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.
RealGM Search
The focus of attention this week turns to Indianapolis and the annual Scouting Combine, but the NFL news world never stops turning.
The big news this week is the release of veteran RBs Brian Westbrook and Ladainian Tomlinson by the Eagles and Chargers, respectively. Both are 30, both have seen sharp declines in productivity, and both were deemed no longer worthy of their salaries by their teams. The question becomes, are they both done?
That is a difficult question, particularly with Westbrook, whose problem is as much staying healthy as it is what he can still do on the field. Should he pass the battery of physicals and get clearance for both his chronically balky knee and his recent major concussion, I do think Westbrook can churn out a couple more productive seasons. He is no longer a feature back, but even the Eagles knew that, which is why they drafted LeSean McCoy last year. Pair him with a between-the-tackles runner (say, Arian Foster in Houston or Michael Turner in Atlanta) and feed him 8-10 carries and 4-5 receptions, and Westbrook can still be a very effective piece of the puzzle.
I don?t feel the same way about LT. All the physical qualities that made him special are no longer special. That patented jump step, the side shuffle and burst out of it, the great balance when hit low--it all seemed a distant memory the last couple of seasons. I think it spoke volumes that the Chargers often kept him on the sidelines when they really needed to run the ball, choosing mighty-mite Darren Sproles or Mike Tolbert more often as the season progressed. LT still has some value as a 3rd down back, a guy that can play single back in a spread set and protect the QB while providing a viable receiving threat. The Bears and Redskins, among others, have a pressing need for that role. But his days as a 10+ carry per game are done.
And in a way, I hope he hangs it up. I?m old enough to have seen O.J. Simpson play...as a 49er. I never understood why people thought he was so great, because my memories are a guy who just ran real fast right into people and couldn?t cut. It took some NFL Films viewing later on to see his greatness with the Bills.
I remember Emmitt Smith shamelessly cashing checks in Arizona, and Franco Harris stumbling in Seattle. I respect that they all couldn?t let go of the game, but it reminds me of how much more I appreciate Barry Sanders and Jim Brown (thanks again, NFL Films!). They saw they weren?t the same players anymore, and they walked away. I don?t need to see LT putting up 3.3 yards per carry again and looking even slower on a 3-13 Bears team. Do your legacy a favor and hang ?em up, LaDainian.
There are other ramifications with these releases. LT and Westbrook join Jamal Lewis, Willie Parker, and Chester Taylor as marquee-name veterans free on the open market. All are beyond their primes (except maybe Parker), and they could very well be joined by some other backs (Clinton Portis? Reggie Bush?) who still have yards left to offer. That over saturates the running back market, and that bleeds down into the draft.
This is not a particularly strong draft class for the RBs. Even without the glut on the market, Clemson?s C.J. Spiller might be the only first-rounder in the class. When a team can sign a proven veteran runner and spend that second or 3rd round pick on a need elsewhere, they?re very likely to do so. That?s bad news for the likes of Jahvid Best, Ryan Mathews, Toby Gerhart, and the tier below them as well. At least that?s the vibe I?m getting heading to Indy.
