Belichick's Biggest Triumph?

“The Patriots did it again.”

“Classic Bill Belichick.”

And while the entire football world continues to slob on Bill’s knob as usual, here’s what is truly impressive about the Albert Haynesworth trade…

Bill Belichick has done the unthinkable. He has single handedly made himself impervious to media scrutiny. Not a single thing he does is wrong. Everything he does is genius. No one dares criticize him. Not only does this amaze me, but it absolutely sickens me.

Now… let’s make this 100% clear. I’m not criticizing Belichick or the Albert Haynesworth trade. This is geared towards the wishy-washy media and “experts” who will make their stance on a player or football topic 100,000% clear… and then completely backtrack once Belichick gets involved. We all know Belichick is a living legend among the coaching ranks, his resume doesn’t even need to be repeated.

But this has been boiling my blood over the years. As soon as New England makes a big move, it’s instantly called “Classic Belichick” while completely abandoning previous criticisms. And while it’s happened millions of times before, I can’t seem to remember any specific instances at the moment.  I’m sure it happened with Ryan Mallet, and a few other situations as well... But instead of letting this particular instance slip back into the recesses of my bad memory, I’m going to jump all over it.

So I was watching NFL Network yesterday...

I tend to leave it on all day and night, so it just kept repeating and repeating and for some reason I couldn’t bring myself to just turn it off. I must have heard Warren Sapp tear Albert Haynesworth a new one in 10 or 11 NFL Total Access episode reruns last night.

Sapp looked like he wanted to jump across the desk and body-slam poor Fran Charles when Charles tried to suggest that Haynesworth was an elite player pre-Redskins. Warren was heated and frequently made references to how Haynesworth was struggling against 2nd and 3rd stringers on tape. But Charles continued to suggest Haynesworth had a good career in Tennessee, and again Sapp would give him that nasty glare and make reference to the following stats, suggesting Haynesworth was a two year wonder.

Haynesworth’s Career:
2002-2006: 9.5 Sacks
2007-2008: 14.5 Sacks

Now I didn’t particularly disagree with Sapp. His points were valid, and who better to criticize another defensive tackle than Warren Sapp? He had a great career and he was more than credible with his assessment.

But what the hell happened 24 hours later?

I couldn’t WAIT for Sapp’s response when Derrin Horton asked him what he thought of the Patriots/Redskins trade. I half expected his frustration from the previous night to actually manifest itself in a physical nature on the set this time. Maybe that’s why Charles wasn’t around, because Sapp dealt with him off the air the night before. But Sapp’s face said it all. He had that same look of disgust as he did the previous day, but then it instantly changed to a wide eyed look of approval.

“Actually, I like it!” Sapp said excitedly. He proceeded to make his point but I turned the T.V. off.

Of all the things Belichick has done in his career, this is easily what impresses me the most. The aura about him turns everyone into a supporter, a believer, a hard worker. The media respects him, players respect him and want to work hard for him.  Players with questionable character or work ethic will turn a new leaf in his mere presence.

The Patriots will continue to be dominant in this league as long as Belichick maintains this credibility among his peers. And while this respectability among his fellow coaches and NFL players is amazing, the way the media bows down to him is even more so.

Cowboys Freeing Up Cap Space for Nnamdi Asomugha?

To be honest I didn't think it'd happen.  But some surprising cuts by the Cowboys lately are a bit eye opening.  Rumors started to surface that Nnamdi is willing to take "less money" to go to a contender.  Not only that, but Jerry came out and made a bold statement, saying Cowboys have the flexibility to "sign anyone they want."  Let's not forget the all important Nnamdi relationship with Rob Ryan going back to their Oakland days.  Here's the cap breakdown at the moment:

Cowboys Current Cap: 
$15 Million Over

Player To Be Cut: 
Leonard Davis:  $9.5 Million Saved
Marc Columbo:  $2.5 Million Saved
Marion Barber:  $4.75 Million Saved
Roy Williams:    $5 Million Saved

Total Salary Saved:  $21.75 Million

Subtracted by the the Current Cap of $15 Million puts the Cowboys at about $6.75 Million under the cap, which is a good start.  I found the Roy Williams cut particularly surprising, but apparently the new CBA has a proposed "soft cap" that prevents a player like Roy Williams from counting $12 Million against this year's salary cap.  I don't think Jerry attending those CBA negotiations and a soft cap being implemented in 2011 is a coincidence at all.  Jerry may take a lot of criticism on the personnel decisions he makes, but he knows the business side of football better than anyone. 

I don't have the rookie wage scale numbers yet, but it's my guess that it'll take anywhere from $5 Million - $7 Million to sign their 2011 Rookie class.  A few more big names would have to be released and possibly a couple of restructured veteran contracts, but the chase for Nnamdi is looking more possible than originally expected for the Cowboys.  Here's some veterans who might restructure:

2011 Salaries
Romo:  $9 Million
Austin:  $8.5 Million
Ware:  $7 Million
Gurode:  $6 Million

2011 Surprise Cut? (or restructure)...
Newman:  $8 Million Salary in 2011

I believe through some surprise releases and restructuring, the Cowboys will try to focus their efforts on resigning Doug Free, but signing Nnamdi will be a close second.  If they decide to go this route, a few bargain safeties such as Abram Elam might be the route to go to solidy their secondary.

It's important to understand that if the Cowboys do chase Nnamdi, they will probably be a bit thin at either Oline or Dline.  They've already agreed to terms with three undrafted free agent O-Lineman.  Kevin Kowalski (Toledo), Jose Acuna (Nevada), and Laupepa Letuli (Hawaii).  It's possbile the Cowboys will be stocking up at cheap options and hope someone emerges in camp to fill that void at right guard after releasing Davis.

As for Dline, it remains to be seen what the Cowboys will do with Bowen, Hatcher and Spears being on the open market.   I believe Bowen is their priority, but that's just speculation.  It's quite possible their Dline might be a bit weaker than last year, but the improvement in the secondary would be significant if they signed the 2nd best corner in the game.  The next couple of days will tell the story on the Dline, but signing Nnamdi would raise the level of that secondary enough to help whoever is playing in the trenches.

One huge advantage Dallas has over New York is that Texas has no State Tax.  That's like some hidden cap room right there, they can offer Nnamdi less money but he'll still see the same dollar amount in his bank account. 

We'll keep an eye on those roster cuts and free agent signings to see where this is all headed, but it's clear that Nnamdi is the biggest prize this free agency and Jerry Jones seems to be creating some cap space...just in case.

Fantasy Football News

I'll be updating this blog regularly throughout training camp, the preseason and of course, the NFL season. I DVR every game I can get my hands on and will absolutely dissect the preseason as I do every year.  Please keep your eye on this blog if you'd like to get my thoughts and observations on fantasy football relevant information.

Studying training camp trends and preseason games is the key to fantasy football championships.  I'll share as much knowledge as I can get my hands on.

Two Interesting Vet QB Free Agency Landing Spots

What's up football fans?  Ridiculous amount of football thoughts have been dancing in my head lately, so I went ahead and decided to do something spontaneous by creating this blog.  Let's see where it takes me.

With the NFL Lockout officially (and thankfully) behind us, I can't help but be absolutely excited for the upcoming free agency frenzy.  While everyone and their mother is projecting free agent destinations, I wanted to focus on veteran quarterbacks for a particular reason, because they can positively affect fantasy production at all levels, from RBs, TEs, WRs...indirectly of course, by tutoring young gunslingers and helping them raise their game.

I wanted to focus on three players who've recently benefitted from playing behind veteran QBs:  Tony Romo, Aaron Rodgers, and Michael Vick.  All of these QBs are top 10 fantasy QBs that have one thing in common:  They were groomed by veteran QBs at crucial points in their careers.

Bill Parcells has frequently mentioned how crucial Vinny Testaverde was to Romo's maturation as a QB.  Not only in understanding offenses, but study habits in the film room and how to be a professional.  Everyone knows the Aaron Rodgers and Brett Favre story by now, patiently sitting behind a legend for a few years, chomping at the bit to get his opportunity.  Last but not least, Michael Vick's latest 180 from prison inmate turned fantasy football's most significant waiver wire pickup (assuming you didn't snooze on Arian Foster in the draft).  Vick himself admitted that he didn't prepare as a professional QB when he was in Atlanta.  McNabb was crucial to this maturation and fittingly, that's where we'll start my veteran QB destination predictions.

Donovan McNabb to the Cleveland Browns
Tutoring:  Colt McCoy
Connection:  West Coast Offense

Now at first glance you'd ask yourself, why would McNabb want to back up Colt McCoy?  Simply put, he might not have a choice.  Seattle and Arizona are the main two teams that need QBs, and so far Kolb, Orton and Tarvaris Jackson are probably better options for those two teams.  They're younger and more permanent options than McNabb will be.  Miami and Minnesota might be two other candidates, but I'm sure the odd man out between Kolb, Orton and Jackson will end up in Miami, while Minny might simply decide to go with Ponder.  So I'm sticking to my guns with Cleveland.

Let's connect the dots here.

Mike Holmgren is the current President of the Browns.
Andy Reid coached in GB from 1992-1996 (Oline Coach and Offensive Assistant) under Holmgren.
Mike Shurmur coached in Philly from 1999-2008 (QBs Coach) under Reid.

This all of course, goes back to Bill Walsh and the West Coast Offense.  McCoy's arm will always be his main weakness.  While he may or may not strengthen that arm a bit as his body grows, the WCO is the perfect solution to this glaring weakness in his game.  Shifting the focus on stretching the field horizontally (accuracy) instead of vertically (arm strength) will fit McCoy's strengths and weaknesses perfectly.  And who better to teach him the nuances of the system than McNabb, who ran it for 10 years?

While this might not seem fantasy relevant at the moment, a move like this will be crucial to Cleveland's fantasy relevance in the years to come.  Cleveland is a young team going in a great direction with Holmgren piloting the ship behind the scenes.  Starting with McCoy, and trickling down to the rest of the skill positions on offense, Cleveland players will slowly move up fantasy drafts in the years to come if McCoy gets some good tutoring.




Jake Delhomme to Denver
Tutoring:  Tim Tebow
Connection:  John Fox


Who cares, you say?  Trust me, I'm not exactly the biggest Jake Delhomme fan.  But for those of you with Tim Tebow on your fantasy football team (or any Bronco), this should be a move you are pulling for.  I'll be the first to admit how frustrating Delhomme has been for me to watch over the years.  Super Steve Smith has been on my fantasy team the past few years and watching Delhomme run that offense was definitely a waste of my Sunday NFL Ticket.  It was truly some ugly football towards the end of Delhomme's career in Carolina.

I'll never forget one particular game.  The dejected look on Delhomme's face as he sat on the bench after he threw an interception.   After a whole year of the same interception ending drives, there wasn't much to say.   Steve Smith sat next to his quarterback and jokingly called him ugly to try to cheer him up.  While it was clear that Smith was trying to support his QB...both of them knew Delhomme's time in Carolina was done.  Even though Delhomme was single handedly responsible for my weak WR position that year in fantasy, for some reason, I felt for him.  He was trying, but the physical tools simply weren't there.

But bottom line, he knows John Fox's offense, and Tim Tebow could benefit greatly if Delhomme joins Fox in Denver.  With Orton being shipped elsewhere, Tebow will be given every opportunity to succeed with Delhomme teaching him how to be a professional behind the scenes in the film room.  I've never been a big Tim Tebow fan, but his work ethic is truly amazing, and will absolutely be the reason he becomes a superstar in this league.  You can't work that hard and not succeed, and having a veteran like Delhomme to tutor him (when Elway isn't sneaking in pointers), is only going to increase Tebow's chances of success.