Free Agency: New York Jets Your Early Leaders

NFL's Free Agency period is just one day old, a little early to be declaring a winner. Just right for declaring a leader. The early lead has to go to the Jets. Teams have made bigger splashes in single moves, but no franchise has done as much to improve their whole team. Moves involving big names like Jonathan Vilma, and Alan Faneca are sure to help your team even if one of them is addition by subtraction.

No one, not even the brass at the New York Jets thinks Vilma isn't a standout talent. He just doesn't fit with the Jets defense. Vilma was originally a nice fit for the 4-3 that the Jets ran prior to head coach Eric Mangini's arrival. As Mangini has worked to integrate the 3-4 defense Vilma has seemed more and more out of place. The trade to New Orleans will hopefully get Vilma's career back on track, while getting the Jets some value for the linebacker. The Saints are sending a 4th round pick to the Jets. That could get upgraded to a 3rd or even 2nd round pick based on Vilma's playing time and him signing an extension with the Saints.

The "guys finding a better fit" theme continues with the Jets signing of left Guard Alan Faneca. Faneca who felt the Steelers who had played for 9 years let him down heading into the 07-08 season, his 10th with the team. He felt that for the team to make him play the whole year with no security should he get injured, wasn't a fair reward for his 10 years of service. He showed a fair amount of class; after explaining his side logically, he informed everyone he would be showing up for all required functions, he would play just as hard as he always had, and he would find a new team at the end of the year. He did just that, signing with the Jets for $32 million over 4-years, the first $23 of that is guaranteed. Did somebody say security?

Alan Faneca brings more than just his impressive skills at left guard. He will line up between D'Brickashaw Ferguson and center Nick Mangold; both have only 2 years experience, and will benefit from Faneca's leadership between them. Once the three of them develop a little chemistry they should provide some nice lanes between the tackles for Thomas Jones

Alright people it's March and to us sports fans that means March Madness, Spring Training, and NFL Free Agency. To a lot of people March means March of Dimes.

My sister is walking for the March of Dimes, click on her banner below, and head to the comments section where you'll find a woman who mentions that March of Dimes helped her family care for her when she was young. That's my Grandmother. Along with beating me for my abuse of the English language on this blog, she has beaten Polio, and a stroke.

SHE DRINKS YOUR MILKSHAKE

If you can donate great if not just check out her comment

Free Agency: Devil's in the Details

This years NFL Free Agency has brought more action than well... the NBA trade deadline. Late Friday night The league gave us something I haven't seen before. A trade being voided. The league voided the trade the sent Shaun Rogers from the Detriot Lions to the Cincinnatti Bengals for a 1st and a 3rd round draft pick. Then the Cleveland Browns got into the mix, sending Leigh Bodden and a 3rd rounder for Rogers.

It may very well be that trades have gotten voided in recent memory. We just don't hear about it. Trades get submitted to the league office where they are reviewed. I am sure that often times the convoluted languages necessary to make these trades and the contracts they involve, gets screw up. That was the case in the Rogers to Cincinnatti part of this mess. On a normal day the two teams would get back together and hash out whatever language was required to get the leagues ok.

This is not a normal day. Tonight(Friday) at midnight if Shaun Rogers gets a 1 million dollar bonus. The Lions didn't want to be saddled with that, not for a guy that won't be playing for them next season. In their desperation to make a move, they ended up turning to Cincinnatti's division rival, the Browns. Not only do the Browns get better on the defensive line they do it at the expense of Cincinnatti. They also do it cheaper than Cincinnatti.

Leigh Bodden is a talented player, for sure. But the Lions basically just took him over a first round draft pick, the 9th overall draft pick. Anybody want to try and make a case that is a good decision. Sounds pretty Matt Millen to me.

Alright people it's March and to us sports fans that means March Madness, Spring Training, and NFL Free Agency. To a lot of people March means March of Dimes.

My sister is walking for the March of Dimes, click on her banner below, and head to the comments section where you'll find a woman who mentions that March of Dimes helped her family care for her when she was young. That's my Grandmother. Along with beating me for my abuse of the English language on this blog, she has beaten Polio, and a stroke.

SHE DRINKS YOUR MILKSHAKE

If you can donate great if not just check out her comment

Free Agency: Corey Williams traded to the Browns

With all the action in the NFL Free Agent market, it is not surprising to see some trades to balance out the wins and losses teams are suffering. The Browns are involved in yet another move. Getting Corey Williams from the Packers for a second round pick this year.

The details weren't released but it will likely involve Williams signing the tendered offer tied to the Franchise tag that the Packers placed on him. He will get the average of the top 5 defensive tackles in 2007.

Williams is a good addition to a team that needs to strengthen its defense. The Browns young weapons scored a lot in 2007, but their defense gave up even more.

Alright people it's March and to us sports fans that means March Madness, Spring Training, and NFL Free Agency. To a lot of people March means March of Dimes.

My sister is walking for the March of Dimes, click on her banner below, and head to the comments section where you'll find a woman who mentions that March of Dimes helped her family care for her when she was young. That's my Grandmother. Along with beating me for my abuse of the English language on this blog, she has beaten Polio, and a stroke.

SHE DRINKS YOUR MILKSHAKE

If you can donate great if not just check out her comment

NBA Trades in 2008: You Make the Call

I've listed the major trades below and a couple are entertaining because of how pointless they are. My top three trades became my top three teirs as I realized some of the moves were on equal footing.

Celtics are still the one-A impact leaders. Garnett's a top 5 player the NBA and the intangibles he brings to Boston make him even more valuable. Paul Pierce no longer loafing on defense, Rajon Rondo playing up to the confidence KG has shown in him, and the emergence of Big Baby. None of these things would be happening, at least not as much, without the trade for Garnett. The Lakers are pulling a strong one-B right now. Bynums fit when he returns will determine the legacy of the Pau Gasol trade.So far the Lakers have lost one gaem in the Gasol era. Gasol is not only bringing his game to the Lakers, he is bringing up the game of the guys around him.

The Kidd and Shaq deals are the second impact teir. Their age limits their impact to some extent. Kidd will have a larger impact, but it still wont be enough to put the Mavs over the top. 3 years from now, when Devin Harris is a top 5 NBA point guard; the Mavs will be talking about having mortgaged the future, only to be disappointed. Phoenix wont find any more success from their trade, but they didn't give nearly as much either. Marion is more talented than Harris is, but he had one foot out the door already.

The Spurs move, seemingly minor, bringing Kurt Thomas in ,could have the biggest impact.He may be the little bit the Spurs need to put them over the top. His hieght and physical presence on defense and the boards will help the Spurs match up with the large front lines of the west.

What about you how do you rate the different moves?

Boston/Seattle & Boston/Minnesota

• Celtics get Ray Allen and the rights to Glen Davis. Seattle Supersonics get Delonte West, Wally Szczerbiak the rights to Jeff Green.
• Celtics get Kevin Garnett. Timberwolves get Ryan Gomes, Gerald Green, Al Jefferson, Theo Ratliff, Sebastian Telfair, a 2009 first round draft pick (top three protected) and a return of Minnesota's conditional first round draft pick previously obtained in the Ricky Davis-Wally Szczerbiak trade and cash.

San Antonio/Memphis & San Antonio/Seattle

• Spurs Sign Damon Stoudemire a week after he was released by the Memphis Grizzlies to make room for Mike Conley at the starting spot. (Not really a trade but it's a move)
• Spurs get Kurt Thomas from the SuperSonics in exchange for Francisco Elson, Brent Barry and the team’s 2009 first round draft pick

Los Angeles/Orlando & Los Angeles/Memphis

• Lakers get Trevor Ariza trading Maurice Evans and Brian Cook to Magic
• Lakers receive Pau Gasol and a 2010 2nd-rounder. Grizzlies gets Kwame Brown, Javaris Crittenton, Pau's brother Marc Gasol, and Aaron McKie(signed for the trade), and 1st-rounders in 2008 and 2010.
  

Phoenix/Miami

• Suns get Shaquille O’Neal. Heat receive Shawn Marion and Marcus Banks

Atlanta/Sacramento

• Hawks get Mike Bibby from the Kings who get Anthony Johnson, Tyronn Lue, Shelden Williams, Lorenzen Wright and a 2008 second round draft

Dallas.New Jersey

• Mavs get Jason Kidd, Malik Allen and Antoine Wright from Nets in return for Devin Harris, Degana Diop, Trenton Hassell, Moe Ager, Keith Van Horn, a pair of draft picks and cash

Chicago/Cleveland/Seattle

• Bulls get Drew Gooden, Larry Hughes, Shannon Brown and Cedric Simmons from the Cavaliers who got Joe Smith, Ben Wallace and Chicago’s 2009 2nd-rounder. The Cavs will also get Wally Szczerbiak and Delonte West from Sonics who will receive Ira Newble and Donyell Marshall from Cavs and Adrian Griffin from Chicago(Who goes where)

Denver/Portland

• Nuggets receive Taurean Green from the Trailblazers who get Von Wafer.

Toronto/Detroit

• Raptors get Primoz Brezec and cash from Pistons who receives Juan Dixon.

Houston/New Orleans/Memphis & Houston/Minnesota

• Hornets receive Bonzi Wells, Mike James, and cash from Rockets who get Adam Haluska, Bobby Jackson, Marcus Vinicius and a 2008 2nd-rounder. As part of the three-team deal, Grizzlies get involved and a bunch of europeans you've never heard of move around.
• Houston also got Gerald Green from Minnesota for Kirk Snyder, a 2010 2nd-rounder and cash.

Bibby To The Hawks: Good? Bad?... Pointless.

According to ESPN Mike Bibby is heading to the Atlanta Hawks. The point guard that led them through most of the recent success the franchise has enjoyed will be leading a new group of young players in Atlanta. Though I am not convinced he will be their primary leader.

Atlanta will be sending Anthony Johnson(G), Tyronn Lue(G), Lorenzen Wright(C), Shelden Williams(F/C), and Atlanta's 2nd round pick in the next draft.

It isn't that this is to much for Bibby, which could be argued. It's not even that Atlanta is giving a big enough name for Bibby, which is the other side of that argument. The real issue is I don't see how this helps either team.

From the King's perspective you are basically getting the 2nd round pick, Shelden Williams and a bunch of expiring contracts. While those expiring contracts will certainly make them players in the upcoming free agency market. They are acknowledging a serious rebuilding effort by removing the veteran leader of the team. You have to wonder how long until Artest is dealt he certainly can't be part of a any major rebuilding plan as he will be much to old by the time any serious rebuilding could be completed.

On the Hawks side of things I can definitely see the benefit of bringing in a guy like Mike Bibby. He is a veteran leader with playoff experience. It may be just what a young team like Atlanta needs. Then again a big part of the success there has been the camaraderie you can see spilling over from their play on the court. How will having the leader of that pack, Joe Johnson, benched in favor of Bibby effect those young players morale. Also how will it effect Joe Johnson specifically, he left money and a much more likely shot at a ring in Phoenix, in order to be the man in Atlanta. He is not likely to be a happy presence in the locker room, when he has to come off of the bench again.

Interesting side note on this trade. You have to wonder what Spurs head coach, Gregg Popovich, thinks about all this. He just let Beno Udrih go prior to this season. There is no way Sacramento is making this move without Udrih being such a capable distributor while Bibby was hurt. While Popovich will probably say all the right things, if he says anything at all. I bet if he is honest with himself he'd love to have Udrih instead of Damon Stoudemire right about now.

Kidd to Dallas "imminent": Why The East Just Won the Finals

According to ESPN the rumors that the Kidd-to-Dallas deal was imminent, which beacme the rumor that the Kidd-to-Dallas talks have stalled, are now back to the rumors that the deal is about to happen.

I would love to see this move happen. It would take a team that has been on the cusp of great, and push them over the hump. I also love how competitive that the West has become, though it is certainly at the expense of the talent in the East. This may however help the Eastern Conference Champ more than it helps any team in the West. We are back to the point where you almost know that the NBA Finals will be anti-climactic. Who ever wins the West will likely be beat up over consecutive 6 or 7 game series. While the winner of the East will probably have coasted to a finals meeting between Boston and Detroit. Which ever one wins will probably have a lot more rest than the winner out of the West.

In the proposed deal in return for Kidd, Dallas would send 24-year-old point guard Devin Harris, veteran swingman Jerry Stackhouse, and a bunch of expiring contracts to make the money work.

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Shaq is Pledging a Championship... Riiiight

ESPN is reporting that Shaq is pledging to bring a championship to the Suns. This gem came amongst several hilarious quotes from the human soundbyte machine.

"I'm very upset," he said Thursday at his introduction news conference. "You just don't really want to get me upset. When I'm upset, I'm known to do certain things -- like win championships." Yeah big fella thats true but you also used to be somewhat mobile and extremely dominate. But as Miami can attest to, Things Change.

"...I think with my experience and my on the court-off the court leadership, I can help them get over the hump." Yeah they have experience(Grant Hill), they have leadership(Steve Nash), they do also now have a hump(that'd be you Shaq)

"The last couple of years I was in a system that we really didn't run, so you automatically think I can't run," he said. "But I love to run, especially if I'm playing with a great guy like Steve Nash. I look forward to making people eat their words, I really do." I just want to be clear, it was the system in Miami that made you slow and immobile. I can't wait to follow up on this quote when the suns play again. Oh wait Shaq is weeks from playing again.

Shaq to the Suns The Fallout

As the reality of the Shaq trade is coming to fruition. It seems like we really ought to consider the ripples, that are bound to come when you drop a stone that big into the NBA pond.

Mike D'antoni is gone. I mean he will finish out this year, he might even start out next year. But soembosy write it down a calendar year from today D'antoni wont be coaching the Suns. When the trade cam up Tuesday morning, D'antoni said on his radio show that no deal was close. Hours later the trade is confirmed and Shaq is on a flight to check out his hip. Steve Kerr who is sporting some Championship hardware that D'Antoni is lacking, is pulling the strings in Phoenix and he just doesn't seem to mesh with the current coaches philosophy. (I posted yesterday about Larry Brown's desire for another coaching gig, interesting to think of him in Phoenix)

The Mavericks now have another thing to contend with while they try and figure out what the hell is going on there. One thing you can be sure of A guy like Mark Cuban is not about to sit around and hope things get better. Did you see him in Dancing with the Stars, the man is ultra competitive. You know that last years early exit is still gnawing at him. Look for the Jason Kidd trade talks to take on a little more heat. The situation basically went from Kidd is available so why wouldn't the Mavericks take a look. Now it has become more of a situation where the Mav's need to keep up the the Jones's Lakers and Suns.

The other development which I touched on the other day is the combination of the Kobe-Shaq rivalry and the Lakers-Suns rivalry. If you think that both those guys don't know that the post-trade Championship count is currently Shaq:1 Kobe:0. Kobe has a team that is set up well to make a run at a few titles now. Shaq knows if he is going to win tis race he better get a big lead over the next two years. I'll be interested to see if the SUns are willing to extend Shaq beyond the two years he has remaining.

There is a lot of people who say that the NBA season isn't interesting until the All-Star break. This year they may be right, but it has more to do with how good the second half will be not how irrelevant the first half is.

Kobe Bryant (over)Reacts to Pau Gasol Trade

Forget the comments, the sound bites, and the good copy that Kobe Bryant was laying down when asked about the trade that would not only bring Pau Gasol to the Lakers but free the team of the yoke that is Kwame Brown.

You really want to know how he feels watch what he did after the ball was tipped up. Kobe has always been a player who responded well on the court to the things that were going on off of it. Think back to those games where he was in a Colorado court house all day and then on the court in LA hours later. He was nothing but dominant in almost every one of those games. That was with bad news weighing on him.

Tonight when he faced off against the Raptors in Toronto's Air Canada center. He took the court with possibly the best news he has heard in his time as a Laker on his mind and it showed. Kobe Bryant went for 46 points, 7 rebounds, and 5 assists. Those 46 were worth a little more than normal though. Quite a few of them were high flying acrobatic displays of just how far Kobe has come from the guy who was demanding a trade on the cell phone video of some kid in Orange County.

Just a small prediction but I caught Jomario Moon taking notes on a few of those moves by Kobe we might see Moon trying to duplicate 'em at the Dunk Contest in New Orleans this year.

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JJ Redick Wants Out, But Who Wants Redick

JJ Redick and his agent are looking into the possibilty of the Magic trading him. He obviously wants to see more time on the court. While Magic GM Otis Smith and Head Coach Stan Van Gundy have both said they love Redick and want to keep him, they are sending that along with a slightly mixed signal of never putting the guy on the floor.

Van Gundy has made it very clear that he needs defense and rebounding from that position and that is why Redick doesn't play. Really!?, you traded away Trevor Ariza and got Mo Evans in return explain to me how that is an upgrade in defense and rebounding.

My feeling is that they probably aren't as enamored with him as they say. I am going to assume that this is some level of gamesmanship. I mean if your guy says he wants out and you come out and say you want to move him (Cough::Jason Kidd::Cough) all of a sudden his value plummets. So that leaves us with where to go.

If they really wanted upgraded defense and rebounding then I would love to see him go to the Lakers for Ariza but somehow I don't see that deal working. (Side note: Thanks James) . Since they just gave him up recently I doubt they are looking to him as a missing piece of thier puzzle. So I am not sure what it would take on the Lakers but I imagine Phil would love to have a Steve Kerr/John Paxson type. Since Vladamir Radmonovich and Sasha Vujacic don't seem to be filling those roles.

Edit:This just got a lot less likely now that the Lakers have already made a huge trade

Another interesting prospect would be the San Antonio Spurs who play an offense that could fit Redick in nicely, and since we are still living the lie that this is about defense. The Spurs might be willing to part ways with Bowen, though I think it would take a bit more than Redick to get him.

Those are just some completely unfounded conjecture. In any case, the Magic can stop living this Lie and might as well get something for him. I honestly think that the only reason they are hanging on to him is because if when Peja goes down they can plug him in for his offense.

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Johann Santana Will Get Whatever He Wants From the Mets

ESPN is reporting that we should not expect the Johann Santana to the Mets deal to be finalized by Friday Morning. I have no idea why they picked that as a when we shouldn't expect a deal, when they are the ones reporting in the next breath that the cut off for the deal to be negotiated is by 5pm Friday evening.

All of this anticipation and conjecture is waste though. The Mets and Santana will come to a deal. I know this and I can even tell you what the deal will be-- WHATEVER SANTANA WANTS IT TO BE.

Let's remember that Mets nation is in a foul mood after the historic collapse that ended last season, with them watching the playoffs. Now they have the best offseason free agent on the way to NY, their NY. So that would solve the problem of all those ugly late season losses. Mr. Met is shining up that big white head of his right now, and Mets fans are salivating at the possibilities.

So now when Santana and his people are holding their tough line on the 6 years they want and the Mets give em that stern look and say it's 5 years or it's no deal. Do you really expect Santana to buy the Mets willingness to turn around at this point and tell their fans "you know that championship that you could feel in your hands, now you can feel it slipping through your fingers"

Not gonna happen, see you in New York Santana.

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Kidd Three-Way Deal Isn't Gonna Happen

Ok so there is a lot going on with this deal but here is the short version of the ESPN Breakdown
Portland Gets: Mav's guard Devin Harris and forward Brandon Bass
New Jersey Gets: Draft picks, Cash, Mavs' Jerry Stackhouse, and Portlands' Travis Outlaw, Channing Frye and Jarrett Jack
Dallas Gets: Kidd

You have got to be kidding me. Portland is not in a rebuiling mode, they do not need to cut salary, in the way that the Nets do. So why would the Trailblazers trade away Outlaw, Frye, and Jack for Harris and Bass. This just doesn't make sense for Portland, don't expect to see this deal happen the way it looks right now.

Outside Shot
Just have to relay a Trailblazers bit I heard recently. When Trailblazers assistant coach, and Trailblazers legend, Maurice Lucas was asked why there was some much trash talking back and forth on the court today. Lucas calmly threw back, "because in my time it was only a $50 fine if you socked a guy in the face"

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Annual Jason Kidd To A Contender Story

So it is that time of year again. As the trade deadline approaches it's time for the trade me to a contender story out of Jason Kidd in New Jersey.

Looks like that migraine earlier in the season might require a little more than a couple Advil. Looks like it might just require a change of scenery.

The real difference in this years story is the fact that it might actually happen. The Nets are not a contending team in the East. Kidd has two years left on his contract. A period of time which coincides with the teams rumored plans to go to Brooklyn. So figure Kidd wont be a part of the Brooklyn team. He is bound to leave. The team would be better suited to get what they can and then build towards a good start in their new arena. I like him going to Cleveland but they would have to pretty much mortgage thier future, but because they don't have much to offer in the way of current players.

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Jerry Jones don't let Cleveland Browns Out Smart You

Alright Jerry, that trade you made last year didn't turn out to be as sweet as you thought it would be.

When you gave up your pick last year for the Browns’ 2nd round pick in 2007 (#36) and their first round pick in 2008. You know you weren't thinking that pick would be #22. So you already lost a little on your investment. Let's try and get as much as we can for it.

If you can't get the value you expected in draft selection, let's get that value in life lessons. Look at the Browns. They have the guy they took with that pick they got from you last year, Brady Quinn. They also stumbled on a gem in Derek Anderson, but they have the good sense to keep both, this is the NFL you know.

Do you really want to let Marion Barber and a few draft picks out the door to Miami to get the #1 pick for one guy. Don't let that Razorback alumni blood of yours get so hot you can't think clearly. Let's look at the success rate of the two major trades for big time running backs.

The Saints traded away every pick they had in one year in order to get Ricky Williams, but hey at least they got a Superbowl out of it. Oh wait nope they never really got a return on thier investment.

You might actually remember the other trade considering you sent away Herschell Walker and in turn got several Superbowl rings, errr I mean you got several picks and players. Some of those picks shored up your defense but the key pick got you Emmit Smith. The Vikings on the other hand have yet to celebrate a Superbowl.

Don't let the Cleveland Browns pull smarter offseason moves than the Cowboys

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