I own Lamont Jordan and Brandon Jacobs in my dynasty league, so I was very interested to watch the running back movement in the NFL today: Dominic Rhodes to the Raiders and Reuben Droughns to the Giants.

While I'm not excited both runners have competition, it could have been worse. The reality is that Jacobs and Jordan were going to have competition regardless. The quality of the competition was the question.

Continue reading "Jordan and Jacobs: Could have been worse" »

Posted by Gregg Rosenthal at 05:05 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

It's not a good sign for the Raiders when Jordan Black takes less money to sign with the Texans because he feels they will be more competitive.

At least Oakland got Dominic Rhodes to sign Friday. More on that later...

Continue reading "Friday Afternoon links" »

Posted by Gregg Rosenthal at 01:26 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

It has come to this for the Minnesota Vikings. The organization looks so aimless, conspiracy theorists are starting to believe that the team is intentionally tanking so they can move out of town.

Now this is absurd, of course. But this is the type of article that gets written when you spend big free agent dollars on Viscanthe Shiancoe and Bobby Wade. Ugh.

Continue reading "Boring Vikings" »

Posted by Gregg Rosenthal at 12:01 PM | Permalink | Comments (2)

The Ravens never wanted to keep Jamal Lewis in the first place. They offered him a backup's contract for one-year and $2 million. His deal with the Cleveland Browns isn't much better, at only $3.5 million for a season. That nicely straddles the line between starter and backup and makes it clear they don't view Lewis as a long-term solution. That's a good thing.

Lewis' 2,000-yard season in 2003 was his finest hour, but also his year of reckoning. He hasn't been truly healthy since earning 429 touches that season. Lewis is a 27-year-old former superstar trapped in a 33-year-old's body. Problem is, he doesn't see it that way.

Continue reading "The Future for McGahee and Lewis" »

Posted by Gregg Rosenthal at 03:21 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

After a frantic week, the NFL news machine is slowing signs of slowing down. There will be plenty of interesting deals to come shortly, including possible trades for Willis McGahee, Dry Bly and Trent Green, but the pace is returning to sane. Daniel Graham was one of the last of the 'first-tier' free agents available. Now teams will start bargain shopping.

Continue reading "Look for McGahee to join Ravens" »

Posted by Gregg Rosenthal at 02:12 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

My first thought on the Thomas Jones trade was that it was a great move for the Jets. My second thought was that it was only so-so Jones' fantasy owners. It's good to get away from Cedric Benson, but I doubt the 2007 Jets is a better situation than the 2006 Bears. The only person this trade helps in fantasy leagues is Benson.

The Jets will know how to use Jones' versatility and make him effective per-touch. Jones will be happy because he's making big money the next two years. But I suspect he'll get the ball even less than in Chicago.

Continue reading "Don't expect Jones to improve for NYJ" »

Posted by Gregg Rosenthal at 08:30 PM | Permalink | Comments (25)

Total Access has been featuring a new segment in the off-season featuring a back-and-forth between the voluble Jamie Dukes and NFL Films Senior Producer and NFL Matchup guru Greg Cosell. It's quickly become one of my favorite segments on the Network.

Why you ask? Both of these guys, especially Cosell, actually watch tape (gasp) before spouting off an opinion. And that gives them the confidence to call a spade a spade.

On Nate Clements' signing Dukes called, him "Maybe the 15th, 16th best corner in the league." Cosell said they are "paying for the position," but in no way is Clements an elite player. How come we haven't heard that much elsewhere? Clements' reviews were kind compared to the following.

Continue reading "Good new segment on NFLN" »

Posted by Gregg Rosenthal at 02:19 PM | Permalink | Comments (3)

While I sit here and wonder what Travis Henry has done to have Denver so hot on his trail, here's a few links that didn't make the morning news or I wanted to highlight here.

Continue reading "Monday Links" »

Posted by Gregg Rosenthal at 12:58 PM | Permalink | Comments (4)

I'm going to do a post ranking the ten best NFL-team related blogs later in the month. I've got strong opinions about this topic, but let me know if anyone out there wants to throw support about their hometown team's newspaper or team website blog.

I'll also do a top-five of independent, fan, or fantasy blogs (or top ten if it warrants), and would definitely need help looking for nominees in that category. Let me know what you guys love to read.

Posted by Gregg Rosenthal at 10:20 AM | Permalink | Comments (2)

It wasn't a particularly good idea for Houston to sign Ahman Green to a four-year contract. Gary Kubiak needed some stability, but he should be building an explosive running game for the future. Now he'll feel obligated to give half of his touches to an average 30-year-old running back who faded badly at the end of last year. The move only makes sense if he limits Green's touches under 225 or so.

For Green, though, it was a great idea to sign with Houston pronto. There are simply too many running back options around the league right now and not enough starting jobs. Lamont Jordan could hit the market this week, probably displacing Travis Henry as the top UFA available. A few talented runners will get caught without a starting chair when the music stops. Here's a list of who's available ...

Continue reading "Green in Houston" »

Posted by Gregg Rosenthal at 06:50 PM | Permalink | Comments (1106)