Here are some thoughts about what I think has transpired since the NFL and the Players Union have reached an agreement on collective bargaining for 10 years:1.The Patriots went all in with the trades for Albert Haynesworth and Chad Ochocinco. These are great moves in the short term. The problem is in the long term Haynesworth and Chad will revert to their old ways. Think about this, when the Patriots signed Corey Dillon and Randy Moss, both of these guys drank the Belichick Kool-aid for two seasons then reverted back to their selfish ways. Also I doubt Haynesworth will be in shape which is sure to irk Coach Bill.
2. The Eagles have also put all their chips in the pot. Getting Nnamdi Asomugha away from the Jets and from the rival Cowboys is a huge coup. The Eagles now have superior corners with Rodgers-Cromartie and Asante Samuels. Will they keep Samuels is the question still lingering but with Vick and the offense looking explosive and their defense shored up on paper, the city of Brotherly Love has a lot to look forward to. Asomugha is the best corner in football. He can cover his guy as well as tackle really well. The Eagles will be dangerous for years to come.
3. I really don't know what all the fuss is about Kevin Kolb going to the Cardinals. Has anyone looked at the fact he has only played in 11 career games? He has the same amount of playoff wins as Carson Palmer, zero!! I don't know if he will be a savior for the Cardinals but let's not get carried away with all the hype around him.
4. Speaking of Carson Palmer, the Browns are doing him a disservice by not trading him. Palmer has been a good solider and not complained about the circus that has been around him for the last six years. However, last year he did ask the team to bring in T.O. and they did and the team was really bad. If the Bengals are smart they will wait until next offseason to deal Palmer for a higher draft pick. It is the Bengals and Mike brown did say they will not deal him. And that's why the Bengals are perennial losers.
5. The Colts philosophy of staying the course and not being aggressive in free agency is going to hurt them in the long run. Asomugha would have fit great in their scheme or making a run at another or big time linebacker. With Peyton Manning stating that he will take less money for them to go after players is a big statement. Manning just wants to win and I don't blame him. He sees his window of opportunity closing to win a championship and his competitors are getting better. The Colts need a more physical offensive line and a big time running back to give Manning some help. Otherwise they will just win 10 or so games and will continue to have early exits from the playoffs.
6. Reggie Bush to the Dolphins will make the Saints weaker. Brees will miss Bush's versatility.
7. I've mentioned before how three of the top ten players drafted in the 06 draft have had star-crossed careers. Vince Young and Matt Leinhart are now back ups and Bush has been traded. At least everyone will remember that National Championship game.
8. The Broncos and Dolphins have really made life on themselves difficult. Just complete the trade for Orton so that the Dolphins will have a quarterback and the Broncos can find out if Tebow is the answer. (Of course the trade could send the Broncos into an even longer and darker hole by losing Orton)
9. Can you name the only three rookie quarterbacks to throw for 3,000 yards in their first season? Answer below
10. The Packers and Steelers have been real quiet at the beginning of the off-season. Maybe their philosophy will be to wait until they have some injuries. With the glut of free agents on the market, maybe the smart play is to wait until you have a need a fill it at that time.
Answer to #9 is Peyton Manning, Matt Ryan and Sam Bradford. If Ryan and Bradford have half the career of Manning then these two franchises are in terrific shape for the future.
Thanks for reading....
