Free Agency: Todd Collins

NFL Free Agency isn't even 24 hours old yet and the hits keep on coming. The Washington Redskins re-signing QB Todd Collins is a hit to Jason Campbell's job security.

The Redskins signed Collins to a three year deal. It's somewhat surprising that Collins didn't test the waters a little longer. After a Jason Campbell knee injury, Collins took the helm with 4 games remaining in the season. He led the team well enough to beat out the Minnesota Vikings for the final Wild-Card spot. His performance against Seattle in the first round of the playoffs didn't help him but it wasn't bad enough to have really hurt him either.

Maybe he didn't leave because he has his eye on the quarterback spot in Washington. New head coach Jim Zorn doesn't have any more ties to, Campbell, than he does Collins. Campbell will likely get the benefit of the doubt for the first few tough games. If Campbell struggles consistently it will be hard for a new coach, already facing accusations that he is not cut out for the job, to stick with him. Especially with a back up that has shown already that he can lead the team to wins.

Pre Free Agency projection for Washington's offseason

Raiders Give Biggest DT Contract Ever To John Doe

The Raiders have signed, Tommy Kelly, some guy 90% of the league has never even heard of the biggest contract ever for a defensive tackle. As NFL Free Agency was looming the Black Hole of franchises, who have lost player after player as well as a head coach, all of a sudden opened up Al Davis's old man coin pouch.

The Raiders doled out an NFL-record seven-year, $50.5 million contract. Just over $18 million is guaranteed. This guy came into the league as AN UNDRAFTED FREE-AGENT. I am all for guys getting money they earned, not being held back by draft status and all that but this is just bat shit crazy.

While the other 31 teams are cursing AL Davis right now for driving the value of defensive tackles with actual talent through the roof. Those same tackles are right now counting the increase their contracts are going to see. Right before they upgrade their mistresses to the more expensive model.

All of them except for Warren Sapp. Sapp, who retired at he end of the 2007-2008 season has got to be thinking about unretiring. If that stiff Kelly got $50 Million, Sapp should be able to get $7-$10 for a year.

No Vandeweghe In Hell I'd Take That Job

Kiki Vandeweghe might be on his way to the New York Knicks. The rumors have him becoming Isiah Thomas's new boss. Vandeweghe would become the Team President replacing Thomas in that role while Thomas would maintain his position as the head coach.

The Knicks are amazing, how do you take a good idea; replace Isiah Thomas. Let it get even better; choose Vandeweghe to replace Thomas. Then Knickerbocker the situation by allowing Thomas to stay on as coach.

Vandeweghe may take the job, and probably should. He can do no worse. The team is losing left and right, they are the laughing stock of the NBA on and off the court, his predecessor (here after known as the moron on the sideline) overpaid every player who busted on their potential in the last 5 years. As long as he doesn't drop the body of a small child from the rafters of Madison Square Garden in the closing minutes of the Knicks 57th loss in a row he will be an improvement.

Being a good idea for Vandeweghe, doesn't make it a good idea. Owner James Dolan, who clearly turns towards Isiah's house in the morning to pray that his franchise stops being a crumbling house of cards, loves Isiah. That is the only explanation for the fact Isiah still has a job. Vandeweghe is a step in the right direction but not a complete solution.

After making some of the worst contracts in the NBA you would figure the over paid players, all 12 of them, would at least hustle for the guy over paying you. Not your New York Knicks. Now the coach they been dogging it on is going to get semi-fired. I don't see that raising the respect level on the Knicks bench. Now that the one thing Isiah has had in his corner, James Dolans undying support, is starting to fracture. Knick players are going to give even less to their coach.

Vandeweghe is not a very outspoken guy, something that makes him quite popular around the league, especially in the league offices. He has however been put in a position to give his opinion on Isiah as a columnist for ESPN. From his daily dime in November where he covered the challenges coaches were facing.

3. Isiah Thomas, New York KnicksThe
challenge: Dealing with a superstar The superstar player, Stephon
Marbury -- and he certainly is a superstar --is being asked to mold his game
into what the coach wants him to do. But he's not being productive and the team
is not winning. In fact, the team is doing better with the energy guys in there
instead.
No easy answers here, but the great thing to remember about
basketball is you start fresh at 0-0 each game. Marbury can be the star, but he
can't hesitate, can't be afraid to make mistakes. Marbury (notwithstanding his
2-for-13 FG in Tuesday loss to Bulls) has the talent to do it.

Vandeweghe certainly didn't blast Isiah for putting Marbury in a position to fail, but it isn't exactly a ringing endorsement from a guy who might be your boss a few losses from now.

NFL Moves

Small disclaimer:I know the posting has been a little light lately. I have been busy. (Yes, despite what Tony Kornheiser thinks, I am not sitting in my mom's basement waiting to write the next post) Now that I have a little time let get to the business at hand

The New England Patriots off season moves are always top billing for me. While despising the franchise is easy, arguing with their results is not. This year's surprising moves include not only what they've done but also what's been done to them.

They started their offseason shockfest by choosing not to franchise tag Randy Moss. He doesn't officially become a free agent until February 29th. I think at that point we'll find out if the Patriots have a deal in place with Randy or if they really know something we don't.

One of the areas where New England is aging quickly is at linebacker. With retirement questions swirling around Tedi Bruschi and Junior Seau, the Patriots surprised no one when they brought in recently released Zach Thomas, offering him a contract before he even left the facility. The surprises started coming when Thomas opted not to sign with the Patriots, choosing Dallas instead(ending my string of referring to him as Seau 2.0). The Patriots then did the last thing people expected cut Roosevelt Colvin from their already questionable linebacking core.

With any other team I would be boldly prediciting that both Randy Moss and Roosevelt Colvin will be back in Foxboro. That these moves were simply adjustments to the salary cap and how the contract numbers play out. With the Patriots though the only thing I am ever sure of is that I have no idea what is coming next. I do know better than to question the moves of a team that was won win away from a dynasty. A word that is rare these days in the parity driven NFL.

Linking up with RonDean

I'd be screaming in outrage too, but I can't stop blowing bubbles(ESPN)

Houston wins Yao-less debut; gives fans false hope(Dreamshake)

March is white basket ball history month, what did you get me for Larry Bird Day(Can't stop the Bleeding)

If we get any more sports trials ESPN is going to have to start up: ESPN Court, no that could be tennis. LAW & ORDER: ESPN. (Fanhouse)

Jordan jeans second worst idea in the jeans department(TheBigLead)

Goodell's sallary not that good when you figure it out; 147 dollars per player suspended(TheAngryT)

Oregon fans finally decide to quit complaining Kevin Love went to UCLA and do something(excessive) about it(Fanhouse)