Whispers About Randy Moss More Like Declarations...

Don't be fooled by headlines implying the subtlety of a possible deal between Oakland and Green Bay for Randy Moss. There is nothing subtle about a deal for Randy Moss, and frankly, really nothing subtle about Randy Moss in general.

Nonetheless, it has been reported that Packers GM Ted Thompson has in fact already had discussions with Raiders owner/tsar/stegosaurus (see, because he's old, and so are dinosaurs...) Al Davis regarding Moss. And what's more, not that this has any bearing on an actual deal (despite what Packers fans may think), apparently there has been an outpouring of both positive and negative feedback from fans to Packers management regarding the trade. I thought it was pretty funny how in the corresponding ESPN.com report, they actually mention specific individual comments, such as one man's assertions - "Moody. Excess baggage. Disruptive. Do any of these words sound like alarm bells to you?"

Anyways, I'm sure there are plenty of proponents of both sides of the "is Randy Moss worth the headache?" debate, but I, for one, say give him a try. He has surprised me in Oakland. I mean he hasn't exactly been mum, but he definitely could be making much more of an issue out of the fact that they couldn't get a pass off last year, let alone put the ball in his hands.

To put it into a Yogiism ~ For all the Randy Moss he brings to the table, he still brings Randy Moss. If you catch my drift...

I wouldn't mind watching Brett Favre throw bombs to Moss...this could be interesting, plus I hope he grows back the sick afro, like he's sporting in the inset image.

Who the Hell is Ryan Fowler and...

Why would any team offer him $10.5 million as a restricted free agent?

I mean, maybe if he was a top tier player I could understand it. But the fact is he's only started in three games for the Dallas Cowboys (his current team)and has really only been a presence on special teams!

Hey Sports Illustrated --
Sign of the Apocalypse ~ Restricted free agent LB Ryan Fowler signs 4-year, $10.5 million offer sheet with Tennessee Titans after rebuking a similar deal from the Philadelphia Eagles. Ryan Fowler, primarily a special teamer for the Cowboys, has only started a total of three games in three NFL seaons, let alone qualifying/playing in a pro bowl or any other meaningful game. Contextually, the $4 million he would be paid next year as part of the Titans offer, matches what the Steelers were scheduled to pay former 3-time pro-bowl LB Joey Porter next season...wait, did I mention he was an undrafted rookie free agent signing out of Duke? (not that there's anything wrong with that...)

Kevin Colbert is right man, this free agency thing is getting ridiculous!

Raising Arizona??

The Arizona Cardinals. The first thing that comes to mind when I think about the Cardinals is their status as a perrenial doormat in possibly the weakest division the entire NFL has to offer. This team, in a 20-year Arizona history, has finished last 9 times and only made the playoffs once - 1998 - the same season in which the Cardinals posted their only winning record.

But yet, that doesn't keep some NFL beat writers from touting them consistently in recent years as "up and comers." The latest being Len Pasquarelli of ESPN.com.

As a disclaimer - I think Len always has a lot of good insight and being that he is a guy from Pittsburgh, I pretty much automatically respect his opinion. So I was a little alarmed by his headline "Cardinals a team on the Rise," although to his credit, he tempers his enthusiasm for their new "situation" with the necessary amount of "but still, they're the Cardinals."

Anyways, in his recent story on ESPN.com, Pasquarelli writes "With a new and inspiring coach, a state-of-the-art stadium, a young quarterback around whom to build for the future, an oasis of proven playmakers on offense and a defense with legitimate potential for improvement, Arizona might be ready for a change." Implying that Matt Leinart's success towards the end of last year coupled with The Whiz calling plays and Russ Grimm's instruction on run blocking (something that offensive line needs more than anything in the world) means the Cardinals might actually not finish in the NFC West's basement next season.

I think there's almost a 100% chance the Cardinals will improve, however to say they are up and comers, I'll reserve judgement. The NFC West, aside from Seattle, hasn't exactly wow'd anyone lately. But that didn't stop San Francisco from significantly upgrading it's roster this off season. And don't count St. Louis out completely either. Bulger's a good QB who can hit just about any receiver (and he's got a bevy to choose from now - Holt, Bruce, Bennett) and Stephen Jackson can run with the best of them, amassing over 1500 yards and 13 TDs last season.

All in all I guess you could say I'm skeptical...

Holy Active Free Agency Batman...

There's been so many moves this off season, even Michael Jackson's head would be spinning (get it? because he's got lots of moves...yeah me neither).

I'm not going to try and touch 'em all, although I've done pretty well thus far. But there are a few recent moves I'll take a moment to discuss. Beginning with one of the latest, Donte Stallworth to the Patriots.

Honestly, from a team standpoint, one can't help but worry about the Eagles. Considering Andy Reid's recent off field troubles, and all the names they're letting slip away this off season, unless the Eagles brass knows something we don't all know, things could be rough for them next season. Stallworth is just the latest in this exodus. Earlier this month the Eagles let celebrated backup Jeff Garcia go to Tampa, Safety Michael Lewis went to the 49ers, and yesterday Corner Roderick Hood went to Arizona.

Plus, Donovan McNabb is coming off of a season in which he only played in close to half of the team's games due to injury...not that he's been super healthy in the last FEW seasons even.

Nonetheless, Stallworth is the biggest blow. Although Reggie Brown proved to be a pretty good target last season, and LJ Smith can be a pretty reliable TE, the power of the Eagles west coast offense could be somewhat in jeopardy. Look for them to use their first round pick on a quick wideout (maybe Ted Ginn?) to give Donovan some help in spreading out the field, bolstering their otherwise fledgling offense.

Turn for the worse: Re-signing backup AJ Feeley for three more years...why?

Digg This

Well, Time to Pick Up our Balls and Deal...

Sadly (and I mean that in the most cynical way), the Steelers lost their $7.1 million bid on punter Andy Lee this afternoon.

Why we were willing to throw down that much over 6 years for a Punter is beyond me, especially a restricted free agent Punter, but again, I don't make the decisions for a reason.


Anyways, ain't that a kick in the balls???

I mean I know we don't want to be a major player in free agency, and rather build through the draft in true Steeler tradition, but frankly we gotta do something. If we can't even go out and find a free agent Punter, something is wrong.

Let's all have a moment of silence for the Steelers bid to bring in the $7 million Punter...there, now I feel better...


Digg This

Guess We're Not Replacing Peezy with Banta-Cain...

Despite wide speculation about the Steelers interest in now-former Pats linebacker Tully Banta-Cain, it looks like he will actually be headed to San Francisco in the 49ers latest Defensive signing.

Banta-Cain will join newly minted Niners, Nate Clements (Safety transplanted from Buffalo), Ashley Lelie (generally unimpressive WR from Denver via Atlanta where he spent last year), and Micheal Lewis (another Safety from Philadelphia).

Well I'll be damned. It looks like the 49ers are actually trying to work towards a winning season next year...and with solid defensive (which they lacked last year) additions like Banta-Cain, Clements and Lewis, they just might have a shot at the NFC West next year (mostly because Seattle is as underwhelming as Ashley Lelie and let's face it Arizona is Arizona...might have some competition from St. Louis).

The Niners offense, led by tailback Frank Gore and quarterback Alex Smith should be getting tight end Vernon Davis back next season to add to their already pretty potent offensive attack. So things should be interesting for them next season...but that doesn't mean it will be interesting for anyone else...remember, it's not only the NFC, but the NFC West...yawn.