PAFFL.com

2008 NFL Rookie Values Redux

Ok, I did this right after the NFL draft in April but following OTA's & mini-camps, and the stupidity of veterans (such as Cedric Benson) a lot has changed since then.  So I wanted to take another pass at this.             

Brett Favre for Cedric Benson, Joey Harrington, Jake Delhomme and a future pick

Team Kitty and the LA Isotopes completed a trade during our fellow owner's wedding this past weekend in Seattle.  This was consummated after several inappropriate phone calls & text messages at all hours of the day & night. 

Team Kitty receives QB Brett Favre & WR Brandon Jones ($2, 2008) from LA Isotopes for RB Cedric Benson ($55, 2007), QB Jake Delhomme ($55*, 2007), WR Ike Hillard, QB Joey Harrington, Team Kitty's next 9-16 rookie pick and the option of either a topper/holdover or a cut next year OR if Team Kitty makes the playoffs this year then both the next year Team Kitty does not make the playoffs.

RB's Laurence Maroney & Sammy Morris for QB Trent Edwards & WR Vincent Jackson

The Fightin' Irie was extremely active over the past twenty four hours completing several deals.  The biggest of the season to date (IMO) was the following with East Bay Funk. 

FI acquires RB's Sammy Morris ($10, 2009) & Laurence Maroney ($55, 2008) & K Rob Bironas ($1, 2008) in exchange for East Bay Funk receiving QB Trent Edwards ($16, 2009), RB Michael Robinson ($7, 2008), WR Vincent Jackson ($7, 2007) & K Phil Dawson.

Fantasy Football Trade: Ben Troupe for Alex Smith & $

South Whore Jibbers, LA Isotopes & Los Frijoles Pintos making a quasi 3-way deal (all reside in the same PAFFL division - which makes this a highly unusual deal). 

South Whore Jibbers trade TE Alex Smith ($2, '08) to the LA Isotopes for $2 and TE Ben Troupe ($4, '07), the Isotopes acquired Troupe from the Los Frijoles Pintos for $8 in '07 cap space.

Sophomore RB Analysis

Sportsline.com did a review of all the NFL running backs entering their 2nd seasons in the NFL.  It's an interesting look at them and provides a rookie style overview and perspective on their individual opportunities entering 2007. 

Selecting an NFL QB

ESPN's Floyd Reese, the former Tennessee Titans GM from 1995 thru 2006, wrote a nice piece on the selection process of QB Vince Young last season.  He discusses their specific situation last season and how it effected their thinking going into the draft. 

NFL QB Team by Team Analysis

NFL.com's Michael Fabiano analyzed all 32 NFL team's Quarterback position for fantasy production.  He didn't go into as much detail as some may like but for the majority (AKA no keeper leagues) of fantasy leaguers it'll be a good overview by team. 

Chris Brown resigns with the Titans for 1 year

ESPN's Len Pasquarelli reports four-year veteran RB Chris Brown, the top tailback still available in the unrestricted free agent market, reached agreement in principle on a one-year, $1.8 million deal on Monday afternoon to return to the Tennessee Titans, the team with which he has played his entire career.  Brown has a very good chance of starting for the Titans with RB's LenDale White & rookie Chris Henry rotating behind him. 

2007 3rd Year WR's...

ProFantasySports wrote an article about which third year wide receivers may break out this year.  They specifically called out Tennessee's WR Brandon Jones & San Diego's WR Vincent Jackson. 

NFL.com's AFC South Team's Fantasy Overview...

NFL.com's Michael Fabiano is publishing overviews of each division by team of their fantasy value including schedule strength (against run & pass) and listing of each team's top 5 fantasy performers.  I've listed the top 5 for each team below and the overall summaries are good.  Some of this is academic but for fantasy nuts, its worth diving into the details.  This is for the AFC South.

Tennessee Titans WR Update...

The Nashville Tennessean reports Titans WR Brandon Jones, WR Roydell Williams and WR Courtney Roby, all third-year pros, are getting the most scrutiny following the free agency departures of WR Drew Bennett and WR Bobby Wade.  Coupled with veteran FA signee WR Justin Gage, last year's FA signee WR David Givens, 2nd year WR Jonathan Orr and this year's 3rd round selection WR Paul Williams, the Titans are flush with talented young receivers but little experience outside of Givens & Gage.  However Givens is still recovering from an injury sustained last season and Gage has never fulfilled the promise of his early career.

Chris Brown has plenty of suitors...

ESPN's Len Pasquarelli reports unrestricted free agent RB Chris Brown, the man most likely to solve some NFL franchise's tailback problem, has many suitors.  Arguably the top tailback still available in a veteran market just about picked clean, Brown has heard from virtually every club in need of assistance at the position. And now it's a matter, agent Wynn Silberman said Thursday, of choosing the right spot for Brown, who played the first four seasons of his career with the Tennessee Titans. "We're confident and comfortable that we'll eventually place Chris in the right situation," Silberman said. "Right now, it's like the name of the game is 'hurry up and wait.' But there are definitely a lot of interesting situations out there that we are monitoring."

WR Paul Williams, #80 Overall Pick, Tennessee Titans

Tennessee Titans selected Fresno State WR Paul Williams with the #80 overall selection (#17 in the 3rd round) in the 2007 NFL draft.  Williams is from an athletic family, his brother was a 1st round pick in 1990 and another brother was a starter at the University of Washington, he has great size and speed measurables but has never been able to put them together for any long period of time.  If Norm Chow and Vince Young can harness his talent, Williams could be one of the gems of this draft but its a long shot at best. 

Tennessee Titans selected Fresno State WR Paul Williams with the #80 overall selection (#17 in the 3rd round) in the 2007 NFL draft.  Williams is from an athletic family, his brother was a 1st round pick in 1990 and another brother was a starter at the University of Washington, he has great size and speed measurables but has never been able to put them together for any long period of time.  If Norm Chow and Vince Young can harness his talent, Williams could be one of the gems of this draft but its a long shot at best. 

Tennessee Titans selected Fresno State WR Paul Williams with the #80 overall selection (#17 in the 3rd round) in the 2007 NFL draft.  Williams is from an athletic family, his brother was a 1st round pick in 1990 and another brother was a starter at the University of Washington, he has great size and speed measurables but has never been able to put them together for any long period of time.  If Norm Chow and Vince Young can harness his talent, Williams could be one of the gems of this draft but its a long shot at best. 

Tennessee Titans selected Fresno State WR Paul Williams with the #80 overall selection (#17 in the 3rd round) in the 2007 NFL draft.  Williams is from an athletic family, his brother was a 1st round pick in 1990 and another brother was a starter at the University of Washington, he has great size and speed measurables but has never been able to put them together for any long period of time.  If Norm Chow and Vince Young can harness his talent, Williams could be one of the gems of this draft but its a long shot at best. 

Tennessee Titans selected Fresno State WR Paul Williams with the #80 overall selection (#17 in the 3rd round) in the 2007 NFL draft.  Williams is from an athletic family, his brother was a 1st round pick in 1990 and another brother was a starter at the University of Washington, he has great size and speed measurables but has never been able to put them together for any long period of time.  If Norm Chow and Vince Young can harness his talent, Williams could be one of the gems of this draft but its a long shot at best. 

RB Chris Henry, #50 Overall Pick, Tennessee Titans

Tennessee Titans selected Arizona RB Chris Henry with the #50 overall selection (#18 in the 2nd round) in the 2007 NFL draft.  Henry has a great combination of size and speed that make him an intriguing prospect for the NFL.  He likely will share carries with incumbent LenDale White. 

Tennessee Titans selected Arizona RB Chris Henry with the #50 overall selection (#18 in the 2nd round) in the 2007 NFL draft.  Henry has a great combination of size and speed that make him an intriguing prospect for the NFL.  He likely will share carries with incumbent LenDale White. 

Tennessee Titans selected Arizona RB Chris Henry with the #50 overall selection (#18 in the 2nd round) in the 2007 NFL draft.  Henry has a great combination of size and speed that make him an intriguing prospect for the NFL.  He likely will share carries with incumbent LenDale White. 

Vince Young the new Madden Cover Boy!

In what has to be a catch 22 for Tennessee Titans, Vince Young and University of Texas alums, VY has been selected to grace the cover of the 2008 version of EA Sports Madden football.  While its a great honor it has also been fraught with a curse resulting in many of prior recipients ending the following year in injury and/or disappointment.  Outside of Eddie George in 2001 and Ray Lewis in 2005 (both of whom had very good to great years the seasons they were featured on the Madden cover), it has a been a curse - particularly for black QB's Daunte Culpepper (2002), Michael Vick (2004) and Donovan McNabb (2006) who all suffered thru season ending injuries and terrible seasons while being featured on the Madden Cover.

Chris Henry & Pacman Jones suspended for off field actions

Tennessee Titans CB Adam 'Pacman' Jones & Cincinnati Bengals WR Chris Henry were suspended by NFL commissioner Roger Goodell for the entire 2007 season and 8 games respectively.  They are two of the largest suspensions in NFL history for off the field violations and will send shock waves thru the league.  In particular it will put an additional level of scrutiny on this year's NFL draftees. 

WR Justin Gage signs with the Tennessee Titans

ESPN's Len Pasquarelli reports the Tennessee Titans have signed unrestricted free agent WR Justin Gage, a four-year veteran who had spent his entire career with the Chicago Bears. A fifth-round choice in the 2003 draft, Gage has appeared in 49 games and started 16 of them. The former Missouri standout has 64 receptions for 908 yards and four touchdowns. Contract details were not immediately available.

Kerry Collins resigns with Titans to backup V.Y.

ESPN reports veteran QB Kerry Collins, who began last season as Tennessee's starter, re-signed with the Titans on Monday as the backup to QB Vince Young. Collins is a twelve year veteran and provides the Tennessee Titans with a proven backup to Vince Young. 

Travis Henry Lands with Denver

ESPN reports the Denver Broncos have signed RB Travis Henry.  ESPN's Len Pasquarelli adds the deal is a five-year contract that includes $12 million in guarantees.  Henry, 28, has carried the ball 1,321 times for 5,395 yards and 34 touchdowns and notched 134 receptions for 886 yards and two scores in his career.

Titans release RB Travis Henry

The Nashville Tennessean reports the Titans released RB Travis Henry today to avoid paying a $8.3 million roster bonus on Monday.  Henry is reportedly on his way to Denver to meet with the Broncos today and tomorrow.  This leaves a gaping hole for the Titans at the RB position where they only have 2nd year back LenDale White.  Denver's running back opening is intriguing though for both players and fantasy leaguers given their track record of success.  If Henry were to sign with Denver, he would be a pre- NFL draft top 10 fantasy back for 2007. 

WR Drew Bennett signs with Rams

ESPN reports the St. Louis Rams filled the void for the potential loss of WR Kevin Curtis by signing WR Drew Bennett to a six-year, $30 million contract that including a $10 million in guarantees. Between bonuses and base salary, Bennett will pocket $9.5 million in 2007. He will earn $13 million in the first two years of the contract and $21 million over the first four seasons of the deal.   Bennett likely will start in place of veteran Isaac Bruce who will move into the slot for the Rams. 

Travis Henry Maybe Released

Tennessee Titans RB Travis Henry apparently will be released on Saturday prior to a contractual roster bonus due Monday of $8.3 million.  This would leave 2nd year RB LenDale White as the featured back in Tennessee and put Henry into a flooded free agent market for running backs. 

Vince Young NFL's Offensive Rookie of the Year

Tennessee Titans rookie QB Vince Young was selected as the associated press' offensive rookie of the year, becoming only the 2nd QB to win the award in the past fifty years.  Pittsburgh's Ben Roethlisberger won in 2004.  Young threw 12 and ran for 7 TD's in leading the Titans to the brink of the playoffs after they started 0-5. 

Vince Young Maturing...

Tennessee's rookie QB Vince Young is maturing in a big way, after engineering another victory, his third straight and possibly the biggest of his young NFL career against the league leading Indy Colts.  Since Young took over the team in week 4, he has led them from an 0-4 start to 5-7.  He's 5-4 as the starter and is developing into a clutch leader.  In fact two of his four losses were by one point each and he's winning games that they're heavy underdogs in.  The last four games of the season will be telling but he's already exceeded expectations.

Travis Henry Resurrection...

Two of the leading candidates for the comeback player of the year in the NFL are Ahman Green and Travis Henry.  Green has always been a top performer and is simply returning from an injury plagued season.  For Henry its a complete transformation from a forgotten featured back dealt from Buffalo to Tennessee who fell to number three on the depth charge after being suspended four games for violating the substance abuse policy.  All that's forgotten now with a tremendous run of games the past two months and is on pace for 9 TD's and 1200 yards in less than 14 games.  He's relegated former starter Chris Brown to inactive status and highly touted 2nd round pick LenDale White to a backup. 

Morning Game Observations

Observations from NFL Week 10 Morning games. 

Green Bay Packers beat the Minnesota Vikings 23-17 -

• QB B. Favre - he put up a strong effort against a tough defense with 2 td's & 330+ yards.
  
• WR D. Driver had (or was close to) a career day w/ 190+ yards receiving & a 82 yard TD
• RB A. Green didn't do much against the NFL's top run defense rushing for 55 yards on 22 carries
• QB B. Johnson had a better day coming off back to back poor performances, throwing for 257 yards & a 40 yard TD pass.  However he did throw a pick and lost a fumble continuing a trend that will likely result in Brad Childress making a switch in the next week or two.
• RB Chester Taylor had a workmanlike 75 yards on the ground and 20 yard receiving but didn't score. 
• Minnesota WR's again were inconsistent w/ newcomers Bethel Johnson w/ 75 yards & Billy McMullen surprising with 60 yards & a TD (40)

Tennessee Titans Starting QB & RB Battles...

The Tennessee Titans are another team with no uneasiness at QB and RB.  However unlike the Jets, the Titans have more clarity at RB and an open QB position.  The Titans will start the season with Billy Volek at QB and Chris Brown at RB.  However expect to see Travis Henry and possibly LenDale White in the rotation, and Volek will be on a short leash....we'll likely see Collins by week four or five.

Player analysis....

Titans Rookie Vince Young begins negotiations...

FFMastermind.com Titans correspondent Terry McCormick for the City Paper reports Major Adams and the Tennessee Titans hope to score a major deal for QB Vince Young in the coming days, as the agent arrived in town Thursday evening to commence contract negotiations with GM Floyd Reese. Adams had told The City Paper Tuesday evening that he was “confident that we can get this done and get him into camp.”

Titans Chris Brown Requests Trade...

Yahoo Sports' John Murphy reports Tennessee Titans RB Chris Brown, who is entering the last year of his rookie contract, officially has requested the right to seek a trade, according to Brown's representatives from Morgan Advisory Group. The Titans received official notification of the request in a letter written by agents Ryan Morgan and Wynn Silberman and delivered to the team on Monday. Brown decided his long-term future in Tennessee was in doubt after his agents met with GM Floyd Reese. In early June, Brown became a bit anxious over the fact that he still had not received a contract extension.

Chris Brown Titans Starting RB?

According to fantasy football website FFMastermind.com Titans correspondent Terry McCormick of the City Paper reports one of the more interesting battles of next month’s training camp will be the competition at running back but incumbent starter Chris Brown sits atop the depth chart due to his experience and skill at all facets of the game.

QB Shuffle in Baltimore & Tennessee

In a busy week for early June in the fantasy football world, we saw four QB's 2006 outlook's change due to a simple trade between the Baltimore Ravens & Tennessee Titans.