed destroyed outright. Very humane.
I think Vick should go to jail, but when the outcries occurr and people take it on themselves to be the voice of justice, I only ask that you take some time to realize the difference between an #### breaking the law and a hero falling. The difference? You made him a hero in your own head.
Second up on my list is more of a 1 part 2. Goddell is ridiculous. Only now does he offer to wait to put in league penalties until the courts can sort things out. Are you kidding me? A precident has been set, and I warned in an earlier blog of mine the dangers that can happen when a private company starts dispensing it's own justice. Yes, the other feature names in this are "repeat offenders", but only in as much as Vick. Tank Johnson did his time. Pacman has yet to be convicted of anything. Henry tested clean. This amounts to about as much as posessing and transporting an illeagal substance and running a compound (which is certain, the rest... let the courts decide) where vicious crimes were authorized and took place. I said earlier that I think the league shouldn't be allowed to enforce suspensions until after a court makes a ruling, and this is why. Guys who may or may not be guilty of something are being punished as an example, while other stars in more key (marketing) positions get the benefit of the doubt. There is no lesson learned now. It's a joke, and it's already too late to claim that lost ground of moral superiority.
Third... I also recently posted about Culpepper looking for a new home. Well, I had hoped the Dolphins would have been smart enough to at least get something for the guy, but no such luck. Now, Culpepper should have the advantage in choosing a new home. I was most excited when a fox columnist went along with 4 of my 5 suggestions (somehow leaving the Vikes out... appartently, pride does cost a lot in this league, but then Daunte had his first meeting with a possible team to land on. The Raiders? The Falcons? The Titans? The Bears? The Jets? NO!! In a feat beyond all unstanding, he interviewed with the BUCS? You're joking, right? Let me count... 1...2...3... sort of 4... 4 QBs currently listed on their roster who have experience as starters, and now you want to add Culpepper? WHY? He'll only back up Garcia. Along with Simms, Gradkowski, maybe Plummer and Luke McCown playing on the practice squad. Why would you go there in a season where you have EVERYTHING TO PROVE?!?! Who is this man's agent?
Anyway, I'm spent. I have to go think long and hard about my draft next week. For my fellow Fox Blogger Fantasy Leaguers, do your homework. Draft is coming soon!!!
So, the newest NFL issue to strike my eye is Miami’s acquiring of Trent Green and likely trade of Daunte Culpepper. In a crazy off season, this is just another note on the symphony that is bad moves.
Now realizing his fate is sealed, Culpepper has even suggested that he would be willing to restructure his contract to get his shot... but then who takes him?
I don’t know. I decided to stop thinking about this when Tampa acquired by trade a retired Jake Plummer... to be the fourth possible starter on their roster.
What I do know is who SHOULD take him, and it goes a little something like this...
6. New York Jets
Why? Because a little competition won’t hurt them in the pre-season, and it couldn’t hurt to have to very comparable QBs. Wait... hear me out. I know Pennington and Culpepper’s game styles are pretty polar... sure, they both have a big arm, but Pennington is accurate and made of stone, Culpepper is more mobile (even with the bum leg), and a little wider in aim. But here is why I say they are comparable... they’re both injury risks. They both win games, and when these guys are on, they are on. Similar to New Orleans’ one two running back punch, this depth and change of pace could make the Jets a bit more flexible in game plan.
5. Oakland Raiders
Yes, the just got McCown and drafted JaMarcus Russell. But is McCown really the best mentor for the kid? They’ve played almost the same amount of games. All Josh could really show JaMarcus is how to ride the bench. And Oakland would be better with Culpepper this year than McCown starting. Sure, Josh is probably a talented guy who often gets the short end of the stick, but let me put it this way... Detroit kept Kitna. Nuff said.
4. Tennessee Titans
Sure, they have Vince Young. But Vince is on the Madden cover. Ask Culpepper about that one.
3. Chicago Bears
Rex sucks. If I were a Chicago fan, I would be furious with the organization right now. They’ve spent the off season following a trip to the Super bowl parsing out their amazing defense around the league and refusing to sign people while maintaining a good cap. The least they can do is offer the people of Chicago a QB who has a remote chance of helping out the offense.
2. Atlanta Falcons
Mike is going to jail. You might as well face it Atlanta. Which means... Joey Harrington. And I would love to see Joey finally succeed. I really would. But I don’t see it happening on that offense. The only knock on bringing Culpepper into the ATL is that after all the Vick hoopla, a man connected to that whole “love boat” thing may not work out well.
1. Minnesota Vikings
Seriously, Minnesota, you have to trust me here. You do not want Tarvaris Jackson starting for you. When he’s on the field, he looks like he could get lost in his own reflection. He’s not even on career back up level. #### your pride and have Culpepper come back in a season where you might actually have a play off shot.
Yes, it may seem I’m over-hyping Culpepper. Unlike many people, including Culpepper himself, I have no delusion that he’s capable of returning to his old form. Those days are done, and his play in Miami (while it lasted) was sketchy at best. But I do see the teams above in need of someone at Culpepper’s current level, and I think there is a small chance that it could even work out better than possibly anticipated... But hey, I’m just guessing.
My next foxsports blog will detail the beginning of the NFL Fantasy Football season, including my big boom and bust candidates...
Oh, and because I must mention them in every blog... BRONCOS RULE!!!!
OK, off-season isn’t over yet. I know. There are a couple of impact players still floating in the ether of free agency. Players are still thinking about sitting out. Or joining in. Or joining in to talk about sitting out.
Like any good boss, Godell is in the process of following up on all arrest warrants (yes, I meant for that to sound confusing), and certain team coaches are still getting asked for their ID at the training facility (Security guard: “I don’t see you on the list. Could you spell Whisenhunt, please?”), and Jake Plummer has retired. Sort of. Without paperwork. Kind of. Basically, a lot can still happen.
But as folks start to plant their flags on the best and worst off-season moves, I would like to quickly review the most interesting points for me so far this year... in a format I shall dub...
“The Jmac Smac-ies”
The first Smac-ie goes to the NFL player acquisition most overshadowed by some other guy:
The nominees are:
Oakland Raiders: Josh McCown – Overshadowed by the drafting of JaMarcus Russell
Tennessee Titans: Nick Harper – Overshadowed by Adam “Pacman” Jones suspension and appeal
San Francisco: Darrell Jackson – Overshadowed by New England’s acquisition of Randy Moss
New England: Adalius Thomas - Overshadowed by acquisition of Randy Moss
New England: Donte’ Stallworth - Overshadowed by acquisition of Randy Moss
And the Smac-ie goes to... eh. We’ll give it to Jackson. San Fran traded Seattle for Jackson in the same round New England got Moss. Some how, no one thought this was a very big deal, but when you consider the 9ers were about to have Ashley Leile and Arnez Battle fighting it out for the top spot, you realize what a gain Jackson is. The important thing is, I’m sick of hearing about Randy Moss.
The next Smac-ie is to honor the team with showing the most moxie:
The nominees are:
Arizona Cardinals: New coach wants to run the ball in the barren desert, and may have made enough moves to pull it off.
Buffalo Bills: In an attempt to build an offensive line, they trade off every star caliber player... and it’s just crazy enough to work...
Cleveland Browns: A coach ropes in a pair of young talents to lead a rag tag crew on what may be his last stand
Houston Texans: After acquiring a new QB and RB through free agency, the team opts to draft defense... again.
Oakland Raiders: “Yeah, we’ll rebuild our team. And take a coach younger than half the roster! Cause I’m Al Davis, and I said so!”
And the Smac-ie goes to... Arizona. I mean... Arizona is where good RBs go to die. But Whisenhunt seems serious about this... and taking Levi Brown at 5? Really? Cut ties with the past. There’s a new Sherriff in town!
A special mid-show tribute to how much I love my Broncos:
Dear Pat Bowlen,
Thank you for the wonderful off-season. Thank you for sitting atop the organization that brought in so much talent to an already wonderful team. Thank you for signing the checks for guys like Jay Cutler, Travis Henry, Javon Walker, Rod Smith, Champ Bailey, Dre' Bly, John ####, Elvis Dumervil, Kenard Lang, and well, thank you for everything.
Thank you most of all for resigning Mike Shanahan in a timely fashion. Some teams aren't that smart.
I know it's not right to ask anything of a man who's already been responsible for so much, but, I have 2 requests.
#1. Could we please beat the Colts and Patriots in the playoffs this year. I don't like everyone having to be on their bandwagon when ours is so much cooler.
#2. If it isn't too much trouble, could you, you know, never wear that fur coat on the sidelines again? Judging from this whole Mike Vick thing, PETA has a bigger eye on the NFL than usual.
OK. Thanks.
-Jason
One team, one dream, forever and ever... Elway.
And now, the Smac-ie for the team demonstrating the least foresight: Miami: For thinking Ted Ginn Jr. was the way to go Atlanta: For trading Matt Schaub away Chicago: Putting a franchise tag on Lance Briggs Kansas City: For announcing Croyle would probably start next year Tampa Bay: For having two starting quaterbacks, and pulling in two more. One of which may be retired San Diego: For blowing up their coaching staff.
This was a toughy, so, I had to figure out who responded the best. Miami could still pan out. Kansas City’s oversight in not making Green a true “prize”, and Miami’s obvious need of Green could cancel each other out. Tampa may need all four guys, since 3 (Simms, Garcia, Plummer) have a high likelihood of not lasting all season. San Diego put together a pretty fierce staff, and still have a very good team (though if they bomb, you can’t blame proven players or new coaches). Atlanta pulled in... Joey Harrington... and if Mike Vick goes to jail, well, Joey won some games for Miami last year, and may still be looking for the right chance to shine. I would have to say then that Chicago’s choice to slap a franchise tag on a young, healthy guy with tons of talent who could contribute for years to come was the dumbest move of all. He just wanted a contract of length. Now, he won’t play, and Chicago’s response of “Yeah he will” just doesn’t cut it. This wouldn’t be such a problem if the Bear’s management didn’t sit so long on the idea of resigning Lovie Smith to a contract extension. Just poor choices made by a group who made the Super Bowl last year. Add to that the Bears had several opportunities to get some value for the guy, and with the franchise tag, he is guaranteed the average of the top 5 salaries at his position. Too much for nothing in return. No foresight whatsoever.
And finally, the Smac-ie for the dumbest off-season move:
The nominees are:
Chicago Bears: Not resigning Lance Briggs
Green Bay Packers: Not granting Brett Favre’s wishes
Miami Dolphins: Worst draft in recent memory
Pacman Jones: Suspend me? I know people who could ki... uh... forget I said that.
Kansas City Chiefs: O-Line? We don’t need no O-line! We have Larry Johnson and Brodie Croyle!
Detroit Lions: WE NEED MORE RECIEVERS!!! YYYEEEESSSSSSS!!!
Ricky Williams: Up in smoke.
And the winner is:
It’s a close one!
Ricky Williams and Pacman as individuals have made enough dumb choices to outweigh any organizational moves. But here’s the thing... does anyone really know what happened with Pac? I don’t. I know he has responded like an ####, but I still have a very sketchy picture of... well... pretty much every charge against him. But Ricky... that one’s just easy. I mean, “Say no to drugs”. Not hard. Nancy Regan got it. Why can’t he? And he was soooooo close. That’s just dumb. In one hand, my future. Riches, stardom, you name it. In the other... weed. And anyone can get weed. Just a waste. His reactions have left something to be desired too, and now it seems official he will not ever be welcomed back in Miami. Just plain dumb.
And that, ladies and gentlemen, were the 2007 off-season Smac-ies, brought to you by JMac. Remember, if it says JMac, it means quality.
Please, clean up after yourselves on you way out, and don’t forget if you checked you coat on the way in. I will rifle your pockets if they are left.
