THIS AND THAT............Tuesday
The shroud of secrecy continues over the Matt Cassel trade. The press conference Chiefs' head coach Todd Haley held on Monday was almost comical. GM Scott Pioli didn't appear, Cassel gave a brief statement over a speaker phone & Haley uttered about 6 lines & that was it. They won't answer any questions about the trade, Haley spoke briefly about Tyler Thigpen & the open competition at QB. End of show. Anybody in Kansas City ever remember a press conference not attended by Carl Peterson? Can Chiefs fans remember a Vermeil or Edwards news conference that lasted for less than 10 minutes? The reaction from a few media types regarding this trade is laughable. A Boston Globe reporter put in his two cents on Soren Petro's show on 810 WHB. He ran down Pioli, Belichick did it all, Pioli was just along for the ride. Then he ran down Cassel & I mean he didn't have too much nice to say. I think he might be one of the bitter ones who could never get a story out of Patriot brass. Then I see Chicago's Jay Mariotti is calling for a full scale investigation by the commissioner. Relax Jay. ESPN's Tony Kornheiser & Mike Greenberg were all reved up as well, they were in full conspiracy mode. The deal's done, there won't be any investigations, both teams got what they wanted. The Chiefs got a young starting quarterback & a veteran linebacker they hope will be a leader in the locker room & most likely a defensive signal caller. The Pats got $18 million worth of cap space & another 2nd round pick.......The trade that wasn't made for Cassel continues to create a stink in Denver. New head coach, Josh McDaniels, got his 'pants pulled down' in front of everybody & he's got a problem. His quarterback has hurt feelings & he's had to repeatedly deny that he sought a trade for said quarterback. Even though the two teams he explored the trade with have a completely different version. Cutler needs to stop whining, be glad someone was willing to trade for you, the day will come when that won't be the case. McDaniel has another problem looming on the horizon. Atlanta officials dropped the charges against Bronco WR Brandon Marshall because his fiancee wouldn't press charges & he did likewise for her, so no disorderly conduct. But the commissioner won't drop it, I guarantee it........The Broncos continue to sign free agents, 8 in all, honestly 5 of them are 'warm bodies'........I wonder how long it will take before Eagle QB Donovan McNabb asks to be traded. The team wanted to work on an extension to McNabb's contract but he said "let's wait & see what direction we go in during free agency and the draft". The direction doesn't look so good from here. Both offensive tackles are free agents & so far neither has been signed although they did sign OT Stacy Andrews to fill the right tackle spot. Three of the four starters in the defensive backfield are gone, Lito Shepard to the Jets & Considine & the great Brian Dawkins to Denver........The Arizona Cardinals apparently are reverting to the Bidwell Cardinals of old as they still haven't signed Kurt Warner & now he's out talking to other teams. Just because Warner said he wanted to stay in Arizona doesn't mean he'll sign any old offer........Ex-Giant Derrick Ward signed today with Tampa Bay, Ex-Pittsburgh speedy wideout, Nate Washington, signed with the Titans, a team desperate for speed & T.J. Houshmandzadeh inked a 5-year deal with Seattle.......And finally, Former NFL defensive player of the year, Jason Taylor, was released by the Redskins. Taylor was traded to the Skins by Miami after he said he wanted to be traded to a winner. The Dolphins traded Taylor for a 2nd round pick & then made the playoffs after winning just one game in '07. The Redskins didn't make the playoffs and after they told him he'd have to attend off season conditioning, unlike last year when he 'danced with the stars', he said no & was promptly cut. Be careful what you wish for.
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