Fantasy Journal - With the 11th Pick in the 2010 Draft, The Nerf Herders Select...

Ryan Grant. I know it isn't who I was hoping for but when I logged into the draft to find out what position I would have (the league commish for the 2nd year in a row had first pick, supposedly randomized) I wasn't happy. Really? 11th pick? The WR that were there were decent but not worth a #1 draft pick. So here is how it all went down.

Before the draft I had a meal which I would hope lead to the people in my house giving me some space. Red beans and rice. Unfortunately the unbearable gas didn't happen until after my draft plus my daughter would have thought my farts were hilarious. So after I raged a little at other fantasy nerds who got in there early about my late draft position I took care of some stuff around the house. Ease my mind if you will. But by the time 8:30 came around I was ready to go.

Imagine my surprise to see someone not pick Chris Johnson with the first pick. The draft went as most go, everyone taking RBs besides a couple picking up wideouts (Johnson, from the Texans and Moss, from the Pats). Luckily with the 11th pick this snake draft allows me to jump on another decent back at the 14th pick. So with those picks I made what I thought were the most solid picks left at RB with Grant and Shonne Greene. What felt like hours later I was ready to start picking up my other position players, WRs. As long as I got two decent top tier guys (one who's QB was still on the board) there wouldn't be a problem.

So of course I snagged Marquez Colston and Chad Ochocinco. Carson Palmer was a much later round pick so I knew I could sit on him. Perhaps draft another QB before taking him. The commish failed to make a flex position as he said he would so I had to grab a TE before all the decent ones were gone. Visanthe Shiancoe (from...MORGAN STATE) and Brent Celek were there and due to my loyalty from having him last year, I took Celek. So my position players looked pretty solid especially considering what I was looking at. Now due to what everyone else was doing (going crazy on defenses) the rest of the draft went like no other I normally do.

My next pick is usually a backup/matchup starter. So why not go with Matt Forte, in a Mike Martz system and looking great in preseason. If he couldn't catch out of the backfield Martz being there would hurt him more than help. After this pick I was sitting around waiting for my picks to come up and just watching a decent amount of defenses fly off the board. About 5. I knew if I wanted a top tier unit (albeit a homer pick but still) I would need to act fast. So when it came to me I hopped right on the Ravens defense/special teams. I took a glance at the rosters. Most everyone had QBs and needed more skill position help. So I thought I could let my QB spot go a little longer and picked up Thomas Jones. Yes, I know Jamaal Charles has looked a 1000x better than him but it's still Thomas Jones. He takes every one's job eventually. He most likely will get goal line carries a la Tim Hightower in Todd Haley's system 2 years ago. Now the waiting game.

Okay on the round heading up to me I start seeing QB's go off the board and realize I need to act quickly. Vince Young and David Garrard are taken. Good I didn't want them anyway. I jump on the Cutler train. I know no one wants Cutler. However he finished the season strong in his last few games and I really think Martz being there is going to make a difference for him. Last year was his worst year as a pro. One of my fantasy rules is never expect a repeat of a previous season. This being one of those cases. With my next pick I grabbed his proposed #1 target in Johnny Knox. Figuring that I could grab Carson Palmer on the next go around. Needless to say, I was wrong.

Normally I stay away from kickers until the last round. I don't draft 2 of them (or 2 defenses) because someone always steps up or has a great matchup the 1 or 2 weeks you need them. However when I saw 3 kickers jump off the board before it got back to me I knew I needed to grab the best option. Rob Bironas was there and I scooped him up. Kaeding was off first in the 7th round, Gostkowski to follow in the 8th, Nedney and Longwell in the 9th before I watched Akers (who I wanted), Mason Crosby and Garrett Hartley go. None were drafted in the 11th before I took Bironas but I would rather have him than Nedney or Longwell. I grabbed a backup WR on a reach when I scooped up Eddie Royal who is now the best option in Denver. The rounds are flying by and I realize there are only 3 more to go. Me still with no backup QB. Houston, we have a problem.

So what felt like 5 hours later, was probably a mere 5 minutes, I grab a backup QB. Matt Moore. Yet another reach for a QB. He is another one who looked decent towards the end of last season and he does face such epic defenses as Tampa Bay (this isnt 2003, Derrick Brooks isn't walking through that door), Atlanta and New Orleans. NO being the main one to worry about due to there inate ability to get turnovers. Oh look at that it's my turn to pick again. Why has no one drafted Willis McGahee? I mean especially whoever has Ray Rice should have grabbed him. Well whatever, thanks buddy. McGahee probably won't have a similar year to last year but should be useful for matchups or bye weeks. Especially if he starts getting all the goal line work. Hooray another long wait for my last pick.

With the 179th pick, the Nerf Herders select (long dramatic pause) Mike Williams. Receiver, Tampa Bay. For some reason this AM I felt the need to post this to facebook just to screw around. I thought it was funny and know that anyone who was on at the time didn't care. Honestly at that point in the draft, I didn't care. If I can get someone who has been talked about all over the web with great upside, that is a win. Williams is that guy.

So as of week 1 my roster is going to look like this...

QB - Jay Cutler
RB - Ryan Grant
RB - Matt Forte (against the Lions, sorry Suh)
WR - Marquez Colston
WR - Chad Ochocinco
D/ST - Ravens D
K - Rob Bironas

With the remainder of players hanging on the bench. More than likely, knowing me I will change everything like 80 million times but this looks good to me. Plus I am going against someone who auto picked their draft and managed to grab Sidney Rice (out until late Oct, Nov) so that will be a big fat donut in that roster spot. Since his team is named Team AFK (away from keyboard), last season he never logged in. For some reason the commish invited him back. I think, possibly the two guys are sleeping together. Which would then make sense for the awkward fantasy football name which uses a gay slur in the title. I am too grown for that, well not really.

So if you aren't sleeping already thanks for reading and I will see you back here soon. Especially since I have yet another draft on Sunday. Hooray!

Fantasy Journal - Pre Draft Jitters

Manager's log - Entry 1 - Pre-draft for ESPN League
Team: Nerf Herders

(you can't say that that's our word!)

I am sitting here, mere hours away from my first fantasy draft with pre-draft jitters. Who will I take? Where will I be drafting? Will my head explode?

The answer to those questions will be answered tonight. As far as who to draft? Now that my daughter has gone down for her nap the research/panic can begin. Overthinking it can begin. Honestly I won't know the draft order until 7:30pm EST. I will know what position I will be looking at but come on. My competitor's might read this! Don't wanna give too much away.

Those who know me know my fantasy football drafting beliefs and probably know what I am going after. I have a strong no QB policy in the first round. Don't know why, I just do. Perhaps it is my lack of a man crush on Peyton Manning who usually is the first QB to go. Maybe it is my many man crushes on other position players. Little of both I suppose. Truth is most leagues use 1 QB. I need more good position players than QBs. Not that Manning isn't great. Just that there are others that are good that put up similar if not better numbers than him.

This is my ESPN league which is with mostly people who don't know me. If they remember me from last season they will know that I drafted 5 RBs total for 14 roster spots. This is a league with 1 RB spot and a RB/WR flex spot to start. Very heavy WR based league. My RBs last season, in order of drafting, were Deangelo Williams, Frank Gore, Ray Rice, Jonathan Stewart and Lesean McCoy. I highly doubt I will get Rice as late as I did last season (unless I am in the top 5 to draft) which was a late round reach then. Now, not so much. Deangelo Williams is officially black listed from my fantasy team, he is on the banned list (read one of my previous posts from last season). Too many injuries and not enough performance after a stellar 2008. Possibly a later reach, highly unlikely though. I am hoping for a similar receiving core like I had last season.

As I said, heavy based WR league. With 3 possible spots last season (this season the roster looks to be 2 RB, 2 WR and a TE). In order of draft spot, last season I had T. J. Houschmandzadeh(hooshmazilli, championship!), Vincent Jackson, Desean Jackson (no relation and with my very next pick!) and honestly I don't remember who else. It says something that I remember all of my drafted RBs and not WRs aye? None of them matter to me this season except for D Jax. Vincent is out for the first few games(might hold out for all of them) and Hoosh is not who me or Denny Green thought he was. I pretty much filled in Hoosh's roster spot with randoms throughout the season. Same with my TE spot. Mostly filled last season by Brent Celek. The team got me the king of the loser's title. Which is not what anyone wants. All my big players got hurt in the last week of the regular season (for fantasy) and I needed a win to get into the championship round. Which looking back on it, I would have won had my players not gotten hurt. But if coulda/woulda/buts were candy and nuts we'd all have a merry fantasy season wouldn't we?

Truth is I just wanted to jot down my thoughts which I will probably doing throughout the season. Stay tuned to find out what my roster looks like in all of my leagues. Or don't. Ya jerk!

I'd like you to meet Nelson Jackson...er Steven Cruz...no wait

Ladies, gentlemen and fantasy nerds alike. I would like you to meet Nelson Cruz (on the left above). Those who own him (and his nagging hamstring injury) feel my pain. Also if those same folks play fantasy football, they could see why I would compare him to Steven Jackson. However for those who may not be familiar.

Nelson Cruz plays right field for the first place (surprisingly) Texas Rangers. If it weren't for Josh Hamilton he would be the best outfielder(possibly player) on the team. Cruz has been a monster this season, starting off with a .323 BA, .419 OBP, 7 HR, and 17 RBI in April before his first stint on the DL. Which shut him down until mid-May. Cruz burst back into the lineup only going hitless in 2 games before his second visit to the DL. A mere 14 days(13 games) later. This 2nd visit to the DL felt like an eternity but was only 3 weeks. The Rangers took more precautions due to his quickness to reinjure his hamstring previously. Leaving him on the DL an extra week so he could properly heal(and maybe learn how to stretch during pregame). His second return did not see the same results as his prior one. Cruz only managed 1 homerun in the first two weeks of his return, with several hitless games. However his return lasted much longer (nearly two months!) before breaking at least my heart. His last 4 games were insane before ripping my heart out a la Indiana Jones and The Temple of Doom. After 3 straight hitless games, Cruz rewarded royal owners going 7 for 17 with a HR and 3 RBI's before his third stint on the DL. Right in time for the playoff race. Thanks Nelson! If these comments sound familiar to you than perhaps Steven Jackson is a familiar name.

Add to the fact that any fantasy obsessor has drafts coming up (or already in progress/completed) for fantasy football. One should discuss the value of Steven Jackson. Who only missed one game last season(unlike previous seasons) however his performance plummeted, at least in the TD department. He only had 4 last season. He is the best weapon on a porous Rams offense that ranked 29th in the NFL last season in total offense and - thanks to Jackson - 20th in rushing. Most fantasy geeks like myself avoid Jackson due to his previous seasons (2007 & 2008) when he missed 4 games and his production went down tremendously. Everyone went crazy for Jackson after his stellar 2006 season. I know, I drafted him in 2007. He now is blacklisted from my fantasy teams. That is, unless I am desperate. Ever since then I have seen him drop as low as the fifth round before someone took him. If he goes that long this year, I may have to pull the trigger. Or I could always take a chance on Jahvid Best. If Jackson is around in the 3rd round don't be surprised. I suppose the biggest difference between Jackson and Cruz (other than the sport they play) is their ranking on their respective teams as the best player. Cruz could be seen as second or even third after Josh Hamilton and Vladimir Guerrero. While Jackson is clearly the best weapon on the Rams.

All this leads to the fact that Cruz is only one day away from coming back to the Rangers and my fantasy lineup. Or so I hope. My outfield by committee since then hasn't been great. As long as someone teaches Cruz the art of stretching his hamstring throughout the game (during pregame and every inning, seriously, we need you healthy Nelson!), I think all is well.

H.Y.P.E. = Hold Your Predictions EEEEEEEEEEEEdiots!

So with the impending NFL season slowly approaching and so much hype surrounding Lebron James' free agency, it is time for yet another fantastic blog by yours truly. Now for those who want to insult me for my inability to come up with a word that starts with "E" for my acronym in the title, have a sense of humor. I'm quoting the great Ren Hoek,"you eeeeeediot!"

Bron Bron

• Look, when Wade and Bosh announced that they would go to Miami and take "less money" to bring those who could help the team win, I thought Lebron was packing his swimming trunks for the beaches in Miami. Anyone who thought Lebron was going to stay in Cleveland, hit the Big Apple or head to Chicago after that bomb dropped is/was crazy. Who knew that Chris Bosh signing somewhere would effect the decision of James, who was attempting to bring him to the Cavs. All in all, "decision 2010" lacked much drama for me. What it did do was change my image of who I thought Lebron was. Bold move arranging for an hour long special on ESPN where you control everything for something that could be a status update on Twitter or Facebook. Thanks for the marketing ploy Lebron. Anyway, I am just happy that I will start seeing NFL analysts soon as opposed to Chris Broussard all over ESPN and cap specialists telling me where Lebron will go.

Oakland Raiders Won't Suck?

• When asked what team could turn it around a lot of experts are picking the Raiders. I can't really knock on this considering they have an improving young QB in Jason Campbell and a decent running game. Add the talent of Rolondo McClain from the draft to improve a team that was terrible against the run last season and it makes it interesting. Well that and the fact that they play in the AFC West where the only team that will be decent is the Chargers. Win the division? No. Go 9-7? Yeah. Too many close games last year and they got rid of that pariah Jamarcus Russell.

Jets in the Super Bowl

• Really? Wasn't this the same smack we all heard last year? LT is not an improvement over Thomas Jones but their pass defense is looking like it will be pretty stacked. Revis and Cromartie are two stellar corners who have shutdown ability. Well Revis does but let's not forget how great Cromartie was a couple years back (remember that insane 1 handed INT on Peyton while falling down on the sideline? if not, google it!). Besides the AFC East is going to be a monster this year with every team being better, well maybe not the Bills. Dolphins made moves getting Karlos Dansby (MLB) and Brandon Marshall (WR), eventhough he is hurt, which is going to vastly improve their team. Plus there is this guy named Tom Brady who thinks he OWNS the AFC East division crown.

The Madden Curse Tolls for Thee

• A lot of experts don't believe in this curse but that is not me. Too many players have been effected by mojo, voodoo, coincidence, faith or whatever one might call this. It happens. All I am advising is that anyone involved in fantasy football avoid Drew Brees like he has Sars. I wish you well Mr. Brees but my mouse will not click "draft" anywhere near your picture this year. If history proved this wrong then maybe I would think twice about this. It doesn't. Just ask any player who has graced the cover since 1999 when the "tradition" began(or go here---> http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Madden_NFL#Madden_Curse ). That is the definition of an "E" word, evidence. I'm not predicting when Brees will go down, just that he will be out at some point. Sorry Saints fans!

And the Super Bowl Champ Is...

• Okay, look I am all for making picks to start the season but anyone picking a team to win the Super Bowl now is out of their mind. I don't want to hear who Mark Schlereth, Darren Woodson or Trey Wingo have winning it all this year before anyone has taken a training camp snap. Everyone would, should pick who was in the game last year for the simple reason that there is nothing to really go on. Except for overall rosters (paper) and no one wants to be a paper champion. Just ask the Colts, they are the paper champs just about every season. Who knows what can happen in training camp or the preseason? Injuries happen, thats what. So wait until after the preseason so called experts.

There you go! A word that begins with the letter "E" which leads me to my point of this blog. Next time you hear one of these so called experts building something up just think to yourself H.Y.P.E. Hold your predictions eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeediot!

Pretty Bird

Okay, seriously everyone, say it with me. Woo sah. There do you feel better? We are still 7-21(8-21 after the win against the Twins) coming off back to back sweeps (one of us in New York and one against the Red Sox at home) and I have heard two totally different reactions in a matter of days.

Let's be realistic. Who honestly thought the O's would be better then fourth place this season? If you nodded your head, raised your hand or even thought for a second that your answer would qualify as a yes then please hit yourself.

Better now? Yes I admit, I had high hopes, I had concerns but in no way am I going to say, "Get rid of everyone, start anew and start spending money!" Wake up folks, before MacPhail came to town we did that. We threw money at anyone or anything that resembled a major leaguer. Making us to look like we were going to contend. Whether it was Palmeiro, Tejada (the first time, not now, its a favor now), Kevin Brown, Albert Belle, Sidney Ponson(who is in the top 10 of Oriole pitching statistics, strikeouts - he is number 1 in sucking) the list goes on and on. We have been losing ever since Angelos couldn't handle Davey Johnson's ego and fired him after the 1997 season.

Some current fans of the O's have no idea that we were once good, on steroids (allegedly), but still a very competitive team. Ever since Davey Johnson's departure we have been a losing team struggling with its identity. Now I am not saying we shouldn't be upset about the current state of the O's but let's take a step back, relax. I heard one caller on a radio show say we should get rid of Adam Jones because of his porous BA since May of last year (.215) and inability to stay healthy. Sure, let's give up on a gold glover whose batting average reflects being shifted around in the lineup so much in his career. I like Trembley but when it comes to Jones he never has been able to keep him in a specific spot in the lineup. This year it is due to the Brian Roberts injury. Other than Roberts, who can fill our leadoff spot? Its very easy for me to flip flop Jones and Markakis in the lineup. Put Jones in the 3 spot with Markakis batting second, once Roberts returns of course. Markakis hits for average better then power and Jones clearly hits for power.

Do the Orioles need to clean house and start fresh? No. Will we fire Trembley after the season? Oh yes, the only way he saves his job is by some miraculous finish. Will we win any more series' against the Red Sox? No, if we win in Fenway the team may get lynched. Personally I think we should pick up the option on Rojo Johnson (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=haHlFA_bDkI), I mean we need middle relief help. Right?

Besides, its only a few months until the Ravens open up camp. So, go Ravens!

Haven't You Heard?

So have you heard? The bird is the word! Well the Ravens bird that is.

NFL schedules were released Tuesday which means that last night the complaints from fans began about who had the most ridiculous schedule out there. As well as bragging rights as to who has the toughest schedule for 2010. Well this blog is nothing like that, actually I lie. It's everything like that.

I am not basing my opinion on records from last year like Texans or Titans fans are (they are tied for the hardest schedule based on that). Their opponents bolster a .547 winning percentage from last season. Mainly due to the strength of their own division or just the Colts. Why wouldn't I base it on the same thing that many experts are? Simple, did personnel change? So the teams are all going to change, good or bad. If you want to check out the list go
here ---> http://espn.go.com/blog/nfcnorth/post/_/id/11663/sweating-out-the-schedule

With that said let me start off by saying that the Ravens have one of the toughest schedules in the league this year. They rank in the middle of the pack when it comes to last years record (12th, .508 percentage) but they are tied with the Lions at that spot. Leaning towards the Ravens being better then the kittens this year. Just a guess. While I went through last year and analyzed and predicted whether the team would win each game on my fridge (not man enough to put it in the blog I guess) I was completely wrong. I didn't see the Bengals not sucking last year, I'm not Merrill Hoge. Nor did I see the Steelers losing to such powerhouses as the Raiders, Browns and Chiefs. At least I got some enjoyment out of that.

So before this drones on let's get to this years schedule. Let's break it down to 4 game increments.

Weeks 1-4 - @Jets, @Cincinnati, Browns and @ Pittsburgh

Prediction - 2-2

The Ravens get the opportunity to play the first Monday Night game in new Jets/Giants stadium. Honestly in the first 7 games before the bye I could see them only getting 3 wins in that stretch. I would be upset and disappointed but it could happen. The Jets game will be the most interesting, not only for the simple fact that its Rex vs Ravens but more importantly its Rex's disciples against Rex's current followers. This could be a new rivalry that could challenge the gladiator fights in Rome for the amount of bloodshed. Two smashmouth teams that have similar gameplans, run and stop the run. What a way to open up Monday Night Football. Cincinnati will be tough but they really haven't improved their team. Still the same team who got blown out in the first round of the playoffs last season just with Antonio Bryant who fell off in production last year. The prediction for the home game against the Browns is that Delhomme will throw 4 picks, if he's the starter. At Jets, at Cincinnati and at Pittsburgh will all be tough games. Even with Big Ben out for the week 4 game (it has just been announced that he will be suspended for 4-6 weeks for personal conduct violations) against the Ravens, Dixon gave them trouble in Baltimore last season. More then likely he will start over Leftwich/Batch.

Week 5-9 - Broncos, @New England, Bills, Bye, Miami

Prediction - 4-0

I know what you are going to say. Obvious wins are agains the Broncos and Bills. Neither team has improved (Broncos are rebuilding trading Brandon Marshall to the Dolphins and Tony Scheffler to the Detroit). Besides, even if Brady Quinn starts for Denver, we own him. Plus those are home games, expect a beatdown of one or both of those teams. Before last season's drubbing of the Pats in the playoffs I would have immediately said there was no way we could win at Gilette Stadium. Now I have high hopes and the Ravens are going to need to go undefeated in this stretch to improve their playoff chances later. A win over the Pats in their house would assist in that. That and it would fuel the fire for me to tease my buddy Marcel who hails from the region. The Bills could be a surprise if they get something from the QB position. Odds are bad for that to happen though. Injuries seem to kill the Bills as well. Add that all the teams in their division got better while they seemed to only get worse (they lost Terrell Owens to free agency...maybe). Plus new coach; alright, thats it enough piling up negatives on the Bills. In week 9, after the bye, Miami pays us a visit. They just picked up a guy we were after last year in Brandon Marshall. Now if he only had a QB that could get him the ball. Marshall is going to burn us, pretty sure of that. Most big time receivers do. That's if Henne has the time to throw which, in our house, is unlikely.

Weeks 10-13 - @Atlanta, @Carolina, Tampa Bay, Pittsburgh

Prediction - 3-1

We will finally have a head to head of Flacco and Ryan. The two first round QB's from a couple years ago. Should be a show that the Falcons will lose. Yes, I know they picked up Dunta Robinson. I am pretty sure that Boldin will truck him and Ray Rice will juke him out of his shoes. Their linebacking core is young and inexperienced. John Abraham will give Oher a test on the edge but this is a game we should win. Ryan needs to improve from his sophomore slump last year. The game against the Panthers could be interesting. Moore can go deep and Steve Smith is, oh wait wrong one. If they can actually run on our boys than they might stand a chance. This 3 game NFC South stretch ends against the Bucs in the nest. There is no way they pull of a victory in Baltimore, Josh Freeman will get abused in that game. While I could continue to analyze the game, why would I? The Bucs are rebuilding along with the Rams and Lions, these 3 will be vying for top 5 picks in next years draft. This all leads to the final season meeting against the Steelers. Now we all know they will still be near the top of our division because they are the Steelers after all. Add to the fact that the only tough opponent in their first 6 games when they will be without Ben is us and possibly Miami/Tennessee. As we all know, when both teams are playing well, 9 times out of 10 the home team wins. Facts are facts, even Kyle Boller beat them in Baltimore. Argue with that Steeler fan!

Weeks 14-17 - @Houston, Saints, @Cleveland, Bengals

Prediction - 2-2

The end of the season could be interesting. At Houston is a game that is up in the air in my eyes. Could go either way depending on what Texans team shows up. As far as New Orleans, they are the defending Super Bowl champs, Brees is on the Madden cover (by this time in the season he could have fallen to the infamous Madden curse) and their offense should still be strong. Cleveland as I said before will be a joke this year but by week 16 things should or could be clicking for them, think last year when they ended the Steelers hopes at the playoffs. When they realized Jerome Harrison could actually run the ball if given the opportunity, the defense began to play, for lack of a better term, defense. So who knows what can happen with a division rival on the road. Speaking of division rivals the Bengals come to Baltimore for week 17 which could be a division crown deciding game. If I were the NFL I would have scheduled the Steelers for the Ravens in week 17 to guarantee that everyone would play for both teams since the players hate/respect each other. The same could be said about some of the Bengals as far as respect but this should be a great game in what could be a lackluster week 17 where teams in the AFC South and West will likely be resting players.

So I have the Ravens going 11-5 which could win the division. Hopefully I am right and Flacco leads us to the playoffs for the third straight year. If I am wrong however, who will know? You won't tell anyone, will you?

T.O. sign or not T.O. sign?

That is the question. Whether tis nobler to sign T.O. and deal with the media circus that he creates? While also ruining our young QB (doubtful he would shed tears for Flacco) and destroying an already powder keg of a locker room. Just because they think it will improve our offense and give a young QB confidence.

We already have a huge egotistical maniac on defense (love ya Ray Ray) but the benefit of Ray is that he happens to be a great leader. Will he call out players, coaches and referees? Yes. Is he a known leader and once the head of the most dominant defense ever? Yes. Was T.O.? Has T.O. ever won a championship? The answer to those is no. He has never been a part of anything historic(team wise) so honestly, in my opinion, he hasn't earned the ego. At least with Ray, it is about the success of the team.

T.O. is a part of history as an individual but his teams are best known for falling apart due to him destroying their foundations. While last season wasn't an example as one of those teams his performance fell off. Last season marked his first without at least 1,000 yards and 10 TDs since his injury shortened season of 2005. I'm not saying his age has anything to do with it but he is 36. Unlike baseball pitchers, it's not like most football players to get better with age. We have seen two franchise running backs cut this week for that exact fact. LT and Brian Westbrook (not to mention Thomas Jones being released by the Jets even though he had a career year last season) are in the over 30 RB club who were axed by their teams.

T.O. is currently fifth all time in TDs behind active leader LT and Randy Moss (Owens is 61 TDs behind the career leader in Jerry Rice who has 208). Like Rice however T.O. has started to fall off later in his career, mainly the past few seasons. His yards and TDs have been declining over the past 2 seasons. Analysts have torn apart his route running, thinking he is giving up on plays in Dallas and just not performing up to his normal par in Buffalo last season. All I am trying to say is he is more trouble then his performance is worth. Unlike previous years where that could balance out to be equal value.

Like Mike Preston of the Baltimore Sun, I think we should look a different direction as far as a top tier receiver. I know Harbaugh non saliently said Owens was a, "great player," but more then likely this was just out of respect for Owens' previously mentioned ego/career. There are better options out there. Brandon Marshall and Anquan Boldin come to mind. While Marshall may have his issues, he is clearly a better player then Owens. If you wanted to break his trouble to performance ratio down, they would be almost equal. Who knows, maybe changing team would change his attitude? Boldin would be my first choice if he didn't have injury issues. While he is one of the toughest wideouts in the game (he played a couple weeks after his face was put back together during the 2008 season), the fact that he has knee and hamstring issues scare me.

I trust in Ozzie though, even after that Stallworth signing I still believe in him. He always seems to know something about talent. We need a top tier receiver to pair with Derrick Mason, our backfield is already stacked we just need a receiver to lock up the offense. If you think you have a better idea then let me know in the comments. Until next time, stay classy.