PLAXICO IS A JET, EAGLES KEEP IMPROVING, PEYTON GETS A MEGA-DEAL & WHERE THE HELL IS JUSTIN HOUSTON?
Plaxico Burress was wined & dined by Tom Coughlin & the Giants. Next stop was breakfast & lunch with Pittsburgh's Mike Tomlin. Then the Forty-Niners got involved, but it was Rex Ryan who made the biggest impression on Burress, Rex & a $3 million contract offer, all of it guaranteed. As soon as he can pass a team physical, he will sign the 1-year contract to become a Jet. New York had already allowed Braylon Edwards & Brad Smith to walk away, securing veteran receiving help was extremely important. Edwards carried too much drama & uncertainty, he wanted a long term deal, Burress was simply glad to be back in the league, playing & earning, even if it was just for 1-year initially. After losing out on Nnamdi Asomugha Friday, Ryan had egg on his face, but he's recovered nicely with the Burress signing. He's also intent on herding former Raven tight end Todd Heap to New York. He had a 7-year relationship with Heap when he was Baltimore's defensive coordinator & the two have always had an excellent relationship. The Jets already have an excellent receiving threat at tight end in Dustin Keller, the team's leading receiver. With him, Santonio Holmes & Burress, the Jets have a good receiving corps, with Heap, it would be even better.
As I said Brad Smith was allowed to leave the Jets. The wide receiver who caught a touchdown pass, runner who averaged 7.9 yards per carry, Wildcat QB who threw a touchdown pass & kickoff returner who returned two for scores is a valuable & versatile addition to Chan Gailey's Buffalo Bills. Gaily said he plans to use the former Mizzou QB in many of the same ways he utilized Kordell Stewart when he served as the Steelers offensive coordinator. "Slash" as Stewart became known, was a multiple threat & had to be accounted for every time he was on the field. Buffalo certainly needs all the help it can get, creating confusion & concern on your opponent's defense is excellent strategy Gailey has a lot of experience executing.
Friday morning the Eagles signed Titan defensive end Jason Babin, adding his 12.5 2010 sacks to Philly's underwhelming defense. Later in the day, Philadelphia rocked the NFL by signing the biggest catch in this year's free agent class with Nnamdi Asomugha coming aboard. Late Saturday, the Eagles defense added another high quality defender with former Packer defensive linemen Cullen Jenkins. He's a versatile player who can play up & down the defensive line, being disruptive all the while. I wasn't that excited about the Babin signing, he's been all over the league before registering 12.5 sacks last season. Can he do it again or is he a "One-Hit Wonder?" But the signing of Asomugha & Jenkins clearly improve the Eagles defense. Wide receiver Jeremy Maclin is not in camp, Andy Reid says Maclin has an illness & will be there soon. The other starting wideout, DeSean Jackson, is holding out, boycotting camp because he wants a new contract. Right now with a drastically improved defense, Andy Reid needs to get his offense sorted out for their free agent boom to be worthwhile.
The union formerly known as the National Football League Players Association(NFLPA), decertified for legal purposes before the lockout, has been reconstituted as a union. Going forward, the NFLPA is once again the negotiating body representing the NFL's players. This is just another step in ratifying the the collective bargaining agreement(CBA).
Peyton Manning signed a new deal yesterday, a 5-year, $90 million deal. It is completely front-loaded, Manning will receive some $69 million in guaranteed money in the first three years of the deal. That's important for Manning since he's 35-years old right now, another 3-years might be near the end of his career, I don't see him playing till he's forty. I know, I know, Brett Favre did it, but I don't see Manning going the same way. At least I hope not, I don't like great players sticking around to extend their lifetime stats. After the Vikings defeat in the NFC Championship to New Orleans, Favre should have retired.....for good. But instead he came back for "one more run" & the Vikings collapsed. I've been around long enough to remember too many great signal callers hanging around when their team has absolutely no chance of even being competitive. I don't see Manning being Favre-like at the end of his career. I could be wrong, it certainly wouldn't be the first time, but I think Peyton Manning is enjoying football less & less. I don't see him hanging around for 18 more TD passes or another 2,000 yards.
Peyton got one of his weapons back yesterday when the Colts resigned running back Joseph Addai. Tho injured quite a bit the past two seasons, he continues to be Indy's best option at the running back position.
The Detroit Lions continue making the right moves. Yesterday they agreed to terms with former Titan linebacker Stephen Tulloch. The 6-year vet is just the kind of player the Lions need to continue that upward momentum that began last season. If the Lions offensive linemen can keep QB Matthew Stafford upright & in the game week after week, this team is a definite playoff contender for years to come. Jim Schwartz has done a nice job in totally revamping his defense in just two years. Now it's up to the O-line IMO.
Hines Ward is currently on the PUP list after undergoing thumb surgery. How long he will be sidelined hasn't been clarified, but it's apparent his presence is essential for a good start this season.
Justin Houston got himself in a lot of trouble while he played linebacker at Georgia. When the Chiefs drafted him, it was totally out of character for Scott Pioli to take a flyer on a kid with such a checkered past. The question regarding Justin Houston now is "where the hell is he?" He hasn't reported to St Joseph, he remains the Chiefs only unsigned draft choice. There are penalties for holding out & he will begin to feel a financial loss very soon if he doesn't get signed. What possesses a 3rd round selection to holdout? Especially one who has missed all of the off-season conditioning, mini-camps, OTA's & classroom? A prospect who needs to show his new team that bad stuff is all in the past, whatta ya thinkin'? This should be setting off alarm bells in Chiefs' camp. He needs to be in camp, if he isn't there by the close of business on Monday, I think his future with the Kansas City Chiefs is in doubt before it ever begins.
One more issue with the Chiefs. yesterday they announced the signing of Zeke Markshausen, a wide receiver who played at Northwestern. This signing is the true definition of a "camp player." A warm body that isn't a prospect, he's cannon fodder for the DB's to beat on, nothing more, nothing less. He has absolutely zero chance of ever playing on a NFL team. I understand there will always be a necessity for these type of warm bodies in training camps all over the league. But when there are so many real NFL players still out there in free agency, it really bothers me signing the Zeke Markshausens takes priority to signing a quality offensive or defensive lineman. Are the Chiefs going to make me look foolish for my criticism? If they fail to sign any more meaningful free agents, it will be apparent to anyone paying attention, they have decided to once again try to get by on the cheap. You've heard the media & our oh so responsible politicians use the term "kick the can down the road." Is that what the Chiefs are doing with the Kelly Gregg signing? Is getting one season out of him going to be enough of a bridge till the day Jerrell Powe can take the position? Is having just three defensive lineman with NFL game experience enough to defend the AFC Western Division crown? I don't think it is. Wallace Gilberry, second on the team in sacks remained unsigned, as does starting corner Brandon Carr & franchise player Tamba Hali, but hey, at least we got Zeke Markshausen. Look I guess what I'm saying is coming from frustration. I'm sure Zeke Markshausen is a good guy & a hard worker or he wouldn't be back in an NFL camp again this season, he was with the Bears last August. But it's the $30+ million in available cap money & we don't see much positive coming from it. Like I've said so many times before, I want to be wrong, I want to say I'm sorry, I want Scott Pioli to make me look foolish. Problem is, I haven't seen it so far, let's hope it turns around very, very soon.
As I said Brad Smith was allowed to leave the Jets. The wide receiver who caught a touchdown pass, runner who averaged 7.9 yards per carry, Wildcat QB who threw a touchdown pass & kickoff returner who returned two for scores is a valuable & versatile addition to Chan Gailey's Buffalo Bills. Gaily said he plans to use the former Mizzou QB in many of the same ways he utilized Kordell Stewart when he served as the Steelers offensive coordinator. "Slash" as Stewart became known, was a multiple threat & had to be accounted for every time he was on the field. Buffalo certainly needs all the help it can get, creating confusion & concern on your opponent's defense is excellent strategy Gailey has a lot of experience executing.
Friday morning the Eagles signed Titan defensive end Jason Babin, adding his 12.5 2010 sacks to Philly's underwhelming defense. Later in the day, Philadelphia rocked the NFL by signing the biggest catch in this year's free agent class with Nnamdi Asomugha coming aboard. Late Saturday, the Eagles defense added another high quality defender with former Packer defensive linemen Cullen Jenkins. He's a versatile player who can play up & down the defensive line, being disruptive all the while. I wasn't that excited about the Babin signing, he's been all over the league before registering 12.5 sacks last season. Can he do it again or is he a "One-Hit Wonder?" But the signing of Asomugha & Jenkins clearly improve the Eagles defense. Wide receiver Jeremy Maclin is not in camp, Andy Reid says Maclin has an illness & will be there soon. The other starting wideout, DeSean Jackson, is holding out, boycotting camp because he wants a new contract. Right now with a drastically improved defense, Andy Reid needs to get his offense sorted out for their free agent boom to be worthwhile.
The union formerly known as the National Football League Players Association(NFLPA), decertified for legal purposes before the lockout, has been reconstituted as a union. Going forward, the NFLPA is once again the negotiating body representing the NFL's players. This is just another step in ratifying the the collective bargaining agreement(CBA).
Peyton Manning signed a new deal yesterday, a 5-year, $90 million deal. It is completely front-loaded, Manning will receive some $69 million in guaranteed money in the first three years of the deal. That's important for Manning since he's 35-years old right now, another 3-years might be near the end of his career, I don't see him playing till he's forty. I know, I know, Brett Favre did it, but I don't see Manning going the same way. At least I hope not, I don't like great players sticking around to extend their lifetime stats. After the Vikings defeat in the NFC Championship to New Orleans, Favre should have retired.....for good. But instead he came back for "one more run" & the Vikings collapsed. I've been around long enough to remember too many great signal callers hanging around when their team has absolutely no chance of even being competitive. I don't see Manning being Favre-like at the end of his career. I could be wrong, it certainly wouldn't be the first time, but I think Peyton Manning is enjoying football less & less. I don't see him hanging around for 18 more TD passes or another 2,000 yards.
Peyton got one of his weapons back yesterday when the Colts resigned running back Joseph Addai. Tho injured quite a bit the past two seasons, he continues to be Indy's best option at the running back position.
The Detroit Lions continue making the right moves. Yesterday they agreed to terms with former Titan linebacker Stephen Tulloch. The 6-year vet is just the kind of player the Lions need to continue that upward momentum that began last season. If the Lions offensive linemen can keep QB Matthew Stafford upright & in the game week after week, this team is a definite playoff contender for years to come. Jim Schwartz has done a nice job in totally revamping his defense in just two years. Now it's up to the O-line IMO.
Hines Ward is currently on the PUP list after undergoing thumb surgery. How long he will be sidelined hasn't been clarified, but it's apparent his presence is essential for a good start this season.
Justin Houston got himself in a lot of trouble while he played linebacker at Georgia. When the Chiefs drafted him, it was totally out of character for Scott Pioli to take a flyer on a kid with such a checkered past. The question regarding Justin Houston now is "where the hell is he?" He hasn't reported to St Joseph, he remains the Chiefs only unsigned draft choice. There are penalties for holding out & he will begin to feel a financial loss very soon if he doesn't get signed. What possesses a 3rd round selection to holdout? Especially one who has missed all of the off-season conditioning, mini-camps, OTA's & classroom? A prospect who needs to show his new team that bad stuff is all in the past, whatta ya thinkin'? This should be setting off alarm bells in Chiefs' camp. He needs to be in camp, if he isn't there by the close of business on Monday, I think his future with the Kansas City Chiefs is in doubt before it ever begins.
One more issue with the Chiefs. yesterday they announced the signing of Zeke Markshausen, a wide receiver who played at Northwestern. This signing is the true definition of a "camp player." A warm body that isn't a prospect, he's cannon fodder for the DB's to beat on, nothing more, nothing less. He has absolutely zero chance of ever playing on a NFL team. I understand there will always be a necessity for these type of warm bodies in training camps all over the league. But when there are so many real NFL players still out there in free agency, it really bothers me signing the Zeke Markshausens takes priority to signing a quality offensive or defensive lineman. Are the Chiefs going to make me look foolish for my criticism? If they fail to sign any more meaningful free agents, it will be apparent to anyone paying attention, they have decided to once again try to get by on the cheap. You've heard the media & our oh so responsible politicians use the term "kick the can down the road." Is that what the Chiefs are doing with the Kelly Gregg signing? Is getting one season out of him going to be enough of a bridge till the day Jerrell Powe can take the position? Is having just three defensive lineman with NFL game experience enough to defend the AFC Western Division crown? I don't think it is. Wallace Gilberry, second on the team in sacks remained unsigned, as does starting corner Brandon Carr & franchise player Tamba Hali, but hey, at least we got Zeke Markshausen. Look I guess what I'm saying is coming from frustration. I'm sure Zeke Markshausen is a good guy & a hard worker or he wouldn't be back in an NFL camp again this season, he was with the Bears last August. But it's the $30+ million in available cap money & we don't see much positive coming from it. Like I've said so many times before, I want to be wrong, I want to say I'm sorry, I want Scott Pioli to make me look foolish. Problem is, I haven't seen it so far, let's hope it turns around very, very soon.
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