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Breaking down nine key off-season issues
Adam Schein / FOXSports.com
Franchise tags + "forty" times = endless observations and speculation.
There really is no off-season.
Schein's Nine Nuggets of Wisdom
1. Even days after the fact, I still cannot believe that the Chargers cut the cord with Drew Brees. Over the past two years, he has been a top 5-10 quarterback in the NFL. And frankly, range 6-10 is stretching it. Just take a look at all of the big plays Brees made last season (Indy, Philadelphia, New England) in the big spots. And Brees was the unquestioned leader of the team. I understand he had surgery to repair a torn labrum, but he will be ready by June. The Chargers are making a colossal mistake.
It is illogical for the win-now Chargers to turn the offense over to Philip Rivers. Now I liked Rivers coming out of N.C. State in 2004, but a QB who hasn't started a game in the NFL isn't a better option than a Pro Bowl quarterback. A.J. Smith drafted Rivers, is attached to him and obviously wants him to play. And in turn, he is trading in a potential Super Bowl run in 2006. That's how big of a loss this is.
And while I am sure team doctors for other squads will test out Brees to see where he is physically, he will land on his feet. Simply put, Brees is a star and a leader. He is the perfect fit for the Dolphins. Also, expect Baltimore and Buffalo, among others, to show interest. Could the rival Raiders have interest? It's a thought.
Brees actually makes perfect sense for both the Cowboys and the Packers, but Bill Parcells loves Drew Bledsoe, and Green Bay just keeps on waiting to see what Brett Favre plans to do.
2. Not issuing the franchise tag to Edgerrin James was a mistake by the Indianapolis Colts. While I understand this would've equaled $11 million towards 2006, losing him is a major blow to Indy's Super Bowl chances. James is a star and —' assuming the Colts don't have the wiggle room to give James a long term deal — was the perfect complement to Peyton Manning's offense. James never got the respect he deserved as a major weapon in the attack. Just take a look at the games (Jacksonville, Baltimore) that James won for the Colts, propelling them to a hot start early in the season.
It wasn't his fault the Colts lost against the Steelers in the playoffs. While we need to see who ultimately replaces him, the explosive Indy offense takes a step backwards.
James will draw interest from the Panthers and Cardinals, and a little birdie tells me the AFC South Jaguars might get involved. That would be a great move for Jacksonville.
3. I was a bit surprised that the Ravens didn't put the franchise or transition tag on Jamal Lewis.
While 2005 was a total disaster, he did finish in the top 10 in rushing three times in five seasons as a starting running back. Now, the former first-round pick can walk away from Baltimore with the Ravens receiving nothing in return. And if they put the transition tag on the running back, the Ravens would have let the market set itself and then determine whether or not to match. And yes, it was stomach-turning last season when Lewis admitted he was thinking about his contract while not playing like the battering ram of recent years. But Lewis still is a great talent and should prosper in a new environment. His off-the-field issues don't mesh with the Steelers, but he would, in theory, be the perfect replacement for Jerome Bettis. The Packers, Cardinals and Panthers could also be good fits.
4. I am totally perplexed as to what on Earth Ray Lewis is thinking about. Lewis is apparently unhappy with his contract and wants a trade. The linebacker, who turns 31 this spring, is due to make $5.5 million in 2006 and $6.5 million a year in both 2007 and 2008. There is no chance that, at his age and coming off of a season cut short due to injury, he can make more money on the open market.
Additionally, Lewis is a tough personality to bring into a new locker room. Lewis is able to dance in Baltimore's pre-game introductions and be the heart, soul and face of the organization because he brought the team, and the city, a championship. He was once a legendary player and, if healthy, can still be a really good player and a team leader if he chooses.
Browns general manager and former Ravens executive Phil Savage once told me that before the Ravens picked a ball player in the draft, they tried to determine if he was tough enough to be accepted by Lewis. Lewis has stock with everyone in Baltimore. At this stage of his career, he could be viewed elsewhere as a money-hungry sideshow on the downside of his playing days. I would be very concerned about adding him if I was another team.
Lewis would be best served to sit down with Brian Billick and work out his differences. He should retire as a Raven. But he needs to change his attitude towards the team, an organization that supported him when he was on trial for murder.
5. When talking to Titans general manager Floyd Reese, you could hear the excitement in his voice about the possibility of drafting and developing a young franchise quarterback. With the third overall pick in April's draft, and with the Texans likely to pick Reggie Bush, Tennessee will pick either Matt Leinart (Reese's preferred choice) or Vince Young — whichever QB isn't selected by the Saints. I asked Reese if the rising Jay Cutler was an option for the Titans. Reese, who has seen the quarterback's entire career at nearby Vanderbilt, flatly said no.
6. Speaking of Reggie Bush, we had a long chat with the former USC star while he was in Indianapolis at the combines on Thursday. Bush said he wasn't working out in Indy due to jet lag and he will perform at the USC pro day. When I followed by asking if he wasn't really participating because he had no need to, he laughed but didn't disagree.
Bush also said he has heard the whispers that he cannot be a 25-carry-a-game running back as a pro. He disputed that notion, while mentioning he is adding weight while not compromising his ankle-breaking speed. Bush also said he fully plans on returning kicks and punts on the NFL level. While I have my doubts about the 25 carries a game, I think he is another Marshall Faulk playing on Sundays; and that means, he is going to be a star.
7. I will be stunned if John Abraham ever plays another game in a Jets uniform. There is no question that the Jets wisely placed the franchise tag on the defensive end in order to trade him. They weren't about to let this play-making defensive end walk for nothing. Abraham, who desperately wants a long-term commitment, won't pull a Charles Woodson from last year and stunningly sign the tender for $8.3 million dollars this year and foul up the Jets' cap even more. He will get that commitment from another team, perhaps the Redskins, Texans or Browns, when he is dealt.
8. San Francisco is making the right decision by not franchising linebacker Julian Peterson. Now, I think Peterson has a lot of football left and is oozing with talent, but it doesn't make sense for the Niners to pay the linebacker $8.75 million this season. San Francisco isn't one player away, and Peterson has been injury plagued over the last few seasons. The divorce is a win here for both the player and the team.
I do expect teams that need to upgrade their personnel at linebacker to pursue Peterson. Other general managers will look at Peterson as a talented ball player who ran into bad luck with injuries while on a losing team. He would be a good fit for teams like the Giants, Browns and Texans.
9. Detroit did two things I really liked this week.
There isn't much positive to talk about on the Lions' offensive line, with the exception of left tackle Jeff Backus. And Matt Millen wisely made him the franchise player. Look for Miller and Backus' agent to continue negotiations for a long-term deal up to the March 17 deadline to extend a tagged franchise player.
I really think the Lions are making the correct decision by sticking with Joey Harrington for 2006. Mike Martz is an offensive guru. Just take a look at what he did with undrafted Kurt Warner and Day-2 pick Marc Bulger in St. Louis. After studying film on Harrington, Martz and new head coach Rod Marinelli have decided to keep the quarterback and coach him up, which is exactly what the quarterback needs. At this stage, it would almost be foolish to cut the former third overall pick without seeing what he can do under Martz. Harrington has no excuse in 2006. And I do believe the coaching staff will maximize him.
http://msn.foxsports.com/nfl/story/5356890
Adam Schein / FOXSports.com
Franchise tags + "forty" times = endless observations and speculation.
There really is no off-season.
Schein's Nine Nuggets of Wisdom
1. Even days after the fact, I still cannot believe that the Chargers cut the cord with Drew Brees. Over the past two years, he has been a top 5-10 quarterback in the NFL. And frankly, range 6-10 is stretching it. Just take a look at all of the big plays Brees made last season (Indy, Philadelphia, New England) in the big spots. And Brees was the unquestioned leader of the team. I understand he had surgery to repair a torn labrum, but he will be ready by June. The Chargers are making a colossal mistake.
It is illogical for the win-now Chargers to turn the offense over to Philip Rivers. Now I liked Rivers coming out of N.C. State in 2004, but a QB who hasn't started a game in the NFL isn't a better option than a Pro Bowl quarterback. A.J. Smith drafted Rivers, is attached to him and obviously wants him to play. And in turn, he is trading in a potential Super Bowl run in 2006. That's how big of a loss this is.
And while I am sure team doctors for other squads will test out Brees to see where he is physically, he will land on his feet. Simply put, Brees is a star and a leader. He is the perfect fit for the Dolphins. Also, expect Baltimore and Buffalo, among others, to show interest. Could the rival Raiders have interest? It's a thought.
Brees actually makes perfect sense for both the Cowboys and the Packers, but Bill Parcells loves Drew Bledsoe, and Green Bay just keeps on waiting to see what Brett Favre plans to do.
2. Not issuing the franchise tag to Edgerrin James was a mistake by the Indianapolis Colts. While I understand this would've equaled $11 million towards 2006, losing him is a major blow to Indy's Super Bowl chances. James is a star and —' assuming the Colts don't have the wiggle room to give James a long term deal — was the perfect complement to Peyton Manning's offense. James never got the respect he deserved as a major weapon in the attack. Just take a look at the games (Jacksonville, Baltimore) that James won for the Colts, propelling them to a hot start early in the season.
It wasn't his fault the Colts lost against the Steelers in the playoffs. While we need to see who ultimately replaces him, the explosive Indy offense takes a step backwards.
James will draw interest from the Panthers and Cardinals, and a little birdie tells me the AFC South Jaguars might get involved. That would be a great move for Jacksonville.
3. I was a bit surprised that the Ravens didn't put the franchise or transition tag on Jamal Lewis.
While 2005 was a total disaster, he did finish in the top 10 in rushing three times in five seasons as a starting running back. Now, the former first-round pick can walk away from Baltimore with the Ravens receiving nothing in return. And if they put the transition tag on the running back, the Ravens would have let the market set itself and then determine whether or not to match. And yes, it was stomach-turning last season when Lewis admitted he was thinking about his contract while not playing like the battering ram of recent years. But Lewis still is a great talent and should prosper in a new environment. His off-the-field issues don't mesh with the Steelers, but he would, in theory, be the perfect replacement for Jerome Bettis. The Packers, Cardinals and Panthers could also be good fits.
4. I am totally perplexed as to what on Earth Ray Lewis is thinking about. Lewis is apparently unhappy with his contract and wants a trade. The linebacker, who turns 31 this spring, is due to make $5.5 million in 2006 and $6.5 million a year in both 2007 and 2008. There is no chance that, at his age and coming off of a season cut short due to injury, he can make more money on the open market.
Additionally, Lewis is a tough personality to bring into a new locker room. Lewis is able to dance in Baltimore's pre-game introductions and be the heart, soul and face of the organization because he brought the team, and the city, a championship. He was once a legendary player and, if healthy, can still be a really good player and a team leader if he chooses.
Browns general manager and former Ravens executive Phil Savage once told me that before the Ravens picked a ball player in the draft, they tried to determine if he was tough enough to be accepted by Lewis. Lewis has stock with everyone in Baltimore. At this stage of his career, he could be viewed elsewhere as a money-hungry sideshow on the downside of his playing days. I would be very concerned about adding him if I was another team.
Lewis would be best served to sit down with Brian Billick and work out his differences. He should retire as a Raven. But he needs to change his attitude towards the team, an organization that supported him when he was on trial for murder.
5. When talking to Titans general manager Floyd Reese, you could hear the excitement in his voice about the possibility of drafting and developing a young franchise quarterback. With the third overall pick in April's draft, and with the Texans likely to pick Reggie Bush, Tennessee will pick either Matt Leinart (Reese's preferred choice) or Vince Young — whichever QB isn't selected by the Saints. I asked Reese if the rising Jay Cutler was an option for the Titans. Reese, who has seen the quarterback's entire career at nearby Vanderbilt, flatly said no.
6. Speaking of Reggie Bush, we had a long chat with the former USC star while he was in Indianapolis at the combines on Thursday. Bush said he wasn't working out in Indy due to jet lag and he will perform at the USC pro day. When I followed by asking if he wasn't really participating because he had no need to, he laughed but didn't disagree.
Bush also said he has heard the whispers that he cannot be a 25-carry-a-game running back as a pro. He disputed that notion, while mentioning he is adding weight while not compromising his ankle-breaking speed. Bush also said he fully plans on returning kicks and punts on the NFL level. While I have my doubts about the 25 carries a game, I think he is another Marshall Faulk playing on Sundays; and that means, he is going to be a star.
7. I will be stunned if John Abraham ever plays another game in a Jets uniform. There is no question that the Jets wisely placed the franchise tag on the defensive end in order to trade him. They weren't about to let this play-making defensive end walk for nothing. Abraham, who desperately wants a long-term commitment, won't pull a Charles Woodson from last year and stunningly sign the tender for $8.3 million dollars this year and foul up the Jets' cap even more. He will get that commitment from another team, perhaps the Redskins, Texans or Browns, when he is dealt.
8. San Francisco is making the right decision by not franchising linebacker Julian Peterson. Now, I think Peterson has a lot of football left and is oozing with talent, but it doesn't make sense for the Niners to pay the linebacker $8.75 million this season. San Francisco isn't one player away, and Peterson has been injury plagued over the last few seasons. The divorce is a win here for both the player and the team.
I do expect teams that need to upgrade their personnel at linebacker to pursue Peterson. Other general managers will look at Peterson as a talented ball player who ran into bad luck with injuries while on a losing team. He would be a good fit for teams like the Giants, Browns and Texans.
9. Detroit did two things I really liked this week.
There isn't much positive to talk about on the Lions' offensive line, with the exception of left tackle Jeff Backus. And Matt Millen wisely made him the franchise player. Look for Miller and Backus' agent to continue negotiations for a long-term deal up to the March 17 deadline to extend a tagged franchise player.
I really think the Lions are making the correct decision by sticking with Joey Harrington for 2006. Mike Martz is an offensive guru. Just take a look at what he did with undrafted Kurt Warner and Day-2 pick Marc Bulger in St. Louis. After studying film on Harrington, Martz and new head coach Rod Marinelli have decided to keep the quarterback and coach him up, which is exactly what the quarterback needs. At this stage, it would almost be foolish to cut the former third overall pick without seeing what he can do under Martz. Harrington has no excuse in 2006. And I do believe the coaching staff will maximize him.
http://msn.foxsports.com/nfl/story/5356890
