Over/Under on Beanie Wells Games Played - 10

There's no question Beanie Wells can be a a dynamic NFL back if he's healthy. Indeed, there's a reason he was once predicted to be a top 3 pick in the NFL draft and the #1 rated RB coming out of high school. That said, Beanie can't stay healthy, he's fragile... like your Mother's china collection. He played six games as a junior, 10 games as a sophomore and 7 as a freshman (somewhat related to only being a freshman and splitting carries with Antonio Pittman). I am not overly optimistic for a player who couldn't stay healthy in college going to play a position in the NFL with the average career span of four years. I like the Cardinals picking him at 30 because if they luck out they'll eventually have a top 10 back in the league but he's already hurt himself in training camp. Not the best start to a career.

What does it mean for the Cardinals? Well, if Wells can't stay healthy it means they're running Tim Hightower as their feature back... not an ideal situation. Tim Hightower is a nice supplementary back but I don't want him toting the rock 20x a game. The Cardinals offense is likely to remain potent with Warner, Fitz, Boldin and Breaston running a track meet. However, it would be nice to have a back that can ram it down the oppositions throat in the second half. The Cardinal's D is likely to sit in the bottom 1/3 of the league in yards and points allowed... so you see where I'm going. The Cardinals hopes don't rest on Beanie's shoulders (they could very well break) but if he can take some of the load it may make their season much easier. Book it here, the Cardinals are winning the NFC West again... it's just a question of how far they make it in the playoffs.

Brandon Marshall is Delusional

Apparently today is lets pick on wide receivers day. That said, wide receivers seem to do some of the most consistently stupid things in all of professional sports (if not life in general). Brandon Marshall is now complaining that the Broncos did not celebrate his acquittal from his most recent misdemeanor battery charge. In my opinion, this is a statement that deserves all the ridicule one can possibly deliver. This "gentleman" has been arrested 3 times in the last 18 months and I was too lazy to look any further back than that. Convicted or not, Marshall needs to go hide in a hole and only show up for practice and on Sundays. He obviously had an aggressive enough fight with his girlfriend that the police had to show up and felt it neccesary to charge him... this is something I (or any of my friends) have never had happen. Now on to the acquittal, it's not like a touchdown, you don't do a dance and celebrate. As such, go be thankful, walk away quietly and move on with your life.

Moving on to Marshall's next ridiculous statement, the Broncos and Marshall have trust issues... in the variety of Marshall not trusting the Broncos. Let me see, Marshall makes a shade over $2mn and can't stop getting arrested. If anything, I think the Broncos should be the one with trust issues. I also must note, this is the same player who "fell" through a glass table hindering his offseason training before the 2008 season. Brandon Marshall has requested a trade and I would ship him out of town for anything within reason. He is going to an issue in the locker room, he's crazy and you have a QB who can't get him the ball deep (but that's for another time). PLEASE TRADE HIM BEFORE IT GETS WORSE! Yes I know, he's gone over 1,000 yards the last two seasons but at what price are you willing to keep him for.

Burress Behind Bars

Plaxico Buress has pled guilty on weapons charges and now faces a 2 year prison sentence. (http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=4411373) This has to be one of the all time dumbest moves by a professional athlete. This guy has gone from one of the top 10 WR's in the NFL, having been handed just a year ago a 5 year, $35 million contract, to just another felon in an orange jumpsuit. All so he could carry a gun and shoot himself in the leg... Do these guys just not get it?

Count on It

3 Bold predictions for this year:

1. Larry Johnson is done. Sure he may say that he feels better than he's felt in 2 years, and he's dropped 10 pounds from his playing weight of 235, down supposedly to 222-225, but the combination of his age, wear and tear, and an offensive unit in disarray will be too much for him to overcome to once again become a dominant force. After two full seasons ('05 and '06) and 750+ carries, Johnson has not eclipsed the 200 carrie mark in 2 injury marred seasons ('07 and '08). Even with newly acquired Matt Cassel finally bringing some legitimacy to the threat of a passing attack, I just don't think he has the tread left on his tires to be the force he once was. The Chiefs best option would be to use him the way the Carolina Panthers used Deshaun Foster over the last few years of his career. Make him a 10-15 carrie guy. Get him in the game near the goal line where he can use his size. Johnson seems to think he can still do 20-25 a game, I just don't see it happening. Prediction: 200 carries - 800 yards - 5 TD's

2. The Falcons are legit. Matty Ice, Michael Turner, and Roddy White are no joke. This is an offence that is going to be dangerous for years to come. They used the draft to address defensive needs at DT (Peria Jerry), and safety (William Moore). And had arguably the biggest off-season acquisition in trading a second round pick for Tony Gonzalez. Make no mistake, they are the class of the NFC South and are bona fide NFC Championship Contenders. Prediction: regular season - 13-3, playoffs - at least a trip to the NFC Championship.

3. Mario Williams will be Defensive Player of the Year. You heard it hear first. 14 sacks in 2007, 12 sacks 2008. Surrounded by a fast, physical, young defensive group (particularly along the defensive line), Williams has become the force that many wondered if he could be during his first year with the Texans. At this point, it's safe to say that Houston made the right selection with its first overall selection in 2005, the only question now is just how great he can become.

Fu*k you Brett Favre.

I am an unabashed Green Bay Packers fan. I hate Brett Favre immensely. This heap of gun slinger is going to get decapitated by AJ Hawk this year. I will cheer when they put him in a neck brace.

The Golden Boy Returns (kind of)

Well, the highly anticipated (preseason) return of Tom Brady came and went on Thursday night and all signs point to it being a success. Brady came out firing completing 4/5 passes including a 4 yard TD to newly acquired Chris Baker. For the half Brady finished 10/15 with 2 TDs (both to Baker) and an interception. After a solid come back showing and a successful cameo on 'Entourage', welcome back Tom...we've missed you.

On an unrelated note...Julian Edelman...the former Kent State QB and late round pick had a successful night catching passes and running back a punt 75 yards for a TD. After a summer of of speculation regarding the possible signing of Michael Vick, could this be this ace the Pats had up their sleeve the whole time?

Speaking of Vick....I hear some QB signed with the Eagles......

Darren Evans Injury Makes Me Sad

The first game in the college season I was really excited for was V-Tech-'Bama. I found the Tyrod Taylor-Darren Evans backfield intriguing. Now we hear news that Evans is out for the year with a blown ACL... there's always next year I guess. Anyways, EDSBS (www.edsbs.com) posted a great video. I thought I'd share it with you.