"My Gators, Step Over Ya"

Dave Chappelle couldn't have said it any better. Tim Tebow and the boys are on a roll so far this year, already dismantling two of its top rivals, Miami and Tennessee. If the Gators get the sweep by beating Georgia and Florida State...well let's not get ahead of ourselves.

Florida is stacked this year. Not only on offense, but swarming on defense as well. Tebow hasn't had to put up gaudy numbers or run the ball 20 times a game to do it either. While it might take him out of Heisman consideration early, it's better for him, and the team, down the road.

As Tebow takes less of a pounding, more playmakers emerge in the spread offense. WR Percy Harvin has been a stud since stepping foot on campus, return specialist Brandon James can go the distance at any moment, freshman RB Chris Rainey might be the fastest kid in the country (LSU's Trindon Holliday would be a great race), and transfer RB Emmanuel Moody could give them a physical runner between the tackles. Tebow hasn't had to do much besides manage the game and make clutch runs and throws to get crucial first downs. While his numbers have been pedestrian, 489 passing yards with 5 passing TDs and 118 rushing yards and no rushing TDs through three games, his leadership is always on display. He is never rattled, always makes something happen, and constantly pushes for more. I think he's wanted to go for it on every fourth down so far this season. He can always be seen looking back, and yelling, in head coach Urban Myers' direction, refusing to come off the field. Players have to thrive off that whenever he's around them, he just has that type of competitive personality.

Florida's schedule can be split up into quarters, with the first having just wrapped up. Preseason, the first three games looked like there could be some pitfalls: start off with BCS-participant Hawaii, up-and-coming Miami (FL), and an always tough, ranked Tennessee game in Knoxville. Although all three of those teams have been letdowns, Florida still made sure to assert its dominance when they played.

Now it's on to a quick second quarter, with two games in which the Gators will be heavily favored: SEC West doormats Ole Miss and Arkansas. Florida has to win these two games without any suspense because after that, it's a grind.

The third quarter features games against three ranked opponents, two of which are in the top five with Florida in both polls: 5 LSU, Kentucky, 3 Georgia and 21 Vanderbilt. It's hard to expect the Gators to come out of that unscathed, but anything is possible. If they do, they can't have any setbacks as they wrap up the fourth quarter and head into the SEC championship.

The fourth quarter is a stretch of games the Gators should win, but tend to make hard on themselves. South Carolina has been a challenge since Steve Spurrier returned and Florida State can never be underestimated as a rivalry game. The Citadel is an exhibition.

With Florida passing the first round of tests, it's imperative for them to keep the pedal to the floor. If they get to halftime with a shutout in the loss column, they can enter the next phase knowing their fate is in their hands. Another national championship is in the crosshairs, it's up to them to finish.

Lett It Slip Away

Although Eagles rookie wide receiver DeSean Jackson didn't cost his team with his best impersonation of Leon Lett in Texas Stadium, I will forever remember it as his legacy. In his efforts to get his celebration ready and look as flashy as possible, Jackson released the ball before he broke the plane of the goaline. What's worse is it wasn't the first time he's done it in his career.

So far Jackson has been a big part of the Eagles' potent offense in the absence of starting wide receivers Kevin Curtis and Reggie Brown. In fact, Jackson has the most receiving yards of any rookie, and ranks eighth in the league overall. Not bad for a position NFL scouts say takes the longest to master.

Unfortunately, this gumshoe is one of the cockiest players I've seen to date. It could very easily draw attention to him for all the wrong reasons, and he didn't make it any easier on himself by literally throwing away a touchdown in a game where his defense couldn't keep the Cowboys out of the end zone. If the Eagles did not end up scoring a TD on that drive, as Brian Westbrook did on the next play, Jackson would have had that play follow him around for the rest of his life.

For now, he's having a solid campaign. His speed is elite, and he has moves to make even the savviest veteran miss. My knock on him is his size. He's maybe 5'10", 175 lbs. tops. As physical as the NFC East is, I don't think his body will hold up. Consequently, if his size does become an issue, it can turn him into a one-dimensional player in the offense as a vertical threat who can't go over the middle for fear of getting knocked out.

Jackson has as much talent as any receiver in this draft class. However, listen up young buck. You have not accomplished anything in this league yet. I know you see how flashy TO and Ocho Cinco are and you want to emulate that, but don't let things go to your head. That's how you fell out of the first round of the draft to begin with. Don't let your bad habits overshadow your production, otherwise you won't be worth the cost of the aspirin to numb the headache you'll become.

Week 2 Pro Picks

Tennessee @ Cincinnati: Titans
Even with the Vince Young situation, the Bengals are still more of a mess. The Titans found a way to beat the Jaguars last week when Young went down with a sprained knee, they'll be fine this week without him.

Green Bay @ Detroit: Packers
The Packers are playing like a complete team with Aaron Rodgers at the helm, and the team seems to have moved on as a whole from Brett Favre. I'm taking the Packers to keep the train rolling against the Lions.

Oakland @ Kansas City: Chiefs
Reports are out that head coach Lane Kiffin will be fired by the Raiders as early as Monday morning. It sure is hard to get your team ready for a game when you already have one and a half feet out the door. I'm going with the Chiefs to get their first win against this struggling Raiders team.

New York Giants @ St. Louis: Giants
The Eagles did it to them last week, and the Giants are going to do it to them this week. The Rams look terrible. Not much has changed from last year till now. Defending champs against a 2-14 team from last season? I'll take the champs.

Indianapolis @ Minnesota: Vikings
Can the Colts start the season 0-2? I'm going with it. The Vikings will be comfortable at home, but either way this game was going to be in a dome. The Colts will be relying solely on Peyton's arm while the Vikings will be relying on that awesome running game. I think the Vikings will be able to control the clock more with their gameplan and keep Manning off the field.

New Orleans @ Washington: Redskins
Call me a homer, but this is a must-win for the Skins. Their offensive struggles have been well-documented, but this week the Saints are without starters DT Hollis Thomas, LB Mark Simoneau, LB Scott Fujita, S Roman Harper, CB Randall Gay and WR Marques Colston. The Saints are missing a lot there, and the Redskins have to pounce on the opportunity in the home opener. Head coach Jim Zorn knows this is breathing directly down his neck, he better get a result, for his sake.

Chicago @ Carolina: Panthers
Both teams pulled off upsets in week one, but who can sustain the momentum? I think this one is really a toss up, I'm going with the Panthers on a whim.

Buffalo @ Jacksonville: Bills
The Jaguars struggled last week, and Marcus Stroud is back in Jax after being traded to the Bills in the offseason. I think the Bills are poised for a breakout year, helped by the injury to Tom Brady, but will Jack Del Rio circle the wagons this week and get his team on track? I'm not banking on it, I'm sticking with the Bills.

San Francisco @ Seattle: Seahawks
Seattle doesn't have any receivers left, but San Fran could be a team in peril. Head coach Mike Nolan has seen his team go from trendy to embarrasing, and it might be too late to revive the situation. I'll stick with the Seahawks at home in that noisy stadium.

Atlanta @ Tampa Bay: Bucs
I know Matt Ryan had a great start last week, but the Bucs have been finding ways to win games, going back to last season. I'm sticking with the home team in this divison rivalry.

New England @ New York Jets: Jets
No Brady, no win. The Jets have put together a team that's ready to win right now with all the free agents they picked up in the offseason. This is not the right week to break in QB Matt Cassel for the Pats.

Miami @ Arizona: Cardinals
The Dolphins still haven't shrugged off the woes of last year, and although the Cardinals aren't a great team, they'll have enough to get through this one.

San Diego @ Denver: Chargers
I think the Bolts get their act together in this one. The Broncos crushed the Raiders last week, but so will a lot of teams this year. The Chargers can't start this season 0-2 and be successful this year.

Pittsburgh @ Cleveland: Steelers
The Steelers still have the edge in this rivalry, even though the Browns are a much improved team. I'm going with RB Willie Parker to have another big week running the ball.

Philadelphia @ Dallas: Cowboys
Tough one to call, but the Cowboys looked like the real deal last week. The Eagles came out of the gates firing, but it was against the Rams. I think Dallas pulls this one out in the home opener.

Week 2 College Picks

13 Kansas @ 19 South Florida: Kansas
South Florida looked rough around the edges last week against Central Florida. I think Kansas can be just as good as last year, they just aren't deep. One major injury can derail their season. Lucky for the Jayhawks, it's only week two and the injury report is still clean. I'm taking Kansas in a shootout.

23 California @ Maryland: California
The ACC is awful this year. Even worse? Maryland is at the bottom of the ACC. Cal wins this one big.

16 Oregon @ Purdue: Oregon
I thought the loss of Nate Costa would really hurt the Ducks, but it looks like they've taken it in stride. I'm going with Oregon, with a lot of combined points on the board in this one.

UCLA @ 18 BYU: BYU
Can the Bruins pull off another upset? I don't think UCLA can bring the same fire to the field away from the Rose Bowl. Moreover, BYU has a lot to play for with the criticism of that gimme-15-yard penalty to help beat Washington. I'm picking the Cougars.

2 Georgia @ South Carolina: Georgia
I hate to go against my Gamecocks, but Georgia has too much on the line for this one. South Carolina-Georgia is always a great game, usually down to the wire, but the way South Carolina gave that Vanderbilt game away last week and with their terrible offensive line, I can't pick the upset here. Georgia is so fast everywhere on the field. Chris Smelley will have his hands full, especially if preseason All-SEC wide receiver Kenny McKinley is limited with a hamstring injury.

Michigan @ Notre Dame: Michigan
What a downer this one is going to be this year. Two usual institutes of college football are in the process of rebuilding. Home field means nothing here as the fans really won't stay in it if Notre Dame doesn't come out firing. I can see Michigan winning this one 10-6.

9 Auburn @ Mississippi State: Auburn
Upset watch for this one. Mississippi St. feeds off the cowbells and Sylvester Croom is finally getting this program together. Auburn's lack of a standout QB for the first time in years leaves question marks around the Tigers, but I don't think Mississippi St. has the offensive firepower to pull this one off. Be prepared for a defensive battle, turnovers and a lot of field goals. The Tigers barely escape.

Virginia @ Connecticut: UConn
Virginia is another weak link in the ACC this year with a lethal combination of talent lost to the NFL, academic and off-the-field issues. The Wahoos lost starting QB Jamell Sewell to academic ineligibility and his backup-turned-starter Peter Lalich can't travel to away games because of an underage drinking arrest. With UConn on the up and UVA on the downslide, I'm taking the Huskies at home.

3 Oklahoma @ Washington: Oklahoma
The Huskies are at a crossroads this week. Does last week's loss on a game-ending blocked extra point motivate them to come out stronger this week, or do they collapse in pity? Oklahoma isn't the team you want to find out against. Sam Bradford is too steady to let the crowd rattle him and the committee of tailbacks allows the Sooners to dictate the tempo of the game if things get hairy.

5 Ohio State @ 1 USC: USC
If Beanie Wells can't go, this one will be painful. Maybe the Buckeyes were caught looking ahead in their game against Ohio last week, or maybe they just can't play without Wells. Either way, the Coliseum will be rocking for this and Pete Carroll will have his team ready. Call me an Ohio State hater, but it's time to show something. The winner of this game should be ashamed of themselves if they don't make it to the national championship with their respective cake-walk schedules. I'm going with the Trojans in L.A..

10 Wisconsin @ 21 Fresno State: Wisconsin
This is one of the best teams Pat Hill has had at Fresno St. in his time there, but I'm going with Wisconsin for one reason. They have the advantage of not playing until 10:30 pm. Therefore, they will be able to watch Ohio St. fall to USC and see that the Big Ten is their's for the taking. The Badgers will be too motivated if the Buckeyes lose, knowing they can hop up the rankings.

Preemptive Strikes

Turn the lights out. No NFL MVP for the Patriots' second run at perfection. No Pro Bowl stud for the defending Super Bowl champs. Boy, this season has already lost a lot of star power. After the preseason and the first week of the regular season, players like Tom Brady, Shawne Merriman, Ed Reed and Osi Umenyiora, just to name a few, are dealing with career-threatening injuries.

I don't know about you, but I want to see the best athletes on the field. There are teams I don't like, but I would never wish injury upon anyone in sports. The fact of the matter is, when players like the aforementioned list aren't in the game, the product on the field and the quality of the game isn't the same. When you watch a game, especially if your favorite team is involved, and think about what could have been because your star player is out, it totally licks bursa sac.

I'm sure other story lines will come to the forefront and the show will go on, as has always been the case in the NFL. With heavy doses of Brett Favre, Tony Romo, division rivalries, emerging rookies, and the Manning Brothers' Double-Stuft Oreos commercials, you might just forget all about it. However, I have to say I can't remember any other season where I've seen this many injuries to so many star players.

The weekly injury reports read like a who's who of pro football: Tom Brady (torn ACL, MCL), Shawne Merriman (torn LCL, PCL), Osi Umenyiora (torn lateral meniscus), Ed Reed (shoulder/neck nerve), Chad Ocho Cinco (partially torn labrum), Marques Colston (torn thumb ligaments), Vince Young (sprained MCL, not to mention his therapist said he's suicidal), the entire Seahawks' receiving corps, and I'm just getting warmed up.

People wait months and months for the season to start, and for some, their chances at winning it all have been severely damaged after just one week. It's hard to take, but everyone has to move forward. Let's wish those players luck in their attempts to get back on the field, the source of so much excitement for diehard fans. Good luck guys, I want to see you all back out there.

Quick Hits

I want to commend Michael Strahan for staying retired in the face Osi Umenyiora's season-ending knee injury. The Giants threw a lot of money at him and as tempting as that can be, I think there is a lot to be said for going out on a high note. Very few players get to end their careers with a championship in hand, and I think Strahan really did the classy thing by sticking to his original decision. Instead of coming back, potentially having a down year and leaving your fans with a bad taste in their mouths, everyone will remember you for that great Super Bowl win, a lasting legacy to go along with your NFL record of most sacks in a season.

Chad Johnson is now legally Chad Ocho Cinco and I love it. Right now, both college and pro football are putting the clamps down on fun-loving creativity and I can't stand it. Let people play and have a good time. If the league can chew players up and spit them out, at least let them dance a little bit and joke around. There's no harm in it.

Hats off to Shawne Merriman trying to play this season with two torn knee ligaments. He's now going on season-ending injured reserve, but how tough is this guy to even make an attempt to play? Here's to a speedy recovery Shawne, I hope you come back as the "Lights Out" everyone knows you to be.

John Clayton recently wrote an article about the best modern rivalries in the NFL and mentioned the Eagles-Cowboys as the premiere rivalry in the NFC East. He went so far as to question, "Where is the Cowboys-Washington Redskins rivalry?"

It's right here, John, wake up. The media loves to shower the Cowboys with praise over their recent, regular-season success (they still haven't won a playoff game in over a decade), but why don't you look at the numbers? The Redskins have won four of the last six in the rivalry. Five of the last eight have been decided in the final minutes. The Redskins prevented the Cowboys from making the playoffs in 2005, and last season the Redskins beat the Cowboys to make the playoffs. In fact, the last four Redskin victories have been two blowouts, and two last-second comebacks. This rivalry hasn't gone anywhere.

And the Winner is...No One

The Chicago Bears have settled on a starting quarterback for the season. And when I say, "settled," I mean they really settled. Kyle Orton will get the first crack over Rex Grossman when the regular season starts. Too bad it doesn't mean anything.

This epic battle began before training camp when Orton won a coin toss to decide who would start off with the first-stringers. He held on for dear life, and outlasted Grossman, enough for the coaches to throw him out there. It's not so much Orton outplaying Grossman as much as it's Orton not burying the team six feet under.

Let's face it, neither of these QBs are any good. It's actually comical to hear head coach Lovie Smith announce a "winner" in the quarterback competition. He has to know it, but shockingly the Bears haven't done anything to remedy the situation. They just sit pat with what they have and accept their fate. It's mind-boggling actually. Hearing the news of Orton becoming the starter is like hearing, "Van Halen has a new front man...ladies and gentlemen, give it up for...Fred Durst!" Or "Wu Tang Clan's latest addition...Ja Rule!!" You knew from the second you heard it, it was all going downhill from there.

The Bears might be better off putting Devin Hester in the shotgun and running the "Wildcat" formation a la Darren McFadden at Arkansas. Maybe they should just stack the 53-man roster entirely with defensive players and just play D the whole game, hoping to get a pick six or a fumble recovery for a TD. In all seriousness, the Bears are in for a rough season offensively.

The biggest issue with the Bears is that they've passed on chances to fix the problem. Two years ago, Chicago had the chance to trade up in the draft when Brady Quinn slipped significantly. I didn't understand why they didn't do it at the time, and I still don't understand why they aren't exploring it right now. Quinn slipped to the 22nd pick when the Bears were selecting 31st. Why do you not go up and get him? You're talking about swapping first-round picks and giving up one future pick. That doesn't look too bad when you're stuck with what you have right now.

This year, the Bears neglected the situation again. With Joe Flacco on the board in the first round, they passed. With Brian Brohm and Chad Henne available in the second round, they passed. The trend continued for the rest of the draft with Chicago not taking a quarterback. It just doesn't make any sense to overlook such an important position.

The Bears have a great defense and stellar special teams. Devin Hester is truly something to marvel at on returns. However, the offense isn't there. It wasn't there when they went to the Super Bowl, and when you get that close to winning it all and know what your weakness is, how have you not addressed it three years later? By trading away Thomas Jones and falling on your face by drafting Cedric Benson, you now have an offense that's non-dimensional, effectively slamming shut your window of opportunity. No pass attack and no running game turns the Bears into a no-trick pony.

NFC East Complete Positional Beakdown Rankings

Let's go over every position, including depth, ranking who's the best in the NFC East. To win the division, you need to be the best, top to bottom. It's time to evaluate where everyone stacks up.

Starting QB:
1. Eli Manning-NY Giants
2. Tony Romo-Dallas Cowboys
3. Donovan McNabb-Philadelphia Eagles
4. Jason Campbell-Washington Redskins
Wouldn't have expected this last year, but Eli has a Super Bowl ring and the others don't. Romo plays well in a great system, but needs to show he can get the team over the hump. McNabb is on the downside of his career and Campbell is in a make or break year. He needs to stay healthy and put up consistent numbers.

Backup QBs:
1. Kevin Kolb, A.J. Feeley-Philadelphia Eagles
2. Todd Collins, Colt Brennan-Washington Redskins
3. David Carr, Andre' Woodson-NY Giants
4. Brad Johnson, Richard Bartel-Dallas Cowboys
Kolb is waiting in the wings and Feeley has shown he can run the system. Collins filled in well for the Skins when Campbell went down last year and took them to the playoffs. Carr is a bust and Johnson is getting too old.

Starting RB:
1. Brian Westbrook-Philadelphia Eagles
2. Clinton Portis-Washington Redskins
3. Marion Barber-Dallas Cowboys
4. Brandon Jacobs-NY Giants
Westbrook is the best all-around back in the league. Portis is a workhorse and easily the best blocking back in the league. Barber plays bigger than he is and hits holes extremely hard, but lacks top end speed. Jacobs is a bruising back, but doesn't have breakaway speed and needs to show he can be more durable.

Backup RBs:
1. Derrick Ward, Ahmad Bradshaw-NY Giants
2. Ladell Betts, Rock Cartwright-Washington Redskins
3. Felix Jones, Tashard Choice-Dallas Cowboys
4. Correll Buckhalter, Lorenzo Booker-Philadelphia Eagles
Ward and Bradshaw picked up the slack where Jacobs tailed off to bring a great committee to the Giants system. Betts is the best backup in the division and Cartwright is one of the most solid kickoff returners in the league. Jones and Choice haven't played a down in the league yet, but could have a big impact this year. Buckhalter is serviceable, but often injured and Booker is a return threat.

#1 WR:
1. Terrell Owens-Dallas Cowboys
2. Plaxico Burress-NY Giants
3. Santana Moss-Washington Redskins
4. Kevin Curtis-Philadelphia Eagles
TO is still one of the best in the game. Burress is a huge target with great hands. Moss is a burner, but lacks size and has injury concerns. Curtis isn't a true #1 receiver.

#2 WR:
1. Amani Toomer-NY Giants
2. Antwaan Randle El-Washington Redskins
3. Patrick Crayton-Dallas Cowboys
4. Reggie Brown-Philadelphia Eagles
Toomer is aging, but keeps himself in great shape and has avoided injury. Randle El and Crayton are both better suited as slot receivers. Brown is another undersized receiver the Eagles can't consistently count on.

Backup WRs:
1. James Thrash, Malcolm Kelly, Devin Thomas, Anthony Mix-Washington Redskins
2. Terry Glenn, Sam Hurd, Miles Austin, Isiah Stanback-Dallas Cowboys
3. David Tyree, Steve Smith, Sinorice Moss, Mario Manningham-NY Giants
4. Jason Avant, Greg Lewis, DeSean Jackson, Hank Baskett-Philadelphia Eagles
Washington has a great combo of veteran leadership and young draft picks in the corps. Thrash does everything asked of him, Mix is a special teams contributor while Kelly and Thomas were high draft picks. Dallas has speed, but inexperience as well. Glenn's knee is a huge concern. New York has stock piled high WR draft picks, but haven't seen a return on the investment. Tyree pulled a rabbit out of his helmet in the Super Bowl. Philadelphia didn't fully address its WR issue in the draft. Jackson might be snapped in half during division play. LaRon Landry, Brian Dawkins and Roy Williams have him in their sights.

Starting TEs:
1. Jason Witten-Dallas Cowboys
2. Chris Cooley-Washington Redskins
3. L.J. Smith-Philadelphia Eagles
4. Kevin Boss-NY Giants
A good crop all-around in the division. Witten and Cooley are both Pro Bowlers and two of the league's best. The Eagles thought enough of Smith to use the franchise tag on him. Boss played so well last season the Giants entertained the thought of trading Jeremy Shockey and pulled the trigger.

Backup TE:
1. Fred Davis-Washington Redskins
2. Martellus Bennett-Dallas Cowboys
3. Matt Schobel-Philadelphia Eagles
4. Michael Matthews-NY Giants
Not much depth here. Davis and Bennett are high draft picks. Schobel is serviceable.

FB:
1. Mike Sellers-Washington Redskins
2. Madison Hedgecock-NY Giants
3. Jason Davis-Philadelphia Eagles
4. Deon Anderson-Dallas Cowboys
Sellers is used more than the others. He's also the only one of the group with a real shot at the Pro Bowl.

LT:
1. Chris Samuels-Washington Redskins
2. Flozell Adams-Dallas Cowboys
3. Tra Thomas-Philadelphia Eagles
4. David Diehl-NY Giants
Samuels might be the best in the game and Adams is a Pro Bowl talent. Thomas and Diehl are just a step behind, but still very good.

LG:
1. Pete Kendall-Washington Redskins
2. Rich Suebert-NY Giants
3. Kyle Kozier-Dallas Cowboys
4. Todd Herremans-Philadelphia Eagles
Kendall is durable, but aging. Still he heads the class of the weakest position in the division on the offensive line.

C:
1. Casey Rabach-Washington Redskins
2. Andre Gurode-Dallas Cowboys
3. Shaun O'Hara-NY Giants
4. Jamaal Jackson-Philadelphia Eagles
I don't understand how Gurode was voted to the Pro Bowl after snapping the ball over Romo's head so many times last year. Rabach is one of the most underrated linemen in the league. O'Hara is a sold lineman and Jackson brings up the rear.

RG:
1. Shawn Andrews-Philadelphia Eagles
2. Leonard Davis-Dallas Cowboys
3. Chris Snee-NY Giants
4. Randy Thomas-Washington Redskins
Andrews is an absolute force and Davis lost the "bust" label by making the switch from tackle to guard. Snee is solid in the middle. Thomas is a great guard, especially pulling, and would be higher on the list if it weren't for tearing his triceps and missing almost all of last season.

RT:
1. Jon Runyan-Philadelphia Eagles
2. Kareem McKenzie-NY Giants
3. Jon Jansen-Washington Redskins
4. Marc Colombo-Dallas Cowboys
An aging unit altogether in the division. Runyan has always been good, but is past his prime. McKenzie does well on Manning's strong side. Jansen is solid, but is coming off two major injuries in recent years, including a week 1 dislocated/fractured ankle that kept him out of the entire season. Colombo is serviceable, but geting older.

Backup offensive linemen:
1. Stephon Heyer, Jason Fabini, Todd Wade, Chad Rhinehart-Washington Redskins
2. Max Jean-Gilles, Winston Justice, King Dunlap, Scott Young-Philadelphia Eagles
3. Guy Whimper, Adam Koets, Kevin Boothe, Na'Shan Goddard-NY Giants
4. Pat McQuistan, Doug Free, James Marten, Joe Berger-Dallas Cowboys

RE:
1. Osi Umenyiora-NY Giants
2. Andre Carter-Washington Redskins
3. Trent Cole-Philadelphia Eagles
4. Marcus Spears-Dallas Cowboys
Umenyiora is one of the best in the league. Carter was unlucky to not go to the Pro Bowl last year. Cole is just a step or two behind them. Tough for Spears being in a 3-4 system, he's more of a DT than DE in that regard.

LE:
1. Jason Taylor-Washington Redskins
2. Chris Canty-Dallas Cowboys
3. Justin Tuck-NY Giants
4. Juqua Parker-Philadelphia Eagles
Huge boost for the Skins picking up Taylor. Canty and Tuck can both play inside roles as well. Parker doesn't stack up with the other three.

DTs:
1. Jay Ratliff, Tank Johnson-Dallas Cowboys
2. Cornelius Griffin, Anthony Montgomery-Washington Redskins
3. Fred Robbins, Barry Cofield-NY Giants
4. Brodrick Bunkley, Mike Patterson-Philadelphia Eagles
An overall strong group in the division. Dallas gets great pressure up the middle, despite running a 3-4. Washington has gotten great production out of late round picks on the defensive line. New York won the Super Bowl with their defensive line. Philadelphia is stronger in the middle than on the outside.

Backup defensive linemen:
1. Chris Clemons, Victor Abiamiri, Trevor Laws-Philadelphia Eagles
2. Kedric Golston, Demetric Evans, Chris Wilson, Erasmus James-Washington Redskins
3. Jay Alford, Renaldo Wynn, Dave Tollefson-NY Giants
4. Tank Johnson, Jason Hatcher, Stephen Bowen-Dallas Cowboys

OLBs:
1. Demarcus Ware, Greg Ellis-Dallas Cowboys
2. Marcus Washington, Rocky McIntosh-Washington Redskins
3. Omar Gaither, Chris Gocong-Philadelphia Eagles
4. Gerris Wilkinson, Mathias Kiwanuka-NY Giants
*WLB and SLB were grouped together because there are 4-3 and 3-4 defenses in the division.*
Dallas is head and shoulders ahead in this category. Ware is an animal. Washington needs McIntosh to come back strong after tearing his ACL and MCL late last season. Philadelphia drafted well, getting Gaither in the fifth round and he has rewarded them with solid production. Wilkinson is still developing and Kiwanuka is still converting from DE.

MLBs:
1. Bradie James, Zach Thomas-Dallas Cowboys
2. London Fletcher-Washington Redskins
3. Antonio Pierce-NY Giants
4. Stewart Bradley-Philadelphia Eagles
Cowboys have the advantage of two greats MLBs in a 3-4 system. James makes a lot of plays and Thomas is a future Hall of Famer. Fletcher is one of the most underrated LBs in the league. He's always around the ball and making tackles. He has also been more durable than anyone else, never missing a game. Pierce is much like Fletcher, but has been injured and hasn't been doing it as long. However, when on the field he is a model of consistency. Bradley has a ways to go before he catches up with the rest of this corps.

Backup LBs:
1. H.B. Blades, Khary Campbell-Washington Redskins
2. Anthony Spencer, Bobby Carpenter-Dallas Cowboys
3. Jonathan Goff, Bryan Kehl-NY Giants
4. Akeem Jordan, Joe Mays-Philadelphia Eagles

#1 CB:
1. Asante Samuel-Philadelphia Eagles
2. Terrence Newman-Dallas Cowboys
3. Shawn Springs-Washington Redskins
4. Sam Madison-NY Giants
Samuel and Newman are both Pro Bowlers. Springs is a quality cover corner, but is getting older. Madison is past his prime and has lost a step since his best playing days in Miami.

#2 CB:
1. Aaron Ross-NY Giants
2. Fred Smoot-Washington Redskins
3. Anthony Henry-Dallas Cowboys
4. Sheldon Brown-Philadelphia Eagles
Ross came on strong at the end of his rookie year last season. He's poised for a breakout year this season. Smoot has found himself again since returning to DC. Henry and Brown are solid counterparts in the secondary.

Backup CBs:
1. Pacman Jones, Mike Jenkins, Evan Oglesby-Dallas Cowboys
2. R.W. McQuarters, Corey Webster, Terrell Thomas-NY Giants
3. Carlos Rogers, Leigh Torrence, J.T. Tryon-Washington Redskins
4. Lito Sheppard, Joselio Hanson, Tanard Davis-Philadelphia Eagles
A lot of capable backups with a lot of question marks. Pacman needs to stay out of trouble. McQuarters is getting old. Rogers may be put on the PUP (physically-unable-to-peform) list and might not be available until after week six because of his torn ACL and MCL. Sheppard has demanded a trade.

FS:
1. LaRon Landry-Washington Redskins
2. Brian Dawkins-Philadelphia Eagles
3. Ken Hamlin-Dallas Cowboys
4. Kenny Phillips-NY Giants
Landry will stay at FS this year after filling in well at the end of last season. He is destined for another great campaign this year. Dawkins is aging, but can still lower the boom. Hamlin is a ball hawk and just signed long-term. Phillips will see plenty of playing time as a first-round pick.

SS:
1. Roy Williams-Dallas Cowboys
2. Quintin Mikell-Philadelphia Eagles
3. Sammy Knight-NY Giants
4. Reed Doughty-Washington Redskins
Williams is the most overrated player in the league, but is still the best of this weak corps. Mikell still needs to hold off Sean Considine for the starting spot as does Doughty with Stuart Schweigert and Kareem Moore. Knight was the weakness of the Giants' sub-par secondary last year.

Backup safeties:
1. Stuart Schweigert, Kareem Moore-Washington Redskins
2. J.R. Reed, Sean Considine-Philadelphia Eagles
3. James Butler, Michael Johnson-NY Giants
4. Pat Watkins, Tyler Everett-Dallas Cowboys

K:
1. David Akers-Philadelphia Eagles
2. Lawrence Tynes-NY Giants
3. Nick Folk-Dallas Cowboys
4. Shaun Suisham-Washington Redskins

P:
1. Jeff Feagles-NY Giants
2. Mat McBriar-Dallas Cowboys
3. Durant Brooks-Washington Redskins
4. Sav Rocca-Philadelphia Eagles

KR:
1. Rock Cartwright-Washington Redskins
2. Miles Austin-Dallas Cowboys
3. Domenick Hixon-NY Giants
4. DeSean Jackson-Philadelphia Eagles

PR:
1. Terrence Newman-Dallas Cowboys
2. Antwaan Randle El-Washington Redskins
3. DeSean Jackson-Philadelphia Eagles
4. R.W. McQuarters-NY Giants

It Has Begun

Training camp officially kicked off yesterday, and what a mixed bag of emotions it left behind.

The Redskins were the first team to report to camp, losing two defensive ends by the end of practice and adding one by the end of the day.

Starting DE Phillip Daniels went down on the first play of the first drill with a torn ACL, leaving him out for the season. Reserve DE Alex Buzbee ruptured his Achilles tendon in the afternoon session, putting him out for the year as well. However, executive vice president of football operations Vinny Cerrato started gameplanning as soon as Daniels got hurt and landed future hall of famer Jason Taylor from the Dolphins for a 2009 second rounder and a 2010 sixth rounder.

Obviously, the loss of Daniels was a huge blow to the Redskins, who had all of their defensive starters returning from last season. Daniels was a strong, run-stopping end and a leader in the locker room. His loss also caused us to give up our second-round pick in next year's draft, acquiring Jason Taylor.

Taylor is a quality sack master, who is practically guaranteed to get you 10+ sacks a season. However, he'll be 34 when the season starts and has publically stated he only wants to play one more season. If he goes one-and-done in DC, the Skins have really short-changed their future growth as they now have no second-, fourth- or seventh-round pick in next year's draft and have taken on the $17 million left on the final two years of Taylor's contract.

On the flip side, the immediate future looks bright for Washington. Put simply, the NFC is wide open this season. The Packers are a young, talent-stocked team, but now have an unproven quarterback in Aaron Rodgers and who knows what the Brett Favre fiasco will do to the team's psyche. The Cowboys have loaded up on talent, but they haven't won a playoff game in over a decade and have some locker room problems waiting to explode. Terrell Owens has always been known to be a threat to shake things up, add Pacman Jones and his problems, Terry Glenn's unhappiness with being asked to take an injury buyout and Roy Williams' displeasure with the organization. Let's keep in mind coach Wade Phillips isn't exactly authoritative. The Super Bowl defending Giants have lost starting defensive end Michael Strahan to retirement, starting linebacker Kawika Mitchell and starting safety Gibril Wilson to free agency and, as of today, tight end Jeremy Shockey to the Saints in a trade. If there is a time for the Skins to make a push, it could be now. Jason Taylor could be good for a win or two in the division and his veteran leadership should help come playoff time.

Right now, the deal looks good for both teams. Taylor should provide immediate help for the Skins decimated defensive line and the Dolphins unloaded a huge contract and picked up some nice draft picks as they rebuild for the future. Only time will tell how this plays out, but it appears as though both teams got what they wanted. I'll reserve judgement, but I'll say this, I'm skeptical.

Played Out Storylines: Chad Johnson's Trade Demands

"How are you going to stop number 85?"
That used to be the mantra of "Ocho Cinco," the prized asset of the Bengals. Nowadays, it's more like, "How are you going to shut up number 85?"

Johnson's patience with the organization apparently reached its boiling point this summer when he demanded to be traded. The threats were made, he wasn't going to show up for traning camp, he wants more money, he wants a new deal, he wants to be on a winning team, he'll sit the entire year if it doesn't happen. Well, here we are several months later and nothing has changed. Johnson is still a member of the Bengals, with no new deal, despite being pined over by contenders during the offseason.

Johnson went on all the talk shows to express his discontent. Jim Rome, Sportscenter, NFL Live and even Clinton Portis did television interviews with him. He talked constantly about how we wanted out of Cincinnati and wanted to play with a winner. He also made it clear that Cincinnati could not be a winner. However, the Bengals did not want to let him go.

The suitors lined up for him. The Dallas Cowboys and Philadelphia Eagles bid for him, the Washington Redskins even offered two first-round picks the day before the draft and were turned down. Head coach Marvin Lewis was not letting him leave and Johnson had to sit and take it.

Now it's time for camp and Johnson says he will attend. Now, all of a sudden, Ocho is back to his old tricks, saying he wanted to stay and the Bengals can be a contender. He is reunited with Carson Palmer, one of the best QBs in the game, and his best friend and fellow receiver, T.J. Houshmandzadeh. So after all that smoke blowing, we're back where we started.

So Chad, thank you for trying to be entertaining this summer, it was worth a shot. Unfortunately, the media got tired of you and didn't really care to report on your trade demands anymore. Maybe you should go back to racing against horses in the offseason and coming up with creative end zone dances. I'll see you then.

Colt Following

I'll go ahead and say it, I love Colt Brennan. I happen to know there are a lot of other people who do as well, but I mean it. I think Colt Brennan is the cat's pajamas. There isn't really one thing I can put my finger on that really draws me to him, it's just the total package. It's everything big and little: he holds 31 NCAA records (from playing just two years of college ball), he set the records in paradise, playing for Hawaii, he was a Heisman finalist, he's a beach bum (everything I aspire to be), he knows how to do the Haka, he wears a tinted visor as a quarterback, he's from Laguna Beach, he played with Matt Leinart in high school, he tried dreadlocks, he dyed the Hawaiian islands in his head, he learned Samoan to communicate with his linemen and most importantly, he's now a Washington Redskin.

I followed Brennan in college. I stayed up for the 4 a.m. games to see Hawaii put up 50 points. It was crazy to see Brennan put up numbers like 500 yards passing and 6 TDs on a regular basis. What was even crazier was to see him do it in the first half. Often times, Brennan would just play the first half or the first three quarters of a game because they were beating the other team so badly. Brennan must have had it all: NCAA record holder, Heisman candidate, stud QB on an undefeated team, big man on campus, all of it happening in Hawaii.

I know you can point to Timmy Chang and say Brennan is just a product of a great system, but Brennan seems to be different. His throws are deadly accurate. He can put the ball pretty much wherever he wants. His arm strength is lacking, but how often does a quarterback need to bomb it 70 yards? Moreover, he's in a perfect system for his skillset. The West Coast offense Jim Zorn is implementing in DC relies on the QB's ability to hit receivers on short routes in tight spaces. Enter Brennan. Accuracy is the name of the game for the system. Even better for Brennan is that Jason Campbell is the starter and Todd Collins and is the backup. All Brennan has to do is spend this year grasping the playbook and getting himself healthy.

I'm not saying he's going to take over. In fact, he might not even play a down. All I'm saying is I like the guy's style...and when's the next time you're going to get hyped over a third string QB?

Played Out Storylines: Pacman the Model Citizen

Did you hear the news? Pacman Jones went to practice today and didn't get arrested? It's amazing! I heard about it on ESPN's NFL Live. They give me an update at the beginning of every show. It's great, ESPN really gets me. They know exactly what I want to hear every time. Like a couple weeks ago, I turned it on and they were talking about Pacman intercepting a pass. Then the other week, they were talking about how he didn't get in trouble that day, and all the analysts were so supportive! It's good to know you have good people around you, you know? People who genuinely care for your well-being.

Give me a break. I know the offseason gets slow, but I can't think of anything being blown out of proportion more than the Pacman "Please don't call me Pacman anymore" Jones situation in Dallas. How many worthless stories have come from this? NFL Live spent most of its first segment one show discussing how Pacman was going to wear #21 instead of #32 and how his game could be compared to Deion's. I guess ESPN should shoulder more of this ridiculousness than Pacman, but it really falls under the same category. ESPN talks more about the Cowboys than anyone else so it's biased to begin with, but I swear they are trying to make Pacman into a new person. All of a sudden, his legal troubles of the past have been forgotten and he's now on the path to being a model citizen. Hey, he's even got Deion Sanders and Michael Irvin as his new mentors. Is he learning new end zone dances and why not to use cocaine?

We're talking about a guy who was nothing but trouble in Tennessee. He was suspended for an entire season and is now on a probationary tryout to get reinstated by the commissioner. He hasn't been arrested recently and it's all the rage for the Dallas and national media to talk about. Move over TO, with your big new contract extension! Move over Tony Romo, and your "are they or aren't they together" relationship with Jessica Simpson! Marion Barber got a $50 million contract? Pssh. The Cowboys had two first-round picks? Roy Williams isn't happy? Who cares? Pacman's here, and he's not in jail!

I'm tired of it. Pacman (let's face it, no one is going to call you Adam), good luck this year. If you can get through this season with Terrell Owens, an unhappy Roy Williams, an impatient Jerry Jones, Jessica Simpson, her pink #9 jersey (ROMOOO!), and you all in the same vicinity without ripping the team apart, I will salute you. But until then, I don't want to hear about you until you're playing like a Pro Bowler on the field.

You can rehabilitate all you want, but it's been less than a year since those double-digit arrests. Moving three states away doesn't make you a different person, not even the media can change that. You need to show a lot more for the perception to shift.

Played Out Storylines: Brett Favre's "Retirement"

I understand the competitive nature of the world's greatest athletes, and when it comes to the case of Brett Favre, I don't think anyone loves gamedays more. However, for a man who has accomplished everything there is to do in this sport, it's time to make a decision...a concrete decision.

When he made his decision to retire after the season, questions were already swirling about whether he would stay retired or not. I know it is difficult when you are arguably the greatest quarterback of all-time and all you've known is professional football for the past 17 years. At the same time though, you put the Packers through this a year ago. The result was Favre taking the entire offseason to decide he was coming back for another year. This time, whether he rushed his decision or not, he decided it was over. He had nothing left to give, except for a few hours on Sundays, and as he said it himself, "in football you can't do that." That decision set off a chain reaction that determined how the Packers would move forward during the offseason.

Aaron Rodgers must have breathed a sigh of relief, believing he would finally get his opportunity to run this team after riding the bench for years. The Packers moved forward as such and have declared publically he is their starting quarterback for next season. He is now taking all the first team reps and doing his best to win over the trust of his teammates. I'm sure it doesn't help when everyday you have to think about whether Brett Favre wants to come back and take your job away from you. In addition, Green Bay drafted Louisville QB Brian Brohm in the second round. If Favre was to come back, you are looking at keeping your first-round pick of four years ago on the bench again and your second-round pick of this year as your third stringer.

On top of everything else, Favre's impending retirement papers were supposed to free up around $9 million in cap space. If he comes back, who needs to be cut to make room for him? What if the Packers don't want to release anyone to accommodate Favre? What if they want to move forward? It's like having a rough break-up with your girlfriend, and just as you start to get over it and see someone you think you have potential with, you get that late-night text message from your ex, wanting to talk things over.

What if, God forbid, Favre wants to come back with another team? Does anyone really want to see that? Did anyone want to see Joe Montana put on that Chiefs uniform? We are now getting into the realm of tarnishing legacies. For all intents and purposes, Brett Favre has the most storied career in NFL history: 17 years, the record for most consecutive games played, every passing record possible, a Super Bowl championship, MVP awards, Pro Bowls and all of it with the same team. There's a lot to be said for that. Favre is one of the most lovable players of the last two decades and a clear fan favorite, and not just in Green Bay. My 13-year-old cousin in Jacksonville, Fl. is enamored with Favre, spurning his hometown Jaguars and asking for a Favre jersey for Christmas! He hasn't even been alive for all of Favre's career!

Don't get me wrong, Favre is a legend and in that sense he deserves to decide when his career is over on his own terms. However, toying with the emotions of your fans and the direction of an organization is straining the relationship. Make the decision on your own terms, but make it in a reasonable amount of time. I hope Favre makes the right decision for himself and the Packers organization, it's difficult to sit back and watch it unfold three times a day on ESPN. Either commit to it or don't, but you've been mulling it over for the last two years. It's time Brett, you can't drag this out anymore.

Grading the Draft: Dallas Cowboys

Grade: C+

1. Felix Jones-RB Arkansas
1. Mike Jenkins-CB South Florida
2. Martellus Bennett-TE Texas A&M
4. Tashard Choice-RB Georgia Tech
5. Orlando Scandrick-CB Boise St.
6. Erik Walden-DE Mid Tenn St.

After such a great season last year, the Cowboys had the luxury of drafting depth more than immediate needs. However, it was a lack of true value in their picks and some poor decisions that bring their grade down.

With two first-round picks, the Cowboys should have picked up two solid starters who can play consistently for the forseeable future. They didn't exactly get that with RB Felix Jones and CB Mike Jenkins. The Cowboys allowed Julius Jones to depart in free agency as Marion Barber emerged as the true starter with his bruising style of play. With no glaring weaknesses on the team, owner Jerry Jones elected to go with a change of pace back to complement Barber with their first pick. Jones is a speedster with great returning abilities, but doesn't have the body to be an every down back. Jerry, while your team may have gone 13-3 last year, it still doesn't justify taking a backup running back with your top choice.

Jenkins is another story. While Dallas does have two very good corners in Terrence Newman and Anthony Henry, there's always room for depth in the secondary. Even though the Cowboys also acquired Adam "Pacman" Jones from the Titans, he can't be counted on because of his past legal troubles. Jenkins was the most polished CB in this draft class, although his upside is lacking. He should figure as a solid #2 CB down the line and he is also physical in run support. He could get himself decent playing time right away in the nickel package.

Martellus Bennett is a questionable choice, looking at the big picture. Before the draft, Dallas traded their second-round pick from last year, TE Anthony Fasano, and DE Akin Ayodele to Miami for a fourth-round pick. Right there, that's terrible value. Last year's second rounder and a contributor on defense for a fourth rounder? Moreover, Dallas turns around and uses their second-round pick on a tight end for the second straight year, apparently to replace the departed Fasano. Let's keep in mind the Cowboys already have perhaps the best tight end in the league in Jason Whitten. So to recap, the Cowboys used their 2007 second rounder on Fasano, a backup for Whitten. They then trade him and a decent defensive linemen for a fourth rounder. Dallas then uses a second rounder again on a backup for Whitten, this time on Bennett, who played more basketball than football in college. He's an athletic, big player with good upside, but after all that maneuvering, it's just not drafting wisely.

With no third-round pick, the Cowboys re-entered in the fourth. RB Tashard Choice is a player who is actually very comparable to Marion Barber, a former fourth-round pick himself. Choice is a workhorse back, a north-south runner who won't make defenders miss, but will punish you coming through the hole. Spending a fourth rounder on an insurance policy for your feature back isn't a bad idea. Choice could be a steal given the opportunity to produce.

CB Orlando Scandrick and DE Erik Walden were taken in the fifth and sixth rounds, respectively, and will need to work hard to make the team. With Dallas already having its starting CBs coming back from last year, investing a first-round pick in Jenkins and trading for Pacman Jones, Scandrick has his work cut out for him. Walden will need to find a home in the 3-4 scheme. His coverage skills are lacking, but he isn't big enough to play on the line. The Cowboys had enough talent already that they felt comfortable enough to trade away Ayodele, so Walden might be camp fodder.

Overall, the Cowboys had their team in place coming into the draft and didn't need to add much. However, they used the draft to invest more in luxury items than big time players. They also neglected to address wide receiver, as a #2 wide out would have been a nice addition. Terry Glenn continues to be a question mark with his knee problems and Patrick Crayton is more of a slot receiver. Passing on a need and not getting proper value for their picks lands Dallas with a C+.

Grading the Draft: Philadelphia Eagles

Grade: C-

2. Trevor Laws- DT Notre Dame

2. DeSean Jackson-WR California

3. Bryan Smith-DE McNeese St.

4. Michael McGlynn-OL Pittsburgh

4. Quintin Demps-S UTEP

4. Jack Ikegwuonu-CB Wisconsin

6. Michael Gibson-OG California

6. Joe Mays-ILB North Dakota St.

6. Andrew Studebaker-DE Wheaton

7. King Dunlap-OT Auburn

For the second straight year, the Eagles traded out of the first round and acquired more picks. Philadelphia has become a master at acruing picks later in the draft and making them count. This year was no different. Two second-round picks, three fourth-round picks and three sixth-rounders gave the Eagles a lot of options on draft day. However, that quantity didn't equal quality in their class. They drafted players with too many problems or limitations to make real impacts in the league.

Philadelphia's biggest need was a go-to receiver. They were in the sweepstakes for Chad Johnson, Roy Williams and Anquan Boldin with no success. With other options on the board, the Eagles went with DeSean Jackson. Jackson is a speedy, returner first, receiver second-type player. At under six-feet-tall, less than 180 pounds, staying healthy is a concern in the physical NFC East. Jackson will never be a #1 receiver in the NFL and the Eagles needed more value from this pick.

Trevor Laws could be a solid player at the next level. He's undersized, but makes up for it with effort. Aside from that, there's not much to get excited about from this draft. The picks aren't sexy, mostly offensive and defensive linemen, but that won't be held against them because that's not a negative. The downside is taking players with existing problems or limitations that creates a huge learning curve for them. A lot of undersized, small school guys were taken, so not only will they need to add size, they will also need extra time to adjust to the speed of the NFL game, probably more so than a player from a BCS conference.

The largest question mark is the selection of Jack Ikegwuonu in the fourth round, ignoring that he tore knee ligaments just before the combine. He is not expected to play this season and could have been had later in the draft, if not in free agency. His speed was questionable before the draft, but coming off major knee surgery clouds his ability even more.

The Eagles needed this draft to vault themselves back into division contention. While they came on strong at the end of last season and are a trendy pick for this year, this draft does not add any real fire power to an offense that relies too heavily on one player, Bryan Westbrook. The defensive moves were handled mostly in free agency, but with as many picks as the Eagles had, they could have brought in better talent though this draft.

Grading the Draft: New York Giants

Grade: C

1. Kenny Phillips-S Miami (FL)
2. Terrell Thomas-CB USC
3. Mario Manningham-WR Michigan
4. Bryan Kehl-OLB BYU
5. Jonathan Goff-ILB Vanderbilt
6. Andre' Woodson-QB Kentucky
6. Robert Henderson-DE Southern Miss

When you win the Super Bowl, it's hard to say a team has any real weaknesses. However, if there was one to pick out for the Giants, it was their secondary. Their rather pedestrian coverage was masked well by the best defensive line in the league. The offseason departure of S Gibril Wilson to Oakland didn't help either. Therefore, the Giants threw their first two picks at solving the problem. Kenny Phillips could be the next big thing out of "The U," attempting to add his name of the lineage of Ed Reed, Sean Taylor and Brandon Meriweather, all first-round safeties. Terrell Thomas will try to boost the cornerback corps, as Sam Madison and R.W. McQuarters continue to age. Aaron Ross come on spectacularly last year, so Thomas could have a nice grace period to find his place in the defense.

While selecting Mario Manningham in the third round isn't as big of a risk as taking him in the first, it is still a roll of the dice. His slow 40-time scared some teams, but it is his character that's questioned the most. He finally admitted to failing multiple marijuana tests in college, after originally lying to NFL scouts at the combine. This is also the third straight year the Giants have invested early picks on wideouts. First Sinorice Moss, then Steve Smith and now Manningham. With Amani Toomer still in good shape for his age and Plaxico Burress at the top of his game, Manningham will have to work that much harder just to see playing time. Also, let's not forget about David Tyree, the miracle worker of the Super Bowl.

The loss of Kawika Mitchell in free agency and the need for Mathias Kiwanuka to move back to defensive end due to Michael Strahan's retirement warranted a few picks for the linebacking corps. Jonathan Goff is a possible sleeper and the Giants like the upside of Bryan Kehl.

With Eli Manning showing he can be the man, the Giants didn't need to make too much of an investment in quarterback. However, a more capable backup than Jared "The Pillsbury Throwboy" Lorenzen wouldn't hurt. They found a good value in Andre' Woodson, who was a projected second-round pick early on, but ill-advised passes late in his senior season and his slow throwing motion dropped him to the sixth round. If his mechanics can be improved, he has the size and arm strength to make Giants fans feel at little more at ease should Eli ever go down.

Overall, the Giants didn't need to add to much to a championship team. Free agency hurt, as it usually does when teams win it all and players want their payday. However, the Giants used their first-round pick to replace the loss of Gibril Wilson and two mid-rounders to fill the void of Kawika Mitchell. To their fault though, they didn't make much of an effort to bolster either line, and the retirement of Michael Strahan is a huge loss. If injuries hit this team hard, there isn't much to fall back on in the trenches. The Manningham selection probably could have been used on something more pressing, and in the NFC East, nothing comes easy. With all the other teams in their division on the upswing and using their drafts wisely, the Giants needed to make some more solid choices.

Grading the Draft: Washington Redskins

Grade: B

2. Devin Thomas-WR Michigan St.
2. Fred Davis-TE USC
2. Malcolm Kelly-WR Oklahoma
3. Chad Rinehart-OL Northern Iowa
4. J.T. Tryon-CB Arizona St.
6. Durant Brooks-P Georgia Tech
6. Kareem Moore-S Nicholls St.
6. Colt Brennan-QB Hawaii
7. Rob Jackson-DE Kansas St.
7. Chris Horton-S UCLA

For once, the Redskins decided to hang on to their draft picks. In fact, they even traded back to acquire more picks. The Skins moved out of the first round, ending up with three second-round picks. However, it wasn't over there, as they also traded one of their two third rounders and a fifth rounder to get themselves into the fourth round and have three sixth rounders to boot.

The Skins focused heavier on offense than defense as new head coach Jim Zorn will utilize as many weapons as possible in his West Coast style of offense. The two biggest needs coming into the draft were for a tall, big-bodied receiver and a defensive end who can pressure the quarterback. The Skins seemed to have answered the former in spades, while leaving something to be desired with the latter.

Washington played its cards right by trading out of the first round while no receiver was taken in the opening round. The Redskins also got lucky as the Rams threw a curveball by selecting Donnie Avery, a player few had at the top of the wide receiver boards, as the first WR taken. That allowed Washington to have its pick of the litter, nabbing Devin Thomas a big, speedy receiver with a knack for big plays that many experts had going in the top 15. Later in the second round they took Fred Davis, a luxury, considering Chris Cooley is coming off a Pro Bowl season, solidifying his role as one of the best tight ends in the league. Davis should allow the Skins to run more two-TE sets and stretch defenses vertically. Malcolm "Poppin' Trunk" Kelly rounded out the second round, a receiver many analysts had at the top of their lists until a slow 40-time and questions about his knees made him fall. If Kelly can rebound from the knocks of the naysayers, the Skins might have one dynamite steal.

Washington used the rest of its draft to solidify other areas and fill holes on the depth chart. Cornerback Justin "J.T." Tryon has been compared to current Skin Fred Smoot, and his transition could be crucial as Carlos Rogers is slow to come back from tearing his ACL and MCL last season. That leaves Shawn Springs and Smoot, two older but capable veterans, to pick up the slack. The infusion of a youngster like Tryon would be a welcome surprise in the secondary. Safety was also addressed as Kareem Moore and Chris Horton were selected in the later rounds and should provide competition for SS Reed Doughty. Stu Schweigert was also signed as a free agent from Oakland. One of those players will complement LaRon "Dirty 30" Landry in the secondary.

Chad Rinehart was a left tackle in college, but most likely will be groomed to play guard at the next level. An addition on the offensive line was necessary as all of the starters on the line are over the age of 30. The Redskins will have to completely revamp the line in a couple years. The emergence of Stephon Heyer last year and the selection of Rinehart could be a start.

Quarterback Colt Brennan was taken in the sixth round, making him a real steal if he pans out. The Skins aren't demanding much of him, as Jason Campbell has already been named the starter and Todd Collins is a very capable backup. Brennan could be a solid backup once he gets healthy and returns from hip surgery. Either way, taking a chance on a sixth rounder doesn't leave much liability on the front office.

Overall, the Skins were very frugal in their drafting, they did their research and made moves for the guys they wanted. The only downside was their neglect of the defensive line yet again, making it a liability if the injury bug strikes like it did last year. Jim Zorn clearly has the offensive firepower he needs with the addition of three big receivers. For staying out of the splashy free agent market and using the draft wisely, the Redskins get a huge thumbs up.

Draft Provides Opportunity to Shore Up Lines, Right the Ship

I wrote this article pre-draft, so it's a little dated, but I put it up as a lead into a great topic of discussion for the offseason, how well every team drafted. I'll be breaking down each team's offseason, their draft, free agent signings and outlook for next season, starting with the Washington Redskins.


As the NFL combine comes to a close, we have officially entered my favorite part of the offseason, the run-up to the draft. This time of year is especially important for the Redskins because it appears as though, for once, they will hold on to their draft picks. This could mark the first time since Daniel Snyder took over the franchise that the front office and the coaching staff are valuing the draft over free agency, and it couldn’t come at a better time.

There are great elements to this team, but there are also glaring weaknesses and aging players, partly because of the push for free agents over draft picks. To compound the problem, this team is also in transition, with a new head coach, new coordinators and a new style of offense. For new head coach Jim Zorn to be successful, he’s going to need to infuse young talent into an aging roster, providing more depth and athleticism. The draft is the perfect remedy for the situation.

Fortunately for Zorn, he has good talent and relative youth at skill positions on the offensive side of the ball. The top passer (Jason Campbell), top two rushers (Clinton Portis and Ladell Betts) and top three receivers (Santana Moss, Chris Cooley and Antwaan Randle El) from last year are all 28 or younger. However, the same can’t be said for the offensive line. Undrafted rookie Stephon Heyer was the only one under 30 to see significant playing time. The starting line-up next year could be Chris Samuels, Pete Kendall, Casey Rabach, Randy Thomas and Jon Jansen, all over 30. Depth on the line was exposed last season when Jansen and Thomas were both lost for the season by the third game. Heyer shined when given the opportunity and should develop into a quality prospect with more time and experience. However, Todd Wade couldn’t transition to guard the way the team hoped and although Jason Fabini filled in well when asked, he is now a free agent in his mid-30s. The draft would be the perfect way to bolster that line in a younger, cheaper way.

Recent history says the Redskins have done well when they have used picks in the first three rounds on offensive linemen. Looking back from 1999 till now, the Redskins have hit home runs on guys like Jon Jansen, Chris Samuels and Derrick Dockery. Unfortunately, later picks devoted to the same position haven’t had the same success. Names like Derek Smith, Michael Moore, Reggie Coleman and Mark Wilson haven’t matched that kind of production. So if the Redskins want to draft for the offensive line, they would be wise do it with their early picks. There is certainly talent in this draft to warrant that kind of attention at both tackle and guard.

On the defensive side of the ball, age is beginning to show. It is a talented but oft-injured group. Key contributors such as Cornelius Griffin, Shawn Springs and Marcus Washington have battled through nagging injuries to play on Sundays. Carlos Rogers and Rocky McIntosh both tore their ACLs and MCLs and may not be ready for the start of the season. The defensive unit doesn’t necessarily need immediate starting help, so much as depth in all areas. So many injuries last season left the coaching staff reaching for players second or third on the depth chart. Every group, defensive line, linebackers, cornerbacks and safeties, all had some sort of significant injury or loss.

The Redskins have found success drafting for defense as players like Rogers, McIntosh, Anthony Montgomery, Kedric Golston, Reed Doughty and LaRon Landry now find themselves with significant roles in this defense. Those players will have to step up even more next season as veterans age and salaries reach levels Snyder no longer wants to pay. Looking down the road, don’t expect to see players like Griffin, Washington, Springs, Phillip Daniels or London Fletcher to be around in just a couple of years. Therefore, this year’s draft will be crucial to having productive players to plug in when the aforementioned list is no longer around. The defensive line is the glaring weakness of the group as there is a need for a pass rushing defensive end as well as a defensive tackle that can collapse the pocket. The Redskins could devote several draft picks to filling those areas of need.

Zorn finds himself in a rare scenario where is taking over a team not because it is bad, but because its legendary coach retired. The second era of Joe Gibbs was prosperous, even though he didn’t reach the ultimate goal of winning a championship. Now that he is gone, we can look back and appreciate how he set this franchise on the right track. Two playoff appearances and a playoff win in four years with well disciplined players and a competent coaching staff gives Zorn everything he needs to know about the possibilities with this organization. A couple smart personnel moves and development of the young talent on the roster could make this team a contender in a year or two with a rather large window of opportunity. The draft is the first of many steps for our new head coach to bring us a Super Bowl championship, but Joe Gibbs left the framework. All Zorn has to do is build on it.

Sean Taylor Forever

This blog is dedicated to the memory of Sean Michael Taylor, my hero and my inspiration for covering sports. This is for you Sean, you'll always be in my heart.

Sean Michael Taylor (April 1, 1983-November 27, 2007)
Always and forever.