|
| AFC North |
 |
 |
 |
 |
AFC East |
 |
 |
 |
 |
AFC West |
 |
 |
 |
 |
AFC South |
 |
 |
 |
 |
| NFC North |
 |
 |
 |
 |
NFC East |
 |
 |
 |
 |
NFC West |
 |
 |
 |
 |
NFC South |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
|
|
Thoughts And Observations |
| |
New Look, New Feel, New Season
Chances are, if you are reading this around the date it was posted, you're one of the first to see the new look and feel of Skill Positions. You may even be thinking it's nice, but what was wrong with last year's model? I suppose nothing, by the way. I just keep seeking that perfect layout, that requires little clicking, and is easy to navigate and find things. I also keep seeking a perfect, but original look.
Few realize that I do all the design work myself on Skill Positions, with the exception of the actual artwork. I write all the code, and put everything in place. I know what I want when I tell my graphic artist about an image I want, and he is the best at pulling it out of my brain. I rarely admit that one of the professions I would have enjoyed following was interior design. I love designing rooms. Scary, huh? The problem is I have a large amount of testosterone in my body, and I always felt that could hurt with clients. It appears to be a feminine kind of job. I'm actually pretty sure I was wrong about that, but the mind works that way.
Okay, enough about that. The reason I put forth this lost dream is that designing a website is no different that knowing where to put your lamps, and the right place for the ottoman. To me, Skill Positions is about content, and "love of the game", as I state in the header. But it is also a blend of colors and layout. I want the site functional. It doesn't matter how great your content is if you cannot find half of it. I always believe I will leave the site for a few years after each redesign, but I at least end up tweaking it each year. I do hope this version works for you.
So, enough about the new look. Let's move along to actual NFL stuff. The season is but a couple of months away, but this is the time where nothing hardly happens. The June 1 cuts excite us, only because we "hope" there will be some action. There's usually not, but it's the next step towards training camps.
This is obviously not a lengthy article this time. I'm getting started on my fantasy previews, which will roll out in early July. Stay tuned.
A look around...
My Big Free Agency Question
Why doesn't WR Willie Jackson have a job? This really perplexes me. All he has done the past two years when called upon is play well. He's no youngster anymore, but he's not declining. If anything, he's still getting better. I thought maybe the Rams would take a hard look at him after they lost Az Hakim, but there was no interest. Of course, they ended up doing fine with Terrence Wilkens. Still, Jackson could help a lot of teams. He would be a nice fit in Kansas City. I guess there is something about him I may not know, but I do know that I would have looked at him more heavily than Derrick Alexander.
Want an Extension? Play for the Steelers
That seems to be the theme in P-burgh right now. They finally have the income to compete, thanks to Heintz Stadium, and it's showing. They've extended everyone's contract, even back-up QB Tommy Maddox. As well as this team annually drafts, it will be interesting to see if Bill Cowher gets his Super Bowl ring in the next couple of years now that they can avoid the annual free agent exodus that has hurt them in past years. (While this was being written I got word that the team was extending the contracts of the janitorial staff.)
About that "O" in Minnesota
One unit that has me severely intrigued going into this season is the Vikings offense. We know it will mostly be the Daunte and Randy show. All the other teams know it, too. What I am curious about is if it will be stopped anyway. Moss should easily catch 100 balls this season. His numbers could look very running back-like. Something tells me Moss could have a record-breaking year.
The Early Eye
A friend asked me last night who I thought would be the top offensive (read skill position) rookies this year. Oddly, the question stumped me some, but the first few players I thought about were RBs William Green, T.J. Duckett and especially DeShawn Foster. Foster has a good line in front of him. At WR, don't be surprised to see Donte Stallworth make a quick impact. He's looked good already. I still don't like rookie receivers though.
No Surprise Here
That's what I think when I see WR Michael Westbrook still out of work. Look at his pro career. He doesn't have deep speed. He beat the hell out of a teammate once. And he can get injured by thinking about it. While I don't think his personality or attitude is a problem, he just really doesn't bring much to the table that you cannot get from other players.
Moving on...
| | |
THINGS I KNOW OR WONDER:
The upcoming season in Baltimore has more complex questions than a season of "Who Wants To Be a Millionaire".
A barfight is one thing, but beating up a parking valet really makes me wonder about David Terrell.
Brian Billick was probably smart in berating the agents of Peter Boulware and Ray Lewis and not the players.
Thomas Jones is ready to be a starter? I guess the third year is the charm.
You know some things are just right together, like Shannon Sharpe back in Denver and talking it up.
THINGS I CAN PREDICT:
Terry Glenn will have sore hands all season, and beyond.
By mid-season, the Bucs will be very happy they landed Keenan McCardell.
Ricky Williams will make the Dolphins better, but Jay Fiedler will still be erratic.
Kerry Collins will be playing in another uniform after this season.
A team will eventually move to LA, and when it happens it will throw the whole semblance of the new North, South, East and West division theory out the window. Football writers will dedicate entire columns to the notion, but we will still know the divisions are just as disorganized as they've always been.
Mike owns and publishes SkillPositions.Com, along with a big, expensive, and talented staff. Don't use this work without permission in writing. Mike has been known as the world's only living heart donor. He also thinks morals are paintings on walls, and scruples are money in Russia.
|
|
| | | |
