Ryan to start as rookie for Atlanta

by | Aug 24, 2008 | NFL Breaking News

Matt Ryan, the Atlanta Falcons first-round pick, will start at quarterback during the team’s first game of the season against Detroit.

Ryan completed 32 of 52 passes for 277 yards and two touchdowns with one interception during three preseason games, beating out Chris Redman and Joey Harrington for the job.

While Ryan clearly has more upside than the other contenders and he has reportedly looked solid during the preseason, this decision will undoubtedly raise the question once again over whether or not rookies  should start at quarterback.

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Umenyiora might miss season with knee problem

by | Aug 24, 2008 | NFL Breaking News

The New York Giants have suffered a blow in their efforts to repeat as Super Bowl Champions. Defensive end Osi Umenyiora, a key pass rushing contributor during the big run last season, suffered serious ligament damage in his knee Saturday night.

Umenyiora, according to the Newark Star Ledger, will undergo surgery that is likely to knock him out for the season.

The Giants have some depth at defensive end. Justin Tuck had 10 sacks during the regular season and might have been the best defensive player on the field during stretches of last season for New York and converted linebacker Mathias Kiwanuka could move back there as well.

But the injury coupled with Michael Strahan’s retirement cost the Giants 109 regular season tackles and 22 sacks – not to mention half of what was an unbelievably successful rotation during the playoff run.

The Giants are certainly not out of the running in the NFC East and beyond in 2008 – but the road has gotten much, much tougher already.

Reports: Warner to start in Arizona

by | Aug 24, 2008 | NFL Gambling, NFL News

Reports from the SportingNews.com and ESPN indicate that Kurt Warner, not Matt Leinart, will start at quarterback for the Arizona Cardinals.

While the Arizona Republic quotes Leinart as saying he is satisfied with his play this preseason, it appears as though the coaching staff didn’t like the 2.8 passer rating Leinart posted while putting up three interceptions Saturday against the Oakland Raiders.

“It’s very little things,” Leinart told the Republic in a story published before the Raiders game. “but things that are easy to clean up.”

He’ll apparently have time to clean those things up from the sidelines while Warner suits up with Larry Fitzgerald, Anquan Boldin, Edgerrin James and company when the Cardinals open at San Francisco on Sept. 7.

Incidentally, the Cardinals have been installed as a three-point favorite over the 49ers in that game, according to VegasInsider.com. While the Cardinals have looked better with Warner right now I think the Niners and the points look pretty good.

Merriman injury makes 2008 season even murkier

by | Aug 24, 2008 | Fantasy Football, NFL Gambling

Last year I was in Las Vegas in July for a conference as teams were preparing to head to training camp. I loved almost every move New England made, from trading for Randy Moss and Wes Welker to adding Adalius Thomas and Donte’ Stallworth. Coming off their disappointing early playoff exit the year before the Patriots dominated the offseason and put themselves in a position to not only contend, but dominate.

I put small futures bets down on the Patriots to both win the AFC and the Super Bowl and as the Patriots steamrolled through the regular season undefeated I felt very good about my bets.

Well, one of those bets turned out well and the other I narrowly lost. I can live with that – that’s why they call it gambling.

But as the 2008 season approaches – and my next Vegas trip is a mere 10 days away – I have no strong feelings yet about who will emerge as this year’s Patriots.

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Ray Rice to cost McGahee his job?

by | Aug 21, 2008 | Fantasy Football

Reports out of Baltimore have had Ray Rice looking good in the early preseason. He had a 42 yard run against Minnesota last week and finished a drive with a six yard touchdown.

Mike Preston of the Baltimore Sun is now reporting that he wouldn’t be surprised if the Ravens cut the cord on McGahee as well. McGahee, who angered Buffalo fans on his way out of town, has apparently frustrated many Ravens front office types with his poor work ethic and he apparently doesn’t know his plays.

I’d be a little surprised if he got the boot before the season starts, but for those fantasy players out there, score one to keep an eye on and one to possibly stay away from.