Shocker Walker! 55 Million Dollar Man in Poor Shape

According to some eye-witness camp reports... and head coach Lane Kiffin, WR Javon Walker is looking out of shape.

Now I'm not saying that a man who is guaranteed to need knee micro-fracture surgery in the next three years was a poor guy to hinge your WR group on... but as many of you may recall, I did. 

Other than this obvious problem, the guy is apparently out of shape. He's had work ethic issues in the past, and probably didn't really stay in shape during his last year in Denver. There's a chance that he'll be motivated by his "roster spot" as "Oakland's number one receiver"... which is kind of like having a "seat" on an "airplane on fire"... and get back into shape. Then again, maybe he'll be motivated by his 55 million the other way, and not really try. Time will tell. 

The number one argument I hear justifying Oakland's free agency moves is the idea that Oakland has turned into an Arizona of sorts (ie: a place that free agents avoid like the plague) and so they're forced to spend huge amounts of money. Furthermore, that they are a losing team who is pulling at straws to deliver a great team sooner rather than later. This is basically amazingly false on a couple different levels. First of all, Oakland, as a Bay Area team with a rabid fan base, is nowhere near the kind of media black hole that Arizona represents. Secondly, if Oakland actually cared about making a better team they'd build it the right way.. through the draft and solid but unspectacular free agency acquisitions. The fact of the matter is that the only possible way you could justify Oakland's signings is if they expect a non-capped season in 2011. The course they are pursuing is too risky to be called good team management. 

Browns RT Tucker out for 2 Months

This is trouble. I'm one of the few people who will tell you right now that the Browns don't have a shot at the playoffs this season because of their schedule, and taking out a starter along this line is going to hurt them. 

Browns C LeCharles Bentley to Make Long-Awaited Comeback

Although we heard about the possibility of him being active for last season, it's possible that LeCharles Bentley may make an appearance at the Browns' June mini-camp. The former All-Pro Centre blew out both of his kneecaps at the Browns' training camp two years ago after being acquired through Free Agency from the New Orleans Saints and then lost 70% of his patellar tissue from a staph infection following his knee surgery. 

An interesting possibility about where the infection came from can be found here. 

It seems that his return has been an off-season story for the past two years, and although I wish him the best of luck, I doubt that his knees will allow him to play again. 

Kevin Everett Released, To Seek Disability Pay from NFL

Kevin Everett was released by the Bills several days ago. He'll seek disability pay from the NFL, and most likely receive it. It's unfortunate about what happened, but he's able to walk and most likely pursue another career should his financial situation require it. It's good to see this unfortunate story have a somewhat happy resolution. 

Raiders' Roster Moves

They signed 10 year pro DE Greg Spires to try and replace Chris Clemons. Good luck with that one. The competition for the starting spot between him and Kalimba Edwards will be absolutely riveting. Who has the potential to get 4 sacks this season for what will continue to be a terrible Raiders team? Watch this space. 

Other than that they waived Duane Starks, so there's a veteran CB available to a team who wants him. They also signed tryout WR Marcel Reese. 

Ravens' LB/DE Terrell Suggs Settles Franchise Tag Dispute

The most important thing that has happened since the NFL Draft? Right here. 

This is the boneheaded decision by the league in recent memory. Suggs' original dispute was that he could not be franchised as an LB because he played most of his snaps at DE. In this respect, I think he's absolutely right. It's the Ravens' decision to not play him at DE all the time, since he could have, and so they can't use that to financially hurt him. Furthermore, putting him at LB made the team better, so why should he lose money because of that?

The league's answer? To create a new franchise tag title: DE/LB. Other than the fact that they have no idea how to determine the top five salaries in the league at this position (since it doesn't exist), this is going to open up some serious floodgates. What about players who rotate between FS and SS, DT and DE, TE and WR, T and G, C and G, CB and SS or FS, etc. Other than the possible lockout looming in 2010/2011, this will be the number one salary cap issue over the next 3 to 4 years. 

News Update

Keeping in habit with our irregular updates throughout the off-season, we're joining you this afternoon with the most important developing storylines as well as some Coffin Corner Power Rankings. 

Stay with us.