Move (Offense)
Well, well, well, if it isn't the UPT back on IDB. It's been waaaaaaaay too long since I last blessed the blogging world with my presence. Let's just say that when change comes your way, you have to embrace it... Slowly. The past two months since my last post has presented good and bad. From the continual slide of the Yankees to the Dancing of the Stars to the revival of the Batman franchise, the summer has thus far reminded me of something: that I should go out more often. Not to say that I don't like to see the Yankees struggle, in fact, it's quite lovely.
So for my first post in an internet millennium, I want to start discussing the upcoming NFL season. Now, I must be the first to admit, I was rooting hard for a Patriots blowout of the Iggles in that so-called Super Bowl back in February (which just like the promise of an exciting game, didn't happen), but no one was more excited than me at the end of the season. As an ardent pigskin fan, I was very disappointed at with the entire season, heck, it was the first time I ever (and did not regret) missing most of Opening Weekend. Much like the 1998 regular season, I was happy to write off the 2004 regular season as something that did not happen. It was like watching a Wes Craven movie; the only horror is that the movie itself is horrible. No worries since the NFL wouldn't dare punish us with a second straight bad year. There won't be a Kickoff Weekend starring the Ying Yang Twins, that's for damn sure.
While spending near two weeks in sunny California, I discovered a new phenomenon. It had engulfed the Third Street Promenade in Santa Monica, shook the mountains of the central valley and even took hold of San Francisco. Yet, this began in a little town called Oakland. It's called "#18, Randy Moss". I don't know about you, but how much more dangerous is the former Viking now? Well, I'll break that down along with what I think were the three most significant moves of this past offseason. Continuing with the Silver and Black, Oakland has in its war chest the most explosive offensive player in the league, a number two receiver (Jerry Porter) who can easily be a number one for half of the league, an emerging third receiver in Ronald Curry, a revamped running game (LaMont Jordan), a strong-armed veteran QB in Kerry Collins and an underrated offensive line. If the defense can stop teams (allowing 30 pass TDs and 21 rushing TD last season, second worst in the league), Oakland can actually challenge the San Diego Chargers for the AFC West crown. Considering also that none of the teams in that division have any shut-down secondaries, despite Champ Bailey's presence in Denver, Moss will think he's still in the weak NFC North. Yet is this the best move in the offseason? Maybe...
It depends on what you are looking for. If you want offense, Oakland made two superb moves by adding Moss and Jordan, who with starter minutes should be able to give the Raiders 1,200 yards on the ground. Yet, there were also two other moves that I thought were great. Though it may not put them in the playoffs this season, the additions of Marcus Pollard (via free agency) and Mike Williams (via draft) are going to make Detroit a potentially dangerous offensive team. Roy Williams is the real deal and Charles Rodgers can play some ball, but health is the concern more than skill. Kevin Jones may not be Barry Sanders, but the Lions found themselves their next great RB. Adding Pollard will give either Joey Harrington or Jeff Garcia a veteran option where it counts in the Black-and-Blue division, up the middle. Pollard and Jones also allow for less threats to the health of their young receiver corp, especially Rodgers, who has only played five games in two seasons.
As great of a signing Pollard is, you have to travel about 550 miles southeast to Baltimore for what I think is the best move this offseason. Of all the number one receivers in the NFL these past five years, Derrick Mason is the most underrated of them all. Though Kevin Dyson was Steve McNair's no. 1 option in the playoff years of the Tennessee Titans, Mason's possession receiver skills were enhanced with his deep play abilities. Over the past two seasons, Mason has 191 receptions, second to Torry Holt's 211. This is despite more targets for McNair in 2002-3 as complimentary receivers such as Drew Bennett, Justin McCareins (now with the NY Jets) and Tyrone Calico helped Tennessee transform their offense from run-heavy to balanced. Mason now joins Jamal Lewis (the 2003 Offensive Player of the Year), a healthy Todd Heap, rookie Mark Clayton out of Oklahoma, another underrated offensive line and an improving Kyle Boller. Add the seond best takeaway defense in the league lazy year... And some guy named Ray Lewis, and Baltimore will contend for another title run.
Travis Henry gives Tennessee a healthy top RB, Laverneus Coles will make his return to the Jets as good as his first go-round and the additions of Santana Moss and David Patten will give Washington's opponents fits. Yet, somewhere in Philadelphia, Terrell Ownes just might regret spurning the Ravens before joining the Media Champion Philly Eagles.
It feels great to be back on the grind, but there is much to do. Tomorrow, the best defensive moves. The next in this "preview" will be about the best, worst and up-and-coming units in the league: from the best running combo to the worst linebacker unit to the reasons you should actually look out for the 49ers' defensively.
Say What?!?!: I had prepared a SW for this post immediately after writing for that bizarre White Sox/Yankees game Tuesday night, but I wanted to say something about the passing of Peter Jennings. Most folks our age (twenty-somethings) may or may not be well-versed on the world, I am the first to admit my ignorance on the genocides in Rwanda and the Chinese economy. However, it is hard to overlook the impact of arguably the greatest anchorperson and possible media figure ever. Jennings' candor and passion for informing the audience was evident to me from a young age, even as one of the few kids around the block who grew up on network, not cable, television. I remember each tragic event in our country because he provided a means for the events, not the broadcasters, to speak for themselves. I also remember hearing about the truth about AIDS, the deities of Hinduism and the worldwide celebrations for Y2K from Jennings. As it had been said, in a world of insanity (especially the USA), he was the sane guy in the room, trying to put opposing points of view together in an objective form, even as a native Canadian without a high school degree. Unfortunately, even in sports media, there is no Peter Jennings to speak of.
So for my first post in an internet millennium, I want to start discussing the upcoming NFL season. Now, I must be the first to admit, I was rooting hard for a Patriots blowout of the Iggles in that so-called Super Bowl back in February (which just like the promise of an exciting game, didn't happen), but no one was more excited than me at the end of the season. As an ardent pigskin fan, I was very disappointed at with the entire season, heck, it was the first time I ever (and did not regret) missing most of Opening Weekend. Much like the 1998 regular season, I was happy to write off the 2004 regular season as something that did not happen. It was like watching a Wes Craven movie; the only horror is that the movie itself is horrible. No worries since the NFL wouldn't dare punish us with a second straight bad year. There won't be a Kickoff Weekend starring the Ying Yang Twins, that's for damn sure.
While spending near two weeks in sunny California, I discovered a new phenomenon. It had engulfed the Third Street Promenade in Santa Monica, shook the mountains of the central valley and even took hold of San Francisco. Yet, this began in a little town called Oakland. It's called "#18, Randy Moss". I don't know about you, but how much more dangerous is the former Viking now? Well, I'll break that down along with what I think were the three most significant moves of this past offseason. Continuing with the Silver and Black, Oakland has in its war chest the most explosive offensive player in the league, a number two receiver (Jerry Porter) who can easily be a number one for half of the league, an emerging third receiver in Ronald Curry, a revamped running game (LaMont Jordan), a strong-armed veteran QB in Kerry Collins and an underrated offensive line. If the defense can stop teams (allowing 30 pass TDs and 21 rushing TD last season, second worst in the league), Oakland can actually challenge the San Diego Chargers for the AFC West crown. Considering also that none of the teams in that division have any shut-down secondaries, despite Champ Bailey's presence in Denver, Moss will think he's still in the weak NFC North. Yet is this the best move in the offseason? Maybe...
It depends on what you are looking for. If you want offense, Oakland made two superb moves by adding Moss and Jordan, who with starter minutes should be able to give the Raiders 1,200 yards on the ground. Yet, there were also two other moves that I thought were great. Though it may not put them in the playoffs this season, the additions of Marcus Pollard (via free agency) and Mike Williams (via draft) are going to make Detroit a potentially dangerous offensive team. Roy Williams is the real deal and Charles Rodgers can play some ball, but health is the concern more than skill. Kevin Jones may not be Barry Sanders, but the Lions found themselves their next great RB. Adding Pollard will give either Joey Harrington or Jeff Garcia a veteran option where it counts in the Black-and-Blue division, up the middle. Pollard and Jones also allow for less threats to the health of their young receiver corp, especially Rodgers, who has only played five games in two seasons.
As great of a signing Pollard is, you have to travel about 550 miles southeast to Baltimore for what I think is the best move this offseason. Of all the number one receivers in the NFL these past five years, Derrick Mason is the most underrated of them all. Though Kevin Dyson was Steve McNair's no. 1 option in the playoff years of the Tennessee Titans, Mason's possession receiver skills were enhanced with his deep play abilities. Over the past two seasons, Mason has 191 receptions, second to Torry Holt's 211. This is despite more targets for McNair in 2002-3 as complimentary receivers such as Drew Bennett, Justin McCareins (now with the NY Jets) and Tyrone Calico helped Tennessee transform their offense from run-heavy to balanced. Mason now joins Jamal Lewis (the 2003 Offensive Player of the Year), a healthy Todd Heap, rookie Mark Clayton out of Oklahoma, another underrated offensive line and an improving Kyle Boller. Add the seond best takeaway defense in the league lazy year... And some guy named Ray Lewis, and Baltimore will contend for another title run.
Travis Henry gives Tennessee a healthy top RB, Laverneus Coles will make his return to the Jets as good as his first go-round and the additions of Santana Moss and David Patten will give Washington's opponents fits. Yet, somewhere in Philadelphia, Terrell Ownes just might regret spurning the Ravens before joining the Media Champion Philly Eagles.
It feels great to be back on the grind, but there is much to do. Tomorrow, the best defensive moves. The next in this "preview" will be about the best, worst and up-and-coming units in the league: from the best running combo to the worst linebacker unit to the reasons you should actually look out for the 49ers' defensively.
Say What?!?!: I had prepared a SW for this post immediately after writing for that bizarre White Sox/Yankees game Tuesday night, but I wanted to say something about the passing of Peter Jennings. Most folks our age (twenty-somethings) may or may not be well-versed on the world, I am the first to admit my ignorance on the genocides in Rwanda and the Chinese economy. However, it is hard to overlook the impact of arguably the greatest anchorperson and possible media figure ever. Jennings' candor and passion for informing the audience was evident to me from a young age, even as one of the few kids around the block who grew up on network, not cable, television. I remember each tragic event in our country because he provided a means for the events, not the broadcasters, to speak for themselves. I also remember hearing about the truth about AIDS, the deities of Hinduism and the worldwide celebrations for Y2K from Jennings. As it had been said, in a world of insanity (especially the USA), he was the sane guy in the room, trying to put opposing points of view together in an objective form, even as a native Canadian without a high school degree. Unfortunately, even in sports media, there is no Peter Jennings to speak of.
posted by Jason Clinkscales @ 11:59 PM
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