Beantown Sports Guys

Clark relieved Tomlin kept him out vs. Broncos - NFL - Yahoo! Sports

PITTSBURGH (AP)—Ryan Clark sat down in Mike Tomlin’s office and did something a little out of character for the normally verbose Pittsburgh Steelers safety. He listened.

via sports.yahoo.com

I'm a diehard Pats fan, but I'm impressed that Mike Tomlin is doing the right thing here with sitting Ryan Clark. He is right - football players have a switch that is flipped off when we play - we have a blatant disregard for our bodies and our own safety. A player that is afraid of getting hurt will get hurt, guaranteed. I'm glad Tomlin took it out of his hands. He values his own player's health and safety over winning a game. Would Rex Ryan do that? I'm thinking not.

It's not often I praise the Steelers. Don't get used to it, Pittsburgh.

Brady shouldn't point fingers - The Tony Massarotti Sports Blog, featuring Red Sox, Bruins, Patriots and Celtics analysis

By Tony Massarotti, Globe Columnist

via www.boston.com

Once again, I highly doubt Mazz has ever played a sport in his entire life, especially football. Way off base. Brady blew up, O'Brien blew up, they made up and were shown sitting down and talking it out and laughing on the bench shortly after and then Brady said he was the one at fault. What's wrong about that? Oh, nothing.

Mazz is your typical Boston sports writer - always focuses on the negative and loses sight of the big picture. Blaming Brady outright for this when O'Brien exploded on him? If Brady is at fault then he is 51% and O'Brien was 49%. They both overreacted, and it's done with.

Only it's not done with. Because the media is making it out to be a huge deal when it isn't. Lame. Very lame.

Tom Brady, New England Patriots offensive coordinator separated after fiery exchange - ESPN Boston

LANDOVER, Md. -- New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady had to be separated from offensive coordinator Bill O'Brien on the sidelines during the fourth quarter of the team's 34-27 victory over the Washington Redskins. The two had a heated argument after a Brady miscue.

via espn.go.com

If people knew how often this happens during games, at all levels of football, there wouldn't be an article even written about it. The 8% that voted that it is a serious rift have never played sports at all at any point in their life. They don't even need to play football to understand, any sports from high school up would suffice.

Brady and O'Brien are both passionate fiery guys, both know how good Brady is and how he can even be better. This only helps the Patriots going forward.

2011-12 bowl schedule - ESPN

The 2011-12 bowl season starts in Albuquerque, N.M., and ends in New Orleans. Here's a look at the schedule from the New Mexico Bowl on Dec. 18 to the Allstate BCS National Championship Game on Jan. 9 in the Louisiana Superdome.

via sports.espn.go.com

This is a must have. I'm always scrambling to find this once the games start. As much as I would love a playoff system, I actually do love the 12,000 bowl games they have. I just cannot wait for the Beef 'O' Brady's St. Petersburg Bowl. Just because that is the most ridiculous bowl name of all time.

OF ALL TIME.

Ryan Clark of Pittsburgh Steelers fined $40K, takes jab at Roger Goodell - ESPN

A week after saying he has to be smarter about personal fouls, Pittsburgh Steelers safety Ryan Clark was fined $40,000 for a helmet-to-helmet hit Sunday night and he's not happy about it.

via espn.go.com

This is beyond ridiculous. The hit on Gronk was illegal, even Clark admitted it, but the hit on Dickson was totally clean. He didn't lead with his helmet. Helmets WILL collide, it's a contact sport.

I have said it before, I will say it again - the NFL does not care at all about player safety, they care about the viability of having their top playmakers (ie: OFFENSIVE PLAYERS) stay on the field. What about the Tight End that crackbacks a defender? No flag. Even if it's helmet to helmet which it ALWAYS is. Why? Because they are inflicting it.

If the NFL truly cared, they would outfit every single player with the Riddell HITS technology helmets that record every hit a player takes or gives. They would take this insane amount of data, hand it over to some big company like Google to crunch and derive real information out of based on injury reports and whatnot, and player safety would be all the better for it. Not this ticky tack bullshit.

Roger Goodell is watering the game down and is actually making it more dangerous for defenders because they hesitate. When you do that your odds of injury go up tenfold.

Ridiculous.

John Fox of Denver Broncos not ready to make call on Tim Tebow or Kyle Orton - ESPN

ENGLEWOOD, Colo. -- The football world will have to wait another day to find out if Tim Tebow was only keeping Kyle Orton's seat warm or whether he's pushed the veteran to the end of the bench.

via espn.go.com

Normally I would say I thought John Fox was a good coach. But seriously - if you can't see that you need to start Tim Tebow, someone the guys responded to in the 2nd half of the game this week, someone who will give you his all, someone who never stops working, someone who just is a positive force in the world and on the football field, if you can't see that you should not be coaching. Don't not start him because you realize you are an idiot and you should have traded Kyle Orton when the iron was hot. Don't make another mistake. Start him. Elway wants him. Bronco Nation wants him. NFL fans want him. Don't follow a bad mistake with yet another.

Chad Ochocinco, "Being A Part of The Patriots is Heaven"

When Chad Ochocinco arrived in New England to play for the Patriots he had one word to describe it “Heaven” he said from the stadium, to the locker room and all the way to the food, it was heaven. Chad had previously spent his entire career playing wide receiver for the Cincinnati Bengals. Chad had always stated that he had always wanted to play for coach Bill Belichick and finally in the 2011 season, Paul Brown granted his wish and traded him to the Patriots for a 6th round pick. Chad was brought here a week into training camp with much to learn. Tom Brady said once in an interview that there is close to 3600 plays in the Patriots offensive playbook so there is much to understand in four weeks of preseason football. Chad started week one in Miami and his production was small with just one catch. People started criticizing him publically. Former Patriot Tedy Bruschi called Chad out telling him to get off of Twitter and into your playbook. Chad handled it the right way not talking to the media and when the media outlets would stand by his locker he would say he’s not talking and just point to his playbook stating that he would not talk until he knew the playbook completely. Tom Brady was being interviewed on WEEI this past Monday and stated that whoever has a problem with Chad has no idea what they are talking about what is going on inside that locker room. Chad has been a big part of this team and he is a great teammate Tom Brady stated. This past Sunday Ochocinco has more of an impact with two big catches, one pass from Brady that got the team out of its own end zone and the other catch was caught even though the defender struck him early which caused a pass interference penalty. I personally love the fact that Chad is on this team. Chad has always been one of my favorite all time players in the league and I feel that he can bring some valued experience to this team once he is completely involved in the offense.

via www.passionbreedsgreatness.org

I totally agree, Chad has been so shortchanged with the lockout and not having mini-camp, and OTAs, and all that other stuff that normally you would have in a season. I'm willing to bet within 4-6 weeks he will be a much different contributor than he is now. Psyched he is on the Pats.

The Evolution of the Patriots D-line

Bill Belichick's team is doing its final practices before preseason game No. 2, Thursday in Tampa Bay. He called the Buccaneers an "impressive" team in their game against the Chiefs - "fast, aggressive, they have a lot of talented players, play at a high tempo."

via www.boston.com

Belichick knows defense. We all know this. But I have a sneaking suspicion the change he is making and has made on the defensive line have everything to do with his mantra of taking away the best player on a team and let the other guys beat you.

Most of the teams in the AFC East have solid RBs but have so-so QBs. They have QBs they want to manage the game but don't have guys that can go out and actually WIN a game for you. Sanchez is no exception.

Last season Sanchez's highest QB rating in a loss was 84. Conversely, Peyton Manning's highest rating in a loss was 109.

That goes to show you that the Colts lost despite Manning putting up solid numbers. Sanchez isn't there, I personally don't think he will be a QB that wins games, he is more like Trent Dilfer in 2000: just don't lose us the game.

And so Belichick sought to create a disruptive defensive line that is solid at stopping the run but also is versatile enough to pressure the QB. He changed up the defense to a 4-3 but maintains flexibility to drop a DE to a LB on any given play. He did this to stop the likes of CJ Spiller, Reggie Bush, and Shonn Greene. If they get to Sanchez, Henne, and Fitzpatrick even better. But none of those QBs are guys you can count on to win a game for you.

Jim Thome reaches 600 HRs with humility, grace and country power - Tom Verducci - SI.com

Every year before he leaves Peoria, Ill., for spring training, Jim Thome drives out of his way to cruise Jim Thome Drive, near Limestone High, his alma mater. Years ago he explained that the little side trip was his way of "keeping me humble, reminding me where I came from."

via sportsillustrated.cnn.com

I always had the utmost respect for Jim Thome. When he was on the Indians he was just as feared if not more than Manny Ramirez and was the heart and soul of that team. He's quietly played the game right and has produced.

21 seasons. 600 Homeruns and counting. This guy needs to be in Cooperstown.

Lockout -- NFL owners approve proposed labor agreement, players expected to vote Friday - ESPN

NFL owners approved a proposed 10-year labor agreement with the NFL Players Association on Thursday, leaving the potential end to the league's lockout in the hands of the players' vote Friday.

via espn.go.com

While it is incredibly nice that the owners voted unanimously for the new CBA (31-0 with the Raiders abstaining), it's insulting to the players in the NFL.

The fans don't care if the owners approve of their proposed deal. That insults our intelligence. It insults us because they think they can pressure the NFLPA to cave and the public will direct their anger toward the NFLPA and not the NFL owners.

WRONG.

I want football. A lot is at stake. Not just for current players but former. Health benefits. Retirement. Other benefits. I'm not shortsighted to think it's all about getting on the field as soon as possible, the NFL wants you to think that.

I want it done and done right - the NFLPA is not asking for anything the owners can't give them. That they didn't earn. That they don't continue to earn with their bodies. And minds. And future health. I'm not screaming off the rooftops because the players are wronged, but it's all relative - billionaires vs. millionaires right?

Right. So they should do what's right.

Get it together NFL owners. Give a little, get a lot. Don't be so greedy. 18 regular season games is insane. Want the solution for doing right by the fans that hate paying regular season prices during preseason games?

Don't charge as much.

Yes, it is that simple. I'm beginning to think I should be helping in this process...

2011 NBA Playoffs: Doc Rivers of Boston Celtics expects injured players to be ready for Saturday - ESPN Boston

via sports.espn.go.com

If the Celtics aren't physical and limit turnovers and easy layups in Game 3 it's over. It really is that simple. You can't let a team out muscle and out hustle you up and down the court. You might as well book those tee times if you are going to let them handle you like that.

I like that Shaq is coming back. I have no delusions of him being the savior but you are damn right he will bring a certain fire and physicality to the series that has been missing and hopefully that inspires and sparks the other guys. The key to the series is Shaq, Jermaine, and KG. Their level of physicality will determine how far they go.

2011 Mock Draft

ESPN made my life easy once again by putting the Mock Draft Machine up. This is the 3rd and final iteration I came up with. As always I can't predict teams (read: New England) trading picks to move around. 

A few other notes:

• If Ingram slips to the Patriots I don't expect them to take him. They have plenty of RBs right now and Green-Ellis has been a beast. Woodhead is such a great weapon. Faulk is coming back. Morris and Taylor are great when they are healthy, but right now they are technically free agents. We have more pressing needs than RB at that point in the draft although I would love to have Ingram, as would any team. Oklahoma DeMarco Murray would be a great 2nd round pick if he is still on the board. Bilal Powell out of Louisville could also be that guy they grab later.
  
  
  
•  People need to stop saying DE/OLB Dontay Moch is a sleeper. He isn't. He can't be when everyone is saying he is. His body of work is decent, his combine performance was stellar. He isn't slipping under anyone's radar.
  
   
• Ahmad Black out of Florida will be a Patriot. Bank on it. Once again, another Gator will be suiting up if Belichick has his way - the kid can play safety and CB and has good speed. His size is in question but the Patriots have so many picks I won't be shocked to see him land on the roster later in Day 3.
  
   
• The Patriots need the most help on both sides of the trenches. We were hurt late in the season when we couldn't keep Brady on his feet and when we couldn't even get to Mark Sanchez. We need pass rushers and Belichick will do whatever he can to make sure the Pats draft wisely. I will not be shocked at all if he goes for sheer numbers and trades his 17th overall pick for a couple later picks and takes back to back lineman. Or even 3 in a row. Nothing would surprise me.
  
   
• The NFL Lockout is a bitch for teams that want to make trades. McNabb and Kolb both could be traded, but not before the draft, which means teams have to draft based on what they have on their roster now. Minnesota would love either McNabb or Kolb, but it's going to be a lot harder after the draft to work a trade.
  
   
• The Jets always fall in love with someone that blows it up at the Combine. Stephen Paea is that guy, at least on the bench. 49 reps is insane. They need a DT, but he may not be the best fit for them, but it wouldn't be the first time Rex Ryan drafted a guy that isn't suited for his team (hello Vernon Gholston).
  
  
  
•  Jake Locker will go to Seattle IF they can trade out of that 25 spot and move down a couple spots and still get Carimi.
  
   
• Torrey Smith is a 1st rounder, just not sure where. Atlanta could be a good spot as could Chicago.

Baltimore Ravens' Tom Zbikowski improves to 4-0 with 1st-round knockout of Blake Warner - ESPN

Baltimore Ravens' Tom Zbikowski improves to 4-0 with 1st-round knockout of Blake Warner - ESPN

With the NFL Lockout in full swing, I can't help but think it's actually a good thing for the players on some level. Wes Welker said last week he enjoyed the time off from football so he could do other things (ie: a lot of charity work lately), Chad Johnson enjoyed an attempt to play some MLS soccer, and Zbikowski is returning to his boxing roots.

We're talking about a $9 billion pie here - 60% goes to the players, 40% to the owners. And the owners want more. Make no mistake, they are the greedy ones. They aren't letting the players come to work. They want more games at zero risk. They want more money. They want a cap on rookie wages. All this points to money and if the NFL really was having issues (as the NBA claims they are) they would produce all of their financials and even put them in the New York Times to get all the attention from the fans. The NBA is a lot more transparent, and I do believe they are losing money. But the NFL is not.

But this may be a win-win for the players: they won't cave, all the fans will see the majority of the owners for the greedy bastards they are, and the players can enjoy other endeavors while they continue to be locked out.

But let's hope it gets resolved soon so the fans aren't getting screwed by the owners as well.

Chad Ochocinco begins MLS tryout with Sporting KC - ESPN

Chad Ochocinco begins MLS tryout with Sporting KC - ESPN

Pretty low blow for Marvin to say that about Chad. That's his player. That's his star wide receiver. What purpose does alienating him serve? Is it sour grapes? Or misguided annoyance because Carson Palmer would rather retire than come back and play for him and the Bengals? Peculiar.

Lawyer: Brett Favre investigation in NFL commissioner Roger Goodell's hands - ESPN

EDEN PRAIRIE, Minn. -- The NFL has wrapped up its investigation into allegations that Brett Favre sent inappropriate phone messages and photos to a Jets game hostess two years ago, the woman's attorney said Wednesday.

via sports.espn.go.com

The biggest question that hasn't been asked from anyone in the media that I have read is "Why now?" Why didn't Jenn Sterger come forward two years ago? Why come forward the very week that Brett Favre was slated to play his old team? Doesn't that seem odd to anyone?

Fast forward to the investigation being complete. It's been complete. For a couple weeks now. And yet...nothing. Goodell hasn't said boo. Why? Is he waiting for an injury to end Favre's streak? Is he waiting for the end of the season or very close to it to just say the results are inconclusive or just fine him? Or wait until he retires?

It's all a bit odd, isn't it?

And yet...no one seems to care. Personally I could not care any less what happened. No one does, do they?

Roger Goodell says he's proud of Michael Vick's success story - ESPN

Michael Vick has been dazzling in his return as a starting NFL quarterback but commissioner Roger Goodell told the New York Daily News on Thursday that he's most proud of how Vick has turned his life around off the field.

via sports.espn.go.com

Let me be the first to say I do not condone hurting animals in any way, shape, or form. Generally speaking I think there are more nice animals in the world than people.

That being said, I agree with Goodell - I think it is a great thing that Michael Vick is doing well right now, but on and off the field. His on the field success can only lead to even greater success off it, as his celebrity can help bring to light issues in a culture that desperately needs a role model.

What will really interest me will be what Vick does when football is no longer in his life - will he bail on the Humane Society? Will he stop publicly speaking against dogfighting? I'd like to think not but time will tell.

Randy Moss waived by Minnesota Vikings

Randy Moss has just been waived by the Minnesota Vikings. No details on the what and why yet, just coming through. Check NFL.com for more updates.

New York Jets GM Mike Tannenbaum explains why WR Braylon Edwards not starting - ESPN New York

via sports.espn.go.com

It's good to see that the Jets are more pissed off at Braylon Edwards for being out until 5am than having a blood-alchol level of twice the legal limit. No need to suspend him or anything. No need at all.

New England Patriots, Tom Brady agree on a 4-year contract extension, according to source close to negotiation - ESPN Boston

Quarterback Tom Brady signed a four-year contract extension with the New England Patriots that will be officially filed with the NFL on Friday, a source close to the negotiation confirmed Thursday night.

via sports.espn.go.com

Good - Brady's contract is done before the season starts

Better - now the Patriots can focus on resigning other guys like Randy Moss

Best - Brady is fine after his car accident

Win-win-win

Washington Nationals' Stephen Strasburg to have Tommy John surgery Friday - ESPN

MIAMI -- Washington Nationals rookie ace Stephen Strasburg will have Tommy John surgery on Friday to rebuild his injured right elbow, an operation that is expected to sideline him for 12 to 18 months.

via sports.espn.go.com

There is a fine line between getting your stud franchise pitcher some solid experience and blowing his elbow out and shelving an entire season.

People that criticized the Yankees for babying Joba Chamberlain are thinking twice about whether Joe Girardi was right - or was he?

It seems as if the Yankees retarded the development of Joba but at least they can use him. Strasburg is out for at least a year now so we should see him back in 2012. History says he will bounce back stronger than ever and it will probably come around a time where the Nationals latest number 1 pick Bryce Harper starts getting on the field.

For now at least, Nationals fans need to deal with the fact that Strasburg won't be on the mound for them. The real question now is - will the bandwagon empty?

Bill Simmons: Countdown to the LeBron James decision - ESPN

Careful; this column will self-destruct at 9 on Thursday night. I can't remember writing a column that had a shorter shelf life. Twelve hours and it turns bad like leftover sushi. Let's call this "Twenty-Three Random Thoughts Before Tonight's LeBronocalypse."

via sports.espn.go.com

Simmons is dead on here as far as it being an impressive trio, but you can't compare it to the Boston Three Party because of the rest of the team. Sure they will win a ton of games, sure they will log a ton of minutes, sure they will score a ton of points. But will they have the horses to win in the playoffs?

If LeBron leaves for Miami, I never want to hear him being talked about in the same breath as Michael Jordan or Kobe Bryants. I don't. Miami is Wade's town, he already won a championship there. LeBron would be a hired gun, rather than Jordan with the Bulls leading the team and guys flocking to want to play with him. Same with Kobe. At the end of the day, Chicago is Jordan's town and L.A. is Kobe's. If LeBron leaves, it's just another sports tragedy for the city and the fans.

For someone that went on and on about loyalty and how he is the King, it's time to see if he will retain his throne or become a jester in Wade's court.

Source: Two-year postseason ban for USC football - ESPN Los Angeles

The USC football program will receive a two-year postseason ban, a reduction in scholarships and a forfeiture of wins from at least the 2004 season when the NCAA releases its sanctions on Thursday, a source told ESPN's Shelley Smith.

via sports.espn.go.com

This impacts all of college football, maybe more than USC itself. Because of this, there will be recruits that will bolt from USC so they can play in Bowl games, and they lose any recruiting edge they had because younger guys won't want to hang around for a rebuilding session. Because two years is not just what USC has to suffer through - because they are losing out on recruits they will more than likely be set back 4 years while they try to recoup some of those players. No player in their right mind goes to USC right now.

Even though it's not his fault, I can't help but smile a bit because of Lane Kiffin having to deal with this. He's weaseled his way all the way to USC, burning bridges, and being a Grade A douchebag. And this is his reward. Because let's face it, this has zero impact on Pete Carroll who is in Seattle now and Mr. Reggie Bush in New Orleans. It's Kiffin's bed.

Good luck Lane, you will need it.

Patriots play cautious on Hernandez deal - Extra Points - Boston.com

It's pretty clear, watching the Patriots' organized team activities, that the club has big plans for rookie TE Aaron Hernandez. It's also clear that he's got talent -- After all, absent some of the off-field concerns teams had over the Florida product, he might've been a low first- or second-round pick.

via www.boston.com

Second fantastic move by the Patriots regarding Hernandez. He has the potential to be a Kellen Winslow type of TE, without the attitude. He is going to bust his ass in camp and gives Brady a great receiving TE. Love everything about this.

2010 Mock Draft

I want to preface my mock draft by saying that even though I have no had time to write on here it does not mean I don't want to. I have been busy but am trying to find some free time because I love it so much. 

This year I am glad I waited to do my mock draft, because of all the wheeling and dealing that has been going on, between Santonio Holmes signing with the Jets, Donovan McNabb being traded to division rival Washington, and the potential trading of Ben Roethlisberger (Cleveland anyone?).

As my buddy James said to me, "Pitt could trade Roethlisberger to Cleveland for the # 7 overall, let Leftwich start this season and take their time to groom Jimmy Clausen. No one is expecting Pittsburgh to win this year with Ben missing 6 games."

The crazy thing is he's right.

I used the ESPN Draft Machine to make things easier on me. One thing to note is that Atlanta does indeed have the # 19 pick, but they put the Redskins logo there. Not to worry, it says Atlanta underneath.

Without further adieu, here is my Mock Draft:

 

Other things to note:

 

• Because the way the Draft Machine works, I can only do Round 1. This works out for me because I haven't had time to really study each time like I usually do. But. As always, I have some additional thoughts.
• I think there is no way Tim Tebow makes it past the 47th overall pick. In fact, I won't be shocked to see him go in the 1st round. If the Patriots don't trade down and move out of the 2nd round, I think they snag him with the 47th overall.
• Sean Weatherspoon is a beast. I don't have him going in the first round but he is one of those guys that could easily go to any team from 19 on.
• Colt McCoy might just end up with Indy at 31 but they need help on the O-line so much I think Iupati makes the most sense.
• If Terrence Cody can keep his weight in check and improve his attitude he could wind up being a top 3 DT behind Suh and McCoy.
• I see Golden Tate being reunited with Charlie Weis in KC at the 36th overall pick.
• Philly needs to replace Brian Westbrook. Why not with Jahvid Best from Cal at the 37th pick? He might go in the first round but this is good value here.
• I have heard Bruce Campbell (BOOMSTICK BABY!) from Maryland could potentially go top 7. Or drop out of the first round. I'm banking on top of the 2nd round for him.
• The Patriots should take Brandon Spikes from Florida in the 2nd round if he is still around by the time they pick. It's a reach, and yet another potential Florida guy but he is a beast and Belichick gets the true inside scoop from his BFF Urban Meyer. I think he would fit quite well in New England.
• While I am on Florida, TE Aaron Hernandez would be perfect for the Patriots. A pass catching TE that makes big plays. He might drop because of some late college trouble he had but Meyer will give Belichick the downlow on him. I can see him making a huge impact on the Patriots right away.
• Whoever lands Toby Gerhart will have someone that will not be outworked in training camp. Guaranteed. He's a stud and can do it all. Perfect 2nd round for me as a Patriots fan: Tim Tebow, Brandon Spikes, Toby Gerhart. Pipe dream but a guy can dream, can't he?

Always excited for the NFL Draft. I just hate Goodell for breaking it up like he has and putting it on a Thursday night. Gone are the days of having a huge spread with all my buddies and watching the Draft for hours on end. Unless he gets the big picture and starts on a Friday. 

So there you have it. Flack - as always, you get the field, and I am banking on the Patriots selecting Dez Bryant this year. He slips because of potential character issues but that is fleshed out during interviews and the Combine. The Patriots rarely take a WR, but I am banking on them needing a big playmaker with Welker being hurt and Moss potentially leaving after this season.

 

Where the big name coaches will land

At this point of the season it's looking more and more like some big name coaches will make a return splash to the NFL. A few teams and coaches seemed like good fits at this point, while others remain a mystery.

Tampa Bay - Bill Cowher left football to spend time with his family. They live in South Carolina, so the Panthers could logically be a decent fit for him if John Fox exits stage right, but he may have bought himself some time with the level of play of Matt Moore. Then again, Fox may have run himself out of a job for not starting him sooner. If the Carolina job opens up I think Cowher would jump on it for the same reason he left Pittsburgh - he would still be close to his family and able to coach. 

That said, Tampa may have just upset New Orleans, but Raheem Morris is not going to be at the helm for much longer. Half of his assistants are leaving for other jobs at the end of the season and the franchise needs a fresh start. Enter Cowher. Cowher has that run first mentality and would love to have some of the weapons they have in Tampa - Cadillac and Ernest Graham, Kellen Winslow, Antonio Bryant and Michael Clayton. They do have some sleepers in Stovall and Figurs, but they need a QB to throw to them. Cowher could find the right QB for Tampa and put them back on the path of wreaking havoc in the NFC South again.

Washington - Mike Shanahan is an ego maniac just like Daniel Snyder. He turned down a job with the Bills, won't go near the Browns, recently said he wouldn't go near the Bears or the Texans because of his relationship with the head coaches there, and seems totally built to be on the Redskins sideline. He knows Clinton Portis on a pretty intimate level as he was one of his most productive backs in Denver. He can bring a freshness to the NFC East in his play calling and make it even more interesting. He may have already turned down the Redskins mid-season but that's because he would gain nothing by coming in halfway through a season and trying to get guys to buy in to his system and play calling. In about a month all of this will likely change.

There are a few other big names that are available if they so choose to come back to the game.

Tony Dungy -  I see him enjoying another season at home and continuing his work with NBC while doing consulting for players and various teams in the NFL. I just don't see the right position really available to him right now. For one thing, I can't see him taking the Houston job if it's open because he would have to play against his beloved Colts twice a year. For the same reason Shanahan won't entertain job offers from Chicago I can see Dungy saying no-thanks there as well. The Browns are a team that just has too many issues with at the moment. For Dungy to come back, he would likely need to land on a team that was maybe a player or two away from being serious contenders but moreso needing a guiding hand and someone that has been there before. That wouldn't be the Bills. Or the Jaguars. But I could see it being Carolina or even the Cowboys if Jerry Jones says goodbye to Wade Phillips...

Brian Billick - I could honestly see him ending up in Chicago. With a little reworking and some health, that defense could be nasty if Billick was at the helm. Cutler will be better but he needs some bigtime WRs. Terrell Owens anyone? He needs a # 1 target. Hester and Olsen aren't that, but their stock would shoot through the roof if they had a legit big man that can pull coverage away from them. TO could do that. And I think Billick could manage him. I could see this as being a solid move by the Bears.

Jon Gruden - From everything I hear he is extremely happy at ESPN. My gut tells me he is waiting for that perfect job to open up, just like Dungy. Again, if Dallas boots ol' Wade I could see Gruden being the darkhorse to get this job if it was offered to him. Gruden will never coach in the collegiate ranks for one reason and one reason only - because of the time restrictions. He can't have the kids watching film a fraction of the time he can in the pros. He can't work them out as often as he can in the pros. He can't spend nearly as much time with his players as he can in the NFL. And we all know that Gruden lives, eats, and breathes football 21 hours a day, because he only gets about 3 hours of sleep a night. Dallas would be an interesting fit I think for Gruden.