Sunday Morning Tight End

Its been a week full of resignings and behind the scenes descisions in the NFL. Coming up to the end of the real spark of free agency when the big playmaker trades happen, its the coaches 15 minutes of fame.

Jack Del Rio singed his new contract in Jacksonville this week, after his team reached the playoffs again this year. I cant help but think that this time last year the Jags were an un-noticed team in the NFL, known only for thier defense being good, but not as good as the NFC champion Bears. This year was a different story - Jack del Rio really earnt his paycheck at the beginning of last season when he made the descision to go with David Gerrard and cut Byron Leftwich - a descision which proved the best descision of that season. Del Rio said ""I look forward to building on what we have begun, I really do feel that there is something very special taking place here in Jacksonville right now."...Too right Jack - that something special is called WINNING! and he can get used to it in Jacksonville. With New England's defense suffering in the off season, the AFC south may just have a question mark over it again - its time for Del Rio and his Jags to do "something special"

There were arresting devlopments afoot in the NFL this week, a week which probably cant get much worse for troubled Bengals reciever Chris Henry. He lost his job in with the Bengals, whilst being held in prison, on assault charges - his fifth offense since 2005. [He needs therapy..Don't tell his mum!] The guy may only be 24, but his future looks unclear - many NFL talents have dabbled in the world of crime - Ricky [welcome back] Williams in Miami, Travis [butterfingers] Henry in Denver and Mike [Federal] Vick in Atlanta, all of whom were incredibly popular talents - Henry is a talent up there with the better third string receivers, but is overshadowed by Chad Johnson and Houshmanzadeh. Johnson's problems with the Bengals are growing concerning from the outside so maybe it wasn't the right time to get rid of Henry with such an extroverts shoes to fill??

ON THE CLOCK....RUNNING BACKS:
Forever the play maker, forever the pressure of an NFL running back, but this years selection are a new breed. Gone are the days of Shaun Alexander and Tatum Bell, this year more than ever the Offensive line becomes important - and without these big guys no running back will shine. Ladanian Tomlinson suffered from poor blocking during the opening few weeks of last season, whereas Adrian Peterson strolled out of college into his dream - an offensive line that allowed him to gain the NFL single game rushing title. Maybe Darren McFadden can find his dream come true somewhere in the NFL? We all know that running backs suit different systems - Greenbay always take the quicker guys, whereas they like to ground and pound the ball in Chicago, so which are gonna be on top form this season. Well my RB picks are as follows:

1. Lawrence Maroney - New England - The guy is hugely talented, a power runner with great hands, last season the pats used Maroney as a concealed weapon, they were almost holding him back as Brady threw and threw the ball, but when they used him he was stunning. I think this year they will use him more as a running back than a receiver/occasional threat and behind an offensive line as massive and powerful to give Brady so much time - he could do great things.

2. Ladanian Tomlinson - San Diego - Proved last season that even with a 5 game deficit, he'll still beat you to the top of the rushing charts. Simply the best running back in todays NFL - quick, strong, agile and a pass catcher. Expect him to do...pretty much what he's done for the past three years!

3. Michael Turner - Atlanta - Was Warrick Dunn released so they could Get Turner?? Who knows, all we know is Dunn was slowing down and the Falcons need a play maker and who better to take up the position than Ladanian Tomlinsons understudy. He's Quick, very quick and suits a falcons offensive line that couldn't protect QB or RB in 2007, we'll see if he can bail them out.

4. Clinton Portis - Washington - Hugely valued RB in D.C. for a long time now. He's reached his peak and i hope he remains there - don't forget he's got the speed of Willie Parker, the hands of Tomlinson and the right attitude to continue. You'd expect since Joe Gibbs' departure and Jim Zorn's quarterback past he may be under used....but i wouldn't bet on it!

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AND TO FINISH...

There was a legend'ry man named Favre
Retired, his family did starve
Could he return??
Greenbay will learn..
YOU COULD ALWAYS DEPEND ON BRETT FAVRE!
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