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Four days in and NFL Free-Agency is hotter than ever. But Ted Thompson’s plan hasn’t changed since the moment he got here. And fans should have no complaints about what they are seeing so far this year. The fact of the matter is 1) this team was 13-3 last year, 2) was one game away from playing in a Super Bowl, and 3) is returning every core player for 2008. So why the whining? What reason justifies Ted delving into free-agency to make headlines just because he can? It seems unfortunate I have to give this same speech every year, but the attitudes of the green and gold faithful haven’t changed I guess. It’s good that they’re passionate. But look, we all know that after the initial wave of supposedly “superior” crop is plucked off the heap, solid talent remains to be had, and for a fortune less. And really when you look at it, the numbers between a elite first tier guy and middle second tier guy aren’t all that drastic. To be honest, I have no idea what some teams are thinking. The Raiders. Re-signing DE Tommy Kelly to a seven-year, close to $51 million deal- all for a guy who played a mere seven games last year. Wow. After that deal, Teddy looks like a genius once again for getting Kampman at four for $21 million. Guess what? Ex-Cardinal LB Calvin Pace just got 6 years, $42 million from the Jets. Now anyone care to tell me who that is? When it comes down to it, is Pace really going to outperform Niko Koutouvides, who signed a three-year deal for probably $30 million less? Probably. But are those extra 20, 30, 40 extra tackles worth all that money? Is it worth investing money into a player who has only churned out one good statistical season? I say no. Ted Thompson can and will wait for his chance, believe me. He might not make a big splash, but please, don’t judge prematurely. Wait until after the guy has played out his deal. That’s all I ask.
Rumor Mill: The Packers have apparently contacted former Lions’ LB Boss Bailey’s agent. Exciting stuff (sigh). At 28 years old, Bailey has been a boom or bust guy with injury-problems in his career, hardly the kind of guy I would want to sign in this outrageous market. I’d much rather prefer, LB Brandon Chillar, who was supposed to meet with Arizona either today or tomorrow. The Cardinals have been said to be hot on this guy’s heels, so I’d be shocked if he got to visit Green Bay. The Packers are set to meet with LB/DE tweener Corey Smith tomorrow, and may offer him a contract to be a special teams guy. One guy I still like out there is Colts’ OG Jake Scott. He surprisingly hasn’t drawn much interest up to this point, and would certainly look good in a Green Bay uniform.
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. 
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. 
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 
Advantage: Patriots. You can’t argue with the 3-time Super Bowl winner, and Eli has been anything but consistent in 2007-2008.
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.
The New England Patriots, no matter how much everyone may love to hate them, obviously don’t care what people think. After a 38-35 drubbing of the Giants, the question is brought up, are they the greatest of all time? As I presently get some help from the NFL Sunday Fox Crew, my answer is yes, IF they can win the big one. And how can anyone argue? They’ve had to overcome a more balanced league then the 1972 Dolphins, and have not just beat teams, but blown them out. A season that continues to be overshadowed by spy scandals, many continue to question, me included, how valid have the Patroits’ accomplishments been the past decade? But after personally witnessing this team play, it just awes me. Tom Brady carves teams up as if they were high-schoolers, and when he tries, Randy Moss is easily the most talented player in the league. What added to the mystique was Brady and Moss hooked up for two more TD connections, placing Moss on top of legendary Jerry Rice as the NFL single season touchdown record holder. Consequently, that same pass was Tom Brady’s 50th, launching him ahead of Peyton’s unprecedented 04′ campaign. I still question if anyone can challenge them, and even as a die-hard Packer fan, all I can say is good luck.