How Antoine Winfield’s New Contract Could Change NFL’s Old Loyalty Standards

In one sense, the NFL’s non-guaranteed contract structure makes for the harshest send-offs in any professional sport.

A basketball, baseball, or hockey star may be locked in for tens of millions over multiple years, even as he begins to fade.

In most cases, players who fit that description and still have two working legs are guaranteed a roster spot as well, if only because their clubs are hesitant to pay them not to play.

In those sports, loyalty means giving a player a long-term that will almost certainly pay him more than he’s worth late in his career. It’s unlikely that Kevin Garnett will be a $21 million talent at age 36, for instance, or that Alex Rodriguez will be worth $27 million at 41.

But for NBA and MLB clubs, overpaying for those twilight seasons is standard operating procedure.

Football players enjoy no such long goodbyes: When an aging gridiron warrior’s salary outstrips his value, he’s simply cut loose.

It happens to record-setting quarterbacks (Daunte Culpepper), MVP rushers (Shaun Alexander), and defensive studs (Derrick Brooks). One season, you’re the lining up under center in Honolulu; the next, you’re lining up to collect unemployment benefits.

As far as personnel decisions go, “loyalty” is practically a four-letter word. Like I said, harsh.

From another perspective, however, the NFL’s economic model lets teams take care of their own in a unique fashion: Write ’em a big check up front.

It’s a lousy system for compensating high draft picks, who collect eight-figure bonuses before taking a snap. But it’s a great way to reward veterans who can still play at a high level, without putting the franchise on the hook for a burdensome contract down the road.

Case in point: The extension the Minnesota Vikings hammered out last week with cornerback Antoine Winfield.

A 2004 free agent signee from Buffalo, Winfield holds a special place in the hearts and minds of Vikings fans as one of a handful of acquisitions that helped Minnesota end a long spell as a defensive whipping boy.

Last year, he became the first Vikings cornerback to make the Pro Bowl in 16 years, with two picks, two sacks, four forced fumbles, and a fumble return for a touchdown. He’s tough. He’s popular. He’s gotten better every season since coming to Minnesota.

He’s also 32, and heading into a contract year. In cornerback years, that’s the beginning of the end. Deion Sanders retired (for the first time) at 33. Rod Woodson transitioned to safety at 34. Among active players, Champ Bailey qualifies as an elder statesman at the position—and he’s 31.

In another sport, Winfield’s situation would put the front office in the “lose him now or regret paying him later” bind described above.

In football, no such dilemma exists. The Vikings can reward Winfield for his services with a cool $16 million in guaranteed cash without hitching the team’s wagon to his long-term health.

Who knows if Winfield will still be productive at 36, in the final year of his five-year, $36 million extension—and moreover, who cares? Minnesota’s financial obligations to him go no further than the deal’s bonus money.

If he’s still humming a few seasons down the road, that’s fantastic. If not, the team can shift him to nickel back after 2011 at a reduced price (an innovative feature of his extension), or part ways with him outright.

Winfield won’t be thrilled if he gets cut, of course. Nobody likes to be out of a job (or at that point, what could be career).

But thanks to his new deal, he won’t be broke, either.

For the NFL club, that’s about as loyal as it gets.

Dolphins’ Camp: The Miami Sound Machine!

I don’t know anything about Gloria Estefan’s music. I do know that the list of her songs matching Dolphins topics below was fun to write. Hey, training camp is still a week away, and I’ll get back to serious roster breakdowns.

But I’ve still got Marc Anthony and my boy Jimmy Buffet. Fins to the left!!!

 

When Someone Comes Into Your Life—Gibril Wilson

Keep on Trying—Ted Ginn Jr.

Live Again—Jason Taylor

Give It Up—Jason Taylor

Let It Loose—The Wildcat

Orange Express—New name for the Dolphin’s offense

Movies—Film Study

Bad Boy—Randy Starks

Dangerous Game—The league’s most difficult schedule

I Need a Man—The OTHER Cornerback Spot

Eyes of Innocence—Dolphin Rookies

Your Eyes Look Sad Tonight—Dolphins fans eyes after week two MNF loss to Colts

Surrender Paradise—Giving up a Touchdown

You’ll be Mine—An AFC East Title

I’m Not Giving Up on YOU—Jason Allen

You Made a Fool of Me—Ricky Williams’ touchdown pass to Pat White

Turn The Beat Around—Coming back after a loss

Reach—Patrick Turner

Wrapped—A Channing Crowder tackle

A Little Push—A Lousaka Polite pancake block

I Wish You—Dan Marino

Coming out of The Dark—Last year

Seal Your Fate—Baltimore Ravens

I know You Too Well—The Jets

Mucho Money—Signing Ronnie Brown next

Love ME—Pat White

Heart With Your Name On It—Greg Camarillo

Betcha Say That—I didn’t know the Wildcat could get that much better

Body To Body—Vontae Davis’ press coverage

Destiny—The Super Bowl

DR.Beat—Joey Porter

Along Came You—Chad Pennington

Cuts Both Ways—Roster Cuts

I Can’t Forget You—Last year’s first game against New England

How can I be sure—Fluke or not?

Don’t Release me—Anthony Armstrong

What Goes Around Comes Around—Other teams using Wildcat against Miami

Pro Football 101 Fantasy Rankings: AFC North D/ST in 2009

The AFC North features two of the top fantasy football defenses in the league.

49ers’ Second Year Players: Second Chance, First Impression

Fans are going to be looking at many things this upcoming training camp and preseason.

 

Manny Lawson must have a much greater presence in the pass rush, and everyone and their grandmother will be watching him.

 

Dashon Goldson will need to show that he is just as good during weekends as he is weekdays.

 

And there are several other high-profile positions that will also receive a lot of eye real-estate, but somehow, I get the feeling that the 49ers second-year players are going to make or break the 2009 season.

 

 

1) Kentwan Balmer—A little under the radar, watch out for this Balmer, he might just blow you up. Do you love him? No? Then you probably hate him. But don’t let first impressions fool you.

 

Balmer’s coach at UNC, John Blake, has said that Balmer is “very raw” and has his best football ahead of him. Being “very raw” in the NFL is like a car without antifreeze that is very cold, its basically a non-“starter.”

 

But Balmer is a big, explosive athlete, and since he’s befriended Justin Smith, apparently he’s also willing to work his tail off.

 

Big cats that work their tails off for a living are normally known as tigers; you can find them in Siberia. But on occasion, “big cats” can be found on an NFL football field, and if Balmer turns into one, words cannot describe the impact it will have on the 49ers defense.

 

 

2) Josh Morgan—Josh Morgan was basically a sixth round steal from the 2008 draft. He stands out on the field and makes plays in practice and in the games. If not for an unfortunate staph infection early in 2008, he could have made a bigger mark with his statistics.

 

Nevertheless, coaches and fans are expecting him to be a force in the passing game next season. The feeling with him, as with many of the 49ers players, is, please just stay healthy.

 

I put him at number two, instead of one, because we already know he’s pretty good.

 

 

3) Chilo Rachal—Do you recall when Larry Allen played for the 49ers? Opposing players were still afraid to face him. Do yo recall what Scot McCloughan said when he drafted Chilo Rachal in the second round of the 2008 draft?

 

To paraphrase, “He’s like a poor man’s Larry Allen.”

 

When Mike Singletary placed Chilo Rachal in the starting lineup last year, most observers agreed that the line played better.

 

Rachal certainly has the ability to pancake and dominate, we’ll see if he can hone that ability like a lower-middle-class man’s Larry Allen this year.

 

Although, it is unlikely opposing players will ever come down with “Rachalitis,” his development could prove to be more important than most realize, especially with the “demoralize the opponent” mentality that Singletary wants to bring to the offensive line.

 

 

4) Reggie Smith, Cody Wallace, Jay Moore—Yes, Jay Moore. Jay Moore has been on injured reserve so much, that he is basically like a second year player. And don’t act like we don’t need depth at 3-4 outside linebacker, because we do.

 

Cody Wallace and Reggie Smith have not really had an opportunity to play important roles, but again, depth at these positions could turn out to be very important.

 

Remember, not so long ago, we had to pluck DB’s off the street, and teach guards to snap a football mid-season. Depth sounds boring, until you need it, and in the NFL, you always need it.

 

 

If you can’t do it twice, you can’t do it at all

 

Critics of the 49ers say they are missing too many “pieces.” I think the under-the-radar second year players on the team are the pieces they are referring to, because if they can perform to their potential this season, opponents will be left scratching their heads, and picking up the pieces.

 

After Just Two Days As A Raven, Drew Bennett Calls It a Career

Just two days after signing a one-year contract with the Baltimore Ravens, eight year veteran wide receiver Drew Bennett has decided to retire.  This is according to Adam Schefter of ESPN.

“I’ve been blessed to have the opportunity to play in the NFL for as long as I have but it’s time for me to move on to next chapter in my life.” Said Bennett

Bennett has cited a flare up of a previous knee injury as the reason to hang it up.

Bennett’s agent also released a statement regarding the sudden and surprising retirement:

“After returning home from Baltimore this weekend, a previous knee injury flared up, making me realizing that I am unable to play another NFL season,” Bennett said in the statement. 

“Therefore, I have decided to retire from the National Football League.  I want to thank coach [John] Harbaugh, [offensive coordinator Cam] Cameron and Ozzie Newsome for offering me the opportunity to be a part of their outstanding organization, and apologize to them for this unfortunate situation”

“The Ravens are a first-class organization that I was truly excited to join.  After an offseason of workouts and rehab, I thought I was ready to play again, but it became apparent over this weekend that while my mind is willing, my body will not be able to make it through another NFL season.” 

“I have been blessed to have the opportunity to play in the NFL for as long as I have, but it is time for me to move on to the next chapter in my life.”

So now the Ravens have lost both Bennett and receiver Derrick Mason to retirement.

Some wideout options still on the market include names such as Marvin Harrison, Amani Toomer, Plaxico Burress, Matt Jones, and Reggie Williams.

The Atlanta Falcons: Lawrence Sidbury Is Another Small School Wonder

It’s nearly impossible to project how good a player will be based on physical attributes and spot performances alone, but sometimes, it’s hard not to feel all warm and fuzzy about a player’s potential.

Lawrence Sidbury (no. 47 pictured above) is that player for the Atlanta Falcons.

He’s raw and needs to make some tweaks to his overall game before he is ready to be a full-time player but, once he does, he should be a very good defensive end for the Birds.

He doesn’t have the size that most coaches covet in a defensive end, but he has great hands and a natural ability to rush the passer that cannot be overlooked.

Further, a look at the Falcons roster reveals that Coach Smith and company aren’t afraid of stockpiling hybrids (Sidbury is likely better suited, size-wise to be a linebacker, but has the skill set to play defensive end) to run their 3-4 scheme.

It’s a scheme that requires a heady and quick player at the end spot who can provide not only a solid edge rush but also solid run support.

The latter holds the most significant weakness to Sidbury’s game—he is unimpressive against the run.

His inexperience and lack of lower body strength make him prey to being tossed about by bigger, and more experienced tackles. That makes him a liability as a run stopper/defender for the moment.

However, this is something he can improve upon and become more proficient at—by working against bigger linemen—with time. He will learn the techniques needed to better his arsenal of moves and shed those tackles more effectively at this level.

Add to that some time in the weight room and work with a strength and conditioning coach, and he could become just as nasty against the run as he is likely to be against the pass.

However, it’s the things that cannot be taught that make him so intriguing.

For one, he has great recognition skills which allow him to be on-the ball once it’s snapped. Additionally, he’s a solid tackler who never quits on a play; using his reach or large hands to make one last grab before being brought down. Lastly, his motor runs non-stop on every play.

He won’t be beat for a lack of effort, that’s for sure.

Work-ethic. Drive. Game instincts. Those cannot be taught, and Sidbury comes by them naturally—thanks in large part to having played at such a small school.

As a stand-out for the University of Richmond Spiders, he was in on every play; he was sure to make his presence felt no matter where he was on the field. His goal was to be an asset, not a liability.

His performance in the FCS National Championship Game is just a small sampling of his enormous upside. See that here.

That said, his small school status makes him work even harder to prove to himself and, to those that continue to doubt his ability at the next level, that he is a good player. He is the real deal.

In his mind, his work on the field will speak volumes off it. That’s the guy you want on your team.

The knocks on him are plenty, sure, but there are none that cannot be overcome with time, good coaching, and experience.

The Falcons obviously think a lot of the kid, feeling they got a steal in the fourth-round of this year’s draft; he has already been signed to a contract and will likely see the bulk of his action come in the preseason this year.

That said, it wouldn’t be a huge surprise to see him get some reps as a situational pass-rusher this season, just so he can get the game experience he needs to mature into a solid end down the line.

Lawrence Sidbury may not be there yet, but keep an eye on this kid. He may be one of the deepest sleepers of the  2009 draft.

Coach Eric Mangini Believes Browns Have A Chance To Be Mediocre (Satire)

The bar has been raised and the gauntlet has been thrown.

Speaking at a log-rolling and pancake-eating festival in Northern Ohio earlier this week, Cleveland Browns head coach Eric Mangini let it slip that he thinks the progress his new team is making this offseason could pay big dividends this year.

“I know the fans may find this hard to believe,” said Mangini while wiping syrup from his chin with a hatchet. “But I really think that with all the hard work we’ve been putting in, and all the talent we’ve assembled on this team, the Cleveland Browns have a real chance of being mediocre this season.”

“Maybe even very mediocre.”

When told of his new coach’s comments, wide receiver Braylon Edwards dropped his jaw. And his car keys. And a small child he’d been carrying.

Defensive back Brodney Pool, meanwhile, agreed with his coach.

“All I can say,” the defensive back said when replying to the news, “Is that I’ve been very mediocre for a very long time now.”

“I’m just glad someone’s finally noticing.”

Quarterback Brady Quinn, however, seemed to be less enthusiastic about Mangini’s comments.

“You know,  I appreciate the coach trying to build up a little morale and get the team excited for the season and all, but seriously…I’m still the quarterback, right?”

Most fans were skeptical of the mediocre tag, as well.

“Sure, the Browns always look mediocre on paper,” said Linus Steigenwhaller , a long-time fan from Canton. “But everyone knows they don’t play on paper. They play on something other than paper.”

“Of course, I’m not sure what that something else is, because actually watching the games causes me to vomit.”

Reached later at a puppet and pierogi festival in Parma, the visibly frustrated coach was still standing by his comments. 

“I realize that I’m the new guy in town,” said Mangini as he wiped a dollop of sour cream off his ear with a Tickle-Me-Elmo doll. “But I meant what I said when I said it before; the Cleveland Browns are going to be a very, very mediocre team this year. You can absolutely bank on it.”

“Unless, of course, we suck.”

“Then all bets are off.”

Rams Camp Preview: Five Under-The-Radar Guys To Watch On Offense

Entering camp this week, there are so many questions regarding the St. Louis Rams that it would be impossible to list them all in this space.

 

I mean, when you have a starting quarterback in a make-or-break season, a receiving corps with a second-year player as its leader, a rookie starting middle linebacker, a whole new coaching staff, and are coming off a two-year stretch with a combined record of 5-27, there are some issues on your plate.

 

And it’s likely those questions will dominate the media coverage of the team throughout camp.

 

But one of the great things about camp are the other players, the under-the-radar guys who might be removed from the headlines, but will prove crucial to determining the overall success or failure of the team during the upcoming season.

 

Over the next few days, I’ll examine 10 of these players, five from the offense and five from the defense.

 

Today, we start with the offense.

 

 

TE Randy McMichael

 

When McMichael left the Miami Dolphins after the 2006 season, it was as a guy who had caught 60 or more passes in three straight seasons and hadn’t missed a start in his entire five-year career since being a fourth-round draft pick out of Georgia in the 2002 NFL Draft.

 

Of course that record of success didn’t carry over to St. Louis. In 2007, McMichael caught only 39 passes, tying his career low set as a rookie. Then last year he caught only 11 passes in four games, missing the rest with a broken tibia.

 

But 2009 has the potential to be the comeback year for McMichael.

 

New offensive coordinator Pat Shurmur is installing an offense that has gotten 50 or more receptions and 600 or more receiving yards from the tight end position in five of the past six seasons.

 

Last season only eight guys were in the 50-600 club: Tony Gonzalez, Jason Witten, Owen Daniels, Chris Cooley, Dallas Clark, Zach Miller, Antonio Gates, and John Carlson.

 

With already favorable reviews from Shurmur during minicamps and apparently no lingering issues from the leg injury, it’s quite possible McMichael gets on that list this year.

 

 

QB Kyle Boller

 

Since being a first-round pick by the Baltimore Ravens in 2003, Boller has been largely a disappointment. He’s started all 16 games just once, carries a 20-22 career record (with a great defense no less) and a career 71.9 percent passer rating.

 

He’s been replaced as the starting QB twice (Steve McNair and Joe Flacco) and his inability to develop was one of the primary factors in the downfall of former Ravens head coach Brian Billick.

 

But with fragility of Rams incumbent starter Marc Bulger, Boller’s ability to fill in could well be an important story line for the 2009 Rams. It’s important that he come in, pick up the offense, and prove through the preseason that he can run the team in Bulger’s absence.

 

The alternative is the winner of the battle for the third quarterback spot, Brock Berlin or sixth-round pick Keith Null, and nobody wants that.

 

 

WR Laurent Robinson

 

Acquired from Atlanta in exchange for swapping positions in the fifth and sixth rounds of the 2009 NFL Draft, Robinson was a third-round pick by the Falcons out of Illinois State in 2007. He’s big at 6’2” and fast with a 4.38 40 time.

 

Robinson finished fourth in the NFL in receptions by a rookie in 2007 with 37, behind only Dwayne Bowe, Calvin Johnson, and James Jones, but then missed most of the Falcons’ 2008 revival with injuries, finishing with just five catches in six games.

 

Now in a position to challenge for the No. 2 WR spot opposite Donnie Avery, Robinson should certainly be in store for a career-best season, and could prove to be a major cog in the rebuilt Rams pass attack.

 

 

LG Jacob Bell

 

After signing as a free agent from Tennessee for $36 million prior to last season, Bell was expected to provide an immediate upgrade on the Rams offensive line.

 

And though you could argue Bell wasn’t the worst player on the line last year, he certainly didn’t play up to his contract in year one.

 

One advantage for Bell in 2009 is that he will have a much better center on his right with the off-season addition of Jason Brown from Baltimore. And depending on how things play out in camp, he might have second-overall pick Jason Smith at tackle to his left.

 

Another advantage for Bell is that he’s bulked back up to his Tennessee playing weight after playing at about 280 pounds last season. Now with an extra 15-20 pounds on his 6’4” frame, he should be able to better hold up at the point of attack.

 

If Bell doesn’t step up this season, this could be his last with the Rams. Only the first two years of his contract were guaranteed, and his salary figure of $5 million in 2010 is a whole lot for a guard who spends his Sundays at the feet of his quarterback.

 

 

RB Kenneth Darby

 

Count me among those who think Steven Jackson is going to have a huge year in 2009. The combination of his speed, power, and ability to catch the ball out of the backfield are perfect fits for West Coast offense being installed by Shurmur.

 

But you can’t have an objective conversation on Jackson without noting he’s missed four games in each of the past two years.

 

And much like Philadelphia with the occasionally dinged-up Brian Westbrook, Shurmur needs somebody among the Rams stable of runners to step into the Correll Buckhalter role in St. Louis.

 

Darby is just one among the group of guys looking to fill that No. 2 role. Also competing for carries will be Antonio Pittman, Samkon Gado, and rookie Chris Ogbonnaya, selected in the seventh round out of Texas.

 

But Darby is my horse in this race.

 

Selected in the seventh round out of Alabama by Tampa Bay in the 2007 draft, Darby still has just 34 carries on his NFL resume. But he’s big at 210 pounds on his 5’10” frame, and showed last year a knack for catching the ball out of the backfield with 19 in very limited playing time.

 

He also had very good averages per touch (4.4 yards per rush and 9.6 yards per reception), and returned seven kick-offs for 173 yards (24.7 yard average).

 

Granted those numbers are from a very small sample size, but Darby seems to me to be the best compliment to Jackson of the stable of backs.

 

 

Rookie Contract Updates

 

There isn’t any news on the remaining four unsigned Rams draft picks, but the full details on third-round pick Bradley Fletcher’s contract are now available.

 

An All-Big Ten Conference honorable mention at corner for Iowa in 2008, Fletcher signed a four-year, $2.642 million contract. He will have base salaries of $310,000 in 2009, $395,000 in 2010, $480,000 in 2011, and $565,000 in 2012. The deal included an $892,298 signing bonus.

 

Financial terms on fifth-round WR Brooks Foster’s four-year contract remain unavailable. LT Jason Smith (first round, Baylor), LB James Laurinaitis (second round, Ohio State), DT Dorell Scott (fourth round, Clemson) and QB Keith Null (sixth round, West Texas A&M) remain unsigned.

Atlanta Falcons: One “Moore” Down, One More to Go

With the signing of second-rounder William Moore, a University of Missouri safety, the Atlanta Falcons only have one more draftee to sign: the rolling bucket of butcher knives known as Peria Jerry, their first round pick.

My prediction is that he will be signed this week.

Moore, 6’0″ 227 pounds, started 32 of 48 games at the University of Missouri, and finished his career with 284 tackles (182 solo), three sacks, 17 tackles for loss, 22 passes defensed, and six forced fumbles.

He totaled 11 interceptions in his collegiate career for 162 yards. He set a school record by returning four for touchdowns, breaking Erik McMillan’s previous mark.

Moore’s eight interceptions in 2007 also broke the old school single-season record of seven set by Hall of Fame safety, Roger Wehrli (1968). Following his junior (2007) and senior (2008) seasons, Moore earned second-team All-America honors from the Associated Press.

Thomas Dimitroff is too smart of a GM, Mike Smith is too smart of a head coach, and Arthur Blank is too smart of an owner to have the man they’re building a new defense around hold out during camp. That’s why they’ll get the deal done this week…that is, unless Jerry is being advised by an incompetent agent.

Redskins Positions Battles Enetering 2009

The Redskins may not be the most interesting team to cover, but i love the team so, I take a look at some interesting position battles entering the season

Backup QB Todd Collins vs. Young Guns?

With a big possibility that Jason Campbell doesn’t play all 16 games, who will tack the backup role. Colt Brennan, a stud in college played a grand total of 0 snaps last year after a very impressive pre-season. I don’t hope that to happen again as Colt has a great arm and could be used in emergency situations. Chase Daniel is another great young player who could be seeing some snaps this season.

Despite his great 2007, I would opt against Todd Collins, the man is 37 and running out of gas. He is consistent so might play if it’s not Campbell, but his arm is rusty and the 40-yard pass is well out of his reach.

My Selection: Colt Brennan

Most Probable Selection: Todd Collins

No. 2 Receiver: Antwaan Randel El vs. Devin Thomas

For me, Thomas is the obvious selection, he didn’t have the best rookie season, but his second year should be great. I can see him having a 900 yard season as his speed will make him a threat on long balls.

I ahve nothing against Randel El, but, he was consistently inconsistent last season and was nothing more than a so-so receiver. His punt returns were well under his average and Thomas might take over his spot there as well.

My Selection: Devin Thomas

Most Probable Selection: Antwaan Randel El

1st Cornerback:Deangelo Hall vs. Fred Smoot

Smoot is a great cover-corner and Hall is a huge play guy. This is a tough decision. Zorn loves Smoot, so he will probably start him, and I easily agree, Hall can barely guard a man but if he is near him he will pick it, not good.

Smoot sticks to his man like butter and that is great, he is coming off a mediocre seson but he will have a better one. Don’t be surprised to see Smoot guard any top receiver, besides Terrell Owens.

My selection: Fred Smoot

Most Probable Selection: Fred Smoot

2nd Cornerback: Carlos Rogers vs. Deangelo Hall

Hall doesn’t easily get this job either. Rogers is coming off a terrible year, and it isn’t looking up for him. He had a toe injury and he has probably lost his 1st man job to either Smoot or Hall, but Carlos still covers a man better.

 I would rather see Carlos on the bench, he is on the decline.

My Selection: Deangelo Hall

Most Probabe Selction: Deangelo Hall

Punt Returner: Antwaan Randel El vs. Santana Moss vs. Deangelo Hall

Randel El is probably the most consistent of the bunch, but the least likely to break loose for a big return. He could get his spot back from Santana, but a lot people, including me think that it is doubtful.

Moss is the most balanced between the three with a nice combination of speed and consistency. He broke a 80-yard return last season and was a lot better than Randel El when it counted, so he will be one of the top options for this job.

Hall has been a great returner in the past, but the old speedster is loosing some of his wheels. He is the least likely to earn the spot, but if they are in a desperate need of a big return he might be seen on the field.

My Selection: Santana Moss

Most Probable Selection: Santana Moss

3rd down back: Clinton Portis vs. Ladell Betts

Betts is my least favorite player on the Redskins I don’t think he has the talent to run the ball, in my opinion, he shoudn’t even be the backup, much less the 3RB. Betts will more likely than not earn the spot, but I hope not.

Portis is an elite back, he runs with a beautiful mix of speed and power, and can blossom at 3RB, if given the chance. Not too many half-backs are both the starter and the 3RB, but Portis should easily belong in the group that does.

My Selection: Clinton Portis

Most Probable Selection: Ladell Betts

I think that if the right decisions are made, the Redskins will be great, but if not it could be a long season in the nation’s capital. With all said, I hope a great year in DC in year 2 of the Jim Zorn expirement.

Go ‘Skins!

 

 

« Previous Page — Next Page »

NFL Sport Channel Latest

• Just How Far Would You Go?
• Sorry Rex, But It Isn’t Happening
• Super Bowl Predictions: Five Stat-Free Reasons Why the Eagles Will Reach The Super Bowl
• Seahawks Attempt to Turn Corner With Heavy Pursuit of Pete Carroll
• Bill Cowher Unlikely to Coach in 2010