JonCJG
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PFT PIC OF THE DAY
Michael Strahan's plastic surgery didn't quite turn out the way he had envisioned.
http://www.profootballtalk.com/photo.htm
http://www.profootballtalk.com/rumorarchive.htm
POSTED 9:40 p.m. EDT, July 3, 2006
PFT PRESEASON POWER RANKINGS: NUMBER 30
Well, we've pissed off plenty of readers in Western New York and all reaches of Wisconsin with the first two entries in our preseason power rankings.
So to whose sh-t list will the initials P, F, and T next be added?
Well, we were torn. Until, that is, we received an e-mail from a reader making the case that the Tennessee Titans shouldn't be listed at No. 30.
He actually convinced us.
So we now give you the Number 30 team . . . .
The Tennessee Titans.
Where do we start? Floyd Reese is still the G.M. That's strike one, strike two, and a foul tip that the catcher couldn't find a way to squeeze.
We've said it before and we're sure we'll say it again and again: How does this guy continue to be employed? The Titans perpetually are struggling with cap issues, and they perpetually are pushing salary problems into future years. Reese capped off a pathetic 5-11 mark in 2004 by cutting most of the team's talented veterans, and he then responded to a 4-12 debacle in 2005 by playing chicken for three months with former franchise quarterback Steve McNair.
We like the give-and-take that can arise in a system where the head coach and the G.M. seem to be, for the most part, on relatively equal footing, but periodic consensus is vital. As to Reese and Jeff Fisher, we doubt that they would be on the same page while reading the contents of a fortune cookie.
In 2005, Fisher wanted to draft cornerback Antrel Rolle, and Reese wanted Pacman Jones. Reese won, the team lost.
This time around, Fisher and offensive coordinator Norm Chow wanted quarterback Matt Leinart. Reese wanted Vince Young. Reese won again.
Indeed, the fact that the Titans actually made it to a Super Bowl on Reese's watch tells us that Fisher is one of the truly great coaches in the game. For example, only one year before Tennessee won the AFC championship game, Reese drafted receiver Kevin Dyson -- while Randy Moss was still on the board. (Sure, plenty of teams missed out on Moss, but only the then-Oilers allowed Moss to continue his slide while drafting a guy who plays the same position.)
The focal point of the team's offseason was McNair. In lieu of cutting him loose early, the team paid $1 million for the privilege of not exercising a $50 million option bonus that would have extended his deal beyond 2006. (Actually, it's our understanding that the Titans managed to relieve themselves of the obligation to pay the $1 million to McNair via the deal that sent him to Baltimore.) Then, the issue turned uglier than Bud Adams in a low-cut evening gown when the team politely asked McNair to get the hell out of the facility in early April, triggering a grievance that was as protracted as it was, in the end, pointless.
With McNair gone, the job falls to this decade's Cody Carlson -- Billy Volek, who if he isn't keeping the seat warm for Vince Young he's keeping it warm for Kerry Collins.
The whole McNair-Volek-Young situation in Tennessee has overshadowed the rest of the team's offseason, which has included the acquisition of high-profile free agents like linebacker David Thornton, center Kevin Mawae, receiver David Givens, and safety Chris Hope. Whether the money devoted to each of these guys doesn't matter -- Reese was simply happy to be able to spend after years of having to cut.
In addition to snagging the dude with the Uncle Rico delivery at the top of round one, the Titans might have scored the steal of the draft by getting running back LenDale White in round two. If White ever realizes that work ethic means a lot at this level.
If White can't get it done, who will? Travis Henry is a puff of second-hand doobie away from a one-year suspension, and he otherwise didn't do much in the games for which he was available after being traded to Tennessee last year, gaining less than 350 yards and earning only one start. And if Chris Brown were the long-term answer, the team wouldn't have traded for Henry last year or drafted White this year.
The receiving corps isn't terrible, with Givens, Drew Bennett, and Tyrone Calico at the top of the chart. But their effectiveness will depend in large part on who's throwing the ball, and who's protecting him. The interior of the offensive line is decent, but there's only one tackle on the roster with more than one year of NFL playing time. And the guy in question, Jacob Bell, has a whopping two years of experience.
While the team's long-term potential might be better on offense, the Titans currently are much stronger on the defensive side of the ball. But not by much. The unit was ranked tenth in the conference in 2005. But there's a chance that Thornton and Hope benefited from their roles on defenses with a higher quality of overall player, and that neither will be as good in their new home as they were in their old cities. There's still a chance that the Titans could land cornerback Ty Law with part of that $9 million cap bulge resulting from the departure of Steve McNair, but Law's price tag won't get realistic until training camps open, at the earliest.
Bottom line? The Titans will be jostling with the Houston Texans and the Buffalo Bills at the bottom of the conference in 2006. Things could improve come 2007 -- especially if Floyd Reese finally gets a long overdue heave-ho.
Now, the fantasy grades.
Quarterback: Billy Volek gets a C, if he gets the job. Keep an eye on whether Kerry Collins comes to town. In a keeper league, it might be wise to burn a pick on Uncle Rico; he likely won't see the field this year unless and until injury strikes or the team is out of the running for the postseason. And if he does play in 2006, it's hard to expect him to do much of anything as a rookie.
Running back: Chris Brown has rushed for more than 1,900 yards over the past two seasons combined, but the team keeps looking for reasons to bench him. He'll have a hard time winning the starting job with Travis Henry and LenDale White on his heels. And even if Brown is the starter, he likely lose some touches (especially around the goal line) to White. So give Brown a B- and hold a flier pick for White, who could be a touchdown machine as a rookie. (If he can avoid re-bruising his ******.)
Wide receiver: No one caught more than 60 passes or generated more than 750 receiving yards for the Titans in 2005, and that was with McNair throwing passes. Drew Bennett was the most productive, and he's likely to get plenty of opportunities this year with defenses focusing on newcomer David Givens. We'll give Bennett a C+. But since Givens' stats were almost virtually identical to Bennett's in 2005, he gets a C+ too.
Tight end: If Erron Kinney and Ben Troupe were one dude, we'd give him an A. Each had 55 catches, and each had a hair under 550 yards receiving in 2005. As it stands, we'd be inclined to use a third receiver in lieu of drafting either guy.
Defense: Falls squarely into the crapshoot category.
Kicker: Rob Bironas won the job as a rookie, converting 23 of 29 field goal attempts and 30 of 32 extra point tries. His 99 points were 21st among kickers. So unless you're in a league with at least 22 teams, you can do better. He gets an F.
POSTED 4:40 p.m. EDT, July 3, 2006
HESTER'S DEAL NOT MUCH BETTER THAN LAST YEAR'S NO. 57
The Chicago Sun-Times reports that the four-year contract signed by receiver Devin Hester with the Bears pays a signing bonus of $1.25 million and has a total value of $2.86 million.
Though the across-the-board $40,000 increase in annual minimum salaries and the $10,000 annual bump in minimums that will occur moving forward automatically translates to more coin for Hester than Jets corner Justin Miller, who was drafted in the same spot a year ago, Hester's bonus money represents an improvement of only 2.8 percent over the bonus money received by Miller.
Last year, Miller received as the 57th overall pick $1.215 million, in the form of a $675,000 signing bonus, a $132,000 roster bonus, and a $408,000 option bonus that was fully guaranteed by future base salaries.
So at a time when the NFLPA is supposedly pressing agents to get a 20 percent increase in guaranteed money for the rookie draft picks, the reality -- at least in Hester's case -- is a lot lower.
MONDAY AFTERNOON ONE-LINERS
Tim Couch's brother thinks that the former No. 1 overall pick in the draft will make one more effort to return to the NFL.
The Fins are pumping $250 million into their stadium.
Lynn Swann the politician is faced with something Lynn Swann the pro football player rarely experienced -- playing from behind.
A horse that Panthers QB Jake Delhomme bought for $6,700 won a race worth $150,000.
Reggie Bush's strategy for making more money by giving money away continues to gain momentum.
Panthers FB Brad Hoover is working out while wearing a 16-pound vest.
POSTED 3:02 p.m. EDT, July 3, 2006
NFL STILL NOT READY FOR OPENLY GAY PLAYER
Although the NFL opted to invite former player Esera Tuaolo to speak at the recently-conducted rookie symposium, don't expect the mainstream pro football homophobes to soften their stance as to whether openly gay players will be welcomed with open arms into the cramped quarters where large men routinely walked around in various stages of undress.
"If you are gay, you are getting ostracized," said a league source with knowledge of the current dynamics of NFL locker rooms.
As to Tuaolo's desire to follow his unprecedented session at the rookie symposium with visits to teams, it's a request that is likely to fall on deaf ears.
"The players want no part of that," said the source.
Look, we're not saying that we approve of overt homophobia in pro sports. But it is, as the cliche' goes, what it is. Most of the players are young, full of testosterone (and HGH), and brazenly intolerant of any man who might be inclined to doing something that they regard as decidedly unmanly with another man. And for every guy who realizes that whatever a grown man does behind closed doors with a consenting adult (female, male, or Dante Aligheri) is his own business, there will be another block-headed kid who fears that homosexuality could be as contagious as a deep yawn.
So we think it's a good idea for the league to try at first to develop a sense of tolerance among the guys who are just getting started. But Tuaolo needs to realize that he's not going to win this battle overnight. It will take time, and victory will never be complete. Even if he continues to speak at the rookie symposium for the next 30 years, there will always be guys who'll say things like, "Is your name Polynesian for 'Me Likey Dudes'?"
POSTED 2:34 p.m. EDT, July 3, 2006
OTHER CANDIDATES FOR CAROLINA GIG IDENTIFIED
A league source has informed us of the other candidates for the front-office job recently filled by Don Gregory in Carolina. Gregory was hired last week to serve as the Panthers' director of pro scouting, replacing Tony Softli, the Rams' new V.P./Player Personnel.
Gregory beat out the following six guys -- former Texans director of pro scouting Chuck Banker, Falcons senior personnel executive Billy Devaney, Colts director of college scouting Mike Butler, and current Panthers scouts Jeff Morrow, Brian Adams, and Bucky Brooks.
Devaney previously served as player personnel director with the Chargers for 11 years, where he worked with Panthers G.M. Marty Hurney. Devaney worked for CBS in 2004 and 2005 before joining the Falcons in early 2006.
Michael Strahan's plastic surgery didn't quite turn out the way he had envisioned.
http://www.profootballtalk.com/photo.htm
http://www.profootballtalk.com/rumorarchive.htm
POSTED 9:40 p.m. EDT, July 3, 2006
PFT PRESEASON POWER RANKINGS: NUMBER 30
Well, we've pissed off plenty of readers in Western New York and all reaches of Wisconsin with the first two entries in our preseason power rankings.
So to whose sh-t list will the initials P, F, and T next be added?
Well, we were torn. Until, that is, we received an e-mail from a reader making the case that the Tennessee Titans shouldn't be listed at No. 30.
He actually convinced us.
So we now give you the Number 30 team . . . .
The Tennessee Titans.
Where do we start? Floyd Reese is still the G.M. That's strike one, strike two, and a foul tip that the catcher couldn't find a way to squeeze.
We've said it before and we're sure we'll say it again and again: How does this guy continue to be employed? The Titans perpetually are struggling with cap issues, and they perpetually are pushing salary problems into future years. Reese capped off a pathetic 5-11 mark in 2004 by cutting most of the team's talented veterans, and he then responded to a 4-12 debacle in 2005 by playing chicken for three months with former franchise quarterback Steve McNair.
We like the give-and-take that can arise in a system where the head coach and the G.M. seem to be, for the most part, on relatively equal footing, but periodic consensus is vital. As to Reese and Jeff Fisher, we doubt that they would be on the same page while reading the contents of a fortune cookie.
In 2005, Fisher wanted to draft cornerback Antrel Rolle, and Reese wanted Pacman Jones. Reese won, the team lost.
This time around, Fisher and offensive coordinator Norm Chow wanted quarterback Matt Leinart. Reese wanted Vince Young. Reese won again.
Indeed, the fact that the Titans actually made it to a Super Bowl on Reese's watch tells us that Fisher is one of the truly great coaches in the game. For example, only one year before Tennessee won the AFC championship game, Reese drafted receiver Kevin Dyson -- while Randy Moss was still on the board. (Sure, plenty of teams missed out on Moss, but only the then-Oilers allowed Moss to continue his slide while drafting a guy who plays the same position.)
The focal point of the team's offseason was McNair. In lieu of cutting him loose early, the team paid $1 million for the privilege of not exercising a $50 million option bonus that would have extended his deal beyond 2006. (Actually, it's our understanding that the Titans managed to relieve themselves of the obligation to pay the $1 million to McNair via the deal that sent him to Baltimore.) Then, the issue turned uglier than Bud Adams in a low-cut evening gown when the team politely asked McNair to get the hell out of the facility in early April, triggering a grievance that was as protracted as it was, in the end, pointless.
With McNair gone, the job falls to this decade's Cody Carlson -- Billy Volek, who if he isn't keeping the seat warm for Vince Young he's keeping it warm for Kerry Collins.
The whole McNair-Volek-Young situation in Tennessee has overshadowed the rest of the team's offseason, which has included the acquisition of high-profile free agents like linebacker David Thornton, center Kevin Mawae, receiver David Givens, and safety Chris Hope. Whether the money devoted to each of these guys doesn't matter -- Reese was simply happy to be able to spend after years of having to cut.
In addition to snagging the dude with the Uncle Rico delivery at the top of round one, the Titans might have scored the steal of the draft by getting running back LenDale White in round two. If White ever realizes that work ethic means a lot at this level.
If White can't get it done, who will? Travis Henry is a puff of second-hand doobie away from a one-year suspension, and he otherwise didn't do much in the games for which he was available after being traded to Tennessee last year, gaining less than 350 yards and earning only one start. And if Chris Brown were the long-term answer, the team wouldn't have traded for Henry last year or drafted White this year.
The receiving corps isn't terrible, with Givens, Drew Bennett, and Tyrone Calico at the top of the chart. But their effectiveness will depend in large part on who's throwing the ball, and who's protecting him. The interior of the offensive line is decent, but there's only one tackle on the roster with more than one year of NFL playing time. And the guy in question, Jacob Bell, has a whopping two years of experience.
While the team's long-term potential might be better on offense, the Titans currently are much stronger on the defensive side of the ball. But not by much. The unit was ranked tenth in the conference in 2005. But there's a chance that Thornton and Hope benefited from their roles on defenses with a higher quality of overall player, and that neither will be as good in their new home as they were in their old cities. There's still a chance that the Titans could land cornerback Ty Law with part of that $9 million cap bulge resulting from the departure of Steve McNair, but Law's price tag won't get realistic until training camps open, at the earliest.
Bottom line? The Titans will be jostling with the Houston Texans and the Buffalo Bills at the bottom of the conference in 2006. Things could improve come 2007 -- especially if Floyd Reese finally gets a long overdue heave-ho.
Now, the fantasy grades.
Quarterback: Billy Volek gets a C, if he gets the job. Keep an eye on whether Kerry Collins comes to town. In a keeper league, it might be wise to burn a pick on Uncle Rico; he likely won't see the field this year unless and until injury strikes or the team is out of the running for the postseason. And if he does play in 2006, it's hard to expect him to do much of anything as a rookie.
Running back: Chris Brown has rushed for more than 1,900 yards over the past two seasons combined, but the team keeps looking for reasons to bench him. He'll have a hard time winning the starting job with Travis Henry and LenDale White on his heels. And even if Brown is the starter, he likely lose some touches (especially around the goal line) to White. So give Brown a B- and hold a flier pick for White, who could be a touchdown machine as a rookie. (If he can avoid re-bruising his ******.)
Wide receiver: No one caught more than 60 passes or generated more than 750 receiving yards for the Titans in 2005, and that was with McNair throwing passes. Drew Bennett was the most productive, and he's likely to get plenty of opportunities this year with defenses focusing on newcomer David Givens. We'll give Bennett a C+. But since Givens' stats were almost virtually identical to Bennett's in 2005, he gets a C+ too.
Tight end: If Erron Kinney and Ben Troupe were one dude, we'd give him an A. Each had 55 catches, and each had a hair under 550 yards receiving in 2005. As it stands, we'd be inclined to use a third receiver in lieu of drafting either guy.
Defense: Falls squarely into the crapshoot category.
Kicker: Rob Bironas won the job as a rookie, converting 23 of 29 field goal attempts and 30 of 32 extra point tries. His 99 points were 21st among kickers. So unless you're in a league with at least 22 teams, you can do better. He gets an F.
POSTED 4:40 p.m. EDT, July 3, 2006
HESTER'S DEAL NOT MUCH BETTER THAN LAST YEAR'S NO. 57
The Chicago Sun-Times reports that the four-year contract signed by receiver Devin Hester with the Bears pays a signing bonus of $1.25 million and has a total value of $2.86 million.
Though the across-the-board $40,000 increase in annual minimum salaries and the $10,000 annual bump in minimums that will occur moving forward automatically translates to more coin for Hester than Jets corner Justin Miller, who was drafted in the same spot a year ago, Hester's bonus money represents an improvement of only 2.8 percent over the bonus money received by Miller.
Last year, Miller received as the 57th overall pick $1.215 million, in the form of a $675,000 signing bonus, a $132,000 roster bonus, and a $408,000 option bonus that was fully guaranteed by future base salaries.
So at a time when the NFLPA is supposedly pressing agents to get a 20 percent increase in guaranteed money for the rookie draft picks, the reality -- at least in Hester's case -- is a lot lower.
MONDAY AFTERNOON ONE-LINERS
Tim Couch's brother thinks that the former No. 1 overall pick in the draft will make one more effort to return to the NFL.
The Fins are pumping $250 million into their stadium.
Lynn Swann the politician is faced with something Lynn Swann the pro football player rarely experienced -- playing from behind.
A horse that Panthers QB Jake Delhomme bought for $6,700 won a race worth $150,000.
Reggie Bush's strategy for making more money by giving money away continues to gain momentum.
Panthers FB Brad Hoover is working out while wearing a 16-pound vest.
POSTED 3:02 p.m. EDT, July 3, 2006
NFL STILL NOT READY FOR OPENLY GAY PLAYER
Although the NFL opted to invite former player Esera Tuaolo to speak at the recently-conducted rookie symposium, don't expect the mainstream pro football homophobes to soften their stance as to whether openly gay players will be welcomed with open arms into the cramped quarters where large men routinely walked around in various stages of undress.
"If you are gay, you are getting ostracized," said a league source with knowledge of the current dynamics of NFL locker rooms.
As to Tuaolo's desire to follow his unprecedented session at the rookie symposium with visits to teams, it's a request that is likely to fall on deaf ears.
"The players want no part of that," said the source.
Look, we're not saying that we approve of overt homophobia in pro sports. But it is, as the cliche' goes, what it is. Most of the players are young, full of testosterone (and HGH), and brazenly intolerant of any man who might be inclined to doing something that they regard as decidedly unmanly with another man. And for every guy who realizes that whatever a grown man does behind closed doors with a consenting adult (female, male, or Dante Aligheri) is his own business, there will be another block-headed kid who fears that homosexuality could be as contagious as a deep yawn.
So we think it's a good idea for the league to try at first to develop a sense of tolerance among the guys who are just getting started. But Tuaolo needs to realize that he's not going to win this battle overnight. It will take time, and victory will never be complete. Even if he continues to speak at the rookie symposium for the next 30 years, there will always be guys who'll say things like, "Is your name Polynesian for 'Me Likey Dudes'?"
POSTED 2:34 p.m. EDT, July 3, 2006
OTHER CANDIDATES FOR CAROLINA GIG IDENTIFIED
A league source has informed us of the other candidates for the front-office job recently filled by Don Gregory in Carolina. Gregory was hired last week to serve as the Panthers' director of pro scouting, replacing Tony Softli, the Rams' new V.P./Player Personnel.
Gregory beat out the following six guys -- former Texans director of pro scouting Chuck Banker, Falcons senior personnel executive Billy Devaney, Colts director of college scouting Mike Butler, and current Panthers scouts Jeff Morrow, Brian Adams, and Bucky Brooks.
Devaney previously served as player personnel director with the Chargers for 11 years, where he worked with Panthers G.M. Marty Hurney. Devaney worked for CBS in 2004 and 2005 before joining the Falcons in early 2006.
