Panther's O-Line News

"CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP)—The Carolina Panthers signed free-agent guard Milford Brown in another move intended to bolster their offensive line.

Brown started 15 games for St. Louis last year at both guard positions and right tackle. The 6-foot-5, 330-pound Brown has appeared in 47 games with 43 starts over the past six seasons with Houston, Arizona and the Rams.

The 28-year-old Brown signed his deal Friday, joining guards Keydrick Vincent and Toniu Fonoti as offensive linemen brought in by Carolina during the offseason. The Panthers could go into 2008 with different starters at all five positions on the line after a disappointing 7-9 season in 2007."

The news here is not so much that the Panthers signed Milford Brown, but that they may have a whole new O-line. Line's take time to gel, usually. But about Brown, didn't the Rams have a terrible O-line last year? 28th in run blocking and 25th in pass blocking per Footballoutsiders.com

The Mustard: Deangelo Williams will probably be a 1000-1200 yard back with, depending on the line, 5-10 TDs. As previously noted, the whole team only had 7 rushing TDs last year and even with Deshaun Foster gone, the trend in the NFL is toward splitting the load at RB. This makes Williams a decent RB to cover a bye week. He's a low-ceiling, low-floor bet and there are bound to be backs I'd rather gamble on. As for the passing game - I still wouldn't bank on a Panther at WR or QB this year. They might improve, but Steve Smith is probably still going to go too high based on stats from two years ago.

Falcons Sign Elam

Elam, 38, was 27 of 31 on FGs last year (87.1%) and was 33 of 33 on extra points. Like most kickers, he almost never misses an extra point. He will replace Morton Andersen, who was 47 and kicking for the Falcons last year.

You would think Elam, a fantasy stud two years ago and a lot of short lists last year, would be an automatic upgrade over You'd be right. Andersen had a better percentage, but only 4 attempts over 40 yards and none over 50. Also, none inside 30 yards, strangely. To me, this points to a woeful offense in the red zone or one that never made the redzone and a team that didn't trust their kicker's leg for long ones.

The question is: Will Elam do better or worse than last year?

The Mustard: Elam is good news for Falcons fans. For Elam fans, honestly I think he will put up fewer FGs. Denver was 11th in total yards last year while Atlanta was 23rd. I suspect Atlanta can only improve, but they're unlikely to suddenlty be a top-10 offense so it's illogical to bank on Elam being a better fantasy kicker than he was Denver.

Here A Move, There A Move

In With New Hope

And out with the old. The Niners bring in Bryant Johnson from the Cards at WR and release Darrell Jackson. Jackson was released by the 'Hawks for a reason and whether I blogged it or not last year, he certainly wasn't on any of my cheat sheets for drafting. Johnson was buried behind Larry Fitzgerald and Anquon Boldin. He appears to be a decent WR, but has never had an opportunity.

The Mustard: Depending on what happens in San Fran, Johnson may turn out to be an early-to-midseason waiver wire pick to cover a bye week or replace that WR4 you drafted that didn't pan out. Right now, with new coaching (Have to check into that...) and a wide open QB competition, we don't know what to expect out of the Niners.

Giants Re-Sign Ward

Good for the Giants. Although he gets banged up a lot, Ward along withBrandon Jacobs and previous nobody Ahmad Bradshaw make for a potent running attack.

The Mustard: I'm a Jacobs homer due to his Auburn connections and the way he announced that the days of the Giants not being able to get a 3rd and 1 were over when he was drafted. I love a little well placed bravado. But this does make for a muddled backfield. I'd like to tell you Jacobs will at least get the goal line carries, but I don't recall that being true late in the season. In an auction, put Jacobs out there for a few dollars and see what happens. In a re-draft, I'm thinking round 4 or 5 as RB3.

Aloha News

Greetings from Honolulu...

Chad Johnson Meltdown

Ocho Cinco is a tremendous talent. But he allegedly asked other teams' coaches to help get him out of Cincy during football games last year. That's gotta be great for the locker room. He keeps running his mouth, too. And then this: "A former Bengals player said earlier this week that Johnson punched Lewis at halftime of the Bengals’ 31-17 wild-card playoff loss to the Steelers in January 2006, according to a report Saturday in the Cincinnati Enquirer."

The Mustard: I hate to be a pessimist, but Cincy was anemic last year outside of TJ Houshmanzedah and maybe Carson Palmer. Chad Johnson is a huge distraction and he has to go. If the draft were today, I'd pass on Chad Johnson until at least the fourth round. In an auction, I'm letting someone else pay #1 WR $ for him. I'm thinking mid to low end #2 with upside. The uncertainty makes me nervous about TJ, Palmer and the Cincy running game as well. If 85 rebounds, it hurts TJ and helps the running game. If 85 tanks again, it could hurt everyone.

Lions Re-sign Bell, Cut Jones

Last year Bell continued the tradition of doing well in Denver, but failing elsewhere. His agent must have told him there was no chance of him getting a shot at starting elsewhere. That, or someone let him know Kevin Jones was his way out. Wow.

The Mustard: Come on, you know they're drafting a RB they hope will start, right? I'll wait until after the NFL draft to assess this more. Even then, the real wild card there is what will the next offensive scheme in Detroit bring.

Seahawks Sign Julius Jones

I keep reading that this is the writing on the wall for Shaun Alexander. Even though Alexander is a graduate of the University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, he certainly strikes me as a class guy and one of the few NFL players I'd actually like to invite over for grilling burgers. That said, it's show-me time in Seattle.

The Mustard: This will kill Alexander's draft value and it will rocket Julius Jones. Don't be so hasty. Unless the 'Hawks actually do cut Alexander, common decency requires they give him an opportunity to keep his job.

Titans Sign Jake Scott

Jake who? Jake the starting RG for the Indianapolis Colts, with 57 career starts, including 55 straight. Jake, who opened holes for Joseph Addai. Jake who protected Peyton Manning.

The Mustard: I didn't know his name, but the Colts had a good O line. And Scott is young, having been drafted in 2004. This means good things for the Titans, who also picked up Alge Crumpler. Between the upgrades on offense and the disappointing fantasy year last year, maybe this is the year to draft Vince Young. And, uh, downgrade Addai and Manning, too, unless you think they find a good replacement. Seriously - don't overpay for last year's stats, especially when you know the O line loses a starter.

Falcons Re-Sign Harrington

I guess the whole 'you're cut from the roster' thing was just a way to negotiate a new contract.

The Mustard: There is a small chance Harrington gets another chance to start in Atlanta, but not enough to consider drafting him. I just hope this isn't a distraction for the Falcons, who have enough to worry about.

Tony Richardson A Jet

Tony Richardson made the Pro Bowl last year opening holes for Adrian Peterson. Well, Peterson will not be so fortunate this year as Richardson will be doing the crusher running for Thomas Jones. The Jets have already added Pro Bowl G Alan Faneca and picked up some schlep for depth on the O line. I think they intend to beef up the running game.

The Mustard: Jones had 310 attempts last year - not quite 20 a game. With the attention to the running game in the offseason, I suspect 20 or more attempts per game will be in order next year. Additionally, Jones was a fantasy disappointment last year (1 TD!). Buy low, my friends. Jones is already my leading candidate for a third or fourth round RB that should produce better than many taken ahead of him.

More FA And Roster Moves

Favre, Retired In Peace

The Mustard: I'm actually hoping for good things from Aaron Rodgers. I'm not going to bank on it this year, though. I like Favre a lot, but I'm not to add yet another treatise about him or ode on him to the internet. The game is going to be less without him, though. At least Tony Romo plays with a youthful exuberance similar to Favre.

Javon Walker Is A Raider

The Mustard: First thought is poor Javon. But the Raiders are getting an uncertain bargain themselves. Javon had ACL surgery in '05 and two knee surgeries last year while losing his starting job to Brandon Marshall. Assuming there's someone else in Denver that can catch and run routes, upgrade Marshall. Downgrade Walker as he's an injury risk and he'll be catching from a first-year starter QB.

Falcons Cut Joey

And Leftwich has been gone.

The Mustard: Meh. Well at least Chris Redman won't have those two 'competing' for his starting job. Redman only started two games last year, and those at the end of the year, but he put up some nice stats.

Pats Rotate Defensive Players

The Mustard: I'm not going to try to keep up with every defensive player, but I'm pretty sure the Pats are going backwards on D.

Free Agency Moves

Moss stays in NE

The Mustard: Good for Moss and Brady. Sketchy for Maroney. I was high on Maroney last year with the departure of Dillon. People will be high on him next year based on weeks 15, 16 and the playoffs. I think the team goes back to the air during the regular season but only time will tell.

Falcons Sign Michael Turner

The Mustard: Draft him, but where? Falcons fans have been dying to see more of Jerious Norwood the last two years. Local radio is just abuzz with Turner love. But Norwood is just fast and can put up a TD anytime he gets past the line from anywhere on the field. I wouldn't be surprised to see Norwood still get carries. Of course, Turner will get the goal line work. Unless the Falcons get some OL help...

Titans Add Crumpler

The Mustard: I didn't like Crumpler in Atlanta, but in Tennessee, I say draft him as your TE2 and hope he stays healthy and returns to top form. It's not like Vince Young has anyone else to throw to and Alge has history being the safety valve for a scrambling QB.

Asante Samuel To Philly

The Mustard: Honestly, I'm not sure. What sort of scheme did Samuel play in at NE? He was certainly a highly coveted FA this year - 16 picks in the last two years will do that for a CB - but I believe he knew he had deep help in NE. Will that help be there for him in Philly?

Lance Briggs Still A Bear

The Mustard: That's nice, but what else will Chicago do to regain their 2006 status?

Jets Add OG Faneca

The Mustard: A stud guard is good news for Thomas Jones, who had 1100 rushing yards but only 1 rushing TD last year. Bump Jones up. He'll be 30, but his YPC has to improve.

Jerry Porter To Jax

The Mustard: Whatever you thought of Garrard, think a little more of him now. Porter is no Randy Moss, but he will improve the Jacksonville passing attack.