All hope is lost: David Garrard named Jaguars starter, Byron Leftwich to be traded or released

For the last 5 months all we have been hearing from Jack Del Rio is "Byron is our guy" well so much for that. David Garrard has been named the Jaguars starting quarterback. Lots of people think that Garrard was one of the best backups in the league and that he will make a good starter because he beat the Colts. Well none of those people have ever seen Garrard play. In the Colts game, Garrard completed only 8 passes for 78 yards and an interception. Now wonder why the Jags need to get 350 yards rushing a game to win. Garrard had 10 touchdown passes in 10 starts. But he had 9 interceptions and 4 fumbles. That won't win you games in the NFL. Now for Leftwich, he lost 30 pounds this offseason and one quarterback hungry team is going to get a bargin. He is in the last year of his rookie contract. The Falcons and Ravens should be looking for Leftwich as Joey Harrington isn't the answer in Atlanta. Plus Steve McNair is getting older and Byron grew up around Baltimore.

FBkid's fantasy football cheat sheet: Running Backs

Here is my fantasy football cheat sheet but for running backs.

1. LaDainian Tomlinson Chargers 7
2. Steven Jackson Rams 9
3. Larry Johnson Chiefs 8
4. Frank Gore 49ers 6
5. Joseph Addai Colts 6
6. Brian Westbrook Eagles 5
7. Shaun Alexander Seahawks 8
8. Rudi Johnson Bengals 5
9. Willie Parker Steelers 6
10. Laurence Maroney Patriots 4
11. Travis Henry Broncos 6
12. Reggie Bush Saints 4
13. Willis McGahee Ravens 8
14. Maurice Jones-Drew Jaguars 4
15. Ronnie Brown Dolphins 9
16. Edgerrin James Cardinals 8
17. Cedric Benson Bears 9
18. Thomas Jones Jets 10
19. Deuce McAllister Saints 4
20. Clinton Portis Redskins 4
21. Marshawn Lynch Bills 6
22. Brandon Jacobs Giants 9
23. Cadillac Williams Bucs 10
24. DeAngelo Williams Panthers 7
25. Adrian Peterson Vikings 5
26. Jerious Norwood Falcons 8
27. Marion Barber Cowboys 8
28. Brandon Jackson Packers 7
29. Ladell Betts Redskins 4
30. Tatum Bell Lions 6


Sleepers: Deangelo Williams Panthers: DeShaun Foster has been a dissapointment so far for the Panthers and Williams when used looked good in his rookie season. He should win the starting battle in camp and possibly get around 1200 total yards along with 8 touchdowns which could make him a very good flex option.

Brandon Jackson Packers: Jackson should be the starting back for the Packers as Vernand Morency has been hurt for most of the preseason. Jackson has looked very impressive at times and should be used as a no.3 back who could help your team in the playoffs down the road.

Is the "Madden Curse" already getting to Vince Young?

Madden 08 only came out last Tuesday but it already looks like it has affected cover boy Vince Young. Since the game has come out, Young has been suspended by the team for the first preseason game and went 5 for 17 for 105 yards against the Patriots Thursday. Could this be another example of the Madden Curse and is it even real? You could just ask Daunte Culpepper,Michael Vick, Ray Lewis or Shaun Alexander who all suffered injuries and other setbacks the year they were on the cover of the game. It doesn't help that the Titans didn't try to get weapons for Vince Young to throw to. As of now the teams starting receivers are Brandon Jones and Roydell Williams. The team did add veteran Eric Moulds and rookies Paul Williams and Chris Davis but that might not be enough. Young could be a good fantasy quarterback but if you draft him, remember to get a reliable backup.

FBkid's fantasy football cheat sheet: Quarterbacks

Everyday I am going to do my position by position cheat sheet. So today here are my top 30 quarterbacks. The number on the side is each teams bye week so you don't have to go searching the waiver wire because both of your quarterbacks aren't playing in week 6.
1. Peyton Manning Colts 6
2. Carson Palmer Bengals 5
3. Tom Brady Patriots 4
4. Drew Brees Saints 4
5. Marc Bulger Rams 9
6. Donovan McNabb Eagles 5
7. Jon Kitna Lions 6
8. Vince Young Titans 4
9. Philip Rivers Chargers 7
10. Matt Leinart Cardinals 8
11. Matt Hasselbeck Seahawks 8
12. Tony Romo Cowboys 8
13. Jay Cutler Broncos 6
14. Alex Smith 49ers 6
15. Brett Favre Packers 7
16. Eli Manning Giants 9
17. J.P. Losman Bills 6
18. Matt Schaub Texans 10
19. Ben Roethlisberger Steelers 6
20. Steve McNair Ravens 8
21. Jason Campbell Redskins 4
22. Byron Leftwich Jaguars 4
23. Jeff Garcia Buccaneers 10
24. Jake Delhomme Panthers 7
25. Chad Pennington Jets 10
26. Rex Grossman Bears 9
27. Trent Green Dolphins 9
28. Tarvaris Jackson Vikings 5
29. Damon Huard Chiefs 8
30. Joey Harrington Falcons 8

Sleepers: J.P. Losman Bills: Losman showed improvement last year as the Bills passing attack looked good at times. Losman should find Lee Evans often and could get around 3000 yards and 17 touchdowns as a late round pick.

Byron Leftwich Jaguars: The only problem with Leftwich is staying healthy. This offseason Leftwich lost about 20 pounds and the Jags have a new offense with more long pass plays. Leftwich could put up good numbers to be a solid no.2 option.

Observations of the Lions offense from the Bengals Lions game

The Lions offense was moving the chains the whole game as they threw for over 500 yards. Jon Kitna played a few series in the first quarter and went 3 for 5 with 52 yards. J.T. O'Sullivan who the Lions got off waivers a few weeks before the game looked very sharp going 12 for 19 with 225 yards and a touchdown. The weakness of the Lions offense though is definitely the running game. The Lions only ran the ball 19 times and gained 67 yards. That won't win you to many games in the NFL. Tatum Bell started as Kevin Jones was still nursing his broken foot. Bell looked very quick and ran for 19 yards on 6 carries. Bell's only problem was he didn't hit the holes the line opened for him and danced around most of the plays. T.J. Duckett didn't look that impressive either as he 19 yards on 5 carries and fumbled at the Bengals 1 yard line. Duckett was supposed to be the teams goal line back so he could be gone if he does that again. The receivers though looked great as Roy Williams caught one pass for 23 yards. Williams looked unstoppable on his route which was a 20 yard slant and then he does the rest. Considering he should get single coverage due to Calvin Johnson and Mike Furrey's presence, Williams could be in for a great season. Furrey had 1 catch for 24 yards which was on the exact same route as Williams. Calvin Johnson came in late in the second quarter but played well. Johnson had two passes thrown his way and caught them both for a total of 45 yards. Johnson made a spectacular leaping catch over Bengals 1st round corner Leon Hall and showed that he is ready to play. The Bengals defense was also very worried about Johnson getting lose. On one play Johnson was getting double teamed which led to a wide open Shaun McDonald who scored from 83 yards out. So all and all the Lions can really pass the ball but won't win to many time of possession battles. The Lions might not win that much this year, but they should be fun to watch.

Observations of the Bengals offense from the Bengals Lions game

The other day I was at the Bengals Lions preseason game which was also the first time Calvin Johnson takes the field in Detroit. The crowd was very excited for football and saw some good plays. Here is my analysis for the Bengals offense in the game.
Bengals:
Offense: The Bengals 1st team offense looked unstoppable and is already in midseason form. Carson Palmer was accurate as always going 7 for 10 with 93 yards. Rudi Johnson looked pretty quick once he got around on the outside ashe started off the game with a 20 yard carry and finished with 33 yards on 5 carries. Chad Johnson had 2 catches for 40 yards while T.J. Houshmandzadeh also did well with 2 catches for 34 yards. Even though Chris Henry is suspended for the first 8 games this season, he was allowed to play. Henry was the Bengals best receiver with 6 catches for 86 yards and a touchdown. Even with the loss of Eric Steinbach, the Bengals offensive line held off constant pressure from the Lions. The big problem for the Bengals on offense is the depth at quarterback and running back. Neither Doug Johnson or Jeff Rowe looked like suitable backups for the Bengals if Carson Palmer goes down. After the likely backup running back Kenny Irons tore his ACL, the Bengals tried out 3 players at running back. Irons also showed lots of potential as he has lots of speed and had 17 yards on 4 carries. Chris Perry if healthy should take the backup role as he is a great receiver out of the backfield.

Arizona Cardinals season preview

Last years record: 5-11 (Last in division)
Coach:Ken Whisenhunt
Key Addition: This off-season the Cardinals acquired veteran players who should bring some leadership to an inexperienced team like tackle Mike Gandy. The new coach Ken Whisenhunt was the offensive coordinator for the Steelers last year and should look to improve the Cardinals 30th ranked running game. Whisenhunt should also bring lots of his successful trick plays along with him. Receiver Anquan Boldin could be a big part of that as he played quarterback in high school like another Whisenhunt product Antwan Randle El.
Key Loss: None of the Cardinals losses were that big as the team had no interest in bringing back aging veterans Robert Griffith or Orlando Huff. Offensive tackle Leonard Davis is a good talent but they replaced him with first round pick Levi Brown.
Draft: The Cardinals only had five draft picks but all of them could end up being solid contributors in a couple years. 1st round offensive tackle Levi Brown of Penn State should protect lefty Matt Leinart's blind side for the next decade. 2nd Round Defensive Tackle Alan Branch of Michigan was projected as a top 10 pick but has a questionable work ethic. If Branch tries,he could be a dominant force on the defensive line. 3rd round Linebacker Buster Davis of Florida State is a bit undersized at 5'9 but could be a starter in a few years. Davis should have an immediate impact on special teams this year. 5th round receiver Steve Breaston of Michigan will most likely be used on kick returns but could become a good number 4 receiver. The sleeper of the draft class is 7th round Delaware tight end Ben Patrick. Patrick is big with soft hands and could get some red zone opportunities this year and could end up starting.
Offense: With lots of young firepower, the Cardinals could be one of the most explosive offenses in the league. Quarterback Matt Leinart now has a year of experience and a paternity suit under his belt and could throw around 25 touchdowns this year. Edgerrin James was brought in last year to improve the running game but with a poor offensive line only averaged 3.4 yards per carry. James could be getting towards the end of his career but backup J.J. Arrington hasn't lived up to his draft position a couple years ago as a second rounder. If the Cardinals improve their 30th ranked running game it will help the all-pro receiving tandem of Anquan Boldin and Larry Fitzgerald. Boldin had a pro bowl type year having over 1,200 yards but only had 4 touchdowns. Fitzgerald had some nagging injuries but when healthy was dominant getting 950 catches and 6 touchdowns. Bryant Johnson is another big target who should make a big impact as a no.3 receiver. The offensive line is young and how well they play should be the difference of a win or loss for the Cardinals.
Defense: The defense wasn't as bad as the numbers indicate as the Cardinals force lots of turnovers. Chike Okeafor is getting up in age but really turned it on late in the season getting 6.5 sacks in the last month. The defensive tackle position is very young and could have a hard time considering they play both Frank Gore and Steven Jackson twice a year. Bertrand Berry could still have an impact at linebacker and could get pressure on the quarterback. Karlos Dansby is turning into a pro bowl linebacker as he is becoming one of the leaders of the defense. Antrel Rolle and Eric Green are both young at corner but could end up becoming solid starters down the road. The star of the defense is safety Adrian Wilson who is the leader of the defense and is an up and coming star in the league.
Fantasy Studs: Edgerrin James RB: James didn't play his best last season but Whisenhunt runs a very run oriented attack and James should get back to form. He should be a solid no.2 back heading into this season for your fantasy team.
Anquan Boldin WR: Boldin is a lock for loads of yards when healthy and expect nothing less this year. Now that Matt Leinart is more experienced Boldin should be used as a low no.1 receiver or a high no.2 for your fantasy team.
Larry Fitzgerald WR: Fitzgerald could be an even better fantasy receiver than Boldin as he gets yards and is a great red zone target. If he is healthy you should expect around 1,200 yards and double digit touchdowns. Fitzgerald should definitely be used as a no.1 receiver for your fantasy team.
Prediction: The Cardinals have the talent to be a good team but they are a few years away. Once the team gets used to Ken Whisenhunt's scheme and the running game improves, the Cardinals could be a serious contender in the NFC. My prediction is 6-10 and 4th place in the division.

Jaguars center Brad Meester breaks foot

The first major injury has hit Jags camp as starting center Brad Meester has broken his right foot. He should be out for 8 weeks. Meester got hurt on Monday in the first full pads practice and thought it was just a sprain. X rays today said it was a break and will get surgery tomorrow. Meester will be replaced by Dennis Norman who proved he is fully capable at center as Meester had injury problems last year. Meester is entering his 7th season in the league and has started 107 career games for the Jaguars. This should have no fantasy impact whatsoever.

Frank Gore breaks hand could miss entire preseason

San Francisco 49ers running back Frank Gore has broken a bone in his right hand the first day of padded practice. Gore had over 1500 yards last year and set his goal to get 2000 this year. If he misses any time, Maurice Hicks or Michael Robinson could challenge for the starting job. Hicks has had most of his experience at kick returner. Robinson who was a rookie last year, got lots of experience as a goal line back as Gore had trouble holding on to the ball in the red zone. One guy not to count out is 6th round pick Thomas Clayton who is a physical freak but had some character issues at Kansas State. Clayton should probably make the team on special teams. Even though this injury could affect him early on in the season, Gore is still a good option as a no.1 fantasy back.

Atlanta Falcons season preview

Last years record: 7-9 (3rd place in division)
Coach: Bobby Petrino

Key Additon: Joey Harrington didn't look like a huge pickup earlier in the off season but now with the Michael Vick scandal it's a whole different story. Harrington has had some decent performances but hasn't played like a starter so far in his career. He could end up being a solid player as he will now have good protection in the pocket. Bobby Petrino should help his cause as he is supposed to be an offensive genius and teams were after him for years.

Key Loss: Patrick Kerney when healthy was a sack machine. The only problem was that didn't happen much. Kerney had lots of nagging injuries in Atlanta and was getting up in age. The team didn't have enough money to meet his contract demands and Jamaal Anderson is a solid replacement as a rookie.

Draft: This looks like a pretty good draft for the Falcons as they got lots of youth at positions that were having problems last year. 1st round defensive end Jamaal Anderson of Arkansas should be a double digit sack threat as he is very fast off the edge and should start right away. 2nd round offensive tackle Justin Blaylock should also start right away on one of the best lines in the league. Chris Houston another second rounder from Arkansas could start at corner opposite DeAngelo Hall. Houston has 4.3 speed and shut down some of the best receivers in the nation. 3rd round receiver Laurent Robinson out of Illinois State is very athletic and should be developed into a starter. 4th round linebacker Stephen Nicholas from USF is a physical specimen who's skills are very raw and could start in a few years.

Offense: The loss of Michael Vick kills this offense as defenses no longer have to fear his play making ability. Vick would be lucky if he ever wears an NFL uniform again which won't help the Falcons salary cap. Joey Harrington is a more accurate passer but is nothing near Vick's freakish athletic ability. Harrington starting should make the receivers happy as he won't take off before the receivers finish routes. Warrick Dunn had back surgery and is scheduled to miss all of the preseason and could lose his starting job also. Jerious Norwood was very impressive last year as he had 633 yards last year on only 99 carries. Norwood has potential to be a 1300 yard back. Considering how much money is spent on the receivers, they aren't that good. Joe Horn was picked up in the off season but isn't the player he used to be. Michael Jenkins is a good athlete who hasn't lived up to his 1st round pick a few years back. Alge Crumpler is one of the most reliable tight ends in the league. He should have an even bigger impact this year as Harrington is just learning the offense and the tight end is the biggest target on the field. Todd Wiener leads a good offensive line as the Falcons had the best rushing offense in the league mainly due to Michael Vick taking off without looking at his receivers route progression.

Defense: This defense looks a lot better on paper then they do on the field. When John Abraham is healthy, he is one of the premiere defensive ends in the league and could get around 12 sacks. Rod Coleman and Grady Jackson are a great tandem of defensive tackles as Jackson clogs up the line and Coleman is athletic enough to rush the passer. The linebackers are led by Keith Brooking who is very passionate about the game and is a tackle machine. Linebackers Demorrio Williams and Michael Boley are both very young and athletic and should improve this year. DeAngelo Hall is one of the premiere corners in the game as he had 4 interceptions and shuts down the best receiver the opponent has to offer. The safties aren't the best as Lawyer Milloy is getting up in age and Chris Crocker is very inexperienced.

Fantasy Studs: Jerious Norwood RB: Norwood was solid as a rookie last year but could have a breakout campaign. If Warrick Dunn isn't healthy in time for the regular season, Norwood is the starter. Keep him as a no.3 fantasy back for now.
Alge Crumpler TE: Crumpler had a career high 8 touchdowns last year but don't expect those numbers this year. Crumpler was Vick's go to guy but his production should drop as Harrington will spread the ball around more. He should still be a good no.1 fantasy tight end.

Prediction: Michael Vick has officially ruined the season for the Falcons as he will probably never wear an NFL uniform again. Otherwise this is a pretty solid Falcons team but the quarterback position is so poor it kills all hope. My prediction is 4-12 and last place in the division.

1st round holdout list

Most of the first round are signed but some players still are having dilemmas over things like guaranteed money and length of the deal. Here is the list of the 1st rounders who haven't signed yet and their teams.


1. Oakland Raiders: JaMarcus Russell QB LSU

2. Detroit Lions: Calvin Johnson WR Georgia Tech

5. Arizona Cardinals: Levi Brown T Penn State

6. Washington Redskins: LaRon Landry S LSU

7. Minnesota Vikings: Adrian Peterson RB Oklahoma

11. San Francisco 49ers: Patrick Willis LB Mississippi

22. Cleveland Browns: Brady Quinn QB Notre Dame

23. Kansas City Chiefs: Dwyane Bowe WR LSU

25. Carolina Panthers: Jon Beason LB Miami(FL)

Camps have started and that is why only 9 picks are left unsigned. My guess is the last player to sign will be Brady Quinn as he feels he is a top 10 player even though he was drafted at 22. This holdout could get ugly and could end just days before the regular season.

New Orleans Saints season preview

Last years record:10-6 (1st in division)
Coach: Sean Payton

Key Addition:Eric Johnson could have a very good season if he stays healthy as the Saints spread the ball around very well. Johnson is a good pass catching tight end and could get around 40 catches and 4 touchdowns.

Key Loss: Michael Lewis is a good return man who was a threat every time he touched the ball. The team will also miss his presence in the locker room but as he got older he seemed to lose a step of speed. The Saints should have an easy time replacing him potentially using 4th rounder Antonio Pittman.

Draft: This draft doesn't look that deep for the Saints after the first couple of rounds. But then again, they were the ones who drafted Marques Colston in the 7th round. 1st round receiver Robert Meachem from Tennessee should compete for a starting role this year. The team should be concerned about the facts that Meachem needed knee surgery and came to mini camp overweight. 3rd round cornerback Usama Young from Kent State was a bit of a reach here but is a good athlete. He should be a nickel back this year but should step into a starting role in a few years. 4th round running back Antonio Pittman from Ohio State should make an impact on special teams this year but, could be a reliable no.2 back as Deuce McAllister is getting older.

Offense: This offense is one of the most explosive in the league. Drew Brees had a MVP caliber season as he led the Saints to the teams first playoff berth since 1999. Brees is a great pocket passer and knows how to get all of his weapons involved. Reggie Bush is one of the most explosive players in the league and should be more involved in the running game this year. Deuce McAllister is more of a bruiser type who should see more limited carries this year with Bush getting better. He should still be a threat around the red zone. Marques Colston was a huge surprise getting over 1000 yards last year and evolved to a go-to-guy down the stretch. Devery Henderson is a great deep threat and if Meachem isn't ready could be the number two starter. The offensive line really helps a top running rushing attack. Jammal Brown is turning into a top caliber tackle in just his 3rd year in the league. Jahri Evans was also a great surprise as a rookie last year and is playing at a pro bowl level.

Defense: The Saints defense was solid in the regular season but was exposed in the playoffs as the Bears put up over 35 points against them. Will Smith is becoming a monster on the defensive line as he got 10.5 sacks last year. He should continue that trend this year. Charles Grant has slowed down a little as he doesn't command double teams anymore. He is still a threat for 8 sacks. Brian Simmons should come in at linebacker and improve the defense. He has lots of experience and should become the leader of the defense. Mike McKenzie is a solid corner who had two interceptions last year. Jason David improves the other corner slot as he is also experienced and has played in big games.

Fantasy Studs: Drew Brees QB: Brees is one of the top quarterbacks in the league and makes the offense go. He is definitely worth a choice as a number 1 quarterback.
Reggie Bush RB: Bush really stepped up later in the season as he became a touchdown machine. He is a great no.2 back but is a good number one in reception leagues.
Marques Colston WR: Nobody will be surprised about Colston this year as he is now the Saints clear number one receiver. He should have another great season and is a great choice as a no.2 fantasy receiver.

Prediction: The Saints are a very explosive team as they have a variety of playmakers. As a dome team,it will be very important for them to get home field advantage in the playoffs to help avoid another January game in Chicago. If that happens they could more dangerous than year. My prediction is 11-5 and first place in the division.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers season preview

Last years record: 4-12 (last place in division)
Coach: Jon Gruden

Key Addition: Jeff Garcia, even in his mid 30's, has proven he can be a quarterback who can win games. The only problem is his consistency as with the 49ers and Eagles he played at a pro bowl level.The Lions and Browns were a total different story as he was a walking turnover. Gruden is good with quarterbacks so expect Garcia to have a solid year.

Key Loss:The Bucs didn't have that many off-season losses as they readdressed problem areas with younger and more athletic players.

Draft: This draft might not look that great for the Bucs on paper, but it could end up becoming a very solid class. Clemson defensive end Gaines Adams is very explosive off the edge and the first rounder should start this year. Tennessee tackle Arron Sears is a massive player who is a future starter and is good value in the second round. Oregon State safety Sabby Piscitelli is a good athlete but is very cocky and is worth a shot in developing as a 3rd rounder. 4th round New Mexico linebacker Quincy Black is also a project as of now as he is a good athlete but his skills are very raw. The sleeper of the draft is 7th round Alabama running back Kenneth Darby who could make the team as a no.3 back but should become a solid backup for Cadillac Williams.

Offense: The offenses problem last year was at quarterback as Chris Simms ruptured his spleen and was out for the year. He was replaced by Bruce Gradkowski who played ok for a rookie but isn't starter material as of now. Gradkowski should remain on the team as Gruden really likes him. Cadillac Williams hardly played like his rookie of the year campaign in 2005. Williams had less then 800 yards last year but this year he should be healthy and the team has more of a passing threat. The receivers weren't great last year as Joey Galloway was the only player with more then 60 receptions. Even in his mid 30's, Galloway is still a burner and should get around 1000 yards this year with 7 touchdowns. Michael Clayton has underachieved since his rookie season and could be replaced as a starter this year. Maurice Stovall should take over the role as he is a huge target with reliable hands and will be a great help in the red zone. The offensive line wasn't that great last year but they got good performances out of young players Davin Joseph and Jeremy Trueblood. The team was 28th in rushing last year but look for them to rise to the middle of the pack this year.

Defense: The defense is good but is hardly the defense it was just a few years ago. Simeon Rice has slowed down and might not be the double digit sack player he was. Derrick Brooks is he remains one of the best linebackers in the league as he is a great competitor and tackling machine. Cato June should improve the team speed at linebacker and make a big impact in the Cover 2 scheme. The corners are aging as Ronde Barber might not have the speed to cover receivers deep and Brian Kelly is a solid number 2 but is also getting up in age. Jermaine Phillips was a good surprise last year as he had over 100 tackles at the safety position and should build on that this year.

Fantasy Studs: Joey Galloway WR: Galloway should have an even better season as now he will actually have reliable play at quarterback. He should be a low no.2 receiver or a high no.3.
Cadillac Williams RB: Williams should also have a better year as teams won't put 8 in the box considering an improved passing attack. If his touchdown numbers improve, he should be used as a low no.2 back possibly no.3.

Prediction: The Bucs are hardly the team that won the Super Bowl 5 years ago. They're younger at some key positions and they have the makings of a sleeper team in a weak NFC. The season all depends on the play of Garcia and how he makes the offense run. My prediction is 7-9 and 3rd place in the division.

Should the Jags get Daunte Culpepper?

Considering how inconsistent play was at the quarterback position last year and the fact that Mike Tice is an assistant coach has made it seem obvious that the Jags are in the running for Culpepper. I don't really think that if this all plays out it would be a great pickup for the Jags.
Byron Leftwich even though bashed by the local media constantly is currently the starter. This is also the last year in his contract so this year could make or break his future in Jacksonville. When given time in the pocket Leftwich could look great at times as he has been known to go on stretches when he completes 15 passes in a row and lead the Jags to victory. His problems are speed of release and a long stride in the pocket. Word out of mini camp is that he is working on shortening it with new offensive coordinator Dirk Koetter.
David Garrard had his chance last season, playing poorly in key games. The many analysts that say he is one of the best backup quarterbacks in the league must have not seen him play last year. In a key division game against the Titans, the Jags totally outplayed them yet still lost. That was because Garrard threw four interceptions. (Ever seen the Pacman Jones highlights they show while describing his latest strip club incident? That's him running back a Garrard pass for a touchdown. Overall Garrard is a capable backup and not much more.
Quinn Gray when given the chance has played great as he seems like a combination of both Leftwich and Garrard. Against the Chiefs Gray was throwing Leftwich-like bullets (unlike Garrard) to the right team. Gray has Garrard's running ability, scoring two touchdowns against the Chiefs when he replaced Garrard in the middle of the game. He could become a good backup quarterback but for a no.3 is a great option.
So overall the Jags aren't that bad at quarterback at least for this year. If this position struggles, they could go for a free agent or draft a quarterback like Andre Woodson of Kentucky next year. These are all reasons why the Jags shouldn't go with Daunte Culpepper. The team has stuck with Leftwich this far they should just let him finish out his contract and possibly resign next year.

Carolina Panthers season preview

Last years record: 8-8 (2nd in division)
Coach: John Fox
Key Addition: David Carr at times showed how good a player he could be. Now with a solid offensive line he should be a reliable backup. If Jake Delhomme doesn't get off to a good start Carr could start early.

Key Loss: The Panthers didn't have too many losses this offseason. Keyshawn Johnson retired after being released.

Draft: This has the looks of a really good draft for the Panthers. Miami linebacker Jon Beason could have a big impact this season and could possibly start by seasons end. USC receiver Dwayne Jarrett could end up being a great value in the second round as he could start opposite Steve Smith and be a big factor in the redzone. Georgia defensive end Charles Johnson was also a great value in the 3rd round and should get a chance to start in a couple years as Mike Rucker is getting older. The sleeper of the group is Miami(Ohio) receiver Ryne Robinson who was an accomplished college player and could make an impact on kick returns and on 4 receiver sets.

Offense: This offense has potential to be explosive but they have training camp battles at two main positions. Jake Delhomme is fighting for his job as David Carr is younger with a stronger arm. Delhomme though is a better leader and has a good connection with Steve Smith. Running back is also an issue as DeShaun Foster has been injury prone and has underachieved for the most part of his career. The team used a first rounder on DeAngelo Williams last year and showed lots of potential and should win the battle in training camp. The offensive line is solid as Jordan Gross is a solid tackle and Mike Wahle is getting older but is still very effective. The bright spot though is receiver Steve Smith who if he didn't have nagging injuries to start the season would have had an even better campaign. Either Jarrett or Drew Carter need to step as a number 2 receiver so Smith doesn't face double teams on every play.

Defense: This defense has potential to be an elite unit as Julius Peppers is a great overall athlete and is a threat to get 15 sacks every year. If Kris Jenkins and Mike Rucker are healthy, it would help Peppers even more as they have a run stopper and another double digit sack threat. If Dan Morgan is concussion free, he could be a very effective player as a leader on the defense. Thomas Davis a former safety turned linebacker has shown signs that he can be a very good player for a long time. The Panthers have lots of young talent at corner with second year Richard Marshall showing that he could be a big time player. Chris Gamble has been a shutdown guy ever since he came in the league and Ken Lucas has lots of talent as a nickel back.

Fantasy studs: DeAngelo Williams RB: Williams is a good sleeper as he hasn't gotten the starting job but has shown flashes of how good he can be. He is a good receiver out of the backfield and also is a threat to score every time he touches the ball. He should be a no.3 back as of now possibly being a low no.2.
Steve Smith WR: Smith is as good as it gets for fantasy football as he gets you lots of yards to go with double digit touchdowns. If Smith is healthy for a whole year he should definitely have a season similar to the one in '05. If on your team, Smith is definitely a no.1 receiver.

Prediction: It's hard to believe a year ago the Panthers were a trendy pick to win the Super Bowl. That isn't the case this year even though the Panthers have potential to be a very dangerous team. My prediction is 9-7 good for a wild card spot and second in the division.

2001 all draft team

After seeing the popularity of my all 2002 and 2003 draft teams I have decided to analyze my all 2001 team. This might be the most loaded draft of them all as it has one of the best quarterbacks in the game, the best running back and three of the ten best receivers. Plus it also has many pro bowl defensive players. The teams only weakness is noticebly at linebacker and the other safety spot. So here is my all 2001 draft team.

Offense: QB: Drew Brees: Round 2 Pick 32

RB: LaDainian Tomlinson: Round 1 Pick 5

WR: Chad Johnson: Round 2 Pick 36

WR: Reggie Wayne: Round 1 Pick 30

WR: Steve Smith: Round 3 Pick 74

TE: Todd Heap: Round 1 Pick 31

T: Matt Light: Round 2 Pick 48

G: Steve Hutchinson: Round 1 Pick 17

C: Casey Rabach: Round 3 Pick 92

G: Leonard Davis: Round 1 Pick 2

T: Jeff Backus: Round 1 Pick 18

Defense:

DE: Aaron Schobel: Round 2 Pick 46

DT: Marcus Stroud: Round 1 Pick 13

DT: Richard Seymour: Round 1 Pick 6

DE: Derrick Burgess: Round 3 Pick 63

LB: Kendrell Bell: Round 2 Pick 39

LB: Dan Morgan: Round 1 Pick 11

LB: Morlon Greenwood: Round 3 Pick 88

CB: Nate Clements: Round 1 Pick 21

CB: Ken Lucas: Round 2 Pick 40

S: Adrian Wilson: Round 3 Pick 64

S: Dwight Smith: Round 3 Pick 84

Minnesota Vikings season preview

Last years record: 6-10 (3rd in division)

Coach: Brad Childress

Key Addition: The Vikings didn't have many key additions this off-season. Mike Doss should be a backup safety and could make an impact on special teams.

Key Loss: Jermaine Wiggins, a very reliable tight end as he always caught 60 passes and was a good leader in the locker room. Now they will start Jimmy Kleinsasser to replace him and that is a big drop off.

Draft: The Vikings have tons of potential in this draft and if they are the top of the division in a couple years they will look back at this class. Adrian Peterson out of Oklahoma has the ability to be a great all around back and should split carries this year with Chester Taylor. Sidney Rice out of South Carolina has loads of athleticism and with the Vikings weak receivers he could start this year. Fresno State corner Marcus McCauley could start in a few years and was considered a first round talent before his disappointing senior campaign. Defensive end Brian Robison from Texas is a good athlete and should make an impact on special teams this year. My sleeper of the draft class though is East Carolina receiver Aundrae Allison. He was a first day talent slipped to the 5th round. He is very fast and is good after the catch and reminds me of Chad Johnson.

Offense: If Tarvaris Jackson develops this year into a solid quarterback the Vikings could have a good offense. Jackson showed potential and is an all around athlete but if he performs like he did in a prime time game against the Packers where he only had 40 yards they are in trouble. The running game could be one of the best in the league as Chester Taylor had over 1200 yards last year along with 6 touchdowns. He shouldn't get as much work this year though as Adrian Peterson could end up being the starter by the end of the year. Steve Hutchinson leads an impressive offensive line,however if the passing game doesn't improve teams will go 8 in the box against them. The receivers are very young and need work. Troy Williamson was a top 10 pick a few years ago and had a hard time catching deep balls losing them in the lights. He went to Nike for vision help but if that doesn't work out he could be out of the league after this year. That would open the door for Sidney Rice to get reps who at 6'3" also a great red zone target.

Defense: This unit is very underrated as they were the best team in the league at stopping the run. The defensive tackle tandem of Kevin and Pat Williams gave offenses nightmares as they clogged up the run and Kevin also had 5 sacks. Linebacker E.J. Henderson had a career year last season getting over 100 tackles and he should build on that performance this year. The Corners are solid as Antoine Winfield is a shutdown corner while Cedric Griffin is improving and could be a solid starter in a year or two. The highlight though is Darren Sharper who had 4 interceptions last year and is one of the best safeties in the game.

Fantasy Studs: Chester Taylor RB: Taylor could have a good year if he doesn't have to give carries to Peterson at the beginning of the season. When getting the majority of carries he should be a low no.2 back but when sharing he is a no.3.

Adrian Peterson RB: Peterson might not have a huge impact right away but when he gets the majority of the carries he is worth starting as a no.2 back. For now he is a no.3 and he could help you big time in the playoffs.

Prediciton: The Vikings are lucky that this division is so bad that even if they get 7 wins they could place second. Nobody would be suprised if this happens but unless Jackson improves as a quarterback I don't think it will . My prediction is 5-11 and last place in the division.

This just in: Oliver selected by Chargers, Gaither by Ravens

Only two players were selected in the supplemental draft as Georgia cornerback Paul Oliver was picked with a 4th rounder by the Chargers and massive Maryland offensive lineman Jared Gaither was selected with a 5th rounder by the Ravens. Both players could be potential steals as Oliver was the only player who could stop Calvin Johnson other then Reggie Ball. While Gaither could start in a couple years as Johnathan Ogden is getting older. The Chargers have had past luck in the supplemental draft before selecting all pro defensive tackle Jamal Williams a few years back. Either way both of these guys could have big impacts on there teams in the near future.

Green Bay Packers season preview

Last years record: 8-8
Coach: Mike McCarthy

Key Addition: Honestly when your only free agency pickup is Frank Walker it won't get to many high grades. Walker at best should be a nickel back.

Key Loss: Ahman Green RB: Green was a solid player for a lot of seasons for the Packers and that is why it's sad to see him go. Green still has the ability to be a 1000 yard back but the Packers seem to now be in rebuilding mode.

Draft: If the Packers traded down a few spots in the first round it would be considered a good draft. Justin Harrell is a good player who should start in a year or two but he was a reach at 16. Brandon Jackson out of Nebraska should be an impact player this season and could possibly start right away at running back. Also Mason Crosby should also be a upgrade in the kicking game and could be an all pro kicker for a long time.

Offense: If this is the end for Brett Favre this might not be the way he will want it to end. The offense is in a rebuilding stage as Vernand Morency might not be able to carry the load and rookie Brandon Jackson might not be ready. The offensive line is also pretty young so Favre could be on his back a lot. The bright spot though is the receivers as Donald Driver is one of the most consistent receivers in the league.Second year starter Greg Jennings had some injuries last year but other then that was solid with 600 yards and 3 touchdowns. He should have around 1000 yards this year.

Defense: This unit is very underrated as Aaron Kampman led a solid defensive line with 15 sacks last year. Cullen Jenkins is also very underrated and could have a breakout season. AJ Hawk could also have a great sophomore campaign and Nick Barnett should also have a big impact. The corner tandem is also very good as Al Harris is a shutdown corner while Charles Woodson was among the top in the league in interceptions.

Fantasy Studs: Brett Favre QB: Favre is near the end of the line of his career but he can still put up solid fantasy numbers. He throws around 30 times a game and could get around 4000 yards. The only problem is the interceptions. So he should be a no.2 quarterback.

Brandon Jackson RB: Jackson should get the majority of carries by the end of the year and is likely to have a big impact. He is good at catching out of the backfield and could be useful in the fantasy playoffs. That makes him a low no.3 running back for now.

Donald Driver WR: Driver is one of the top receivers every year and that shouldn't change. Driver also caught over 90 passes last year which is great for a reception league. He should be a great no.2 option for your fantasy team.

Prediction: The Packers could do well in a relatively weak division and they could make a run at the wild card. The thing is I think Favre is about done and they are currently in the rebuilding stage which could be rough. My prediction is 6-10 and 3rd in the division.

Detroit Lions season preview

Last years record: 3-13 (last place in division)
Coach: Rob Marinelli
Key additions: Dewayne White DE: White is a solid player who is familiar with Marinelli's defensive system coming from the Bucs. He is very young and has potential to become a premiere pass rusher.
Tatum Bell RB: If Kevin Jones isn't fully healthy from his terrible foot injury, Bell should be the starter. Bell is a solid back but anyone would look good running for the Broncos. If Bell has a good season, then people would notice his play wasn't a fluke.
Key Loss: Dre Bly CB: Bly was a locker room cancer for the Lions at times but he is a shut down corner when healthy. He is great in man to man coverage and should make a great duo with Champ Bailey in Denver.
Draft: This may be looked upon as the draft that finally helped the Lions turn the corner. Calvin Johnson is a once a decade receiver prospect and should make an immediate impact and become an all pro receiver in a year or two. Michigan State quarterback Drew Stanton could also become a solid player if he gets a good grip of Mike Martz's offense and could start when called upon in a few years. Ikaika Alama-Francis could also make an impact in a few years and has double digit sack potential. So if Stanton to Johnson becomes one of the most feared connections in the league, the Lions would have a good draft.
Offense: When looking at this offense you must sometimes wonder if Mike Martz plays fantasy football because this unit could be fun to watch. Jon Kitna might not be the long term answer but is a solid player who can put up numbers and is a great leader. If Kevin Jones returns healthy, he and Tatum Bell could make a solid duo to improve on the 32nd ranked rushing attack. The receiving corps could be great as Roy Williams had a pro bowl season last year and is only improving. Plus Mike Furrey had over 100 receptions last year and possibly could be the number 3 receiver. Also look for them to use 4 receiver sets with new addition Shaun McDonald from the Rams.
Defense: The Lions defense was pretty bad last year ranking 28th in the league. Ernie Sims was a good surprise last year and should become one of the leaders of the defense. The defensive tackle tandem of Shaun Rogers and Corey Redding is pretty solid. Redding had a breakout campaign last year with 8 sacks. Expect the same this year. The only problem is Rogers as he sometimes takes plays off and has underachieved the last couple seasons. Plus the team can't be happy with his legal troubles. The defensive backs are very inexperienced. Honestly, how many teams would have Stanley Wilson and Travis Fisher as starting corners? Not exactly a duo thats going to stop pass happy attacks.
Fantasy Studs: Jon Kitna QB: Kitna could be a great sleeper pick this year as he gets lots of yards and with his receivers he could have lots of touchdowns. If Kitna cuts down on interceptions, he should be a no.1 quarterback.
RB: Neither Kevin Jones or Tatum Bell are worth starting at this point considering the Lions play a lot from behind and don't get to establish the running game. If the offense gets rolling though one of them could end up being a good starting back with Marshall Faulk like numbers.
Roy Williams WR: Williams is slowly becoming one of the premiere receivers in the league. That should continue this year as he now has even more weapons on his team. He should have similar numbers to last year and should be a low no.1 or high no.2 starter.
Calvin Johnson WR: Johnson could possibly have a huge rookie campaign. The question is if how much impact he will have his first couple games. He is a good no.3 receiver for now possibly becoming a 2.
Prediction: The Lions should be much improved from last season as they now have the potential to be one of the most explosive offenses in the league. If the defense plays well it could be a solid season. But knowing the Lions management even if they don't live up to expectations Matt Millen will stick around. My prediction is 7-9 and second place in the division. That's also good enough to give Millen a contract extension.