A look back at some of the biggest things we learned this week in the NFL
1. “T.O. forced to take a Time Out in Big D” While controversial star WR Terrell Owens, 35, may be heading closer to the end of his career, he is not getting much love from the rest of the 31 teams in the NFL. Upon being released by the Dallas Cowboys on Thursday, NFL teams and media went into a mad scramble to try and decipher what remaining franchises, owners or coaches are still willing to take a chance on this “locker room cancer”. Over his 13-year career, he’s a five-time All-Pro and ranks second in career touchdowns, fifth in career yards receiving and sixth in career receptions. During the past three years with the Cowboys, Owens caught 235 passes for 3,587 yards and 38 touchdowns in 47 games. He led the NFL with 13 TDs receiving in 2006, his first season in Dallas.
Projected next T.O. landing: Tennessee Titans, Oakland Raiders, Dancing with the Stars?
2. “Future Hall of Famers still getting hometown love”
Two of the biggest Free Agents hitting the market this year were QB Kurt Warner (Arizona Cardinals) and LB Ray Lewis (Baltimore Ravens). Both players experienced huge success in 2008, leading their teams to the Super Bowl and Conference Championship games respectively. While these future ‘Canton Busts’ didn’t garner a lot of attention at the start of Free Agency, both in the end opted to return to their previous clubs to finish out their careers. Warner agreed to a 2-year $23 million contract with $19 million guaranteed, while Lewis resigned for a 3-year $20-25 million contract. Both players are considered the face of their franchise and showed that they are still top tier players, even late in their careers. Unfortunately, the same has not been said for fellow future HoF stars WR Marvin Harrison and LB Derrick Brooks this offseason.
3. “Mock Drafts are still shuffled in March”
After the NFL Combine, teams have a sense of the talent and quality of players heading into Draft weekend in late April. With only College Pro Days remaining, the majority of teams are setting up their respected draft boards. The wildcard in all of this each year is the Free Agency period, and this past week really shuffled up the top of the Draft. The largest impact came from the Kansas City Chiefs acquiring QB Matt Cassel from the New England Patriots for a 2nd round pick. This move immediately shifted the targets of a lot of teams towards the top of the draft that figured KC to be targeting a QB with the #3 pick. Free Agency also gave us a sneak peak at where various teams felt their weaknesses were and what positions could be targeted early in the draft. Every team can use an Offensive Tackle (Lions, Rams, Seahawks, Raiders, 49ers, Jaguars) and a pass rushing Linebacker/Defensive End (Chiefs, Browns, Packers, Bills, Broncos). Wide Receivers and Running Backs (Eagles, Vikings, Cardinals) look to be available towards the end of Round 1. Expect football draft sites to be constantly changing their Mock Drafts up until April 25th.
4. “New England Patriots are staying busy”
Despite losing Vice-President of Player Personnel Scott Pioloi to the Kansas City Chiefs, the Brian Belichick dynasty has had a busy offseason so far. Gone are QB Matt Cassel (Chiefs), LB Mike Vrabel (Chiefs), WR Jabar Gaffney (Broncos), FB Heath Evans (Saints), RB LaMont Jordan (Broncos), and C.J. Jones (Chiefs). New Patriots players include RB Fred Taylor (Jaguars), TE Chris Baker (Jets), CB Shawn Springs (Redskins) and WR Greg Lewis (Eagles). The verdict is still out on what becomes of veteran players such as SS Rodney Harrison, LB Junior Seau, LB Larry Izzo and CB Deltha O’Neal. Combine the return of MVP QB Tom Brady with an overall aging football team, and look for the Patriots to continue to make a big push this offseason.
5. “Football Fans going through Fantasy Football withdraws”
While sports fans around the nation begin to prepare for their Major League Baseball Fantasy League Drafts, NFL fans are already “Jones-ing” for any information that could help them get a leg up on competition this fall against their fellow fantasy football peers. Will Free Agency make an impact again in 2009, like it did last year with: RB Michael Turner (Falcons), QB Chad Pennington (Dolphins), WR Antonio Bryant (Buccaneers), and QB Brett Favre (Jets)? Who will be this year’s standout “Rookies” after monster 2008 seasons from QB Matt Ryan (Falcons), RB Chris Johnson (Titans), RB Matt Forte (Bears), RB Steve Slaton (Texans), and QB Joe Flacco (Ravens)? And most importantly, what will your 2009 Fantasy Football team name be? The 5 month countdown continues…
