Some odds and ends from around the league ...

Is JaMarcus Russell really 300 pounds? No one seems to know for sure.

Continue reading "Skinny Posts: Russell, Croyle, Matt Walsh" »

Posted by Gregg Rosenthal at 12:37 PM | Permalink | Comments (5)

Mock Drafts aren't usually built on original thought. They primarily look at other Mock Drafts, switch some names, teams, and needs around, and go from there. Even draftniks who spend the college season following the players tend to have similar rankings because they read each other, but don't know what NFL scouts are seeing or saying.

I've been sold on Mike Mayock's mock drafts since 2005, when he had Aaron Rodgers falling all the way to number 25 to the Packers. It's not just that he nailed a pick absolutely no one saw coming, it's that he had the confidence and research to make his own decision instead of following the masses. His pipeline to NFL teams probably doesn't hurt. He revealed his first top-ten Mock picks last week and there were a few stunners that should be taken seriously. Let's take a look ...

Continue reading "Mayock's Top Ten" »

Posted by Gregg Rosenthal at 10:12 AM | Permalink | Comments (11)

Wide Receivers

1. D.J. Hackett
2. Bryant Johnson
3. Antonio Bryant
4. Reche Caldwell
5. Justin McCareins

Continue reading "Best Players Available: WRs, TEs, DLs" »

Posted by Gregg Rosenthal at 04:36 PM | Permalink | Comments (4)

Still hoping for your team to sign a big name? It's not going to happen.

One week in, free agency is well into it's second tier of players. Here are my top players left at running back and quarterback. I'll post other positions throughout the day.

Running Backs

1. Julius Jones
2. Derrick Ward
3. Ron Dayne
4. Warrick Dunn
5. Musa Smith

Continue reading "Best Players Available" »

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

Profootballtalk used to call Denver the "Island of Misfit Toys" for their liberal approach to free agency. We might have to start calling them the "Island of mediocre Pancake Blocks favorites." Let's not start making Free Musa 2 T-Shirts in orange, but this would be an amazing opportunity for Mr. Smith.

Posted by Gregg Rosenthal at 11:16 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)

Brett Favre is in the midst of a memorable and tearful goodbye press conference. He's squashing any speculation about a possible return.

Some quotes ...

"I've given everything I have to this organization, the game of football, and I don't think I have anything left to give, and that's it. I know I can still play, but I don't think I want to. And that's what it really comes down to."

Continue reading "Favre says goodbye" »

Posted by Gregg Rosenthal at 12:42 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Another option has emerged for Julius Jones. Seattle has expressed some interest, even after signing T.J. Duckett. There's a solid chance nothing will come of this, but it's yet another sign that Shaun Alexander is likely on his way out of Seattle this summer. Seattle's starting running back probably isn't on the roster yet. I'd bet on a first-round pick getting the call, but Jones is another possibility.

Adam Schefter mentioned another veteran who could be available soon. The Saints have until March 15 to decide whether they want to pay Deuce McAllister a roster bonus.

Posted by Gregg Rosenthal at 11:06 AM | Permalink | Comments (2)

Once upon a time, Julius Jones was getting taken near the first round of fantasy drafts. Sorry about that one. Now he's the most interesting running back left on the free agent market. Let's rank where he could end up by projected 2008 fantasy value.

4. Tampa Bay - The Bucs have "expressed interest" but haven't visited with Jones. He could caddy for Earnest Graham there, but they already have a speed threat with poor instincts - Michael Bennett. Julius could hope following his brother's career path leads to similar results.

3. Tennessee - Bad sign for Chris Henry that the Titans are hosting Jones on Wednesday. LenDale White will keep his starting job, but the Titans would like some speed off the bench. Jones would be an RB4 in fantasy leagues here.

Continue reading "Pick a home for Julius Jones" »

Posted by Gregg Rosenthal at 04:21 PM | Permalink | Comments (3)

Bears fans don't know how to feel about the Marty Booker signing. Rotoworld Comeback Writer of the Year candidate Scott Morrow said it was, "Kind of comforting and kind of sad." I'd lean towards comforting, but it almost didn't happen.

The Patriots had a standing offer to Booker, and set a deadline for a decision last night. It came down to the wire, but Booker chose the Bears. That decision was either the cause or the effect of New England's Jabar Gaffney deal, although I suspect Booker was first in line.

Continue reading "Booker was almost a Patriot" »

Posted by Gregg Rosenthal at 11:51 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)

Tommy Kelly looks like a bargain now. Javon Walker's six-year, $55 million contract, with $27 million available in the first three years, was onerous in so many ways. It's the single most shocking contract I've seen in the last five years. NFL.com's wire report agrees, saying, calling it the "single-most stunning free-agent contract this off-season -- maybe ever." Let's count the reasons why.

Continue reading "Worst Contract Ever?" »

Posted by Gregg Rosenthal at 09:56 AM | Permalink | Comments (7)