It was just three days ago that the Randy Moss era in New England peaked, with his outstanding 8-year-old jammies inspired presser outfit following the win over the Jaguars. Now he's clearly reached his low point, getting in the papers for all the wrong reasons during Conference Championship week.

Mike Reiss' blog on the Boston Globe has all of Moss' reponses to the story. Unsurprisingly, what Moss has to say is more interesting and confusing than the usual athlete denial. It's important to note that Moss hasn't been accused by the police of anything, and hasn't been arrested. There will be a hearing to decide whether Moss was at fault on January 28.

Continue reading "Moss story only getting started" »

Posted by Gregg Rosenthal at 03:29 PM | Permalink | Comments (6)

One of the worst-kept secrets surrounding the 2006 draft was that Titans offensive coordinator Norm Chow wanted to draft Matt Leinart over Vince Young, and most believed that coach Jeff Fisher felt the same way. Owner Bud Adams, a Texas native, wanted Young and got his man. That's an awkward way for any coordinator-QB relationship to start, and its inevitable end came Wednesday when Chow was fired.

Continue reading "Vince Young: Offensive coordinator killer?" »

Posted by Gregg Rosenthal at 10:53 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Deion Branch is consistently among the most overrated players in fantasy football, but that's going to change in 2008. He may barely be drafted at all, if he misses the first month of the season or more with a torn ACL, as the Seahawks fear.

One of the most famous receivers of all-time without a 1,000-yard season, Branch has missed 15 games in his six-year career, and played at less than 100% in many others. He's one of the smartest and quickest receivers in the NFL, but doesn't handle contact well. The Seahawks gave up a first-round pick to acquire him, plus handed him a huge contract, but they shouldn't have expected him to be a true number one receiver. He's just a nice piece to the puzzle.

Continue reading "Branch's Seattle struggles continue" »

Posted by Gregg Rosenthal at 10:02 AM | Permalink | Comments (2)

Does Maroney's strong finish make him a better '08 fantasy pick?

Philip Rivers has played well enough in the playoffs to adjust my expectations for his 2008 season slightly. So who else has affected their value? I'll list some names and decide if their postseason effort mattered.

Vincent Jackson, Chargers - Here was the guy we expected to see all season. I think San Diego's maturation in the passing game has a lot to do with understanding Norv Turner's system. Jackson will be ignored after a lost year, but he still has potential to score a lot of touchdowns.

Ahmad Bradshaw and Brandon Jacobs, Giants - Give credit to the GIants offensive line. Everyone looks like a superstar playing behind them. (Except for Reuben Droughns). Now that Bradshaw looks like a legitimate threat, Jacobs is going to wind up sharing carries with him and possibly Derrick Ward next year. Good for the Giants, bad for Jacobs. Although maybe lesser work can keep him healthy. 15 touches-per-game and a lot of scores would keep him a RB2.

Continue reading "Playoff adjustments" »

Posted by Gregg Rosenthal at 01:41 PM | Permalink | Comments (7)

Lost in the excitement of Volek, Turner, Sproles, and the defending champs losing at home was a career-making performance by Philip Rivers. Rivers has always been an emotional player, and I think that leads to some streakiness. (Remember the incredible fourth-quarter in the regular season against the Titans?)

Well, Rivers has been on some kind of streak the last game in a half. Playing two of the very best pass defenses in the league, Rivers has gone 26/36-for 460 yards, four touchdowns, and one pick since halftime against Tennessee. That's 12.7 yards-per-attempt! And while he benefited from some blown coverages against Tennessee, Rivers made some of the prettiest passes you'll ever see against the Colts. Owners of Rivers and Vincent Jackson especially have to be wondering where this was all season.

Continue reading "Giving Rivers his due" »

Posted by Gregg Rosenthal at 09:37 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)

LaDainian Tomlinson said an MRI revealed only a hyperextended knee, and that the injury wasn't serious.

Even odder, LT2 said that he would have returned to the game if the Chargers had trailed by more:

Continue reading "Tomlinson's odd injury" »

Posted by Gregg Rosenthal at 03:37 PM | Permalink | Comments (3)

Patriots fans, myself included, are undeniably spoiled. It shows up during games when Gillette Stadium sounds like a library. And it shows up in the reaction wins.

Multiple articles Monday in Boston are complaining that the Patriots don't face the Colts this week. Bill Simmons comparisons to the '86 Celtics are soon to follow.

Bob Ryan can appreciate the last seven straight hard-fought wins by the Patriots after the pinball scores from earlier in the season. Again, we're comparing how we like to win.

Continue reading "Spoiled Pats fans get another gift" »

Posted by Gregg Rosenthal at 12:50 PM | Permalink | Comments (15)

Dallas' loss to the Giants will leave a mark for years, but I don't buy that it's the beginning of the end for the franchise.

They were the fourth-youngest team in the league and there are many pieces in place for a long run of success, starting with Tony Romo. They honestly don't have many holes to fill, but here is what should concern the team heading into the offseason.

1. Flozell Adams - He didn't have a great playoff effort, but Adams is still a Pro Bowl left tackle. He would make an enormous contract on the open market, one that may not be worth it for a 33-year-old. The franchise tag seems made for him.

Continue reading "What's next for Cowboys?" »

Posted by Gregg Rosenthal at 10:20 AM | Permalink | Comments (7)

Hashmarks has some excellent post-mortem reaction from the Cowboys-Giants game, including a phrase that nicely sums up the end of the season: Who has my keys?

Posted by Gregg Rosenthal at 09:41 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

The entire organization deserves praise for making it this far; The coaching staff for fostering a team attitude; GM Floyd Reese for his draft class; Eli Manning for his poise; The offensive line for great run blocking. But more than any team in recent memory, the Giants have made it all the way to a Conference Championship on the strength of one exceptional unit - their defensive line.

By the fourth quarter Sunday, Osi Umenyiora was throwing All Pro tackle Flozell Adams around. Justin Tuck was giving Pro Bowler Andre Gurode fits. Michael Strahan was putting the finishing touches on yet another resurgent season.

Sure, the Giants were helped enormously by some Patrick Crayton gaffes. But the Giants defensive line took over against one of the best offensive lines in football when they absolutely had to. New York's patchwork secondary was ready to fall apart, but Tony Romo didn't have enough time to exploit the matchups.

They may have to be even better next week, because Green Bay's receiver depth will be difficult to contain. I'm done counting the Giants out, though. It all starts up front.

Posted by Gregg Rosenthal at 08:24 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)