Okay, it's been ten breathtaking days since the first annual Pancake Blocks Mock Draft lineup was announced.

Before I lose anyone to inattention, let's get the party started. Two picks a day, only on weekdays, starting on Wednesday. Email me your pick and a quick writeup behind the thinking as soon as you can once you are on the clock. I'll limit the writeup to about 250 words, although I'm cool with far less.

Remember - this is who you think your team should draft, not who you think they will draft. Scott and the Dolphins ... you are on the clock.

Posted by Gregg Rosenthal at 03:57 PM | Permalink | Comments (7)

If'm not sure what makes Al Davis look crazier: That anyone would believe he had a second-rounder on the table for Fabian Washington or that he wouldn't take a second-rounder for Fabian Washington.

Back with more stories on minor players you probably don't care about in a bit.

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Owners Meeting Monday activities: Week 1 Primetime games and compensatory picks announced.

Posted by Gregg Rosenthal at 03:43 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

It's been a while since the Sage Rosenfels Experience//Vikings trade rumors were in the news, but look for that to change as we get closer to the draft. The local Minnesota papers believe a deal is still in the offing. It would be a risky move for the Texans to give up their quarterback depth, but they probably can't turn down a first-day draft pick when push comes to shove.

The deal would provide needed insurance for Tarvaris Jackson. Brad Childress needs to make a playoff run and can't feel comfortable at the position. Frankly, I'd be a lot higher on the Vikings skill players if Rosenfels was on the roster. He's a competent West Coast quarterback, and I have my doubts Jackson will ever be. Rosenfels makes a fine pickup you are in a deep dynasty league looking for a quarterback with potential to start in 2008.

Posted by Gregg Rosenthal at 11:53 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)

I have broken ground on our magazine, meaning this is the time of year to put together my first rough rankings for 2008. The Draft and offseason activities will change things, but I like getting a skeleton list up early to build off.

Each year, a handful of players at each position are the most difficult to rank. The kind that could be in the top ten or out of the top-25. I'm going to profile these players occasionally here and ask for your opinion. The first player we'll look at is Lee Evans.

Continue reading "Tough to Rank: Lee Evans" »

Posted by Gregg Rosenthal at 08:02 AM | Permalink | Comments (13)

No one covers up an injury quite like the Patriots. We learned this week that Ben Watson played the last ten weeks and playoffs during last season with cartilage damage and scar tissue in his ankle. The injury was caused by yet another Roy Williams horse collar tackle.

The surgery helps explain Watson's drastic decrease in run-after-catch ability; he was held under ten yards-per-catch after the injury. It doesn't totally explain his struggle with drops, and I think the addition of Wes Welker was nearly as big a factor in his disappointing year.

Continue reading "Watson surgery helps explain struggles" »

Posted by Gregg Rosenthal at 04:21 PM | Permalink | Comments (2)

And they know how to copy and paste a Kalimba Edwards blurb. The least they could do is change a couple words around.

Keep this one in mind the next time you hear a newspaper writer talk about the higher journalistic standards they are held to. I would be more annoyed, but I'm honestly happy to see the growing trend of other media using Rotoworld as a resource.

Update:I should have saved a screenshot because they fixed the article since I posted this blog. We still love you (and always link to you) Detroit Free Press worker, whoever you are!

Posted by Gregg Rosenthal at 02:25 PM | Permalink | Comments (3)

Anyone looking for some good offseason debate material should check out Chris Wesseling's Dynasty Rankings series, which wrapped up today with tight ends.

I don't agree with all of Chris' opinions of course, but that's what makes these things fun. They are well thought out and make sense. Frankly, I agree with most of his ideas more than just about any other ranks I see.

Continue reading "Dynasty Ranks" »

Posted by Gregg Rosenthal at 12:05 PM | Permalink | Comments (3)

The Jets wanted to avoid having an uphappy team captain, so they extended Laveranues Coles' contract on Friday. Coles deserves the money more than say, Kris Jenkins, but the deal is not without risk.

Coles is only turning 31 this year, but his body is older. Year-after-year of playing through injury caught up with him in 2007, when he essentially missed five games and gained his fewest yards since his rookie season. As an undersized receiver (193 pounds) who relies on toughness and physical play, there has to be some concern about an early decline.

Continue reading "Coles signing not without risk" »

Posted by Gregg Rosenthal at 10:35 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)

I'm rounding up the big stories that happened while I was gone, probably for a column. I don't want to repeat myself here too much, but I find the silence following Darrell Jackson's release very telling. Two years ago, this guy was a top-ten fantasy talent. He's only 30, and now he's struggling to find a job. There are a couple lessons here.

1) Fantasy doesn't always meet up with reality

Because of his drops, injuries, attitude, and system, Jackson was never as good as the numbers indicated. Mike Holmgren made him look more consistent than he appeared. His lackluster effort was a bigger problem for his actual owners than his fantasy owners.

Continue reading "Silence surrounding D-Jax is telling" »

Posted by Gregg Rosenthal at 02:04 PM | Permalink | Comments (6)

As a huge fan of NFL Films and NFL Network, I found this article about the struggles between the two fascinating. I don't agree with the writer's assertion that Total Access is "tough to watch" but the tension between the two companies is interesting. Here's hoping that NFL Films isn't phased out at NFLN.

Posted by Gregg Rosenthal at 01:26 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)