Chicago Bears Affairs: Is Chicago Playoff-Bound in 2010?

"There's always next year."

A phrase cheap Chicago Bears jerseys fans have come accustomed to for the past three years. A phrase, the wholesale Chicago Bears jerseys fans don't want to hear next year.

It's make or break time for Jerry Angelo and Lovie Smith. The Bears missed the playoffs for the third time since 2006, after a magical Super Bowl run.

Following a superb offseason that was full of key acquisitions, the Bears players and staff are flying sky-high right now.

The question is, will Chicago keep flying into the depths of the best or fail miserably?

Well, Bears' tourists, it's either going to be really good—or really bad.

The 2009 season was full of massive question marks hovering over certain, yet key positions.

Through observations of the ups and downs, here's a checklist of what caused problems in 2009:

• Brian Urlacher's injury

• A poor secondary performance

• Lack of pass rush

• Inconsistent defensive and offensive line play

• No intensity whatsoever

• Matt Forte's injury

Well, Urlacher is back. No matter what age he is, the defensive star will bring leadership, passion, and above all become a locker room influence once again.

Charles Tillman is coming off an injury last year, Zackary Bowman is underrated and should be a ball-hawk next season, Major Wright resembles a smaller and skinnier Mike Brown, and the addition of hard-hitting vet Chris Harris should help mightily.

Julius Peppers will demand double-teamage, therefore freeing up the once All-Pro Tommie Harris. Mark Anderson has a quicker first step compared to Adewale Ogunleye or Alex Brown, and should be hungry to prove himself similar to his 2006 performance. If Harris can stay healthy, you're looking at one of the nastiest lines in all of football.

The offensive line is by far the biggest area of concern.

Josh Beekman, a young left guard, deserves the starting spot. He has the ability to run weak-side pitches and pulls with authority.

Olin Kreutz and Roberto Garza are two veterans that should pave the way for young tackles Chris Williams and Frank Omiyale.

While the offensive line seemed to gel within the final few games of the 2009 season, they still display concern.

Omiyale looked very sharp in preseason last season, yet failed to produce at left guard. Bears' coach Lovie Smith has stated he shows signs of productivity at his natural right tackle position.

With Matt Forte back from knee and leg damage, everyone wonders if he'll return to his rookie form of quick and intense running.

Martz should assist the young receivers greatly, therefore opening up the pass for Cutler and hopefully holes for Forte.

Come to think of it, the Tulane product should have a more active role in the passing aspect, creating mismatches with linebackers and safeties to utilize his strength—getting in open space with the ball.

In response to the proposed question, the supply Chicago Bears jerseys looked like a very polished and underrated team coming into 2010. There is a great chance of a playoff caliber squad next year.

Tebow reverting to old throwing form

TEBOW OCCASSIONALLY REVERTING TO OLD FORM

Broncos rookie Tim Tebow according to his Denver teammates has been reverting back to old throwing motion. BHSN's Shaun King warned me about this months ago. King feels changing what you've done since you were a kid and trying to learn an NFL jerseys offense and defense is just too much at one time. Broncos' CB Champ Bailey says he's noticed it at Broncos minicamp. As far as the starter in Denver, coach Josh McDaniels says Tebow and Brady Quinn have a long way to go to catch Kyle Orton. Best thing for Tebow is that he just watch and learn this entire season. Get some reps in preseason games. McDaniels has coached some pretty good qb's including Tom Brady and Matt Cassel, so Tebow is in a good spot. The media is easy on their athletes in Denver. I know, I lived there for 2 years.

SIMMS FEELS HE MAY BE THE ODD MAN OUT

Former Buc QB, now with the Titans, Chris Simms is no dummy. He's been going through drills at off season workouts but he told a reporter the other day that he understands this league and that it's all business. "How could I not pay attention?" Simms said, when asked about the Titans drafting QB Rusty Smith. "I've got to do the best job I can."
Get this: Rusty Smith played at Florida Atlantic and is a member of the First Baptist Church in Jacksonville where Tim Tebow goes. Smith is 6-5, 230 pounds and has a big arm. Smith says he's a little intimidated because he's looking around the room at the other QBs and they have 225 starts in the NFL. That would be Vince Young,  cheap Kerry Collins jersey and Simms.

GET READY FOR THROWBACK SOCKS

Rays Skipper Joe Maddon says he's going to stick with them. I'm talking about the throwback stirrups on some of the Rays that were just trying to break their losing vibe. It worked on Thursday. B.J Upton had a dinger. Kelly Shoppach was 3-4 with a homer. Maddon says he likes them. Bottom line--if the Rays keep winning, you'll see more and more Rays go with them. If they don't, those stirrups will only be a memory. Or a video and photo. I don't mind them. Whatever works, baby!

Tennessee Titans running back Chris Johnson says he won't play for current salary

FRANKLIN — Chris Johnson wants a new contract. The Tennessee Titans have no plans to give him one, at least not now.
The reigning NFL jerseys Offensive Player of the Year says he's not sure how it will all end, but he knows this much — he's not showing up to play at his current salary.

"I can't play for $550,000,'' Johnson said. "The money that I am playing for, I am getting paid less than the starting 11 (on offense) and I'm one of the lowest paid starting running backs in the league.''

Johnson held his football camp for kids on Wednesday at Battle Ground Academy. He was tight-lipped about his contract status while speaking to a group of media in the morning, but later in a one-on-one discussion he opened up a bit.
Johnson said he's prepared to hold out of training camp, which begins July 31, but hopes it won't come to that. So far, however, the Titans haven't given an inch in talks with Johnson's agent, Joel Segal.

Johnson is two years into the five-year, $12 million contract he signed as a rookie, a deal that included $7 million in guarantees. Last month, Titans General Manager Mike Reinfeldt told The Tennessean he expects Johnson to "honor his contract."

Segal attended Johnson's camp Wednesday, but declined comment. Although there's a chance Segal could meet with the Titans while in town, Johnson said he's the one calling the shots.

"This is a business, and at the end of the day I am the player and he is the business man. He advises me,'' Johnson said. "I handle what happens on the field, and he handles everything else and he is working to take care of me.

"But it is my decision at the end of the day. Right now, I am not sure what is going to happen. I just hope they pay me, but I don't know.''

Titans' officials declined comment on Wednesday.

Several players assisted with the camp, including quarterback Vince Young, fullback Ahmard Hall, safety Michael Griffin and cornerback Ryan Mouton. Former Titans running back LenDale White, released by the Seahawks last month, was also on hand.

To a man, Johnson's teammates have supported him, even though he's skipped the offseason conditioning workouts and organized team activities, all of which are voluntary.

Johnson skipped most of those sessions last year, too, then rushed for 2,006 yards and broke the single-season record for scrimmage yards.

"I think Chris is willing to take it as far as he needs to take it," White said. "I can't get inside his mind and say how long he'll hold out, but obviously he is serious about this. This is his livelihood. He has to look out for himself. Believe me, he loves the Titans and the city of Nashville, but he is looking for his livelihood and his life. No one can be mad about that.''

Johnson's tone on Wednesday was matter-of-fact, but it's clear he's becoming more frustrated with the situation. After saying on Monday he wasn't mad at the Titans, he replied "no comment" to the same question on Wednesday.

He also sounded uncertain of what to expect and hopeful that things wouldn't get ugly.

"My teammates, they understand what I am going through, and know it's a business,'' Johnson said. "Anybody would be frustrated when they should be the top paid player and they are just making $550,000. Anybody would be frustrated, but at the end of the day it is a business thing. And I really understand first-hand the business part of the NFL.''

The Titans have cited the 30 percent rule, a byproduct of the league's labor issues. It restricts big increases in Johnson's salary from year to year. They say it makes it nearly impossible to get a new deal done, since they'd likely have to pay him guaranteed signing bonus money in the $40 million to $50 million range as part of a market rate extension.

And a 30-day rule could come into play. Under the collective bargaining agreement, if a player doesn't report to his team within 30 days of the regular season opener — Sept. 12, in the Titans' case — he could lose a year credit toward free agency.

"I don't know what's going to happen,'' Johnson said. "Right now, though, I am just staying in the best shape I can so I'll be ready whenever I do get back on the field. I just don't know when that will be.''

 

NFL Fantasy Football Top 100 Big Board

1. Ray Rice, RB, BAL: Ray Rice runs behind one of the most balanced offensive lines in the league, which should only continue to improve as their young lineman gain experience. Rice is a pure dual threat. With the ability to catch out of the backfield, enough speed to burst through the lane and more than enough power to break tackles, Rice should dominate fantasy leagues for the next five years. Many may be hesitant to put Rice #1 so soon, but his talent will be maximized this season. The introduction of a great blocking wide receiver in Anquan Boldin will only help Ray Rice as he makes his way down the field. Rice will be among the running back leaders in yards, touchdowns and receptions in 2010.

 

2. Chris Johnson, RB, TEN: Chris Johnson is the fastest player in the league and runs behind one of the top offensive lines in the game. Their ability to create holes and Johnson's quick burst and agility allows Johnson to gain massive yardage. With his speed, the end zone simply appears to closer than it does for other players. Unless Johnson holds out into the season, there is no reason for Johnson to slip outside of the top four fantasy picks. Johnson is a threat to catch out of the backfield. Vince Young will look to check down often as defensive backs should be able to lock down the Tennessee wide receivers. At times in 2009, Chris Johnson resembled a young LaDainian Tomlinson. It is doubtful Johnson duplicates his 2009 season, but with LenDale White finally out of the mix, Johnson should remain among the top five fantasy point leaders by the end of the season. Johnson is simply too talented to be denied in the league. Johnson's speed, agility, pass catching ability and vision will allow him to dominate NFL  jerseys defenses.

 

3. Adrian Peterson, RB, MIN: Minnesota's offensive line will remain one of the top line's in the league and Brett Favre's return in 2010 should only assist Adrian Peterson's continued success in the NFL  jerseys . Although Peterson's aggressive running style has led to increased fumbles and he will not catch many passes, Peterson is too fast and too powerful to be stopped. Fantasy owners will always be concerned with Peterson's high risk to injury, but his development as an athlete and NFL experience should allow him to slightly overcome that reputation. With Chester Taylor leaving for division rival Chicago, Peterson should receive more goal line opportunities in 2010, although he has struggled at times inside the five yard line in the past. Adrian Peterson, however, has been a consistent running back in his short time in the NFL  jerseys , and fantasy owners need consistency as much as anything else throughout the season.

 

4. Maurice Jones-Drew, RB, JAX: Maurice Jones-Drew is not just one of the most powerful running backs in the league but also one of the best pass catching backs. Jones-Drew could easily lead the league in touchdowns with his ability to break away from defenders and more importantly his knack for getting the ball across the goal line inside the red zone due to his lower and upper body strength. Maurice Jones-Drew, similar to Chris Johnson, is the true focal point of the team's offense and will always be relied on heavily so fantasy owners will not have to worry about the amount of touches or looks Jones-Drew receives. As long as Jones-Drew is healthy, the opportunities will continue to be there for Jones-Drew to put up a massive amount of fantasy points.

 

5. Frank Gore, RB, SF: Frank Gore has been one of the better backs the past four seasons. As the amount of top running backs decrease each year and the increasing amount of running back committees throughout the league, it is important to grab a consistent back that will be guaranteed opportunities. Gore has battled injuries frequently but has a high pain threshold and will play through most injuries. Gore is a determined runner, constantly looking to make each team regret their decision for overlooking him due to his poor knees during the 2004 NFL Draft. Gore has solid hands and will be a prime outlet for Alex Smith in San Francisco's improving offense. The offensive line will be even better than it has been the past few seasons and the 49ers will look to play more smash-mouth, hard-nosed football under Mike Singletary. Frank Gore will be a stud yet again.

 

6. Michael Turner, RB, ATL: Michael Turner burned the competition in his first full season out of LaDainian Tomlinson's shadow in 2008. However, the Atlanta run game declined in 2009 as the offensive line could not get the same push it did in 2008. QB Matt Ryan's progression last season and assumed progression this year will keep defenses honest and should allow more running lanes for Turner. Michael Turner has the agility to evade defenders, speed to break away and brute force to run over defenders, which makes him an ideal combination back. Michael Turner does not catch as many passes as one would like, but he is not a poor receiver by any means and could catch up to 30 passes if Ryan looks his way. Turner's 2009 production declined more due to injury than anything else and should be able to regain his form in 2010.

 

7. Steven Jackson, RB, STL: Steven Jackson is easily one of the most talented running backs. With great size, speed, agility, power, vision and pass catching ability, Jackson has all the tools to be the best running back in the league. However, Jackson's poor offensive line and offense in general has led Jackson to try and do everything himself on the field. While the opportunities will always be there for Jackson, his body has taken such a beating that he has missed several games the past few seasons. It is difficult for fantasy owners to feel safe when picking Jackson due to injury concerns and playing for a poor offense with inexperienced players at every position. Steven Jackson's upside and athletic gifts, he is the epitome of a high-risk, high-reward pick in the first round.

 

8. Andre Johnson, WR, HOU: Andre Johnson is easily one of the most talented wide receivers at every facet of the game. Johnson's speed, size and strength allow him to separate from defensive backs. He has arguably the best hands in the league. Johnson is the safest bet each year for high yardage and reception totals. Although the Houston offense has taken a hit due to instability at the running back position and Owen Daniels' injuries, Johnson will remain the focal point of the offense and should see double digit touchdowns. The rapport between Matt Schaub and Andre Johnson becomes stronger each year as they become more comfortable with each other. They could be the top QB-WR duo in the league in 2010.

 

9. Randy Moss, WR, NE: Randy Moss has blazing speed, unreal leaping ability and in-air body control, Moss is the best deep threat in the league despite his age. With Tom Brady now two years removed from injury, they should both improve on their quality 2009 fantasy seasons and be more consistent in the process. Randy Moss should be New England's primary target in the red zone, and his touchdown totals should increase. One concern will be going against Darrelle Revis, who shut down Moss twice in 2009. A major factor, however, will be whether or not Wes Welker can return from the devastating knee injury he suffered before the playoffs began last year. Welker was able to take a lot of pressure away from Moss, but Moss still has enough height, leaping ability and fantastic hands to top all other wide receivers for fantasy purposes.

 

10. Calvin Johnson, WR, DET: Calvin Johnson had a rough 2009 season, battling injuries and the inexperience of Matthew Stafford, Johnson could not live up to his late first round-early second round value. 2010 should be different for Johnson as Jahvid Best should cause defenses to keen in on him. While Calvin Johnson will often see double and even triple coverage, he was able to overcome that in 2008 due to his incredible size, speed and leaping ability. With Stafford's big arm, Johnson will be downfield often and is a mismatch for any cornerback he will face throughout the season. Johnson's reception total may not be as high as other top receivers, but his yardage and touchdown totals should remain with the league leaders.

 

11. DeAngelo Williams, RB, CAR: Despite playing in arguably the truest time split in the league, DeAngelo Williams still puts up fantastic numbers. Although Williams may prefer to receive more carries and opportunities to catch the ball, the time split allows Williams to stay fresh throughout the each game and the entire season. This benefits Williams because his amazing vision and quick cutting ability allow him to gain a great deal of yardage on any given rushing play. DeAngelo Williams may cede some goal line carries throughout the season, but he is the better back inside the red zone and the Panthers should maximize his potential as they try to rebound this season.

 

12.  Chris 'Beanie' Wells, RB, ARZ: The Arizona offense clearly takes a major hit with the loss of future Hall of Famer Kurt Warner and Anquan Boldin. However, Wells will benefit from Alan Faneca's addition to the offensive line, which has greatly improved each year under coaches Ken Whisenhunt and Russ Grimm. Although Wells will certainly lose touches to Tim Hightower, he will be relied on heavily to take pressure off Matt Leinart in his first season starting. Wells has the talent to replicate Ray Rice's great sophomore season and should have more than enough opportunities to do so.

 

13.  Larry Fitzgerald, WR, ARZ: Larry Fitzgerald had a great 2009 fantasy season and escaped injury despite being on the cover of Madden. However, Fitzgerald was hit in the off season when his accurate but pass first QB Kurt Warner decided to retire and Arizona management decided to trade fellow top receiver Anquan Boldin to Baltimore. Matt Leinart does not have the arm strength or accuracy to truly assist Larry Fitzgerald, but with Fitzgerald's size, incredible in air body control, leaping ability and unbelievable hands he should be able to overcome Leinart's deficiencies. Larry Fitzgerald will see coverage roll his way even more now that Boldin is not there to assist and this will be a major concern for Fitzgerald owners throughout the season.

 

14.  Aaron Rodgers, QB, GB: Although Rodgers was hit often last season and Greg Jennings regressed, he managed to be one of the most consistent quarterbacks throughout the year. In his third full season, Aaron Rodgers will solidify himself as the top fantasy QB with deadly accuracy as he distributes the ball evenly among one of the best receiving corps. in the league. Rodgers also provides more rushing yardage and rushing touchdowns than most QB's, which is a nice bonus for fantasy owners.

 

15.  Drew Brees, QB, NO: Drew Brees has been among the top three fantasy QB's for years now, but he is bumped down due to no fault of his own. If you are a believer of a potential post Super Bowl slump and the Madden cover curse, than Drew Brees must be bumped down. However, Drew Brees is quite possibly the most accurate QB in the league and has a fantastic supporting cast at each position in a high powered offense. Brees has a great offensive line blocking in front of him, with speed and size at the wide receiver position and two good pass catching running backs. Brees will once again be among the top three quarterbacks in 2010 as long as he stays on the field.

 

16.  Reggie Wayne, WR, IND: Reggie Wayne was easily one of the most consistent wide receivers throughout 2009 and managed to exceed expectations. He ranked first among all fantasy wide receivers for most of the season and finished as one of the top in the league. Reggie Wayne is one of the best route runners in the league, with some of the best hands and plays with the smartest QB in Peyton Manning. Manning is prone to distribute the ball and Reggie Wayne seemed to disappear in the Super Bowl partly due to a knee injury, but Wayne should still put up his usual 1,000+ yards, 80-100+ receptions and 7-12 touchdowns. However, will Wayne suffer from the Madden curse or escape this season as Larry Fitzgerald did?

 

17.  Rashard Mendenhall, RB, PIT: Mendenhall was dominant at times during the 2009 season and showed signs of being a top 10 or higher fantasy back. With Ben Roethlisberger suspended to start the season, Mendenhall will be relied on heavily to carry the team. Mendenhall is not much of a pass catching back and will use his power more than anything else to gain yards. If given around 300 carries, Mendenhall could be a monster in fantasy.

 

18.  Pierre Thomas, RB, NO: Pierre Thomas is a tough runner playing for arguably the best offense in the league. With Mike Bell gone, Thomas could see his touchdown numbers explode if given goal line opportunities. Brees will certainly throw in the red zone and Thomas will lose looks to Reggie Bush, but there would be more than enough to go around if a two-back system exists in Sean Payton's system.

 

19.  Shonn Green, RB, NYJ: Running behind arguably the best offensive line in the league will surely benefit Shonn Green immensely. Green displayed great patience and power as he helped carry the Jets to the playoffs and into the AFC Championship. Green also enough agility and speed to be a threat in the NFL. On a run first team, Green should plenty of carries. However, with the additions of LaDainian Tomlinson and Joe McKnight, no one will know for sure how the carries will be divided. Tomlinson, behind a fantastic offensive line, should be a threat in the red zone, where he excelled throughout his career. Joe McKnight's big play potential could limit Green on third down. However, if the Jets make Shonn Green their workhorse back, he has the talent and offensive pieces around him to be a major fantasy force.

 

20.  Peyton Manning, QB, IND: Although Peyton Manning always finishes among the top fantasy quarterbacks, the past two seasons he has not been as dominant on a week to week basis as he was in the past. Still, Manning is as consistent as they come and rarely gets hit behind the line of scrimmage. Peyton Manning will look to rebound from his Super Bowl loss and will once again finish as a top three or four fantasy QB.

 

21.  Brandon Jacobs, RB, NYG: Brandon Jacobs received a nice contract from the New York Giants and he simply turned into a different player. Jacobs at times last season looked afraid, dancing behind the offensive line instead of trying to power his way through defenders like he did when he was earning a contract. The New York Giants rushing attack has been too effective under head coach Tom Coughlin. It is too soon to write off Brandon Jacobs, who will receive more than enough carries under Coughlin.

 

22.  Tom Brady, QB, NE: With two years removed from a serious knee injury, Tom Brady will regain form and look to push every other quarterback for the top spot. Although he won't have his safety valve and game changing slot receiver Wes Welker, Brady still has Randy Moss, accuracy and arm strength to put up top fantasy numbers regardless of who the Patriots plug in at wide receiver. Brady always gets the job done and is a safe pick once again in 2010.

 

23.  Roddy White, WR, ATL: Roddy White has been as consistent as they come the past three seasons as he finally found his form in the NFL. Matt Ryan's third year starting will vastly benefit White. White combines his great hands with good speed and size and should be a top 10 fantasy wide receiver.

 

24.  Brandon Marshall, WR, MIA: Marshall was a top receiver with Kyle Orton in Denver last season. Now in Miami, Marshall will play with a better quarterback in Chad Henne and should once again be among the league leaders in receptions. Marshall's supporting cast is not as good as it was in Denver and he could see his touchdown total decline in his first season in Miami. It should also be noted that Marshall will face off again Darrelle Revis twice.

 

25.  Anquan Boldin, WR, BAL: Boldin is one of the best all around wide receivers in the game and will once again play with a great quarterback. Joe Flacco's accurate and big arm will benefit Boldin. Per game, Boldin is one of the best fantasy wide receivers, but has a tough time escaping injury to his physical style of play. Regardless, Boldin is one of the best and toughest players in the game and should see plenty of success in the growing Baltimore offense.

 

26.  Cedric Benson, RB, CIN: Benson was the definition of a workhorse back last year, which may affect him in 2010. Benson more than exceeded expectations as he was one of the most consistent running backs the entire season. The Bengals' offensive line should be even better and Benson will look to prove 2009 was not a fluke.

 

27.  Jonathan Stewart, RB, CAR: Stewart splits time with DeAngelo Williams but there is more than enough to go around in Carolina. Stewart's combination of power, speed, agility and vision is too much for defenders to handle and will lead to great numbers once again in the committee. If DeAngelo Williams were to ever go down, Stewart has the talent to be a top five fantasy running back with a full workload.

 

28.  Marques Colston, WR, NO: Playing with the top fantasy QB has both its positives and negatives. Brees loves to spread the ball, but Colston is still his #1 target. Colston could potentially lead the league in touchdowns with his size and great hands and is a major threat in the red zone. Colston has the potential for around 100 receptions, 12 touchdowns and over 1200 yards with Drew Brees at the helm.

 

29.  Greg Jennings, WR, GB: A huge disappointment in 2009, Jennings will look to rebound in 2010. With Aaron Rodgers slinging the ball, Jennings shouldn't have a problem regaining his 2008 form. With plenty of passes to go around in Green Bay's pass first offense, Jennings should see his receptions and touchdown totals increase.

 

30.  Philip Rivers, QB, SD: The San Diego Chargers have turned the offense over to Philip Rivers. The offensive line does not create the same rushing lanes it once did in the past, which has converted the Chargers' offense into a pass first system. Rivers does not have much speed at wide receiver, but the size and athletic ability of both Vincent Jackson and Antonio Gates bodes well for Rivers.

 

31.  Knowshon Moreno, RB, DEN: Knowshon Moreno was a star in college and put together a nice rookie season. With Brandon Marshall gone, Moreno should be relied on more heavily in both the rushing and passing attacks, which will provide a great boost for Moreno's fantasy value throughout the season. Moreno is an extremely talented player but Josh McDaniels often rotates his running backs, which will be a concern for fantasy owners.

 

32.  Vincent Jackson, WR, SD: Jackson is one of the best deep threats in the league and seemingly catches every deep ball thrown from Philip Rivers. They have a great rapport and the Chargers will look to throw more with the lack of a rushing attack.

 

33.  LeSean McCoy, RB, PHI: With Westbrook gone and Kevin Kolb's first year starting, McCoy will have plenty of opportunities to succeed in his sophomore year. McCoy has good hands, solid vision and is a shifty runner, which is perfect for Andy Reid's pass first offense.

 

34.  Miles Austin, WR, DAL: Despite not playing a full season, Miles Austin dominated fantasy and has clearly established a fantastic rapport with QB Tony Romo. Austin is an underrated leaper, has great hands and speed and can create separation from defensive backs. There is no reason why Austin can't duplicate or surpass his 2009 numbers.

 

35.  Matt Schaub, QB, HOU: Matt Schaub has progressed nicely as a starter and his wide receivers have improved each year as well. It also doesn't hurt to play with arguably the best wide receiver in the game, Andre Johnson, and a top tight end in Owen Daniels. Daniels will be coming off injury but Schaub's experience should keep him within the top ten fantasy quarterbacks throughout the year, especially if his interception total stays low.

 

36.  Tony Romo, QB, DAL: Tony Romo has great vision and scrambling ability and the owner Jerry Jones has provided Romo with his best supporting cast yet. The addition of Dez Bryant will help greatly and Romo will be among the league leaders in touchdowns and yards. Romo needs to keep his turnovers down and not regress to 2008 when he had 21 turnovers.

 

37.  DeSean Jackson, WR, PHI: Although DeSean Jackson is a dynamic, game changing player, it remains to be seen how Kevin Kolb will perform and Jackson's numbers should decline. Jackson's blazing speed allows him to gain separation from defenders and he has very good hands. With his speed, it only takes one reception to change a game.

 

38.  Marion Barber, RB, DAL: It remains to be seen if Barber will be the starter or 'closer' for the Dallas Cowboys. Barber often battles injuries due to his aggressive and powerful running style. Barber also does not have the ideal speed at the running back position. However, one thing that is certain is that Barber demands playing time. Barber is one of the best red zone running backs in the league, is a good pass blocking and catching running back and is a huge asset for Tony Romo. The entire Dallas offense feeds off Barber's intensity, and a time share should actually benefit Marion Barber's fantasy value.

 

39.  Ryan Grant, RB, GB: Despite not being much of a football player, Ryan Grant has the opportunity to be a very good fantasy player because he will be a focal point for one of the best offenses in the league. Grant also runs behind a very good offensive line and can catch a couple of passes per game.

 

40.  Ronnie Brown, RB, MIA: When healthy, Ronnie Brown is one of the best fantasy running backs per game. However, Ronnie Brown's major issue is staying on the field. Brown is a high-risk, high-reward pick but it is tough for owners to feel safe when Brown is missing so many games each year.

 

41.  Steve Smith, WR, CAR: Steve Smith is one of the most talented wide receivers in the league. Although he can get easily frustrated at times and Smith will once again play with a poor quarterback, he has the separation skills to overcome that. Smith should be a top 15 wide receiver.

 

42.  Antonio Gates, TE, SD: Antonio Gates once again tops every other tight end in the game. Although Gates will once again play with a sore foot throughout the season, his size, strength, hands and leaping ability will once again create a mismatch for defensive backs. Gates will be among the top tight ends in yards, receptions and touchdowns.

 

43.  Ryan Matthews, RB, SD: Rookie Ryan Matthews ranks among the top 50 because he is the presumed starter for a top offense in the league. Although the offensive line regressed last season, Matthews' speed can counteract that as seen at times with Darren Sproles. Sproles will factor into the mix but Matthews should see the majority of the work as the Chargers traded a lot to draft him.

 

44.  Dallas Clark, TE, IND: The clear cut #1 tight end in 2009 returns to one of the best offenses with Peyton Manning still tossing the ball. Dallas Clark will once again put up great numbers, but with Anthony Gonzalez returning and the emergence of Pierre Garcon and Austin Collie, Clark's numbers should decline.

 

45.  Felix Jones, RB, DAL: Felix Jones has game changing, big play ability. His speed and agility is devastating for defenders and he will play behind one of the biggest offensive lines in the league. While Jones' role in the Dallas offense is unclear at the moment, we've seen that running back committees can still create fantasy success.

 

46.  Jamaal Charles, RB, KC: Jamaal Charles turned into a mid-season fantasy stud. However, the addition of Thomas Jones and Dexter McCluster creates a hazy outlook on Charles. With enough touches, Charles could be a fantasy star, but it is no guarantee how the carries will be divided in Kansas City.

 

47.  Vernon Davis, TE, SF: Vernon Davis finally met his expectations in 2009. One of the most physically gifted athletes in the league, Davis and QB Alex Smith formed a great rapport. Davis will once again be the #1 target in San Francisco and WR Michael Crabtree playing a full season will heavily aide Davis' own progression.

 

48.  Steve Smith, WR, NYG: Steve Smith was exceptional in 2009 but it will be tough for him to repeat in 2010. The Giants rushing game should not be as stagnant as it was in 2009, but Eli Manning's impressive accuracy in 2009 should continue in 2010. Smith and Manning have a great rapport and Hakeem Nicks should draw the coverage his way more in 2010. Steve Smith should be a great #2 fantasy wide receiver this season.

 

49.  Joe Flacco, QB, BAL: Joe Flacco exceeded expectations in 2009 and was dominant in the playoffs. Flacco's big arm and increased accuracy, mixed with more experience and a vastly improved offensive supporting cast will allow Joe Flacco to be within the top ten fantasy quarterbacks all season. Expect big numbers from Joe Flacco in 2010.

 

50.  Dwayne Bowe, WR, KC: Bowe is a truly gifted wide receiver with all of the talent necessary to dominate the league. However, Bowe has battled injuries and suspensions in the past and is not doing himself any favors by his recent media outburst. Regardless, Matt Cassel should be better this season and the entire Kansas City offense should improve with the additions of Thomas Jones and Dexter McCluster. With a better supporting cast around him, Dwayne Bowe should have his best season yet and rank among the top 15 fantasy wide receivers. 

 

 

51.  Sidney Rice, WR, MIN: In his third season, Sidney Rice exploded with Brett Favre at QB. At times, Rice resembled Larry Fitzgerald on the field. Rice displayed solid hands as he caught over 80 passes for over 1,300 yards, but his body control for jump balls is the most impressive part of Rice's game. Rice will have plenty of opportunities to duplicate last season with Brett Favre returning.

 

52.  Joseph Addai, RB, IND: Three years ago Addai was a top five pick. He bounced back in a great way last year after a terrible '08 season. Addai benefits from playing in a high-powered offense led by arguably the best QB in the NFL. Addai will score touchdowns and catch a good amount of passes, but fantasy owners will look for Addai to build his yardage totals back over 1,000.

 

53.  Chad Ocho Cinco, WR, CIN: Chad Ocho Cinco is a smooth router runner and has some of the best pair of hands in the league. The addition of Antonio Bryant will benefit Ocho Cinco as he once again plays with a legit threat on the other side of the field. 85 is no longer a #1 fantasy WR, but will be a very good #2 and a great #3 fantasy receiver.

 

54.  Michael Crabtree, WR, SF: Despite missing five games, Michael Crabtree proved to be a high intelligence wide receiver during his rookie season. Crabtree will be a primary possession receiver for Alex Smith and should be able to catch around 80 passes. However, a realistic touchdown total will be between five and seven as Vernon Davis will get those red zone looks.

 

55.  Matt Forte, RB, CHI: As with most Chicago running backs, Matt Forte had a difficult sophomore season. The addition of Chester Taylor will not benefit Matt Forte as Taylor is a quality pass blocker, pass catcher and goal line runner. Forte still has the skills to be a good #2 fantasy running back but he may not receive enough opportunities to score touchdowns inside the red zone.

 

56.  Ricky Williams, RB, MIA: When Miami lost Ronnie Brown for the season; Ricky Williams stepped in and once again became a fantasy workhorse. Williams scored ten total touchdowns from week seven to the end of the season. If given around 240 carries again, Williams still has enough left to be a great #2 fantasy running back, but will most likely fall short of replicating his 2009 numbers.

 

57.  Hines Ward, WR, PIT: Ward is a reliable, consistent fantasy wide receiver. Ward falls down the list thanks to Ben Roethlisberger's suspension, but Byron Leftwich will be a suitable replacement for four games. Still, look for Ward's receptions total to hover around 70 and his yardage to drop under 1,000 yards.

 

58.  Brett Favre, QB, MIN: An MVP candidate in 2009, Favre led many fantasy teams to victory thanks to a newly found mentality to manage the game and take what the defense is giving him. With major threats at each position, Favre has no reason to force the ball and will once again keep his interception total down.

 

59.  Hakeem Nicks, WR, NYG: Hakeem Nicks is a huge target with great hands and body control. Nicks fit in as expected and will provide a great red zone option and compliment to Steve Smith. Nicks has the talent to be a fantasy star.

 

60.  Mike Sims-Walker, WR, JAX: In his third season, Sims-Walker was Jacksonville's #1 option after Maurice Jones-Drew. Although the Jaguar's offense does not have much talent, Sims-Walker will see plenty of targets as the team's #1 wide receiver.

 

61.  Percy Harvin, WR, MIN: Harvin is a dynamic, big play, game-changing football player. With Sidney Rice and Adrian Peterson demanding attention from defenses, Harvin has more room to navigate and find holes in the coverage. Favre will hit Harvin often on quick slants. With Harvin's speed and agility, he is always one move away from scoring a touchdown.

 

62.  Jason Witten, TE, DAL: Arguably the most talented all around tight end in the league, Jason Witten will see less attention from defensive backs with the emergence of Miles Austin and the introduction of Dez Bryant. The touchdowns have not been there the past two seasons, but it will not be difficult for him to eclipse the two he scored last year. Witten is consistent, reliable and durable and is worthy of a high draft pick.

 

63.  Thomas Jones, RB, KC: Thomas Jones is a durable, reliable workhorse back and will be used to take the pressure off Jamaal Charles. Jamaal Charles proved last year that he can be extremely effective and fantasy owners will need to worry throughout the year whether or not Thomas Jones will have enough opportunities to score. Though his numbers across the board will drop, Jones has a chance at reaching 1,000 yards rushing again and could be a fine #2 fantasy back.

 

64.  Pierre Garcon, WR, IND: Playing across from Reggie Wayne and looking at passes from Peyton Manning surely has its benefits. Garcon proved in the playoffs that he has the high IQ necessary to play with Manning and will be a fantastic #3 fantasy wide receiver. Although there are so many other weapons in Indianapolis, Garcon has the potential to be a quality #2 fantasy receiver if the touchdowns come his way.

 

65.  Donald Driver, WR, GB: Driver is a consistent #3 fantasy wide receiver. The seasoned veteran is a great possession receiver and has only missed two games in eight seasons. With Rodger's rapid development, it is not impossible to see Driver's touchdown totals close in on double digits for the first time in four seasons. 

 

66.  Tony Gonzalez, TE, ATL: Tony Gonzalez is simply one of the safest bets at any fantasy position. Gonzalez is always in prime playing condition, missing two games his entire career. He is a huge red zone target for the developing Matt Ryan. Gonzalez should see his touchdowns jump back between eight and ten but his yardage should still hover around 800 yards.

 

67.  Reggie Bush, RB, NO: If fantasy owners could get the production out of Reggie Bush he showed during the post season, he will be one of the biggest draft day steals. However, Bush is inconsistent for fantasy, especially in leagues that do not rewards points for receptions. Reggie Bush is entering the prime of his career, and perhaps he has finally put it all together to live up to his high expectations.

 

68.  Jahvid Best, RB, DET: Jahvid Best was one of the best running backs in college football. The Lions drafted a great all around football player coming to a core group of young superstars attempting to turn around a struggling franchise. With Kevin Smith suffering a brutal leg injury last season, Best will shoulder the load for the Lions.

 

69.  Brent Celek, TE, PHI: Brent Celek proved to be a fantastic fantasy wide receiver in his first full season starting. Celek will be a safety blanket for QB Kevin Kolb. Celek will also be able to work the middle of the field with DeSean Jackson and Jeremy Maclin stretching the outside.

 

70.  Dez Bryant, WR, DAL: Dez Bryant has the talent to be a superstar in the NFL, especially playing in the high powered Dallas Cowboys offense. He will be a fantastic compliment to Miles Austin. Bryant's big play potential will suit Tony Romo's playing style and great downfield vision.

 

71.  Jermichael Finley, TE, GB:  Aaron Rodgers has the talent to turn Jermichael Finley into the next Antonio Gates. Finley is similar to Gates as he is a big, strong, athletic presence on the field. Finley will be able to use his body to get in front of defenders and should be Rodgers' primary red zone target.

 

72.  C.J. Spiller, RB, BUF: The Bills desperately needed upgrades at almost every position, but decided instead to draft the best running back in this year's draft. Spiller is a fantastic runner but the elements in Buffalo, as well as Marshawn Lynch and Fred Jackson remaining on the roster, could prevent Spiller from having a great fantasy season in his rookie year.

 

73.  Robert Meachem, WR, NO: Robert Meachem surpassed expectations in his sophomore season. Meachem will be on many breakout candidate lists for 2010 as he applies for the third year wide receiver theory. Wide receivers often do better in their third season than their previous seasons. Of course, there are no guarantees in fantasy football, but with Drew Brees at QB, Meachem has the potential and talent to emerge as a #2 fantasy wide receiver.

 

74.  Braylon Edwards, WR, NYJ: Although Braylon Edwards will drop some passes throughout the season, he is a big play WR. He will have a full off season to form a connection with QB Mark Sanchez. Edwards has the jump ball skills and speed to compliment Sanchez's big arm, and will see plenty of down field opportunities.

 

75.  Jeremy Maclin, WR, PHI: Maclin had a successful rookie season. However, Kevin Kolb starting will be an experiment that may not benefit Maclin or the rest of the Eagles' offense. Maclin is a shifty speedster but needs to work on his separation skills. Without Donovan McNabb, a repeat of his rookie season is more likely than a statistical sophomore boom.

 

76.  Darren McFadden, RB, OAK: Darren McFadden was a great downhill runner in college but playing in Oakland has not done McFadden any favors. The Oakland offense will be far better this season without JaMarcus Russell. McFadden will be the most relied upon player on offense and will finally get his chance to truly shine.

 

77.  Eli Manning, QB, NYG: Eli Manning finally had the statistical season fantasy owners have been craving for years. Manning could improve this season as the rushing attack should rebound and his young wide receivers gain immeasurable experience.

 

78.  Jerricho Cotchery, WR, NYJ: Cotchery is one of the best possession receivers in the NFL. Cotchery will benefit from teams focusing on Braylon Edwards, Santonio Holmes and Dustin Keller and will provide a nice safety net for Mark Sanchez.

 

79.  Ahmad Bradshaw, RB, NYG: Bradshaw was clearly the New York Giants' best running back last year. Bradshaw's speed and agility counteracted the offensive line's regression. Bradshaw will play a major role in turning the run game around.

 

80.  Mike Wallace, WR, PIT: The Pittsburgh organization has a lot of confidence in Mike Wallace going into his sophomore year and fantasy owners should as well. Wallace has great hands and footwork and will provide a fine compliment to Hines Ward. Wallace should lead the team in touchdowns and could explode once Ben Roethlisberger returns from his four game suspension.

 

81.  Steve Breaston, WR, ARZ: Breaston is in a similar situation to Mike Wallace. With Boldin traded, Breaston will play opposite of Larry Fitzgerald who will demand double and even triple coverage. Breaston has shown that he can stretch the field and work the middle. Although Leinart will struggle, Breaston should tally 1,000 yards and eclipse his three touchdowns scored last season.

 

82.  Owen Daniels, TE, HOU: Daniels is one of the best pass catching tight ends in the league. With great size, speed and hands at the position, he is the clear cut #2 target in the Houston offense. Daniels is great at working the middle of the field and will catch a lot of passes in an offense unstable at the RB position. Daniels will be far enough removed from injury and will return as one of the top fantasy tight ends.

 

83.  Santana Moss, WR, WAS: Many fantasy players will have their eyes on Santana Moss as Donovan McNabb will be the most QB Moss has ever played with. Moss is a fine WR with great speed and knack to get open. Moss is staring at the possibility of matching career highs with McNabb.

 

84.  Ben Tate, RB, HOU: With Steve Slaton's fumbling and injury concerns, Houston drafted Ben Tate to take pressure away from Slaton. Despite a time share, Tate will see a lot of opportunities in a balanced offense that looks to involve the running back in the passing game.

 

85.  T.J. Houshmandzadeh, WR, SEA: Houshmandzadeh was the definition of disappointment in his first season in Seattle. Houshmandzadeh was inconsistent and at times, seemed to be invisible on the field. Houshmandzadeh was one of the better possession receivers in the league and in Seattle looked to be a fine red zone threat for QB Matt Hasselbeck but could not find his stride during the season. Houshmandzadeh should bounce back but there is simply no reason to believe he will regain his Cincinnati form.

 

86.  Matt Ryan, QB, ATL: Matt Ryan is an intelligent QB and will progress in his third season. Ryan is assisted by having a top fantasy option at running back, tight end and wide receiver. Look for Ryan to throw for up to 3,500 yards, drop his 14 interceptions closer to ten and throw for between 20-25 TDs.

 

87.  Clinton Portis, RB, WAS: Clinton Portis is one of the toughest running backs in the league, constantly playing through injuries each season. However, at age 29, the injuries may have finally caught up to Portis. Portis will be the #1 back in Washington, but will now be in a three headed monster with Larry Johnson and Willie Parker.

 

88.  Jay Cuter, QB, CHI: Jay Cutler is one of the most gifted passes in the league with arguably the most powerful arm in the NFL. However, Cutler's supporting cast is still poor in his second season with Chicago. Cutler will look to make each play count, which will once again lead to many turnovers.

 

89.  LaDainian Tomlinson, RB, NYJ: Tomlinson will look to prove he still has what it takes to be a quality fantasy option. Tomlinson's role in New York is still uncertain, but he will surely get playing time. Running behind an amazing offensive line will counteract the burst Tomlinson lost last season. Still one of the better red zone backs in the league, Tomlinson should have plenty of opportunities to score TDs.

 

90.  Cadillac Williams, RB, TB: After a string of devastating injuries, Cadillac Williams finally put together a fine season and proved he still has the talent to compete in the NFL. Cadillac will be relied on more in Josh Freeman's first year starting and the loss of Antonio Bryant.

 

91.  Jerome Harrison, RB, CLE: Harrison will be the most experienced running back on a struggling offense. Harrison is a threat to catch out of the backfield and will be relied on heavily in that regard. If given over 200 carries, Harrison should have no trouble reaching 1,000 yards behind a good offensive line.

 

92.  Lee Evans, WR, BUF: Lee Evans will once again have an inconsistent season with poor QB play and the loss of Terrell Owens. The Bills are stacked at the running back position and will look to control each game through clock management and defense. Fantasy owners would be better off letting someone else take the chance on Evans' poor situation.

 

93.  Donald Brown, RB, IND: Donald Brown is a patient runner and will spell Joseph Addai often as Indianapolis looks to keep both running backs healthy. Brown is a solid pass catching back, which bodes well when playing with Peyton Manning. If Addai were to ever go down, Brown would instantly be one of the most productive fantasy backs.

 

94.  Michael Bush, RB, OAK: Michael Bush will be on the field often as Darren McFadden has always played in a two back system. Bush a powerful runner and could see the goal line carries in Oakland. Oakland will need to run the ball often as the passing attack is weak.

 

95.  Darren Sproles, RB, SD: Although the Chargers drafted Ryan Matthews, the organization still views Darren Sproles as a major threat. Sproles is one of the quickest running backs in the league and can catch out of the backfield. Sproles should see more opportunities this season than he ever has in the past and has the talent to produce monster fantasy weeks.

 

96.  Antonio Bryant, WR, CIN: Antonio Bryant is a strong and fast WR with very good hands. Bryant will play with the best WR he has ever played with in Chad Ocho Cinco and will not see the double teams he used to see in Tampa Bay. Bryant will undoubtedly have a bounce back season, but do not look for him to reproduce his 2008 numbers.

 

97.  Santonio Holmes, WR, NYJ: Santonio Holmes will miss the first four games of the season, but will return when fantasy owners need him most. Holmes will step on the field as another big play WR for the Jets and will see a lot of downfield opportunities. Look for Holmes to be rather inconsistent in New York, but the Jets should look to open things up for Mark Sanchez.

 

98.  Justin Forsett, RB, SEA: Justin Forsett is Seattle's most talented overall running back as he is a solid runner, blocker and pass catcher. Forsett will see a lot of opportunities in Seattle with Leon Washington returning from a terrible leg injury.

 

99.  Kellen Winslow, TE, TB: Kellen Winslow will be the #1 target for the first time in his career and will finally have every opportunity to prove to people he is as good as he thinks he is. Winslow will lead the team in receptions, yards and touchdowns and will have as much potential as any other tight end in fantasy.

 

100.          Fred Jackson, RB, BUF: Although C.J. Spiller and Marshawn Lynch are in Buffalo as well, Jackson has proven that he is a dependable running back. He is quick and agile and will be used to catch the ball out of the backfield for the struggling offense. Jackson could provide a lot of fantasy value when a stud is on a bye week.

Ravens cut Chris Hannon, Maurice Price

OWINGS MILLS, Md. -- The Baltimore Ravens have placed reserve wide receivers Maurice Price and Chris Hannon on waivers.

Hannon didn't play football season season while recovering from a torn hamstring. He tried out for the Ravens last summer and was signed to a reserve/future deal this offseason.

The 6-foot-2, 205-pounder has previously stints with the Kansas City Chiefs, Carolina Panthers, San Francisco 49ers, Miami Dolphins and the Detroit Lions.

Price has played for the New England Patriots, Chiefs and the 49ers as well as the Calgary Stampeders in the CFL. He was on the Ravens' practice squad last seasoan.

The Ravens cut outside linebacker Willie VanDeSteeg earlier this week.

Bills LT Wang's left leg injury ruled not serious

ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. — Buffalo Bills rookie left tackle Ed Wang's left leg injury is not as serious as initially feared, and he could resume practicing within weeks.

Coach Chan Gailey provided the update following practice Wednesday, shortly after Wang was spotted walking with only a slight limp entering the team's training room. Gailey said Wang has a chance to return by the team's final offseason minicamp, a three-day session opening on June 23.

The fifth-round draft pick out of Virginia Tech was hurt during a collision while pass-blocking Saturday. Wang was unable to put any weight on his left leg and eventually carted off the field.

Competing for a backup job, Wang is the first player with direct Chinese ancestry selected in the NFL jersey draft.

Torbor joins Bills on practice field

Ralph Wilson Stadium - The Buffalo Bills are into their third week of workouts in Orchard Park. And
Tuesday, they welcomed a new player onto the practice field.

Linebacker Reggie Torbor joined his new teammates on the field three days after signing a contract with the Buffalo Bills . He's a six year veteran who the Bills have working at outside linebacker for now. Torbor spent the last two years with the Dolphins and the Bills go up against Miami in their season opener on September 12th.

"I'm just looking forward to playing," Torbor said after the Tuesday practice. "It'll be good. The thing is when people leave teams and have chips on their shoulder; it's just friends on the field. I'm not going to choke out my best friend because I got released. We're going to go out there wanting to win the game."

The Buffalo Bills signed another draft pick Tuesday. Offensive tackle Kyle Calloway signed his deal. He was the second of the team's two picks in the seventh round out of Iowa. He's the third of the Bills nine picks to agree to terms.

 

Saintsbag another ex-Bear

Surely the New Orleans Saints are not looking at the Chicago Bears the same way they did when the teams met in the NFC Championship Game following the 2006 season.

Something is going on though as the Saints signed their third ex-Bear in a little more than a month, announcing this afternoon that veteran guard Terrence Metcalf has signed a one-year contract. Metcalf has been mostly out of the NFL since the Bears released him a year ago. He had a short stay with the Detroit Lions.

He joins a team that has already picked up Alex Brown, expected to be the starting left defensive end, and fullback Jason McKie, who will compete for a backup job on the roster. The Saints have a wealth of depth at offensive tackle but look to Metcalf for some help inside.

A third-round draft pick from Ole Miss in 2002, Metcalf made 25 starts for the Bears and appeared in 84 games. He occasionally worked as a backup center.

The Saints also announced that guard Joe Tonga has been waived.

Buffalo Bills Aaron Schobel: Should I Stay or Should I Go?

Just like the song by The Clash, Schobel is trying to figure out if Should I Stay (come back to the Bills) or Should I Go (hang up the cleats and retire)? When the season ended, Schobel announced it would take him two months to sort through the issues and come up with a decision to return or retire.

Well, those two months have now turned in to six months. You would think that would have been enough time for Schobel to have done some reflecting, time to talk to his family and friends, and time to see all the developments with the Bills to determine if he still wanted to be part of this organization, or not.

To be sure, Schobel has been one of the most consistent performers for the Bills year in and year out. If it turns out that Aaron has indeed played his last season for the Bills, he will have retired as going out on top, so to speak.

I am referring to his being graded out as the number one defensive end in 2009 by Advanced NFL Stats in play-making ability. (http://blogs.buffalobills.com/2010/05/10/schobel-tops-in-playmaking/). Schobel had 10 sacks in 2009 and has a lofty place in, not only the Bills history books, but in the NFL's as well.

Schobel trails only Jason Taylor for the most sacks in the league since 2001. Schobel ranks second all-time for sacks for the Buffalo Bills, trailing only Hall-of-Famer Bruce Smith. Schobel has registered over 600 tackles during his career. Very lofty numbers, indeed.

But will he return for one more go? Personally, I see reasons for both sides of the argument. Right now, he is still healthy and can enjoy spending time with his children and family being physically able to do things with him. Another year of pounding his body takes from NFL defensive linemen is something hard for us to appreciate.  The wear and tear he must be going through could catch up with him.

Schobel will be faced with learning a new position if he returns. Another new defensive coordinator to learn from, a new system, and a new head coach are things he has done before, but this year would probably be as difficult mentally as it would be physically. With each passing week of missing out on OTAs, mini-camps, etc., he is just going to be falling further and further behind on the learning curve.

Schobel sold his home in Western New York last month, a possible indication that he is going to move on from Buffalo. The team is out there working hard, and the injury to Ed Wang proves it. I don't believe that he is being a prima donna, ala Brett Favre, but he is wrestling with the family issues and the definite possibility of another losing season.

For the Bills, they continue to say the right things, and state that they are leaving the doors open for him. However, the signing this week of linebacker Reggie Torbor, an ex-Dolphin, was a deal that suggested the Bills bought themselves a little Schobel retirement insurance.

I have long admired Schobel's play, work ethic, and ability to compete. But for the sake of the Bills 2010 season, Schobel needs to let them know if he is going to play or not. If he is, he needs to get into camp and start learning the new schemes and new responsibilities. If he decides to retire, then God speed.

What do Bills fans think Schobel will do?

No ill will from Shayne Graham or Bengals

After Shayne Graham officially signed with the Baltimore Ravens Thursday, both Graham and Bengals coach Marvin Lewis said that there were opportunities for the 10-year veteran to return to Cincinnati.

"I had the opportunity to go back there. There's really no true motivation or any type of spite or feeling," Graham told Baltimore reporters. "They were very good to me. You move on and you make changes in life. This is where it's brought me and I'm happy to be here."

Graham's deal with the Ravens could be worth as much as $2.5 million if he meets certain incentives. As the Bengals franchise player last year, he earned $2.483 million.

Graham, who will compete with Billy Cundiff for the job in Baltimore, leaves Cincinnati as the most accurate kicker in franchise history, making 177 of 204 attempts, 86.8 percent. Last year was a struggle, though, due in part to problems at long snapper. Graham was 4 of 7 after the first five games, which included a 31-yard game-winner in overtime at Cleveland, but he rallied when Clark Harris replaced Brad St. Louis at long snapper, and was 23 of 28 in the regular season.

After missing from 35 and 28 yards in the playoff loss to the Jets, though, the odds of Graham returning were slim at best.

"He had an opportunity to come back here and probably regain what he had. Unfortunately he has the demons of the last kicks here when he didn't make them," Lewis said. "He's got to overcome those demons and whether he could come back to this locker room that was going to be difficult. That's what the fans remember around here is the kicks that he missed.

"The guy who got Shayne going was his coach (Darrin Simmons) and he had an opportunity to say 'Hey look coach, I want to get this done and be a part of the team here.' And I don't think that's what he wanted to do. It worked out the way he wanted it to work out."

Fans also would be quick to point out two other notable wide rights - a 39-yarder in the 2006 finale against Pittsburgh, which would have put the Bengals in the playoffs, and a 47-yarder in overtime in 2008 against Philadelphia. Graham had four game-winning kicks with the Bengals, but only one in the past four seasons.

Said Graham of the playoff misses: "I don't think I would put so much pressure to have to prove anything. That is motivation for myself. I know I'm better than that. I think that will give me a little bit of an edge and I'm hungry."

Graham has had success kicking in Baltimore's M&T Bank Stadium. With the Bengals, he was 15 of 18 there including a club record seven field goals in a 2007 win.

The most relieved players on the Bengals roster are Mike Nugent and Dave Rayner. Even after they signed there was still a possibility that Graham would return.

"It's been floating up here the last couple months. He had first dibs here, it was his deal and he played so well here," Rayner said. "Knowing that he is somewhere else, we can kind of get a different mindset and know that there's a job to win and I'm excited."

Fans won't have to wait long to see Graham. The Bengals regular-season home opener is against the Ravens in Week 2.

GRAND MARSHAL: Linebacker Dhani Jones will be the grand marshal for the Meijer 300 presented by Ritz Nationwide Series race June 12 at Kentucky Speedway. Jones will give the command for the 43 drivers to start their engines.

Speedway officials said that Jones' role not only on the field but in the community was the reason why they selected him. Carson Palmer was the honorary starter for the 2006 race and Lewis also has visited the track.

Jones has attended the Daytona 500 along with races at Pocono and Lime Rock.

Ravens remain very optimistic about signing Shayne Graham

Ravens officials remain privately optimistic about signing kicker Shayne Graham even though the sides have yet to finalize a deal.

One Ravens official told The Sun that he would be "shocked" if the team failed to reach an agreement with the longtime Cincinnati Bengals kicker. Graham is expected to compete with Billy Cundiff for the Ravens' kicker job.

In addressing the Graham situation after Wednesday's rookie minicamp, coach John Harbaugh said, "Shayne is a guy who we've in contact throughout and we're interested in. We'll just have to see how it plays out in the next number of days."

Harbaugh declined to say what's holding up the deal with Graham.

"We're just in a process of trying to upgrade every position, and the kicking position being one of those," Harbaugh said.

Without being asked about Cundiff, Harbaugh praised the kicker who helped stabilize that position last season.

"I think Billy's had a tremendous offseason," Harbaugh said. "If you look at the way he kicked during the season, I thought he had a very good season, especially coming in like he did. He hadn't been kicking for a couple of years. So, Billy Cundiff is a guy who can definitely kick in this league. He's got leg strength, and his accuracy and mechanics have tremendously improved because of the work he's put in."

Harbaugh added, "Now, you add competition to the mix, two guys who have a good solid, mature mindset and can handle pressure. And we'll see how it shakes out. That's something we would like to do. We always like to have competition."

Two sides to this strange tale

Here's what generally happens with a player firing an agent and hiring a new one: The news of the firing comes out, then about a week later, a new agent is hired.

It happened with teammates Anquan Boldin and Karlos Dansby -- two of the bigger names to move this offseason -- last year in Arizona. It happened with Vince Young and Andre Johnson this year.

So all the self-created hubbub over this whole agent change is enough to make you wonder where the heck Randy Moss's head is at. An attempt to recapture fleeting star power? A veiled run at one last big contract? A need for attention?

Whatever it really is, there's no question that Moss's situation is certainly one to watch as the 33-year-old goes into his 13th NFL season. And there really are two ways to look at this, and try to forecast what the Patriots will get out of their star receiver in the final season of the three-year deal he inked back in March 2008.

Train of Thought 1: When Moss was gearing to leave his other two NFL stops -- Minnesota and Oakland -- things didn't end well. He had 49 catches for 767 yards and 13 touchdowns (the last number is outstanding, the other two, by his standards, not so much) in 2004 with the Vikings. And he had 42 catches for 553 yards and three scores (bad all the way around) in 2006 with the Raiders.

Say what you will about those being tough situations, but the fact is that Moss didn't rise above them. In the regular season finale in 2004, Moss left the field with two seconds remaining on the clock and, in explaining himself afterward, said he didn't think the Vikings would recover the onside kick. He was also widely seen by Raiders coaches to have quit on them in 2006.

Train-of-Thought 2: Moss has only been in a contract year once before. That was 2007. You guys remember what happened: 98 catches, 1,493 yards and 23 touchdowns. One of the greatest seasons ever posted by a receiver.

So now he's in a contract year again.

Maybe all of this has no effect whatsoever on Moss. But one thing that seems pretty obvious is that all this -- age (clear in how he's faded late in recent seasons), contract status, off-field image -- is on his mind now. Otherwise, this whole thing wouldn't be made into the big deal that it has been by the player in question.