“Five Things Friday”

A look back at some of the biggest things we learned this week in the NFL

1. “Out of 32 teams in the NFL, it only takes 1 to say YES”
At one point this past week, there was a small chance that recently released WR Terrell Owens would not be able to find a suitor for the 2009 football season. Agent Drew Rosenhaus stressed that multiple teams were interested, thus thrusting the media into a frenzy of trying to figure out which teams, owners, coaches, and fans would welcome the controversial wide receiver into their franchise. Little did we know that the Buffalo Bills (otherwise known as “North Americas Team” by T.O.) would in fact be the place that #81 would now call home. Expect new drama to engulf the AFC East division this year as Trent Edwards, Randy Moss, and the Wildcat offense are new cast members in Terrell Owens’s own personal reality TV series we call the NFL. Make sure to get your popcorn ready…

2. “Offensive Tackles are a Dime a Dozen”
OT Andre Smith (Alabama) endured one of the most media covered College Pro Days in recent years thanks to his poor decision making and showing at the NFL combine last month. Despite all of his off the field issues and being out of playing shape, NFL evaluators are still considering him as a potential top pick due to his performance on the football field and in game tapes, as well as the overwhelming need for Offensive Tackles in the NFL. The 2009 draft class is deep at the position with Jason Smith (Baylor), Eugene Monroe (Virginia), and Michael Oher (Ole Miss) also expected to be top picks. This past week on the NFL front, we saw the St. Louis Rams release franchise and potential Hall of Fame player OT Orlando Pace; 11-year veteran OT Tra Thomas (Eagles) sign as a free agent with the Jacksonville Jaguars; and OT Jason Peters (Bills) is complaining for a new contract again after watching Pro Bowl OT Jordan Gross (Panthers) sign a 6-year contract averaging $10 million a season earlier this offseason. This position will continue to be a top priority for all NFL teams looking to protect their QB, establish a run game, and dominate the trenches that often determines the outcome of a game.

3. “Teams continue to emphasis Youth Movement”
Two weeks into Free Agency, and there are enough proven, veteran players to fill an entire roster. Former Pro Bowl players such as QB Jeff Garcia, RB Deuce McAllister, LB Derrick Brooks, CB Chris McAllister, CB Dre’ Bly and SS Roy Williams are out of a job and looking for work. Teams have been hesitant to take a chance on these older players as they near the end of their careers in exchange for younger players with more upside and potential, and most importantly: cheaper. As training camps draw closer and closer, expect these players to eventually accept the league veteran minimum salaries to try and compete for a roster spot.

4. “Cloning the NFL: The United Football League (UFL) picks its inaugural Head Coaches”
What do former NFL coaches Dennis Green, Jim Haslett, Ted Cottrell and Jim Fassel have in common? If you would have guessed a commercial spot with Coors Light Beer, you’d only be 25% correct. The answer is that each of these men are the new Head Coaches for the inaugural UFL football league starting this October in cities such as San Francisco, Las Vegas, Orlando and New York. While the league is an essence a copycat league of the NFL in terms of rules and structure, it hopes to establish its rosters with players that miss the NFL cut. Rumors are also swirling that incarcerated QB Michael Vick may join the league as well. While it is always nice to have additional professional football options, expect the UFL to be nothing more than a developmental league for the NFL and a springboard for these coaches to land a job back in the big league.

5. “Can’t teach an Old ‘Dawg’ new tricks”
While recently released CB Adam ‘Pacman’ Jones has claimed that he is a changed man and no longer attends strips clubs, Profootballtalk.com has reported that Jones “made it rain (again) with dollar bills” at ex-teammate Marcus Spear’s birthday party recently. Supposedly the other players thought he was an idiot for doing it, choosing to channel his inner-strip club behavior at an upscale dining establishment. Look for the former 2005 1st round draft pick to show up now and again on Pro-Wrestling or Joes vs. Pros television events in the future, but it’d be a miracle if another NFL team ever game him another chance.