1- The LT to Jets Deal Doesn’t Make Sense for New York. Let’s say you are signing a [...]]]> The last few days have seen a number of big moves in NFL free agency involving a star RB, a QB trade, and a former Super Bowl QB finding a new home.  Let’s break down the latest moves–

1- The LT to Jets Deal Doesn’t Make Sense for New York. Let’s say you are signing a running back.  You can have RB A, a 30 year old who rushed for 730 yards last year, with a 3.3 yards per carry average and 12 TDs, or RB B, a 31 year old who rushed for 1,402 yards, with a 4.2 average and 14 TDs.  Based on pure stats, it seems like RB B is the better choice.  Well, that’s Thomas Jones, not LaDanian Tomlinson, who the Jets let go for “monetary reasons.”  I say that with quotation marks because the Jets then signed LT for more money than Jones got paid by Kansas City.  Not only has LT been less productive and injury prone than Jones over the last two seasons, but Jones was also a locker room leader in New York, a workhorse back who kept himself in great shape and apparently displayed a team first attitude.  It makes little sense to get rid of a team leader, who many on your squad are loyal to, for money reasons and then sign another old, (now) less productive RB for more money than your team leader was apparently worth.  The  Jets have obviously realized how this deal looks to the team and the public, which explains why they took out an ad in the Kansas City Star thanking Thomas Jones for his great work in NY.  Cheap publicity moves aside, this move really makes me scratch my head.  Losing a team leader in great shape for a declining, oft-injured, more expensive RB doesn’t make sense.

2- Brady Quinn to the Broncos is a Great Deal for Denver. This weekend the Browns traded former first round pick Brady Quinn to the Denver Broncos for fullback/running back Peyton Hillis, a 2010 6th round pick, and a conditional 2011 late round pick.  This move is a no-risk steal for the Broncos.  Denver acquired a QB who, while he has been terrible thus far in his NFL career, still has some talent in exchange for a bag of magic beans.  Peyton Hillis is a versatile player, but was barely used by McDaniels last season, is injury prone, and isn’t spectacular in the blocking department.  At worst, the Broncos have acquired a backup QB who is better than Chris Simms for the next two years, and at best they have found a starting QB of the future.  Quinn is familiar with the Broncos offensive system, since it is very similar to the offense run by Charlie Weiss at Notre Dame.  Josh McDaniels now gets a chance to show that he is the quarterback guru he’s hyped as.  If McDaniels turned Matt Cassel, who never even started a college football game into a valuable QB commodity, then he should be able to make something out of Quinn.  If he can, the Broncos have hit the jackpot.  If not, nothing much was lost.  Great deal for Denver.

3- Jake Delhomme Doesn’t Change the Browns’ Long Term Plans. Speaking of the Browns, they have a new presumptive starting QB in Jake Delhomme.  Delhomme is an upgrade, however slight, for the Browns at QB.  Although he had a terrible season last year, throwing picks JaMarcus Russell-style, Delhomme still is a Super Bowl QB who can be good if he has protection and isn’t forced to rush his throws.  If the Browns get their running game going, Delhomme has a chance to be solid.  What he truly offers the Browns though is the ability to be a viable bridge between the present and the Browns next QB of the future for the next 1-3 years.  The rumor is that the Browns still want a QB in the draft–which is logical given Delhomme’s age and Senecca Wallace’s lack of starting experience.  Delhomme, known as a stand-up guy, can now serve as a model for a younger QB that will allow whoever the Browns bring in to sit for a while and learn the NFL game without too much pressure to start.  So while the  Browns’ QB issue is far from solved, Delhomme serves as a solid stop-gap for the next few years.

Yesterday Willie Clark, the man accused of murdering Broncos cornerback Darrent Williams on New Years Eve 2006, was found guilty yesterday of first degree murder for the death of Williams and 16 counts of attempted murder. Williams was killed after bullets sprayed the Hummer limo that several Broncos players were riding in after leaving a [...]]]>

Yesterday Willie Clark, the man accused of murdering Broncos cornerback Darrent Williams on New Years Eve 2006, was found guilty yesterday of first degree murder for the death of Williams and 16 counts of attempted murder. Williams was killed after bullets sprayed the Hummer limo that several Broncos players were riding in after leaving a Denver night club.  The confrontation started when Willie Clark, a member of the Tre-Tre Crips gang, was initially peeved when Broncos players were able to pass the line into the Safari night club.  The conflict escalated when Brandon Marshall and his cousin apparently sprayed champagne into the crowd at the club, hitting some Crips gang members, including Clark.  Williams apparently tried to deescalate the argument between Broncos players and the gang members, but was the accidental recipient of a bullet likely meant for Marshall or his cousin.

Williams was a second round pick out of Oklahoma State in 2005 draft.  His potential was just being tapped as he earned a starting job next to Champ Bailey and was being talked of as a future Pro Bowl player.  More importantly, Williams was known as a nice guy who was active in the community with charity work.  Williams would return to his home town of Fort Worth, Texas to talk to kids about getting out of gangs and gang violence.  That Williams was the one shot and killed is especially tragic, given that he spent his offseasons trying to minimize gang violence.

Williams’s death also had profound ramifications for the Broncos.  Javon Walker basically demanded to leave Denver after sitting next to Williams in the limo and having him die in his arms.  Images of Walker showing up at the Broncos training facility in a blood stained shirt the day after the shooting are ingrained in the Denver community, and Walker understandably no longer wanted to live in Denver to separate himself from the event.  Brandon Marshall’s desire to leave Denver could in part have to do with the trauma of Williams’s death and knowing that he was likely the one Clark’s bullet was meant for.  The Broncos were deeply scarred as an organization from losing one of their rising stars.  Hopefully, this case will bring some closure for everyone involved.  RIP Darrent Williams.

1-A few significant wide receiver signings/lack of signings happened over the last few days.  Derrick Mason resigned with the Ravens, giving Baltimore a solid receiving corps after bringing in Dante Stallworth and Anquan Boldin in the offseason.  Stallworth [...]]]> A lot has happened over the last few days in free agency.  Here’s the Neighborhood’s recap and analysis:

1-A few significant wide receiver signings/lack of signings happened over the last few days.  Derrick Mason resigned with the Ravens, giving Baltimore a solid receiving corps after bringing in Dante Stallworth and Anquan Boldin in the offseason.  Stallworth gives them the explosive deep threat and Boldin and Mason are tough possession receivers.  Sounds like a good balance.

The Bengals also made a move to solidify their WR position, signing Antonio Bryant, formerly of the Bucs, to a 4 year deal.  The signing came after Bryant and Terrell Owens met with the Bengals on the same day.  The signing of Bryant has got to mean the Bengals aren’t interested in TO, and that the market for his services is drying up.  Only a finite number of teams will want a reciever of TO’s age that brings the locker room problems and attitude that he’s known for.  As of now, no other suitors for TO are known, since Baltimore, the only other team linked to TO, has solved its WR problem.  Someone will eventually sign TO, it just may be a while before we find out who that is.

As for non-deals, Brandon Marshall still remains a Denver Bronco.  That Seattle didn’t sign Marshall to an offer sheet after his visit with the Seahawks indicates that the Seahawks probably aren’t willing to give away the 6th pick in the draft for Marshall.  It likely means that Seattle is trying to strike a deal for lesser picks (maybe the 14th pick or a 2nd and a player) for Marshall.  I doubt that Denver wants to part with Marshall for anything less than a 1st round pick, and is likely waiting to see if anyone else will bite on Marshall before proceeding.  So don’t be shocked if the Marshall situation isn’t resolved until the end of the month or early April.

2- Veteran RBs are (slowly) on the move.  Thomas Jones, the prize of the free agent RBs, signed a 4 year deal with the Kansas City Chiefs.  This move gives the Chiefs a potent running attack, with the explosive Jamal Charles coming on strong at the end of last year and Jones serving as a great between-the-tackles banger and short yardage back.  It’s unclear how the carries split will go hear, and I’m somewhat surprised Jones was willing to go to a situation where his role seems so uncertain on a non-contender team.  This situation sucks for fantasy football players, but is great for Chiefs fans, where the running game should take pressure off Matt Cassel.  Now if the Chiefs just had an offensive line…

In other RB news, LaDanian Tomlinson met with the Vikings to come in as their backup/change of pace RB to take Chester Taylor’s place.  LT has said he wants to play for a contender and the Vikings are looking for a versatile, pass catching back, so this match seems logical.  I bet a deal gets done and LT wears purple and gold.  The next question is if that will help entice Brett Favre back to the team, but I’m not touching that with a 10 foot pole.

3- The Browns are in the midst of a QB purge.  The Browns first traded a seventh round pick for Senecca Wallace of the Seahawks.  Then they cut Derek Anderson who went on a rampage against Cleveland fans and how they don’t deserve a winning team before quickly apologizing.  (Anderson will now meet with the Seahawks and Cardinals.)    Now there are rumors that they are shopping Brady Quinn.  Jake Delhomme is coming in for a visit.  Mike Holmgren certainly doesn’t seem satisfied with the state of Cleveland’s QBs and all the movement seems to spell the end of the Quinn/Anderson era in Cleveland.  While Wallace and Delhomme aren’t the long term answer at QB, it looks like they’ll compete for the starting job in the short term– although, I don’t know how much value the Browns can get for Brady Quinn– my guess is max a 3rd or 4th rounder.

Wow, you couldn’t make this up if you wanted to.  The rash of appearances in the police blotter for University of Oregon football players continued today, as it was announced that starting QB Jeremiah Masoli has been charged with one count of second degree burglary.  Masoli and former Oregon WR Garrett Embry (who was kicked [...]]]>

Wow, you couldn’t make this up if you wanted to.  The rash of appearances in the police blotter for University of Oregon football players continued today, as it was announced that starting QB Jeremiah Masoli has been charged with one count of second degree burglary.  Masoli and former Oregon WR Garrett Embry (who was kicked off the team for earlier violations of team rules) allegedly stole two computers and a guitar from a Sigma Alpha Epsilon frat house at Oregon on January 25.

Could things get any worse for Oregon?  Maybe their offensive line can go out and kill a guy or something.  Yikes, I do not envy Chip Kelly right now.

In an extraordinarily impressive feat, the UConn women’s basketball team set an NCAA record for consecutive wins, defeating Notre Dame 59-44 to win their 71st consecutive game.  During this streak UConn is 13-0 against top 10 opponents, beating them by an average of 26.2 points.  No, that wasn’t a typo.  They haven’t won a game [...]]]>

In an extraordinarily impressive feat, the UConn women’s basketball team set an NCAA record for consecutive wins, defeating Notre Dame 59-44 to win their 71st consecutive game.  During this streak UConn is 13-0 against top 10 opponents, beating them by an average of 26.2 points.  No, that wasn’t a typo.  They haven’t won a game against a ranked opponent by less than double digits.  They haven’t lost since the semifinals of the NCAA tournament 2 years ago.  That’s damn impressive.

So why then, asks the media, aren’t the Huskies getting huge amount of buzz?  Well, there’s a few reasons.  First, there’s something to be said for being too dominant.  It’s no fun watching a team that blows out its best competition every time.  UConn tends to crush the best teams in women’s college basketball.  I personally just write off every game UConn plays in as a Huskies blow out and I’m not willing to spend my time watching and waiting for that one game they lose.

Second, there’s the inevitable fact that, right or wrong, women’s basketball just isn’t as popular as men’s basketball.  For the media’s current “why isn’t there any buzz” feigned surprise they have certainly contributed to the problem– they control what has “buzz” and what doesn’t.  Sportcenter spends huge blocks of time talking about the players in men’s college basketball, analyzing who’s in and out of the NCAA tournament, and showing highlights.  Women’s basketball analysts are almost never on Sportscenter unless someone throws a punch or breaks a record.  That’s because women’s basketball doesn’t get the ratings– there’s not a lot of dunking, it’s less physical, sexism, etc– you’ve heard all the excuses for that.  But the media can’t barely cover women’s basketball outside of UConn’s exploits and be shocked when no one cares that they break an NCAA record.

Regardless of the buzz, the Huskies are on an incredible run.  It’s tough to win that many games in a row no matter who your competition is, especially when everyone is pumped to beat you.  It’s ridiculously impressive and UConn should be proud.

Ben Roethlisbeger is once again facing sexual assault allegations.  First, Roethlisberger had a civil sexual assault case filed against him stemming out of an alleged rape at a casino in Lake Tahoe, Nevada.  Now, Big Ben has been accused of sexual assault by a 20 year old woman in a night club in Milledgeville, Georgia.  [...]]]>

Ben Roethlisbeger is once again facing sexual assault allegations.  First, Roethlisberger had a civil sexual assault case filed against him stemming out of an alleged rape at a casino in Lake Tahoe, Nevada.  Now, Big Ben has been accused of sexual assault by a 20 year old woman in a night club in Milledgeville, Georgia.  Roethlisberger apparently was going bar hopping and was seen in several bars throughout the area, until he finally ended up at a popular college night club.  Ben apparently went into the curtained- off VIP area of the club, where a few women were let inside.  What happened next is unknown,  but the victim was taken to and treated at a local hospital in the early morning hours where she was interviewed by police.

Regardless of the truth of these allegations, it’s clear Roethlisberger is an idiot.  He’s already been accused of sexual assault once and clearly puts himself in questionable situations with women.  Does a filthy rich celebrity 28 year old man really need to be going to clubs in a college town, known to be college kid hot spots?  No, especially when there have been allegations of sexual improprieties against you in the past.  I know this dude’s noggin got knocked when he decided to ride a motorcycle without a helmet and almost kill himself, but there’s no excuse for putting yourself in that kind of situation when you are the face of an NFL franchise.  And if in fact these allegations are true, then there really is no excuse for Roethlisberger’s actions.  Obviously, the NFL and fans should let the legal process play itself out, but regardless Big Ben has to get sat down by the Steelers and told that he needs to straighten his act up.

-The biggest name in the free agent class, Julius Peppers, signed with the  Bears for $91.5 million dollars over 6 years, with $42 million guaranteed.  Good lord that’s a lot of [...]]]> The first day of free agency yesterday resulted in a flurry of activity, including blockbuster trades, crazy rumors, and giant contracts.  Let’s break it down:

-The biggest name in the free agent class, Julius Peppers, signed with the  Bears for $91.5 million dollars over 6 years, with $42 million guaranteed.  Good lord that’s a lot of money– but for an extremely talented pass rusher the Bears needed in the wake of the tragic death of Gaines Adams.  People say that Peppers has questionable consistency and “takes plays off,” but I’ve honestly heard that about many of the great D-lineman in the league– shockingly giant pash rushers don’t bring maximum heat every play, perhaps to conserve some energy for more important/clear passing downs.  Plus, there’s this one guy, Randy Moss, who has heard this criticism and still continues to be one of the best WRs in the league.  Peppers may be on the wrong side of 30, but he’s still an elite pass rusher.   Althought the Bears paid a lot of money, they basically just signed Peppers to a 3 year 42 million dollar contract given that the rest isn’t guaranteed.  Not bad really.

-On the trade front, Anquan Boldin finally got his wish and was traded from the Cardinals to the Ravens for a3rd and 4th round pick.  The Ravens then signed Boldin to a 3 year, $25 million extension.  The Ravens finally get the consistent, No. 1 caliber wide receiver that they’ve been looking for for years.  Boldin is one of the toughest receivers in the NFL- he plays through injuries, goes over the middle, etc- which fits in perfectly with the Ravens’ ethos.  I wonder how Cowboys fans must feel after trading a 1st rounder and 3rd rounder for the lackluster Roy Williams…

-The Cards exodus continued with LB Karlos Dansby signing with Miami and released safety Antrel Rolle signing a deal with the Giants making him the highest paid safety in the NFL.  The Cards have taken a huge number of hits this offseason, losing 4 Pro Bowl quality players (Dansby, Rolle, Boldin, Warner).  The Cards can’t be considered the favorites in the NFC West any longer with huge elements of their offense and defense out of the equation.  Can you say 49ers win the West?

-In the unrestricted free agent area, it sounds like Brandon Marsall may be on the move from Denver soon.  Reportedly, Marshall is meeting with the Seahawks today to see if they can work out an offer sheet.  Offensive coordinator Jeremey Bates worked with Marshall as the former QB coach in Denver, so it makes sense that he would want Marshall.  Since the Broncos have a first round tender on Marshall, if Seattle were to offer Marshall a contract and the Broncos choose not to match, they would be entitled to the 6th overall pick in the draft.  Of course, Seattle and Denver could work out a trade for perhaps the 14th pick in the draft (which is the pick Denver traded to Seattle last year) or a lower pick and a player.  There’s two ways of looking at this: Seattle could trade the 6th pick for a young, 100+ catch Pro Bowl receiver (which sounds good), or Seattle would be trading the 6th pick for a risky, moody receiver that Mike Shannahan and Josh McDaniels both wanted to get rid of.  Ultimately, I think a deal for the 6th pick would be good for both teams.  Denver would have to be ecstatic to get such a high pick in the draft for Marshall, who they want to get rid of anyway.  Even if the Broncos are worried about the money they can always trade that 6th rounder for more picks in the draft.  Seattle would love to get a high impact reciever, and no one can question Marshall’s talent, so long as his attitude can be managed.  We’ll see what happens today…

-Browns kick returner/WR/RB Josh Cribbs got the extension he’s been seeking.  Mike Holmegren obviously likes what he sees in Cribbs, and who wouldn’t– he’s a speedy game breaker who’s been the best player on the Browns for the last two years.  It’ll be interesting to see if Cribbs has an expanded role this season to go along with that deal…

-Top cornerback on the market Dunta Robinson, formerly of the Texans, is reportedly meeting with the Atlanta Falcons today.  According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter this deal is likely going to get done, probably for about 5 years.  The Falcons need to upgrade their [...]]]> Good morning everyone– here’s whats up on the free agent market this morning:

-Top cornerback on the market Dunta Robinson, formerly of the Texans, is reportedly meeting with the Atlanta Falcons today.  According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter this deal is likely going to get done, probably for about 5 years.  The Falcons need to upgrade their pass defense, as they were 28th last year against the pass and 10th against the run.  With a potent young offense Atlanta’s defense is all that’s preventing them from getting to the playoffs again.  While Robinson may not be elite and makes errors in coverage, he’s still better than the average NFL corner.  This is a good pickup for the Falcons, depending on how much they pay Robinson.

-WR Nate Burleson has signed with the Detroit Lions.  He will now play opposite Calvin Johnson and the Lions hope he’ll be another usable weapon for Matthew Stafford.  According to ESPN, Burleson will get a 5 year deal for $25 million with $11 million guaranteed.  Burleson had an inconsistent career in Seattle, but did have his best season in Seattle under now Lions offensive coordinator Scott Linehan, when he had over 1,000 receiving yards.  I’m generally underwhelmed by Burleson because he hasn’t had a great year since 2004, so I’m not sure this is the answer the Lions were looking for.

-The Lions have made more moves– apparently coming to a deal with Titans DE Kyle Vanden Bosch (4 years, $26 million).  That’s a large deal for a DE in his early 30s, but this is once again a case of a player, once great, reuniting with an old coach to see if they can recapture the spark that made the player great.  Lions head coach Jim Schwartz was the defensive coordinator in Tennessee when Vanden Bosch had his best seasons.  The Lions appear committed to getting better and adding veteran leadership to their team.  If you’re a Lions fan there may be hope yet.

-Former Chargers TE Brandon Manumaleuna has signed a deal with the Bears.  Manumaleuna played TE wit Bears coordinator Mike Martz in St. Louis and is known more as a blocking tight end, which the the role Martz traditionally likes tight ends to play in his offense.  This deal could mean a trade is on the way for current Bears TE Greg Olsen, who is known as a pass catching tight end and has apparently already been told by Martz that he’ll need to focus on blocking next season.  Olsen is apparently not okay with that, which he shouldn’t be given that he is the Bears’ best pass catching weapon.  Maybe the Bears can get some picks back in this draft out of Olsen.

- The Cromartie to Jets trade is official.  Just wanted to reiterate the off field issues currently facing Cromartie– he apparently has 7 kids by 6 different women and 5 active paternity suits.  That’s Travis Henry levels.  Apparently the Jets aren’t worried about those issues and Cromartie’s lackluster play the last two years– let’s see if Rex Ryan can turn this guy around.

-Colts linebacker Gary Brackett isn’t leaving.  Apparently the Colts have worked out a 5 year deal with Brackett to keep him in Indy.  Brackett is the captain of the Colts defense, so it’s not shocking that they wanted him back and made a deal work.  Teams looking for an inside linebacker will now have to look at Karlos Dansby to fill that hole.

-Rumors are flying about Chad Pennington trying to resign wit the Dolphins.  Apparently both sides want to do a deal, but the agreement is being held up by Pennington’s demand for a no trade clause.  It’s apparent Pennington wants to stay in one place for the remainder of his career, but the Dolphins may be ready to turn the reins of the offense over to Chad Henne soon and certainly don’t want to be stuck with an expensive backup in a year or two if they decide they no longer want Pennington to start.  It’s therefore no shock  they don’t want to agree to a no trade clause, since they could get value for Pennington from plenty of QB hungry teams if they later decide they want to go with Henne.  We’ll see how that negotiation goes.

-Did I mention the Broncos signed former Cal great J.J. Arrington to a deal yesterday?  Arrington was signed by the Broncos last year before being cut after Arrington’s knee injury appeared more serious than thought.  Arrington sat out last year and is now back in the league.  Just sayin.