Report: Vikings McKinnie to miss four games

by | Aug 14, 2008 | NFL News

While the Minnesota Vikings had a solid offseason the team has been hit by some bad news during the first few weeks of camp.

First, starting defensive end Ray Edwards missed several practices with back issues. Then in the first preseason game, special teams guru/backup linebacker Heath Farwell and backup defensive end Jayme Mitchell suffered season-ending injuries.

Starting safety Madieu Williams was next as it was reported earlier this week that the free agent signee would miss up to six weeks with a neck injury.

Now Sirius NFL Radio is reporting that starting left tackle Bryant McKinnie is likely to get a four-game suspension for his role in a brawl outside a Miami nightclub in February. McKinnie has pleaded not guilty to the offense but the commish isn’t bound by legal decisions in deciding how players will be disciplined according to the league’s personal conduct policy.

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Pete Prisco = Self-aggrandizing ass

by | Aug 14, 2008 | NFL Media

CBSSportsline.com is among the many sites I try to check at least occasionally while searching for content for Zoneblitz which means I occasionally come across their columnist, Pete Prisco.

There are a lot of good reporters covering the NFL, many of whom have been cited here. I constantly learn things from Peter King on SportsIllustrated.cnn.com. The NFL Network’s Adam Schefter, Jay Glazer from FoxSports.com and Chris Landry, a veteran NFL scout who shows up on the radio all over the place, are three more journalists who provide a wealth of knowledge.

Then there’s Pete Prisco. I’m not saying he never provides anything of worth. He definitely pounds the pavement and he is willing to occasionally go out on a limb with his predictions and comments. But then he goes and posts a video like this one that did nothing but steal 58 seconds of my life that I won’t ever get back.

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Cards plan to use James more as receiver

by | Aug 11, 2008 | Fantasy Football

The Arizona Cardinals have had more bad years than good ones over the past decades, perhaps in part because when they do have decent players they don’t use them right?

I’m guessing on that for the most part. But it’s definitely true in the case of Edgerrin James, whom they acquired during free agency from Indianapolis in 2006. In his two seasons in Phoenix James has caught 38 and 24 passes, the latter tying for his lowest production out of the backfield in his career.

The previous seven with the Colts he never had fewer than 44 catches in a season during which he played more than six games – and the year he hurt his knee, 2001, he was on pace to have another 64 catches for more than 500 yards.

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Raiders drafted … Bo Jackson?

by | Aug 11, 2008 | Fantasy Football

ESPN’s Chris Mortenson reported during halftime of the Bengals/Packers game that the Oakland Raiders believe they’ve drafted the reincarnation of Bo Jackson in Darren McFadden, the top draft pick they plan to feed in the running game and out of the backfield.

Actually this is turning into the season of the rookie running back, at least so far. McFadden reportedly was impressive in his first game. Mortenson also cited Dallas’ Felix jones and Tennessee’s Chris Johnson, who busted off a 66-yard touchdown, as rookie runners with a chance to make an impact this season.

“Those three guys are just among the young running backs to keep an eye on,” he said.

It’s been said here at Zoneblitz that Carolina’s Jonathan Stewart will be the top running back of the 08 draft class. I stand by that despite my brother’s uncovering of a toe injury that has had him slowed so far. But I would take Johnson or McFadden on any fantasy team I am operating this year, if for no other reason than a relative dearth of other options on those teams’ rosters.

More good than bad from Rodgers starting debut

by | Aug 11, 2008 | NFL Random Thoughts

Green Bay Packers fans appeared to cheer Aaron Rodgers as he entered the Monday Night preseason game as a starter (was watching with the sound off, so I can’t say for certain). He proceeded to have more ups than downs during the first quarter of his first start.

The first drive got off to a rough start with a false start on first down. He followed up with a six yard pass and then was sacked on a blitz. On third down he hit a receiver in the hands (again, not sure who because the sound was off and I didn’t get a number written down fast enough) but the ball was dropped, bringing up fourth down.

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