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Pittsburgh the Top NFL Franchise in ESPN the Magazines “Ultimate Standings”
Steeler fans already know boast about how they feel they root for the best football team in the world. Now, ESPN the Magazine has put out their “Ultimate Standings” for the best franchises, and the Steelers rank a very high third overall, tops in the NFL on the list. Here is the presser from ESPN […]

Mark it Down - the Saints Will NOT be Tops in the NFL in Passing in 09
Now after the cursing and swearing is over, you can take a look at what my reasoning is. In 2008 the Saints led the league in passing not just because of Drew Brees great arm but because the offense had to rely on it too much. With a lacking running game and a […]

Now after the cursing and swearing is over, you can take a look at what my reasoning is. In 2008 the Saints led the league in passing not just because of Drew Brees great arm but because the offense had to rely on it too much. With a lacking running game and a porous defense the Saints had no choice but to put the ball in the air a lot.

That shouldn’t be the case this year as the Saints look to have an improved running game and a much improved defense both taking the pressure off Drew to have to try and carry the team on his shoulders game after game.

While this will mean a decrease in overall passing yards there are other categories it will help the passing game improve in. First one is interceptions Brees won’t be forced to have to make as many pressure or clutch throws giving him a better TD /INT ratio.

Completion percentage has always been high butt look for it to also improve (70% maybe)and last but not least QB rating with some of the pressure taken off look for Drew’s passer rating soar.

In 2009 look for Brees total yards and interception totals decrease and his completion percentage and rating to increase and I would expect the TD totals to stay about the same.

What Can the Vikings Do to Improve the Roster Before Camp?
While we all sit and wait for a certain quarterback from Mississippi to decide if his arm is strong enough to withstand the rigors of another NFL season, there is still time and cap space available to upgrade the depth of the roster before the start of preseason camp next month. Here are a few […]

While we all sit and wait for a certain quarterback from Mississippi to decide if his arm is strong enough to withstand the rigors of another NFL season, there is still time and cap space available to upgrade the depth of the roster before the start of preseason camp next month. Here are a few suggestions that could help to make an already strong team even better.

Sign Antoine Winfield!

Then……

There are a few areas of concern with this group. The starters on both offense and defense are pretty much set. As are a lot of the primary back-up positions. But there are areas of depth that remain a concern to me, particularly at the dime back position, back-up safety, offensive line, receiver and special teams.

There are still quality players available via free agency.

One hotly rumored deal that is being bandied around is the idea of signing free agent wide receiver Marvin Harrison to an incentive laden contract. Brad Childress has expressed concern over acquiring a solid possession receiver to “Keep the chains moving.”

That is why the team went on a full court press to sign T.J. Houshmandzadeh earlier this year. Harrison is an excellent route runner who had a sub-par 2008 season with the Indianapolis Colts. He was released by the Colts after catching 60 passes last year. The Vikings were led last year in receiving by Bobby Wade who amassed 53 receptions.

If Harrison has anything left in the tank, then this would be a huge upgrade over anything the Vikings currently have on the roster. Harrison is also the consummate locker room personality with little or no baggage and an elite work ethic, who could teach young players like Sidney Rice and Percy Harvin the proper way that a player should prepare, work and carry himself as a professional. Something that seems to be lacking with Rice and is feared to be absent with Harvin.

There are a few back-up offensive linemen available via free agency as well. Mark Tauscher is coming off an injury and won’t be available until late in the preseason, but is rumored to be interested in an opportunity with Minnesota provided he can be reunited with his old pal Favre. He could provide veteran security at the RT spot and could mentor Phil Loadholt’s transition from the college game to the NFL.

Want a mauler at Guard ? Chris Naeole is still out there. As is Tom Nalen who could serve as a fall back at center if John Sullivan struggles.

As for help in the secondary, CB’s Aaron Glenn, R.W. McQuarters and Deltha O’Neil or safety Will Allen, could all be an upgrade at Dime back although it’s not certain that any of these three would want to serve in that capacity.

What about special teams ? The team has addressed it’s return team needs nicely by drafting Harvin, and by the signing of CB Karl Paymah from Denver and WR Glenn Holt from Cincinnati. But has the coverage units which were among the NFL’s worst last season been properly addressed.

All agree that the return of Heath Farwell will be an immediate improvement, but the team released Vinnie Ciurciu who later signed with New England so is this really enough? The drafting of Jamarca Sanford, Jasper Brinkley and Asher Allen may help, as could a few post draft free agents like RB Ian Johnson of Boise State, FS Colt Anderson out of Montana, Robert Francois is a strong tackling LB from BC, or S DeVon Hall of Utah State may upgrade this poor unit.

What about bringing in a few established special teamers to compete for a job on the coverage team like Edell Shepherd, Oliver Celestin, Michael Boulware, Dante’ Hall, or Fakhir Brown.

I think any and all of these moves could be beneficial to the team. Any Ideas, suggestions or comments?? Let me know! I’m all ears!

Fantasy Rankings: NFC South TE’s in 2009
After a few offseason trades, the NFC South is well represented at Tight End, with perhaps the best at the position now calling this division home. 1. Tony Gonzalez Gonzalez arrival in Atlanta instantly makes him the top fantasy TE in the division. Stuck in a horrible situation playing for a 2-14 team last year, Gonzo had […]

After a few offseason trades, the NFC South is well represented at Tight End, with perhaps the best at the position now calling this division home.

1. Tony Gonzalez

Gonzalez arrival in Atlanta instantly makes him the top fantasy TE in the division. Stuck in a horrible situation playing for a 2-14 team last year, Gonzo had one of his finest seasons, with 96 catches, 1,058 yards and 11 TDs.

And now Matt Ryan’s throwing the ball to him. Look for Gonzalez to be heavily utilized in the passing game and have another 1,000 plus yard, double digit TD season.

2. Kellen Winslow

Acquiring Winslow was a very nice move by Tampa. The talented TE needed a change of scenery after an extremely disappointing beginning to his Cleveland career which consisted of his missing a few seasons from off-field injuries.

In 2008, playing in a troubled Browns’ offense, he totaled just 428 yards and three TDs while playing in 10 game—this coming after his breakout 2007 season.

This year, look for Winslow to rediscover his game and post at least 60 catches, for 800 yards and 7 TDs.

3. Jeremy Shockey

This is really a make or break year for Shockey, who has always ranked well in fantasy due to the hype he received from his rookie season. But in all truthfulness, back-up TE, Billy Miller, played better than he did last year.

In what was expected to be a move which he reignited his career, Shockey managed just 50 catches and zero TDs, even with Drew Brees as his QB.

We’ll give him the benefit of the doubt one more time: Look for a 60-70 catch and 5 TDs.

4. Billy Miller

We’d normally feature a Panther is this slot, but since their leading TE, Dante Rosario, managed only 209 yards and one TD on just 18 catches, it’s quite clear that the TE position has little to no role the Panthers’ offense.

Miller on the other hand, playing in a very potent offense, hauled in 45 balls for nearly 600 yards.

Look for a similar stat line in 2009 as Brees likes to look for his TE’s over the middle.

Draft Tip

Gonzalez should be one of, if not the top TE drafted, and hear his name called from the third round on.

Winslow is still a starting caliber fantasy TE and will be a nice pick after round six.

Shockey could actually end up as a strong fantasy sleeper as he’s certain to be overlooked following last year’s disappointing season while Miller would be a good back-up to add depth to your roster.

Jets Rookie QB Sanchez Feels He’ll be the Opening Day Starter
The Mark Sanchez-Kellen Clemens Jets QB battle that is set for training camp is expected to be one of the better QB battles to watch this summer. Sanchez was the 5th overall pick, and there has not been buzz about a New York Jets QB since the team took Ken O’Brien in the first […]

The Mark Sanchez-Kellen Clemens Jets QB battle that is set for training camp is expected to be one of the better QB battles to watch this summer. Sanchez was the 5th overall pick, and there has not been buzz about a New York Jets QB since the team took Ken O’Brien in the first round years ago (unless you count last year’s Brett Favre saga).

With that, the two have been back and forth during early minicamps, and it appears that Clemens had the early advantage. Sanchez will have plenty of chances though during training camp and preseason games to win the job, and when he talked to NFL.com earlier today, he said he feels he’ll be that opening day starter.

Jets rookie quarterback Mark Sanchez said he feels very good about how he performed in offseason workouts and that he has positioned himself well to earn the starting job. Sanchez is competing with Kellen Clemens for the Jets starting QB spot and earlier this offseason head coach Rex Ryan said it’s a “dogfight” between the two. “Clemens and Sanchez are really battling,” Ryan said. “I knew it was going to be a dogfight and right now, you can tell it really is. We probably won’t know until … whenever it becomes obvious, that’s when we’ll make the decision.

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