Well folks, by the time you East Coasters awaken, we'll know for sure, but it looks like Terrell Owens has finished wearing out his welcome in Dallas and he will have been officially released.
The news broke during a conversation I was having with Jared Faree and Raymond Summerland on What's Your Fantasy show and I said it then - TO was NOT the only problem here, but was the biggest target.
How bad was that locker-room that the Cowboys just cut a huge weapon (leaving them with Roy Williams who has failed multiple times to do before)? That they will eat tremendous cap money? That they will just flat out look foolish?
Where will TO land? The Ravens wanted him once. Braylon Edwards is rumored to be trade bait and expendible though TO isn't Mangini's type. That's off the top of my head. Someone will take their chances. TO was incredibly productive during his Cowboy career. He will land somewhere, likely when someone gets hurt in OTAs or Training Camp. He will be good for a year or so and then maybe ride off into the sunset.
The Cowboys are a mess. They are talking about Felix Jones taking more carries from Barber and returning him to the role he had with Julius Jones. Their WR core is a fat question mark. Trading Anthony Henry away for a second string QB. The coaching is suspect.
What is next for the Cowboys? We'll have to see if the impact amounts to a relaxation of the clubhouse or if it's going to cause more chaos.
Wednesday, March 4, 2009
No Suprise Here - Warner signs with Cards
Sorry for some of the late updates today - short day for the kid and busy day for the other half.
So yeah, this comes as no surprise as Arizona and Warner agreed to terms on a two-year, $23 million contract. The deal includes a $15 million signing bonus which might seem a risk and fumble history, but coming off a year where he played so well and they came so close - what else were they going to do?
An excellent trio of wide receivers await Warner - and even if they cannot come to some happy end for Boldin, I think Breaston can easily step up and Early Doucet has potential as a #3.
But really, as much as I was intrigued by the San Fran flirtation, it was merely a shopping trip to gauge market value.
Aside from the WR Core, that offensive line made huge strides the last portion of the year. I am done saying they played over their heads. They finally jelled in a way which should make all the difference in a divsion which is - despite signings like Houshmanzedah - is no NFC East.
The Cards did what they had two nd should be fine over the next couple of years. The big question here is - what about Matt Leinart? Is he trade bait now, as is rumored or is he just a very highly paid back-up. Now, it's been said he's worked very hard the last year and a half but it didn't show last preaseason and might not matter in this preseason. Is anyone going to trade with that contract and his big question marks?
They may just keep him sitting a while longer and hope that they can extend him cheaply enough to cover themselves when Warner is done. And really, that's the biggest reason to trade him. Can they get him cheaply enough at the end of the contract to warrant keeping him aroudn when he is at best unproven, but in some circles might be called a bust?
Aside from Boldin, this could be the biggest question mark the Cards now fae the rest of the off-season.
But they have now solidified the pass game again. If they can add a running back to tandem with Hightower (who I think we've seen the ceiling on and it doesn't involve 30 carry-bell cow status) the offense should fire off on all cylinders.
If the defense plays hard - it's within this team's capabilities to reach the playoffs again and we all know it's just a short slip from their to a repeat in the big game.
But, um.... let's get through the off-season first.
So yeah, this comes as no surprise as Arizona and Warner agreed to terms on a two-year, $23 million contract. The deal includes a $15 million signing bonus which might seem a risk and fumble history, but coming off a year where he played so well and they came so close - what else were they going to do?
An excellent trio of wide receivers await Warner - and even if they cannot come to some happy end for Boldin, I think Breaston can easily step up and Early Doucet has potential as a #3.
But really, as much as I was intrigued by the San Fran flirtation, it was merely a shopping trip to gauge market value.
Aside from the WR Core, that offensive line made huge strides the last portion of the year. I am done saying they played over their heads. They finally jelled in a way which should make all the difference in a divsion which is - despite signings like Houshmanzedah - is no NFC East.
The Cards did what they had two nd should be fine over the next couple of years. The big question here is - what about Matt Leinart? Is he trade bait now, as is rumored or is he just a very highly paid back-up. Now, it's been said he's worked very hard the last year and a half but it didn't show last preaseason and might not matter in this preseason. Is anyone going to trade with that contract and his big question marks?
They may just keep him sitting a while longer and hope that they can extend him cheaply enough to cover themselves when Warner is done. And really, that's the biggest reason to trade him. Can they get him cheaply enough at the end of the contract to warrant keeping him aroudn when he is at best unproven, but in some circles might be called a bust?
Aside from Boldin, this could be the biggest question mark the Cards now fae the rest of the off-season.
But they have now solidified the pass game again. If they can add a running back to tandem with Hightower (who I think we've seen the ceiling on and it doesn't involve 30 carry-bell cow status) the offense should fire off on all cylinders.
If the defense plays hard - it's within this team's capabilities to reach the playoffs again and we all know it's just a short slip from their to a repeat in the big game.
But, um.... let's get through the off-season first.
Really? Seriously? Coles signs with the Bengals
I like Laveranues Coles, I really do. But you let Housh go and this guy is the replacement? I guess not really, that ends up in Chad Johnson/Chris Henry/Andre Caldwell's hands.
Coles probably will have a better year with Palmer throwing to him but really, this is a huge step down for the Bengals. And locking him up for 4 years?
If your alleged concern was age, well Housh and Coles are the same age and frankly Housh is twice the receiver Coles is. Coles has great hands and is a tough as nails receiver but he's no TJ. Yes, they saved $15 million in guarentees, a year and a couple million per year. But you have to wonder what they just gave up in ability. Maybe Housh doesn't have that much left in the tank. And the guarenteed money Housh got was likely just too much.
But every day - since they announced that Ced Benson was their top priority - Cinci has felt like they are going backwards.
Coles will do better this year - NFL and Fantasy-wise. But I have to wonder where this franchise is going right now.
And frankly if that OLine doesn't get fixed, it's all moot.
Coles probably will have a better year with Palmer throwing to him but really, this is a huge step down for the Bengals. And locking him up for 4 years?
If your alleged concern was age, well Housh and Coles are the same age and frankly Housh is twice the receiver Coles is. Coles has great hands and is a tough as nails receiver but he's no TJ. Yes, they saved $15 million in guarentees, a year and a couple million per year. But you have to wonder what they just gave up in ability. Maybe Housh doesn't have that much left in the tank. And the guarenteed money Housh got was likely just too much.
But every day - since they announced that Ced Benson was their top priority - Cinci has felt like they are going backwards.
Coles will do better this year - NFL and Fantasy-wise. But I have to wonder where this franchise is going right now.
And frankly if that OLine doesn't get fixed, it's all moot.
Tuesday, March 3, 2009
Pro Day Rewind Week 2 at NFLDraftbible.com
The news from the NFL Scouting Combine wasn’t even cold yet and schools were getting their guys into the spotlight immediately. At this point, it’s largely smaller schools that kick off the post-Combine workout schedule, but from those humble beginnings some mighty stars emerge.
So while the week after the Combine was pretty slow, we’ll talk a little about those few who got us kicked off.
Five schools had their Pro Days last week: Bethune-Cookman, Florida-International, Ball State, Florida Atlantic and a big school as well – the University of Miami. At the end of the week, it was the Florida schools which had made the biggest noise, though Ball State had its say as well.......
For the rest of the article check out NFLDraftbible.com or click HERE!
So while the week after the Combine was pretty slow, we’ll talk a little about those few who got us kicked off.
Five schools had their Pro Days last week: Bethune-Cookman, Florida-International, Ball State, Florida Atlantic and a big school as well – the University of Miami. At the end of the week, it was the Florida schools which had made the biggest noise, though Ball State had its say as well.......
For the rest of the article check out NFLDraftbible.com or click HERE!
Monday, March 2, 2009
Derrick Ward a Buc
So you may have caught that Derrick Ward has found a home in Tampa Bay where he and the team agreed to terms on a four-year, $17 million contract with $6 million guaranteed.
So what does this mean? Well, Ernest Graham is going to see less carries this season and Caddy might completely get cut. Even if he isn't, he's about to become odd man out anyway and thios cements his lack of value even in redraft.
Caddy has had a long road back and some horrific luck - I wish him well but if you are a fantasy footballer, he's not worth keeping.
From a pure football standpoint, this should work out well. Ward can run in a zone-block scheme which is what Tampa will run. He has been productive in split carries and could carry more of the load. The oline for the Bucs is young but very good. If they can do the zone-block thing well, he's apt to see a ton of work. Graham will get carries but they never completely bought into his bid to become a full time bell cow.
Now the biggest question will be, who is throwing the ball? and depending upon who, how much 8 man in a box will Ward see?
How effective he is - especially if he wants to repeat that excellent YPC average - may depend upon how honest the QB can keep the defense.
So what does this mean? Well, Ernest Graham is going to see less carries this season and Caddy might completely get cut. Even if he isn't, he's about to become odd man out anyway and thios cements his lack of value even in redraft.
Caddy has had a long road back and some horrific luck - I wish him well but if you are a fantasy footballer, he's not worth keeping.
From a pure football standpoint, this should work out well. Ward can run in a zone-block scheme which is what Tampa will run. He has been productive in split carries and could carry more of the load. The oline for the Bucs is young but very good. If they can do the zone-block thing well, he's apt to see a ton of work. Graham will get carries but they never completely bought into his bid to become a full time bell cow.
Now the biggest question will be, who is throwing the ball? and depending upon who, how much 8 man in a box will Ward see?
How effective he is - especially if he wants to repeat that excellent YPC average - may depend upon how honest the QB can keep the defense.
Championship! TJ Houshmandzedah signs with Seattle
Minnesota and Cinci can now cry in their beer together. Somehow while we were focused on those two teams, the Seattle Seahawks slipped back in and reportedly offered $2million more than either one of them and stole their Housh.
My take: Well, Houshmandzedah will give them a healthy solid threat at flanker and makes Deon Branch expendable which was being discussed earlier this off-season. Branch could work the slot but realy how much value has he given them so far? I think they may continue to develope soem of the young WRs and may still think about drafting a rookie early - think about Crabtree or Maclin opposite Housh? Looks nice.
Now they all just need to stay healthy.
Cinci and Minny have to be bummed. He would have been a nice pairing with Berrian. Cinci needs him especially if Johnson continues to slip. And frankly targeting Benson first was a bad move on the part of Cincinnati. Of the two losers in this bidding war, Cinci has the worst end of it. At least Minny can still count on Berrian, Peterson and Taylor. Rice may still develope into a solid #2.
Cinci is a mess though and this makes it real hard to believe they can right the ship this year. It's a huge loss and they will need to scramble to get back on track.
edited to add - So the Bengals are now bringing in ex-Jet Laveraneus Coles. Jeez, I like Coles, but a bit of a step down, no? Good for Coles though - he might make the money he was looking for now. If it happens, Palmer also has a reliable WR but Coles is no Housh.
My take: Well, Houshmandzedah will give them a healthy solid threat at flanker and makes Deon Branch expendable which was being discussed earlier this off-season. Branch could work the slot but realy how much value has he given them so far? I think they may continue to develope soem of the young WRs and may still think about drafting a rookie early - think about Crabtree or Maclin opposite Housh? Looks nice.
Now they all just need to stay healthy.
Cinci and Minny have to be bummed. He would have been a nice pairing with Berrian. Cinci needs him especially if Johnson continues to slip. And frankly targeting Benson first was a bad move on the part of Cincinnati. Of the two losers in this bidding war, Cinci has the worst end of it. At least Minny can still count on Berrian, Peterson and Taylor. Rice may still develope into a solid #2.
Cinci is a mess though and this makes it real hard to believe they can right the ship this year. It's a huge loss and they will need to scramble to get back on track.
edited to add - So the Bengals are now bringing in ex-Jet Laveraneus Coles. Jeez, I like Coles, but a bit of a step down, no? Good for Coles though - he might make the money he was looking for now. If it happens, Palmer also has a reliable WR but Coles is no Housh.
Sunday, March 1, 2009
Crabtree to have surgery - will be drafted with 40 sight unseen
Top wide receiver Micheal Crabtree will have surgery on his injured foot on Wednesday. He will be draft with no official 40 time and no work out, as he will most definitely miss Texas Tech's Pro Day.
I have been asked many times in the past week since his injury unfolded, and this only cements my opinions. In fact, if it slipped the last week, his stock just went back up.
My biggest concern was this - in my opinion - unnecessary push to run at his Pro Day. The risk of injury - or running a lousy time - at the Pro Day way outweighed the benefits. The only people clamoring for it were draftniks and certain members of the media. Scouts are not worried about seeing him run. They have their tape, same as I do. THAT'S where his game is and THAT'S what scouts were looking at when he got his buzz in the first place.
Crabtree will now be ready for training camp - and probably be ready for minis and pre-camp workouts.
That's worth a ton to a team as well. Crabtree got himself some excellent advice - being healthy for the season was far more important than showing up for a Pro Day and proving something most scouts already know.
I have been asked many times in the past week since his injury unfolded, and this only cements my opinions. In fact, if it slipped the last week, his stock just went back up.
My biggest concern was this - in my opinion - unnecessary push to run at his Pro Day. The risk of injury - or running a lousy time - at the Pro Day way outweighed the benefits. The only people clamoring for it were draftniks and certain members of the media. Scouts are not worried about seeing him run. They have their tape, same as I do. THAT'S where his game is and THAT'S what scouts were looking at when he got his buzz in the first place.
Crabtree will now be ready for training camp - and probably be ready for minis and pre-camp workouts.
That's worth a ton to a team as well. Crabtree got himself some excellent advice - being healthy for the season was far more important than showing up for a Pro Day and proving something most scouts already know.
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