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Mar 19, 2003 Expanded Playoffs a possibility? There is much talk that the National Football League owners may expand their playoff system to include a seventh spot for each of the two conferences. That would be a mistake as it waters down the value of making the playoffs. The National Basketball Conference has gone down this route, and now almost any team can make the playoffs - making for long, very boring match-ups as the teams climb through the brackets. Will the NFL eventually go to eight, then nine slots? It would be best to leave the current system in place. Former St. Louis Rams continue to bring a premium on the market - even for second-tier players. Last year second-tier players Jeff Robinson (tight end to Dallas) and Az Zair-Hakem (wideout to Detroit) commanded heavy dough for their services. This year the trend continues, with Ricky Proehl picking up the latest round of cash (from Carolina). Other second-team Rams who scored this year in free agency include Dre Bly (to Detroit) and Dexter McLeon (to Kansas City - yes he was technically a first team player.) Much of the free agency signing blitz is over; the big mover in the market this year was the Washington Redskins. Jacksonville made a nice acquisition in picking up Hugh Douglas, considered one of the top defensive players available. Buffalo added All-Pro linebacker Takeo Spikes to join with London Fletcher and make a nice crew for the Bills. Morton Anderson is still kicking, and will play for the Kansas City Chiefs after signing a four-year deal. Anderson, who is in his mid-40's, reportedly wants to play until he is 50. At this rate, he’ll make it. In one of the more unusual moves, the Minnesota Vikings are reported to be offering a spot to their former quarterback, Jeff George. And where will Junior Seau land? Some speculate he will head to the Detroit Lions. Another team in need of a power middle linebacker is the St. Louis Rams. Big Orlando Brown (6'7", 360 pounds), the offensive tackle who was injured by the referee’s flag three years ago, has signed to play for the Baltimore Ravens. Brown, who was struck in the eye by the flag, signed a one-year contract for $1 million. This is quite a turn of events as Brown was believed to be out of football for good. At this point the focus of most teams turns to the upcoming draft. There will be a few more free-agent moves, but most of the major early dealing is over. One interesting opportunity will be for the top offensive tackle available, Orlando Pace. There has been some mention of Pace going to Houston but a few recent acquisitions may mean Houston is done looking at tackles. A couple of other teams which might show some interest include Cincinnati and Detroit. The Lions could really use a stout tackle to protect Joey Harrington, and coach Steve Mariucci is well acquainted with Pace, having faced him with the 49er’s twice every year for the past several years. There are several good quarterbacks available in the upcoming draft. The top by far is USC’s Carson Palmer. However, there are a handful of other good quarterbacks that could be snapped up in the first round. This draft will have a handful of top-notch receivers as well. Andre Johnson and Charles Rodgers are considered upper level first round picks, and Tennessee’s Kelley Washington is starting to impress many people. He ran a 4.4 forty-yard sprint recently and showed good moves and soft hands. Watch for a sleeper for the late rounds to come from Montana State in the wide receiver arena. A defensive line sleeper will be Boise State University’s Bobby Hammer. Will Minnesota pick another gigantic lineman to match up with Bryant McKinney? Most think that the Vikings will make a move to further solidify their defense, but another giant tackle to compliment Mount McKinney would give the quarterbacks more time to throw and make less mistakes. One target on draft day could be big Kwame Harris of Stanford. The pair would give the Vikes a dream outside ring of protection. Look for the Rams to turn to Dane Looker to try and fill the shoes of Ricky Proehl. Some see definite similarities between the two. Looker was the top-rated receiver in NFL Europe last year and has good hands. The Cincinnati Bengals hold the number one choice for the 2003 draft. Will they take the top pick, or trade down for more picks? At this time Carson Palmer has to look quite tempting to the Bengals. About the author: Dwayne Hines currently has 12 books selling in major bookstores and writes for major magazines such as Physical and FitnessRX. Email Dwayne Hines: dhines@3dinet.com ------------ Comment on this column in the forum. ------------ |
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