2009 Free Agency: The QB Carousel

The arms race for free agent quarterbacks will be an interesting story this off-season. There are many teams that need a starting QB and it is yet to be seen if they will seek players in free agency or take a chance on an unproven commodity in the upcoming 2009 draft.

It is fairly certain that Detroit will fulfill its needs at QB with either Matthew Stafford (Georgia) or Mark Sanchez (USC) and after that the decisions are up in the air. Kansas City, Minnesota, New York Jets, St. Louis, Tampa Bay, and possibly Carolina and Arizona could be in need of a quarterback. There are talks of Sage Rosenfels (Houston Texans) being traded to Minnesota in order to be a “caretaker” for that offense, in other words “hand the ball to AD and don’t throw it to the other team and don’t jump up in the air and fumble it like you did against Indy last season!”.

Minnesota is one team that would reap HUGE benefits from having steady QB play. They have an All-Timer in Adrian Peterson and they also posses one of the most feared defenses in the league. So if they can bring someone in to just basically not lose the game (see Trent Dilfer in Baltimore '01) then they could push for the NFC Championship game in 09.

The Philadelphia Eagles are also in an interesting situation. There is a chance that Donovan McNabb will not come back to the Eagles if they are not able to bolster the WR corps during free agency. McNabb is already going to lose L.J. Smith, his starting TE, and has not had a legitimate #1 WR since Terrell Owens gripped and complained his way out of Philly. It will be interesting to watch the Marvin Harrison situation in Indianapolis and if he is released do not be surprised if Philly tries very hard to convince Marvin to join forces with the Eagles in order to keep McNabb somewhat happy. That being said, if Philly doesn’t make a move with a top wide out then I wouldn’t be surprised to see Donovan bolt to another contender.

Kurt Warner just led the Arizona Cardinals to the Super Bowl……yes I said the Arizona Cardinals! And it looks like he will not be playing for the same team next season. Warner is a proven winner and leader who can still air it out with the best of them. He has probably two good seasons left in him and he would be a great mentor for a young QB to learn under. Does Warner go back to St. Louis?? I see this as a pretty good fit but I also see a fit with the NY Jets. The Jets just went through “As the Favre Turns” and all they have waiting in the wings is unproven: Kellen Clemens and Brett Ratliff. Ok, Ok, Brett Ratliff did tear it up in the preseason but let’s be honest, it’s the preseason. I think Warner would be a good fit here to bridge the gap between Favre and the future, whoever that may be.

Then you have Derek Anderson, the same Derek Anderson who looked to be the future of the Cleveland Browns two seasons ago was quickly benched in favor of hometown kid, Brady Quinn. It seems that Anderson’s ’07 season will indeed get him paid but it is tough to tell where. Tampa Bay could be a fit for Anderson, with Garcia leaving that QB race wide open. If I were the Kansas City Chiefs, I would make a push to get Anderson and try to take a great weapon at the #3 pick in the ’09 NFL Draft, instead of Stafford or Sanchez. Michael Crabtree, Dwayne Bowe, and Larry Johnson(if he stays) would be a pretty good start to turning things around in KC.

History shows that taking a QB in the top ten picks of the NFL Draft is anything but a sure thing. Ryan Leaf, Akili Smith, Heath Shuler, Joey Harrington, and David Carr just to name a few. I would like to sit down with some of these GMs who are drooling over Stafford and Sanchez and let them know. ”Hey!, if you take one of the QBs in the top few picks of the draft just expect to wallow in mediocrity for another 3 years or so, is that what you want?” Go with the proven commodity: Warner, Anderson, or maybe even Donovan McNabb and you won’t be working on your resume after next season.

Peace,


Young Reynolds

Farewell Marv

As a native of Indianapolis, I would have to say that the departure of Marvin Harrison from the Colts organization is pretty bittersweet. As a fan of the Colts it’s hard to see anyone leave, especially someone such as Harrison, who after being drafted in ’96 has been a key contributor to bringing the organization out of its embarrassing funk of the early ‘90’s, and turning into a perennial contender.

Marv (as he’s known locally) had the ability to reel in anything within a ten foot radius (think back to the ball he tipped to himself falling out of bounds against the Patriots in the ’06 playoffs). But that’s not the only thing that made him special. I could venture to say that as a receiver of such high stature, put on the same level as guys like T.O. and Randy Moss, Marv consistently did it the right way. Name one time you saw Marv really talking trash. Name one time you ever saw him celebrate a TD. That’s right; you can’t, because that was never his game. In fact, other than when he was being thrown to, you may have had a hard time finding him. He always had a way of blending in, not letting his status as an elite superstar receiver separate him from the concept of team.

You could throw around stats all day, like his 1,102 receptions for 14,580 yards and 128 TDs (all among the top stats for a receiver in league history), but it would never fully encapsulate what Marvin Harrison has meant to his team, the city of Indianapolis, and the NFL.

Because the league is a business first, all of us as fans get to experience these bittersweet moments. Knowing that he wasn’t going to get the money he felt he deserved, and seeing his role as number one receiver starting to fade, Marv decided to ask for a release from the colts. To fans that may be upset with Harrison for appearing to be about the money, I ask you this: If you were on the back end of your career, still sacrificing your body, and possibly your post-football health, wouldn’t you want the most you could get? That brings me to the flip part of the bittersweet sentiment I issued earlier. As a fan of Marvin Harrison the person, it’s nice to know that Marv will be able to catch on somewhere and get the money he deserves, while continuing to do things the right way on behalf of the league and as an example for a new batch a teammates to follow.

On behalf of the city of Indianapolis, I would like to say thank you Marvin, and good luck! You will be missed.


Indeed,


Mr. Dixson

Defensive Front Seven: 2009 NFL Combine

The NFL Combine is the proverbial meat market of the National Football League. While athletic prowess is not a sure fire indicator for success in the league it does provide an opportunity for overlooked players to raise their stock and overrated players to lose some of their status if not all of it (Andre Smith ). Here is a look at the front seven defensive class of 2009, as I am very disappointed with the defensive backs.

Who Impressed:

Texas DE Brian Orakpo

Orakpo, like Maualunga tweaked his hamstring during the 40-yard dash, but still posted ridiculous numbers including a 4.70 40yd dash and posting 31 reps in the bench press, besting all ends in the camp. Orakpo, posting numbers like this with the athleticism he displays on the field will possibly play LB in the NFL in a 3-4 scheme and would still be a man-whore at DE in a 4-3.

Cincinnati DE Connor Barwin

In the Orange Bowl, I kept an eye on this kid and he showed a massive motor continually finding himself in the Virginia Tech backfield. Barwin looked a little raw, but who can deny his size and stats he posted this week at the combine. The former tight end finished first among defensive linemen in vertical jump (40.5 inches), broad jump (10 feet 8 inches), three-cone drill time (6.87 seconds) and 20-yard shuttle time (4.18). His 4.66 40-yard dash was second best among ends.



Wake Forest LB Aaron Curry

The Butkus Award winner showed why he is so highly rated. One scout said he clearly looked like the best linebacker in the draft, outclassing the competition in almost everything he did. Curry ran a 4.56 40, broad jumped 10-4 and high jumped 37 inches, all best among linebackers, and showed excellent athleticism in positional drills.


Florida State DE Everette Brown 


Brown was one of the standouts. He not only ran well in the 40-yard dash, timing in the 4.6s, but looked very good in just about everything he did. He did not blow any doors off in terms of explosiveness, but showed good all-around athleticism. While no one came to the Combine questioning his ability to be an end in a 4-3 scheme, his athletic display proved to 3-4 teams that he has the foot speed, agility, balance and flexibility to move smoothly and easily off the ball. He should have no trouble in pass coverage at the next level. 
Brown is just a hair behind Orakpo in my opinion.

USC OLB Clay Matthews 


Even though this kid didn’t start until the 4th game of his senior season, he is one of the hottest names in this years draft. The former walk-on is one of the most natural pass rushers I've seen in years. He started off by running in the 40 in the high 4.5s/low 4.6s and kept going from there. He looked smooth, fluid and athletic in drills, and showed the hips, foot quickness and agility to change directions and move well in space. 
Needs to pick up some weight while maintaining these type of numbers.

Who Depressed:

LSU DT Ricky Jean-Francois


Jean-Francois probably caused his stock to drop from a 4th round prospect to a 7th round/free agent prospect. He looked out of shape, soft-bodied and did not impress in workouts or drills. Jean-Francois did not run the 40, which probably kept him from completely killing his draft stock. 
Ricky needed to look more like Jean-Claude than Jean-Francois for this combine.

Ohio State
 MLB James Laurinaitis

With all due respect I've never been impressed by this kid as he is representative of the entire OSU program: over-hyped and never delivers in the clutch. For example, an average 40 time did not wow anyone running in the 4.8 range. Laurinaitis looked like an average athlete and did not show the flexibility and agility that would have solidified him as a first-rounder in going through other drills. I think he was a very solid LB in college but to receive the hoopla he did was undeserved and the combine is the first step of the NFL exposing this young man.

Michigan DT Terrance Taylor

Taylor was one of the few bright lights in a very dismal year for Michigan. Taylor did lead all DT in the bench press hoisting 225 37 times. His stock had been on the decline lately, but Taylor reversed the trend, showing his quickness in positional along with a great showing on the bench. You could make an argument that he deserved to be in the who impressed category but we will leave him here for now could end up being one of the steals of this draft.


USC LB Rey Maualuga

He pulled a hamstring after running an unimpressive 4.89 40. However, unlike Laurinaitis, Maualuga will be a star in the NFL. Anybody checked out Ray Lewis' 40 time lately? Rey is a manimal at LB and that face will be proven as long as he stays healthy. Go ahead and roll with that "p.s. I hope I never run into James Laurinaitis in a dark alley anywhere." Maualuga is the guy you need to be looking out for.

Penn State DE Aaron Maybin

He bulked up to 249 pounds but apparently lost speed, running the 40 in 4.88—not very fast for a speed rusher. This may be the most disappointing, because during the year this kid looked like a missile coming off the edge. Time will only tell if this is an indicator of this kid's true skill set.

Sincerely,



5.1 Forty Clayborne

NFL Combine: If you scared go to church, um...I mean Pro Day

The NFL Combine has been around since 1982. It started out as a small event that not even all teams participated in to begin with. In 1985, all teams began participation in the combine making it an annual event. It started out as the end all be all for evaluations of draft eligible college players.

Soon, individual workouts became the "in" thing to do with teams flying in players for personal workouts and universities holding pro days where NFL scouts would visit campuses to evaluate universities' draft eligible players.

The individual workouts and pro days were the demise of the mystique and stigma of the NFL combine. Star players would elect to not workout at the combine and defer to workout at their pro day. Star players cited to be more comfortable on their home turf and that they would perform better. I agree with the star players decision to not compete to a degree, but what a farce. I mean, what is going to happen when you are on the road against a hostile crowd and the player you are going up against is a bona-fide Pro Bowler and future Hall of Famer. Instead, star players were at the combine just to be measured and interviewed, but not do what they were eventually going to be paid millions of dollars to do which is compete, and that was left to the below the radar guys fighting to get drafted.

The trend was as popular as steroids in baseball. The great Peyton Manning even skipped the workouts at the combine as did several NFL Pro Bowlers, which is another reason why I didn't blame star players for not working out. If it ain't broke don't fix it. Of course the fans want to see the players participate in all drills and show what they got, but as a GM you want to see players compete as well.

Football one of the most physical sports is also one of the most mental sports in terms of pure mental toughness. I hope to one day have kids and tell them this saying so that it will seem more stoic than it is about to right now, but "you can learn a lot from a man by how he plays football." No, working out at the combine is not playing football, but if a "football player" backs away from a workout there is no telling what they are going to do in sticky situations when the pads are on.

In recent years, players have been more aggressive and compted at the combine. Star players who in years past wouldn't have run the 40 yard dash are now running. Case in point, two years ago, Calvin Johnson, the clear cut number one wideout going into the draft, decided at the last minute to run the 40 yard dash. To be frank, he manned up and not only took the challenge, but made everyone else who didn't take the challenge to particpate in all drills at the combine look like a female body part as he ran a 4.35 40 yard dash and solidified his selection as the first recevier off the board.

I say all that to say this. Matthew Stafford is/maybe was the number one QB coming into this draft. He particpated in some drills but not the most important for QBs which is the throwing session. Mark Sanchez who now may be the number one QB coming into this draft elected to throw at the combine. I feel that Sanchez had more to lose because he is only a one-year wonder(starter), and was throwing away from home. His best bet would have been to wait until the USC pro day and perform on his own territory where he would have been more comfortable. Instead, he manned up and competed. He didn't have a great workout, but he had a solid workout. The intangible and most beneficial thing to Sanchez's cause was that he competed and many scouts and GMs came away from Indy apprecitive of Sanchez's fearlessness to workout. They deemed him to have the "it" factor over Stafford.

Stafford will work out of course at the UGA pro day as will Sanchez at USC's pro day. But clearly now the pressure is on Stafford to prove himself. You can't fully blame Stafford, because GMs make moves like that all the time on draft day, selecting a player off of measureables and how much of a safe sure fire pick a player seems to be and not game film. I live for the day when all athletes workout at the combine, and GMs have enough moxy to select a cornerback in the first round who ran a 4.6 40 yard dash, but interviewed well, performed well in all other drills, his game tape speaks for itself and rewards that GMs gamble to the world but smart decision to himself with a great career.


Peace,


Ricky Writer

Defensive Backs, its 40 time!

The combine has been going on since the 18th and 6Magazine will have an extensive wrap up and overview of the combine tomorrow. Right now, the defensive backs are working out live on NFL Network, so tune into that. 40 time is important but overrated for most positions as it cannot measure instincts and awareness.

The one position where a 40 time truly matters is for a defensive back. Other positions can hide behind schemes and techniques, but for a defensive back, he needs to have pure physical speed on the football field or he will not be in the NFL very long.

Here is a quick excerpt from the University of Florida's head track and field coach, Mike Holloway, courtesy of NFL Network.





Peace,

Riverboat Ricky