Um...Go Brown's!?!

So I realize that there is much more about the National Football league that I don’t understand, than I do. There are aspects about the NFL that I don’t even know how much I don’t know; talent evaluation, leading, media, play calling, scheming, managing, coaching, drafting, motivating, contracting, fitness, and the list goes on…

However, I also know that there is a lot I don’t know about…Um space. But there are some things you don’t have to be a rocket scientist to understand. Like the sun makes the planet warm. Sure it would be nice to understand the difference between fusion and fission, and what the spots and flares actually are, but you have no problems intuitively understanding that the sun produces heat that warms the planet detrimental to life’s continuation.

Similarly, I know without a doubt that it takes a good, even great, quarterback for sustained success in this league. It takes that player with something special, and they don’t come along often. Some time you have to find a diamond in the rough (Tom Brady), and sometimes it just takes time (Aaron Rogers). So could someone please tell me what I don’t get about the National Football League? I mean it, someone please respond and tell me how wrong I am. How is it that I can’t look back for a single season without seeing an NFL owners, General Managers or Coaches making some RIDICULOUS quarterback decisions!!! Like, I don’t know, say Denver trading that Jay Cutler loser??? Or how about Oakland’s genius idea to draft that 60 million dollar dude from LSU that is lazy, fat and pretty stupid.

I know that is a little harsh, but im not taking about questionable decision like the Drew Brees to New Orleans trade in 2006. There were good arguments on both sides, and we are not all going to agree on everything. I am taking about STUPID decisions. What am I not getting here?...I was hoping for a moment this might be the year to shut me up. I was wrong thanks to the Browns!

How do you let a second year first round pick (that you traded up to get) go?... And for almost nothing!

First off, Brady Quinn never got a chance to prove himself. If you weren’t going to give him a change, why did you draft him?

Second, apparently no one in Cleveland remembers the first couple seasons of a guy names Brees and a dude name Manning.

Third, Quinn is one of the most fundamentally sound quarterbacks I have ever seen in a draft class, GIVE IT SOME TIME!

Fourth, I am not sure the offspring of Joe Montana and Tom Brady could do anything on a team that bad.

And lastly, why give him up for nothing? It’s not like he was making that much money? I mean, don’t get me wrong, there are too many good Cleveland Brown’s quarterbacks to count right now…WAIT, NO THERE ISNT.

Guess there is just something I don’t understand here.

By: Matthew Walden

Free Agent Wrap Up

Free agency is a time of year for teams and fans to get excited. It is a chance for your team to go out and pick up that missing piece that may put you over the top (Like Bret Favre to the Minnesota Vikings last year). Or maybe a chance to get that once in a life time player to build your franchise around (Like Drew Brees to the New Orleans Saints in 2006). Maybe you even want to go beyond that. Maybe you are a True Football Fans, and want to know how other teams around the league are going to affect things next year and for years to come. Maybe you are a 365 day a year fan that wants to know it all. With so many moves happening right now in free agency, it is hard to keep track of them all. It is hard to find the time to keep up with all the news. So we here at TrueFootballFans.com have went ahead a put the list together for you of all the important moves so far and what we think of them

Chicago Bears – Julius Peppers (Way over paid!!! Awful Move)
Chester Taylor (Cheap insurance, Smart Move)

Jacksonville Jaguars – Aaron Kampman (Depleted line needed the help, Great Move)

Miami Dolphins – Karlos Dansby (This has the Big Tuna written all over it and he knows you need two sides of the ball to be a champion so who am I to judge, Awesome Move)

New York Jets - Antonio Cromartie (3rd round pick? Well worth the role of the dice on his injuries, Great Move)

Baltimore Ravens – Anquan Boldin (He is injured a lot but you didn’t give up much for the only piece you are missing, the only question is he worth the 10 mil a year he is going to want, Good Move)

Atlanta Falcons - Dunta Robinson (Heck yeah I’ll take the guy, but he better be gold plated for that kind of money especially since he only plays two out of three game, Bad Move)

Kansas City Chiefs – Thomas Jones (Wait…2.5 mil…Ill take two, Awesome Move)

Detroit Lions – Lots of Defensive Players (At least some one has finally seen the light in Detroit, cant will if you need 63 points a game to do so, Awesome Moves)

New York Giants - Antrel Rolle (He isn’t cheap, but who is going to even attempt to through the ball against you now, Great Move)

Denver Broncos – Jamal Williams (Fine, I understand the enticement, but the guy hasn’t show up for years now, OK Move)

Cincinnati Bengals – Antonio Bryant (Expensive, poor work ethic, mediocre talent, troublesome and a big enough price tag when you are trying to get TO? Horrible Move)

2010 Free Agent- Defensive Linemen

The 2010 NFL free agent Defensive line class pretty deep, the only issue is that I don’t think many of them are actually going to be available. Good defensive linemen, especially pass rushers and nose tackles are just too hard to come by to let one go, but here are the candidates anyway.

Elvis Dumervil (Denver Broncos) Here is the big prize in this year’s class. This guy has been getting better and better each year he has been in the league, including leading the league in sacks last year. This guy was a key to the Broncos defensive turn around last year, and they would be out of their mind to let this guy go. Most experts believe the Broncos will spend the money to retain this guy, but they may be wrong. The Broncos only slapped a mid level tag on Dumervil and that is going to prompt a lot of teams to make offers. This was either a huge mistake by the Broncos or an attempt to get compensation for the guy, which would also be a big mistake. A good pass rush is essential in todays passing league and guys like this just don’t come along often enough.

Julius Peppers (Carolina Panthers) This maybe one of the most talked about free agents this year, but not in a positive light for Peppers. Everyone has realized that he just isn’t consistent, versatile or young enough to be considered elite anymore. He had the contact on the table from the Panthers last year and turned it down. Peppers has cost himself millions. Don’t get me wrong, they guy is still good, but not elite. His 10ish sacks and ok at best run defense is worth about 5 mill a year, not the 10 he is looking for. If your team ends up with this guy, don’t be excited, you probably over paid!

Aaron Kampman (Green Bay Packers) In my opinion Kampman is one of the most underrated 4-3 defensive ends in the league. The only problems is Green Bay moved him to 3-4 outside linebacker??? I know that Green Bay wanted to make the move to 3-4 and with their personnel, a passing league, and the price tag of good defensive linemen, I don’t blame them. However, they don’t have much of a need or reason to keep Kampman around. This guy should be a steal for a team looking to compliment a pass rusher. I could see Kampman ending up somewhere like St. Louis or Washington.

Adewale Ogunleye (Chicago Bears) Ogunleye still wants to start, but I am not sure there are many teams that are going to give him that chance. They guy is still a great situational pass rushers, but no longer a 3 down player. This is going to depend on how much money he is looking for. If he doesn’t want much, the Bears will retain him. If he wants a lot, look for a team like Pittsburg, who could use that situational pass rusher, to take a look at him.

Ray Edwards (Minnesota Vikings) This guy is being hyped after a good season. Maybe no one noticed, but he is playing on the same line as Pat and Kevin Williams and Jarred Allen? My grandma could make the Pro Bowl playing next to those guys. With the age of Pat and Kevin, I look for Minnesota to try and get a contract worked out, But make no mistake, if that doesn’t happen someone will over pay this guy and be disappointed.

2010 NFL Free Agents - Defensive Backs

Ok, so if your team is in need of a good cornerback, you are looking in the WRONG place!!! There is little to no help to be found in this free agent class. A lot of has beens and never was. Here are the limited high lights.

Dre’ Bly (San Francisco 49ers), Nick Harper (Tennessee Titans), Walt Harris (San Francisco 49ers), Anthony Henry (Detroit Lions), Ken Lucas (Seattle Seahawks) Here are the 30 something’s that will be hitting the market. It’s a sad truth that youth is an almost essential part of being a good (even productive) corner in this league. Most of these guys have all outlived their prime, but if you just need some depth or a nickel or dime corner you might consider one of these guys. But don’t get delusions of glory that these cats are going to produce as they once did.

Leigh Bodden (New England Patriots) Here is a guy that was thought to be washed up when he left the lions, hence the one year deal with the Patriots, but he proved this year to be a quality corner. He is a quality number one and a shutdown number two. Don’t look for the Patriots to let him go unless he just want a ridiculous amount of money. Which could happen with the lack of depth in the free agent and draft class this year for corners.

Richard Marshall (Carolina Panthers) Marshall could play safety for the Steelers, hell maybe even linebacker. He is young, though, smart and only lacks a little bit of pure speed and agility to be elite. He is better suited to play in a 3-4 where talking is more of his responsibility, but Carolina can’t let go of a good young corner (too hard to come by). And if Peppers leaves (maybe if not), look for this team to think of switching defensive style anyway. Basically, this guy isn’t going anywhere!

Tramon Williams, Will Blackmon, (Green Bay Packers) Both are restricted free agents, but not trade bait. This comes don’t to one thing. Is Harrison and Woodson coming back. Both guys are still performing, but there comes a time when you got to hang it up. I don’t think Green Bay (or anyone else for that matter) is convinced about these two, but they may be around out of necessity. This could go either way, but it will provide some insight into where the Packers may go in the draft. Either way, don’t get too excited if your team gets one of these guys.

Dunta Robinson (Houston Texans) Can we say career suicide? This guy just had to shut up and wait to get paid. He was a great young corner that was going to get his, but after holding out, and performing ok at best, he just cost himself money and credibility. And if you haven’t noticed, selfish players always seem to fade away (Where have TO and Chad been the last two seasons?).

Carlos Rogers (Washington Redskins) This guy was in the same boat as Robison mentioned above, but showed what can happen if you get your act together. Here was one of the most talented corners I have ever seen, but his ego and pocket book got to him. Got sent to a poor system, and faded away. Since then, Rogers has grown up, got into a good system, and is back to his former self. In fact, I would say he is back to elite. If he wasn’t playing on a bad team, I think more people would have taken notice. I don’t see Snyder letting him go with an excuse to write blank checks with no cap this year. Washington will keep him. Hats off to you thought Rogers.

2010 NFL Free Agents - Running Back

Maybe not as deep as the receiver pool, but there is a lot of quality all the same in the 2010 running back free agent class. There are many quality players here to help out teams in need of a good running second back. There are even some notable game changers.

Ronnie Brown (Miami Dolphins) here is one of the most intriguing free agent of the season. Brown is an unrestricted free agent, so that means he is free game. When this guy is on the field he has proven to be a game changer and maybe even one of the best back in the league. The only problem is that he isn’t always on the field. Two season ending injuries are going to hurt browns chances to get paid. And it is going to give Miami pause to resign him. I would love this guy on my team, but not for more than 4 or 5 million with his injury history. This could be a steal for with some money and in need of a back. I could see Arizona or Kansas City taking as a potential home

Pierre Thomas (New Orleans Saints) Don’t look for Thomas to hit the market. This guy will get signed soon! He is too good and too young and too versatile for New Orleans to let him get away. And the presents of a good back allows them to keep bush in a spot roll which works well for them. There probably wont be a lot of offers made anyway with his lack of experience. I know it’s going to be hard for them to afford, but with the cap gone its going to happen even though they have not historically been big money spenders. Sorry guys!

Darren Sproles (San Diego Chargers) in my opinion this guy is the best value at this position this year. He is a speed, agility and power back all in one, and after a down year for him (due to the Chargers run game, not Sproles) he is going to have a moderate tag. Look for San Diego to try and retain him, maybe even tag the guy. But if they don’t, he is going to have a starting job and a 7 million dollar a year contract from someone. He might even anyway if scouting reports are any indication someone will give up some picks for this guy.

Le’Ron McClain (Baltimore Ravens) NOT GOING ANYWHERE! This guy maybe the most exciting fullback since Mike Allstot. There is no way the Ravens let him go. Especially with the production Ray Rice has with him on the field. But this may free up McGhee for a cut.

Willie Parker (Pittsburgh Steelers) Willie is in more than a slump. He has been less than productive since his knee injury a couple of years ago. He still has the wheels, but doesn’t seem to have the burst. Pittsburg has already made the change to Mendenhall as a starter and they don’t like to pay guys who aren’t producing. Parker should be in another jersey next year. Look for him to end up behind a power back somewhere like the Jets or Giants, maybe even the Redskins.

LenDale White (Tennessee Titans) can we say complimentary back only. Look for one of those teams that lost one of the above mentioned backs to take a look at white. He is a fantastic compliment to any system, but when you got Chris Johnson, you don’t need a Cadillac backing up; you just need something that runs. You can get that with a 6^th round pick for no money so why resign the guy unless its really cheap. And I don’t look for White to want to sit.

Kevin Faulk (New England Patriots) the best nobody in the league for the last several decade. The guy just goes out and gets it done in every situation. He doesn’t turn the ball over, can do it all, and is a leader. I would look for a team like Minnesota, who has a great back but can’t afford to lose the running game due to injury if Farve retiers, to look for another back like this to replace Taylor. The other scenario is that maybe someone is planning on drafting early and needs some insurance and veteran guidance. This guy is a hall of fame backup if they had those.

Free Agent 2010 - Quarterbacks

Now that the season is over, there is nothing else to look forward to… Unless you are a True Football Fan. If you are, then its just getting started! That’s right my fellow football zealots, free agency starts in less than a month. Here is a great chance for your team to accessorize. A chance to get that player to put your team over the top and make them competitors, a recognition of draft needs, or maybe just to get some more wins on the board. Either way, there are some great options out there this year for those teams that can afford it. So get ready to buy those new jersey’s or hang up the old ones, cause here is what to expect.

Kyle Orton (Denver Broncos) I know this wont make Bronco’s fans happy, but he is your guy. At least for another year or so. Orton had a quietly great year, and has developed into a great game manager. He was really consistent last year, and that’s what the new Coach is looking for. Don’t forget that the Broncos have the Bears first round pick and a shot to get one of the top quarterbacks in this year’s draft. A guy for the future. That guy is going to need time to mature and a quality mentor. That spells new contract for Orton. A how could Orton complain; he is on a quality team with a chance to win now.

Chad Pennington (Miami Dolphins) is an unrestricted free agent this year, and after his subpar year and injury issues, look for Miami to let him go and hand the reigns over to one of their younger options. And as far as Chad’s future, don’t look for him to put up big numbers again unless the guy he is backing up goes down with injury. Chad is now a life time backup.

Daunte Culpepper, (Detroit Lions) & Charlie Batch (Pittsburgh Steelers) are two quality free agent backups. Especially Batch, but I’m not sure that Pittsburg can afford to keep him around. Look for one of these two guys to end up in Arizona with Matt Linhert and who knows about the other. But if you get them, it should be piece of mind that your season is over just because your starter went down.

Jason Campbell, (Washington Redskins) & Tarvaris Jackson (Minnesota Vikings) Good bye! Both teams have seen enough. In fact I think every team in the league has seen enough. Fine, someone will give them a job as a snap holder, but that’s about it.

*Also, maybe look for Troy Smith (Baltimore Raves) to get a gig as a Wild Cat QB.