Any team looking to sign or trade for Javon Walker this offseason should read the articles about his rambling day-after interviews. Combine his high maintenance and his balky knee, Walker should realize his best case scenario financially would be if Denver was willing to keep him next year for $7.5 million. That's looking less likely to happen.

Posted by Gregg Rosenthal at 05:29 PM | Permalink | Comments (3)

This is one the key news weeks of the offseason, as we comb through the papers to get indications of where teams will head this offseason before everyone leaves this building. Here are some of interesting nuggets I saw this morning.

* From the Miami Herald, some of the thinking behind Cam Cameron's impending firing:

Continue reading "Offseason starts for 20 teams" »

Posted by Gregg Rosenthal at 03:20 PM | Permalink | Comments (8)

The end of the regular season means a lot of change is coming. Change in personnel, change in coaching staffs, heck, even change in my work schedule (I was splitting our morning news with Evan Silva for the first time in a while). Hopefully that will mean more regular blogging.

I was about to write that this Black Monday, the day many NFL coaches are fired, may be quieter than most because of the holiday schedule. Then news about Brian Billick's firing came in. Happy New Year!

Continue reading "Black Monday has begun" »

Posted by Gregg Rosenthal at 02:01 PM | Permalink | Comments (8)

This week's Sports Illustrated cover is an instant classic. Even Bill Belichick seems to be enjoying the joke. From Thursday's press conference:

Continue reading "Who said he's a Grinch?" »

Posted by Gregg Rosenthal at 03:33 PM | Permalink | Comments (3)

More young players something to prove in Week 17 ...

Saints vs. Bears

Pierre Thomas, Saints - The rookie undrafted pick is stuck at a crowded position, but could shine in his first NFL start.

Devery Henderson, Saints - Likely playing his last game for the franchise. Henderson needs a big game just to top 500 yards in a disappointing campaign.

Continue reading "Young RBs could shine in Bears- Saints" »

Posted by Gregg Rosenthal at 12:27 PM | Permalink | Comments (4)

Willie's run started in audition week

I end up watching a lot of Week 17 DirecTV Shortcuts during the long offseason because it's a chance to see a ton of players that are stuck to the bench all season. This is a young player's chance to leave a lasting impression and possibly get the leg up on a starting job next season.

Willie Parker is the best recent example. He had only 13 carries in his rookie season until Week 17, when he carried the load for a resting Steelers squad. 19 carries, 102 yards, and an improbable victory over the Bills later (knocking them out of the playoffs), FWP had a big future in the NFL. The following season he ran for 1,200 yards and a memorable Super Bowl touchdown.

Continue reading "Audition Week" »

Posted by Gregg Rosenthal at 10:41 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)

The most wonderful time of the year is officially over. I just spent 90 minutes banging out a yearly employee review (The joys of getting bought out last year!) and feel like I need a shower. Some wide receiver Week 17 upgrades should cleanse the palette.

Bernard Berrian - If he's healthy, he can toast a Mike McKenzie-less Saints secondary, no matter who's throwing the ball. Check the practice reports.

Continue reading "Wideout Upgrades" »

Posted by Gregg Rosenthal at 05:38 PM | Permalink | Comments (4)

Anyone else think it's odd that Bill Parcells' introductory news conference is built so perfectly into Sportscenter's open? The second the anchor was done with the introduction, it was like the ESPN director cued Parcells to walk out. Of all of Parcells' great traints, controlling the media (and message) is near the top.

Posted by Gregg Rosenthal at 05:35 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Some running backs having more value than normal in this wild Week 17.

DeAngelo Willimas, Panthers- Finally starting to play over DeShaun Foster in key spots, and playing well. Could position himself for starting consideration in 2008.

Musa Smith, Ravens - The day has arrived! Too bad he'll be playing with Troy Smith.

Continue reading "Random RB Spikes" »

Posted by Gregg Rosenthal at 03:03 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

The rankings are up, the Fix is taped, and we're back at Pancake Blocks after a couple holiday half-days. Week 17 ahoy!

I am going to try to avoid looking at next year this week. We have all offseason to review '07 and look ahead to '08, and there are still plenty of fantasy championships this week, whether it's a good idea or not. Let's start with some quickie lists of guys likely to see a spike in value this week.

Continue reading "QB Spikes" »

Posted by Gregg Rosenthal at 02:27 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)