Ego Number One

So I’m sure you’d have heard about this, but on the off-chance… Terrell Owens has agreed terms with the Cincinnati Bengals and has joined up with them for training. He’s signed a one-year deal and Antonio Bryant has handed him his favoured #81 shirt (in exchange for a donation to one of little leagues) so the Chad and Terrell (and Antonio!) era begins. The CO/TO show.

Owens is 36 now, and not the number 1 option that he was, but he won’t be asked to be. He’ll need to contribute when called on, and be a good team member. You can’t really use last year’s stats as an indicator of his performance as the Bills were pretty bad. What you can look at is that he was a good soldier – the model of a quiet (for him) professional who just got on with it. If he can bring that attitude in, then he should do fine. And it’s difficult to imagine him taking verbal pops at Carson Palmer and have the team stand for it – their QB has proved himself again and again and is a popular leader there.

Ego Number Two

So how does this affect the AFC North, and in particular our predictions there. Craig pointed out that they had strengthened and suggested they could challenge for the division… I think that’s fair, and if they can improve their passing game (ranked 26th overall in 2009) then they are contenders and if they can complete more outside of the division then Craig’s Ravens could be in trouble again.

Craig’s View:

Yeah, they’re stacked with receivers… but they don’t have Ray Lewis on defence.

Image Credits:
CO – Clay Seal
TO – Brad Bethell Photography

JaMarcus carefully lines up an interception

Really, you at the back? You thought they’d keep him on the books and pay that $6.45 bonus he’s due to warm the bench? Admittedly, he can warm a lot of bench, but still…

Less than two weeks after trading for Washington’s Jason Campbell, the Raiders have released Russell. The #1 selection from the 2007 draft leaves them after taking $39 million for a total of 7 wins.

It’s hard to imagine any team taking any sort of a chance on him now, though I guess stranger things have happened, which means we’ve seen the last of him in the NFL. I, for one, won’t miss him though I guess I do feel for the guy. A bit.

Anyway, wherever he his (my guess is comfort eating in an IHOP) he’s free of the Raiders and they’re free of him.

Image Credit: sgrace

I think there’s little arguing that it was a crass thing to ask to anyone, but moreso given Dez’s – and his mother’s – background and struggles over the years. However, can I see why it was asked? Absolutely. Here was a guy, of questionable character, being sounded out for a big contract. I’m sure in every interview to every draftee there were questions designed to raise their ire to see how the respond to it and how they handle it. The drafting process is lengthy and thorough. Also pretty unpleasant at times, it seems.

I’m a rational guy. Sensible. I find it difficult to get excited over this, though I don’t know if that is partly a cultural thing or if it’s purely that some people are… well, see the image. If someone asked that of me, it would tell me more of them than it would of me. I certainly wouldn’t get really ‘really mad’. I’m pretty sure I would laugh it off as it’s so misguided, though it’s obviously hard to put myself in Dez’s shoes. But to me it seems that a lot – too much, in fact – is being made of it all. I’m reminded of the scene in Roadhouse (which is an under-appreciated classic, by the way) where Dalton explains that it’s just two words put together to get a response, so don’t get angry.

Silver’s article, whilst probably factually correct is provocative, not very professional and pretty hypocritical. Apart from that, I’m sure Dez himself does not want it to drag on and on. He has a camps and OTAs to prepare for, a playbook to learn and all the other rookie-related activity that is part and parcel of going into the NFL. I’m sure his mother isn’t thrilled either, though she’s overcome much worse in her life. Despite my lack of passion, I suspect we’ll see more on this issue yet. Be it from Dolphins’ management, Roger Goodell or any number of late-night hosts.

What matters is that Dez has impressed already at the Cowboys minicamp, and we await to see how he performs with the rest of the team and then into the season. It’s looking like he’ll be given a chance to grow and develop in a deep corp.

As an NFL fan and blogger, I wish him good luck. As a Redskin’s fan, I’ll boo him all day long. That goes for any player, and that’s how I’ll treat him – just another player.

Each in turn…
The Offensive Line
Chris Samuels retirement left a gaping hole on the left side of the line. And let’s be kind, this was a porous line at the best of times. Once the position at draft-time was sorted (see Quarterback, below) then there was very little doubt that the line would be bolstered with the #4 pick and sure enough, it was. Trent Williams comes in to protect McNabb’s blindside. The 7th round also saw us pick up Erik Cook (C, but versatile) and Selvish Capers (G) to give depth in the future. McNabb isn’t the scamperer that he was in years past, so he and our running backs (again, see below) are going to need a solid line.

Running Back (s)
The off-season has seen the free agency pick-ups of Willie Parker and Larry Johnson. Which together with Clinton Portis gives us a very old running back corp. Sharing the load, can these guys get the job done? Probably yes, but we’re going to need the Shanahan magic to get the running game going. To be inventive and surprising. But I can’t see any of these guys escaping many secondaries, even though Chris Cooley is saying that they’re all looking good. It will be interesting to see if Anthony Alridge gets beyond the practice squad this season as well as how motivated Portis will be after quite a lot of nay-saying about him from a lot of quarters recently.

Jason Campbell
As I said in the original article, and repeated here, I think Campbell showed a lot last year. He deserved a chance and it’s just the way that things have turned out that it won’t be in burgandy and gold I am pleased to see him moving (probably) upwards.
But there’s no mistaking that Donovan McNabb represents an upgrade, as he would to many teams. It’s easy to point at flaws in his game, but he’s a good age for a QB, has the skillset, experience, leadership and most importantly – the motivation to take us into the post-season sooner rather than later. Personally, I’m really excited about watching him play and hope that the receiving corp can step up.

Older Players
March 4th saw a big clearout of older players. Fred Smoot – gone. Antwaan Randel El – gone back to the Steelers. Rock Cartwright (has joined Campbell in Oakland) and Ladell Betts – gone. Randy Thomas, Cornelius Griffin. Blam… they’re gone. Do I need to say anymore?

It’s now a younger (but not outright young) team and that should reflect well across all elements of play.

The Defence
With the switch to 3-4 coming, there are still some areas to be looked at here. Most notably in the hulking form of Albert Haynesworth. He does not want to be paid to get double-teamed every week as nose tackle and him and Shanahan are apparently not on good terms.
I hope they sort it out. He didn’t have a bad 2009 all told. No, be wasn’t the dominant tackle that he’d been in previous years, but he was a big part of our line despite the setup not playing to his strengths. Whilst his deal is as financially crippling as it is he’ll be going no-where, so let’s make the most of him.

We really need help at safety and I hope that gets addressed in free-agency. But I like the look of our linebackers, who have added depth with 4th round pick Perry Riley.

So all in all, the team is looking good. I fancy us to have a good run at the post-season this year, though won’t get carried away. There’s still a lot to happen before the pre-season.

I am very pleased that he is now a Tennessee Titan! There have been people who have questioned his commitment, but his answer on his own web site was –

“Where my classmates were drinking at the pubs at 1:30 in the morning or traveling to different parts of the EU, I was working out, training, going to sleep, resting my body, making sure I was ready to compete. I love this game. I love this sport, and I want it to be my vocation for the next 10 years.”

I was secretly hoping that he might end up at the Dolphins, but never mind. Lets hope that the Titans make the trip to London soon so that we can see him play.

It’s been a tough time for former Washington Redskins’ quarterback Jason Campbell. His days were numbered from the moment Donovan McNabb came over to the burgandy side (and I’ll be talking about that another time). He signed his tender, but no-one really expected him to stick around. In fact, the only real surprises have been how long it took and the price that the Redskins got for him.

Yes, Jason Campbell will be turning out next year in black and silver as he switches east coast for west to join the Oakland Raiders. He’s also got an extension out of it, and would look to be the starter or at least to compete with JaMarcus Russell. I’m thinking he’ll start, as JMR will surely be released before his massive salary for the season is due. I also think that it’s a good move for the Raiders and for Campbell. Campbell will have to learn yet another new system but he’s proven adaptable over the years and the Raiders will surely use his arm more than the recent schemes in Washington. Whilst I’ve not been his biggest fan, he did impress me last season to the extent that I’d have been happy to see him start again. By all accounts conducted himself with a high level of professionalism throughout his time at FedEx Field and you have to admire that attitude.

The Redskins don’t play the Raiders this year, so I can safely wish him well and say thanks for his service and wonder about just getting a 4th round pick (in 2012!) for a proven starter…

Image Credit: jf photo, with thanks.

No not the bell, the player. Roger Goodell has spoken, and handed a six game suspension to the Steelers’ quarterback whose name has been surrounded with allegations and rumours for the second off-season running. Citing the personal conduct policy, the Commissioner stated in a letter

“there is nothing about your conduct in Milledgeville that can remotely be described as admirable, responsible, or consistent with either the values of the league or the expectations of our fans.”

Ouch.

The suspension could be reduced to just four games for good behaviour and he also has to have counselling. With the schedules just released, we know that he’ll miss at a minimum games against the Falcons, Titans, Bucs and divisional rivals the Baltimore Ravens. The game against the Ravens is clearly the big one there. The Steelers have already picked up Byron Leftwich as cover, expecting some punishment.

There’s been a lot said about his conduct, but it’s worth remembering that he’s not been charged with anything yet. There are those who say that there’s no smoke without fire and – on the other side – innocent until proven guilty. However, he continues to put himself in these positions and it is that – ultimately – that has got him suspended.

Source: nfl.com

Image Credit: mattockadam

The former Steeler saw his playing time diminish in the 2009 season as injury and Rashad Mendenhall took their tool. Can he still contribute? My feeling is yes, in a supporting role. But he’s (another) back on the team that won’t be in his 20s by the time the season ends. But you’d have to think that between them Clinton Portis, Larry Johnson and Willie Parker have something to bring to the party.

All the news, player feedback and comments coming out of the Redskins’ camp are positive and there’s a real feeling that the team is heading in the right direction from an organisation point of view. Let’s hope that they can bring that to the field when the time comes.

I’m still waiting for the draft, where there’s a real feeling that the ‘Skins will offer the first unknown at #4… we’ll see.

Image Credit: charness

Sexy Rexy Redskin

Not much I can add beyond the headline really. With The Todd being released, we needed a good backup to Jason Campbell (assuming he’s the starter) and I suppose we could do worse…

SR has apparently signed a one year deal so Shanahan is keeping his options open. With the 4th pick at the upcoming Draft there’s a lot of people thinking that the Redskins will take a quarterback (Sam Bradford if available, or Jimmy Clausen). We watch with interest.

Image Credit: iammeltron

To start with we’re back to New York. Less than a week after releasing Thomas Jones (who has since signed with the Cheifs) the Jets have added LaDanian Tomlinson to the line-up. He’s got a fair deal to be a backup and although I think Jones was a better option, they’ve got LDT for a lot less than Jones was due. It would essentially be a crime not to use this as an excuse to post Electric Glide as unlike running backs that never gets old.

Carrying on with aging running backs, Larry Johnson is now a Redskin. He’s signed a surprisingly sensible 3 year deal that makes things interesting and has certainly improved the squad. If we can sort the line out, we might be able to actually make some yards now. Will Montgomery has resigned in this area.
Johnson has 2 years on Portis, but considerably less mileage. Hopefully he can contribute.

It’s all change under centre for the Cleveland Browns with Anderson being released and fan-favourite Brady Quinn being traded to the Denver. I’ve seen Broncos’ starting QB Kyle Orton described as “workmanlike” and that seems fair. It’ll be interesting to watch that situation and take bets on who’ll be starting the Wembley game.

Incoming for the Browns are Jake Delhomme and Seneca Wallace. The smart money would be on Delhomme to start, even after his terrible 2009. He’s due a tonne of cash too, from the Browns and Panthers who apparently missed a fairly critical clause in his contract. D’oh.

Mark Tauscher has signed – again – in Green Bay. Expect to see him picking up Aaron Rodgers a lot during 2010. Speaking of Aarons… Aaron Kampman has gone to Jacksonville in what is a better fit for him than the Packers’ 3-4 scheme.

This is the tip of the iceberg as there have been moves and trades all over the place. Check ‘em out.