May 16, 2006

DOLPHINS SIGN MARCUS VICK. AND JOEY HARRINGTON. SABAN SANITY QUESTIONED.

by JJ Cameron

 Vick Breaks Loose
Could Nick Saban have broken into Ricky Williams' stash? How else to explain the odd moves by the Miami head coach?

The club has recently inked two less than stellar quarterbacks. First, there was the trade for Joey Harrington. If Daunte Culpepper doesn't recover quickly from his injury, the former third overall draft pick could actually start under center on opening day for the Dolphins. That's hilarious.

Now, the team has gone ahead and signed Marcus Vick. A frequenter of the Files' legal section, Vick is best known for being stupid enough to ruin his draft status by stepping on opponents and carrying around guns. He's also the younger brother of Michael Vick and, as far as we know, is STD-free.

If either of these new Dolphins are actually throwing passes for the team, you might wanna rest Chris Chambers that week. But start whatever defense is taking the field against them!

     
   
     

May 12, 2006

DRIVER’S SEAT: PACKERS GIVE RECEIVER EXTENSION

by Michael Stephens

All along, Donald Driver vowed that he wouldn't be like Javon Walker in his quest for a contract extension. Yesterday, the Green Bay wideout remained true to his word and signed a four-year deal with the Packers.

Driver may not end up getting paid as much as Walker, if the latter earns all the possible money in his contract with the Denver Broncos, but he got more guaranteed money — as well as the chance to stick with the team he loves. The 31-year-old Alcorn State product signed a four-year, $17 million deal that keep hims in Green Bay through 2009.

The receiver had two years remaining on a five-year, $11 million extension he signed in November 2002, and was scheduled to receive base salaries of $1.36 million this season and $1.84 million in 2007. Despite a $4 million signing bonus as part of that deal, he was underpaid compared to other wide receivers throughout the league. Not any longer.

Donald Driver

"Donald is a special person as well as a special player," said Packers V.P. Andrew Brandt Thursday night.

The contract replaces the remaining two years on his previous deal and Drives (if you will) Donald's pay scale up considerably.

Driver will receive a guaranteed $5 million bonus, with a 2006 base salary of $950,000, and subsequent base salaries of $2.7 million, $2.9 million and $3.9 million in the next three years. More importantly, he's clearly in the Driver's seat (so to speak) as far as Green Bay's fantasy fortunes go. All the interceptions Brett Favre throws won't be docked from Driver's totals, which are sure to be impressive.

See if you can steal Donald in one of your draft's early rounds and prepare to Pile Drive your competition. Sorry. We'll stop now.

     
   
     

April 11, 2006

THE PRICE IS RIGHT AGAIN IN BUFFALO

by JJ Cameron

Price Returns to Buffalo

So, which Peerless Price will Buffalo be getting over the next four years? Now that the Bills have signed the wide out again, they have to be wondering if they'll receive the player that accounted for nine touchdowns and over 1,200 yards in 2002; or the one that completely sucked during subsequent stints in Atlanta and Dallas.

With Eric Moulds in Houston, a spot opened up in Buffalo. The expectations for Price, however, won't be as high as they were with the Falcons. Expect him to compete for the second receiver slot behind possible fantasy sleeper, Lee Evans.

"Peerless has shown what he can do," Willis McGee said. "It's just a matter of getting refocused and rekindle his career by showing he can do it. He hasn't lost a step."

Or a cool name. Even D'Brickashaw Ferguson is jealous.

     
   
     

April 2, 2006

JOEY HARRINGTON TO SWIM WITH THE DOLPHINS IN MIAMI

by JJ Cameron

Fans, meanwhile, will soon start clammoring for the first-round bust to be swimming with the fishes. After Detroit brought in six dozen quarterbacks to replace JoeyEnjoy the Joey Era, Miami! Harrington, the Dolphins have decided that he’s still worth a two-year contract.

Know where this is headed, Miami fans? If Daunte Culpepper isn’t ready to go to begin the season, the team will take on the defending Super Bowl champions - on prime time television - with Harrington behind center. Is it too early to lay money on Pittsburgh?

The former Oregon Ducks’ star was a major let down during his time with the Lions. Although the club had inexplicably announced Harrington would remain the starter a few weeks ago, that decision was quickly reversed. Now Miami followers have to be asking themselves a simple question:

Was Ryan Leaf unavailable?

     
   
     

NATE BURLESON SIGNS WITH SEATTLE

by JJ Cameron

Burleson was a Disappointment Last SeasonThe wide receiver derby continues. Eric Moulds was the latest to change teams … until Nate Burleson signed with the Seahawks. Originally from the Emerald City, Burelson signed a seven-year contract that could be worth as much as $49 million.

The signing could be considered pay back for Seattle. After Minnesota nabbed star lineman Steve Hutchinson in free agency, the Seahawks locked up the player that was supposed to have taken over for Randy Moss last season. Burleson was a let down, however. Many fantasy teams that took a risk on him in an early round regretted the decision soon after.

The addition of Burleson can only increase the value of Matt Hasselback on your fantasy squad. The signal caller could be one of the top five quarterbacks taken in your draft.

     
   
     

March 23, 2006

KEYSHAWN HAS CAROLINA PANTHERS ON HIS MIND

by JJ Cameron

Keyshawn Stumbles Into CarolinaOk, so the Files can’t be right all the time. A couple days after reporting that Keyshawn Johnson might sign with New York, the selfish possession receiver inked a four-year deal with Carolina instead.

While far from a dominant talent, Johnson is the ideal complement to Steve Smith. With Keyshawn patrolling the middle of the field, expect Smith to be open even more often on go routes and bombs. Could he even be the first receiver drafted in your fantasy league? We think so.

Thanks to this result and the previous one of DeShaun Foster, the Panthers have built an offense to go along with a stingy D. They should be the favorite in the NFC to reac the Super Bowl next season.

     
   
     

March 22, 2006

AARON BROOKS SIGNED TO HELM OAKLAND ATTACK

by JJ Cameron

The question of who Randy Moss will scream at for the ball has finally been answered in Oaklad. After severing ties with Kerry Collins - and watching other top QBs such as Drew Brees sign elsewhere - the Raiders signed Aaron Brooks to a two-year, $8 million contract.

The former New Orleans signal caller has had an up and down career. Brooks, 30, has averaged an impressive 25 touchdown passes - and a bevy of inane interceptions - over the last five years.

A mobile passer similar to another recently signed quarterback, Daunte Culpper, Brooks will certainly have many targets in Oakland. Aside from Moss, Raiders’ wide outs include Jerry Porter and Ronald Curry. But don’t be fooled. Certain fantasy footballers that will remain anonymous drafted Brooks as their starter last season - only to see him benched by New Orleans during a 52-3 drubbing and then waived before the year ended. He MIGHT be worthy of a late round selection.

Aaron Brooks, Welcome to Oakland

     
   
     

LINEMEN FIND NEW TEAMS; MAY AFFECT FANTASY RUNNING BACKS

by JJ Cameron

No matter what fantasy football league you participate in, you won’t be able to draft offensive linemen. This is a given. Systems can’t exactly reward points for pancake blocks. Nevertheless, a couple recent signings/cuts may affect your drafting strategy for the most important fantasy position: running back.

Let’s start in Seattle. The Seahawks did NOT match the offer to star guard, Steve Hutchinson. What will his signing with Minnesota mean for reigning MVP, Shaun Alexander? Most pundits believed that Alexander’s last couple of stellar seasons were due, in large part, to the league’s top offensive line in front of him.

So, is he still worthy of a top pick?

Larry Allen Brings the Pain In Dallas, meanwhile, players news continues to make fantasy waves. First, Terrell Owens signed. He’s a jerk. Not receiving as much publicity, however, was this week’s release of All-Pro lineman, Larry Allen. A really fat anchor on the line for 12 years on the team, Allen opened up holes for Julius Jones last season.

Where do you draft that running back now? And how many times will the statue known as Drew Bledsoe be sacked as a result of this decision?

The true fantasy football players follow such moves as these. They know, for example, that Keyshawn Johnson signing with the Giants affects more than just your wide receiver selection. This would also enhance New York’s running game because Keyshawn can, at least, block. It may bump Tiki Barber up even higher on your chart.

     
   
     

March 20, 2006

TERRELL OWENS: BIG RISK IN BIG D

by Michael Stephens

Back in his days with the 49ers, Terrell Owens gained notoriety for his celebrations on Texas Stadium’s star at midfield, as his team trampled host Dallas.

Owens Signs With Dallas

Now, expect such celebrations to be commonplace as Dallas’ public enemy #1 has become simply… #81. The tremendous headache / receiver signed a three-year deal worth $25 million with the Cowboys and is out to prove he got a bum rap at Philadelphia and, before that, San Francisco. But will Dallas see the best wideout in the NFL, or its biggest locker room cancer?

Jerry Jones is banking on the former. A little extra salary cap room (per the revised collective bargaining agreement) and a chance to snare a marquee free agent were enough to sway the maverick owner. Dallas will be giving Owens a $5 million signing bonus and $5 million salary for 2006. After that, Owens is slated to earn $7 million in 2007 and $8 million in 2008, but whether he makes it to that point is a different matter.

If Owens’ tenure in Philadelphia is any indicator, he should have a monster year this season, then wear out his welcome. Just ask Donovan McNabb, or Eagles offensive coordinators past and present — Brad Childress and Marty Mornhinweg. All went to bat for Owens when coach Andy Reid was mulling whether the Eagles should trade for the mercurial one in 2004. Against his better judgment, Reid made the deal.

The San Francisco migrane would become his. Just as it has now become property of Jones. Owens did all the right things in 2004, as he put up MVP-worthy numbers and staged a near miracle in playing in the Super Bowl weeks after breaking his leg. But when the Eagles wouldn’t bump up his seven-year, $48 million deal prior to last season, his ego broke loose. But will he do the same to Bill Parcells?

Only time will tell, but look for T.O. to have a monster fantasy season in 2006. He’s got a chip on his shoulder and would love nothing more than to stick it to chief NFC East rival Philadelphia by taking Big D to the top of the heap. Even with an offense that struggled last year, Owens will make everyone better and get plenty of balls thrown his way. He’s easily one of the best receivers in football and your fantasy draft should reflect this.

All bets are off in 2007, though.

     
   
     

March 16, 2006

McCOWN NEXT QB BROUGHT IN TO HELP REPLACE HARRINGTON

by JJ Cameron

We may have spoken too soon. Or, at least, Matt Millen may have when he named Joey Harrington his club’s starter next season. Wait, Millen make a mistake? That’s unheard of.

Josh McCown Joins Detriot

Now that Detroit has signed its THIRD quarterback of the off-season, it’s likely that Harrington’s tenure as a Lion is finally, painfully over. The latest acquisition is Josh McCown. The former signal caller in Arizona, McCown inked a two-year deal and should complete with Jon Kitna for the starting assignment.

Of course, there’s also Shaun King. Millen signed him, as well. So, just to review:

That’s three wide receivers taken in the first round over the last three years and three quarterbacks signed over the last three weeks.

    Is there a reason why Millen has had this job for more than three days? Oh, he also signed Mike Martz. That could explain this recent QB explosion. Martz probably plans to start them all in a new flex offense of some sort. Let’s hope Marcus Vick is ready to have his named called by Detriot on draft day.

         
       
         


     
         
         
       
         
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