Let me just state for the record something I say every year here at Sports Central: the football offseason is a dark night of the soul. Oh sure, watching Tiger Woods win another green jacket was cool. But the rest has been sheer torture.
After the Steelers went 15-1 only to lose in another Championship Game, I wanted the season to start immediately. What are my other options? Hockey? Nope. Steroid scandal? No thanks. The NBA regular season? No offense, NBA fans, but that is not my cup of tea. No, there is really nothing like the NFL, so the offseason is always a painful experience.
But you didn't click here to have me complain for the whole article (did you?), so allow me to offer you some thoughts on the offseason so far.
The most exciting event of the offseason was the Randy Moss trade to Oakland. Let me just say that I think Randy Moss is a selfish punk with serious personality problems. But let's be honest, the guy has some skills. Who knows what the Oakland defense will look like, but the offense is going to have some firepower. What is the score going to be when the Raiders play the Chiefs?! 57-54?
Seriously, say what you will about Kerry Collins, but he can throw the ball downfield. Now he has Randy Moss, who is going to take the opposition's best cover guy, plus Joey Porter, Ronald Curry, and newly-added LaMont Jordan out of the backfield. If the line gives Kerry time, he will put up some serious yards.
I am not sure why the Vikings let him go. I know he was not exactly a team player and he looked rather pedestrian in their playoff loss, but he can still catch the football. Find a way to get him onboard and healthy and then just throw him the ball. Is it really that complicated?
Speaking of receivers, let's talk about Plaxico Burress, who finally landed with the New Jersey York Giants after a rather awkward period where he practically begged teams to sign him — provided they gave him a $10 million signing bonus. After getting a new agent — super agent Drew Rosenhaus — he landed in the Big Apple on a team that desperately need receivers.
Now first off, this one hurts me. Burress was supposed to be to the Steelers' receivers what Ben Roethlisberger was to the quarterback position. But although he had flashes of success, he never quite added up to the kind of money he was demanding (dropped pass in the most important game of his life, and what's with the always falling down thing?).
I also have a bit of sore spot with Burress because when he was in college at Michigan State, he tore up my beloved Michigan Wolverines. It hurts to watch him beat your favorite school in college, but then struggle with your favorite pro team (don't even get me started with Kordell Stewart).
But let's get back to the G-Men for a second. Did I say they needed receivers? Amani Toomer is the only veteran receiver on the Giants squad and this from team whose WRs managed two touchdowns all last season (both Toomer and the now-released Ike Hilliard were shutout of the end zone last year).
Of course, Eli Manning is the man of the future, and despite his immature insult to the Chargers and his lackluster play once he gained the starting job, we will admit the kid has potential. With opponents focused on Jeremy Shockey, Burress might finally be able to get the passes and glory he seeks. Of course, if the offensive line can't protect Manning, then all is likely moot.
Color me cynical. On paper, Plax should be a real deep threat and a physical presence in the end zone, but he just hasn't shone me he has the mental toughness to be a game-breaker. Coming off the injury, I think we have to wait and see.
Speaking of Michigan WRs, David Terrell is back to playing with Tom Brady. Released after the Chicago Bears picked up Mushin Muhammad, Terrell never lived up to his promise. I also have a bone to pick with Mr. Terrell. He left Michigan after his junior year at the same time Drew Henson left to play for the New York Yankees. So instead of bringing back some great young talent for a national championship run, the Wolverines had to rebuild with John Navarre. Am I bitter? Nooooo...
Interesting side point: Tom Brady has blown everybody away in terms of recent Michigan grads in the NFL. This may seem like an obvious point, but it certainly wasn't at the time. Brady was redshirted and then didn't start his first two seasons. And even when he got the starting job, he had to share time with phenom Drew Henson. As everybody knows by now, Brady wasn't drafted until the sixth round. Ironically, the QB Brady replaced before he went on his Super Bowl run, Drew Bledsoe, just jumped ahead of Drew Henson on the depth chart in Dallas.
No other Michigan star has accomplished near as much as Brady. Sure, QBs like Jim Harbaugh, Elvis Grbac, and Brian Griese have managed journeymen careers in the NFL. And receivers like Amani Toomer, Tai Streets, and Terrell have shown some promise (and Desmond Howard had that one Super Bowl returning kicks). Running backs have been a particular disappointment. Think of Tim Biankabutuka, Tyrone Wheatly, and Anthony Thomas. Brady has outshone them all. The only player close in recent years would be Charles Woodson, but he has dropped off some lately. Going on memory, the next best goes way back to Anthony Carter.
Okay, enough Michigan football. Let me end this by looking forward to the NFL draft. An interesting pattern developed while I was looking at the results of last year's draft. Look at the top-10 skill position players from last year's draft:
* Eli Manning — Was he worth it? Hard to tell at this point. The Chargers went to the playoffs and have a couple of draft picks. The Giants have to hope that Eli plays like a Manning some day.
* Larry Fitzgerald — Solid pick, but Arizona still needs a lot of work. Nevertheless, 58 catches for 780 yards and 8 TDs is good work for rookie.
* Phillip Rivers — Didn't play to speak of.
* Kellen Winslow — Injured.
* Roy Williams — Again, pretty solid. Equal to Fitzgerald in less games because of injury.
* Reggie Williams — Inconsequential stats, especially when compared to others before and after him.
* Ben Roethlisberger — Best rookie QB ever. 'Nuff said.
* Lee Evans — Got hot at the end of the season and looked like the go-to guy. Worth the pick.
* Michael Clayton — Best of the bunch. Rookie of the Year nominee.
* J.P. Losman — Future of the Bills. Remains to be seen if he is worth it.
Based on this admittedly thin evidence, I might take a WR in the draft if I am looking for immediate impact. Just a thought.
Of course, Braylon Edwards could be the next David Terrell and this year's QB crop looks good. I just think first-round QBs are risky. I speak from personal experience. Before Big Ben, the Steelers have had a long history of bad quarterback drafts. Heck, they passed on Dan Marino and cut Johnny Unitas!
Hang in there, kids, the draft is up next and then we push on through the summer until we can start thinking about the Hall of Fame game.
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