Following an exciting first round, we break down the favorite picks, most pleasant and biggest surprises, most under-appreciated pick, worst move and more.
Peyton Manning, Mario Williams, Mike Wallace and Carl Nicks headline an intriguing free agent class that can shift the balance of power this offseason.
The Eagles seemingly came out of nowhere to sign Nnamdi Asomugha as they eye a trip to the Super Bowl.
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Some random football thoughts and observations as we head into the summer camp season.
$.01- The Saints would be foolish to force LT Wayne Gandy into a pay cut. He's their best pass blocker and has earned the trust of the main playmakers, Aaron Brooks and Deuce McAlister. In a pivotal year and with the talent on paper for an explosive offense, GM Rickey Loomis and owner Tom Benson need to prove their commitment to rewarding good play. With the questionable defense the Saints need all the firepower they can get in order to make the playoffs.
$.02- With Akili Smith now apparently finished, 3 of the 5 quarterbacks drafted in the top 12 of the much-heralded class of 1999 are now out of the league. Tim Couch and Cade McNown, the #1 and #12 picks in that draft, are joined in the NFL scrap heap by Smith, who famously proclaimed on a national radio show he would whip the Browns twice every season for a decade for not choosing him with the #1 pick. Smith wound up starting 17 games, throwing 5 TDS and 13 INTs and a passer rating of 52.8. What's amazing is the phenomenal success of the other 1st rounders, Donovan McNabb and Daunte Culpepper. Imagine the different fates had the Browns, Bengals, and Bears drafted those All-Pros.
$.03- The Lions signing of R.W. McQuarters might turn out to be one of the summer's best moves. His ability to play the nickel corner and safety give a team on the rise a much-needed shot of depth and verstatility. His return abilities on special teams can also provide a big lift, as the return game took a big hit when Eddie Drummond broke his shoulder. With Drummond out the Lions went from 1st to 29th in punt return and 2nd to 19th in kick returns. That lack of quality depth has been addressed.
$.04- Rarely a day goes by without another NFL player being arrested. From gun charges to domestic abuse to DUI to drug crimes, this is an issue the NFL and the NFLPA need to take far more seriously. Any felony conviction should result in immediate termination of contract and a 8-game minimum suspension, with the team still holding the players' rights. Any domestic abuse or alcohol/drug violation conviction or guilty plea should mandate a 4-game suspension. The league and the union have traditionally been at the forefront of proactive policy making when compared with the other pro sports, but this genie has destroyed the bottle from which it sprung.
$.05- Backup quarterbacks are the main beneficiary of the prevailing theory that a team must have two solid QBs to succeed. But look at the top teams of the past few seasons--New England, Indianapolis, Philadelphia, Green Bay, Minnesota--and the common denominator is a great starting QB protected by a very strong offensive line. Spending the extra $2-3 million to upgrade the offensive line makes more sense than paying premium dollars for a 2nd string QB that might not take a snap. And it's far easier to develop a cheap, young backup than it is to have a premium offensive line.
$.06- Growing up in greater Cleveland made him a natural enemy, but I have nothing but respect for retiring Steeler broadcaster Myron Cope. His unpolished voice and his refusal to hide his home-team bias endeared himself to Steelers fans and created a more unified, rabid fan base.
$.07- The Arizona Cardinals are a trendy pick to jump forward in the standings, but improving their tackling and line penetration on defense is a must. The Cardinals were dead last in rushing yards per carry against last season at 4.7 ypc. The only significant addition, Chike Okeafor, will help, but far too often the first contact was made three yards downfield, not at the line or in the backfield. The team has a solid secondary and a strong pass rush, so teams will attack with the run until the Cardinals prove they can stop it. If they fail to significantly improve on their run D from last season it's going to be another long season in Phoenix.
$.08- The Dallas Cowboys are perhaps the slowest team in recent history on offense. From the statue of Drew Bledsoe at QB to the straightforward behemoths of Flozell Adams, Larry Allen, and Kurt Vollers upfront, to the unfleet Keyshawn Johnson and injury-marred Terry Glenn at WR, this offense belongs in the Big Ten circa 1975, not today's NFL with all the lightning-quick attacking defenses. Which is why it just might work--it's such a departure from most teams that defenses might struggle to adjust to playing against it.
$.09- A belated goodbye to Sam Mills, who died earlier this spring. Mills made the jump from the USFL to being an impact player in the NFL despite being about 4 inches shorter than most players at his inside linebacker position. The foursome of Mills, Rickey Jackson, Pat Swilling, and Vaughn Johnson in the late 80s-early 90s was as great a linebacking corps as any in the past 20 seasons and was the key reason for the Saints escaping laughing-stock status. Mills was the vocal leader and an inspirational figure for the resurgent Panthers defense as he coached while undergoing chemotherapy for intestinal cancer. He will be missed.
$.10- It's about time for fantasy drafts to kick into full gear. My words of wisdom--never draft a player with the intention of dealing him for someone else at another position; never take a kicker before the final two rounds; a #3 WR on a good pass-heavy team (Rams, Colts, Cheifs) is a better bet than a #1 wideout on a shaky offense with QB issues (Browns, 49ers, Redskins); and be very wary of RBs over 29 years old.
