When the Packers’ front-office designated defensive tackle Corey Williams as their “franchise player” back on the 20th, they no doubt intended to buy themselves time to negotiate a long-term deal with the big man. If the two sides choose not to barter (I would be shocked if they didn’t) Williams would be guaranteed at least a one-year deal, in which he will earn $6.4 million with his non-exclusive tag. However, that doesn’t mean other teams won’t have the opportunity to pursue him. Starting this Friday, if a team feels Corey is a rightfully deserving of his status as a franchise player, they can make their pitch. The catch is the Packers would have the option of matching any contract thrown at him. But if I was in Ted Thompson’s shoes, and a team decided Williams was their guy, I wouldn’t touch him. OK, you may think I’m crazy, but think about it. First of all, the Packers are in excess of 20 million dollars under the cap; that’s enough green bills to sign ample backup for Johnny Jolly, Ryan Pickett, and Justin Harrell if need be. Secondly, the free agent and draft crop is strong enough to do just that. Orpheus Roye, Brian Young, and Tommy Kelly highlight the group of DTs which the Packers should be able to get for cheaper than Williams, and the D-Line crop in this year’s draft is the strongest it has been in recent memory. Thirdly, if the Packers walked on Williams, they would receive compensation: two first rounders. And you know how much TT loves his picks. My gut tells me if Thompson can bargain a reasonable price, he will offer Corey an extension. But with the inflation of the present-day market, nothing would surprise me.  

*UPDATE: Just saw this on my side widget that the team will seek a 2nd rounder.  It’s no first, but even a second rounder would be valuable with the depth the 2008 Draft
holds, especially at corner, running back, and offensive and defensive line- all areas the Packers need to bolster.
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2/28- 11:02 PM: Reports coming from NFL Network Corey will be dealt to Cleveland for their 2nd round draft (#56 overall).  This shows TT’s brilliance. By tagging Williams, who the team would no doubt have lost, they get a second rounder. Just to put this in prospective, Williams was a 5th rounder.  The extra pick allows Thompson to trade up in the first round he if so chooses, or hang on to third picks in the top 60. 

After an unfruitful three-year stint with the Vikings, former 7th overall pick Troy Williamson was traded today to the Jags–for a 6th round pick. Just goes to show how much the guy’s stock has fell, after being sky high in 2005. Everyone should remember when Minnesota selected the South Carolina speedster over Mike Williams, which sparked immediate controversy and the direction the team was going post- Randy Moss. According to the Vikes’ front office, Williamson fit the Moss-mold better than Williams did, with his big play ability down the field he exhibited in college. Either way, Williams went three picks later to the Lions, and to this day neither one of them has shown anything. Granted, the QB carousel in Minneapolis didn’t help Troy, but a #7 overall selection is expected to be a difference maker no matter what situation he inherits. Williamson certainly has not been; he’s only managed to compile three TD’s thusfar. Now he will head to a great situation in Jacksonville, and for dirt cheap.  At still 24 years old, Williamson provides David Garrard with another target, with Reggie Williams, Dennis Northcutt, Ernest Wilford, and Matt Jones already in the fold.  While it’s yet to be seen if he will start, no question he’ll get every opportunity to do so, he just needs to prove himself worthy. 

Combine wraps up: With the NFL Combine wrapping up today, some of the biggest movers include Arkansas RB Darren McFadden, who clocked an impressive 4.33 40 time.  CB Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, a player many mock drafts have slotted to the Packers in the opening round, also ran a blistering 4.33 time.  Rodgers-Cromartie not only showed up in the individual drills, but more importantly he had a terrific Senior Bowl.  Coming out of Tennessee State, he needed to show what he could do against top-flight competition, and it sounds like he accomplished what he set out to do. We’ll see where Ted Thompson ultimately decides to go in two months, but for now corner and running-back look like the top two options, with a TE possible in the later rounds after Bubba Franks’ release.

I’m sure alot of people were taken back Thursday, not just Falcon fans, with a wave of popular name cut loose. With Atlanta’s new GM Thomas Dimitroff in, it’s obvious they are parting with all baggage from the Michael Vick Era and move forward. Headlining the list were Byron Leftwich and Alge Crumpler, both thought to be big parts of the team at the start of last year. While I agree 100% with giving the door to Leftwich, who can’t stay healthy much less beat out Joey Harrington for a job, I can’t concure with Crumpler’s release. He took a step back in 2007 after stellar 2005 and 2006 campaigns (as Vick’s favorite target), but the man is still, in my opinion, a top-5 all-around tight-end in the league. He not only boosts their steady running machine, but he has consistently produced as their best receiving threat minus Roddy White, who took giant strides last season. And with rumors of Joey Harrington’s and possibly Warrick Dunn’s release on the horizon, this move is even more of a head scratcher. D.J. Shockley would seemingly be the next in line, and for a young QB like that, you need to have a saftey valve like a Crumpler to ease your progression. Without him, the Falcons will really struggle. Obviously, they feel they have an adequate backup plan, but I don’t see it as of yet. Regardless, Crumpler won’t be out of a job very long. Hey, the Packers could use a tight-end, but does Ted Thompson have enough guts to pursue Alge? He’s better than Bubba Franks, but only time will tell. 

For the third time in a matter of months, an ace is on the move. After the Athletics and Twins raffled off their studs, Dan Haren and Johan Santana respectively, the Orioles decided it was time to part ways with southpaw Erik Bedard. Bedard will be headed to Seattle for highly-touted outfielder Adam Jones, along with pitchers George Sherrill, Chris Tillman, Kam Mickolio, and Tony Butler. I this deal upgrades both teams, obviously Seattle for the short-term and Baltimore for the long-term. Listening to Bedard’s press conference, it didn’t seem he was too happy in Baltimore, saying quote “we were going backwards.” He will give the Mariners one of the top starting pitching duos in the league along side Felix Hernandez, but the D-Backs’ Haren and Brandon Webb still get the nod for that nomination. Talk has already began regarding the M’s chances in the AL West, and it certainly is some food for thought, but in the end the Angels are just to deep. As far as this deal goes for Baltimore, I think they did the smart thing, unlike the Twins’ Bill Smith, by seeking some value for their ace. Adam Jones could be a top player in the league within a few years, and along with Nick Markakis, should form quite an outfield. Sherrill gives them some bullpen depth, and has a chance to compete for the closer’s role along with incumbent Chris Ray. As far the prospects are concerned, only Tillman was rated among the Mariners’ top 10 by Baseball America, but all things considered, the Orioles will be just fine. They got younger in this deal, while still maintaining a solid young rotation. Hayden Penn, Adam Loewen, Jeremy Guthrie, Daniel Cabrera, along with newcomer Matt Albers (acquired in the Tejada deal) should be adequate. 

I apologize for not posting in a few days, as I have been inscrutably busy, but I thought it would be a convenient time for me to vent on yesterday’s lopsided deal. I usually refrain from venting too often on the NBA because the game is so marred it’s ridiculous, but this one boils me over the edge. I had seen rumors on Rotoworld.com Tuesday night regarding this, and my thought process went something like…Amare and Marion or Amare and Shaq? Is this one even a question? How old is Shaq now? 35? And what else does he still bring to the table besides his porous free-throw shooting and his increasingly expanding gut? Not only does this move prohibit the Suns from maintaining their fun-to-watch “run and gun” style, but it clogs up the middle. Sure it’s always nice to have multiple bigs, but this doesn’t make any sense. The Suns say they needed another body when playing the Spurs and Duncan, well I’d say Amare and Boris Diaw are both dynamic and versatile enough to guard him. Shawn Marion was and will continue to be a valuable asset and integral part to any team’s playoff hopes. In addition to his silky smooth jay (disregard the unorthodox delivery), “the Matrix” could run the floor and finish on the other end for Steve Nash and Co.  Dwayne Wade is going to love this guy, and I applaud Miami’s management for stealing such a unique player for a washed-up one. It’s just an early observation, but I think the Suns, who’ve always had good intentions when dealing, suffered a major setback with this one.

With the Super Bowl just hours away, I felt obliged to provide my own breakdown of the Pats and Giants.  Let me say first that people aren’t giving the G-Men enough credit.  Maybe they weren’t as pretty winning games then the perfect Pats, but no one gave them a chance to win three consecutive games on the road, and for that reason, this game should be alot closer than the Vegas odds may dictate.

Quarterback: Eli Manning (NYG) vs. Tom Brady (NE)

Advantage: Patriots. You can’t argue with the 3-time Super Bowl winner, and Eli has been anything but consistent in 2007-2008.

Running Back: Brandon Jacobs (NYG) vs. Laurence Maroney (NE)

Advantage: Giants. It’s close, but the bruiser will have to be a big factor in this game if the Giants want to win.  The scat-backs, Kevin Faulk and Ahmad Bradshaw, will be X-factors, but how can you bet against the 260-pound Jacobs? I can’t.

Wide-Receivers: Burress, Toomer, Boss (NYG) vs. Moss, Welker, Stallworth, Watson (NE)

Advantage: Patriots. Disregarding Burress’s hot air, the Patriots’ off-season acquisitions make their group one of the best in the league.

Offensive Lines vs. Defensive Lines (pass rush)

Advantage: Giants. These will be the important key to the game. Both Giants’ defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo, who blitzed the Pats 50% of the time in the Week 17 matchup, and Patriots’ defensive head-man Dean Pees will bring the pressure once again, but Strahan, Umenyiora, and Antonio Pierce have manhandled competition all year.

Secondaries: Ross, Madison, Wilson (NYG) vs. Samuel, Hobbs, Harrison (NE)

Advantage: Even. The Giants get the nod at corner, but they will need all that depth they can get handling the Pats plethora of receivers.  However, if it comes down to the secondary level, I’d take Rodney Harrison.

Special Teams: Tynes, Feagles (NYG) vs. Gostkowski, Hanson (NE)

Advantage: Patriots. They don’t have Mr. Clutch any longer (Vinatieri) to bale them out, and the weather won’t be a factor, but for the same reason I like Brady over Eli, Tynes has been very shaky.

Coaching: Coughlin (NYG) vs. Belichick (NE)

Advantage: Patriots. They’ve cost the team a 1st round draft pick for next year, but you better believe under that eerie hoody Belichick will conjure up a brilliant game-plan.

I will recline from making a prediction because I’m a terrible prognosticator, but if the Giants can put the pressure on Brady, it will be a lot better (and closer) game then most assume. 

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*UPDATE: 9:25 PM:  Congrats to the New York Giants and their fans.  No one gave them a chance, but Strahan, Osi and Co. lived up to their hype, and frustrated Brady all night long.  I don’t agree with Eli’s MVP selection, but what can you do.  David Tyree saved the game, and Mr. Burress, hey, I doubted you all season, but I applaud your resiliency through injury, and who knows, I may consider you for a 2nd or 3rd round fantasy selection next year.

January 15th marked the 43rd Red Smith Banquet, held at the Paper Valley Hotel in Appleton, Wisconsin. Fortunately for me, I was able to attend my first, and boy was it worth it. For those who aren’t aware of this event, it’s been host to many a great athlete, and it’s main purpose is to promote high-school athletics around the state. This year, five lucky athletes from each of the five high schools in Appleton (North, West, East, Fox Valley Lutheran and Xavier), received scholarship awards for their excellence both on the field of play and in the classroom. In addition to honoring the recipients, the event presents two major awards in honor of perhaps the greatest sports journalist ever, Red Smith. The Red Smith Award went to the Packers’ Aaron Kampman, the “Nice Guy” Award went to Cardinals’ great Bob Gibson, and the keynote speaker for the night was former SI writer Frank Deford. Just to give you guys some background on the popularity of this annual ceremony, it has featured numerous legends, from Ernie Banks, to Larry Csonka, Bill Raftery, Kirby Puckett, Lou Brock, Mario Andretti, Tommy Lasorda, Peter King, Bob Uecker and many, many more.

Since I couldn’t let this opportunity go to waste, I decided to bring my recorder with me, and once I got there, I just pressed record, sat back, and enjoyed the sights and sounds of the 2008 Red Smith Banquet. The audio links to Kampman’s and Gibson’s speech have been posted below. Enjoy!

Aaron Kampman Clip | Bob Gibson Clip

With March Madness right around the corner, the bracketology has heated up.  With a wave of freshman talents littering the NCAA level, so many big names come to mind.  Memphis’ Derrick Rose, UCLA’s Kevin Love, Kansas State’s Michael Beasley, USC’s O.J. Mayo, and Indiana’s Eric Gordon just to name a few.  But if you disregard all the publicized names, the crop remains ripe, starting in Syracuse, New York.  The Orangemen have had enough games on ESPN to showcase their stuff, but I still get the feeling that people are sleeping on this team.  While I focus on the Badgers’ and Golden Eagles’ progress as the conference tournaments draw nearer, I can’t help but admire what Jim Boeheim has done with his team minus their star Eric Devendorf, who suffered a serious knee injury early in the season.  In the games I’ve watched, freshman phenoms Jonny Flynn and Donte Greene have taken over numerous times, leaving me wonder whether or not this team needs Devendorf to make a serious run in the Big Dance.  You may ask, who are these two?  They’ve averaged 32 points per game combined, and both play with so much confidence, you wonder if they are that young.  Flynn, the admirable floor general, is versatile and plays scrappy, despite being 6-0.  Greene, left, is a special talent.  Ridiculous 3-point range and at 6-10, he can sky.  He is a sure-fire top 10 possibly top 5 pick in the 2008 NBA Draft.  I haven’t seen a pair of freshman dominate they way these two have this season, and I challenge anyone to find me one better.  For those of you have had a chance to see Syracuse play, you know what I mean.  And for all of you who haven’t: get a strong look at this team before you pencil in your brackets, because they have a legitimate chance come next month.