And I can def. be swayed with Grant. I don’t care either that he wasn’t a high draft pick (mainly I worry that the GB brass doesn’t want to look bad by taking B. Jackson high so they’ll give him every opportunity to cut into Grant’s time). Last week I did an early Top-30 article – http://rotoscoop.com/blog/2007/12/27/top-30/ – in case you missed it.

I agree with you tho, personally, I probably wouldn’t take a QB or WR ahead of a Grant type. And there’s really only 7 RBs I sincerely would rather have: LT, AD, MB3 (Jones is gone), Westbrook, Addai, Jackson and Gore. So I could easily see Grant going mid-late first round. But he won’t come without some risk (then again, what RB doesn’t. I seriously might recommend ppl pass on LT2 next year. Better to jump ship a year early than a year late. See Marvin Harrison this season. And S. Alexander)

I enjoyed Jacobs while I owned him this year (picked him 25th overall, 1st pick of round 3), and I totally agree about the potential, but at the same time, I slept a lot easier once I dealt his ass for value. I guess I would take him again next year, but not in the 1st round, he’s just too brittle. The worst thing about him is that his injuries are typically of the 1/2-game, 1-game, 2-game variety at most, so I think it’s probably fair to apply to the “pussitis” label to him, which is never a good thing. He could probably play through 7/8 of his claimed ailments. I’m one to talk–I could probably work through 7/8 of mine, but then again, I make five figures, not six or seven. If Anquan Boldin can produce with a bad hip (one of the worst injuries a pro athlete can have) AND a dislocated toe, Jacobs really should be able to shake some of the sand out of his vagina and get on the field on a more consistent basis. Perhaps some of it is his youth and the team babying him, I don’t know. The flip side is that he hasn’t had any serious injuries, and rebounds well when he does come back, so he’s probably pretty easy to deal for value anyway, meaning if one does take him and gets sick of him, you can still get a fair exchange. I just hate handing the rock to a guy who might not last more than six minutes in a given week. That said, the talent is there, and certainly you are right about the system being conducive to big #s.

As for Grant….I’d probably take him in the 2nd too, and likely ahead of Jacobs. He was hands-down one of the best backs in the league over the final half of the season. I grew up north of the Cheddar Curtain, and follow the Pack pretty closely, and saw at least a substantial portion of every game this year. What I saw with Grant is a guy who takes his one cut and then flies straight up the field. He is a decisive and instinctive runner, and doesn’t dick around at the line playing pattycake all day like, say, a certain recent Heisman winning ACTUAL BUST does, so linebackers have to chase him down rather than simply park in his way and pounce. Favre is coming back, the receiving corps is a nightmare to cover (esp. with Jennings deep and Lee over the middle). The interior of that o-line is also very young and likely to further improve, which can only help him. I wouldn’t be the least bit surprised to see Top-5 RB numbers out of him. I don’t care where he went to school, or that he isn’t on any NFL Network commercials yet, I just want those delicious 60-yard romps in my ledger, and not my opponent’s. Really, the more I think about the guy, the more I’m talking myself into believing he could be a first-rounder. Who else? Tomlinson, ok (but get ready for the fall…..when it comes for RBs, it’s calamitous, and without notice), AD, sure (just for fun factor)……S. Jackson, ok, Addai, ok, I guess. Brady if you’re really into QBs (I wouldn’t). Who else? LJ comes with a boatload of caveats. Ronnie Brown is coming back from a serious injury and probably won’t be the same next year. There isn’t a receiver I would take ahead of him, really. Yeah….I think he’s a first-round pick. Jackson may have looked decent, but Grant keyed their entire gameplan and legitimized them as a true playoff threat. Plus, he only averaged 11.0 yards a carry in Jackson’s only “decent” game.

I’m obviously worried about Jacobs’ (lack of) durability, but compiling the RB list, there just aren’t many others I’d rather have, especially if you can get his clear backup. Coughlin’s system (and their O-line) is very good, and I expect Jacobs to go back to being the goal line guy after the ill suited Droughns was used this year. Jacobs will come with definite risk tho, there’s no doubt about it.

Derek Anderson is a restricted free agent- meaning he can be placed with the franchise tag or Cleveland will be compensated with both a 1st and 3rd round pick if someone signs him. He’ll be back w/ the Browns next year almost certainly. (Unless traded)

Not sure about where Turner will end up (Jets?), which will be pretty dependent upon his fantasy value…Julius Jones is an unrestricted free agent, whereas Barber is restricted. Expect only Barber to be back in Dallas.

Warner turns the ball over too much, but so does Leinart. It’s too early to call Leinart a bust, but Warner was SIGNIFICANTLY better than him this year.

That hit was definitely up there. For sure.

Happy New Year…

Great point you made about Brady v.s. Manning concerning the TD record.

Being a Giants fan, I agree with the upside of Jacobs, but what do you say about his durability? In addition, no-names like Ward and Bradshaw have shown to be great as well when given the opportunity to run with the Giants O-line.

Isn’t Derrek Anderson a FA?

Any predictions or comments on Turner’s whereabouts? Julius Jones and Marion Barber are both FA as well…

I think Ryan Grant is a huge bust next year. I think Brandon Marshall is a top 10 WR next year.

I totally agree with you about the drafting of RB’s. More success seems to come from drafting and developing a offensive line like that of the Broncos, Colts, Patriots, Raiders, Jaguars, etc. Then, simply insert whoever you want at RB, tell them to hold onto the ball, and improve your team elsewhere.

Interesting point suggesting Warner over Leinart next year. Maybe Warner is given the gig and gets hurt in week 3, mounting a new opportunity with more pressure to succeed for Leinart.

Lastly, was the hit in the Colts/Titans game on that kickoff return the best hit you’ve ever seen in a football game?