Arrh! Who the Bucos be acquiring…

This time of year is usually busy in the far-ish western Virginia suburbs of Washington DC, with the Redskins bringing in everyone and their cousin for workouts, dinners and signing press conferences. However, this year’s fiscally-restrained Redskins have done little more than re-sign a bunch of their own guys. Danny Snyder’s team got brief mention in the rumors for Lance Briggs, Adam “Pac-Man” Jones and Chad Johnson. Yet Briggs re-signed with Chicago, Dallas is the leading contender to trade for Jones with no mention of Washington and there have been no recent rumors about any team talking to Cincinnati about Johnson. Only D.J. Hackett came in to Ashburn and he signed with Carolina. So with the Burgundy and Gold (or Maroon and Black if you’re Coach Zorn) relatively inactive let us see what the Pewter and Red is doing.

Incoming: C Jeff Faine (New Orleans) , DE Marques Doulgas (San Francisco), RB Warrick Dunn (Atlanta), TE John Gilmore (Chicago), TE Ben Troupe (Tennessee), QB Brian Griese (Chicago), LB Leon Joe (Buffalo), LB Matt McCoy (New Orleans), LB Teddy Lehman (Detroit), DE Jimmy Wilkerson (Kansas City), DB Eugene Wilson (New England).

Faine, who was signed a few hours after the open of the free agency period, was the subject of indirect tampering accusations against the Buccaneers by Chiefs’ HC Herm Edwards. I’m not smart enough to grade OL play unless its glaringly good or bad, so I can’t say whether he’s an improvement over John Wade. Douglas (a Howard guy!) is a serviceable addition to the Buc’s DL rotation. Dunn I blogged about earlier; he should be fine in the likely Bucs’ RB platoon. Gilmore and Troupe are just guys at TE.

Griese’s acquisition is further driving me to the conclusion that Jon Gruden may be insane with QBs. Griese’s best days are likely behind him, he was a Pro Bowler once, though it wouldn’t be impossible for him to have a Chris Chandler-like renaissance for a season or two. He was very shrug worthy in Chicago last season, but nobody looks good lining up with Cedric Benson, a man who really needs to be in a platoon to be a good NFL RB. My semi-educated opinion is that Griese is not starter material, but a long relief QB. He’s better over 10 games replacing your starter, than he would be over 3-5 games.

The Bucs now have six QBs. Jeff Garcia is the starter, but just turned 38. He’s pretty durable, so I don’t think the long relief role for Griese makes sense. Griese is the QB2 unless he trips on Cadillac Williams’ dog or something. Luke McCown (5 years) and Bruce Gradkowski (3 years) are both youngish QBs with decent limited starter potential who will compete for the QB3 job. Chris Simms, currently opting out of voluntary team workouts, is likely gone, though the Bucs keep holding out for a trade instead of an outright release. I’m not sure even the Redskins would trade for a mediocre QB coming off a spleen injury. Then last off-season, for reasons I cannot fathom, the Bucs got Jake Plummer or at least his signing rights. The White Aaron Brooks retired after the 2006 season, sparing us more of his brilliant fourth quarter comebacks partially caused by his well-timed fumbles and interceptions earlier in the game. Plummer, like Kerry Collins, DeShaun Foster, Rashaan Salaam, Brodie Croyle and well, Aaron Brooks, is one of those guys I just have it in for as pros. I’m too lazy to search engine this, but I remember hearing Plummer was burned out on football. To top things off the Bucs are interested in adding University of San Deigo QB Josh Johnson in the draft. Go for seven! Maybe Gruden can have his brother Jay bring Shane Stafford with him from Orlando once the Arena League season is over for the Predators? Go for eight!

Joe and McCoy I know nothing about. Lehman was a bad-ass at Oklahoma, who had a great rookie year with the Lions and has had injury problems since. Wilkerson seems a tad heavy for a 4-3 DE at 290 lbs., but knowing the Bucs, he’ll probably rotate in at DT and DE. Wilson was a S for the New Evil Empire of the NFL, but will switch to CB in Tampa.

Retained: RB Michael Bennett, DE Kevin Carter, LB Antonie Cash, CB Sammy Davis.

Bennett was a good RB when younger. He hasn’t had a lot of scrimmage work the last few years and was out the middle of last season with an injury. I don’t like his odds in the platoon with Dunn and Earnest Graham. It gets worse for him if Cadillac Williams comes back healthy. Carter re-signed after being cut, he’s OK at this winding-down point in his career. Wow, he’s gotten hefty at 305 lbs. Cash I know nothing about and I’ll defer on joking about Davis.

Outgoing: TE Anthony Becht (St. Louis), CB Brian Kelly (Detroit), S Kalvin Pearson (Detroit).

Becht was the last of three TE’s drafted by the Jets’ in the 1st round between 1992 and 2000. Becht’s receiving numbers are even worse than the previously criticized Kyle Brady and both their Jets catch totals are pathetic compared to Johnny Mitchell. I’m sure Becht threw some good blocks though. Becht was just a guy in Tampa, of whom little was expected outside of blocking. I’m sure Al Saunders is eager to add Becht’s annual 12 catches to his high power offense. Nah, he just wants him to block for Steven Jackson. Kelly is a good pro who should help the comical Detroit secondary. I know nothing of Pearson, maybe he can help too.

Unsigned: DE Jovan Haye (RFA), WR Mark Jones, G Matt Lehr, RB Michael Pittman, DE Greg Spires, TE Jerramy Stevens, LB Jeremiah Trotter, C John Wade.

Haye should be re-signed by the Bucs. Lehr could help the Redskins. I understand system continuity and all that, but I think (based on my near zero knowledge) that he would have been an improvement over Jason Fabini as a back-up OG. He’s certainly younger. Pittman has been on the receiving end of much scorn from me for his domestic abuse history, though he’s apparently been on good behavior since arriving in Tampa. He’s 33, coming off an injury and has been little more than a decent pass catching RB the last three seasons. This might be it for him. I don’t have much to say about the other guys right now.

Maybe It Isn’t Restraint…

Free agent WR D.J. Hackett signed a fairly humdrum contract with the Carolina Panthers yesterday. Casually, I figured it was a near lock he would sign in Washington; new coaches always love to bring a few guys from their old team with them, the Redskins need taller WRs and he wasn’t going to be all that expensive. In his blog last week, Washington Post Redskins beat writer Jason LaCanfora had the Redskins at $7.7 million in cap room, not counting money for draft picks and injury signings. Hackett’s reported $3.5 million for two years deal, would seem to fit under that.

Perhaps the Redskins are, after years of avoiding it through contract restructurings, in cap hell? Fox Sports Radio morning host Steve Czaban, has been speculating on his local afternoon drive time show that Dan Snyder’s troubles with his other high profile entertainment venture, Six Flags Amusement Parks, is at least some of what’s driving the new, restrained Redskins. I doubted Czaban, seeing as how Redskins fans continue to be suckers for Snyder’s marketing (even I may soon cave in and buy a Sean Taylor Pro Bowl jersey) and the franchise continues to generate big piles of our cash. However, if the team can’t make a modest free agent signing of one of the head coach’s old players, I have to wonder.

Random Note from the St. Patrick’s Day ESPN2 Game.

I caught a couple of minutes the Dallas Desperados 51-40 victory over the Colorado Crush on ESPN2. So Jerry Jones’ team beats John Elway and Pat Bowlen’s team. For some reason the Verizon FioS TV preview of said I should expect a three hour episode of the NFL Live, but I’ve learned not to take that too seriously.

Anyway, would be perpetual Desperados QB Clint Dolezel suffered a shoulder injury all the way back in week one, resulting in Chris “not Aggie, not Buckeye” Sanders taking over the QB job while Dolezel spends his minimum four weeks on injured reserve. This Sanders (from the University of Tennessee-Chattanooga, T.O.’s old school) is short, even for an Arena QB, 5′ 11″, so he might actually be like 5′9″. Dolezel still calls the play as Desperados offensive coordinator. Marcus Nash, flaming first round bust pick for the Broncos back in 1998, caught a modest 6-62 yards. He’s actually had an excellent Arena League career; most high picks who flop out of the NFL don’t even try the Arena League. His teammate, Arena League lifer Will Pettis, caught a Ricky Sanders-like three TDs in the third quarter (not historic, merely a good game in the pass-skewed Arena League stats) to pull the game out for Dallas. Colorado QB John Dutton apparently hit his first eleven passes. The nominal RB for the Crush (he had 1 carry for 1 yard and a TD) is Robert Thomas, former Cowboy FB.

The af2 season starts next week. af2 is the Arena League’s official minor league affiliate and even I haven’t heard of any of the players. However, I have heard of some of the coaches, often former players building up experience. I’m going to have to do a sweep of af2 and all 89 of its franchises to see who turns up. Former Broncos and Dolphins RB Bobby Humphrey was a head coach for a while in af2, I think for the Birmingham Steel Dawgs or something.

Two Weeks of NFL Free Agency

The day after my earlier (like two weeks ago) NFL Free Agency post where I noted the bizarrely high volume of DTs that had been traded, yet another DT was traded.  Marcus Stroud was sent by Jacksonville to Buffalo in exchange for draft picks undisclosed.  Stroud is coming off the IR list following an ankle injury, in turn following a mid-season steroid suspension.

There’s not much point in recapping all the transactions when other places do that better.  What’s interesting to me is guys who have gotten cut and resigned and particularly guys being “returned” to their old teams after going somewhere else.  Let’s see what’s out there:

Jevon Kearse DE – The man once known as “the Freak” because of scary athletic ability at his size was released by Philadelphia and is back to Tennessee, where the younger version of him was a star.

Justin McCareins WR – Released by New York Jets and also back to Tennessee, joining former Southern Cal Wonderboy and indirect Maurice Clarret victim Mike Williams and a bunch of guys in the Titans WR corps.

Ty Law CB – Released by Kansas City.  Has had a great career but he’s aging.

Gus Frerotte QB – Released by St. Louis. The great headbanging journeyman QB is still in the league.  Fifteen seasons and somebody will probably call.

Isaac Bruce WR – Released by St. Louis, signed by San Francisco.  The man who replaced Henry Ellard, and I believe the last Los Angeles Ram still in the NFL,  plays out his string by the Bay, alongside former Notre Dame QB turned not bad WR Arnaz Battle and the disappointing Darrell Jackson.

DeShaun Foster RB – Released by Carolina, signed by San Francisco.  The first guy on this list that I hated in college, because I thought he had no pro game and was hyped to be an NFL star.  Why Carolina waited so long with hoping that he or DeAngelo Williams would be their answer at RB I don’t know.  Just because he’s 230 lbs. and can run a 40 yard straight line in 4.4 seconds shouldn’t mean he gets several years of chances at RB.  Bum gets to compete with former Penn State QB turned RB Michael Robinson to back up Frank Gore.  I think it’s neat the 49ers are collecting QB conversion projects.  They should try to get Ronald Curry and Matt Jones for their WR corps.

David Carr QB – Released by Carolina, signed in New York Giants.  Carr’s injury problems last year led to the amusing spectacle of 44 year old Vinny Testaverde coming off his couch to QB the Panthers.  His signing probably costs a job to two of my favorite back up QBs: former University of Kentucky fat boy Jared (6′4″, 280-290 lbs.) Lorenzen or the 21st Century’s Mike Tomczak, Anthony Wright.

Lorenzo Neal FB – Released by San Diego.  I consider this guy, with apologies to the much younger Dan Kreider, the great blocking FB of this generation.  Ancient though, theoretically might have been blocking for Dalton Hilliard in New Orleans.

Kelly Holcomb QB – Released by Minnesota.  The Mike Tomczak of the early 21st Century, before Anthony Wright took the title, will likely find work again.

Anthony Thomas RB – Released by Buffalo.  The ‘A-Train’ was a big star at Michigan, only so-so as a pro, and has reached the dread age of 30 for NFL RBs.  Unless he becomes a third-down guy, this is probably the end for his NFL career.  Given his previous fame though, is the kind of guy who ends up with the Raiders.

Mike Anderson RB – Released by Baltimore. The high school marching band guy who learned to play football while in the Marine Corps and ultimately got a scholarship to the University of Utah.  It was a great story nine years ago and he got his turn (two actually) in the Bronco’s instant 1K yard season machine, but this is also probably the end of his NFL career.

Javon Walker WR – Released by Denver, signed in Oakland.  I remember when this guy was going to be the next Brett Favre #1 WR in Green Bay.   Then the injuries came.  The Raiders overpaid to get him, but that’s what they’re down to now.

Alge Crumpler TE – Released by Atlanta, signed in Tennessee.  Bizarrely receiver productive for a short TE.  Has experience bailing out a gun-armed, running QB who is a sloppy passer.

Byron Leftwich QB – Released by Atlanta.  ESPN’s Bill Simmons speculated on one of his podcasts that one of the reasons Drew Bledsoe is out of the NFL when older QBs are still finding work, is because Bledsoe has the mobility of a statue.  I wonder if this might drive Leftwich out of the league as well?  Even when healthy he was a bad runner.  Though I wish the best for H.D. Woodson High School’s own.

Joey Harrington QB – Released by Atlanta, re-signed with Atlanta.  The guy who made me start thinking of Jeff Tedford as Steve Spurrier West.  To think University of Oregon/Nike got this guy a billboard in Times Square to hype his Heisman run!  Now he’s competing with Chris Redman and whomever the Falcons draft pick is this year.

Warrick Dunn RB – Released by Atlanta, comes back to Tampa Bay.  Dunn has had an amazing, possibly Hall of Fame quality career, but he’s fading.  Asked for and was granted his release after the Falcons brought in this year’s hot free agent RB Michael “The Burner” Turner from the Chargers.  The Bucs backfield has a bunch of guys coming off injury and Dunn does his best work in a platoon, so he could stick, despite his fading.  Perhaps this is the Bucs’ opportunity to jettison the NFL’s former (though he’s been on good behavior in Tampa) Dean of Domestic Violence, Michael Pittman.

Rod Coleman DT – Released by Atlanta.  Used to be a very good pass rushing DT.  I think he started as a LB; he wore ‘57′ with the Raiders.

Terrence Holt S – Released by Arizona.  Torry Holt’s not as famous brother is on the market.

Trent Green QB – Released by Miami, goes home to St. Louis.  He should hang it up.  Sure, it’s safer as a back up QB, but if the Ram OL implodes again and Marc Bulger gets knocked out it’s going to be dangerous out there for him.  You don’t really want to sign up for concussion number three.  I’m a bit stunned that Todd Collins re-signed with Washington and didn’t get this job to follow Al Saunders.

Samkon Gaddo RB – Released by Miami.  An occasionally decent RB, I like this guy because he’s a nurse.  Well, that’s what his degree (from Liberty University, home of a I-AA program that turns out a surprising number of NFL players) is in, I doubt he’s taken any of the certification and licensing.

Marty Booker WR – Released by Miami, returns to Chicago.  These days he’s the Ordinary Average WR.  Opposite Chris Chambers, he was part of an unusually symmetrical group of stocky starting WRs in Miami, where both guys were 5′11″ and 215 lbs.

Brandon Lloyd WR – Released by Washington, signed by Chicago.  One of the most hated recent Redskins, along with QB Mark Brunell, S Adam Archuleta and PK John Hall.  I hope the Bears have better ideas at WR than him, Booker, Mark Bradley, former Arena Leaguer Rashied Davis and 2005 Belitnikoff Award winner Mike Haas.

Mark Brunell  QB – Released by Washington, signed by New Orleans.  Who are the Saints kidding?  Do they think his arm is back to serviceable after he had last year off?  He certainly can’t run anymore.  Maybe they just want a nice guy (Brunell is hated in Washington for his play or lack thereof, not his personality) in the locker room?

Trent Dilfer QB – Released by San Francisco.  This guy would probably be a better back up then Brunell.  Dilfer is the Ordinary Average QB.  He’s had a respectable, long career, including a Super Bowl win, but with the passing ability he showed in college, I expected more than a strangleball QB.  Jeff Tedford’s first famous disciple.  We shall see if Aaron Rodgers breaks the trend.

Bubba Franks TE – Released by Green Bay.  Former first round pick.  I hated this guy from a fantasy football perspective.  Despite playing for the Packers, I failed to notice he had 54 catches and 7 TDs in 2002, following 9TDs in 2001.  His yardage totals aren’t great and he’s coming off injury.

Kevin Jones RB – Released by Detroit.  Former Virginia Tech star has been an injury-riddled disappointment as a pro.  Should get a look somewhere else.

Kyle Brady TE – Released by New England.  Another guy I hated in college.  Part of the nasty good 1994 Penn State team, he got hyped into the first round due to being a member of that team.  Being a knee-jerk contrarian, I began rooting against him.  Sure he was a good blocker, but he was a very run of the mill receiver and TEs don’t become first round picks just to block.  I forgot he pulled in 64-729-3TD for Jacksonville in 2000, but he’s otherwise a 30 catch a year guy.  I concede that he’s had a good NFL (13 season) career, but I stand by saying that he brought nothing special to the TE position.

Mushin Muhammad WR – Released by Chicago, goes back to Carolina.  Took some incredible years as a possession receiver with the Panthers into a couple of so-so years with the Bears.  Having not-Rex Grossman and not-Brian Greise as QBs might help, unless Jake Delhomme is still a mess.

Lewis Sanders CB – Released by Atlanta.  Former Terrapin, Washington needs CB help, bring him in cheap.

Takeo Spikes LB – Released by Philadelphia.  Used to be a wicked good LB with insane athletic ability, but is now old and coming off an torn rotator cuff.

Derek Smith LB – Released by San Francisco, signed by San Diego.  Starting Redskins MLB back during the early Norv Turner years, wound up with the 49ers and started there for a really long time.  Gets to rejoin good ‘ole Norv in San Diego.

Zach Thomas LB – Released by Miami, signed by Dallas.  I really thought he was going to New England, but he is originally from Texas, so this makes sense.  Unlike Foster and Brady, this guy I rooted for to make it in the NFL since he was short (5′ 10″) and slow (IIRC he clocked a 4.9 at the combine) but had made some unearthly number (like 144 his senior year) of tackles in college.  He’s had an excellent, probable Hall of Fame career as a MLB and is coming off injured reserve.  Sadly, expect him to be just fine for the Cowboys next season, though that concussion is quite a concern.

Reader Service Stewart and Rancher

Apparently this blog is drawing search engine hits for Auburn University FB Carl Stewart and University of Massachusetts WR Rasheed Rancher and their hopes in the NFL draft. Considering I’ve mentioned each guy once, I have to give credit to WordPress for getting that into the search engines.

I can’t say I saw Stewart play at all this year (his posted stats are typical for a blocking FB) and there’s little point in my regurgitating his draft evaluations from Scouts, Inc. (supporting ESPN) or NFLDraftScout.com (supporting NFL.com). He posted good combine performances at the 225lbs. bench press, vertical and broad jumps, so maybe he can audition for American Gladiators. It’s mathematically possible we have another Franco Harris situation (Harris was mostly a blocking FB at Penn State and had a Pro Football Hall of Fame career as a RB), but I’d guess if Stewart gets into the NFL, he’s got a career of special teams goonery ahead of him. Still a lucrative, if painful way to make a living. Get read up on investing Carl, you’ll make six figures but it’ll be touch and go with your roster spot.

Rancher was a bullet off my first ever post and his case is more interesting to me. His career numbers are unexceptional for a college starter. Averaged a little over 20 catches a year, 16.X per catch average, 3-4 TDs, as a red-shirt sophmore and junior (couldn’t beat out Brandon Hasselbeck for playing time?), then made the big jump as a senior to 49 catches, 20.6 yards per catch, 9 TDs.

However, Rancher is very (6′5″) tall. The NFL loves tall receivers. Yet Rancher merited neither a NFL Combine invite nor did he make the ESPN.com draft prospect list. He was on none of the rosters for the big post-season all-star games, the Senior and Hula Bowls, the East-West Shrine Game and the Texas vs. the Nation game. What did Rancher do wrong not to warrant at least a look? Is he really slow in ways a fan like myself can’t see? Does he really suck after watching his gamefilm? Is he sick of football and wants to do something else? All quite possible, but I’m puzzled. There are a number of other tall WRs in this year’s draft class, but it’s not like the class is overflowing with them. For what it’s worth, according to the ESPN list Indiana University WR James Hardy is 6′5-1/2″ (not 6′7″ as he was at one point) and their tallest receiver is Stanford’s Evan Moore at 6′5-3/8″.

University of Richmond WR Arman Shields, who like Rancher played in the CAA, got an invite to Combine and he was out most of last year with injuries. He had 14 catches in three games for 125 yards. His previous season numbers are better than Rancher’s but not exceptional. He’s 6′1″, a bit above NFL average but not dramatically so. Now Shields did very well at the combine, tied (among WRs) for second in the vertical leap at 37.5″ and eighth in 40 yard dash at 4.44 seconds, so he’s worth taking a look at. But not Rancher? Maybe a undrafted free-agent mini-camp invite then?

I’ve never understood the logic of who gets scouted as a good prospect. Perhaps if you show enough flaws that your measurables don’t help, you never make the lists we in the general public see. About ten years ago, back when tall pocket passing QBs still had value, North Carolina’s QB was a guy named Chris Keldorf. UNC ran a reasonably pro-like system and Keldorf was (at least by UNC stats, so have salt ready) 6′5″and 240lbs. After his senior season, when UNC was 11-1 and Keldorf was Gator bowl MVP, he never got much mention as a prospect. Never turned up in any pro football league I followed. Did he have flaws? From what I can dimly remember, yes. But what was wrong about Keldorf that wasn’t wrong in back-up QB to the stars Matt Cassel? Cassel who backed-up Carson Palmer and Matt Leinart at Southern Cal is now on his fourth season in the NFL backing up Tom Brady. Us amateurs have barely seen this guy play when a game mattered, but he can make it. As Jim Mora, Sr. was famously quoted as saying about those of us outside “You don’t know and you’ll never know.”

Brett Fav-re Ret-ires.

Ahead of the 1999 draft, the often unreadable ESPN the Magazine ran a cover photo titled “QBallers: They’re Bringing a Whole New Game to the NFL.”  The photo had Donovan McNabb, Daunte Culpepper, Akili Smith and Cade McNown.  The accompanying article, if memory serves, made a point of discussing the “black” QB style: improvisational play-making and running a lot, whether for yards or to make a throw.  If the quite Irish-looking McNown was a “black” QB, I wonder why Brett Favre never got considered as such?

The obvious answer is pure rushing yards.  Favre’s top running year was 1993 for all of 216 yards and 1 TD.  Steve Young, arguably a “black QB” himself, ran for 407 yards and 2TDs that year.  McNabb ran for 629  yards and 6TDs in 2000.  Even McNown, whose pro career was a bust, managed 326 yards and 3TDs in 10 games during the 2000 season.

The definition of “black QB” or less ethnically defined “mobile, risk-taking QB” is slippery and subjective.   I’m a tad racially insensitive but even I’ve always preferred the latter term as I think the European- and African-American QB’s who have that kind of game (John Elway and Randall Cunningham) have more in common with each other than with their co-ethnics (Jim Kelly and Warren Moon) who don’t play that way.  For me, making crazy throws that work while running away from defenders (even Michael Strahan) is most important and Favre was the most successful of the mobile risk-takers.

Running for yards only really counts when you have a special talent.  Our current generation is unusual in that there are (or were) two such talents in the NFL, Vince Young and Mike Vick, while McNabb and Culpepper’s productive running days are in recent memory.  Otherwise, it’s great for Cleo Lemon personally to be a better runner than any given McCown brother, but if any of those guys are under center for your NFL team, Lemon’s ability to run isn’t going to be much help.  Even Young and prior to his jailing, Vick, are both criticized for their problems in running a productive passing offense.

Back to the biggest story in American sports, Favre leaves with the a lot of NFL career passing records, a Super Bowl victory and three MVP awards.  The media worship was tiresome, last year’s Fox Thanksgiving tribute especially so, though the backlash, with the exception of Frank Caliendo’s John Madden skits, against the adoration was on its’ way to being as annoying.  I can’t connect with the “common man of troubles and triumphs” theme that seems to dominate the retirement coverage, but I remember Favre for his toughness, recklessness and good fortune not to be hampered by those characteristics.

I consider great QB play to be about great passes combined with great decision making.  Favre’s decision making is at best very good, but won’t be mistaken for great.  Being fussy about definitions, I can’t consider him the best QB I’ve seen play, but he’s the best football player I’ve seen play QB.  Still need to go find some Sammy Baugh gamefilm.  Sure, it’s weasel words, but it’s my blog.

Since re-alignment, the Packers are no longer a twice annual opponent for my Bucs, so my only sigh of relief is that I don’t have to hear another offseason of “Will Brett Favre reitre?” in the sports media.  Though we may be looking forward to several months of “Will Brett Favre return with another team?” since Favre oddly didn’t turn up at the Packers’ press conference yesterday.  His only public statement, and dubiously at that, was a long voice mail he left with ESPN NFL reporter Chris Mortensen.  Favre finished this past season as one of the league’s best, though I like the symbolism of his last pass being an interception in the NFC championship game.  It is a fine testament to Favre’s blend of success and recklessness.  Thanks for the great career you maniac.

Arena League Starts!

I love the Arena League. I don’t follow it as closely as I used to when there were fewer teams and (ironically) the internet was a lot slower, but I try to keep an eye on it. The days when I was “scouting” for future NFL stars as part of my Mel Kiper wanna-be act are over, but I enjoy the sport.

So the AFL’s second season as part of the Disney/ABC/ESPN family begins today with the Dallas Desperados @ Georgia Force game on the big broadcast network. Actually the Los Angeles Avengers beat the New Orleans VooDoo 59-42 last night, which shows poor scheduling and hype management by the league. Speaking of subsidiaries, the Desperados are owned by the Cowboys, or at least by Jerry Jones. A couple of years ago, one of the Cowboys assistants, I think ST coach Joe Avezanno, spent his offseason as the Desperados HC.

Anyway, I’m going to lazily go through the Division Previews posted on the Arena League’s website and make quips about the players highlighted:

Southern Division -

Georgia Force: DE R-Kal Truluck – This guy with the odd name had a cup of coffee with the Redskins seven to nine years ago. QB Chris Greisen – Thought he might make it in the NFL or give the CFL a shot. I’m sure he’s gotten an NFL camp invite.

New Orleans VooDoo: QB Steve Bellisari – Ohio State is getting good at turning out interesting lower level QBs.

Orlando Predators: DB Kenny McEntyre – Thought he would have made the jump up to the NFL by now, but he’s 10 years in so it’s unlikely.

Tampa Bay Storm: WR/LB Lawrence Samuels – Good Lord, Redskins LT Chris Samuels’ older brother is STILL playing here and was leading receiver last season? He must be 40 by now! At one point I think the Storm offense consisted of Lawrence Samuels getting thrown to by Fred McNair (Steve’s older brother, not that guy who used to play with the Chiefs) and that might have been after having Jay Gruden (brother of Jon) as the QB.

Central Divsion -

Chicago Rush: QB Sherdrick Bonner – Finally leaves the Arizona Rattlers after forty seasons there. Aside from clipboard holding duties with the 1998 alcons Super Bowl team he hasn’t gotten any NFL work. Between #3 Bonner, then 30, starter Chris Chandler, then 33 and #2 Steve DeBerg, then 45, that must have been the oldest QB trio in a Super Bowl. I have a football card of Bonner as the QB for the Montreal Machine of the World League of American Football, the early nineties incarnation of what became NFL Europe/Europa. There was also an NBC Dateline piece back in like 1998 or something where some of the Rattlers non-football jobs were profiled. Bonner was a sales agent in the Rattlers ticket office. He loves football. WR/OS Damian Harrell – Arena League WRs struggle in the NFL. Off the top of my head, Mike Furrey is the only one to do well, and he was brought in as a safety. Still, I’m surprised Harrell hasn’t gotten a look.

Colorado Crush: John Elway and I think Pat Bowlen’s joint venture. QB John Dutton – Once a low-level find pick in the NFL, now in the midst of a career in the 50 yard indoor war. DB Chris Angel – He has time to do this and his magic act? Oh, different guy.

Kansas City Brigade: These guys have been in business for two seasons already and I didn’t notice. QB John Fitzgerald – Is this the guy from Lafayette? He was coaching in af2 last season. WR Mike Horacek – Kurt Warner brought this guy into camp with the Rams one year, but he couldn’t hack it. WR Boo Williams – I think this is the big WR from the University of South Carolina and not the guy who was a TE for the Saints.

Grand Rapids Rampage: QB Adrian McPherson – Former wonderboy recruit at Florida State who got into some bizarre gambling and theft charges and got kicked off the team. After a year in the Arena League, I think he got drafted by the Saints and sat on their bench for a year before returning to the Arena League. QB James MacPherson – I nothing about this guy, but he is the back up here. Can they find a McPhearson or MacPhearson to play QB too? This is better than when the Saints had Billy Joe Hobert and Billy Joe Tolliver as QBs.

Western Division-

Arizona Rattlers: Ah, the post-Sherdrick Bonner era begins. WR Siaha Burley – Didn’t he already play for them? QB Jeff Smoker – Awww, he’s down here? It’s more fun for me to crack Waterworld jokes about NFL backups! DL Wendell Gaines – When he was a Cardinal, they actually used him as a goal-line TE. He’s the Rattlers all-time sack leader.

Los Angeles Avengers: They used to sell Spanish versions of their merchandise. One of these days I’m getting my Los Angeles Vengadores t-shirt. I’m not sure I’ve heard of anybody on this team. Some of the names look familiar, but in a vague way. Ha!

San Jose Sabercats: Your reigning Arena Bowl Champions! I think Al Noga finished his football career here, or was a coach. QB Mark Grieb – Another QB I thought might do something in the NFL, but didn’t. You gotta love AFL numbers, Grieb threw 100 TDs last year! The previously mentioned Adrian McPherson threw 51 in five games with Grand Rapids. DL Ronald Jones – Popeye Jones? The great NBA journeyman third string PF? Probably not. I never tire of this joke.

Utah Blaze: DL Dwayne Missouri – I always wanted to form a line with this guy, Winnipeg Blue Bombers DE Tom Canada and Cincinnatti Bengals LS Brad St. Louis. Have former Lions LB Antonio London behind them and get former Ohio State WRs Reggie Germany and David Boston to hang around with them. Yes I’m easily amused and yes, ESPN’s Bill Simmons is going to sue for gimmick infringement if I’m not careful. QB Joe Germaine – Another recent Ohio State guy. Careful up in Baltimore Troy Smith. Did Craig Krenzel just decide to go to medical school? Germaine is a good fit “down” here. WR Aaron Boone – He just signed to be utility IF with the Nationals. It’s hard to be a two sport athlete… OK, I’ll stop. HC Danny White – The sometimes forgotten not that bad Cowboy QB. He was coach of the Rattlers for almost as long as Sherdrick Bonner was QB there.

Eastern Division-

Cleveland Gladiators: Formerly of Las Vegas. HD RedZone Channel and Fox Sports Radio Host as well as Reston’s own Andrew Siciliano was their play-by-play guy. This might fit as Siciliano likes Cleveland, or at least the Indians for some reason. QB Raymond Philyaw – One of several Philyaws playing pro football, he was once the QB for, I think, the XFL’s Chicago Enforcers. Or it was the NY/NJ Hitmen. He’s otherwise an AFL lifer.

Columbus Destroyers: Geez, even Arena teams are leaving Buffalo. Actually, they’ve been in Columbus a while now. DL Kelvin Kinney – Hey! Another guy who had a cup of coffee with the Redskins. A Virginia State (yes, it’s a real school, Division II in Petersburg) boy made good! DL Winfield Garnett – I remember this guy at Ohio State and just figured since he was large and played big time college ball he had NFL stuff. Obviously I’m wrong.

Dallas Desperados – OL Aaron Gibson – Is this the Aaron Gibson who was a RT at the University of Wisconsin at 6′3″ 400 lbs.? I know that guy dropped down in the 350 lbs. range to play, briefly in the NFL. How does have the endurance to play Arena Ball? QB Clint Dolezel – Yet another guy who I thought would make the jump. This is why I scout for fun only. WR/DB Will Pettis – This guy is pretty good for the Arena League. DL Colston Weatherington – I actually thought he was still in the NFL. Needs to hang around Giants FB Madison Hedgecock. QB Chris Sanders – I know nothing about this guy, but if only he were ten years older he could have been throwing to WR Chris Sanders (Ohio State) and TE Chris Sanders (Texas A&M).

New York Dragons – Ah, the old company football team. I used to work for CA, and our company founder bought the former Iowa Barnstormers and moved them to Long Island. QB Aaron Garcia – Sherdrick Bonner of the Barnstormers/Dragons franchise. WR Kevin Swayne – Washed out of camp with the Jets, I think he played in the XFL too. WR Chris Anthony – This guy seems like he’s been there as long as Garcia. WR Damien Groce – back for another round. This is my nominal favorite team in the AFL.

Philadelphia Soul – Jon Bon Jovi and Ron Jaworski’s side project. QB Tony Graziani – I dimly remember a few fools thinking this guy was the Falcons future after Chris Chandler retired. Ha! WR Chris Jackson – Another good AFL lifer. WR Chris Horn – Turns up in the NFL occasionally, years ago I used to have to remember when seeing ‘Horn’ on the fantasy free agent wire that it was this guy not Joe. OL Martin Bibla – He was supposed to have NFL stuff coming out of the University of Miami.

And there you have it. I wonder what Spambots will attempt to link to this?

Let’s trade DT’s! Plus 2008 NFL Free Agency at 34 hours in.

Oh sure, Asante Samuel signed a free agent deal, leaving the New England Patriot machine for the Philadelphia Eagles.  And while the Washington Redskins are not in “cap hell” (the best thing that front office does is avoid this), the budget is tight enough that they’ve publicly said they’re going to be judicious this year with free agents.  Their only signing so far has been bringing back QB Todd Collins. 

However, the most interesting thing for me is how many trades there were yesterday and how most of them involved defensive tackles:

• Carolina Panthers – DT Kris Jenkins to New York Jets – 3rd, 5th round picks.
• Dallas Cowboys – DT Jason Ferguson to Miami Dolphins – undiscolsed picks.
• Green Bay Packers – DT Corey Williams to Cleveland Browns – 2nd round pick.
• Detroit Lions – DT Shaun Rogers to Cleveland Browns – CB Leigh Bodden, 3rd round pick.
• Minnesota Vikings – WR Troy Williamson to Jacksonville Jaguars – 6th round pick.
• New York Jets – LB Jonathan Vilma to New Orleans Saints – conditional 2009 pick.

Perhaps Williamson, Bodden and Vilma will all bulk up and start playing DT as well?  Looks like Phil Savage and Romeo Crennel want to redo that Browns DL.  Williams was the Packers franchise player and had 7.5 sacks last season.   Rogers is often a great player, but like Jenkins is getting larger, which is always worrisome with DTs.  Ferguson has been a good player but is coming off IR.  Jenkins was unhappy in Carolina.  I don’t know jack about Bodden, Vilma is a very good player but coming off IR and Williamson is a disappointment.  I believe he was drafted with one of the picks the Vikings got for Randy Moss.  He spent much of last season taking care of the affairs of, I think his grandmother, who had raised him and had just died.

Another inconsistent, but more productive WR, former Virginia Tech Hokie Ernest Wilford, left Jacksonville to sign with the Dolphins as did former Raider QB Josh of the Throwin’ McCown brothers.  The Dolphins signed four other free agents, most notably former Giants LB Reggie Torbor, whose last name is almost ‘Robot’ backwards and actually a pretty good LB.  McCown is a decent number 2 QB, though I wouldn’t be surprised if either he or his brother Luke (with Tampa Bay last season) had a one of these late career Chris Chandler/Vince Evans/Rich Gannon revelations and puts together a couple of good years as a starter.

In addition to Williamson, Jacksonville added the occasionally very good Jerry Porter from Oakland to their WR corps.  The Jaguars also added Cleo Lemon,  QB for most of last year’s miserable Miami Dolphins, to back up David Garrad.  Jags Player Personnel VP James Harris, the first black man to start at QB in an NFL game, seems to be making a point in stockpiling black QBs, but his choices have been brilliant.  I somehow saw a number of Dolphins games last year and Lemon showed usable back up ability between all the sacks, fumbles and interceptions.  Don’t ask me how I see this ability, I can’t explain it, but his TD:INT ratio was 1:1 on a hideous 1-15 team.

San Diego Chargers QB Billy Volek, at one point casually mentioned as either the successor to Steve McNair in Tennessee or the next free agent find, has quietly re-signed to be Philip Rivers back up.  The following words are strange to type: the Browns resigned Pro Bowl QB Derek Anderson.  We’ll see if Anderson still has ‘it’ this season, I think he does, or if he fades back into ‘enh’ play as another one-year wonder QB like Damon Huard.  QB Chris Redman, once one of the many QBs Brian Billick’s genius sought to develop in Baltimore, re-signed with the Atlanta Falcons.  For a guy who spent the previous year selling insurance, Redman put up some decent numbers throwing to Falcons’ “Roddy White and some disappointments” receiver corps.

The Bucs signed C Jeff Faine away from the Saints.  Guess that’s it for John Wade.

I’m still meaning to do a blog post on the more interesting guys who got cut so their teams could make salary cap, even if by the time it goes up half the guys will already have been signed somewhere else already.  I’m a nobody blogger, not a serious journalist.