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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

You must have heard the story by now. During a formal interview of draft candidates – which without fail throws up an eye-raiser or two each year – Jeff Ireland, the General Manager of the Miami Dolphins asked Dez Bryant if his mother was a prostitute. According to Yahoo! Sports’ Michael Silver – who put this out in the world – Dez was ‘really mad’ but managed not to show it.

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.
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Back in early January I took at look at what new coach Mike Shanahan would need to address during the off-season. Now that the draft has been and gone, let’s take a look and see where we are.

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.
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Earlier in the year I looked at Oxford student Myron Rolle and his chances of getting drafted for the NFL this 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.
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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.
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The Washington Redskins continue their rebuilding with experience (which is the kinder way of saying it) with the addition of Willie Parker at running back.

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.
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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.
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This year’s Free Agency period has started, and players are on the move big time already. Here are some of the moves that have caught our eye so far…

Nate Burleson to the Lions. This is either a stroke of genius or a real stretch, but Stafford needs receiving options. They’ve also added Kyle Vanden Bosch to their defensive line.

Karlos Dansby is now a Dolphin. Miami have made several changes already on the defensive side but Dansby would be a good addition in any case. They’ve also signed Chad Pennington for another year who is a good option as a backup.

In New York, the Jets and Giants have both improved their secondaries with Antrel Rolle joining the Giants and Antonio Cromartie heading to the Jets. Rolle becomes the highest paid safety in NFL history in the process.
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