What I Think about the 2011 NFL Preseason (so far)

This is all I have to say about the CBA and the past seven months of NFL operations:  it’s a business, I know, but watching people squabble over millions of dollars bores me to tears.  I really wish you’d have figured it out without needing a lockout that actually impacts parts of the game that I love.  I know it means a lot to you, but to me the fan it just makes you that much more petty when you’re off the field.

So, let’s focus back to the good stuff on the field.

Here are my thoughts on some of the free agency changes of the past week … there were so many moves I had to pick and choose which ones I care about most:

• Steve Breaston to the Chiefs.  Probably one of the biggest and best moves from where I’m sitting.  Breaston and Bowe + Matt Cassel means a solid passing game.  Make no mistake, the Chiefs have what they need on offense to win the division this year.  Question is, will they? Gary, what do you think?
• Kevin Kolb to the Cardinals.  I don’t know how well he’ll do, but Larry Fitzgerald just found his way back into the top 2 rounds of FF drafts.  Here’s hoping it pays off.  Remember, Kolb’s now in one of the weakest divisions in the league, and he made DeShaun Jackson and Jeremy Maclin look good in the games he actually won.
• The Patriots can handle Haynesworth and Ochocinco, don’t worry about that.  If they don’t show up to play, they’ll be gone just as fast as Randy Moss.  If Chad is smart, he’ll take advantage of the opportunity to potentially finish his career on top with a Super Bowl win.  If he’s normal Chad, he won’t last the season.
• Matt Hasselbeck to the Titans.  I’ve never been on the Hasselbeck bandwagon, even when he played for the Pack back in the day.  To me, he was always just in range of being average.  In an FF world, that’s not a bad thing necessarily, but I’ve never gotten excited about him nor have I ever drafted him.  No regrets.  No change with him moving to the Titans.  Yes, it’s a great move for that team while they watch Jake Locker fail to develop into an NFL QB.  No, it’s not a good move for FF.
• McNabb to the Vikings.  Really, the only place left where he can start and do well, and I think he will.  That team still has a lot of weapons.  Let’s just hope they have an offensive game plan that goes beyond “give the ball to AP.”
• Speaking of the Vikes, am I the only person in the world who sees Tarvaris Jackson as a failure as an NFL QB?  He had five years to prove himself in Minnesota and he couldn’t develop.  Shall I start listing off the QB’s that new coaches thought they could develop but never do because the players never had the talent to begin with?  I dare Pete Carroll to start Jackson and realize that I’m right.
• Sidney Rice to the Seahawks.  I’d say that was a good move if I thought they had a QB to get the ball to him.  Yawn.
• Nnamdi Asomugha to the Eagles.  Yawn.  Too little too late.  Imagine what he could have done under Jim Johnson.
• Thank you, Mason Crosby, for staying with the Pack.  You were a key figure to the team for the past few seasons.  I hope you realize it.
• Santonio Holmes stays with the Jets.  That’s fine.  His mediocrity wouldn’t have changed anywhere else.  Same with Brandon Stokley and Donte Stallworth and the Redskins.  Lance Moore is still a solid #3 WR with the Saints.  Mike Sims-Walker should be thrilled to land in St. Louis where they desperately need someone who can catch and not get hurt doing it. 
• DeAngelo Williams didn’t do himself any favors.  He’ll stay a #2 back in Carolina when he could be starting on any number of other teams.  I have to think it’s because of his loyalty to the franchise that never stopped believing in him.  With Jonathan Stewart still in play, he’s a RB-by-committee once again.
• Reggie Bush handled it better going to the Dolphins.  While he may not get another championship ring, Bush can now be the #1 offensive weapon he always thought he should be.  We’ll see how he develops.  Even Ricky Williams managed to bloom in Miami after sitting in New Orleans with his Heisman in hand.  Darren Sproles will find points for Gary again this season (yes, I expect Gary to draft him again).
• Brandon Jackson to the Browns.  Another Husker who won’t make it big in the NFL.  He still has a championship ring though.
• Matt Leinart stays with the Texans.  I’d be willing to bet the Omaha Nighthawks will look into him seriously next season to continue their streak of hiring Heisman Trophy winners.
• Bruce Gradkowski with the Bengals.  I don’t care who is QB in Cincy this year.  They’re going to SUCK in the FF world.  I’m calling it here.  The good ol’ days are gone now, as will Marvin Lewis at the end of the season.
• The Bears made a big mistake trading Greg Olsen away.  Sure, he didn’t pay off as much as they wanted as an offensive weapon, but he was a solid blocker on every play.  Say hello to the revamped Detroit defensive line, Mr. Cutler … often. Roy Williams will have another year in obscurity because of it.
• Adam Vinatieri (Colts), David Akers (49ers) and Olindo Mare (Panthers) are still kicking the ball.  Amazing.
• When Ryan Longwell finally retires, will he consider himself a Packer or a Viking?  So hard to decide.
• Seriously, Andy Reid?  Picking up Vince Young?  Do you WANT to get fired?
• If Brett Favre comes out of retirement for anything other than to coach (and I don’t expect him to) I will lose all respect for the man.
• Here’s hoping Nathan’s new night job impacts his drafting and starting decisions enough to give the rest of us a chance this year.

It’s sad to see so many Packers not returning next season, including Barnett, Poppinga and Tauscher.  Those were all names I was happy to see on the field.  They’re leaving the team world champions and they all helped them to get there.

Looking forward to another FF season starting soon!  Check back next weekend for my thoughts on free agency activity from now till then, as well as my thoughts on the rookie class of 2011.