Chiefs get Cassel … but what about defense?

by | Feb 28, 2009 | 2009 Trades, NFL Random Thoughts

The Kansas City Chiefs Saturday received Matt Cassel and Mike Vrabel from the New England Patriots for a 2nd round draft pick, a relative song considering the price tag that allegedly had been hung on the backup to Tom Brady.

John Clayton and John Seibel on ESPN Radio this afternoon were doing some solid analysis of the first couple days of free agency. They’re two of the better hosts out there and they definitely have their hands on the pulse of the league.

But when they said Tony Gonzalez and Dwayne Bowe have to be thrilled with the acquisition of Cassel, I’m not sure I agree.

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Redskins start free agency with a bang

by | Feb 27, 2009 | NFL News, NFL Random Thoughts

In 2006 the Washington Redskins spent large chunks of cash and draft picks to bring in luminaries such as Andre Carter, Adam Archuleta, Brandon Lloyd and Antwaan Randle El, with only the latter remaining on the team.

The next two offseasons the Redskins were uncharacteristically quiet during free agency, appearing to have learned from 2006 and several other high-priced free agent mistakes acquired since Daniel Snyder bought the franchise.

Last year, as Washington sat on the sidelines, it was the Oakland Raiders that went on a free agency binge, doling out millions of dollars on a bunch of malcontents and scrubs. The constant cash register ringing earned ridicule from us at Zoneblitz.com among others.

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Lions considering moving Backus to guard?

by | Feb 22, 2009 | NFL Random Thoughts

With the NFL Combine taking place in Indianapolis, speculation about the NFL draft – and specifically the new direction for the Detroit Lions – is beginning to run rampant.

The Lions are getting advice from media folks all over the country. Pete Prisco of CBSSportsline.com says the team should definitely take QB Matt Stafford from Georgia, a move Zoneblitz forcefully argued against several weeks ago.

ESPN believes, as I do, that the team should identify the best left tackle available and take him to start building this team in the trenches.

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Favre retiring again … stay tuned

by | Feb 11, 2009 | Hall of Fame, NFL News, NFL Random Thoughts

Could it be?

For the second offseason in a row, good ol’ number four is retiring.

Brett Favre has instructed his agent to tell the New York Jets he has decided to retire, according to ESPN.

Last year Zoneblitz predicted that Favre’s retirement would be short-lived. I had a hunch the guy would be back for at least one more last minute comeback win over my hometown Vikings.

I’m not 100 percent convinced he’s done for good this time, but I’m leaning toward believing it. Favre looked pretty rough the last quarter of the 2008 season. He can still fling the pig but with increasing frequency it ends up falling to the ground or fluttering into the hands of defensive players.

He’s not the same player in the cold either.

Nonetheless, if he does retire it’ll close the book on an interesting and at times amazing career. And when Tony gets around to writing the 2014 Hall of Fame post Favre’s name will definitely be on the list.

Cardinals chances of repeating getting more difficult

by | Feb 7, 2009 | NFL Random Thoughts

I was thoroughly impressed with the Arizona Cardinals during their post-season run to the Super Bowl and, while they arrived a season or more before I thought they would, I’ve thought even over the last couple years that they looked like they might at least be inching in the right direction.

That said, continuity is a major contibutor to success in the National Football League and it’s looking less and less like the Cardinals are going to have a lot of that going for them in the fall of 2009.

Dan Patrick on his morning radio show earlier in the week interviewed a Cardinals beat reporter from the Arizona Republic. I missed the guy’s name but I heard him say he was virtually certain that running back Edgerrin James was a goner during the offseason.

Tim Hightower and J.J. Arrington played a lot during the regular season it was James who did the heavy lifting in the run game when the Cardinals actually dedicated themselves to having a run game during the postseason.

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