Talking NFL

With free agency less than 24 hours away, we’re taking a look at one of the most intriguing group of players ready to hit the open market. In 2007, the Patriots wide receivers combined for a gaudy 292 receptions, 3,814 yards and 39 touchdowns. However, the only guys under contract for 2008 are Wes Welker and Chad Jackson, and Chad Jackson didn’t catch a single one of those passes last year. Here’s the Talking NFL rundown on each pending free agent, and the almost certain to be wrong call on who’s hanging around Foxborough, and who’s not…

1. Randy Moss: 98 rec, 1,493 yds, 23 TDs

All eyes are on the “other 81″ to see if he stays with Tom Brady or goes for straight cash, homey. If this was the Moss of three years ago, I’d say he’s gone. But he did his time in purgatory (read: the Raiders), and you get the feeling that he knows just how good he has it in New England.

If he were to leave, it would have to be for BOTH big dollars and to a team with a star QB. Indy and Dallas are doubtful with stars like Reggie Wayne and T.O. all ready in place. Pittsburgh is interesting with Big Ben’s off-season whine request for wideouts who are taller than the not-so-diminutive Hines Ward, but they’re pretty tight against the cap as it is.

This one just seems to make too much sense to both sides not to get done. The only question is for how many years. Randy will be 31 at the start of next season, and even superstar receivers like him have a tendency to hit the wall at age 35. Under his old contract with the Raiders, he was scheduled to make $11.25 million in 2008. He’ll take a bit of a discount to stay with the Patriots, but not by much. And the Patriots will splurge a bit to keep him.

Prediction: Stays with Patriots, signs 4-year contract worth $36 million

(Update: Just after posting this, I saw this article by Sean Jensen over at AOL Sports. If he’s right, then I’m off by one year and about $6 million.)

2. Donte’ Stallworth: 46 rec, 697 yds, 3 TDs

If it weren’t for Randy Moss, I’d say that Donte’ would be staying. They were tied on average yards per catch at 15.2, and Donte’ was at times absolutely electrifying after the catch. He brought a play making ability that reminded many of a healthy Deion Branch.

However, he disappeared for long stretches, had some key drops, and lost more 1-one-1 matchups than he should have. The Patriots have all ready declined to pick up the optional years on Donte’s contract, and he will surely see some interest in the open market.

Prediction: Leaves Patriots, signs with Baltimore Ravens

3. Jabar Gaffney: 36 rec, 449 yds, 5 TDs

While most fans (including myself) expected Wes Welker to become the next Troy Brown, it was actually Jabar Gaffney who morphed into the key #3 option and 3rd down possession receiver that Brady frequently sought out in a pinch.

After a solid ‘07 campaign, Jabar could certainly look to cash in during free agency. However, there’s a few mitigating factors here: first, it was the Patriots who picked Jabar up off the scrap heap in 2006 when nobody else wanted him. Second, he spent the first four years of his career with the hapless Houston Texans, and you know he’ll think twice about signing with yet another potential basement dweller. He’s all ready won more games playing with the Patriots in 1 1/2 years than he did during his entire career with the Texans.

It’s true that the Patriots won’t overpay for a mid-level player like Gaffney, and that the free agent market on wide receivers is rather bare, so a better monetary offer should be out there. But this is another one that seems like it makes too much sense for both sides to pass up.

Prediction: Stays with Patriots, signs 5-year contract worth $17 million

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Before the basement dwellers of the NFL can binge on the feast that is free agency and the draft, they must first purge themselves of the dead weight they carry on their roster (like those extra 10-15 pounds one gains after the holidays). In recent days, the lowly Miami Dolphins and Atlanta Falcons have projectile vomited away team members in a way that would make a fraternity pledge who just attempted his first funnel jealous.

Let’s take a look at the damage…

Miami Dolphins:

Number of Cuts Made - 10

Notable Names - QB Trent Green, WR Marty Booker, LB Zach Thomas

Estimated Cap Savings - $14 million

Analysis - Obviously the big news here is the release of 12-year veteran and Pro Bowl regular Zach Thomas (on Valentine’s Day, no less - how’s that heartbreak treating you Miami?). While it may seem a cold way to treat such an integral part of the team, business is business. And it’s simply good business to let go of a soon to be 35-year old linebacker with concussion issues in order to clear about $5.5 million in cap room. Even if that means he may go to your hated division rival (and make me look like a genius slightly less of a moron).

Atlanta Falcons:

Number of Cuts Made - 7

Notable Names - QB Byron Leftwich, TE Alge Crumpler

Estimated Cap Savings - unknown

Analysis - Much like Zach Thomas, Crumpler was an All-Pro veteran who was limited in productivity this year by injuries. He should also be scooped up quickly by another team (the Seahawks immediately come to mind as a good fit).

What’s more, the blood letting could be just beginning over in Atlanta. New General Manager Thomas Dimitroff indicated that after the cuts the Falcons have about $17 million in salary cap space, but Arthur Blank has stated he wants to have $23 million ready to roll in free agency.

Meaning that other veterans like Warrick Dunn and Lawyer Milloy might not want to get too comfortable just yet…

Well kids, with the always underwhelming Pro Bowl in the rear-view mirror, and pitchers and catchers reporting to spring training this week, we can officially sign off on the 2007 NFL campaign. As a still devastated member of Patriots nation, I think it’s finally time to move on (in other words, go Red Sox!).

To begin working through the pigskin withdrawal process, here’s two prescriptions: first, links to the two-part post I wrote this time last year entitled Post Traumatic Football Season Disorder. Click here for Part 1, and click here for Part 2.

Second, the annual SI Swimsuit Issue has arrived, and god bless the folks over a Sports Illustrated for providing me with such a convenient crossover to my favorite off-season topic - NFL Cheerleaders! That’s right, they’ve dedicated an entire section to twelve lovely ladies who patrol the gridiron sidelines.

The best part? The New England Patriots are well represented by the lovely Ms. Meghan White, while the New York Giants do not have a featured cheerleader! In fact, the New York Giants have NO cheerleaders whatsoever, which is simply un-American. Advantage, New England!

(and yes, I realize this kind of taunting falls under the “desperate grasping at straws” category…ugh)

So be sure to swing by the SI Swimsuit site - the lovely ladies there should help warm that cold, dead space left in your heart by the departure of another football season. Heck, they’ve even teamed up with YouTube to offer up some video goodness…

(even if the archaeologist turned super model bit is a tad archaic. HA! Archaic! Get it? Ah…nevermind.)

Anyways, we’ll have some more off-season goodness next week. Enjoy the weekend everyone.

…except, oh I don’t know, @#$&^@ and !)#&^*^% and mother-#$*@(!!!!!

Hey, congrats to the Giants. And Eli Manning. Unbelievable, but they did it.

As for the Patriots, you know what? Yes, they lost the Super Bowl. But this is a team that went 18-0, and won three Super Bowls this decade. I’m sad that they lost, but I’m still extremely proud to be a Patriots fan. They fought hard all year long, and almost did something that no other team that history has done before.

…and the chick that Brady bangs tonight is 20 times hotter than whatever Eli drags back to his room in Phoenix. So there.

And since someone is handing me a bottle off Yeager to down, I’m going to leave you now. Honestly, not sure when (or if) I’m coming back!

Before we get to the pick, I’d like to sent a special note of thanks to Senator Arlen Specter and the Boston Herald’s John Tomase. All week long I was concerned that Plaxico Burress’s half hearted victory prediction wouldn’t be enough bulletin board material for the Patriots. Leave it to those guys to really step up to the plate. Nice work, boys. Check’s in the mail.

OK, about that pick. Earlier in the week, I posted 31-21 Patriots on the 451 Press bulletin board. I’m altering it slightly for three reasons:

(1) The Patriots offense vs the Giants secondary. The Giants have some great personel, but this is the biggest mismatch of the game - a game that will be played in dome conditions (they’re closing the roof in Phoenix Stadium). If you’re the Giants, whatever you try to take away on defense means that someone else is open. If they double Moss, than Welker is open. They double Welker, then Brady hits Gaffney or Faulk out on the flat. If they target Faulk, then Brady goes back to Moss (you get the point).

(2) The above mentioned bulletin board material.

(3) Coach Belichick. A historian of the game, you know he’s as prepared as possible for his place in the record books, thanks to the two week wait AND the fact that the Patriots played the Giants just over a month ago. I mean, come on. That’s just too much of an advantage for the evil genius.

I say the Giants keep it close for…oh…about a quarter or so. Then Brady goes deep to Moss, the Pats go up by two scores, the Pats D puts some pressure on Eli, he throws a pick to Samuel…

and let the good times role.

Patriots 38 - Giants 17

Finally, Super Bowl weekend has arrived! No more reports on the most publicized right ankle in football history, no more wedding proposals at Media Day, no more bizarre fan videos, and finally - no more outlandish predictions on the final score!

Well…actually that’s what this post is all about.

Earlier this week, I decided to poll my fellow writers here at 451 Press on who they thought would win the game and by how much (along with any other crazy happenings that may occur on Sunday). Some of them are passionate football fans like myself. Some of them have a moderate interest in the game. Some of them (as you will soon see) could care less. Regardless, we’ve got multiple darts getting thrown at the wall - you’ve got to figure somebody’s going to get a bulls-eye!

Here to get us started is Brandon, who writes for MMO Gaming:

Patriots win 28-17. Manning throws 3 interceptions - one of which is returned for a touchdown in the first half bringing the score at halftime to 21-0.

In the second half there appears to be some life from the Giants but it is too little too late for them to make a comeback.

Granted I’m a tad biased, but I’d say we’re off to a great start! Next up is the lovely Winnie McCarthy, who follows those zany ladies on the View:

Brady trips over paparazzi trying to get into the stadium and injures foot. Still throws six touchdown passes despite standing on one leg.

Eli Manning has a miracle game and the Giants win 50-42. Yet, following the game, he sits on the field crying, knowing that no matter what he accomplishes, he will still not be as good as Peyton in his daddy’s eyes.

Nice! Ridiculous situations and high drama. No doubt Joy Behar approves.

Heather Scoville of Watching VH1 is, shall we say, less than enthused about Sunday’s game:

I predict I will fall asleep during the third quarter from sheer boredom over having absolutely no interest in either of the teams playing and by then the commercials suck.

Shortly after writing this, Heather confessed that she’s a Bears fan and is simply devastated by the fact that Sexy Rex Grossman might not be returning next year. Say it isn’t so!!

Lynn Little provides great advice over at SEO Dance on how to make a website more search engine friendly. Here’s her thoughts on the big matchup:

I predict that the Patriots will win by at least two touchdowns as I and the rest of the people at the Super Bowl (party) I’m attending will be wishing that the other Mississippi quarterback had made it instead.

Go Packers! Brett, please don’t retire! One more year!

I also predict that I will be saddened as I think back on the mediocre season my New Orleans Saints had and how close they were last year to being in the Super Bowl. *sigh*

Ah, another Brett Favre fan! Lynn, I hope you read my in-depth interview with Coach Mark McHale, author of “10 to 4, Brett Favre’s Journey”, on sale now!

/shameless self promotion

Looking for some good healthy recepies? Be sure to check out Shelly’s Earthly Eating!

Patriots mysteriously don’t show up for the game and the Giants win by default. And all the fans that backed up behind the Patriots, now are all Giants fans and it’s a glorious day for football. As Shelly hunts down Brian and Randi and says, “SEE I TOLD YOU THE PATRIOTS BITE!”

Hmmmm…a no show option! Well, that’s different…

Not one to be called out and back down from a challenge (like any good Patriots fan), Randi of Brad Pitt Watch (and that gives me an excuse to post a hot picture of Angelina Jolie) had the following reply for Shelly:

Patriots win - it seems like they are going to lose during halftime but they come back and pull away, thereby beating the Giants at their own game. Then, after the win, Randi and Brian meet and jump up and down for joy, completely disgusting all of the Giants fans like Shelly.

Then they go home and have hot, long, steamy sex

See, that’s the spirit I’m talking ab- wait, what?!

….but not with each other

Oh, right! Heh, heh…funny, Randi! You’re just kidding, right? You know, not that I’m interested or anything…

(crickets)

…golly, this is awkward…

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