Bears sign Forte

As we reported earlier today, the Bears are close to having all 12 of their Rookies signed, when some teams are yet to even sign a single pick.

Chalk up another one.

As expected, Matt Forte signed a four year deal, leaving only first round Offensive Tackle Chris Williams unsigned from the Bears' rookie class of 2008.

Brett Favre 'Has itch'

ESPN's Chris Mortensen is tonight claiming that the story that we all thought would never go away - but then actually went away - has returned like a deadly sequel.

Brett Favre may be reconsidering his retirement.

The 'source' says that "Favre has communicated his potential desire to coach Mike McCarthy but talks have not advanced to a substantive stage". If true, it obviously throws a huge, planet-sized Spanner into the Packers' offseason program. Don't forget that Aaron Rodgers has spent three seasons waiting for this moment, and the entire organisation has already made it's peace with Favre's retirement. For him to come back would not only (in our opinion) be unfair on Rodgers, it would be unfair on the personnel team that drafted Brian Brohm and Matt Flynn during this year's draft.

If Favre truly loves the Packers as he said he did, he would appreciate that the time has come for them to move on as a team.

For us, there is another reason to not come back, and that is the legacy that Favre leaves. When he went out in tears, it would take a robot not to have welled up at his emotional goodbye. Consequently, if he was to come back, his career is almost certain to end with a muted goodbye that we will not remember.

The piece also mentions the possibility of a trade, but to where? You'd have to be pretty sure that you had a Superbowl contending offence - and that the only piece missing was at Quarterback - to convince Favre to join. Then you would need to give the Packers at least a first rounder, and pay Favre's $12m salary for a year. All whilst knowing that you'd be lucky to get more than one season out of him. It's basically the Jason Taylor situation multiplied by a million.

No, we think this is just a story that was bound to come out at some point. Of course Brett was going to miss the locker room as the months wore on. Who wouldn't? Many retired players say that the hardest part of retirement is not being part of the team anymore. In our opinion, Favre should have a stab at media work, even if it's not his ultimate desire. The reason he feels this way is more than likely that he will have no role next year, Whereas Michael Strahan will have his own 'big game' to get ready for every Sunday.

You know there would be no shortage of takers...

New England Patriots: Season Preview 2008

We could use this section to tell you just how good the New England Patriots have been recently, but that would be futile. If you have been living in a cave, however, we're obliged to let you know that the Patriots are one of the most dominant teams of the last decade - possibly ever, in fact - and came within one game of joining the Miami Dolphins as the only teams to have registered an undefeated season since the NFL began.

Where do they rank alongside the 'great' dynasties? They are probably best compared with the 49ers of the mid-late 80's. Leading the team is a Quarterback who's most important assets are not physical, but mental. Although he can make every throw, Tom Brady is above all, a composed leader of men on the field. He inspires confidence in his players, and will join his 49ers counterpart Joe Montana in the Hall of Fame one day.

The Patriots, of course, will now be synonymous with the videotaping incident known to imbecile commentators everywhere as 'Spygate'. Coach Bill Belichick was found to have authorised the taping of opponents Defensive signals during several games during the 01-02 period, and the fact that they were caught during last year's game against the Jets in the Meadowlands, suggests that the practice was widespread during the Patriots' recent successes.

Spygate is an unfortunate footnote that will not escape the Patriots, though some redemption could come in the form of another championship ring, one known to be untainted by any allegations of malpractice.

The Coach

Bill Belichick. An enigma wrapped in a riddle during a murder mystery weekend. Both infuriating and engrossing, he fascinates the media in a way that few coaches are capable of maintaining without incurring almost continuous negative coverage. During his press conferences, he is knowingly reticent, preferring to indulge instead in a game of 'Football clichés', in an attempt to give the press absolutely no copy that opponents can pin to a locker.

Belichick is an intensely private and guarded individual. Perhaps this stems from his coaching education under Bill Parcells, another man famous for his stonewalling of reporters. Also of note is that he is the only head coach in the entire league not to be a member of the NFL Head Coaches Association (NFLHCA), despite not having any contractual obligations (a-la Parcells when he was Cowboys coach) that prohibit such a move. The message is clear: Bill Belichick wants to win, and he doesn't care about who he upsets along the line, because nobody will remember how many friends he made in 5o years time.

2007 Season

The Patriots 2007 season almost brought the immediate redemption that Belichick seeks following Spygate. Falling at the last hurdle will be what the season is remembered for, but by all accounts, watching New England destroy the regular season opponents with an almost Pagan-like joy in the kill was an awesome sight to behold. Of course, we all know that the Patriots polarise fans, but there is no good reason to not appreciate their 'shock and awe' tactics during the 2007 season.

The Patriots' three Superbowl winning teams were built upon a team ethos that stifled the talents of almost all of the offensive playmakers. The message was always clear, that nobody has a divine right to throw, catch, or carry the ball under Belichick. In fact, it is an indication of just how that formula worked, that prior to this season, there were still people who classified Brady as lacking the ability to make certain passes. Of course, he proved this season that it was simply the case that he had never been asked to make those throws. With a predominantly passing attack, Brady - with the help of receivers Randy Moss, Wes Welker, Donte Stallworth, and even Jabar Gaffney - systematically exploited the gaps in every defence the team faced over the course of the season.

What makes this more impressive, is the fact that the Patriots were the victims of injuries to Running Backs Laurence Maroney, and his backup Sammy Morris. Morris in particular showed flashes of why the Patriots signed him following his release from the rival Dolphins. Maroney returned, and eventually, as Defences adjusted to the passing attack, his contributions increased accordingly.

Draft class of 2008

1 - Jerod Mayo, Linebacker, Tennessee
2 - Terrence Wheatley, Cornerback, Colorado
3 - Shawn Crable, Linebacker, Michigan
3 - Kevin O'Connell, Quarterback, San Diego State
4 - Jonathan Wilhite, Cornerback, Auburn
5 - Matt Slater, Safety, UCLA
6 - Bo Ruud, Linebacker, Nebraska

New England had the luxury of not having many positions that actually require an influx of new blood, and thus have invested multiple picks in both the secondary and Linebacker units. Jerod Mayo was a surprise pick for many at number 10, but it would be unwise to make a snap judgement on a player that Bill Belichick was prepared to reach for. Linebacker was a huge need, and even if Bruschi and Seau are back for at least this year, it would be unwise not to get a great deal younger at the most important positions on your Defence.

The surprise pick was Kevin O'Connell, who will be pushing incumbent backup Matt Cassell all the way in Training Camp. Cassell has seen limited action due to the Pats' insistence on closing out games with their starters on the field, but will still need to prove a great deal in preseason to keep out O'Connell, who is one of the best, if less heralded, Quarterbacks of this rookie class.


Strong Side

Where to begin? This team is dominant, so dominant that every facet could be classed as strong. Even their special teams, with Pro-Bowler Larry Izzo, is amongst the top units in the league. It's rare that a team can build a dynasty in the modern era of Free Agency and player power, but the Pats have managed it by giving players the incentive of Championships rather than money. They've also got the most out of veteran players such as Tedy Bruschi, Junior Seau, and Troy Brown, who's impact has far outweighed the cap room that they take up.

In fact, the strongest area on this team is almost certainly the coaching staff and front office personnel department. They have always put chemistry at the top of their list when signing players, and have been rewarded with a team that is full of stars, but stars who's primary focus is the success of the team. Big names like Randy Moss, who's reputation was hardly exemplary during his previous time in Oakland, have come in and immediately gelled into the mix. That's not a coincidence. It's a reflection on the Patriots' locker room dynamic. They are one of the few teams in the league that can approach a player and know that they can be upfront and not pander to egos, yet still have the pulling power to attract big names.

Weak Side

If New England have a weakness, it's the secondary. The departures of Asante Samuel, Eugene Wilson, and Randall Gay through Free Agency have depleted what was considered a solid unit. DB Willie Andrews was released after being arrested, which will hurt the depth chart more than anything, while former Detroit CB Fernando Bryant comes in to resurrect what has been an average career. The Pats selected three Rookie DB's in the draft, but they are now all playing for a chance to start. It's likely that the Pats will have at least one Rookie in their opening day lineup.

Much was made of problems on the Offensive line after the Patriots were manhandled by a very strong set of Defensive Ends in the Superbowl loss to the Giants, but it would be harsh to judge the entire group on one game. Tom Brady's lack of mobility due to injury probably cost them a few sacks in the game, and the fact that Belichick opted against signing any rookie linemen probably speaks volumes about his confidence in the current group.

Major Transactions

In

Fernando Bryant, CB
Jason Webster, CB
Tank Williams, S
Sam Aiken, WR
Victor Hobson, LB

Out

Rosevelt Colvin, LB
Donte Stallworth, WR
Kyle Brady, TE
Asante Samuel, CB
Randall Gay, CB/S
Eugene Wilson, S

2008 Schedule

1 1:00 PM September 7, 2008 Kansas City Chiefs Gillette Stadium
2 4:15 PM September 14, 2008 New York Jets Giants Stadium
3 1:00 PM September 21, 2008 Miami Dolphins Gillette Stadium
4 Bye
5 4:15 PM October 5, 2008 San Francisco 49ers Candlestick Park
6 8:15 PM October 12, 2008 San Diego ChargersQualcomm Stadium
7 8:30 PM October 20, 2008 Denver Broncos Gillette Stadium
8 1:00 PM October 26, 2008 St. Louis Rams Gillette Stadium
9 8:15 PM November 2, 2008 Indianapolis Colts Lucas Oil Stadium
10 1:00 PM November 9, 2008 Buffalo Bills Gillette Stadium
11 8:15 PM November 13, 2008 New York Jets Gillette Stadium
12 1:00 PM November 23, 2008 Miami Dolphins Dolphin Stadium
13 4:15 PM November 30, 2008 Pittsburgh Steelers Gillette Stadium
14 8:15 PM December 7, 2008 Seattle Seahawks Qwest Field
15 4:15 PM December 14, 2008 Oakland Raiders McAfee Coliseum
16 1:00 PM December 21, 2008 Arizona Cardinals Gillette Stadium
17 1:00 PM December 28, 2008 Buffalo Bills Ralph Wilson Stadium

Wide-Right's view

It's hard to improve on a perfect regular season, but of course, the Patriots will not be remembered for that in 2007, they will be remembered for falling at the last hurdle. As such, Coach Bill Belicheck will most likely employ the 'scorched earth' policy again, demoralising some teams into capitulation before games even start. Of course, going undefeated again would be an unlikely event, and in all truth, we can't see it happening. The Giants showed that no team is completely unbeatable in the modern era, and some teams such as the Jets have a grievance with the Patriots that means any matchup between the two could go either way.

In more general terms, the key pieces of the jigsaw are still in place. The team could do with Jerod Mayo and Victor Hobson contributing early in the season, as it is more than likely that neither Junior Seau or Tedy Bruschi will be around after this year. It is imperative that at least one of those two becomes a leader on Defence, because with Rodney Harrison also advancing in years, the Pats could soon find themselves a very inexperienced team on the Defensive side of the ball.

The offence is still very much capable of laying waste to some defences, and establishing early momentum would - as we said earlier - give plenty of teams a psychological millstone when their turn comes round. You always got the impression that some teams were just out to avoid a complete hiding, whereas teams like the Giants and Eagles did a good job blocking out the media in the run-up to their meetings - consequently running them closer than any other teams.

This season will make or break the Patriots' dynasty. Another win this year, and the team can lay to rest the Spygate issue. Fail, and perhaps history will ask what that edge they had in previous seasons was...

Prediction for 2008

The Patriots are far from untouchable in the AFC. It would take an almighty cock-up to miss the playoffs in what has become a weak division, but once there, the team will need to up it's game considerably. Indianapolis, Jacksonville, and San Diego are - once again - the main contenders, and the urgency of the Jags in particular, who have been aggressive in putting the final pieces of their own puzzle together, should tell the Patriots that this will be no stroll to the Superbowl.

Useful links for Patriots fans
Official website
Depth chart
Patriotsplanet - fansite

Benson struggling to find a team

Former Chicago Bears Running Back Cedric Benson, the fourth overall pick in 2005, is still a free agent more than three weeks since his release by the team. NFL Network's Adam Schefter quashed speculation from earlier in the week that the Houston Texans would be interested in Benson, which means that the shortlist of teams with backfield issues just narrowed by one. Besides which, the Texans have invested picks in Steve Slaton, and the acquisition via trade of former Titan Chris Brown.

Benson's main problem is that despite his status as a first round pick, he has never shown anything resembling that kind of ability. His recent DUI arrests have obviously put an extra black mark against his name, and it's likely that any team even considering Benson would rather take a chance on some of the low round picks and find out what they have before expending money on someone who will definately only give average results.

Schefter suggests that it may take an injury before Benson lands on a roster. In truth, by the time September comes around, you can guarantee that someone's starting RB will be out for the season.

It's funny how DUI's don't seem to bother teams during the season isn't it?

Colts' Defence missing key players

When Training Camp begins for the Indianapolis Colts on July 24th, it will do so without three of it's starters, two of which are keystone pieces to a Defence that can blow hot and cold against the run.

Safety Bob Sanders, End Dwight Freeney, and Linebacker Tyjuan Hagler will all likely miss Camp, according to the Indianapolis Star. Hagler's situation, a torn pectoral muscle, could well keep him out deep into the season, but it is the injuries to Sanders and Freeney that will concern coach Tony Dungy the most. Freeney is one of the most feared pass rushers in the game, and his Lisfranc injury last season was one of the reasons that the Colts struggled to put pressure on opposing Quarterbacks last year. Without him and Sanders, the Colts look one dimensional in Defence, and have traditionally given up huge numbers on the ground when the duo have been missing.

Forte, Williams to complete Bears Rookie clas by weeks end.

The Chicago Tribune has revealed that the last two rookies that remain unsigned - First rounder Chris Williams, and second rounder Matt Forte - are expected to sign deals by the end of the week.

Traditionally, Chicago have been quick off the mark signing rookies. In both 2005 and 2006, the team was the first to sign all of it's draft picks, and were one of just five teams last season who had all their picks signed by Training Camp.

Forte enters camp as the favourite to start at Running Back this season. With the release of Cedric Benson, and Adrian Peterson's emergency appendectomy last month, it is likely that Forte and second year player Garrett Wolfe will share the Traing Camp snaps. Wolfe is considered undersized, and not a true contender for the number one job by many observers.

Upshaw opposed to Rookie pay reforms

When we wrote last week regarding Roger Goodell's criticism of Rookie contracts, we mentioned Gene Upshaw being the only potential problem in getting a deal done that - on paper - would suit everyone.

And, right on cue, Upshaw has thrown his proverbial spanner into the works:

"If the owners want to stop paying the rookies, all they have to do is stop, nobody puts a gun to their head and forces them to pay what they pay."-NFLPA Head Gene Upshaw on Bloomberg Radio

Upshaw goes on to point out that "...You would think it was every rookie that ever played got huge contracts. That's just not true", and that it's only the top ten picks in the draft that are the issue. Of course, the fact that even Upshaw recognises that those top ten are being paid obscene money for their unproven talents, slightly undercuts his position.

The problem with Rookie contracts is that of those top ten picks, roughly 4-5 of them will turn out to be major busts, going by historical patterns. Jerry Jones chose to pay $63m to Tony Romo this year, based on nearly two years of play at the top level. Do you hear people up in arms about that? No, and that's because Romo arguably deserved that, and Jones knows that this is not a gamble.

Compare that with Matt Ryan, a guy who has played precisely zero snaps in the NFL, and his $70m contract that he signed with the Atlanta Falcons. Nobody is saying that Ryan shouldn't get paid. He's earned that right as a top draft pick. It's his reward for playing well in college, but it's an NFL team that will carry the can if he proves unable to make it at the pro level. In fact, a top draft prospect going wrong can financially cripple a franchise in the long run, and even when they go right (a la Larry Fitzgerald), can severely impair that team's ability to re-sign veterans. Hell - even Ryan himself can see the point.

To put it bluntly, the NFLPA would be ten times better off without Gene Upshaw. Unfortunately some of the players seem to believe that Upshaw did a good job negotiating the previous CBA, despite the fact that the owners have taken the first available avenue out of it. Until players like Walt Harris work out that their own interests are better served with a more moderate stance than Upshaw will give, we are going to face the prospect of a work stoppage every 3-4 years.

This could be the issue that turns opinion against him though. Sooner or later the NFLPA will wake up and realise that the main obstacle between the two sides can be removed...