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NFL Offseason Developments

By Dalton Del Don – Senior Writer

With free agency starting today, it’s as good as time as any to take a quick look around the National Football League.

At this point, it would be an upset if Troy Smith is a first day selection. Or even if he makes an NFL team out of camp, for that matter.

Meet Dwayne Jarrett – The second coming of Mike Williams.

You heard it here first, if the Raiders take JaMarcus Russell over Calvin Johnson they’ll be sorry.

The most underrated story of the offseason so far has to be the fact that Dallas Clark was kicked out of a high school girls basketball game for berating the refs.

Thomas Jones wants a trade, Corey Dillon is gone and Dominic Rhodes got a DUI – goodbye pesky RBBC.

Speaking of Rhodes, he rivals Clark as the best offseason story, after all, he did pee himself while sitting in a cop car. The Colts aren’t messing around when it comes to celebrating that championship.

One committee that wasn’t squashed, however, was Jacksonville’s, as Fred Taylor reworked his deal to ensure at least one more year in a Jags’ uniform. I was ready to pick MJD in the top-8 next year if Fragile Fred left, but now, he certainly falls. Still, it would be hard not to consider Jones-Drew as a second round pick.

Apparently, Tom Brady’s protection problems extend into the offseason as well.

Good to know Tony Romo is officially over his playoff fiasco – he was recently spotted singing Karaoke (Journey’s “Don’t Stop Believing”) with Mr. Belding from “Saved by the Bell.” You don’t get this kind of pertinent info at ESPN, folks.

A funny thing happened to Willis McGahee on the way to stardom – he never got there. It stood to reason he’d only get better the further he was removed from major knee surgery, but if anything, he’s regressed as a football player. 3.8 YPC without any receiving skills simply won’t get it done. Any team that trades for him will likely be disappointed.

Randy Moss to the New England Patriots has to be the silliest of all offseason trade rumors.

Say it ain’t so, Jake the Snake.

Must (not) see TV – Peyton Manning to host Saturday Night Live March 24.

The Denver Broncos have done it again, absolutely robbing the Lions and Matt Millen in the Tatum Bell for Dre Bly deal. Bell isn’t any good, and Bly is. Bly was on the outs either way, so it’s at least defensible in that aspect for Detroit. Also, it’s clear the Lions are worried about Kevin Jones’ status for the upcoming season.

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14 responses to “NFL Offseason Developments”

  1. Robby Avatar
    Robby

    Does anyone karaoke anything other than “Don’t Stop Believing?”

    Also, when will teams stop trading for Denver backs. It’s like trading for a Rockies outfielder in the mid-90s (e.g. Dante Bichette). In fact, come to think of it, if I’m an NL GM these days, I’m trading for all the American League talent (especially pitching) that I can get my hands on…

  2. RotoScoop Avatar
    RotoScoop

    What would Johan Santana’s ERA be if he pitched for the Padres? 1.80? Below 1.50?

  3. Robby Avatar
    Robby

    Also, pitchers are always more effective when they switch leagues because hitters don’t ‘have the book on them.’ Therefore, I propose that the Giants and A’s swap pitching staffs every year to keep their respective leagues guessing…

  4. Greg Avatar
    Greg

    Nice “protection problems” line….Dallas Clark had to have money on that game.

  5. MaddenDude Avatar
    MaddenDude

    I think McGahee has his line to blame for his lack of success, and the failure at quarterback, other than last year. Anywhere he goes, I think he’ll be solid. His story sounds very similar to Dillons, and we know how that turned out.

    Its funny how Troy Smith went from a late round QB to top 5 pick to late round QB again, I’ve never seen anyone with such range.

  6. Mr. Tintle Avatar
    Mr. Tintle

    I didn’t realize you know Russell that well! Calvin Johnson is the sh!t. However, as the Raiders proved last season, without a QB, an O-line, and a running game, your WR means NOTHING. I was not happy to see Russell arrive in Indy last week looking like a bag of raisinettes, however the screen can’t tell you a life story, and dude, you have not seen him play more than two games or work out privately. Yes, Calvin Johnson will be a pro bowl player for years to come, but so will most of the guys drafted in this years top 10. For as much as people said this draft would be shallow, they are wrong. The Raiders cannot afford to pass up a QB this year. I would not be opposed to drafting Johnson iff they draft Drew Stanton i the 2nd or 3rd rd or if they are able to nab David Carr.

  7. Mr. Tintle Avatar
    Mr. Tintle

    Sorry, I just think it is a tad bit premature to play soothsayer and insinuate that JRuss will be a bust.

  8. RotoScoop Avatar
    RotoScoop

    MaddenDude – You may be right about McGahee. If Denver acquires him, I’m bound to look bad. Should be interesting to see either way.

  9. RotoScoop Avatar
    RotoScoop

    Mr. Tintle – Well, we wouldn’t know if a WR did or did not mean anything with last year’s Raiders, b/c they didn’t have a good one. I agree that Oakland badly needs a QB, obviously. Passing up Cutler and Leinart for Huff will hurt that franchise for the next decade.

    I’m not even proclaiming JRuss as a bust, but I am saying Calvin Johnson is more of a sure thing. QB is no doubt a more important position, but a difference maker at wideout (only about 3-4 of these exist) can also be huge. C. Johnson has that upside. JRuss presents too many question marks for a #1 pick is all Im saying. He very well may go onto have a successful NFL career.

    Also, even w/o Moss, I do understand that WR isn’t a big area of need for Oakland (Porter and Curry are solid enough). And I am no A. Walter fan, so it’s easy to see QB is their NO. 1 priority. Hey, get ready for the Aaron Rodgers era!

  10. Jason Avatar
    Jason

    If the Raiders can’t throw to Calvin Johnson, he is useless. I am a big ND fan, but Russell is a necessary pick for the Raiders. He has the strongest arm and while his mechanics may be subpar, from what I’ve read he has the work ethic to fix it. That is a terrible call on your part.

  11. RotoScoop Avatar
    RotoScoop

    Hey, I agree quarterback is the most important position on the field, and wide receivers are often overrated. I’m just not sure JRuss is going to be any good, but no one really does at this point. It’s too bad we won’t know who was wrong/right for a couple of years.

  12. Dustin Avatar
    Dustin

    I resent that Peyton Manning comment. Peyton is “Mr. Personality.”

  13. RotoScoop Avatar
    RotoScoop

    More on the Russell/C. Johnson debate:

    http://www.sportingnews.com/yourturn/viewtopic.php?t=184159

    Also, the Moss to NE rumor is picking up steam!

  14. Keith Avatar
    Keith

    It all comes back to the Raiders passing up on Leinart. It was beyond stupid at the time, and looks 1,000 times worse now. If they had Leinart, and could add Johnson, or even trade down and get Peterson at RB, they’d probably be at least a .500 team next year. Picking Huff probably set back their franchise at least 3 years. Russell is not the kind of player I want at #1 (same thing with Alex Smith, except there were fewer top players available to tempt other teams to trade up for).

    I hope Peyton wears that silly mustache.

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