Some guys really oughta shut up

It’s the longest, most boring part of the NFL offseason and the media is desperate for stories. Two players without the credentials to be talking smack provided their local outlets with stories, both of whom probably would have been better off keeping their mouths shut.

Selvin Young, yes, the Selvin Young, a running back for the notorious running-back-by-committee-run Denver Broncos, told the Fort Worth Star-Telegram he believes he can becomes the league’s sixth-ever 2,000-yard rusher.

Despite gaining more than 1,700 yards at Texas he was an undrafted free agent last year. He did average 5.2 yards per carry and he led the Broncos in rushing, but with just 725 yards. In order to reach his goal Young has to contend with Travis Henry, Mike Bell, Cecil Sapp, and touted draft pick Ryan Torain, among others – not to mention coach Mike Shanahan’s assertion that while he intends to get Young the ball in different ways this season he sees Young as a 10-to-15-touches-a-game running back, according to the Star-Telegram.

And yes, Young’s comments are brash and probably laughable, but probably not the most laughable of the weekend. Minnesota Vikings defensive end Ray Edwards, who missed four games on a banned-substance-related suspension last year, says he fully expects to break Michael Strahan’s season record of 22.5 sacks this upcoming year, according to KSTP-TV.

Edwards has been a decent player during his time with the Purple. And he does get to line up next to Jared Allen and the Williams Wall (Kevin and Pat). But he’s had five and three sacks during his two years with the team and no matter how much of a benefit playing with those three guys is he’s shown nothing indicating that 22.5 sacks is within his reach – not to mention there’s a good chance he ends up splitting time with Brian Robison, a second-year guy who had 4.5 sacks in fewer minutes than Edwards last year.

Comments like Young and Edwards made have to leave scribes scratching their heads and coaches reaching for bottles of Wild Turkey. I guess one should enjoy and respect their moxie, but it would probably have been much easier for each to attain their lofty goals if they hadn’t drawn this kind of attention to themselves in the first place.

You heard it here first – if either Edwards or Young reach their goals I’ll do … well, I’ll find something crazy to do to commemorate their achievements. I’d be shocked. But I guess stuff like this is what makes sports interesting.