Darling & Webb battling for No. 2 slot?

by | Jun 17, 2008 | NFL Random Thoughts

One had to guess that the Kansas City Chiefs were heading into rebuilding mode this year. They traded away arguably their best defensive player in Jared Allen for picks before the draft and they realized last year the need to rebuild their offensive line.

Just how far it had slipped wasn’t entirely clear until I read this story indicating that the team’s No. 2 WR slot is open for competition between, among others, Devard Darling and Jeff Webb.

No offense to Darling and Webb – I hope they do well and make it big. But if that’s the best you’ve got to roll with into training camp for an offense run by the also extremely questionable Brodie Croyle, you’ve got to be wringing your hands a bit.

Based on the numbers, Darling appears to be the more explosive of the duo. He’s joined the Chiefs this year from Baltimore and is entering his fourth season, though before last year he last appeared in a game in 2004. His career numbers include 20 catches for 331 yards and three touchdowns, all but two catches for five yards accumulated last year.

Webb was a sixth round pick in 2006. He has 31 catches for 336 yards and one touchdown and he did appear to come on at the end of the 2007 season, finishing with 28 catches for 313 yards and that sole TD.

The Chiefs added some nice offensive pieces during the draft including potential left tackle Brandon Albert, running back Jamaal Charles from Texas and two tight ends. But the only additions at wide receiver were fourth rounder Will Franklin and sixth rounder Kevin Robinson – both of whom are written about more in project-like terms than in glowing, can’t-miss-type formats. I don’t think anyone expected the Chiefs to be looking at a playoff spot this season, but it could be a longer year than anyone expected in KC, Mo.

Irvin to Goodell: Show players the hall

by | Jun 15, 2008 | NFL Random Thoughts

I never liked Michael Irvin nor the Dallas Cowboys of the mid-1990s that were winning Super Bowl after Super Bowl. I thought Irvin was an arrogant jerk on the field and his off-the-field exploits involving hookers, cocaine and seedy Dallas hotels are the stuff of legend.

But recently Irvin has had at least one good idea – he convinced NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell to make a visit to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio mandatory for rookies when they enter the league. That’s the best thing the league has done since imposing upon its first-year players the Rookie Symposium.

With many of the bad seeds in the NFL apparently feeling they have arrived just by showing up it’s vital that these clowns get a look at the history of the game – the people who sacrificed, bled and breathed football during a time when most players had to take off-season jobs in order to make a complete living.

New Falcon Matt Ryan in this ESPN piece says it best. “It makes you realize you got a great opportunity,” he told the Web site. While his English leaves a bit to be desired, Ryan appropriately tipped his cap to what came before him and appreciation for his opportunity to become the next great quarterback.

Clearly this move isn’t single-handedly going to rid the league of thugs and clowns. But it can only help in providing some context and some appreciation for what makes the NFL the strongest professional sports league in the world. And that can’t be a bad thing.

Idiot Henry suspended indefinitely

by | Jun 13, 2008 | NFL Breaking News

Unemployed former Cincinnati Bengal wide receiver Chris Henry was suspended indefinitely Friday pending the result of the trial regarding whatever number arrest this is for him.

This was a no brainer and should have been expected.

Henry is an idiot and is the poster-child for unfulfilled potential – this guy is the definition of million-dollar talent, ten-cent head.

Henry is a moron. He likely ends up sitting out all of 2008 after sitting out eight games last year. This guy has sooooooo much talent it’s unbelievable.

Yet he is too dumb to put aside chasing teenage tail and drinking too much for just a few more years. What a waste.

Ogden retiring, Ravens to suck

by | Jun 11, 2008 | NFL Breaking News, We Forgot

As my brother stated earlier today I am on record uttering the rather tepid statement “the Browns will be a team to watch this year.” I’m not really going out on a limb with that prediction – it could mean I think the team will win 13 games and win the Super Bowl just as easily as it could mean I think they are going to be a complete trainwreck.

In truth I think the Browns will be something around the 10 win team they were last year – maybe a game better, maybe a game worse – but I think they will be a helluva fun team to watch. The schedule is tougher this year, which is the only reason I hedge, but I think it’s a team with the potential to reach the playoffs and make some noise when it gets there.

My next statement will be a bit more concrete: The Baltimore Ravens will suck in 2008. Steve McNair, who was a shell of his former self the last couple years, hung it up, leaving the failed Kyle Boller and the unproven Troy Smith and Joe Flacco to battle for the starting QB position.

They face something like a dozen 2007 playoff teams during a daunting upcoming schedule. And they now are going to have to do so without left tackle Jonathan Ogden, who will announce his retirement on Thursday.

I had the Browns pegged for anywhere between four and six wins this season – I’d shoot for the lower end of that now with Ogden retiring. He also had slipped with physical issues at the end of his career, but he still on experience alone was among the top left tackles in the league.

The line is of lesser quality, the quarterbacks have potential but little experience and the defense largely is aging. That’s not a good combo – if I were in Vegas I’d have the Ravens in my top two or three guesses to have the top pick in the 2009 NFL draft.

Benson gives Bears reason to cut him

by | Jun 9, 2008 | Fantasy Football, NFL News

Move Matt Forte higher on your fantasy football draft lists.

Cedric Benson has officially joined Curtis Enis and Rashan Salaam as recent Bear busts at running back. The Bears finally had enough of his lack of production coupled with his offseason antics, which most recently included his second alcohol-related arrest in a month.

The first time he was on a boat and denied being at fault. Instead of keeping his nose clean in an effort to strengthen his credibility, Benson was arrested Saturday, June 7, this time for drinking and driving in a car.

“Given the incident last month, it was a particularly bad decision. I have no excuse for this lack of judgment. Though I strongly believe that I am not guilty of any crime, I realize that the public and the Bears organization hold me to a higher standard,” Benson said in a statement picked up by media outlets.

Well, in all likelihood Benson will get off on these two drinking offenses with little repercussion and he’ll sign with another team. But I think the Bears were looking for a reason to get rid of him anyway. I think Matt Forte should shoot up fantasy draft lists, not into the first round or two, but definitely into the second- or third-tier of backs. He potentially jumps to the top of the list of rookie backs with a chance to make a significant contribution.

And Benson, well, Benson probably blew his best chance at being an NFL feature back. His value was limited before he got cut. At this point he’s a late round draftee if at all.