NFL Banned Substance List in 2013

Of the many stories that circulated in the weeks leading up to Super Bowl XLVII reports alleging that retiring Baltimore Ravens linebacker Ray Lewis used deer antler spray to quickly recover from a torn triceps muscle evolved into a mini PED scandal. If you are like me, you watch a lot of sports and pay attention to a lot of sports stories, even the minor ones. I had no idea that deer antler spray had any beneficial use in sports medicine.

While this post is purely for entertainment purposes, this got me to thinking that NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell might expand the league's banned substance list before next season. Here are some possible PED related headlines we may see next season: 

Antonio Cromartie Tests Positive for Bee Pollen

Bee pollen has been speculated to boost multiple body functions, including reproductive activity. Cromartie is the father of ten children. I knew he had some outside help!

The boy bee would probably like to try some of Cromartie's pollen, given the results. 1

Adrian Peterson’s 2,000 Yard Rushing Season Vacated; Peterson Linked to Shark Cartilage Sale

Shark cartilage use has been linked to relief of knee pain. "All Day" Peterson’s rapid rehabilitation and recovery from surgery to repair a torn ACL was thought to be a modern miracle of sports medicine. However, shark cartilage, like everything not in the four basic food groups, is a banned substance according to the NFL.

He might have to change his nickname to "All Night". 2

Ricky Williams’ Comeback from Retirement Shelved Due to a Positive Test for Frog Epididymis

Ricky Williams retired from the NFL for the first time in 2004 in part because he wanted to travel to Asia and partake in the hippie lettuce without any effect on his professional life. The “special skin” on a frog, when dried and smoked, is rumored to have hallucinogenic effects. While it wouldn’t be the first time someone called Ricky Williams a “dick smoker” (following the picture he took for the ESPN magazine cover in a wedding dress), this time it is literally true. It’s also forbidden by the NFL.

Don't criticize...legalize! 3

Brain Cushing Banned from the NFL for One Year, Tests Positive for Elk Urine

Cushing has been busted once by the NFL for PEDs. Female urine is speculated to mask elevated testosterone levels, an indicator of steroid use. NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell was not born yesterday. The NFL also bans masking agents, including nature's “lemonade” from the great outdoors.

This gives a new meaning to "getting down and dirty". 4

Roger Goodell Tests Positive for Excess Primate Rectal Composition

In keeping with the personal conduct code, Goodell has taken a number of steps to rid the league of assholes. Responsible for the Draconian Bountygate sanctions imposed on the New Orleans Saints in 2012, effectively costing them their season, Goodell’s chemical composition tested positive for excessive rectal tissue. He issued himself full immunity.   

5

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Lies, Damned Lies, and Statistics – Part 4

The Daily Hat Trick has treated you to rounds of statistics that may make you go, “Hmm,” in football, basketball, and baseball. Today we have another round of not-so-intuitive NFL facts. Get ready to believe it or not in today’s Lies, Damned Lies, and Statistics.

Larry Centers is the NFL’s all-time leading receiver among running backs and among the NFL's 20 all time leading receivers, regardless of position.

This was a statistic that I happened across that prompted me to write another Lies, Damned Lies, and Statistics. I remember Larry Centers as a very good football player and a hard runner. Centers is the NFL’s 19th all time leading receiver, with 827 receptions (though he is likely to be passed by Reggie Wayne and fall to 20th on Sunday). What makes this statistic mind blowing, if you aren’t familiar with his career, is that Centers is a running back, a running back that spent much of his career lined up at fullback.

A fullback, in the modern game, typically served one purpose: to block for the tailback. Sometimes he will pitch in and carry the ball in short yardage situations. Occasionally he will slip out of the backfield and catch a pass, a few times per season. Centers was not a traditional fullback. But even if he were a full time tailback, the idea that a receiver out of the backfield has more receptions than Hall of Fame receivers like Steve Largent, James Lofton, and Michael Irvin is somewhat astounding.

While he does have a Super Bowl ring from the Patriots win over the Carolina Panthers in Super Bowl XXXVIII, most of Centers’ teams were very bad. Centers spent nine of his 14 years in the NFL with the Phoenix/Arizona Cardinals, who only made the playoffs once during Centers’ tenure. Many of the Cards other skill position players were not even competent, let alone effective. The result? Centers, a three time Pro Bowler, was often called upon to bail his team out of a bad situation and the ball would be floated to him when other receivers could not get open, the quarterback was under too much pressure, or the QB just wasn’t very good and dumped it off to Centers.

What makes this figure even more astounding is that not only does Centers top many great receivers, he tops all running backs, in an era in which a lot of great Hall of Fame or future Hall of Fame running backs made their mark by catching passes. Examples include Marshall Faulk, LaDainian Tomlinson, and Marcus Allen.

Fullbacks who can do this are special players. 1

Ricky Williams holds the record for most rushing attempts in a game among active players and is fifth, all-time (42 carries in 2003 vs the Buffalo Bills).

Of all of the players that have popped up more than once when doing research for this Lies…Statistics series, Ricky Williams is the one that makes me scratch my head the most. Williams’ career is as closely associated excellent runs as it is with odd occurrences, nearly three completely missed seasons (two seasons largely because of his desire to smoke marijuana and one due to a freak injury in his first action of the 2007 season), a wedding dress photo on the cover of ESPN the Magazine with former coach Mike Ditka, conducting media interviews with his helmet on, etc.

It is easy to lose sight of the fact that Williams, when he has actually played, has always been a valuable contributor to his teams and, in his younger years, a rugged, dominating back. Yet Williams has had two performances in his career (the other being a 40 carry performance in his rookie year with the New Orleans Saints) that known workhorse running backs such as Walter Payton, O.J. Simpson, LaDainian Tomlinson, and Earl Campbell have never topped.

Better or Worse? This is "WORST"! 2

DeMarco Murray’s explosion against the Rams, last month, is one of the top ten all-time performances for total rushing yards in a single game.

Who the heck is DeMarco Murray? In spite of his stellar, 253 yard performance two Sundays ago, he is no more than a Johnny come lately, rookie running back in the big picture, at this time. Still, the cold, hard fact is that Hall of Famers Eric Dickerson, Barry Sanders, Emmitt Smith, and Jim Brown never had a game with a rushing total like that of Murray, a third round draft pick, on one spectacular day for the rookie.

Murray saying goodbye to his 15 minutes of fame. 3

Matt Schaub is 10th all time for passes completed in a single season (396 in 2009).

Schaub is a good quarterback with a future Hall of Fame receiver who has always had solid running backs and a pass-friendly scheme during his stay with the Texans. Still, when you think of the 10 best performances in a single season, I would imagine that names like Manning, Brady, Elway, Marino, and Montana come to mind. Of those, only Manning and Brady are ahead of Shaub. Hall of Famers John Elway, Dan Marino, Joe Montana, Warren Moon, Dan Fouts, and future Hall of Famer Brett Favre never completed so many passes in a single season.

Playing with Andre Johnson doesn't hurt Schaub's cause. 4

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All statistical data from http://www.profootballreference.com/
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Witnessing Greatness – Running Backs

Last Friday, The Daily Hat Trick ran a piece about active NFL quarterbacks and their chances of being inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. This week, we will focus on the other part of the offensive backfield, the running back position. The NFL has a number of players who will be nominated for football immortality at the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio. Only a select few will make it.


SLAM DUNK

LaDainian Tomlinson, New York Jets – There couldn’t be an easier “yes” vote for the Hall of Fame. Besides the fact that he is the NFL’s all time active leading rusher, sixth leading rusher in the history of the game*, third all time leader in NFL history for touchdowns, second all time for rushing touchdowns, and has over 18,000 career yards from scrimmage…besides all of that…he’s still a productive player. Coming off of the bench, Tomlinson is the Jets third leading receiver (as of Monday morning), with 14 receptions, and the team’s second leading rusher. In his two seasons with the Jets, past the age of 30, he averages 4.1 yards per carry.


Looks like L.T. made it off of Revis Island before coming to the Jets. 1

 ON TRACK

Steven Jackson, St. Louis Rams – With over 8,000 career rushing yards and 10,000 career yards from scrimmage, the chances of Jackson NOT being inducted reduce exponentially with each carry. Jackson is in the 8th year of his career, but, having entered the NFL at age 21, is still two years from the dreaded age of 30 for an NFL running back. It is only a matter of time before Jackson begins to show signs of slowing down. By that time, his induction should be all but certain, barring major injury. Even if Jackson retired today, he would have an outside shot at Canton in the near future.

Jackson's bust should include a stiff-arm. 2

Frank Gore, San Francisco 49ers – Gore should be in the NFL’s top 50 all time leading rushers by the end of month, possibly the end of this week (barring an injury or two uncharacteristically bad performances). Gore is only 27 years old, meaning he has ample time to add to his impressive resume. With the 49ers off to a 5-1 start, the idea of a Super Bowl ring is no longer far-fetched. A championship in concert with a couple of more seasons similar to his first seven should cement Gore’s legacy as one of the NFL’s all-time greats.



"Get outta my way! I've got to get to Canton!" 3


Adrian Peterson, Minnesota Vikings – At age 25, Peterson already has more career rushing yards than Hall of Famers Gayle Sayers, Ollie Matson, Lenny Moore, Hugh McElhenny, and Steve Van Buren and he may pass Hall of Fame running back Floyd Little on his next carry. Averaging over 1,400 yards per year, Peterson, assuming he stays healthy, can hang up his cleats three years from now, before age 30, and be a slam dunk inductee.

Did I mention he is only 25? 4

POSSIBLE BRIDESMAIDS

Thomas Jones, Kansas City Chiefs – The notion that a running back with more than 10,000 career rushing yards, who is still starting, could be a longshot for the Hall could sound laughable. However, that is the boat in which Thomas Jones may find himself. Jones is among the NFL’s 25 all time leading rushers. Only two players, Super Bowl XXV MVP Ottis “O.J.” Anderson and Super Bowl XXIX champion Ricky Watters, have more than 10,000 career rushing yards, have been retired for 10 or more years, and are not in the Hall of Fame.

While I personally think that Anderson and Watters’ exclusions from the Hall are a travesty, Jones may join them. Watters’ exclusion, in my opinion, defies all logic and reason; it’s outrageous to me. Statistics never tell 100% of the story in football, but to exclude Watters, I think the voters must be collectively and categorically ignoring Watters’ career statistics altogether. Please email me if you disagree; I’d love to know why.

O.J. Anderson’s case is a tougher sell. Jones’ career more closely resembles that of Anderson. Like Anderson, Jones had a long period of average, unspectacular play – Anderson in the last eight years of his career and Jones in the first five of his. Like Anderson, Jones’ awards trophy cupboard is a little bare. Jones only has one Pro Bowl appearance, in an era with multiple alternates receiving invitations, and has never made Associated Press First Team All-Pro (or second team…or any other first or second All Pro team, such as Sporting News or Pro Football Writers). Anderson made the Pro Bowl in his first two seasons and was on one Associated Press All-Pro First team.

Like in this rushing attempt, Thomas Jones may be stopped short of the Hall. 5

Ricky Williams, Baltimore Ravens – Ricky Williams is among the NFL’s top 30 all time leading rushers. He is still active, averaging 4.7 yards per carry this season, on pace for a 500-600 yard season as a backup to Ray Rice. To put these numbers in perspective, in 2010, the Saints, the (Super Bowl champion) Packers, the Lions, and the Seahawks all had leading rushers with 716 yards or less. The Lions and Seahawks had leading rushers with less than 600 yards rushing. What this says is that Ricky Williams is producing above the expectations of a typical 33 year old, 11 year veteran backup running back.

Looks like Williams made it off of the island, too. This isn't Revis, though (picture from 2003). 6

He should be in Canton one day, right? Maybe not… Like Thomas Jones, Williams has very few awards, with only one Pro Bowl season, coinciding with his one First Team AP All Pro season, in 2002. Williams only had three seasons with 1,200 yards or more rushing, averaging only 3.5 yards per carry in one of those seasons (2003). The back breaker for Williams Hall of Fame candidacy may be the time he has spent off the field. Williams has missed all of or all but one game in three seasons (2004, 2006, 2007). Only the 2007 season was missed due to injury, the others because of Williams own doing, with an abrupt retirement and a year long suspension for a substance abuse violation.


FUTURE HOPEFULS

Unlike any other position in football, running back may be the only position with which one can reasonably discuss the Hall of Fame possibilities of a player shortly after he enters the league. Running back is a position which, for the best players, has an average “impact” shelf life of about 8 years, give or take a year.

The age of 30 is like the stroke of midnight for most running backs, with big seasons after that age being a rarity. Since 1950 only Hall of Famer Marion Motley (in 1950) and Curtis Martin (2004) have led the league in rushing after the age of 30. Barry Sanders (1997), Charles White (1987), O.J. Simpson (1976), Floyd Little (1971), and Jim Brown (1965) all led the NFL in rushing at age 29. All but White are in the Hall of Fame. For this reason, running backs are typically on a Hall of Fame path (or not) during or before the third year of their careers.


Chris Johnson, Tennessee Titans - Barring injury, Johnson will eclipse the 5,000 yard plateau this season, possibly as early as this Sunday. In spite of his slow start to this season, in which Johnson did not have the benefit of training camp, I expect Johnson to be in the neighborhood of 1,200 rushing yards by this season’s end. This would give Johnson approximately 5,800 rushing yards (well into the top 100 of all-time) and, minimally, 7,000 yards from scrimmage for his career through 4 years.


Good luck catching him. 7

Possibly the fastest player in the NFL, all Johnson needs to do is stay healthy and have 4 to 6 more Pro Bowl caliber seasons (or 3 to 5 more seasons comparable to his first 3) and his induction will be a no-brainer. This may be easier said than done, but it is within Johnson’s grasp.


Maurice Jones-Drew, Jacksonville Jaguars – MJD will likely be among the NFL’s top 80 all time leading rushers after this Monday, at the age of 26. In addition to being a punishing runner, Jones-Drew is also a considerable receiving threat, with over 2,000 career receiving yards. He was also a feared kick returner early in his career, with to kickoffs returned for touchdowns in his first two seasons. He also has 63 rushing and receiving touchdowns in his career.

Three more high-level seasons plus some productive years at the end of his career should send Jones-Drew to the Hall. The key, like for every running back, is avoiding injury.

I don't envy this guy. 8

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* Statistics and all-time rankings from Pro-Football-Reference.com
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Lies, Damned Lies, and Statistics – NFL 2011

One of the many addictive elements of sports is the number of permutations available for performance statistics to analyzed, presented, and evaluated. In a number of discussions I have had with NFL fans, I have noticed that some fans are surprised by some statistical realities in the NFL, especially regarding career achievements.

Often, the longevity of an above average player can yield counter-intuitive all-time leader rankings for that player. For example, is should surprise nobody that Peyton Manning is the NFL’s all-time leader is passing attempts, completions, and yards among active players. How many of you, unless you read the same fact recently, knew that Kerry Collins was #2, all-time among active players? Number 3 (in passing yards) is Donnovan McNabb and McNabb is not likely to catch Colling this year, even if Collins does not play a single down. Actually, I could publish a Kerry Collins “did you know” fact every day for a month, but I digress.

Here are a few statistical facts that may make you go, “Hmmm…”


Kerry Collins is the NFL’s #11 all time leader in passing yards.

I promise not to make this a collection of Kerry Collins facts. But for a guy who has a career completion percentage well below 60% and has often, in several seasons, thrown more interceptions that touchdowns, it may surprise you to know that Collins is ahead of a lot of Hall of Fame QBs in career passing yards, likely to crack into the top 10 all time by passing Joe Montana this season.

It isn't so hard to forget that Kerry Collins led the Giants to the Super Bowl, is it? 1

Chad Pennington’s career passer rating is over 90, 12th all time in NFL history.

Pennington’s career efficiency rating is better than the likes of Hall of Fame quarterbacks Dan Marino, Jim Kelly, Troy Aikman, and Warren Moon.

Perhaps the Dolphins wouldn't have had the tough years they had if Pennington could stay on the field.  2

Matt Schaub owns the record for the sixth-highest single season passing yardage total in NFL history.

This may not be a cardiac surprise. The Texans have had an explosive offensive attack in recent years. Still, when thinking of the greatest single season performances in the history of the NFL, Schaub’s name is not the first to come to my mind.

Schaub threw for 4,770 yards in 2009, leading the Texans to their first winning season in franchise history. For contrast, Peyton Manning, a virtually certain Hall-of-Famer, has no single season yardage totals in the top 10, all-time, though he does hold positions #11 (4,700 yards – 2010) and #19 (4,557 – 2004).

The Texans have had a number of problems holding them back in recent years, but the quarterback isn't one of them. 3

Thomas Jones, Clinton Portis, and Ricky Williams are all among the NFL’s top 30 all time leading rushers.

All three of these players have had good careers and been named to Pro Bowl teams. Still, that there are fewer than 30 men ever to play the running back position with more rushing yards is surprising to me. These three players have more career rushing yards than Hall of Fame running backs Earl Campbell, Jim Taylor, and Larry Czonka.

Ricky Williams is the biggest surprise to me in this group. Williams has an excellent chance to surpass the 10,000 career rushing yards plateau this season. Keep in mind that Williams has not been an every down, starting running back in 8 years and he missed the entire 2004 and 2006 seasons and, for all practical purposes, missed the entire 2007 season (played in one game).

However, of those three missed seasons, only the 2007 season was missed due to injury. Williams has also averaged over 4 yards per carry in his career. This means that when Williams did, in fact, play, he was healthy and efficient. The consistent performances have added up over time.

People can crack all of the jokes they want. Ricky Williams...Robert Parish...Kareem Abdul-Jabbar...Chris Simms...they all played much longer than they "should have". Coincidence? I think not! 4 

Derrick Mason is the NFL’s 12th all time leading receiver.

Sure, Mason has played for a long time and is a former Pro Bowler and All-Pro. Still, with 924 receptions, he is the NFL’s #12 all-time leading receiver and will likely crack the top 10 this year, barring injury. Mason is ahead of Hall of Famers Steve Largent, James Lofton, Michael Irvin, and Charlie Joiner for career receptions and should pass Art Monk and Andre Reed in 2011 if he has any significant playing time with the New York Jets.

Derrick Mason - This isn't a retro/throwback jersey. This is Mason when he played with the Oilers. Yes, he played when the Oilers still existed as a current NFL franchise. He's been around a L..O..N..G time! 5

Tight end Tony Gonzalez is the NFL’s 10th all time leader in receiving touchdowns.

Tony Gonzalez is a slam dunk to have a bust in Canton, Ohio after his playing days are over. However, for a tight end, as trailblazing and dominant as Gonzalez has been, it gives me pause for reflection, considering that his career total of 88 receiving touchdowns dwarfs Hall of Fame WIDE RECEIVERS such as Fred Beletnikoff, James Lofton, and Bob Hayes. The next closest tight end in career receiving touchdowns is Antonio Gates of the San Diego Chargers, with 69 scores. For contrast, newly inducted Hall of Fame tight end Shannon Sharp is #58 all time in receiving touchdowns, with 62.

I wonder how Gonzalez would have faired in basketball. 6

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Remaining Inventory - Offense

Unless you have been in an ostrich hole for the past week, you are, no doubt, aware that the NFL recently went through rapid-fire free agency. Players resigned and relocated at an unprecedented pace due to the extremely short timeframe between the start of free agency (which effectively began when the lockout ended) and the beginning of training camp. Some high profile signings, such as that of cornerback Nnamdi Asomugha with the Philadelphia Eagles and Plaxico Burress with the New York Jets, happened shortly after the beginning of training camp. They were the latest in a long string of big names that were signed last week.

With the free agency rush that took place, one may think that all of the flashy, attractive free agent inventory is off of the shelves. Training camp has started. However, there are still several available free agents available who can help make a team better. Today, we will evaluate the possibilities involving those offensive free agents.

There is plenty of good free agency stock left on the shelves! 1

Center

Jonathan Goodwin – played with the New Orleans Saints: Whoever gets Goodwin is getting a good edition to the offensive line. One of the best measures of the effectiveness of an offensive lineman is how often you do NOT hear his name. Being a Saints fan, I can tell you that I usually only heard Goody’s name in pre game introductions. The Saints are trying to resign him, but Goodwin does have options.

Olin Kreutz – played with the Chicago Bears: With the Bears’ signing of former Seattle Seahawks center Chris Spencer, Kreutz appears to be looking for a new home. Kreutz could land in New Orleans if the Saints are not successful in negotiations with Goodwin. Still, Kreutz is a 14 year veteran who can immediately bring experience and leadership to an offensive line.

Will Jonathan Goodwin be a part of the Saints' future? 2

Wide Receiver

Braylon Edwards – played with the New York Jets: The signing of WRs Santonio Holmes and Plaxico Burress by the Jets give the appearance that the talented, but drop prone Edwards is not likely to return to the Jets. There are a number of teams in need of good receivers; however, whether or not Edwards will be able to start in the NFL is questionable.

T.J. Houshmandzadeh – played with the Baltimore Raves: In spite of playing in all 16 games last year, Housh had fewer than 70 receptions and 900 receiving yards for the first time in 8 years, with his least productive season since his 2002 rookie year. Granted, the Ravens had established starters ahead of Houshmandzadeh in Derrick Mason and Anquan Boldin, in addition to Donte Stallworth in slot/spread situations. Still Houshmandzadeh probably has something to prove and with his speed and physical attributes, he can be a contributor.

Randy Moss – played with the Tennessee Titans: Randy Moss announced his retirement yesterday. I just don’t buy it. Moss, through his agent, communicated that Moss was putting himself through two a day workouts, was in excellent shape, and had something to prove, a chip on his shoulder. I think Moss discovered that he had less leverage than he thought he had in negotiations with the Super Bowl contending teams he was interested in playing for, like the Patriots and Jets. Moss could take that leverage back by waiting for a Super Bowl contender to lose a starting wide receiver for an extended period of time. Moss does not have the profile of a man who was pondering retirement.

Terrell Owens – played with the Cincinnati Bengals: T.O. has grown up considerably during the last two seasons, in my opinion. Because of this, I think Owens will get a break with a contending team. Because he is recovering from an offseason knee injury, Owens may choose to (or may have to) wait and see which opening is the best fit for him. Whomever he signs with, Owens will bring value to the table immediately.

Steve Smith – played with the New York Giants: Smith missed 7 regular season games but caught 48 passed in the 9 regular season games in which he did participate. With the ascension of receivers Hakeem Nicks and Mario Manningham and the fact that Smith is still recovering from a knee injury, Smith could be either expendable or resigned at a deep discount, relative to his past production.

I think this was the only time Darrelle Revis was burned all last year. You mean to tell me THIS guy is finishied??? 3

Tight End

Kevin Boss – played with the New York Giants: I have heard a number of rumors and I am not sure whether Boss is returning to the Giants or not. If he does not, he is going to be a dynamic addition to another team’s passing game as a viable safety valve option.

Desmond Clark – played with the Chicago Bears: Clark’s productivity has declined sharply in the past two seasons, in large part because of injuries. Still, with the trade of TE Greg Olsen to the Carolina Panthers last week, the Bears options at tight end appear to be limited and it appears that the Bears can afford no further veteran attrition at the tight end position.

Boss says his first choice is to return to the Gaints. The clock is ticking, Kevin! 4

Fullback

Heath Evans – played with the New Orleans Saints: Evans is an uncommon fullback who has to be accounted for as a receiver out of the backfield. As much as the Saints like to throw the football, I was surprised that he has not resigned. However, Evans is 32 years old and Father Time may play a factor in his destination (if he has a 2011 destination). The Saints signed former Green Bay Packer Korey Hall over the weekend, likely turning the page on the Saints chapter in Evans’ career.

Tony Richardson – played with the New York Jets: Tony Richardson is among the greatest fullbacks of his time. At age 39, however, what career he has left in the NFL will likely be evaluated and implemented in one year increments. The Jets have not signed any of the other free agent fullbacks and Richardson played in all 16 games last year. A return to the Jets is not out of the question.

Does Tony Richardson really need training camp after 16 previous NFL seasons? Probably not, but I am sure they could use him nonetheless. 5

Halfback

Tiki Barber – played with the New York Giants: I am not sure where a 36 year old running back who has not carried the ball in 5 years would land. However, with a 1,600 yard rushing season in his last year, 2006, and an exit from football in good health, count on someone signing Barber. I would not count on Barber being signed by the Giants, though. Barber may have said one too many things to rub his Giants teammates, including quarterback Eli Manning, the wrong way during his stint with NBC Sports.

Ronnie Brown – played with the Miami Dolphins: The powerful, but often injured, Ronnie Brown is entering the seventh year of his career. Running back years are like dog years, especially when past injury problems have plagued the RB. With the acquisition of Reggie Bush in a trade with the Saints, it appears very unlikely that Brown will return to Miami.
- Update: Philadelphia Sports Daily is reporting, this afternoon, that Ronnie Brown signed a one year deal with the Eagles today.

Ricky Williams – played with the Miami Dolphins: In spite of being 34 years old, Ricky Williams still consistently averages over 4.0 yards per carry. Williams will likely cross the 10,000 career yard milestone and, depending on the production of Thomas Jones and Clinton Portis, possibly finish the 2011 season as one of the NFL’s top 25 all time leading rushers should he choose to play. Williams will add value as a backup on a number of NFL teams. The question is, “Where?”

BenJarvus Green-Ellis – played with the New England Patriots: The Law Firm is coming off of a breakout, 1,000 yard season. He is a restricted free agent and I would be stunned if the Patriots did not, through one means or another, retain Green-Ellis’ services for 2011.

Still going strong at age 34, number 34 is having the last laugh. 6

Quarterback

Marc Bulger – played with the Baltimore Ravens: Bulger has not thrown a pass in two years. However, Bulger has demonstrated that he can put the ball in the air and connect when he has talented receivers. He is only 34 years old, meaning his body should have a couple of years remaining at the quarterback position. I expect Bulger to pick up on a team that need emerge at the backup QB position during the season.

Kerry Collins – played with the Tennessee Titans: The 38 year old Collins eclipsed the 40,000 career passing yards milestone last season. If Collins starts one game this year, he will likely pass Joe Montana and be the NFL’s 10th all time leader in passing yardage. Collins posted a QB rating of 82.2 last season, significantly above his career average. So, should Collins choose to play, he will have options.

Brett Favre – played with the Minnesota Vikings: The 20 year veteran will turn 42 this season. Favre said he is retired. Then rumors surfaced about Favre possibly coming to the Philadelphia Eagles as a backup to Mike Vick. I will believe Favre is retired after an entire NFL season begins and ends and Favre is not any part of it, though, for once, if I had to bet, I would bet that Favre truly is finished. He will not return to the Vikings, barring a serious injury to Donovan McNabb and a season already headed in a winning direction. Should he sign with anyone, I cannot imagine Favre coming to terms with any team other than a serious contender. Favre, with an entire offseason and training camp of rest and a year removed from an ankle injury which, I think, affected his play more than he let on in 2010, could help a team in need put up some “Ws”. With Favre, don’t believe it until you see it!
 

How does he plan on fitting a chin strap over that thing? 7

Tomorrow: remaining defensive free agents

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