Ten Offseason Questions
Just after the confetti fell around the Pittsburgh Steelers and their Super Bowl XLIII victory, the offseason officially started for all 32 teams.
Interest in the NFL's second season now rivals baseball's offseason because of increased media coverage, salary cap room, trade rumors, and the explosion of the NFL Draft.
Here are 10 questions we'll be tracking during football's version of the Hot Stove.of the NFL Draft. Here are ten questions we'll be tracking during football's version of the Hot Stove.
1. Will the Cowboys dump Terrell Owens?
For a story about T.O., this one is surprisingly slipping under the radar. Most plugged-in minds I spoke with in Tampa believe that Owens will be jettisoned before next season. Giving up on big-name talent goes against Jerry Jones' nature, especially with a new stadium opening, but the Dallas collapse in '08 has repercussions on the way.
The prevailing logic is that both Owens and offensive coordinator Jason Garrett cannot return together. Garrett never landed the head coaching job he was seeking, and something looks ready to give in Dallas. Perhaps [URL="http://fantasyfootball.usatoday.com/content/playerpages/player_main.asp?sport=NFL&id=2691"]Roy Williams[/URL] will take over Owens' position sooner than we imagined.
2. Break up the Cardinals?
Kurt Warner is a free agent, Edgerrin James is likely to get cut, and there are plenty of rumors about an Anquan Boldin trade. And that's only the skill positions. Arizona's incredible ride will get a dose of reality as they try to keep their team together. In all, the Cardinals have 14 free agents, including four key defensive players. Players like Adrian Wilson and Darnell Dockett are also nearing the end of their deals. GM Rod Graves has done a terrific job building up the talent base in the desert, but he's facing many difficult decisions.
3. How is Tom Brady's knee?
Depending on what source you trust, Tom Brady could miss the beginning of next season or he's going to be fully ready for training camp. His knee will be the most discussed body part of the off-season, and his recovery will help determine how the Patriots proceed with Matt Cassel.
The Patriots seem likely to place the franchise tag on Cassel to retain his rights, but they could still trade him to avoid paying $29 million in salary to one position. Cassel will be worth a huge bounty – my guess is that they could get a first-round pick plus. But the Patriots seem unlikely to deal him if they have real concerns about Brady's return.
The NFL Draft may serve as a soft deadline for this trade. If Cassel remains on the team after that, he's likely to stay with New England for the 2009 season. Consider him an insurance policy with a very high premium.
4. Will Donovan McNabb stay in Philly?
Deion Sanders, among others, says that Donovan McNabb wants out of Philadelphia. McNabb says otherwise, but he didn't seem happy at the end of last season. McNabb seems likely to ask for more money from the team regardless. If the Eagles truly want to keep him, like they should, they will acquiesce. Otherwise, this could get ugly. There are many teams who would give up a fortune to acquire McNabb, but the Eagles won't be motivated sellers. The bet here is that McNabb will stay with heavier pockets.
5. Where will Michael Vick land?
The summer of '07 was all about Vick and his dogs. Now, the inevitable comeback begins. First will come the halfway house. Then the stories will arrive about how Vick has changed his life, is contrite, and wants back into the NFL. Finally, the speculation will build about his possible reinstatement to the league and what team will make a run at him. Some were already straining to connect the dots that Vick could land with Dan Reeves somewhere.
Vick will have served his time with the law by July at the latest. At that point, the ball will be in Commissioner Roger Goodell's court. My guess is that the NFL will say Vick has been punished enough. Then he just needs to find a team desperate enough to sign him.
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6 Will Plaxico Burress avoid jail?
Plaxico Burress has more to worry about than an NFL suspension. The Giants may have to decide whether to keep him or cut him loose before his legal problems sort themselves out. Burress shot himself in the wrong city, as New York gun laws are the most unforgiving in the country. Burress will likely spending the summer trying to dodge jail, not cornerbacks. If he can solve his legal problems, there are signs that the Giants would consider welcoming him back.
7. Can we survive another off-season of Brett Favre speculation?
I pray for my fellow football scribes that Favre makes a quick decision this year, because daily updates about the lawnmower man's mindset could push many to insanity. Favre certainly seemed ready to retire at the end of last season, but we've thought that before. There is also a possibility that Favre will want to return, but not with the Jets. The Bucs, Vikings, and 49ers are three teams that would make sense.
8. What's next for L.T.?
The NFL isn't kind to its aging stars. LaDainian Tomlinson, the face of San Diego's franchise, will probably have to swallow a pay cut in order to remain with the team. Its just business. Tomlinson may make the business decision that he can still make more money with the Chargers than elsewhere, so a divorce isn't inevitable.
Cutting Tomlinson would be wildly unpopular in San Diego, but 30-year old running backs are pretty unpopular on the open market. The interest in LT2 would not sink to Shaun Alexander-levels, but he wouldn't get another big deal.
9. Could Ray-Ray play elsewhere?
Head coach John Harbaugh just enjoyed a Cinderella first season in charge. Now he learns what the NFL is all about. Three starters from the core of his team, his linebacker crew, are impending free agents – Ray Lewis, Bart Scott, and Terrell Suggs. Lewis, of course, is a franchise pillar that can overshadow the rest of his team. But how much do you pay for aging leadership? As valuable as Lewis is, don't forget how he looked in '06 and '07 – when he wasn't in a contract year.
Most GMs would try to keep all three players, but that may be impossible. The ruthless GM would make the young guys a priority. Dallas has already been mentioned as a possible landing spot if Lewis left.
10. How rich will Julius Peppers and Albert Haynesworth get?
Truly elite players rarely get to free agency. Titans defensive tackle Albert Haynesworth and possibly Panthers defensive end Julius Peppers have a chance to change that. Both players look determined to test the open market, and why wouldn't they?
They are among the best players at their position in the league and salary cap room as at an all-time league high. Peppers has already publicly said he wants out. It is not a bold prediction to say that Haynesworth and Peppers will both get bigger contracts than any previous defender in NFL history. They may not be the biggest names, but GMs know that games are won on the defensive line. It's rare to find a proven difference-maker available to the highest bidder. Expect the funny money to fly, recession and all.
Just after the confetti fell around the Pittsburgh Steelers and their Super Bowl XLIII victory, the offseason officially started for all 32 teams.
Interest in the NFL's second season now rivals baseball's offseason because of increased media coverage, salary cap room, trade rumors, and the explosion of the NFL Draft.
Here are 10 questions we'll be tracking during football's version of the Hot Stove.of the NFL Draft. Here are ten questions we'll be tracking during football's version of the Hot Stove.
1. Will the Cowboys dump Terrell Owens?
For a story about T.O., this one is surprisingly slipping under the radar. Most plugged-in minds I spoke with in Tampa believe that Owens will be jettisoned before next season. Giving up on big-name talent goes against Jerry Jones' nature, especially with a new stadium opening, but the Dallas collapse in '08 has repercussions on the way.
The prevailing logic is that both Owens and offensive coordinator Jason Garrett cannot return together. Garrett never landed the head coaching job he was seeking, and something looks ready to give in Dallas. Perhaps [URL="http://fantasyfootball.usatoday.com/content/playerpages/player_main.asp?sport=NFL&id=2691"]Roy Williams[/URL] will take over Owens' position sooner than we imagined.
2. Break up the Cardinals?
Kurt Warner is a free agent, Edgerrin James is likely to get cut, and there are plenty of rumors about an Anquan Boldin trade. And that's only the skill positions. Arizona's incredible ride will get a dose of reality as they try to keep their team together. In all, the Cardinals have 14 free agents, including four key defensive players. Players like Adrian Wilson and Darnell Dockett are also nearing the end of their deals. GM Rod Graves has done a terrific job building up the talent base in the desert, but he's facing many difficult decisions.
3. How is Tom Brady's knee?
Depending on what source you trust, Tom Brady could miss the beginning of next season or he's going to be fully ready for training camp. His knee will be the most discussed body part of the off-season, and his recovery will help determine how the Patriots proceed with Matt Cassel.
The Patriots seem likely to place the franchise tag on Cassel to retain his rights, but they could still trade him to avoid paying $29 million in salary to one position. Cassel will be worth a huge bounty – my guess is that they could get a first-round pick plus. But the Patriots seem unlikely to deal him if they have real concerns about Brady's return.
The NFL Draft may serve as a soft deadline for this trade. If Cassel remains on the team after that, he's likely to stay with New England for the 2009 season. Consider him an insurance policy with a very high premium.
4. Will Donovan McNabb stay in Philly?
Deion Sanders, among others, says that Donovan McNabb wants out of Philadelphia. McNabb says otherwise, but he didn't seem happy at the end of last season. McNabb seems likely to ask for more money from the team regardless. If the Eagles truly want to keep him, like they should, they will acquiesce. Otherwise, this could get ugly. There are many teams who would give up a fortune to acquire McNabb, but the Eagles won't be motivated sellers. The bet here is that McNabb will stay with heavier pockets.
5. Where will Michael Vick land?
The summer of '07 was all about Vick and his dogs. Now, the inevitable comeback begins. First will come the halfway house. Then the stories will arrive about how Vick has changed his life, is contrite, and wants back into the NFL. Finally, the speculation will build about his possible reinstatement to the league and what team will make a run at him. Some were already straining to connect the dots that Vick could land with Dan Reeves somewhere.
Vick will have served his time with the law by July at the latest. At that point, the ball will be in Commissioner Roger Goodell's court. My guess is that the NFL will say Vick has been punished enough. Then he just needs to find a team desperate enough to sign him.
<!--RW-->
6 Will Plaxico Burress avoid jail?
Plaxico Burress has more to worry about than an NFL suspension. The Giants may have to decide whether to keep him or cut him loose before his legal problems sort themselves out. Burress shot himself in the wrong city, as New York gun laws are the most unforgiving in the country. Burress will likely spending the summer trying to dodge jail, not cornerbacks. If he can solve his legal problems, there are signs that the Giants would consider welcoming him back.
7. Can we survive another off-season of Brett Favre speculation?
I pray for my fellow football scribes that Favre makes a quick decision this year, because daily updates about the lawnmower man's mindset could push many to insanity. Favre certainly seemed ready to retire at the end of last season, but we've thought that before. There is also a possibility that Favre will want to return, but not with the Jets. The Bucs, Vikings, and 49ers are three teams that would make sense.
8. What's next for L.T.?
The NFL isn't kind to its aging stars. LaDainian Tomlinson, the face of San Diego's franchise, will probably have to swallow a pay cut in order to remain with the team. Its just business. Tomlinson may make the business decision that he can still make more money with the Chargers than elsewhere, so a divorce isn't inevitable.
Cutting Tomlinson would be wildly unpopular in San Diego, but 30-year old running backs are pretty unpopular on the open market. The interest in LT2 would not sink to Shaun Alexander-levels, but he wouldn't get another big deal.
9. Could Ray-Ray play elsewhere?
Head coach John Harbaugh just enjoyed a Cinderella first season in charge. Now he learns what the NFL is all about. Three starters from the core of his team, his linebacker crew, are impending free agents – Ray Lewis, Bart Scott, and Terrell Suggs. Lewis, of course, is a franchise pillar that can overshadow the rest of his team. But how much do you pay for aging leadership? As valuable as Lewis is, don't forget how he looked in '06 and '07 – when he wasn't in a contract year.
Most GMs would try to keep all three players, but that may be impossible. The ruthless GM would make the young guys a priority. Dallas has already been mentioned as a possible landing spot if Lewis left.
10. How rich will Julius Peppers and Albert Haynesworth get?
Truly elite players rarely get to free agency. Titans defensive tackle Albert Haynesworth and possibly Panthers defensive end Julius Peppers have a chance to change that. Both players look determined to test the open market, and why wouldn't they?
They are among the best players at their position in the league and salary cap room as at an all-time league high. Peppers has already publicly said he wants out. It is not a bold prediction to say that Haynesworth and Peppers will both get bigger contracts than any previous defender in NFL history. They may not be the biggest names, but GMs know that games are won on the defensive line. It's rare to find a proven difference-maker available to the highest bidder. Expect the funny money to fly, recession and all.
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