Good morning folks, well all 3 of you. This is what's going on in the world of football this morning.
Gore Breaks Hand
49ers running back Frank Gore suffered a broken hand during practice on Monday. Since he gets paid to carry the football this would be an issue. Gore is a consensus top 5 fantasy running back. He is only expected to miss 1 week of practice. Keep an eye on this as if the hand doesn't heal it would have huge implications for your fantasy draft.
Raiders interested in Culpepper
It is being reported that the Raiders are in talks with Daunte Culpepper. Since Culpepper doesnt' have an agent and represents himself we really mean that they are in talks with Daunte. We know that talks between the Raiders and #1 pick JaMarcus Russell have bogged down (more on that in a minute) so this could be a move for insurance against a lenghty holdout or a way to turn up the heat on negotiations with Russell. Either way it would be a nice pickup for the Raiders but would not be a long term solution as Culpepper is looking for a one year deal from whomever he signs with.
Raiders, Russell not talking money
The issue with the contract for #1 overall pick JaMarcus Russell is not money but the way the contract is structured. The sticking point seems to be the second year option bonus that can't be forfeited. This is also the hangup between the Panthers and their first-round pick, LB Jon Beason. Both of these holdouts could be lengthy and will do nothing but hurt the rookie potential of both players.
That's all for now folks, back this afternoon with more training camp reports.
Tuesday, July 31, 2007
Monday, July 30, 2007
Hall of Fame coach Bill Walsh dies at age 75
Hall of Fame Head Coach Bill Walsh passed away today at the age of 75 after a long battle with lukemia. He won 3 Super Bowls as coach of the San Francisco 49er dynasty of the 80's. He is widely known to be the master of the "West Coast" offense. It revolutionized the sport and many of his assistants have found jobs as head coaches in the league. Walsh learned his craft at the feet of one of the greatest innovators of all-time, Paul Brown. He inherited a mediocre franchise in San Fran and created a powerhouse with great players in a great system. He helped create legends out of Joe Montana and Jerry Rice. His footprint on the NFL will be seen for generations to come. RIP Mr. Walsh you will surely be missed.
Sunday, July 29, 2007
Sunday Morning NFL Nuggets
Pats reach deal with Meriweather
The New England Patriots signed their first-round draft pick, safety Brandon Meriweather to a five-year contract. The deal is worth $8.75 million with $6 million on guaranteed money.
Brandon can play both corner and safety and it has been reported that he will do exactly that for the Pats. He is a perfect fit for New England as they love players that can play multiple positions. He is a big hitter who can cover as well.
He will make an already good defense better immediately. He could be a good IDP pick as well as he should rack up nice tackle numbers
49ers lock up first-round pick, LB Willis
The San Francisco 49ers have signed their first-round draft pick, linebacker Patrick Willis. The deal is for five-years with $12 million guaranteed.
Willis, the overall #11 pick, won the Butkus award as a senior at Ole Miss where he recorded 137 tackles with 11.5 for a loss. He has good speed and excellent instincts to the ball. He can play either inside or outside in the 49ers 3-4 scheme.
Willis is a tackling machine so look for him to record 100 or more tackles. He is an excellent sleeper in IDP leagues. The 49ers also have a good young defense and should be considered a starter each week depending on the matchup.
The New England Patriots signed their first-round draft pick, safety Brandon Meriweather to a five-year contract. The deal is worth $8.75 million with $6 million on guaranteed money.
Brandon can play both corner and safety and it has been reported that he will do exactly that for the Pats. He is a perfect fit for New England as they love players that can play multiple positions. He is a big hitter who can cover as well.
He will make an already good defense better immediately. He could be a good IDP pick as well as he should rack up nice tackle numbers
49ers lock up first-round pick, LB Willis
The San Francisco 49ers have signed their first-round draft pick, linebacker Patrick Willis. The deal is for five-years with $12 million guaranteed.
Willis, the overall #11 pick, won the Butkus award as a senior at Ole Miss where he recorded 137 tackles with 11.5 for a loss. He has good speed and excellent instincts to the ball. He can play either inside or outside in the 49ers 3-4 scheme.
Willis is a tackling machine so look for him to record 100 or more tackles. He is an excellent sleeper in IDP leagues. The 49ers also have a good young defense and should be considered a starter each week depending on the matchup.
Saturday, July 28, 2007
New Falcons Jersey
Thanks to the gang at Pro Football Talk.com for this picture. We love those guys they crack us up.
NFL Nuggets
Vikings add Rice to the recipe
The Minnesota Vikings announced they have agreed to terms with second-round pick, wide receiver Sidney Rice. The terms of the deal were not made available.
Rice should be able to win a starting position opposite Troy Williamson. He was the third receiver in mini-camp. He is very talented and seems a natural fit for the West-Coast offense.
Rookie wide receivers do not usually make an impact in fantasy football. The Vikings do not have a good quarterback situation so do not look for Rice to be a major player fantasy wise.
Titans get their first-round pick under contract
The Tennessee Titans signed first-round draft pick, defensive back Michael Griffin to a five-year contract. The financial terms were not disclosed.
Griffin, the 19th overall pick, played safety but will likely play cornerback for the Titans. He is a tremendous athlete with great speed and good ball instincts. He likes to deliver the big hit which can sometimes lead to missed tackles. He played against top competition at the University of Texas. He was a tackling machine for the Longhorns where he totaled 124 and 126 tackles his last 2 years in Austin as a starter.
Immediate starter and possible sleeper in IDP leagues. Jeff Fisher’s Titans always have a good defense with an aggressive secondary. Griffin fits right in to this system and should become a star.
Panthers suspend lineman Bridges for 2 games
The Carolina Panthers have suspended offensive tackle Jeremy Bridges for two games for conduct detrimental to the team. He was arrested on Thursday for assault.
Bridges was arrested after a female “employee” charged he waved a gun at her at the club. The suspension will cost Bridges around $82,000 which is the prorated portion of his $700,000 salary.
What is it with NFL players, strip clubs, and guns? Anyway this will have no impact in the world of fantasy football.
Broncos sign yet another D-lineman
The Denver Broncos signed their second-round pick, defensive end Tim Crowder to a four-year contract. The deal includes a signing bonus of $1.371 million.
Crowder was very productive as a four-year starter for the University of Texas. He racked up 191 tackles and 19 sacks for his career, 10 ½ of those sacks coming in his senior year. Those numbers are better than Broncos first-round pick Jarvis Moss.
With a crowded roster at defensive end in Denver the two may not start this year, but could start opposite of each other next season. No impact for now but could be a future solid starter for the Broncos.
Jags get first-round pick, Nelson under contract
The Jacksonville Jaguars signed their first-round draft pick, defensive back Reggie Nelson to a five-year contract. The deal is reportedly worth $13.1 million with $7.1 million in guarantees.
Nelson is already penciled in at the starter at free safety for the Jags. He was an early entry into the draft and has the talent to play right away. He is not too experienced as he does not have two full seasons of starting at Florida. He was very productive during his short time as he had 97 tackles and 7 interceptions in 23 games for the Gators.
The Jags already have a stout defense so Nelson, although talented, will not make that much difference. He could possibly be a sleeper in IDP leagues.
Packers sign first-round pick, DT Justin Harrell
The Green Bay Packers signed their first-round pick, defensive tackle Justin Harrell to a five-year contract. The terms of the deal were not disclosed.
Harrell, the 16th overall pick, is already listed as the starter on the Green Bay depth chart even though he hasn’t yet practiced. He is a pure run stuffer at 6-4/300 pounds. He has durability questions as he missed the majority of his senior season at Tennessee with a ruptured biceps tendon. He has shown he will play through pain as he put off surgery on the bicep to play against arch-rival Florida.
If he can stay healthy he will make an immediate impact in Green Bay’s run defense. He is not useful in IDP leagues.
The Minnesota Vikings announced they have agreed to terms with second-round pick, wide receiver Sidney Rice. The terms of the deal were not made available.
Rice should be able to win a starting position opposite Troy Williamson. He was the third receiver in mini-camp. He is very talented and seems a natural fit for the West-Coast offense.
Rookie wide receivers do not usually make an impact in fantasy football. The Vikings do not have a good quarterback situation so do not look for Rice to be a major player fantasy wise.
Titans get their first-round pick under contract
The Tennessee Titans signed first-round draft pick, defensive back Michael Griffin to a five-year contract. The financial terms were not disclosed.
Griffin, the 19th overall pick, played safety but will likely play cornerback for the Titans. He is a tremendous athlete with great speed and good ball instincts. He likes to deliver the big hit which can sometimes lead to missed tackles. He played against top competition at the University of Texas. He was a tackling machine for the Longhorns where he totaled 124 and 126 tackles his last 2 years in Austin as a starter.
Immediate starter and possible sleeper in IDP leagues. Jeff Fisher’s Titans always have a good defense with an aggressive secondary. Griffin fits right in to this system and should become a star.
Panthers suspend lineman Bridges for 2 games
The Carolina Panthers have suspended offensive tackle Jeremy Bridges for two games for conduct detrimental to the team. He was arrested on Thursday for assault.
Bridges was arrested after a female “employee” charged he waved a gun at her at the club. The suspension will cost Bridges around $82,000 which is the prorated portion of his $700,000 salary.
What is it with NFL players, strip clubs, and guns? Anyway this will have no impact in the world of fantasy football.
Broncos sign yet another D-lineman
The Denver Broncos signed their second-round pick, defensive end Tim Crowder to a four-year contract. The deal includes a signing bonus of $1.371 million.
Crowder was very productive as a four-year starter for the University of Texas. He racked up 191 tackles and 19 sacks for his career, 10 ½ of those sacks coming in his senior year. Those numbers are better than Broncos first-round pick Jarvis Moss.
With a crowded roster at defensive end in Denver the two may not start this year, but could start opposite of each other next season. No impact for now but could be a future solid starter for the Broncos.
Jags get first-round pick, Nelson under contract
The Jacksonville Jaguars signed their first-round draft pick, defensive back Reggie Nelson to a five-year contract. The deal is reportedly worth $13.1 million with $7.1 million in guarantees.
Nelson is already penciled in at the starter at free safety for the Jags. He was an early entry into the draft and has the talent to play right away. He is not too experienced as he does not have two full seasons of starting at Florida. He was very productive during his short time as he had 97 tackles and 7 interceptions in 23 games for the Gators.
The Jags already have a stout defense so Nelson, although talented, will not make that much difference. He could possibly be a sleeper in IDP leagues.
Packers sign first-round pick, DT Justin Harrell
The Green Bay Packers signed their first-round pick, defensive tackle Justin Harrell to a five-year contract. The terms of the deal were not disclosed.
Harrell, the 16th overall pick, is already listed as the starter on the Green Bay depth chart even though he hasn’t yet practiced. He is a pure run stuffer at 6-4/300 pounds. He has durability questions as he missed the majority of his senior season at Tennessee with a ruptured biceps tendon. He has shown he will play through pain as he put off surgery on the bicep to play against arch-rival Florida.
If he can stay healthy he will make an immediate impact in Green Bay’s run defense. He is not useful in IDP leagues.
Movie Review: The Simpsons Movie
For long time Simpsons fans this movie is a dream come true. I can't remember being this excited about a new movie since the first Spiderman movie and Star Wars Episode 1. Well it was with nervous anticipation I waited for the movie to start as I did not want to be disappointed as I was with Star Wars. Well I can tell you I was laughing after about 5 seconds and didn't stop until the movie was over.
This movie was like a super-sized episode of the Simpsons meaning that the first few minutes have nothing to do with the overall plot of the movie. This doesn't mean that they aren't worth watching because many times that is the funniest part of the show. This is not the case here as the movie gets better and funnier as it goes along.
The writing is excellent as it has been since the show's inception as a short feature on the Tracy Ullman Show back in the 80's. You will have to see this movie more than once to get all the jokes as they are subtle and quick. In a crowded theatre the laughing will drown out some of the subtle humor. Trust me when I say, you will have no problem wanting to watch this movie over and over.
The writers had more room to be edgy since this is a movie and not television. So you might be shocked as there is some cursing (Marge no!), cartoon nudity, and obscene gestures (that felt good didn't it Homer?). That isn't saying the entire movie was full of foul language and adult humor, it wasn't. I did however get the feeling the writers put some things in they have been dying to do but have not been able to on the television show.
I did notice a lot of children in the theatre which surprised me since The Simpsons is not really a kids show. My advice to parents would be if you don't let your kids watch the TV show you might want to leave them at home.
There are also the typical celebrity appearances but they are not overwhelming. Tom Hanks has a memorable cameo and a priceless line. The band Green Day does their punked up version of the Simpsons theme song then a hilarious exit during the opening of the movie.
They also put every character that has ever appeared on the show in the movie. Some have smaller parts than other obviously after 20 years there are many great characters. There are some main characters that could have had more screen time. We do not see much of Monty Burns and Smithers. Also Selma and Patty did not have a big part, but with the storyline I don't think their characters would have added much anyhow.
I also recommend staying in the theatre to the end of the credits. Most people leave as soon as the movie is over. If you leave you will miss some funny stuff that's all I will say about that.
To sum it up the Simpsons movie was a rousing success. The crowd I seen it with gave it a round of applause at the end. It will truly be a classic. If you don't leave the theatre singing, "Spiderpig, Spiderpig, does whatever a Spiderpig does".then shame on you. I can't get it out of my head.
This movie was like a super-sized episode of the Simpsons meaning that the first few minutes have nothing to do with the overall plot of the movie. This doesn't mean that they aren't worth watching because many times that is the funniest part of the show. This is not the case here as the movie gets better and funnier as it goes along.
The writing is excellent as it has been since the show's inception as a short feature on the Tracy Ullman Show back in the 80's. You will have to see this movie more than once to get all the jokes as they are subtle and quick. In a crowded theatre the laughing will drown out some of the subtle humor. Trust me when I say, you will have no problem wanting to watch this movie over and over.
The writers had more room to be edgy since this is a movie and not television. So you might be shocked as there is some cursing (Marge no!), cartoon nudity, and obscene gestures (that felt good didn't it Homer?). That isn't saying the entire movie was full of foul language and adult humor, it wasn't. I did however get the feeling the writers put some things in they have been dying to do but have not been able to on the television show.
I did notice a lot of children in the theatre which surprised me since The Simpsons is not really a kids show. My advice to parents would be if you don't let your kids watch the TV show you might want to leave them at home.
There are also the typical celebrity appearances but they are not overwhelming. Tom Hanks has a memorable cameo and a priceless line. The band Green Day does their punked up version of the Simpsons theme song then a hilarious exit during the opening of the movie.
They also put every character that has ever appeared on the show in the movie. Some have smaller parts than other obviously after 20 years there are many great characters. There are some main characters that could have had more screen time. We do not see much of Monty Burns and Smithers. Also Selma and Patty did not have a big part, but with the storyline I don't think their characters would have added much anyhow.
I also recommend staying in the theatre to the end of the credits. Most people leave as soon as the movie is over. If you leave you will miss some funny stuff that's all I will say about that.
To sum it up the Simpsons movie was a rousing success. The crowd I seen it with gave it a round of applause at the end. It will truly be a classic. If you don't leave the theatre singing, "Spiderpig, Spiderpig, does whatever a Spiderpig does".then shame on you. I can't get it out of my head.
Friday, July 27, 2007
Friday Afternoon Nuggets
With training camps underway teams and players are scurring to get signed and in camp. Here are the news worthy NFL nuggets so far today...
Buffalo Bills QB J.P. Losman practiced today. He had a lower back strain that kept him on the sidelines on Thursday. I was originally thought he would miss a few days of practice. Good news for Bills fans.
The Baltimore Ravens signed 2 draft picks today including their first-round selection OL Ben Grubbs. They also signed fourth-rounder FB LeRon McClain.
Both are expected to battle for starting jobs as the Ravens try to get younger on the offensive side of the ball.
The Jags signed second-round pick LB Justin Durant to a four-year deal which includes a $1.72 million signing bonus. He will likely be a backup this year
Dolphin QB John Beck has been impressive so far in camp. The rookie should pass Cleo Lemon for the backup role. With Trent Green's past health concerns he could see live action sooner than later. He will eventually be the starter and will be a nice QB in years to come.
The Detroit Lions are reportedly interested in signing recently released Simeon Rice. Rice is familiar with the Head Coach Rod Marinelli who was the Bucs D-line coach before he went to the Lions.
The Titans signed third-round pick WR Paul Williams. "Who dat?" you say...well so do we.
Thats all for now. We will be back later with more news and stupidity.
Buffalo Bills QB J.P. Losman practiced today. He had a lower back strain that kept him on the sidelines on Thursday. I was originally thought he would miss a few days of practice. Good news for Bills fans.
The Baltimore Ravens signed 2 draft picks today including their first-round selection OL Ben Grubbs. They also signed fourth-rounder FB LeRon McClain.
Both are expected to battle for starting jobs as the Ravens try to get younger on the offensive side of the ball.
The Jags signed second-round pick LB Justin Durant to a four-year deal which includes a $1.72 million signing bonus. He will likely be a backup this year
Dolphin QB John Beck has been impressive so far in camp. The rookie should pass Cleo Lemon for the backup role. With Trent Green's past health concerns he could see live action sooner than later. He will eventually be the starter and will be a nice QB in years to come.
The Detroit Lions are reportedly interested in signing recently released Simeon Rice. Rice is familiar with the Head Coach Rod Marinelli who was the Bucs D-line coach before he went to the Lions.
The Titans signed third-round pick WR Paul Williams. "Who dat?" you say...well so do we.
Thats all for now. We will be back later with more news and stupidity.
Friday Morning Rant
There will be no talk of Michael Vick after this rant as I am sick and tired of reading and hearing about this story. He should be either cut,suspended, or both. He is getting star treatment I don't care what all the people who are defending him say. I will say this one thing in response to the comments made by Emmitt Smith and Deion Sanders, who claim the feds are using Vick's celebrity to go after a "bigger fish" in the world of dog fighting. I say bull cookies!!!! If you read the indictment closely it seems as though Vick IS the big fish. The feds have said there are more charges coming and Vick is a "person of interest" in a dog fighting case in Arizona. This thing will keep getting uglier as it goes on and I will be surprised of Ron Mexico ever suits up for any NFL team ever again.
Thursday, July 26, 2007
Shameless Plug
Don't forget to check out my news articles at Real Football 365. I write on Wednesday, Saturday, and Sunday from 12-9.
Are You Ready For Some Football!!!
It's the most wonderful time of the year. We are so close to football season you can smell the lineman melt in the heat of training camp. This is what we have been waiting for and the whole reason we started this blog. To talk football, college or pro. We will be updating often as draft picks sign and guys are sent home to work for Uncle Boofies Used Cars and Waffles. So keep it tuned right here folks for the best in NFL news and fantasy football insight. The Big Daddy has been called by some as "The Master" when it comes to fantasy football. While flattering that may be a bit over-stated. The only thing we have ever been master of is our domain, well a boy can dream cant he?
To get you in the mood for football check out this video of the most famous coach meltdowns ever. Man I can't get enough of these. And always remember, you play to win the game....hello!!!
To get you in the mood for football check out this video of the most famous coach meltdowns ever. Man I can't get enough of these. And always remember, you play to win the game....hello!!!
Tuesday, July 24, 2007
Review of Chuck and Larry
This movie is exactly what you would expect from the two stars, Adam Sandler and Kevin James. The comedy was mostly low-brow and crude, not that there is anything wrong with that. They also brought the usual same collection of actors that can be seen in most of Sandler's movies and from James late TV show, King of Queens. The only saving grace is that we get plenty of Jessica Biel and not much of her clothes.
Premise: Chuck (Sandler) and Larry (James) are best friends who are firefighters in the same unit in Brooklyn. Even though they are inseparable when working together they are total opposites at home. Chuck is the consummate bachelor as he loves to party and see how many Hooters girls he can fool around with. Larry is a widower who is struggling to raise two children by himself who still has not gotten over the death of his wife. Larry saves Chuck's life in a fire and Chuck says he is forever in his debt. When a snafu in the benefits department prevents Larry from naming his kids the beneficiary of his estate, Larry decides to call in the favor from Chuck. He asks him to become his domestic partner so he can make sure his children are taken care of if something were to happen to him. Seems like a simple enough plan but a snoopy government bureaucrat threatens to expose their charade. So Chuck and Larry have to live as newlyweds to fool not only the city inspector but eventually the whole city. If they are exposed the kids would lose the benefits they would be sent to jail for fraud. And as they say from there the hilarity ensues. Now on with the grades.....
Plot: The plot of the movie was very predictable as nothing happens that is not expected. This movie wasn't made to make us think or look inside ourselves or other sap like that. It was made to be funny, and that is about all it was. So since they really did not take themselves too seriously, neither did we. So we will give it a solid B.
Acting: Again not much was expected with this cast and they didn't disappoint. Sandler and James play the same characters we are familiar with, but with different names and backgrounds. I am not saying that was a bad thing as we find both of them to be very funny. This is exactly the kind of movie both of these funnymen should stick to as it is what the public wants and expects from the both of them. So another solid B for delivering exactly what we wanted and expected.
Babes: If this movie was just graded on this category it should win the Academy Award for best babes. Jessica Biel was so hot she almost set off the fire alarm in the theatre in one scène. And you know there is always room for a houseful of Hooters girls and a hot doctor in any movie. As you can imagine we give this category an A++
Overall: This is your typical Adam Sandler production, crude over the top humor with plenty of side characters who are hilarious. We are not knocking this as sometimes you just need to laugh, and for that this movie delivers. It is definitely not one for the kids as most of the movie is filled with adult jokes and sexual situations. If you're a homophobe, I would not go. I personally do not care about your sexual orientation as long as you don't care about mine. Live and let live is the way I roll. Ok enough social commentary. Bottom line, if you like to laugh and are not easily offended then go see it. If your uptight and like your movies thought provoking, filled with deep ideas, you might want find something else to watch. As for me, I like to laugh so I give this one an overall A
Premise: Chuck (Sandler) and Larry (James) are best friends who are firefighters in the same unit in Brooklyn. Even though they are inseparable when working together they are total opposites at home. Chuck is the consummate bachelor as he loves to party and see how many Hooters girls he can fool around with. Larry is a widower who is struggling to raise two children by himself who still has not gotten over the death of his wife. Larry saves Chuck's life in a fire and Chuck says he is forever in his debt. When a snafu in the benefits department prevents Larry from naming his kids the beneficiary of his estate, Larry decides to call in the favor from Chuck. He asks him to become his domestic partner so he can make sure his children are taken care of if something were to happen to him. Seems like a simple enough plan but a snoopy government bureaucrat threatens to expose their charade. So Chuck and Larry have to live as newlyweds to fool not only the city inspector but eventually the whole city. If they are exposed the kids would lose the benefits they would be sent to jail for fraud. And as they say from there the hilarity ensues. Now on with the grades.....
Plot: The plot of the movie was very predictable as nothing happens that is not expected. This movie wasn't made to make us think or look inside ourselves or other sap like that. It was made to be funny, and that is about all it was. So since they really did not take themselves too seriously, neither did we. So we will give it a solid B.
Acting: Again not much was expected with this cast and they didn't disappoint. Sandler and James play the same characters we are familiar with, but with different names and backgrounds. I am not saying that was a bad thing as we find both of them to be very funny. This is exactly the kind of movie both of these funnymen should stick to as it is what the public wants and expects from the both of them. So another solid B for delivering exactly what we wanted and expected.
Babes: If this movie was just graded on this category it should win the Academy Award for best babes. Jessica Biel was so hot she almost set off the fire alarm in the theatre in one scène. And you know there is always room for a houseful of Hooters girls and a hot doctor in any movie. As you can imagine we give this category an A++
Overall: This is your typical Adam Sandler production, crude over the top humor with plenty of side characters who are hilarious. We are not knocking this as sometimes you just need to laugh, and for that this movie delivers. It is definitely not one for the kids as most of the movie is filled with adult jokes and sexual situations. If you're a homophobe, I would not go. I personally do not care about your sexual orientation as long as you don't care about mine. Live and let live is the way I roll. Ok enough social commentary. Bottom line, if you like to laugh and are not easily offended then go see it. If your uptight and like your movies thought provoking, filled with deep ideas, you might want find something else to watch. As for me, I like to laugh so I give this one an overall A
Thursday, July 19, 2007
T.W.I.F.F. Notes
We are starting a new feature here at Big Daddyz Blog. It is called This Week In Fantasy Football. We shall name it T.W.I.F.F. Notes for short. It will be small news blurbs concerning any signings or cuts for all teams and how it affects the world of Fantasy Football. The first one will be long but subsequent reports should be much shorter. Thanks for reading and we hope you enjoy.
Michael Vick indicted by a federal grand jury
Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Vick was indicted by a federal grand jury on charges of conspiracy in aiding interstate commerce for unlawful activities as well as the highly publicized dog fighting scandal.
Commentary: Vick is in serious trouble as the federal government does not indict without plenty of evidence. From 2000-2005 they have a 99% conviction rate on their indictments. If convicted he could very well spend years in prison and his highly lucrative football career would be over.
Fantasy Football Impact: This will have major fantasy implications as Vick is one of the NFL’s most talented and marketed players. Falcons fans maybe in for a long season with Joey Harrington at QB. Even if my miracle Vick plays he will not be effective with this hanging over his head.
Patriots re-sign veteran WR Troy Brown
New England signed free agent wide receiver Troy Brown to return for his 15th season as a Patriot. The terms of the deal were not disclosed.
Commentary: The 36 year old Brown has spent his entire career with New England. He was originally an 8th round draft pick out of Marshall in 1993. He has done just about everything the Pats could ask of a player. He has played on offense, defense, and special teams and been successful at each position.
Fantasy Football Impact: The Pats have a loaded roster of wide receivers so it will be hard for Troy to make much of an impact fantasy wise.
New England signs LB Rogers
The Patriots signed the third of their four total sixth-round draft picks, Justin Rogers a linebacker from SMU. The terms of the contract were not reported.
Commentary: Rogers is on the small side for an NFL linebacker at 6-4/250 pounds. He was a three-year starter at SMU and a two-time All Conference choice. He could be classified as a “tweener”. He was also a standout special teams player at SMU and even blocked some kicks.
Fantasy Football Impact: The rookie will not have any fantasy impact. If he makes the team it will be as a special team player. He is most likely just a training camp body as New England has a veteran corps of linebackers.
49ers add RB depth
The San Francisco 49ers signed their sixth-round draft pick, running back Thomas Clayton to a four-year deal. The financial terms of the contract were not disclosed.
Commentary: The former Kansas State Wildcat is 5-10/225 pounds and is a between the tackles type of back. His stock dropped in the draft due to some off the field issues. He transferred to KSU from Florida State and was only a part-time starter in 2006 due to injuries.
Fantasy Football Impact: Clayton is physically gifted but has been plagued by injuries and off the field issues. The Niners have a top 5 fantasy back in Frank Gore, but not much else behind him. If the talented, but troubled Clayton can stay healthy he could work himself into the backup spot behind Gore. He will not have much fantasy impact this year unless Gore gets injured.
Steelers sign seventh-round WR Baker
The Pittsburgh Steelers signed seventh-round draft pick, wide receiver Dallas Baker to a three-year contract. The deal includes a signing bonus of $39,750
Commentary: The former Gator star has impressive hands and is a good red-zone target. He has good size at 6-3/208 pounds and was an All-SEC selection his senior year. He does not have top-end NFL speed for a receiver with a 4.58 – 40 time.
Fantasy Football Impact: Baker will not have any impact this year. He will most likely only contribute on special teams. The Steelers have a full roster of receivers ahead of him. Best case scenario he would only be 4th or 5th on the depth chart after training camp.
Falcons ink third-round pick WR Robinson
The Atlanta Falcons have signed their third-round draft pick Laurent Robinson to a four-year contract. The financial terms of the deal were not disclosed.
Commentary: The former Illinois State star is known for his speed and big play ability. He has nice size at 6-2/199 pounds. He was impressive at the combine and in Falcons mini-camp. He was hampered by an ankle injury his senior year. His junior year he posted spectacular numbers with 86 catches for 1,465 yards and 12 touchdowns.
Fantasy Football Impact: Robinson is not likely to have a major fantasy impact this year. He could be a good return man but that’s about it. The Falcons QB situation will not be good if Michael Vick is suspended for a long period of time.
Atlanta signs TE to a four-year deal
The Atlanta Falcons signed sixth-round pick Martrez Milner to a four-year contract. The financial terms were not disclosed.
Commentary: Milner is a hometown product from the University of Georgia. He is a 6-4/260 pound tight end. He will be expected to make the team as the number 2 tight end as the Falcons have one of the best in the league in Alge Crumpler.
Fantasy Football Impact: Milner will be used in a H-back type role as a blocker so his fantasy impact will be next to nothing.
Falcons sign sixth-round pick Datish
The Atlanta Falcons signed sixth-round pick Doug Datish to a four-year contract. The terms of the deal were not disclosed.
Commentary: The former Ohio State Buckeye played at all 5 positions on the line in college which means he is versatile. The 6-5/305 pound prospect is projected to play the center position in the pros.
Fantasy Football Impact: He will have no fantasy impact as he will at best be a backup lineman.
Minnesota signs fourth-rounder, DE Robison
The Minnesota Vikings agreed to terms with their fourth-round draft pick, defensive end Brian Robison. The contract is a four-year deal and includes a $482,000 signing bonus.
Commentary: The 6-3/275 pound prospect has been described as a “workout warrior” and has a non-stop motor. He is a talented athlete who has a 40-inch plus vertical leap and was timed at 4.67 in the 40 yard-dash. He needs to work on football skills as he is a raw talent. He was an All-Conference pick as a junior at the University of Texas and had 14 career sacks.
Fantasy Football Impact: This adds depth to an already good defensive line in Minnesota. He could also play linebacker in the 3 – 4 scheme with his athletic ability. The Vikings are a solid #1 fantasy team defense and worth starting in your lineup each week, depending on the matchup.
Lions sign fourth-round pick, Ramirez
The Detroit Lions announced the signing of their fourth-round draft pick, offensive guard Manuel Ramirez. The deal is for three years, but the financial terms were not disclosed.
Commentary: The Texas Tech product is a mountain of a man at 6-3/326 pounds. He was one of the strongest linemen in the draft with a bench press of 550 pounds. He can be a dominant run blocker, but will need to work on pass protection in the pros.
Fantasy Football Impact: This could be an excellent pick for the Lions and could add some value to whoever is the starting tailback, Jones or Bell. They should have a good running game and Ramirez will add depth and talent to the inside of the offensive line for Detroit.
Titans release 4 players
The Tennessee Titans today waived quarterbacks Kent Smith and David Koral, linebacker Robert Reynolds, and safety Erik Keyes.
Commentary: Reynolds is the only player who has seen playing time for the Titans. He was a fourth-round draft pick out of Ohio State who played in 4 games in 2006
Fantasy Football Impact: None of these players have any significance in fantasy football.
Browns sign DE Chase Pittman
The Cleveland Browns signed seventh-round draft pick Chase Pittman to a four-year deal. The financial terms of the contract were not disclosed.
Commentary: Pittman was highly recruited out of high school originally signing with Texas. He transferred to LSU after his brother Cole, also a UT football player, died in a tragic car accident. He has good size at 6-4/270 pounds and is described as “intense with an outstanding motor”. His speed and quickness are a bit below average for an NFL lineman so he probably will be nothing more than a backup at the pro level.
Fantasy Football Impact: Chase, whose given first name is “Benjamin” will be fortunate to make the Browns roster let alone make any impact in fantasy football. He is an overachiever and one of those guys you root for to make it in the league.
Michael Vick indicted by a federal grand jury
Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Vick was indicted by a federal grand jury on charges of conspiracy in aiding interstate commerce for unlawful activities as well as the highly publicized dog fighting scandal.
Commentary: Vick is in serious trouble as the federal government does not indict without plenty of evidence. From 2000-2005 they have a 99% conviction rate on their indictments. If convicted he could very well spend years in prison and his highly lucrative football career would be over.
Fantasy Football Impact: This will have major fantasy implications as Vick is one of the NFL’s most talented and marketed players. Falcons fans maybe in for a long season with Joey Harrington at QB. Even if my miracle Vick plays he will not be effective with this hanging over his head.
Patriots re-sign veteran WR Troy Brown
New England signed free agent wide receiver Troy Brown to return for his 15th season as a Patriot. The terms of the deal were not disclosed.
Commentary: The 36 year old Brown has spent his entire career with New England. He was originally an 8th round draft pick out of Marshall in 1993. He has done just about everything the Pats could ask of a player. He has played on offense, defense, and special teams and been successful at each position.
Fantasy Football Impact: The Pats have a loaded roster of wide receivers so it will be hard for Troy to make much of an impact fantasy wise.
New England signs LB Rogers
The Patriots signed the third of their four total sixth-round draft picks, Justin Rogers a linebacker from SMU. The terms of the contract were not reported.
Commentary: Rogers is on the small side for an NFL linebacker at 6-4/250 pounds. He was a three-year starter at SMU and a two-time All Conference choice. He could be classified as a “tweener”. He was also a standout special teams player at SMU and even blocked some kicks.
Fantasy Football Impact: The rookie will not have any fantasy impact. If he makes the team it will be as a special team player. He is most likely just a training camp body as New England has a veteran corps of linebackers.
49ers add RB depth
The San Francisco 49ers signed their sixth-round draft pick, running back Thomas Clayton to a four-year deal. The financial terms of the contract were not disclosed.
Commentary: The former Kansas State Wildcat is 5-10/225 pounds and is a between the tackles type of back. His stock dropped in the draft due to some off the field issues. He transferred to KSU from Florida State and was only a part-time starter in 2006 due to injuries.
Fantasy Football Impact: Clayton is physically gifted but has been plagued by injuries and off the field issues. The Niners have a top 5 fantasy back in Frank Gore, but not much else behind him. If the talented, but troubled Clayton can stay healthy he could work himself into the backup spot behind Gore. He will not have much fantasy impact this year unless Gore gets injured.
Steelers sign seventh-round WR Baker
The Pittsburgh Steelers signed seventh-round draft pick, wide receiver Dallas Baker to a three-year contract. The deal includes a signing bonus of $39,750
Commentary: The former Gator star has impressive hands and is a good red-zone target. He has good size at 6-3/208 pounds and was an All-SEC selection his senior year. He does not have top-end NFL speed for a receiver with a 4.58 – 40 time.
Fantasy Football Impact: Baker will not have any impact this year. He will most likely only contribute on special teams. The Steelers have a full roster of receivers ahead of him. Best case scenario he would only be 4th or 5th on the depth chart after training camp.
Falcons ink third-round pick WR Robinson
The Atlanta Falcons have signed their third-round draft pick Laurent Robinson to a four-year contract. The financial terms of the deal were not disclosed.
Commentary: The former Illinois State star is known for his speed and big play ability. He has nice size at 6-2/199 pounds. He was impressive at the combine and in Falcons mini-camp. He was hampered by an ankle injury his senior year. His junior year he posted spectacular numbers with 86 catches for 1,465 yards and 12 touchdowns.
Fantasy Football Impact: Robinson is not likely to have a major fantasy impact this year. He could be a good return man but that’s about it. The Falcons QB situation will not be good if Michael Vick is suspended for a long period of time.
Atlanta signs TE to a four-year deal
The Atlanta Falcons signed sixth-round pick Martrez Milner to a four-year contract. The financial terms were not disclosed.
Commentary: Milner is a hometown product from the University of Georgia. He is a 6-4/260 pound tight end. He will be expected to make the team as the number 2 tight end as the Falcons have one of the best in the league in Alge Crumpler.
Fantasy Football Impact: Milner will be used in a H-back type role as a blocker so his fantasy impact will be next to nothing.
Falcons sign sixth-round pick Datish
The Atlanta Falcons signed sixth-round pick Doug Datish to a four-year contract. The terms of the deal were not disclosed.
Commentary: The former Ohio State Buckeye played at all 5 positions on the line in college which means he is versatile. The 6-5/305 pound prospect is projected to play the center position in the pros.
Fantasy Football Impact: He will have no fantasy impact as he will at best be a backup lineman.
Minnesota signs fourth-rounder, DE Robison
The Minnesota Vikings agreed to terms with their fourth-round draft pick, defensive end Brian Robison. The contract is a four-year deal and includes a $482,000 signing bonus.
Commentary: The 6-3/275 pound prospect has been described as a “workout warrior” and has a non-stop motor. He is a talented athlete who has a 40-inch plus vertical leap and was timed at 4.67 in the 40 yard-dash. He needs to work on football skills as he is a raw talent. He was an All-Conference pick as a junior at the University of Texas and had 14 career sacks.
Fantasy Football Impact: This adds depth to an already good defensive line in Minnesota. He could also play linebacker in the 3 – 4 scheme with his athletic ability. The Vikings are a solid #1 fantasy team defense and worth starting in your lineup each week, depending on the matchup.
Lions sign fourth-round pick, Ramirez
The Detroit Lions announced the signing of their fourth-round draft pick, offensive guard Manuel Ramirez. The deal is for three years, but the financial terms were not disclosed.
Commentary: The Texas Tech product is a mountain of a man at 6-3/326 pounds. He was one of the strongest linemen in the draft with a bench press of 550 pounds. He can be a dominant run blocker, but will need to work on pass protection in the pros.
Fantasy Football Impact: This could be an excellent pick for the Lions and could add some value to whoever is the starting tailback, Jones or Bell. They should have a good running game and Ramirez will add depth and talent to the inside of the offensive line for Detroit.
Titans release 4 players
The Tennessee Titans today waived quarterbacks Kent Smith and David Koral, linebacker Robert Reynolds, and safety Erik Keyes.
Commentary: Reynolds is the only player who has seen playing time for the Titans. He was a fourth-round draft pick out of Ohio State who played in 4 games in 2006
Fantasy Football Impact: None of these players have any significance in fantasy football.
Browns sign DE Chase Pittman
The Cleveland Browns signed seventh-round draft pick Chase Pittman to a four-year deal. The financial terms of the contract were not disclosed.
Commentary: Pittman was highly recruited out of high school originally signing with Texas. He transferred to LSU after his brother Cole, also a UT football player, died in a tragic car accident. He has good size at 6-4/270 pounds and is described as “intense with an outstanding motor”. His speed and quickness are a bit below average for an NFL lineman so he probably will be nothing more than a backup at the pro level.
Fantasy Football Impact: Chase, whose given first name is “Benjamin” will be fortunate to make the Browns roster let alone make any impact in fantasy football. He is an overachiever and one of those guys you root for to make it in the league.
Grading the NFL Draft
The NFL Draft has grown from an afterthought to one of the can't miss events on the sports calender. The draft was such a non-factor that when ESPN asked then commissioner Pete Rozelle for permission to air the draft on their network he replied "Sure but why would you want to do that?". Since then the NFL Draft has become almost as big as the Super Bowl. The fans are very interested to get a first look at the future stars of the league. With that popularity the pundits of the league like to judge and grade the drafts of each team. Of course this is based solely on speculation and potential of each player. It is impossible to know how good or bad a player coming out of college will be as a pro. They have not yet played a single snap and there are "experts' who want to say whether or not the teams have made a good pick.
The best way to grade a draft is to look at it 3 years down the road. This is more than enough time for a player to either blossom into a superstar or fade away into Bolivia (Thanks to Mike Tyson for that line.classic!). We will look at the top 10 picks of the first round and give a letter grade for each pick. It will be based on where the player is now and how they have fared so far in the league. Without further adieu.....let's begin
#1 Eli Manning - New York Giants via trade with San Diego Grade C+
Peyton's little brother has been a little better than average in his first 3 years in the league. He has shown flashes of brilliance but his career has so far been very inconsistent.
#2 Robert Gallery - Oakland Raiders Grade D-
Gallery has been considered a bust considering coming out of college he scored a perfect grade at the NFL Scouting Combine. He has been compared infamously to Tony Mandarich, widely considered to be one of the biggest first round busts of all-time.
#3 Larry Fitzgerald - Arizona Cardinals Grade A
Larry has proven to be a franchise receiver in his first 3 years in the league. He has teamed with Anquan Boldin to become the most dangerous wide receiver tandem in the league.
#4 Phillip Rivers - San Diego Chargers via trade with the New York Giants Grade B+
Unlike Eli Manning, Phillip Rivers was not thrown to the wolves right away. He had the advantage of sitting for 2 years behind a solid pro QB in Drew Brees. He learned well as he looked like a seasoned vet in his first full year of starting.
#5 Sean Taylor - Washington Redskins Grade C
Taylor has had a solid career on the field but is more famous for making headlines off the field. He has been involved in a DUI, arrested for armed assault, and has refused to attend mandatory training camps. He was also accused of spitting at another player during a game.
#6 Kellen Winslow - Cleveland Browns Grade Incomplete
Another player from "The U", which is the war cry of players from the University of Miami, that has made more news off the field than on it. Do we see a pattern here? He was involved in a motorcycle accident in which he was trying to do tricks he had no training to do. This and a broken leg his rookie season have kept him in injured reserve for most of his short career.
#7 Roy Williams - Detroit Lions Grade A
Has become the franchise WR for the Lions. He has his best year in 2006 and is looking to improve on his already impressive resume as one of the top receivers in the league.
#8 - DeAngelo Hall - Atlanta Falcons Grade A
Hall has developed into one of the elite shut down corners in the NFL. He also won the NFL's fastest man competition at the 2005 Pro Bowl.
#9 - Reggie Williams - Jacksonville Jaguars Grade C-
This former Washington Husky has been considered a bust for his 3 years. He did start to develop some chemistry with Byron Leftwich at the beginning of last year. His production fell off after Leftwich was injured. He has never lived up to the hype that followed him out of college.
#10 - Dunta Robinson - Houston Texans Grade A
Robinson was nominated for Rookie of the Year in 2004 when he had 6 interceptions. In 2006 he was third on the team in tackles and is considered the Texans best DB.
There you have it folks. You have a mixed bag of some total busts, average, and star players. The one thing they all have in common is that coming out of college they were all rated as can't miss prospects. What can we determine from this small sampling of draft history. It is that it doesn't matter how much research, scouting, and workout time you give a player. The draft is one big roll of the dice. As they say there is no such thing as a sure thing.
The best way to grade a draft is to look at it 3 years down the road. This is more than enough time for a player to either blossom into a superstar or fade away into Bolivia (Thanks to Mike Tyson for that line.classic!). We will look at the top 10 picks of the first round and give a letter grade for each pick. It will be based on where the player is now and how they have fared so far in the league. Without further adieu.....let's begin
#1 Eli Manning - New York Giants via trade with San Diego Grade C+
Peyton's little brother has been a little better than average in his first 3 years in the league. He has shown flashes of brilliance but his career has so far been very inconsistent.
#2 Robert Gallery - Oakland Raiders Grade D-
Gallery has been considered a bust considering coming out of college he scored a perfect grade at the NFL Scouting Combine. He has been compared infamously to Tony Mandarich, widely considered to be one of the biggest first round busts of all-time.
#3 Larry Fitzgerald - Arizona Cardinals Grade A
Larry has proven to be a franchise receiver in his first 3 years in the league. He has teamed with Anquan Boldin to become the most dangerous wide receiver tandem in the league.
#4 Phillip Rivers - San Diego Chargers via trade with the New York Giants Grade B+
Unlike Eli Manning, Phillip Rivers was not thrown to the wolves right away. He had the advantage of sitting for 2 years behind a solid pro QB in Drew Brees. He learned well as he looked like a seasoned vet in his first full year of starting.
#5 Sean Taylor - Washington Redskins Grade C
Taylor has had a solid career on the field but is more famous for making headlines off the field. He has been involved in a DUI, arrested for armed assault, and has refused to attend mandatory training camps. He was also accused of spitting at another player during a game.
#6 Kellen Winslow - Cleveland Browns Grade Incomplete
Another player from "The U", which is the war cry of players from the University of Miami, that has made more news off the field than on it. Do we see a pattern here? He was involved in a motorcycle accident in which he was trying to do tricks he had no training to do. This and a broken leg his rookie season have kept him in injured reserve for most of his short career.
#7 Roy Williams - Detroit Lions Grade A
Has become the franchise WR for the Lions. He has his best year in 2006 and is looking to improve on his already impressive resume as one of the top receivers in the league.
#8 - DeAngelo Hall - Atlanta Falcons Grade A
Hall has developed into one of the elite shut down corners in the NFL. He also won the NFL's fastest man competition at the 2005 Pro Bowl.
#9 - Reggie Williams - Jacksonville Jaguars Grade C-
This former Washington Husky has been considered a bust for his 3 years. He did start to develop some chemistry with Byron Leftwich at the beginning of last year. His production fell off after Leftwich was injured. He has never lived up to the hype that followed him out of college.
#10 - Dunta Robinson - Houston Texans Grade A
Robinson was nominated for Rookie of the Year in 2004 when he had 6 interceptions. In 2006 he was third on the team in tackles and is considered the Texans best DB.
There you have it folks. You have a mixed bag of some total busts, average, and star players. The one thing they all have in common is that coming out of college they were all rated as can't miss prospects. What can we determine from this small sampling of draft history. It is that it doesn't matter how much research, scouting, and workout time you give a player. The draft is one big roll of the dice. As they say there is no such thing as a sure thing.
Tuesday, July 17, 2007
Hot night in hot-lanta
So they have finally put the screws to Vick. Gee I wonder if this will be reported on HYPESPN? I was sick of this story weeks ago and I am probably gonna get sicker. I hate it that this will dominate the news as we get closer to football season. Enough of that crap. Let's talk about what is important...Hailey's party!!!
We survived the 3 hours at Chuck E. Cheese which is a miracle in itself. Being that it was a Gallaher production, no children were harmed or lost in the process. A swell time was had by all. There was no pouting, fighting, hair pulling, or eye gouging. The kids behaved themselves too. LOL!!! Here is a pic of the official grand-daughter of Big Daddyz Blog.
We survived the 3 hours at Chuck E. Cheese which is a miracle in itself. Being that it was a Gallaher production, no children were harmed or lost in the process. A swell time was had by all. There was no pouting, fighting, hair pulling, or eye gouging. The kids behaved themselves too. LOL!!! Here is a pic of the official grand-daughter of Big Daddyz Blog.
Sunday, July 15, 2007
Read my stuff
I wanted to let it be known I am writing articles for a new football site. The site is
http://realfootball365.com
I do the breaking news blurbs in the upper right corner of the home page. Look for me on Wednesday,Saturday, and Sunday from 12-9.
Happy Sunday everyone!!!
http://realfootball365.com
I do the breaking news blurbs in the upper right corner of the home page. Look for me on Wednesday,Saturday, and Sunday from 12-9.
Happy Sunday everyone!!!
I'm Baaaaaaaaack
Sorry I have been away so long. I was in the hospital for a spell. Doing much better now thanks for asking. Been working tons of hours. I know it's shocking considering my lack of motivation and all. (See site logo). I will be catching up on things. Today is a special day for the Big Daddy. Hailey, the official grandkid of Big Daddyz Blog, it is her birthday. We are going to the kids paradise, parents nightmare called Chuck E. Cheese. We will have some pics posted tomorrow, if we survive.
As you know it is getting close to football season and this gets the Big Daddy very excited. There are many news stories that have happened this off-season. One of those is about the issue of concussions. The NFL is finally taking a stand and ponying up for some research to try to help their employees deal with and prevent them. So in saying all that being the insensitive male that I am I am posting one of the funniest commercials of all-time. Watch, remember, and enjoy!!!
As you know it is getting close to football season and this gets the Big Daddy very excited. There are many news stories that have happened this off-season. One of those is about the issue of concussions. The NFL is finally taking a stand and ponying up for some research to try to help their employees deal with and prevent them. So in saying all that being the insensitive male that I am I am posting one of the funniest commercials of all-time. Watch, remember, and enjoy!!!
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