Pigskin Primer
June 12, 2006
By
James Butler
I tried really hard to follow the World Cup this year. I really did.
Unfortunately, something is terribly wrong when the United States' own matches are not nationally televised by any major broadcast networks. This means, quite frankly, that ABC prefers to show soap operas on a Monday afternoon to broadcasting American World Cup matches. Ironically, those soaps are the only place you can expect to see worse acting than the Divac-calibre of flops you see in international soccer.
Luckily, I was able to watch the Yanks get pounded 3-nil by the Czech Republic by finding the match in Spanish on a Mexican UHF television station. I guess ABC knew something after all. Glad to know no one had to miss an episode of "General Hospital."
I thought the day couldn't get much worse in the world of sports. I was wrong.
At about that time, Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger fell off his motorcycle. Making matters worse, Big Ben apparently fell into the windshield of a car involved in the wreck, causing some pretty serious injuries including a broken jaw, broken nose, broken left sinus cavity, undisclosed injuries to both knees and the loss of quite a few teeth (not to mention possible future toothpaste endorsements).
Roethlisberger has made headlines in the past for choosing to ride without a helmet, which has generated public consternation from Steelers coach Bill Cowher and from former Steelers quarterback Terry Bradshaw who went so far as to suggest Roethlisberger should stop riding altogether (and people call Bradshaw dumb?).
No truth to the rumors that Kellen Winslow, Jr., was involved or that Jeff Kent was washing his truck when the accident occurred.
If Roethlisberger misses any extended period of time, Charlie Batch would move into the starting spot by default, barring any trade the Steelers might be able to make. This development would set back the fantasy value of virtually all Steelers offensive players. Wideouts Hines Ward, Cedrick Wilson, Quincy Morgan and Santonio Holmes would all slide down the draft board a bit if Batch is the QB as he cannot be counted on to distribute the ball nearly as well as Roethlisberger.
The running game would take a hit as well with this development, as Willie Parker and Duce Staley were already being relied upon to be workhorses but could find the going even rougher with virtually no vertical attack to stretch defenses.
It's never easy to repeat as Super Bowl champions, but without their quarterback, the Steelers may be facing a daunting task.
A team going in the other direction is the Baltimore Ravens, who acquired Steve McNair from the Tennessee Titans for a conditional fourth round draft pick in 2007. The Ravens can now sit Kyle Boller, who could learn from McNair's veteran leadership. More importantly, the Raven receiving core moves up the depth charts, especially Derrick Mason, who played with McNair in Tennessee. Todd Heap, already a solid sleeper pick, should only improve given McNair's ability to find the tight end. Mark Clayton could also enjoy improved numbers with McNair taking the snaps.
The Titans, on the other hand, appear ready to start the season with Billy Volek under center, but owner Bud Adams has stated publicly that he wants rookie QB Vince Young to be starting by December 10 when the Titans travel to Houston (Adams' hometown) to play the Texans.
Apparently, the future is now for the Titans, as rumor has it they are willing to shop running back Chris Brown, potentially making room for running back of the future LenDale White to become the running back of the present.
While on the subject of rumors, Marshall Faulk is reportedly considering retirement in St. Louis. Steven Jackson is firmly entrenched as the starter (and moving up many draft boards), which means Faulk's potential retirement would mainly affect Tony Fisher as he would become the primary backup.
Domanick Davis' knee has been giving him trouble again. Yep, the same knee that kept swelling up causing him to miss games last season.
[sarcasm]Unfortunately, the Houston Texans were in a horrible draft position this year and unable to draft a decent running back to take some of the pressure off Davis. [/sarcasm]
On the quarterback front, Daunte Culpepper is running well and apparently pain-free in non-contact drills with the Miami Dolphins. The current timetable has him slated as the week one starter, and the team is not ruling out playing him in the Fish' first preseason game.
Carson Palmer is reportedly on track to complete his rehab on time and be ready for the Bengals' season opener. Tread with a bit of caution here. That was a nasty knee injury for a cold-weather quarterback, but even at 80 percent, I'd still roll the dice with him over almost any other quarterback in the league.
In Chicago, Brian Griese is (surprise! surprise!) outplaying Rex Grossman in minicamp. Move Muhsin Muhammad up your draft chart accordingly.
Current Top 5's
Running Back
1. Shaun Alexander - SEA
2. Larry Johnson - KC
3. LaDainian Tomlinson - SD
4. Tiki Barber - NYG
5. Clinton Portis - WAS
Quarterback
1. Peyton Manning - IND
2. Matt Hasselbeck - SEA
3. Carson Palmer - CIN
4. Donovan McNabb - PHI
5. Mark Bulger - StL
Wide Receiver
1. Steve Smith - CAR
2. Chad Johnson - CIN
3. Terrell Owens - DAL
4. Anquan Boldin - AZ
5. Larry Fitzgerald - AZ
Finally, in this week's CFL (Cannabis Football League) news, Ricky Williams rushed for only 46 yards and lost a key fumble helping to cost the Toronto Argonauts their game, while Onterrio Smith was released by the Winnipeg Blue Bombers for being overweight and rushing for only seven yards in their loss.
Are you ready for some football!?
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