With the NBA Finals tanking, our synapses finally recovered from Verlander's no-no, and the big movie release this week a Fantastic Four sequel, it's finally dawned on us that we're now less than three months from the start of the 2007 NFL season. So, it's time to do a little league housecleaning, if you'll bear with us. We find a story that's out there, give our take, and let you decide what's what.
Eli Manning is still on the Hot Seat
- The younger Manning tells the NY Times he's "well aware that this has been characterized as a make-or-break season, both for him, and for Giants Coach Tom Coughlin." The story starts out as a puff piece, with an anecdote about Manning's work with elementary schoolers, but inside there's one specific piece of information that has us eager to draft Eli in the middle rounds of our fantasy draft.
New Giants QB coach Chris Palmer is focusing primarily on improving Manning's footwork, and hoping his efforts will result in a bump in the fourth-year QB's notoriously unstable accuracy. We think the Giants watched last season's opener against the Colts more than a few times over the winter, and what they discovered is that Peyton Manning's newfound mobility allowed him to complete several throws after the pocket collapsed. If Eli can show the same improvement, the Giants may be a playoff team again in 2007
Can Laurence Maroney carry the load?
- All those pundits penciling Maroney in for a 1,600-yard season with all the new weapons surrounding him might want to dial down the excitement, because he's still deflecting questions about his offseason shoulder surgery. According the Boston Globe he's saying he'll "be out there, when he can be out there," but can the Patriots afford to put their Super Bowl hopes in the hands of a banged-up sophomore runner? Yes, they can, if you believe what the team says about not pursuing Tennessee castoff Chris Brown. We don't buy it. Expect to see Brown in Patriots camp by late July.
The Raiders are turning to the shotgun
- New Raiders Coach Lane Kiffin is all about the shotgun. That's shocking, since No. 1 overall pick JaMarcus Russell operated mostly out of the same formation while at LSU. Moving on.
Jim Brown likes what he sees out of Jamal Lewis
- Hall of Fame running back Jim Brown is extremely pleased with the skills set newly acquired Brown Jamal Lewis has shown in the team's mini-camp. "That fucker will run you over," he says to the Cleveland Plain Dealer. The Browns don't have any other options, with former starter Rueben Droughns signing with the Giants in the offseason, so the team better hope Brown knows what he's talking about.
Colts to receive Super Bowl rings in private ceremony
No, this isn't really news, but we couldn't resist. The Super Bowl Champion Colts will get their bling in a ceremony tonight at an undisclosed Indianapolis location. And Peyton Manning tells the Indy Star he hopes everyone will be there, even those who jumped ship for the cash.
"Besides the 15-year reunion of Super Bowl XLI, or 20-year (reunion), this group won't be together again. There is some sadness in that, but also some celebration. This will truly be the cap-off of what we did last season and be a good send-off into the upcoming season. It's going to be an exciting event. It would be great if all those guys came back. I hope that happens.''
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